Superintendent's Update
Otsego Local Schools
Finish Strong
As we enter the final month of the academic year, I want to take a moment to express my immense pride in the hard work and perseverance shown by our students, staff, and families. It's been a year filled with challenges and achievements.
Let's maintain this momentum and finish the school year strong. I am confident that with our continued dedication and commitment, we will close this chapter on a high note, ready to embrace the opportunities that await us. Thank you for making Otsego a wonderful place to learn and grow.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
Good luck to all our students who are competing or performing in the weeks ahead.
#OneHeartbeat Go Knights!
Upcoming Events
- Thu. 5/2 - Kindergarten Celebration (7pm) HS Auditorium
- Sun. 5/5 - Athletic Boosters Golf Outing (8:30am shotgun start) Stone Ridge Golf Course
- Tue. 5/7 - Bloodmobile (8am-12:30pm) HS Gym
- Tue. 5/7 - Senior Top 15% Academic Achievement Dinner
- Thu. 5/9 - HS Band Concert (7pm) HS Auditorium
- Sat. 5/11 - Prom (6pm - 11pm)
- Mon. 5/13 - HS Choir Concert (7pm) HS Auditorium
- Sat. 5/18 - Graduation
- Tue. 5/21 - JH Choir Concert (7pm) HS Auditorium
- Thu. 5/23 - JH Band (7pm) HS Auditorium
- Fri. 5/31 - Last Day for Students (Early Dismissal)
- Wed. 8/7 - Back to School Pictures (9:00am - 8:00pm) HS Gym
- Fri. 9/13 - Picture Re-takes
Eagle Scout Projects
Randy Gardner Future Educator Scholarship
This is a one time $1,000 scholarship for a graduating senior at Otsego High School intending to pursue a career in education/teaching. Scholarship is due May 10.
2024-2025 District Calendar
CASTLE CONNECTION SERIES
Episode #3: Cost Saving Measures
Episode #4: Otse-Grow (Greenhouse)
The Round Table Podcast (Season 2)
The Round Table is a district podcast for Otsego Local Schools in NW Ohio. Our show has been created to share the amazing aspects of our school district with our community and beyond.
Latest Episodes:
Episode 29: Gordon Digby, Board Member
Episode 28: Fox-Shank Living Laboratory: Part 2
Episode 26: Total Solar Eclipse
Episode 24: Shrek: Otsego's 2024 Musical
FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:
Twitter: @OHS_RoundTable
Instagram: @ohs_roundtable
Email: podcast@otsegoknights.org
Spirit Store
Board of Education
President: Brad Anderson banderson.otsego@gmail.com
Vice President: Jessica Mehl jmehl.jd@gmail.com
Board Member: Gordon Digby gdigby44@gmail.com
Board Member: Mark Tolles mdt814@cs.com
Board Member: James Harter jameslharter@gmail.com
April Superintendent Recommendations
April 25, 2024
After consultation with the administrative staff, the Superintendent recommends that the Board approve the employment of the following personnel:
Approve the substitute teacher list as submitted by the Wood County ESC
2023-2024 School Year Classified Substitutes:
Susie Gamby
2023-2024 School Year Substitute Teacher Contracts:
Rylee Smith
Summer 2024 OES Extended Care Workers:
Abby Eberly, Becky Hatfield, Cassie Hayes, Kamryn Hollar, Michelle Hollar, Kaitlyn Makowski,
Denise Richardson, Kirstina Roberts, Amy Soto
Certified Employees’ Contracts for 2024-2025 School Year:
Continuing:
Rachel Eckel, Jenelle Kelley, Cody Lehman, Chase Welker, Natasha Zsigray
2-Year Limited:
Morgan Battin, Rachel Brooker, Katie Burris, Alix Decato, Elizabeth Gerken, Kristen Laudick,
Annie McClory, Heather Szymanski, Justine Tolles
1-Year Limited:
Allison Ahrens, Emilie Bialecki, Jillan Bodey, Leah Croce, Seth Durham, Delaney Esper, Melody Freeland, Kaitlyn Girona, Jamie Holley, Rachel Koeniger, Nicholas Krabill, Brittany Lindrup, A.J. Mancini, Lauren Miller, Erica Morgan, Lauren Murawski, Kayla Phillips, Richard Roach, Megan Rutherford, Denton Saunders, Rebecca Schwartzkopf, Jenna Teet
Certified Employees’ One-Year Limited Contract for 2024-2025 School Year:
Craig Rutherford, Health/PE Teacher
Zachary Conkle, Intervention Specialist
Supplemental Contracts for 2024-2025 School Year:
Andy Stickel, Head Girls Basketball
Resignations:
Cassie Hayes, Elementary Paraprofessional, effective end of the 2023-2024 school year
Kevin Schaublin, High School Counselor, effective end of the 2023-2024 school year
DEPARTMENTS
Treasurer's Office
Steve Carroll
Steve has served as the Treasurer of Otsego for six years, following a nine-year stint teaching business and accounting at both Otsego and Springfield. Steve completed his undergrad and Masters degree at Bowling Green State University. He, along with his wife Jenna, resides within the district, and all four of their children are enrolled as students in Otsego, ranging from preschool to 8th grade. In his free time, Steve dedicates his time to coaching our Boy's Basketball team and enjoys time with his family.
