Garaway schools weigh feasibility of new high school, middle school facilities
The board approved a $60,200 study to assess district buildings, some over a century old, while also expanding student clubs and approving staff changes.
At the Sept. 15 Garaway Board of Education meeting, high school Principal Tom Haas informed the board about three clubs that are being created for students in seventh grade through 12th grade: the Breakfast Club, Outdoor Club, and Plunder and Threads Club.
“The Breakfast Club is to create an environment for making decisions and good choices for the students. The Outdoor Club is to promote outdoor conservation, and the Plunder and Threads Club is to explore new techniques of the cost to design and create a shirt and then sell them,” Haas said.
The board also agreed to enter into a contract with Buildwise Project Partners LLC of Cleveland for an initial feasibility study to create a comprehensive district facility plan and elementary infrastructure assessments. The cost for the study of the high school/middle school is $35,000, and the cost for the elementary is $25,200.
Superintendent Dr. James Millet said the building committee is exploring the feasibility of a new high school and middle school facility and reviewing the elementary schools. Two elementary schools are over 100 years old. He said the committee is looking at the cost and a replacement plan and obtaining good information about the buildings.
The board also did the following:
—Accepted the resignation of Sara Goedel, assistant to the treasurer, and accounts payable, effective Sept. 26.
—Approved extra-curricular volunteers for 2025-26 as follows: Katie Zimmerman and Jennifer Njoroge, Breakfast Club; Greg Miller, Outdoor Club; Erin Gotwals, Spanish Club; and Tiffany Plants, Plunder and Threads Club.
—Approved 16 volunteers for seventh grade through 12th grade and the elementary schools.
—Approved Judy Tornabene, substitute school nurse, and a classified contract to transfer Nicole Fender from the child nutrition department to special services aide.
—Approved the revised rate of $65 per student for sixth grade camp.
—Approved the Appalachian Trail Hike March 31 to April 4, 2026, and two school vans to be used for out-of-state transportation to Buchanan, Virginia, which is about 231 miles one-way.
—Approved Jayvin Herbert, a Malone University student, to teach with Aaron Morris during the second semester of the 2025-26 school year.
—Approved one-year classified contracts for Pamela Jurin, special services aide, and Tina Renner, special education aide, extended day, first semester by 15 minutes daily as needed through Dec. 31.
—Approved a supplemental contract for Valerie Hershberger, additional English language learner services.
—Approved a $400 stipend for Jennifer Morosko, paid by the Ohio STEM Learning Network Stem Classroom Grant Program for 2025 summer training.
—Rescinded volleyball coaching contracts for Karianne Gerber, Julie Rest, Baillie Donley and Clay Hershberger, then reissued one-year supplemental contracts to Hershberger, volleyball varsity assistant; Rest and Donley, junior varsity volleyball; and Gerber, freshman volleyball.
—Issued one-year supplemental coaching contracts to Stefinee Yoder, junior varsity girls basketball, and Alisha Numbers, varsity assistant girls basketball.
—Approved student wellness funding and disadvantaged pupil initiatives for 2026.
—Approved Delta Math as a mathematics resource for Kenna Swarny at Baltic Elementary.
—Agreed to dispose of old running hurdles and an outdated 3D printer, 21st Century Grant from 2014, in the most efficient way.
—Approved the revised athletic trainer contract amendment with Cleveland Clinic/ Union Hospital.
—Renewed the E-Rate consulting three-year agreement with the Educational Funding Group contract for the E-rate from 2026-29.
Other information
The board recognized August Student of the Month recipients Henry Swartzentruber and Kylie Miller. Both are on the golf teams.
Board member Dr. James Miller was named the delegate to the 2025 Ohio School Boards Association annual business meeting in November. Board member Bob Hannon was named alternate delegate.
A special meeting will be held Oct. 9 at 8 a.m. in the central office for the purpose of discussing items pertaining to the fall forecast. The next regular meeting will be held Monday, Oct. 20 in the high school library, 146 Dover Road NW, Sugarcreek.
