School resource officer hired at Strasburg

The Strasburg Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the village at the Oct. 18 meeting for the hiring of a school resource officer. The district will pay 70% of her salary and benefits and the village 30%.

Strasburg police officer Kayla Willer was temporarily assigned to the school on Oct. 23 until the recently hired police officer has passed testing and completed training. Willer has been employed by the village for 16 months and is a U.S. Marine veteran.

In another matter the new Multi Athletic Complex has not been opened as finishing touches are completed. It also will be open to the public to use the walking track and other amenities.

The board also did the following:

—Heard from Matt Carpenter, director of pupil services, the grant to apply for the Purple Star School will open Nov. 1. The Heroes Night for Military Appreciation was held in September at a football game and was an incentive for the award that supports military families and veterans. He also commented on taking students to Pegasus Farm and how the field trip was enjoyed by students.

—Learned several families have inquired about enrolling in the Little Tiger Preschool. The multipurpose room for the preschool is almost ready for the students. It was the former weight room.

—Approved Courtney Bryan, substitute nurse, for the 2023-24 school year.

—Adopted 21 NEOLA board policies.

—Issued one-year supplemental coaching contracts to Troy McClellan, varsity girls basketball; Emily Armstrong, assistant varsity girls basketball; Allen Wertz, reserve girls basketball; Peyton Speicher, reserve boys basketball; Bob Neidenthal, varsity assistant boys basketball; Kelly Herron and Craig Moore, volunteer assistant boys basketball; Brett Hershberger, seventh-grade boys basketball; Lucas Boylan, eighth-grade girls basketball; Hannah Geyer, middle school basketball cheer advisor; and Mary Sue Fierbaugh, high school basketball cheer advisor.

—Approved an overnight trip for the speech and debate team to compete at the Notre Dame Academy on Nov. 18 in Toledo.

—Approved the board resolution between the district and Frantz Law Group in the $3,556 settlement and litigation with Altria Group concerning the way vapes are marketed to youth.

—Approved Scott Baughman, eighth-grade boys basketball coach. Board member Stacy Bitikofer cast the lone no vote.

—Heard Veterans Day will be held Nov. 10 at 9:30 a.m. in the elementary gym.

—Heard an alumni game and meet the team will be held Nov. 10 in the high school.

—Heard Strasburg firefighters brought vehicles and safety equipment to the elementary for students.

—Held a 20-minute executive session to consider the employment of a public employee or official. No action was taken.

Other information

The board recognized October Student of the Month recipients: Ava Fierbaugh, high school; Cole Watkins, middle school; Riley White, elementary; and Zyler Newsom, a senior at Buckeye Career Center.

Athletic Director and Dean of Students Gary Spinell received the Bruce Brown Award of Excellence. Spinell said the late Bruce Brown was very special and thanked the others who helped him with athletes.

The next meeting will be Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the administration building at 140 N. Bodmer Ave.