OTSEGO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Superintendent's Weekly Update - February 22, 2019
The Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting last night. Below are the highlights.
Informational Items
- Recognition of the Otsego Bowling Club – Rich Dubler
- Recognition of Otsego Junior High and High School Students of the Month for February:
6th Grade – Eliana Tobar, Carter Lampe; 7th Grade – Cady Hamrick, Jaxson Jeremy;
8th Grade – Lilly Snyder, Austin Williams; Freshman – Jasmine Flores,
Sophomore – Christian Scott, Junior – Annalora Euler, Senior – Zach Jones
- Superintendent Update – Adam Koch
Treasurer’s Financial Reports / Recommendations
A. Approved the Financial Report
B. Increased Appropriation for 007 account by $4,000
C. Approved all donations to Otsego Local School District
D. Approved the FMLA for April Marion beginning January 3rd through March 3rd.
Superintendent Recommendations
A. Approved the unpaid leave of absence for Greg Scott until June 30, 2019
B. Approved the following Changes in Personnel:
Retirement Resignation date change:
Selene Bostdorff, teacher, retirement date change from May 31, 2019 to March 1, 2019
Resignation:
Emily Eicher, 5th-grade teacher, effective August 16, 2019
Classified Employee One-Year Limited contract for the 2018-2019 School year:
Laurie Limes Music Tutor
2018-2019 Non-Certified Substitutes:
Anna Reese
Supplemental Contract for 2018-2019 School Year:
Hayley Babcock, Assistant Musical Director
Jason Colyer, Head Varsity Softball
Shaun Downey, Assistant Varsity Track
Molly Duhamel, LPDC
Vince Faulk, Assistant Varsity Track
Brandon Fitch, Head Varsity Track
Brian Flowers, Head Junior Varsity Baseball
Chad Gregory, Assistant Varsity Softball
Zac Gregory, Junior Varsity Softball
Chad McClory, Assistant Varsity Track
Mark Nofziger, .5 Assistant Varsity Baseball
Jeff Peters, .5 Assistant Varsity Baseball
Arnie Rader, Audio – Musical
Lexie Rieger, Head Junior Varsity Softball
Chase Welker, Head Varsity Baseball
Tracy Wilson, Musical Choreographer
2018-2019 Volunteers:
Steve Deutschman, Ryan Smoyer
Levy Information:
Last night at the Otsego Board of Education meeting, we voted to take the .75% income tax off the ballot. We received information two weeks ago from the Wood County Auditor and the Department of Taxation that we will be receiving Nexus Pipeline money starting in February 2020. This information was previously unknown to us and not something that we were able to forecast in our budget as a predicted source of revenue. However, the gas has started flowing in the pipeline, which will result in additional revenue in 2020 for Otsego. It is estimated that the pipeline will generate between $700,000 and $900,000 annually for Otsego and this money will be used for operating costs. The big news for the Otsego Community, however, is that as a result of this new money the previous need for additional tax dollars from Otsego residents has changed. Therefore, the Board of Education acted swiftly and unanimously to not ask for an additional .75% income tax and is officially off the ballot in May.
It is important to note, however, that the need for additional revenue from our community does not completely go away as a result of the pipeline money. We pride ourselves on fiscal responsibility and being good stewards of taxpayer money. We are proud to boast that we have not asked our community for new operating monies in 17 years. As a result of new pipeline money, we are re-evaluating our financials and will be continuing these discussions at our Board of Education meetings going forward. Otsego continues to be one of the lowest taxed communities in the area and we want this to continue. Transparency and open communication about our finances will continue to be very important throughout this process. The decision to take the levy off the ballot is an extension of this and we feel it is the right decision to make for the Otsego Community at this time.
Look for more updates and a final decision on a future levy in the coming months. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to discuss this in more detail with you.
Thank you,
Adam Koch, Superintendent, and Steve Carroll, Treasurer
New Business
A. The Board of Education discussed and set graduation dates for 2020 and 2021.
2019-2020 School Year
Sunday, May 24th, 2020 *Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend
2020-2021 School Year
Sunday, May 23rd, 2021 *Sunday before Memorial Day Weekend
B. School calendar discussion
The Board of Education and administration discussed calendar changes for this year and the following years on how to address makeup days. There will be board approval in March. There will be no major changes for this year in regards to make days. I will send proposed changes in a couple weeks.
C. Board Meeting date changes and special meeting:
The Board of Education added a special meeting on February 26th at 5:30. This meeting will be held to appoint a new school board member.
The Board of Education changed its monthly meetings to the 4th Thursday of the month starting in March at 6 pm in the HS Library.
Executive Session:
The Board of Education entered executive session to discuss the appointment of a public official.
Otsego Family Night is Back..... March 6, 2019
FAMILY NIGHT - March 6th
Mark your calendars now and plan a night together as a family!
