Garaway BOE recognizes Oct. Students of the Month
Mike Warkall, board member, left; April Beachy, board member; Faith Head, Artist of Month; Calli Hostetler, Middle School Student of the Month; Matthew Raber, High School Student of the Month; and Robert Eckert, John Shrock and Bob Hannon, all board members
Garaway Board of Education met Nov. 20 and entered into a three-year sublease agreement for the Belden Center kitchen. The center operates the senior nutrition program for the Area Agency on Aging Area Nine in conjunction with the Belden Senior Center. The center is located at the football field.
Superintendent Dr. James Millet, Curriculum Director Chuck Zobel, special education coordinator Mollie Parisi and Ragersville Title I teacher B.J. Grimm attended the National Blue Ribbon Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C. from Nov. 16-17. Grimm was unable to attend the actual ceremony. The group gave a report on Ragersville Elementary and why the school was deserving of the award. Ragersville is only the second school in Tuscarawas County to receive this award. The school received a flag to fly signifying the Blue Ribbon Award.
The board did the following:
—Approved resignations/retirement of Becky Jarvis, Dundee Elementary secretary, effective, Dec. 15; Lucas Immel, cross country head coach, effective at the end of the fall 2023 season; and Michael Felton, bus driver, for retirement purposes, effective May 1, 2024.
—Accepted a $138.50 donation from Baltic Conservation Club for fishing and outdoor activities.
—Approved athletic stipends for 2023-24 to Darren Yosick, varsity boys basketball assistant; Trevor Donaldson, junior varsity boys basketball; Donal Sundheimer, eighth-grade boys basketball; Corey Yoder, seventh-grade boys basketball; Steffinee Yoder, junior varsity girls basketball; John Regula, eighth-grade girls basketball; Emily Reneker, seventh-grade girls basketball; Todd Page, boys bowling; Troy Page, girls bowling; and Justin Westfall, assistant wrestling.
—Approved the fall five-year forecast for the district. Sheryl Hardesty, treasurer, said the district is in stable financial condition.
—Approved 16 volunteers for athletics in seventh grade through 12th grade for the 2023-24 school year.
—Approved four change orders with GorCon Construction of Dover for site soil grading, $4,450; demolition of the brick overhang and wall at the high school for the attachment of the walkway canopy, $6,560; pirate wall mural, $8,976; and garage door, $3,230. All the work is being completed at the new wellness center and paid from ESSER funds.
—Entered a contract with Jeff Wallick LLC for installation of windows at a cost of $38,750 and Wayne Garage Door Sales and Service for metal security doors to be installed at a cost of $4,146. The improvements are being made at the high school/middle school.
—Approved 15 volunteers for the 2023-24 school year.
—Heard Bob Hannon, board member, thank the Garaway administrators, staff, students and Buckeye Career Center for the outpouring and support of the Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools during the recent tragedy.
—Heard the sophomore class won a contest to supply items for the Friends of the Homeless. Over 1,000 items were collected.
Public speaks
Dr. James Miller wanted to make the board aware books coming from Scholastic Books have controversial material in some of them that were supplied for the book fair. The administration is aware of the books and will take appropriate measures.
Other information
The board recognized the October Student of the Month recipients: Matthew Raber, high school; Calli Hostetler, middle school; Faith Head, artist; Ryan Weaver, employee; and Brady Geibel and Jackson Reifenschneider, athletes.
The board lauded the Garaway football team and coaches for reaching the Final Four in the state playoffs. Reaching the state playoffs is a first for Garaway football.
The next meeting will be held Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. in the high school library 146 Dover Road, Sugarcreek.