The employment contract for Penta Career Center’s treasurer has been extended and salary adjustments were authorized for the treasurer and superintendent.
At the November 10 meeting, the school board emerged from executive session, voting to extend Treasurer Carrie Herringshaw’s contract by three years from August 1 2022 through July 31, 2025.
“Terms of the original contract remain the same,” said Ken Sutter, board president.
In addition, the board allotted Mrs. Herringshaw up to 30 days to work remotely from home, and a carryover of up to 10 additional vacation days subsequent to the calendar year.
Named the 2015 Outstanding Treasurer/CFO of the Year by the Ohio Association of School Business Officials’ (OASBO) Foundation for School Business Management, Mrs. Herringshaw has been at Penta for more than 30 years.
In addition, the school board approved performance-based stipends for the treasurer and Superintendent Ed Ewers.
“Each will receive a onetime, performance-based stipend payment in the amount of 2 percent of their base salary,” Mr. Sutter explained.
Mrs. Herringshaw will receive $2,220 and Mr. Ewers, $3,017.
iCEV Plaque
Several instructors were recognized for their students’ achievements in iCEV credentialing. They are Nicole Costello, small animal science; Brett Kneeskern and Noah Niederhouse, both satellite agriculture, and Jennifer Rigali, small animal science.
They received the iCEV certification plaque, which is presented to schools whose students earn multiple Elanco six-point industry recognized credentials, hosted on the iCEV platform. The credentials can be used toward graduation requirements.
“Penta by far has the most students in Ohio with 150. The next highest is 60,” said Sydney Snider, iCEV curriculum executive. “They are very, very rigorous exams. It is impressive to have 150 students achieve the credentials,” she added.
Ms. Rigali said the veterinarian medicines application “aligns well with our curriculum. It’s fun to see the excitement on students’ faces when they pass it.”
Ms. Costello said her students took the fundamentals of animal science course, which proved challenging since the Penta program deals primarily with small animals and pets whereas the curriculum focused on mostly farm animals.
“They were scared at first but as a few started passing, more and more students tried and got excited. Last year, 100 percent of the juniors passed.”
She added, “So far this year, four took the exam today and 50 percent of them passed.”
Mr. Ewers said, “It’s been difficult to find credentials in the agricultural world. This fills the need and is another option toward graduation.”
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Employed Kimberly Coffman and Emite Davis as adult education evening coordinators. The board also hired six, part-time adult education instructors at a rate of $30 per hour. They are DJ Gase, Deborah Hahn, Janea Makowski, Paul Perry, Jim Rhegness and Mike Wilford.
•Issued a one-year contract to Alyssa Johnson as an instructional aide, effective November 19.
•Adopted a policy in accordance with Ohio law that allows school districts to employ substitute teachers in 2021-22 who do not possess a college degree or higher.
•Approved four requests to attend professional meetings.
The next school board meeting will be at 5:15 p.m., Wednesday, December 8 in the board meeting room 9301 Buck Road, Perrysburg Township, and is open to the public.
