Old Fort hears about student excellence

OLD FORT — The Old Fort Board of Education heard from Old Fort Elementary School Assistant Principal Amber Plikerd about several students who are currently excelling in reading at its regular meeting Monday. Among those students congratulated for their hard work were Cooper Jett, Ben Riggs, Kelly Miller and Gabe Shellhammer. "As students complete these reading challenges, they're rewarded with incentives…" Plikerd said. "But this month, we would like to take a moment to recognize a few students who have demonstrated exceptional reading skills and commitment." In other news, the board also heard from parent Emily Riehle about some concerns she had about Superintendent Cindy Endsley. "I come to you as a concerned parent and an Old Fort community member," Riehle said. "My concern is that two weeks ago there was a fight. There was zero administration in the building." Riehle also said she was concerned about members of the administration and the school security officer, Mr. Pratt being absent for extended periods of time. She later asked what metrics were being used to evaluate the performance of Endsley and why she was given two raises since being hired in August of 2023. According to Riehle, Endsley did not receive an evaluation from the board of education until December 2024. On a list of her concerns Riehle handed out to the board, she said, "I am expressing my concern as a parent of elementary and junior high students. We currently have great staff and teachers in place and I would hate to see them leave because the board is being misled." The board declined to respond to Riehle's comments at the meeting, but Endlsey told Riehle she planned to reach out at a later date to discuss the implications of Riehle's concerns. Also at the meeting, the board heard from Keith Comer, who reported a new religious instruction release had recently been passed and was waiting for a signature from Ohio Governor Dewine. "House Bill 8 now forces school districts to coordinate with release time religious instruction programs," Comer said. "Lifewise Academy is a ministry that claims to accept all people and all religions, but the reality is different." Comer said he has many concerns about Lifewise as a Christian fundamentalist group but said his two major concerns include the relaxed background check rules and allowing those with prior convictions to work with children if the court case had been closed. "Disqualifying offenses should be just that," Comer told the board. "Lifewise does not agree." Comer also said he was concerned about the effectiveness of instruction time if students were allowed to miss class to attend Lifewise programming. "Lifewise enrollment doubles when students are allowed to miss instruction time," Comer said. Later at the meeting, Endsley updated the board about some repairs that would take place in the Old Fort High School that would require closing a hallway for a couple of days. She showed the board a map of the lower level of the high school and reported that the sewer system would need to be replaced. "The company that is doing the work has said (the sewer line) is the most corroded they have ever seen," Endsley said, also informing the board the district had a plan to allow students and staff to get to the needed areas in the closed off hallway, but it might take them a bit longer to get to their classrooms. "They're just going to have to go up and around and down." The board also approved the following treasurer's recommendations: Approving a resolution accepting the amount and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor. The board later approved the following superintendent's recommendations: Approving the College Credit Plus agreement with Tiffin University for the 2025-2026 school year. Approving the College Credit Plus agreement with University of Findlay for the 2025-2026 school year. Approve the updated foundation contract with North Central Ohio ESC at a cost of $25,867.01. Approve the schools PLP software licences program contract with North Central Ohio ESC at a cost of $8,788.50. Approve the 2025-2026 school calendar. Renew membership with OHSAA for the 2025-2026 school year. Approve the amendment to behavioral to behavioral master services agreement with Hazel Health. Hire Abbie Klotz and Rachel Walk as long-term substitute teachers, MarcQue Harris as a volunteer softball coach, and revise the contract of Jennifer Robles. The board then went into executive session to discuss employment. No action was taken. The next meeting is 6 p.m. March 10 in the Old Fort Board Office.