Garaway BOE authorizes purchase of Fairview Ave. property
During a special meeting and executive session held July 10, the Garaway Board of Education authorized negotiations and the potential purchase of property at 336 Fairview Ave. NW in Sugarcreek.
According to Superintendent Dr. James Millet, the board recognizes the benefit for acquiring property that offers potential purposes such as safety improvements, educational uses, green space and expansion opportunities in the future.
The board also did the following:
—Accepted the resignation of Julie Rest, Garaway intervention specialist for seventh grade through 12th grade, effective at the end of the 2023-24 school year.
—Granted a one-year certified contract to Tiffany Plants, intervention specialist for seventh grade through 12th grade, effective for the 2024-25 school year.
—Granted a one-year athletic stipend to Dennis Koshmider, head softball coach, pending a background check and certification.
Garaway BOE holds regular meeting
Millet gave an update on summer projects during the regular board of education meeting on July 15. He said playgrounds have been paved, walls and flooring projects have been completed in several classrooms, and the window installation project is almost 100% completed. He said all hiring of individuals also is complete, and the curriculum has been upgraded over the past several years.
The board also did the following:
—Appointed April Beachy, board president, as delegate to the Ohio School Board Association annual meeting in November. Millet will serve as alternate delegate.
—Accepted a $5,000 donation from the estate of Karl Marhofer for Baltic Elementary School.
—Approved a contract with Beachy Concrete LLC for handicapped sidewalk leading to the middle school entrance at a cost of $12,427.
—Gave approval to a contract with Tekton Engineering LLC for evaluation of electric service for HVAC options for all district school buildings for $7,500.
—Approved an annual contract with PaySchools for a cafeteria point of sale system at a cost of $5,840 annually.
—Gave approval to the Garaway employee handbook for personnel, programs and procedures.
—Entered into a contract with East Central Ohio ESC for audiology services for the 2024-25 school year at an estimated cost of $2,349.
—Approved a one-year certified contract for Mitchell Warden, Garaway elementary technology teacher.
—Approved supplemental contracts to Aaron Morris, show choir, jazz band and pep band director, at a rate of $20 per hour not to exceed 190 hours; Dr. Steven Grimo, assistant band director, one-half stipend, and band instruction, $800 stipend; and Scott Thomas, assistant band director, one-half stipend, and band instructor, $800 stipend.
—Approved 15 supplemental contracts and 25 extra-curricular volunteers for the 2024-25 school year.
—Gave approval to 13 special education stipends at $1,002 each and nine mentors for new teachers.
—Approved Lucas Immel and Joyce Grimm to service three-year terms on the local professional development committee.
—Approved continuation of a transition agreement with HARCATUS Head Start to collaborate to ensure successful transition of preschool students who are kindergarten eligible.
—Approved a memorandum of understanding between the board of education and Garaway Teachers Association to add new supplemental positions for sixth-grade camp and Washington, D.C. trip directors.
—Approved Jeff Wallick to install window replacements in the high school cafeteria, art room and middle school, and high school lounge, pending a second quote.
Other information
The board passed a resolution to waive the career-technical education middle school course requirement for Garaway seventh grade through 12th grade for the entire 2023-24 school year.
The board recognized Wendy Hostetler, certified teacher, retiring after 26 years of service.
Dr. James Miller, a board member, lauded the superintendent, treasurer and former board members for keeping the district budget in the black for so many years.
The next regular meeting will be held Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. in the high school library at 146 Dover Road NW in Sugarcreek.