By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
There will be a couple of new faces at Wynford next fall as the district’s Board of Education approved hiring five staff members and the resignation of four including the new athletics director.
The hiring of Joseph Staab, high school science/math; Bobby Davis, half-time history teacher; Erin Emser, high school English; Mathew Safford, vocal music director for elementary/high school; and Jordan Oliver, high school social studies, was unanimously approved by the board Monday evening.
Also unanimously approved were the resignations of Lee Rowlinson, high school science; Michelle Kanney, high school English; Jonathan Amicone, high school social studies; and Dominick Kaple, athletics director/assistant principal.
“When you lose quality people you got to bring in quality people. We went through the interview process, reference checks, and just try to do as much research we could on them,” High School Principal Jeff Holbrook said. “I think we brought in some really great candidates, and I think it is a great opportunity for Wynford.”
All other personnel items on the agenda were approved by the Wynford board.
Wynford student Taylor Baumberger was recognized for receiving first place in the nation for fashion design at the recent National FCCLA convention.
“This project created many opportunities that I wouldn’t have had without it,” Baumberger said to the board. “There were so many people in the category at nationals. It was one of the most challenging categories due to time and the fact that Ohio doesn’t have Fashion Design in FCS.”
Baumberger then explained the process for her fashion design project researching a target audience, selecting the material, and researching and selecting material.
“Pricing was the most challenging as I had to decide overhead costs and profit,” Baumberger continued. “I had the most fun with the career path, and how it is related to FCS. I then wore the dress that I designed for prom.
Baumberger said her goals are to take an independent flex credit for fashion design, then study fashion design and business at Kent State University.
In Treasurer Leesa Smith’s financial report she noted that the fiscal year for 2014 closed better than forecast due to services being within $200 to $300, and the administration spending under their budget amount. Smith then announced that the school district finished $750,000 in the black with a $410,000 carryover for the fiscal year of 2015.
In returning Superintendent Steve Mohr’s report, Mohr thanked those who had taken his place during his absence.
“It is good to be back,” Mohr said. “I feel about as excited as I was eight years ago when I was approved by the board to become Wynford’s superintendent.”
All operational items on the agenda were approved including make an addendum to the school calendar. The first day for school for students will now be Thursday, Aug. 21 instead of Wednesday, Aug. 20.
This was done so that teachers would have a bonus work day taking place Aug. 18, 19, and 20.
The next Wynford Board of Education meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 18 in the Wynford High School Library.