At the January 10 organizational meeting, the Penta Career Center board of education re-elected Judith Sander of Genoa, who represents the North Point Educational Service Center, as board president. Judith Paredes of Walbridge, representing the Wood County Educational Service Center, was elected vice president.
In addition, three new board members were sworn in. They are Kris Campbell, representing Perrysburg Exempted Village School District; Ross Stambaugh of the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center and Peggy Thompson, Bowling Green City School District.
They replace Eric Benington, Bill Green and Paul Walker, respectively.
The trio will serve threeyear terms, expiring December 31, 2026.
Current school board member Kathy Limes of the Wood County Educational Service Center begins a new three-year term this year, expiring December 31, 2026.
The remaining five board members will serve unexpired terms through December 31, 2025.
Penta’s school board is comprised of nine members who are chosen to serve through appointment by their respective boards of education.
In other organizational matters, the board voted to continue holding regular meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:15 p.m., in the board meeting room at the career center with several exceptions.
The board will meet Wednesday, June 5, and Friday June 28. During the summer months, meetings will be conducted at 7:30 a.m., in June, July and August 14.
Other items approved by the board include: compensation rates of $125 per meeting attended; appointment of Michael Harrigan, treasurer, as the board’s designee for Sunshine Laws and public records training; mileage of $.55 per mile for attendance at all meetings, and the establishment of a $20,000 service fund only to be used to pay the expenses of board members in performance of their duties.
Honor Flight
Michael Willford, criminal justice instructor, and several of his students addressed the board regarding their trip last fall to Washington D.C. on Honor Flight.
Six students from his class were chosen to go on the trip, based on essays they submitted on why they believed they should be chosen to accompany veterans.
“This was a great opportunity for these kids to see what the veterans have done for our country,” he said, adding, Penta is the first high school group the organization reached out to for students to serve as guardians to the veterans.
Senior Autumn Oberhause described the trip as “very exciting and exhausting. It was incredible to see the veterans and their reactions when visiting the memorials. It was something that was very emotional.”
Junior Mercy Lanning added, “I come from a military family. This was a once -in-a-lifetime trip. Thank you for providing funding for the trip.”
Superintendent Ed Ewers commended the students for their dedication to veterans during the trip. “What an honor to be able to do that.”
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Accepted with regret a retirement resignation submitted by Elizabeth Wray, health and human services supervisor, effective August 9. Mr. Ewers said she began working at Penta in 2012 and was an assistant principal at Start High School prior to coming to the career center.
The board also accepted resignations from Penny Miller, small animal care long-term substitute, at the end of the school year, and Claire Sample, early childcare education, March 1.
•Employed Robert Buchet and Matthew Rogers, adult education instructors, part time at $31 per hour through June 30. They also approved extended service days for the second semester to 37 employees.
•Authorized Mr. Harrigan to seek collection of taxes from county auditors as they become available. Penta receives tax dollars from the counties in its member districts. They are Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood counties.
•Approved the school calendar for the 2024-25 school year.
New students will begin on August 15 with all students reporting on August 16, 2024. The last day will be May 28, 2025, pending the need for make up days which could extend the school year to June 3.
•Approved 12 requests to attend professional meetings.
The next board of education meeting will be at 5:15 p.m., Wednesday, February 14, in the board meeting room, 9301 Buck Road, Perrysburg Township, and is open to the public.
