Garaway staff recognized for retirement
Several Garaway certified and classified employees were recognized for retirement at the Aug. 21 Garaway Board of Education meeting in Sugarcreek. Each received an Apple Award.
Those recognized were teacher Holli Jacobs, 33 years; teacher LuAnn Wieland, 32 years; teacher Glen Huffman, 16 years; Cynthia Hershberger, child nutrition, 28 years; and Marjorie Wilson, aide, 24 years.
The board also did the following:
—Accepted the retirement of Marjorie Wilson as special services aide, effective July 31, and the resignation of Sarah Holcomb, special services aide, effective Aug. 2.
—Approved one-year classified contracts for Erin Jabs as special services aide at Garaway for seventh grade through 12th grade, Samantha Barney as special services aide at Miller Avenue Elementary, Myron Yoder as bus driver for route three and the transfer of Tania Wengerd to bus route eight.
—Approved nine mentors to guide new teachers.
—Appointed Jason Wallick to a three-year term on the local professional development committee.
—Approved athletic stipends to Bailey Donley, junior varsity volleyball; Matthew Andreas, middle school football, ½ stipend; and Zachary Motice and Anthony Immel, middle school golf, ½ stipend.
—Accepted donations of a wall mural for the high school gym lobby from the Class of 1960, valued at $552; an anonymous donation of a table to Garaway for seventh grade through 12th grade, valued at $1,160; and $381 from the Emmett Mizer Lutheran Foundation of Baltic for the Miller Avenue Elementary Reading Center.
—Entered a three-year contract with Bonefish Systems for an Internet Control and Compliance System at a cost of $3,835.
—Entered into a member service agreement with OME-RESA for administrative, fiscal library, security, student EMIS and technical services at a cost of $31,390 for the 2023-24 school year.
—Approved pest control services with Central Exterminating Company at a cost of $2,747.
—Entered a contract with McMillen Heating & Cooling for the purchase and installation of a 3-ton heat pump for the attendance office at a cost of $9,200.
—Gave approval for Vasco Sports Turf maintenance services for the maintenance of the baseball field for $21,000. It will be paid from the athletic fund.
—Approved a bid for Stray Dog Strength for fitness equipment for the Garaway Wellness Center with American Rescue Plan ESSER funds at a cost of $179,000.
—Gave approval of the purchase of a 2025 International 71 passenger bus from Truck Sales and Service at Midvale at a cost of $121,530.
—Approved the disposal of outdated textbooks.
Other information
Superintendent Dr. James Millet said Aug. 21 was the first day of class for students and it went smoothly.
The board approved a list of volunteers: Jordan Hartzler, football; Karianne Gerber, volleyball; Ethan Miller and Mason Elliott, middle school football; Adam Stilgenbauer, Pirate Media advisor; Jamie Neal, yearbook advisor; Jessica Schwartz, Improving Life Through Design advisor; and Laurel Mullett, sixth-grade camp advisor.
The district received 4.5 overall stars rating on the state report card and five stars for gap closing.
The next regular meeting will be held Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. in the high school library at 146 Dover Road NW in Sugarcreek.
