With the 2022-23 school year now in the rear view mirror, administrators at Penta Career Center reflected on the successes of the past year and the challenges that lie ahead in the future.
At the June 7 meeting, center Director, Ryan Lee, reported that 13 students won top awards at Skills-USA Ohio State championships and are competing in the national competition in Atlanta, Georgia this month.
Several students also qualified for the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in July in Denver, Colorado after earning top awards at the state level.
In addition, 14 seniors were recognized for their participation in the Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the Value of Education through the Perrysburg Rotary Club.
Mr. Lee noted that 14 students from the dental assistants program successfully passed their radiology and registered dental assistant exams.
“Our carpentry students also were busy, transforming an abandoned neighborhood in Toledo by building four homes,” he said, adding, “The students found it rewarding to provide affordable housing to those in need in the Bluff Street Village.
Students also excelled in earning credentials with construction technologies, HVAC and welding achieving 100 percent on credentialing, followed by phlebotomy technician, 85 percent and dental assisting, 75 percent.
He credits the staff for helping to inspire students, and believes that cohesion between students and instructors is helping to drive the career center’s growth in enrollment.
“It’s exciting times at the high school,” Mr. Lee concluded.
Superintendent Ed Ewers agreed, noting that the district’s current enrollment this fall is 1,658. “We are at capacity,” he said, adding that in the future, the district “fully anticipates more enrollment.”
“Every industry says they need more trained help,” he continued, but pointed out that while Penta is working to meet workforce demand, the district is finding it challenging to hire instructors in the varying trades.
In addition to the need for skilled instructors, the district is looking at expanding the career center. Mr. Ewers said the 522,000-square-foot building is designed for 1,600 students. To accommodate more students and new programs that meet market demands, the administrator is closely monitoring the proposed state biennial budget as it pertains to career tech facilities funding. Career center officials are hoping that state grant funds will be available to help with the expansion of Penta.
“We are continuing to monitor the state budget,” he told the board.
Personnel
A number of personnel matters were conducted. The board accepted the resignation of Keverne Van Dorp, cafeteria worker, effective May 17; and Troy Slattman, assistant supervisor, June 6.
They also hired as job coaches Kristin Gerwin, Thomas Leuschner and Mindy Vascik from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
Employed at an hourly rate as job coaches are Chad Detterman, Walter Lawson, Katherine Skaff, Tanya Thorbahn and Tina Vogelpohl.
Other hirees include Traci Riechman, instructional aide; Wendy Struffolino, cafeteria worker, and Rose Wilson, secretary for 2023-24.
Two certified personnel were hired: Kevin Heintschel, intervention specialist, and Sam Hutchinson, English for 2023-24. They also approved extended days in 2023-24 for 82 personnel.
A four-year contract was awarded to Renata Kurtz, instructor, effective July 1.
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Approved the transfer of student meal fees for lunch for the second semester of 2022-23 totaling $181,890.
•Renewed membership in 2023-24 to Northwest Ohio Educational Technology at a cost of $1.95 per student, based on October 2022 enrollment.
•Heard from culinary instructors Janea Makowski and Alyssa Johnson along with students, juniors Peyton Baumbarger, Justin Savage-Brown and Ryan Weisbrad, about the group’s recent trip to the FCCLA Culinary Immersion in Chicago.
During their visit, they took a Chicago foods tour, received a behind-the-scenes tour of the Marriott hotel, attended a cookie decorating class with chef demonstrations and attended the National Restaurant show.
In addition to enjoying an array of foods offered at the exhibit, the students learned the history of foods such as the Chicago deep dish pizza and the origins of the brownie which was invented in Chicago.
•Approved as a volunteer in STEM camp Dr. Nurdan Kalayci of Gazi University in Turkey and University of Toledo.
•Learned that the career center received 2023 marks of distinction and excellence awards in several categories from the Ohio School Public Relations Association.
The categories were: special purpose publications for the career technical program guide and summer Penta Perspective newsletter; video award for television commercials and marketing materials award for the 2022 Career Night invitation.
•Approved 16 requests to attend professional meetings.
The next board of education meeting will be at 7:30 a.m., Thursday, June 29, in the board meeting room, 9301 Buck Road, Perrysburg Township, and is open to the public.
