As she prepares to retire, Penta Career Center Treasurer Carrie Herringshaw gave her monthly report to the board of education for the final time.
At the June 29 meeting, Ms. Herringshaw expressed appreciation to the school board.
“As you know, today is my last board meeting. I have served as treasurer since I was hired by the board in February 1990,” she said. “As those who have worked with me know, I asked that there be no party or anything special, and I am appreciative that they have respected my wishes.”
She described her tenure at Penta as “amazing. We have accomplished so much in this period of time and as a result, offer world-class career technical education to students in our 16-member schools and help our partners in business and industry with developing a workforce for economic viability in northwest Ohio.”
She commended the staff for their hard work each day on behalf of the district.
“Despite what many may think, we are not here to hinder progress, treat employees unfairly, give people a hard time, or just say no because we want to. We are here supporting the mission of the school district within the confines of the law and board policy.”
She recalled her participation nine years ago in a leadership course through the Ohio Association of School Business Officials.
“One part of this involved asking administrators and co-workers to complete a survey about my leadership. Generally, the comments and ratings were positive. One comment stood out to me and for many years, I was upset and confounded by it: ‘Be more open and accepting that there are other options–not everyone has the same level of commitment to Penta.’” “Now, this actually makes me proud. I am not saying I alone made all the difference, but I believe that if I did not have the level of commitment to Penta that I have had, we might not be sitting in this facility today. I am proud that my commitment to Penta helped result in career tech funding that should keep our district and career tech education in Ohio sound for decades.”
She continued, “I am proud that my commitment to Penta will allow the district to maintain, renovate and add to facilities for the very long-term future. I am proud my commitment to Penta will give our students the opportunity to participate in CTSOs in perpetuity regardless of the district’s financial situation through our CT student enhancement fund at the Toledo Community Foundation.”
Although some may see her committment to the district in a negative light, she believes she has helped charter the financial course of this district for the next 50 years.
“I would like to say to the younger leadership in this district: take time to understand the history of why we do what we do, why things are the way they are. I know things have to change–but everything that has been done over the course of time was done with purpose and reason; almost everything becomes outdated or obsolete but having a historical perspective will help guide future decisions and will build on the foundation that has made Penta a great institution.”
As treasurer, she elected to close her address using numbers. Those are:
•33.5 years as treasurer
•8, the number of clerk/treasurers or treasurers Penta had through 1989 before Ms. Herringshaw
•422, the estimated number of board meetings she attended
•$2,158,459 in endowed scholarship funds with the Greater Toledo Community Foundation
•210, the estimated number of trips to Columbus
•52,500 miles driven to Columbus
•22 contract negotiations in which she participated
•4 superintendents with whom she had the good fortune to work–Louise Fought, Fred Susor, Ron Matter and Ed Ewers
•1 deputy treasurer she has had.
Ms. Herringshaw officially steps down July 31 and on August 1 Mike Harrigan will become the 10th treasurer of the district.
“I know Mike will be a great asset to the district in this position. He will carry on with the good work of the treasurer’s office, and his insight and knowledge will benefit the district in new and different ways,” she said.
To the board, she added, “Thank you for your support and for allowing me the opportunity to serve the staff and students of this district. It has been an honor and privilege.”
Personnel
The school board approved a number of personnel matters.
They hired Samuel Carrisalez, assistant supervisor; Matthew Kern, business instructor at Northwood, and Meghan Bunting, job training coordinator, all one-year limited contracts.
The board also employed David St. Louis, math, one year limited contract for 2023-24, and Scott Carpenter, High Schools That Work, $325 per day July 1 through June 20, 2024.
Several support personnel were hired and are Christy Butson, career assessment; Kenneth Blandin, on-board instructor, part time, $31 per hour; Jamie Clay, occupational health and safety coordinator, $57 per hour; Zachary Miller, information technology intern, $14.25 per hour, and Mackenzie Secory, student summer worker, $12.30.
Added as bus drivers for the 2023-24 year are Kenneth Blandin, Merl Creps, Michelle Dandino, Joseph Dietrich, Ricardo Escobar, Rachel Ewing, Charles Getz, Patricia Lemon, David Little, David McPherson, Katherine Skaff and David Smith.
The board also approved the employment of a number of part-time adult education instructors from July 1 through June 30, 2024.
They are Mike Sheckler, $31; Joy Allison, Vincent Bryant, Danny Clayton, Nicole Eschbach, Chris Lautermilch, Shawn Markins, Robert Miller, Jordana Retske, Bruce Tarrant and Craig Wagner, $32; Vicki Lammie, Brenda Strauss and Ryan Thomas, $33, and Aspire instructors Jane Austermiller, Jacob Bowman, JoAnne Chrysochoos, Prisilla Davis, Joanne Goins, Susan Hyman, Anne Keil, Maria Kopan, Bill Kopaniasz, Pamela Martin, Kathleen McClure, Jennifer Mowrer, Diane Rogers, Claudia Ruedisueli, Patrick Seitz, Patricia Senerius, Barbara Szydlowski, Michelle Wright, Delores Young and Persilla Zervos.
Two instructors were approved for University of Toledo summer workshop stipends. They are Vicki Lammie, phlebotomy, $6,038, and Phillip Simmons, construction electricity, $6,227.
In addition, the board accepted the resignation of Kara Myers, business satellite instructor, effective June 22.
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Approved temporary appropriations for the 2023-24 school year.
They are general fund, $37.22 million; permanent improvement, $5 million; food service, $706,050; trust, $100,000; Rotary, $600,000; adult education, $682,279; local funds, $277,132; student activities, $10,000, and student success and wellness, $45,846.
•Authorized the donation of career center property at 119007 Lime City Road to the Ohio Department of Transportation for the bridge replacement project over I-75.
•Approved the transfer of $276,952 to the Greater Toledo Community Foundation. The foundation was established in 2010 to cover student and staff expenses related to participation in local, regional, state and national competitions.
•Waived student fees, uniform costs and type A breakfast and lunch for the 2023-24 school year.
•Adopted the student/parent handbook for 2023-24.
•Approved three requests to attend professional meetings.
•Opted not to hold a board meeting in July.
The next school board meeting will be held at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 9, in the board room of the career center, 9301 Buck Road, Perrysburg Township, and is open to the public.
