Volunteer OF coach reinstated

OLD FORT – Reacting to a recent decision by Old Fort Board of Education to dismiss girls basketball volunteer coach Jim Menkhoff on grounds of alleged misconduct during a ball game, two head coaches approached the board Monday with an appeal to reconsider the decision. In her address to the board, girls basketball coach Renee Adams said she was backing up a letter sent to the board by her team petitioning the board to re-hire Menkhoff. Volleyball coach Nancy Hoover told board members she was not happy with the way they handled the situation and admonished them for not “getting the whole picture” before making such a critical decision. She felt they did not “follow the chain of command,” and said she did not want the board’s actions to set a precedent. After a lengthy executive session, board members returned and approved a motion to immediately reinstate Menkhoff. Board President Gary Cole thanked the coaches and the girls basketball team for their input and concern. During the same executive session, the renewal of Superintendent Steve Anway’s contract was addressed. In a vote of 4-1, the board approved the $93,000-per-year contract for a three-year term effective Monday. Board member Larry Bowman had the dissenting vote, and said he disapproved of the term length. In her report, Elementary Principal Michelle Dantuono praised fifth-grade students and teachers for organizing the school’s Veterans Day ceremonies. Sixty-five thank-you gifts were given to attending veterans, and 35 were given to the Bettsville American Legion and VFW. Kudos also were given to students for collecting 125 pairs of socks during Third Grade Socktober. Socks were donated to Liberty Center in Fremont. Elementary students prepared Christmas wish lists that are to be given to Madison Street Pub and Grub in Tiffin. Thirty student names will be drawn for gifts Dec. 20. Madison Street is inviting students and parents to the restaurant that day for cookies and hot chocolate. Julia’s Dance Studio of Bowling Green is to give a free, one-hour performance of “The Nutcracker Ballet – All Jazzed Up,” Dec. 18. The Bettsville PTO may offer donations, which in turn are to be given to a Bowling Green food pantry. In her absence, Principal Sonia Herman’s report was read by Anway. She said eighth-graders visited Sentinel Career and Technology Center for participation in hands-on activities based on career preferences during eighth-grade career day. Herman said staff members took crisis prevention certification classes and used the training to develop a schoolwide crisis intervention plan. Students in English 12 and the drama class are to travel to Cleveland to see a production of “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 4. In FFA competition, Cody Davidson placed first in Division 5 and moved to district competition at Hardin Northern High School. Emily Bogner placed fifth in Division 5. Herman applauded fall sports teams for qualifying in competition. Old Fort volleyball team was awarded volleyball team of the year, and Nancy Hoover was named volleyball coach of the year. Boys cross country earned Sandusky River League championship status. Bogner finished second in the All Northwest District girls golf competition. Treasurer John Kahmann reported the cash balance reached $1,843,623; and revenue, he said, exceeded expenses by $195,698. Kahmann attributed a new state funding formula for a 41-percent increase over the same time last year. His reports were approved by the board. Guidance Counselor LeighAnne King gave an overview of new testing results. She said a lot of factors go into the calculations using state indicators, and will make no real conclusions about how Old Fort fared compared to other schools. Anway said he thought the district will end up with a C on the testing component, but hopes it earns a B overall. Anway gave a first public reading of proposed board policy revisions and replacements, most of which he said were not major and only semantic in nature. The board approved the changes as presented. In other issues, the board: Approved Family and Medical Leave Act maternity leave for Kaitlin Turpin, fifth-grade language arts instructor, Jan. 4-March 28. Approved the hire of Tony Miller as indoor track volunteer coach. Accepted donations to the elementary school from: Carl and Bonnie Miller, $50; Jay and Kara Pence, $35; Janelle and Lonnie Phillips, $25; Jeff and Jill Oakleaf, $100; Pleasant View Farm, $20; Jan and Kristine Riedel, $25; Chris and Debbie Baker, $40; Ron and Sandy Crum, $25; Sandra Best, $20; William and Jane Wickham, $25; Laurie and Craig Reichert, $20; Janice Johnson, $25; Zelda Oakleaf, $70; and Judy and Thomas Waldsmith, $2,000. Approved a service contract with Michael Snell Construction for snow removal and salting as needed at the Bettsville campus for the 2015-16 school year. The board is to meet at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at the elementary school in Bettsville.