By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

With a new school year quickly approaching, the Wynford Board of Education filled numerous positions Thursday night including hiring three new teachers.

High school math and science teacher Julie Rexroad, elementary art teacher Crystal Ann Bayes, and pre-school teacher Britney Maskey were unanimously approved by the board. Maskey comes to the Wynford School District as a graduate of Findlay University and Mohawk High School.

Supplemental contracts for the 2016-2017 school year were approved 4-0 for Julie Crall as head track coach, and Lindsey Rowland as drama/musical director.

Three-year contract renewals for Chris Solis, Missi Grove, Timothy Ehresman, and Jeff Holbrook were also approved without any dissenting votes.

While many positions were filled, the school did lose elementary teachers Steven Wheeler and Beth Painter as their letters of resignation were also unanimously approved.

Treasurer Leesa Smith delivered good news on the financial front during her report to the Wynford Board.

“We have good news, we have closed the books for the fiscal year,” Smith said. “With the closing in relation to the forecast we are looking to finish $125,000 better than the estimate. It also looks like the foundation will have a higher amount, and if the property tax comes in like February I will be very happy.”

During Superintendent Fred Fox’s report to the board, he noted that the board meeting for August should have a change of venue.

“I suggest we have our August meeting in the band room,” Fox said. “We should have band members show off the equipment in the room. We hope to have it ready before the meeting takes place.”

Fox noted that with all of the positions filled at the July meeting, the school still has a vacancy at another position.

“We still have a special needs position open,” Fox explained. “We have one teacher that is qualified for the position, however, we really don’t want to take them out of the classroom.”

Prior to the board getting to official business, the school board recognized the Royals 2016 state champion 4×100 relay team. Fox noted that he wanted to put signage at a spot so that as many people as possible will see their accomplishment. During discussion, board member Rhonda Rowland explained that she would like to see more recognition for students’ outstanding work.