OTSEGO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Superintendent's Weekly Update - April 23, 2021
ZERO student isolations or quarantines! Continued great news. We are in the home stretch! 5 weeks of school left.
Graduation Parade - We are going to have a Senior Parade again this year. We will have the same route as last here. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ROUTE AND ADDITIONAL DETAILS. The parade is set for Saturday, May 22nd starting at 6 pm. Hope you can join the route and help us celebrate the Class of 2021!
Food Service - The USDA approved FREE lunches for NEXT school year!
Future Discussions: This year, we have placed great emphasis on creating a safe environment to combat the effects of COVID and we will continue to do everything in our power to reduce the spread of this virus moving forward. In the coming months, we will be ramping up discussions of future needs for this summer and into the 2021-2022 school year. We will be once again engaging our community through surveys and focus groups and encouraging you all to please participate when the time comes. Your feedback/input is critical to our decision-making process and we promise to maintain transparency and engage with all of you. Our success this year has come from the belief that we are one team and one family and by working together there is no challenge we cannot overcome. I know we all want what's best for our kids and community. Together, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to.
The district’s current reality is that we are experiencing steady growth in our community. New homes are being built and younger families are moving into our district. This is a great sign but we also want to be prepared for our future. As you recall, we placed a levy on the ballot in 2018, but we then took it off as a result of the pipeline completion. We are currently only receiving 38% of the value that we were told we were going to get. We have also received additional dollars from COVID relief funds that have helped tremendously.
In the spirit of transparency, I feel it necessary to give everyone a heads up that we will begin talking more about finances and space constraints in the near future. We greatly value your input and therefore we will be engaging the community in these discussions. Therefore, we strongly encourage your participation in the surveys and focus groups to come.
The future is bright at Otsego and the support of our students and staff has never been higher. We cannot thank you enough for that support! It is great to be an Otsego Knight!
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out.
The Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting last night. Highlights below.
Informational Items
Recognition of Otsego Junior High and High School Students of the Month for April:
6th Grade – Cailyn Lorenz, Chase Scott; 7th Grade – Jaelynn Deutschman, Brock Dye;
8th Grade – Lillian Griggs, Wesley Kellermeier; Freshman –; Faith Keifer
Sophomore –; Lee Borders Junior –; Courtney Slee Senior –; Ellie Roberts
Recognition of Kirstina Roberts – Sun Federal Credit Union Extraordinary Teacher of the Year
Superintendent Update – Adam Koch
Treasurer’s Financial Reports / Recommendations
A. Approved the Financial Report
B. Changed Appropriations: 590 – Was $37,138.00 change to $45,309.87
019 – Was $18,101.48 change to $19,101.48
C. Approved the Weston Public Library Final Appropriations
D. Approved the Student Protective Agency to provide Voluntary Student Accident Insurance with Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company for the 2021-2022 school year at no cost to the district
E. Approved all donations to Otsego Local School District
Superintendent Recommendations
A. Approved the agreement with HPC for FY22, FY23 and FY24
B. Approved the College Credit Plus Memorandum of Understanding with Miami University for FY22, FY23, and FY24
C. Approved the list of graduates for the Class of 2021
D. Approved the Locally Defined Graduation Seals
E. Final reading and approval of the following 2021-2022 Handbooks - Otsego Extended Care, Preschool and Elementary
F. Final reading and approval of Board Policy revisions
G. First reading of the following 2021-2022 Handbooks – Junior High, High School, Athletic Code of Conduct, and Coaches Handbook
H. Approved the following changes in personnel:
Retirement Resignation:
Linda Canterbury, cashier, effective June 30, 2021
Resignation:
Jim Fouts, custodial, effective April 9, 2021
Elizabeth Syrowski, elementary school counselor, effective end of 2020-2021 school year
Approve the substitute teacher list as submitted by the Wood County ESC
2020-2021 School Year Supplementals:
Correct the supplemental split contract for Weight Room Supervisor to Matt Rohn,100% and Matt Dzierwa 0%
2020-2021 School Year Substitutes:
Jeanne Jeffers
Certified Employees’ Contracts for 2021-2022 School Year:
Continuing:
Patrick Hackney, Mark Nofziger, Brooke Riley
2 Year Limited:
Brandon Floro, Erin Gall, Nichole Hunsberger, Andrea Palicka, Jeff Peters, Brien Sewell
1 Year Limited:
Alix Brahaney, Rachel Brooker, Katie Burris, Olivia Cox, Richard Dubler, Melody Freeland, Elizabeth Gerken, Kendra Henck, Olivia Henderson, Richard Hotz, Cheryl Jones, Hannah Kieffer, Natalie Lambert,
Kristen Laudick, Adam Lewis, Brittany Lindrup, Haley Macielewicz, Kirsten Martinez, Anne Miesle, Delaney Miley, Megan Miller, Brittani Reinbolt, Matthew Rohn, Kevin Schaublin, Morgan Smoyer, Heather Szymanski, Justine Tolles, Andrew Willford, Hank Zeller
2021-2022 School Year Supplementals:
Steve Carroll Head Varsity Boys Basketball
Nathan Luce Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball
Patrick Hackney Junior Varsity Boys Basketball
Jalen Myers Freshman Boys Basketball
Food Pick up for ONLINE STUDENTS ONLY: Monday, May 3rd
Food pick-up is Monday, May 3rd from 4-5 pm in the back of the high school near the football stadium. Please make sure you come to pick up the food if you signed up.
