Garaway Board of Education honors 7 retirees

At the July 21 meeting, the Garaway Board of Education recognized and presented apple awards to seven employees who retired.

The board honored Sherry Bichsel, third grade teacher, 30 years; Linda Hochstetler, teacher, counselor and literary specialist, 32; Richard Seilhamer, teacher and coach, 26; Denise Shull, food service, 26; Jody Ott Schlabach, student aide, 21; Gloria Sundheimer, van driver, 10 1/2; and Judy Tornabene, school nurse, seven.

In another matter Superintendent Dr. James Millet gave an update on the summer projects in the district.

“The paving has been completed at Dundee and Ragersville elementary schools, the Belden Center received interior upgrades, Miller Avenue is getting a new roof, the middle school is getting new flooring, and the floors are being leveled,” he said. “The new storefront windows at the front of the high school project should begin in late July or the first of August. We are also working on the turf lawsuit. We are working through the warranty process.”

At the May meeting, Millet told the board fibers are coming off the artificial football field turf. He said it has an eight-year warranty, and the problem began three years ago. At that time the district began to pursue a solution, but it fell on deaf ears with the company.

In other business

The board heard concerns from a grandmother about the band room not having any air-conditioning, and it is very hot for the students. Millet said when the windows were replaced in the band room, the air-conditioning units were at the end of their life, and the windows do not accommodate new air-conditioners. He said if fans or other cooling units are run, it trips the electric breakers.

She also asked why the band boosters provide water for the referees and other officials. April Beachy, board president, said it is a courtesy the band provides, and Millet said the district can provide water for them.

The board approved a one-year certified contract for Jennah Beavers, fourth grade through sixth grade language arts teacher at Dundee Elementary.

The board accepted the retirement of Denise Shull, cook at Baltic Elementary, effective at the end of the 2024-25 contract year.

The board approved the replacement of the Miller Avenue Elementary Library mini-split air-conditioning system with a cost not to exceed $16,000.

The board approved a classified contract for Jennifer Young, one year as a van driver, and the transfer of Sheila Troyer from floater to cook at Baltic Elementary, child nutrition department.

The board accepted a $1,800 American Chemistry Society grant for high school chemistry.

The board approved a four-year membership contract of Tonal for the cardio room at a cost of $5,000.

The board entered into a contract with Yoder Tree Service for the removal of trees and brush at Baltic Elementary at a cost of $12,000.

The board approved a continuation of a transition agreement with HARCATUS Head Start to collaborate to ensure the successful transition of the children who are kindergarten eligible.

The board approved an electric aggregation contract through OMERESA Consortium for 48 months with Freeport Energy. The district will pay .06345 per kilowatt hour, effective Dec. 1.

The board approved the disposal of outdated equipment most efficiently.

The board entered into a contract with East Central Ohio ESC for audiology services for the 2025-26 school year at an estimated cost of $2,842.

The board entered into a renewable agreement with Ohio Substitute Teacher Service for the 2025-26 school year at $100 per day for substitute teachers and $129 per day for services provided for substitutes’ pay and retirement funds by a different company.

The board approved a one-year contract with Frontline Education for Comparative Analytics at a cost of $5,000.

The board approved Educational Funding Group Inc. to serve as the authorized agent for Garaway LSD for all matters related to E-rate funding and filings.

The board approved eight mentors as new employees for the 2025-26 school year.

The next meeting will be Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. in the high school library, 146 Dover Road NW, Sugarcreek.