As the first semester draws to a close, the Penta Career Center board of education took action on a number of personnel actions including the resignation of the assistant superintendent.
At the December 7 meet ing, the board learned that Robert Falkenstein is stepping down, effective June 30.
“Bob has resigned for personal reasons,” said Superintendent Ed Ewers. “We wish him success in future endeavors.”
The superintendent said the district is currently looking for a replacement.
Karen Bonner, sophomore health exploratory instructor, also submitted her resignation. She is retiring February 25, 2022.
“She has been here for 14 years, starting in 2008,” said
Mr. Ewers.
Other resigning personnel are Sarah Logan, culinary instructor, January 3; Candace Odenweller, job coach, November 23, and Catherine Gankosky, secretary, December 17.
The board approved em ployment of two certified instructors. They are Jolyn Heavener, long-term substitute teacher, effective January 4, to fill the position vacated by Ms. Logan, and David Foster, Aspire instructor, $25 per hour, 2021-22 school year.
Added to support personnel is Michelle Dandino, hired as a substitute bus/van driver at $15.87 per hour.
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Renewed annual membership in the Ohio Education Policy Institute for $1,000, and the Ohio School Boards Association at a cost of $4,203.
•Approved policies for evaluation of principals and other administrators, weapons, college credit plus program, career advising, employment of substitute teachers, attendance, student anti-hazing, positive behavior intervention and supports and limited use of restraint, video surveillance and electronic monitoring, student records and student abuse and neglect.
•Selected board members Judy Paredes and Bill Green to the nominating committee to decide the next board president by the January 12 meeting.
•Received an update on activities from Ryan Lee, career center director. He noted that as the semester draws to a close, students are taking end-of-course academic testing.
In addition, the school hosted career night on December 6 for potential future students.
“What a great turnout. We had 30 to 40 enroll that very evening,” he said.
Mr. Lee welcomed 40 elementary and middle school principals and counselors to the school recently to discuss career options and the value of work.
“We hope it will be the first in a series of discussions on ways we can be more interactive with younger age students.”
He added, “There are a lot of exciting things happening. It’s a busy time of year.”
•Heard from Mr. Ewers, who told the board that culinary and cosmetology programs participated in Happy Holland Days on December 4.
Culinary provided gingerbread houses for Santa’s display at the Lodge at Strawberry Acres, and cos metology students and teachers did face painting, nail coloring and temporary hair color at the Holland Branch Library.
“That was a really nice day, and we appreciated being a part of it,” he said, adding he spoke with branch library director Hannah Grohowski about more options for Penta students moving forward.
Mr. Ewers also informed the board that he would be on the workforce development panel at the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments annual meeting in January.
•Enjoyed the annual culinary holiday program presented by the culinary department prior to the board meeting. Students served appetizers, surf and turf and four desserts including award winning snickerdoodles and peanut butter buckeyes.
Chef instructors from each program spoke about how much the students “enjoyed preparing the meal.”
Chef Janea Makowski said students are gearing up for competitions early next year, and she noted the culi nary restaurant is only open limited days, but has done better than last year. “We had days of over $700 [in sales].”
The staff was very supportive of the recent bake sale fund-raiser for Cops and Kids, raising $1,600 for the Wood County Fraternal Order of Police program.
Liz Wray, program supervisor, commended the culinary group, “I’m blessed to work with all these wonderful individuals. The talent in this group makes for a brighter world, which we can all use right now.”
•Listened to an attorney and several parents regarding their concerns with masking of students and vaccination mandates. The career center’s current policy is masks optional, and there is no vaccine requirement.
The next board of education meeting will begin with an organizational meeting followed by the general meeting at 5:15 p.m., Wednesday, January 12. Open to the public, it will be held in the board room, 9301 Buck Road, Perrysburg Township.
