During the March 14 meeting, the board of education approved the formation of a Genders/Sexuality Alliance club at the high school.
The club will meet weekly before school.
The board documents state: “According to GLSEN (glsen.org), research shows that having such a club in school helps LGBT students feel supported, which has a positive effect on their academic achievement and overall well-being.
“The club will be supervised by PHS teachers Heather Westrick, Erin Gallagher and Meredith Gaynor. There are no costs associated.”
Before the board approved the club, several teachers, parents, residents and one eighth grade student spoke out in support.
PJHS student Trevor Madigan addressed comments made by a resident of Perrysburg at a prior meeting which he said suggested gay support is support for pedophiles. “This is not true,” he said.
He said the comments “were more than just words made at a board meeting, they were disgusting words that were incorrect and used against teenagers, some of the most vulnerable young kids who suffer already every day in their lives with things such as homophobia slurs or hate acts.”
Later, Trevor said he “because as an LGBTQIA+ youth, I don’t always feel safe in the schools.”
Robin Laird of Louisiana Avenue, addressed the board, too, saying, “I am here to thank Perrysburg Schools for building an inclusive atmosphere. I encourage you to hear these people who care about all kids.”
Julie Jagodzinski, an intervention specialist at Perrysburg Schools, said, “‘All’ means all students. We value them as individuals. It would be irresponsible not to offer that support [of a club] to kids.”
Melissa Grossman, Birch Crest Drive, has a son at PHS and is a teacher at PJHS.
“An extension of my job is to support my students,” she said. “These children need to see and hear support. The need for this club is real. This is an issue of human rights.”
She then asked the board to “please stop allowing people to use this platform to spew hate speech.”
Kathy Mayfield, a seventh grade teacher, said on behalf of other teachers present, “We have to be here to speak up for our students. It is true that our LGBTQ youth are faced with depression and what left a pit in my stomach is that comments are made in the homes of LGBTQ students.”
She asked the board to “continue to do the right thing despite the pressure.”
Allison Latella, Louisiana Avenue, is a PJHS teacher. “Hearing hateful comments make me not want to settle here. I enthusiastically support this club. To those of our students who are here tonight, we love you, we support you.”
Robert Vanitvelt of East Fifth Street, is the artist whose work appeared around the downtown area and in Way Public Library during Black History Month in past years. He said, “It’s important to support gay and lesbian students. We enrich your community.”
Mr. Vanitvelt shared that as a youth, he was often bullied and struggled with suicidal ideation.
“It is shameful to lean in on a dying rhetoric that causes harm,” he said.
School board members and Superintendent Hosler also voiced support for the club.
“Our teachers live our core values,’ said Sue Larimer. “This is why we are a destination district.”
She shared the story of a boy in her high school that “many kids were not kind to. He is no longer with us. I want our district to understand that we need to honor all of our students.”
Superintendent Hosler thanked all the speakers for speaking out. He also said Trevor was more courageous than the PHS wrestlers who recently faced their adversaries at the state championship meet.
Other Business
In other business, the board:
•Celebrated PHS student Caleb Neidt, percussion, who was named to the All-State Band, and the students named to the All-State Orchestra: Niranjan Bhagwat, violin; Patrick Chen, harp; Tony Chen, viola; Caroline Hannah, flute; Patrick Martz, cello; Adam Roberts, violin; Simon Williams, bass; and Sam Zachel, bass.
•Approved the formation of a ping pong club at PJHS.
According to the board agenda: “The club will serve as an after school activity to provide students another opportunity to create and build positive social interactions with each other.
“The club will follow an intramural format, meeting two days a week after school from 3 to 4:15 p.m. at a space within the Perrysburg Junior High School cafeteria. Students and advisors will be responsible for clean-up and maintenance of equipment. Equipment will be initially found through donations. The group has up to four boards as possible donations through the Perrysburg community. Dan Blue and Scott Buker, monitor and assistant principal at PJHS, respectively, will supervise the activity.”
•Was informed of the new maintenance director and met the new director of student services and wellbeing. The board approved both contracts.
Jason Bloomer, maintenance director, was approved to work 222 days per school year, effective March 28, with the first year prorated for 83 days at $31,779. The second year, August 1 through July 2023, is a 222-day contract at $85,000. Mr. Bloomer replaces Brett Tanner.
Justin Fults, the new director of student services and well being, was approved for 222 days per school year, effective August 1, at $105,000. Mr. Fults replaces Sara Stock well.
•Heard a presentation by Cathy Kronmann, EMIS coordinator, who has been with the district for 23 years.
“EMIS (educational management information system) is a statewide data collection system for Ohio’s primary and secondary education, including demographic information, enrollments, withdrawals, attendance, course information, financial data, gifted data, federal child count and testing results,” she explained.
“I am responsible for timely and accurate transmission of all staff and student data to the Ohio Department of Education, which helps determine the district’s funding and accountability,” she noted, adding that she works closely with every department as well as with school district staff at all levels.
The board approved:
•The retirement of Lisa Wagner, PHS science teacher, effective July 1.
•The resignation of Grace Hanna, first grade teacher, Toth Elementary; and Sarah Thompson, first grade teacher, Ft. Meigs, both effective at the end of 2021-22.
•An unpaid leave of absence for Katie Garverick, intervention specialist teacher, Toth, effective March 9, through the end of 2021-22.
•Homebound tutors for 2021-22 school year and summer on as-needed basis at $27.86 per hour: Susan Bachmayer, Kara Brown and Tyler Stone.
•Supplementals: Karen Kinzig, PHS cheerleading, competition, $1,709; and Jeff McMahon, PHS assistant boys track, $3,076.
•Stipends: summer reading academy supervisor, $2,000 each: Nikki Moscinski and Sherry Shaffer; work with Ohio’s new Family Engagement grant - $1,000: Nikki Moscinski; home instruction with itinerant students, 30 hours each at $30.95 per hour for the remainder of 2021-22: Katie Siebenaler and Meghan Carson.
•Classified resignation of Alissa Long, bus driver, whose last day was March 18.
•One-year limited contract for Patrick Luther, bus driver, four hours per day, effective February 22, prorated for 63 days for the remainder of the 2021-22, $5,478.
•Athletic event worker for 2021-22: Josh Hartzell.
•Classified substitutes for 2021-22: Barbara McBee, Joni Bettinger and Rashmi Raichura.
•CPR training: teaching CPR classes for 2021-22 staff; Debbie Reddick, up to three classes per year at $235 per class; Laurie Barteck, up to four hours each for up to three classes at her current hourly rate.
•Stipend: Nancy Stough, $8,926 for grant management of Title I, Title II-A, Title III, Title IV, IDEA, CRF, ESSER, public and non-public grants. Paid from Title I, Title II-A, Title III, Title IV, IDEA CRS, ESSER, public and non-public grants.
•PHS marching band trip to Orlando, Florida, in November. The band will perform in a parade at Walt Disney World.
The next school board meeting is Monday, April 18, at 5:30 p.m. in the Commodore Building, 140 East Indiana Avenue and is open to the public.
–Kate Oatis