By Paula Scott

At the October 30 meeting of the Ada Schools board of education, there was a relatively full house of staff and four school board candidates present for the meeting. 

• Actions taken at the meeting included the appointment of Matt Fisher to the board.
• Discussion included transportation coverage for winter athletics and music, and the status of a revised athletic code.
• Presentations included the certificate designating Ada High School as a “Purple Star” school for its support of military families.

NOTE: A special meeting of the school board has been scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 6; the agenda includes an HVAC project and buildings and grounds.

BOARD MEMBER APPOINTMENT
The board met in a closed door executive session, coming out to announce the appointment of Matt Fisher, who will fill the seat of the late Steve Ramey. Fisher will serve through the end of 2023.

The schools issued the following statement:

“Matt is not only a long-time community member but also a proud Ada alum. His deep ties to the community and school system make him the perfect addition. Matt and his wife Lacey have two children in Ada schools, so his dedication to our community and its education is personal and profound. 

“Let's extend our warmest welcome to Matt Fisher as he embarks on this important journey. We look forward to the positive impact he'll make for our students, teachers and community.”

REPORTS
The board heard reports from principals Dan Lee, Britton Devier and Jeremy Clark. Treasurer Kim Light presented the attached financial report which was approved by the board.

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS
When Superintendent Dennis Recker presented his recommendations A-I, board member Ted Griffith motioned to separate item G., supplemental coaching contracts, from the others, which were approved unanimously.

When item G. was brought forward, Griffith commented that he wanted to see a “mission and a vision” for Ada Schools athletics. Dan Lee, High School Principal, and Ken Jochims shared that there is a 2023-2024 athletic code in place and that a revised statement is in process that will be reviewed by the athletic advisory council before being presented to the board, most likely in the new year.

The coaching contracts were approved 4-1, with Griffith voting “no.”

SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Superintendent Recker asked K-12 Assistant Principal Britton Devier and Technology Coordinator Tim Vernier to come forward with information about the designation of Ada High School as an Ohio “Purple Star” School. And while Devier and Vernick have been congratulated on this award for supporting military families, they emphasized that they are “standing on the shoulders of others” and that many Ada Schools traditions and activities were items required for this award. Stay tuned for an interview with Devier and Vernick.

Recker announced that Joel McCullough of the Kenton Times and Paula Scott of the Ada Icon were named to the Ohio School Board Association Media Honor Roll for coverage of the Ada Schools. The award has been announced in the association’s journal HERE.

http://digital.watkinsprinting.com/publication/?m=21804&i=806813&p=48&fb...

NEXT MEETING

As noted above, a special meeting of the school board has been scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 6; the agenda includes an HVAC project and buildings and grounds.

The next regular meeting of the school board will be 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 16. The starting time has been adjusted to allow individuals to spend time at the Science Fair, which runs from 4:00-8:00 p.m. that evening.