Otsego will be having a “family night” this spring! It will be on Wednesday, March 6th. The goal of Family Night is to encourage families to take the evening to focus on each other and spend time together as a family in whatever way works for your family. There will be NO homework, assignments or tests the next day. There will also be NO athletic practices or any other extra-curricular activities on family night. We hope you can take advantage of this night and celebrate being a family!
If you use twitter and would like to post pictures or comments about the Otsego Family Night please use #FamKnight
Senior Citizens Dinner and Musical - March 20th
We will once again be inviting all of our Otsego Community Senior Citizens to a free dinner and musical. This year our students will be performing Bye Bye Birdie. I guarantee it will once again be a phenomenal performance by our students and staff! Last year we had a record year for attendance and it was a great night. I hope everyone can make it again this year! Please note that we are starting dinner at 5:30 and the show at 6:30 pm this year. Before the play, we will have a special unveiling of our Freedom Shrine Display that was generously donated by the Lybarger-Grimm American Legion Post 441, Alva N. Sidle American Legion Post 232, Grand Rapids Historical Society, and the Exchange Club of Maumee.
Please click here CLICK HERE FOR THE 2019 DINNER RSVP or call Lisa Austin at 419-823-4381
Date: March 20th
Time: Dinner at 5:30 pm and the show will start at 6:30 pm.
Who: Otsego Senior Citizens Only
Where: High School Commons and Auditorium
Community Fish Fry - March 1st
Dear Otsego Knights Community,
The Otsego Music Boosters is sponsoring our 4th annual Fish Fry on Friday, March 1st from 5:00-8:00pm in the High School Commons. The dinners include 3 pieces of Pollock, baked potato, coleslaw, cornbread, dessert, and a drink. We also are offering a Macaroni & Cheese dinner for children. Our music programs continue to grow and we appreciate your help in supporting our music programs!
Tickets for Fish Fry
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS that can be turned into the front office OMB mailbox.
Orders can also be turned into Mr. Dubler, Mr. Sewell. You can also call Tony D. at
419-205-7988, please leave voice-mail with first and last name, callback number, and your order, or email musicboosters@otsegoknights.org to reserve tickets.
The deadline for ticket orders is Friday February 22nd. Tickets ordered can be picked up and paid for on the night of the meal at the “reserved tickets” table. There will be a few extra dinners ordered that will be sold at the door on a first-come-first-serve basis. All checks should be written to the “Otsego Music Boosters.”
Performances
During the event, small ensembles will be roving the Commons periodically for your listening enjoyment.
Art Department Fundraiser - March 26th
The Otsego Art department is planning an exciting trip to Paris and as part of our fundraising endeavors the Art department is hosting their first ever evening painting class Tuesday March 26 at 6:30pm and planning for additional classes to follow all materials are provided including refreshments from Cupcakes by Olivia. Get your tickets from a high school art student or email Mrs. Debbie Bowers: dbowers@otsegoknights.org
Weston Library Information
Otsego Endowment Foundation
Otsego Endowment News:
The Otsego Endowment Foundation is looking for actively engaged people who care about our school system and want to make a difference. We are working on a new and exciting event to raise money for innovative school initiatives. In the recent past, we have funded extraordinary projects like the Robotics Lab, STEM Curricula materials for the elementary, the Community Garden, reading and language arts materials, drones, virtual reality equipment and more, providing $168,472 in funding for school initiatives, and $14,000 in education awards to graduating seniors since 2012. We want to continue to grow the foundation so that we can continue to provide stimulating opportunities that elevate the education of our students where the school budget is unable to do so. We hope to launch a new fundraising event that will engage more people in the community. We need your help to do so! Please consider getting engaged with our group. We meet the second Monday of the month in the high school library at 6:30 pm, eight times a year. We are using our March meeting as a launching pad for event planning and new members. Won’t you consider coming and seeing how you can make a difference for our kids?
Mark your calendars now: Monday, March 11, 6:30 pm, Otsego High School Library.
POST PROM FUNDRAISERS
We would love for our Otsego families to mark their calendars to attend any or all of our nights out. The funds raised will support a safe and fun-filled after prom event to Kalahari for our juniors and seniors.
Wednesday, March 6th @ Panera in BG 4pm-8pm
Wednesday, March 27th @ Pisanellos Pizza - Waterville
Preschool Registration
Preschool Registration for 2019-2020
We will begin accepting registration paperwork for NEW preschoolers on Tuesday, February 19th at 8:00am. Paperwork will be online to print out or available for pick up in the Elementary Office beginning February 19th. We will NOT be accepting or distributing paperwork prior to February 19th. Classes are on a first come, first serve basis, so be sure to register early as classes fill up quickly.
*Please note: You will need your $210 deposit as well as the $40 supply fee with you when you register. If you qualify for free tuition with the required paperwork or are placed on the waiting list, your deposit/check will be returned.