Food Service Reminder - Breakfast and Lunches are FREE all year for ALL students. Even if your child packs every day have them try our lunches. We are ok with that. It would be a great opportunity for them to try out our food service program.
Adam Koch
GO KNIGHTS!
Treasurer's Corner - Steve Carroll
Our Per Pupil Expenses are lower than all but one county school. We have worked very hard to keep our costs low while providing an excellent education to our students. Our spending has been focused on creating the best educational environment possible for all kids. This current year we should see a reduction in total expenses due to multiple cost-saving undertakings centered around knowing what the year would like during the pandemic. We also have received money from the various COVID Relief bills that we have been using to offset some unexpected costs.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out.
Steve Carroll
Knight In Shining Armor Nominations
Knight In Shining Armor Nominations
Please use the following form to inform OHS Student Council about a family in need within the school district. While the family does not need to have students in the district, we do ask that they are a member of the Otsego Community. Please use this form to share information about their current situation as well as how they can best be assisted.
Please be sure to understand that while Knight in Shining Armor (KISA) would love to help all community members in need, we are still a new program, and may not have the funds to do so. With that being said, we will consider each request on a case by case basis. Filling this form out does not guarantee that we will be able to assist the family, but we will try our hardest to do so!
These funds are not for routine expenses such as utilities, bills, rent, etc. It is designed for assisting community members in an emergency situation. This can include but is not limited to unforeseen medical expenses, medical-related travel expenses, and household emergencies such as a fire, water leaks, etc. Please keep this in mind when submitting a nomination.
Please refer to this link at any point during the year as a need arises, and KISA will do their best to help out!
Otsego Food Pantry
The Otsego Food Pantry is always willing to help those in need. This service is by appointment only. Please call, text, or email to schedule.
Otsego Food Pantry
c/o Lisa Hatfield
PO Box 261
17700 Beaver Street
Grand Rapids, OH 43522
Phone: 419-830-1051
Email: otsegofoodpantryoh@gmail.com
Housed in the Grand Rapids First Presbyterian Church – Supported by our Community!
Athletics
Athletic Department Mattress Sale - May 1st
7th and 8th Grade Volleyball Camp
Otsego JH volleyball camp will be held on June 2nd & 3rd from 1:00-4:00 in the high school gym. The camp will consist of an “All Skills” type camp on both days. Athletes will take part in breaking down skills to the fundamental level. They will have the opportunity to use these fundamentals and techniques in drills to mimic game situations. Players will also learn strategic and mechanical movement patterns that make up the game of volleyball. We are lucky enough to have a Division I volleyball player come and instruct our camp! She is our very own, alumni, Maddi Nell! Maddi is currently the sophomore setter for the Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne (IPFW) volleyball team. She is bringing Haley Riter with her to instruct the athletes in a small group setting. Haley is a coach at Premier Academy and has multiple years of playing and coaching experience! I am so excited for our JH girls to have this opportunity to learn from these amazing athletes! This is for incoming 7th and 8th graders for the 2021-22 school year.
Registration and money due by May 21st
Friday, April 23
4:30 - HS TR @ Gibsonburg Inv.
4:45 - JV BB @ Genoa
4:45 - V BB (H) Genoa
5:00 - JV SB @ Clay
5:45 - V SB @ Prebis Tournament vs. Perrysburg (Lagrange Community Park)
Saturday, April 24
8:30 - JH TR @ Swanton Inv.
0:00 - V SB @ Prebis Tournament vs. Medina (Lagrange Community Park)
11:00 - V BB (H) Cardinal Stritch
1:30 - JV BB (H) Cardinal Stritch
4:00 - V SB @ Prebis Tournament vs. North Canton Hoover (Lagrange Community Park)
Monday, April 26
4:30 - JH TR (H) Rossford
4:45 - JV SB @ Woodmore
4:45 - JV BB @ Woodmore
4:45 - V SB (H) Woodmore
4:45 - V BB (H) Woodmore
Tuesday, April 27
4:30 - HS TR @ Rossford with Elmwood
4:45 - JV BB (H) Rossford
4:45 - V BB @ Rossford
5:00 - JV SB @ Anthony Wayne
5:00 - V SB (H) Anthony Wayne
Wednesday, April 28
4:30 - JH TR @ Woodmore
4:45 - V SB (H) Rossford
4:45 - V BB (H) Rossford
4:45 - JV BB @ Rossford
Friday, April 30
4:30 - JH TR @ Elmwood Inv.
4:30 - HS TR (H) Tim Downey Memorial Invitational
4:45 - JV BB @ Elmwood
4:45 - V SB (H) Elmwood
4:45 - V BB (H) Elmwood
5:00 - JV SB @ McComb
COMMUNITY EVENTS SECTION
Questions, Concerns, Comments, or Rumors
SPONSORS
Otsego Board of Education
President: Brad Anderson banderson.otsego@gmail.com
Vice President: James Harter jameslharter@gmail.com
Board Member: Mark Tolles mdt814@cs.com
Board Member: Jessica Mehl jmehl.jd@gmail.com
Board Member: Gordon Digby gdigby44@gmail.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
Becky Buchman, Assistant Elementary Principal
Email: bbuchman@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @buchman_becky
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, Custodial, and Maintenance
Email: evasher@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Emily Bires - Director of Food Service
Email: ebires@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @Otsego_Cafe