Fostoria schools seek new assistant principal

FOSTORIA — Fostoria City Schools are searching for a new assistant principal at the junior/senior high school.The board of education accepted the resignation of Amanda Ricketts, with Superintendent Jason Longbrake saying in his report to the board that interviews have been progressing for a replacement.Ricketts, who worked in Fostoria for just shy of five years, has accepted the position of assistant principal at Ottawa Hills Junior/Senior High School, Longbrake said.Ricketts' replacement will join Principal Mike Daring, Assistant Principal Gabe Sierra and Dean of Students Aaron Weidner in the Fostoria Junior/Senior High School administration.The board approved the May 2025 financial statement, which showed a general-fund balance of $3,586,776.The board also accepted 10 donations totaling about $5,605.Also accepted were motions to approve temporary appropriations to the 2024-25 school year at 50% of the 2023-24 year; to allow the treasurer to create a fund account for the Class of 2029; to allow the treasurer to transfer $3,293.85 from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026; and to pay stipends of $450 each for six principals to participate in a two-year professional learning series with funds from the Systems Development and Improvement Center.Other resignations accepted among certified employees were those of teachers Aspen Betenson and Brooke Hartings, as well as those of classified employees Katrin Cravens and Maalik Tucker.Classified hirings were Carole Bercaw, custodian; Robert Brookman, maintenance; and Kimberly Dominguez and Cody Helms, substitute custodians.Supplemental contracts approved for the 2025-26 school year include: Derek Angelone, head football coach; Greg Fleming, Jared Fleming, Lukas Hill, Collin Masterson, Devin Mauricio, assistant high school football coaches; Macie Bement, assistant band director; Michael Daniels, drumline instructor; Grace Ewing and Christine Mullens, co-elementary student council advisor; Kim Fant-Cousin, Youth-to-Youth advisor; Joan Faisant, elementary Quiz Bowl advisor; Ali Greenberg, Art Club advisor; Heidi Kauffman, assistant high school marching auxiliary advisor; Ellen Kelly, elementary choir instructor; Kyle Martin, elementary annual advisor; Aaron Simmons, head volleyball coach; Ashley Smith, freshman volleyball coach; Carver Williams, high school volleyball assistant coach; Mat Swortchek, TV director and performing arts center director; Peg Ward, sixth-grade camp coordinator; Shannon Williams, Science Club and high school Quiz Bowl advisor.Employment contracts were approved for Courtney Fleming, director of human resources and public relations; Erika Hossler, digital director; Thom Loomis, athletic director; Gabe Sierra, junior/senior high school assistant principal; Matthew Szyndler, elementary school principal; and Aaron Weidner, dean of students.A limited teaching contract for Cole Rumschlag was approved.Teachers receiving stipends for mentoring student teachers from Bowling Green State University, with funds from BGSU, were: Minday Brown, Julie Buckingham, Lisa Click, Tara Costello, Valerie Gaunt, Christine Mullens, Nicole Picciano, Kaye Racheter, Tiffani Risner, Deb Self, Ryan Whipple, Matthew Zirger, Allison Ahrns, Amy Baxter, Brad Bowser, Jeri Brubaker, Brittany Eaches, Christina Franklin, Jen Henderson, Travis Justice, Brian Shaver, Amy Stultz, Tonya Theis and Shannon Woodward.Teachers receiving resident educator mentor stipends were: Amy Baxter, Amy Masterson, Margy Brennan Kroeger, Ashley Miller, Julia Buckingham, Kaye Racheter, Ashley Miller, Lisa Schermer, Kris Santos, Jennifer Simpson, Dawn Skornicka, Amber Snyder, Amy Stultz, Nichole Torres and Ryan Whipple.The board approved commencement times and dates to be noon, May 17, 2025 and noon, May 16, 2026. It also approved attendance at next month's DECA leadership retreat next month in Carrollton, Ohio; agreement with the Wood County Educational Service Center; and contracts with Findlay Interpreting Services, the Northern Ohio Educational Computer Association and the North Central Educational Service Center. Jan Busdeker of the Ohio School Boards Association Northwest Region attended Monday's meeting to recognize Patrick Grine for his 15 years on Fostoria's board.