Penta Career Center began the 2023-24 school year with a number of new personnel and new programming.
At the September 13 meeting, Mark Pogliano, assistant superintendent, introduced 24 new staff members.
They are Janice Borger, math; Meghan Bunting, job training coordinator; Christy Butson, career assessment technician; Samuel Carrisalez, assistant supervisor of student services; Jamie Clay, occupational safety and health coordinator; Jillian Crowe, business exploratory; Geoff Earnhart and Kaitlyn Ewing, social studies; Kristin Gerwin, job coach; Kevin Heintschel, VOSE Perrysburg; Sonia Herman, supervisor of curriculum and instruction; Sam Hutchinson, Sandra Reynolds and Bradley Roberts, English; Erik Johnson, supervisor, student services; Matthew Kern, satellite business instructor at Northwood; Vicki Lammie, satellite phlebotomy at Springfield; Eric Parker and David St. Louis, math; Brooke Schumacher, science; Phillip Simmons, construction electricity; Wendy Struffolino, cafeteria worker, and Susan Volschow and Rose Wilson, secretaries.
In other personnel matters, the board employed as support staff Merl Creps, job coach, and Claire Sample, instructional aide, both effective September 5, and Payton Donbrosky, student worker.
They also hired Emite Davis, adult education part time, $32 per hour; Rita Haddad, state tested nurse’s aide program coordinator, $33 per hour; Debra Morris and Daniel Weirich, administrative advisors; John Sliwinski and Hussien Younes, adult education, part time $31 per hour, and Catherine Manol, Stacy Morris and Judith Niemann, adult education Aspire instructors, $31 per hour.
STEM Camp
Instructors Branden May and Christine May presented the school board with an overview of the summer STEM camps.
Mr. May said the two are “passionate” about the camps, noting they “not only nurture the minds of our future workforce but also play a crucial role in reshaping perceptions, particularly in the realm of career and technical education.”
Both believe that in this technology driven world, the future is STEM.
“The world our students will inherit is driven by technological advancements, scientific discoveries and the need for innovative problem solvers,” Ms. May noted.
The two pointed out they use the camps to challenge and change perceptions families and students have about a career technical education.
They believe the perception is changing with the camps growing each year and filling up with students from grades three through nine.
Third through fifth graders receive an introduction to different subject areas and careers while the older students in advanced camps delve deeper into two areas of their choice.
The two are pleased with responses to the camp they received after sending out a survey. “There are dozens and dozens of very happy peo-
Other Business
In other business, the
school board:
•Received a finance committee update from board member Paul Walker, chair of the committee.
Mr. Walker said fiscal year appropriations are about as expected, noting there was some increase with salaries and benefits. “But overall, we are in pretty good shape,” he added.
Treasurer Mike Harrigan presented appropriations which show the district beginning the school year with $17.2 million in the general fund. He projects the ending year balance on June 30, 2024 to be $14.96 million.
•Awarded a contract to Garland/DBS for $316,885 for roofing products and services for the career center’s building on Corporate Drive in Holland.
In a related matter, the board awarded a contract to KCS Contracting for inside demolition of the building at a cost of $53,800.
•Accepted resignations from Sheri Bunting, job coach, effective September 5; Katie Duquette, instructional aide, August 9, and Thomas Leuschner, job coach, August 17.
•Approved amendments to language of 18 policies pertaining to tobacco use prevention; college credit plus; health services, removal, suspension, expulsion and permanent exclusion of students; computer technology and networks; technology privacy; web accessibility, content, apps and services; student technology acceptable use and safety; staff technology acceptable use and safety; continuity of organizational operations plan; information security; school safety; emergency situations at schools, and student abuse and neglect.
•Revised the school calendar for 2023-24, giving students the day off an April 8. Superintendent Ed Ewers pointed out that most member schools are not in session that day due to the solar eclipse. A day of instruction will be added to the end of the calendar year, he added.
•Approved a course of study for the medical technologies academy following a 30-day review.
•Approved nine requests to attend professional meetings.
The next meeting will be at 5:15 p.m., Wednesday, October 11, in the board meeting room, 9301 Buck Road, Perrysburg Township, and is open to the public.