*Students must turn 3 on or before August 1st, 2019, and be completely potty trained (unless on an IEP), to attend preschool. Also, 3-year-olds may ONLY attend 2 or 3 days per week and are not eligible to attend more days.
IF YOU HAVE A RETURNING PRESCHOOLER, PAPERWORK TO CONTINUE IN THE PROGRAM WILL BE SENT HOME BY FEBRUARY 4TH WITH YOUR STUDENT.
Kindergarten Roundup
On Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 6:30pm, Otsego Elementary School will be holding a Kindergarten Round Up Meeting. This meeting is for all parents of incoming kindergarten students for the 2019-2020 school year. Students must be 5 years of age on or before August 1, 2019 to enter kindergarten.
Kindergarten Round Up will include basic information about kindergarten, explanation and distribution of registration forms, and an opportunity to sign-up for your child's Kindergarten Screening time slot in June of 2019.
Feel free to bring proof of residency, certified original birth certificate, photo ID of parent/guardian, immunization record, and complete court file-stamped custody papers (if applicable) to the meeting and we can make copies and add them to your student's file following the meeting. If you are unable to bring them at this time, please plan to have them at your screening appointment in June.
If you are unable to attend this meeting, but have a student entering kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year, please stop by the Otsego Elementary Office anytime starting March 13, 2019 to pick up a registration packet, or you can download and print the forms from our school website (otsegoknights.org) under the Parent tab on the Elementary Page.
If you have any questions regarding Kindergarten Round Up, registration and/or screening please call the Otsego Elementary Office at 419-823-4381 Option 4.
Edward C. Byers Jr. Awards for Exceptionalism and Heroism
Master Chief Edward C. Byers Jr. is starting two awards for our students in Grades 6th through 12th. Please take a look at the attached video and letter from Master Chief Byers. Please use the nomination form in the letter to nominate our students. You may turn in nomination forms to the Central Office any time before April 1st. We will mail them to Master Chief Byers. The awards night is May 9th and Master Chief Byers will be in attendance to hand out the awards.
Message from Master Chief Byers
Town Ball Registration
Otsego PTO EVENTS
ATHLETICS
Athletic Department Fundraiser - March 30th
Otsego Youth Softball Camp
Junior High and High School Sporting Events
Friday, February 22
5:00 - V WR @ Napoleon *Sectionals
Saturday, February 23
9:00 - 8th BBK @ Eastwood HS *NBC Tournament
10:00 - V WR @ Napoleon *Sectionals
10:15 - 7th BBK @ Elmwood HS *NBC Tournament
2:45 - V GBK @ Oak Harbor vs. Woodmore *Sectional Game
Tuesday, February 26
8:00 - BBK @ Bowsher vs. Eastwood *Sectional Game
Friday, March 1
5:00 - V WR @ Norwalk *Districts
10:00 - V WR @ Norwalk *Districts
Tuesday, March 12
7:00 - HS Winter Athletics Awards (HS Gym)
COMMUNITY EVENTS SECTION
Sonlight Church and Community Center Winter Schedule (Jan-Mar)
Sunday, 6:30-8: basketball grades 6-12
Monday, 6-8: Youth group/ dodgeball
Tuesday, 6:30-8: basketball grades 5 and under
Wednesday, 6:30-8: TeamKID, ages pre-school to 6.
Thursday, volleyball, grades 6-adult
Questions, Concerns, Comments, or Rumors
Sponsors
Otsego Board of Education
President: Brad Anderson banderson.otsego@gmail.com
Board Member: James Harter jameslharter@gmail.com
Board Member: Mark Tolles mdt814@cs.com
Board Member: Elizabeth Gorski jegorski@frontier.com
Adam Koch, Superintendent
Email: akoch@otsegoknights.org
Website: www.otsegoknights.org
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, United States
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @AdamKoch_Otsego
Lisa Austin, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent/EMIS Coordinator
Email: laustin@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Lauri Dunham, Special Education Director
Email: ldunham@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Stephen Bihary, School Psychologist
Email: sbihary@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Luke Swartz, Technology Director
Email: lswartz@otsegoknights.org
Website: www.otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Katrina Baughman, Elementary Principal
Email: kbaughman@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @KBaughman723
Mike Wiley, Assistant Elementary Principal
Email: mwiley@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @PrincpalWiley
Kevin O'Shea, High School Principal
Email: koshea@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @KosheaOHS
Jon Rife, Junior High Principal
Email: jrife@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @OJHS_Principal
Tom Ferdig, High School Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Grades 6-12
Email: tferdig@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Eva Vasher, Director of Transportation and Custodial
Email: evasher@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Jeanne Jeffers, Director of Food Service
Email: jjeffers@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @Otsego_Cafe
Rick Haskins, Director of Maintenance
Email: rhaskins@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381