Email: scarroll@otsegoknights.org
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 419-823-4381
Justin Slauterbeck
Justin was hired in the summer of 2022. He is in charge of all athletics in the Junior High and High School. Any questions, comments, or concerns related to athletics should be directed to him.
Email: jslauterbeck@otsegoknights.org
Website: https://otsegoathletics.org/
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: (419) 823-4381 (2147)
Twitter: @OtsegoAthletics
Music/Arts
Emilia Bires
Email: ebires@otsegoknights.org
Website: https://www.otsegoknights.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=382639&type=d&pREC_ID=878306
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 419-823-4381
Pay It Forward Campaign
I am pleased to announce that since lunches are no longer free to all students through federal funding we are bringing this account back. At this point, the account has a zero balance. If you are interested in donating to the Pay It Forward program please contact Emily Bires, ebires@otsegoknights.org or Kevin O'Shea, koshea@otsegoknights.org.
Checks are made payable to the Otsego Board of Education. If you send money in, just make sure you put on the memo or a note that says Pay It Forward - Lunch
Eva Vasher
Email: evasher@otsegoknights.org
Website: https://www.otsegoknights.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=382642&type=d&pREC_ID=868691
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 419-823-4381
Bus Safety
Kylee Euler
Email: kyeuler@otsegoknights.org
Website: Click Here
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 4198234381
Special Education - Click Here
Lauri Dunham
Email: ldunham@otsegoknights.org
Website: Click Here
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 419-823-4381
Stephen Bihary
Email: sbihary@otsegoknights.org
Website: Click Here
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 419-823-4381
Jessica Weatherwax
Email: jweatherwax@otsegoknights.org
Website: Click Here
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 419-823-4381
Luke Swartz
Email: lswartz@otsegoknights.org
Website: Click Here
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 4198234381
Twitter: @OtsegoTv
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
Please send me any and all community events that you might know of. I love sharing things in and around our great community.
SPONSORS
The Otsego Local School District would like to take the time to thank all of our generous sponsors who support our students, staff, and community. Click on the links below to support our sponsors. If you are interested in advertising with us and would like more information, please contact me at koshea@otsegoknights.org or 419-823-4381 ext. 1102
DISTRICT CONTACTS/INFORMATION
1. District Website CLICK HERE The Otsego Local Schools website will more effectively highlight what is important to us and the community. We keep the site updated with pictures, news articles, and other important information regarding the district and our buildings.
2. Twitter follow @Otsego_Supt
Safe Schools Helpline
Recent polls show that parents’ first concern about schools today is their child’s safety. That is my concern as well. Fortunately, the Otsego is very safe. However, no community is immune from the threats of violence and drugs that endanger public schools nationwide.
We are introducing a Safe School Helpline® to help prevent such actions. It is designed to assist you in reporting any wrongdoing that impacts our schools, our students, or our staff – anonymously, so as to protect your privacy. For example, you may wish to report acts of violence, theft, drug or alcohol use, weapons, or sexual harassment.
Just call from a touch-tone phone to 1-800-4-1-VOICE, ext. 359 (418-6423) to leave your information. Or TEXT: 614-426-0240 Then type: TIPS Your message will not be traced, and you will not be identified. The Safe School Helpline® team will transcribe and fax your message to school officials, so appropriate action can be taken.
Thank you for your continued support to provide a better education for all Otsego students.
800-418-6423 (800-4-1-VOICE ext. 359)
TEXT: 614-426-0240
Then type: TIPS
Superintendent & CEO - Chief Energy Officer of Otsego Local Schools since 2013.