By STEPHANIE DEBOLT
Correspondent
BENTON — New faces, expenses and expectations were primary topics Thursday night at the Fairfield School Board meeting as the group met with less than 24 hours before the first bell of the new year rang. The primary focus was the announcement that Ben Tonagel, current assistant principal at Fairfield Junior-Senior High School, will move into the principal’s office Aug. 1, 2010.
Tonagel began his career at Fairfield in 2007 as acting dean of students. He has served as the assistant principal since 2008. Tonagel was raised in LaPorte, graduated from Grace College and began his teaching career within the Warsaw Community School System. He received his master’s degree from Olivet Nazarene and his administration license from Indiana Wesleyan.
Tonagel resides in Syracuse with his wife Amanda and sons Charlie 3 ½, and Sawyer, 2. The couple are expecting their third child in October. Tonagel received a two-year contract consisting of 220 days per year with a starting salary of $85,000.
“We are fortunate to have a canidate that possesses the qualities and skills necessary to be an outstanding building instructional leader in our district,” Superintendent Tom Tumey said, adding that the board’s approval served to strengthen the administrative team and enhance the academic performance of students.
Funding
Administrative Assistant for Business Phil Menzie noted that he had finally received preliminary assessed valuation figures for 2009. Menzie noted that minor revisions may occur, but budget figures for 2009 calendar year are finally taking shape.
“We’re down approximately 76 million in assessed valuation,” Menzie said, “or 11.9 percent. I’ve heard of others who are down 14 to 18 percent. In this economy, in this area, I’m almost pleased with that.”
Menzie added that county Treasurer Dave Hess has assured him that fall tax bills will be on schedule for Nov. 10 payment.
“I hope he’s right,” Menzie said, “We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Bus routes
Assistant Superintendent Steve Thalheimer recieved approval to add one additional bus route to the transportation schedule after drivers completing their preliminary routing and attendance saw an increase in the Benton Elementary area.
“We have had 89 percent capacity with three to a seat,” Thalheimer said. “That includes junior high and senior high students.” Thalheimer added that after creating the new route, capacity would be at 85 percent.
“Although our membership may be down, our ridership is up in that area,” Thalheimer said.
LaVerda Bechtel will manage the newly added route 22, with driver Roxanne Comino taking over Route 19 and substitute driver Joyce Bontrager will move to the Millersburg express route.
Personnel
The resignations of Stephanie Johnson, instructional assistant and Brenda Yoder, special education assistant at Benton Elementary School were approved, as were the resignations of Stacey Garret, junior high cross country coach, and Kari Walmer, seventh-grade volleyball coach.
The following employments were approved: Tim Haines fifth- and sixth-grade boys basketball coach at New Paris; Janet Glogouski and Bethany Shank, fifth- and sixth-grade volleyball coaches at New Paris; Karen Coffing, Title 1 reading assistant at New Paris; Dave Hamilton, freshman volleyball coach; Nicole Thwaits, seventh-grade volleyball coach and first-grade teacher at Benton Elementary, filling a one-year matermity leave by teacher Kelli King.
The board also approved the hiring of Darby Showalter, freshman football coach; Ryan Powell, ICE/SE job coach; Carrie Herwick, junior high cross country coach and Read 180 paraprofessional; and Megan Davidhizer, paraprofessional for the Peer Tutoring Program, replacing Joann Cramer for the junior-senior high school; Krista Kitson, SE assistang; and Lindi Walter, sixth grade instructional assistant at Benton Elementary.
At Millersburg Elementary, Anita Snyder and Wanda Miller were employed as ESL assistants, DiAnn Beachy and Wendy Nunemaker were hired as half-time kindergarten through second-grade reading assistants and Julia Yoder, Julie Fisher and Diane Groff, Title 1 assistants.
