The regular meeting for the Continental School Board was held at 6:00 p.m. on June 18, in the administrative office. The meeting was called to order by Board President Dean Bidlack, who opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Hearing of the Public:
-Discussed the re-employment of Superintendent Mr. Danny F. Kissell.
-Discussed the re-employment of Elementary Teacher Mrs. Kathleen Schmiedebusch.
Congratulations to the following students who were selected as January “Artists of the Month”:
Elementary School: Briggs Noffsinger
Briggs Noffsinger is a third grade student at Continental Elementary and the son of Derek and ErinNoffsinger. His artwork entitled “Puffin” is on display in the administrative office at Continental School.
Junior High/High School: Mya Velasquez
Mya Velasquez is a sophomore at Continental High School and the daughter of Larissa Thome and Joe Velasquez. Her artwork entitled “Lighthouse” is on display in the boardroom of the administrative office at Continental School.
-A proclamation was read honoring Putnam County Educational Service Center Superintendent, Dr. Jan Osborn for his 53 years of dedicated service to education.
Principal Reports:
Mrs. Tracy Potts, Elementary Principal, reported:
•Congratulations to the staff on another successful school year. We are looking forward to implementing more positive learning experiences next school year.
•End-of-year enrollment: 287 students. Mobility for 24-25 new students 35 and 35 withdrawn.
Retentions: 3 kindergarten, 14 Kinderstart. We currently have 2 new students for next year (1 from open enrollment and 1 move in. One withdrawal at this time.
•Interviews for the third-grade position will be on Tuesday, June 24.
•3rd Grade Reading Guarantee: We have one student who needs to be placed on a RIMP in the 4th grade and receive tutoring services.
Mr. Tim Eding, JH/HS Principal, reported:
•The custodial crew is doing a good job in working through the JH/HS building. Thank you to the crew for all of their hard work!
•Work on the front of the building is also progressing–I am looking forward to how clean all of that will look when it’s completed!
•We have three students working on credit recovery classes through the ESC’s summer school program. All coursework for summer school must be completed by July 2nd.
•OST Data
•Staffing Update
Treasurer’s Report:
The Board was updated on the District’s financial report, which included investments, cash reconciliation, and the Board spending plan.
The Board:
•approved the following donations:
- $500 from Continental American Legion Post 541 to Computer Technology.
- $500 from Continental American Legion Post 541 to Industrial Technology.
- $500 from Continental American Legion Post 541 to the Music Fund for Memorial Day participation.
- $11,371.58 from the Irene Casteel Trust to Irene Casteel fund.
•approved to continue to participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program for school year 2025-2026.
•established cafeteria lunch and milk prices for school year 2025-2026, at the recommendation of Food Services Director Suellen Backus:
2025-2026 – No changes
K-6 Lunch… $2.70
7-12 Lunch… $3.20
K-12 Reduced Lunch… $ .40
Adult Lunch …$4.00
K-12 Breakfast… $1.85
K-12 Reduced Breakfast… $ .30
Extra Milk… $ .60
•approved the end-of-year cafeteria report from Food Services Director Suellen Backus.
•approved the FY25 final appropriations as presented.
•approved the FY26 permanent appropriations as presented.
•approved July 1, 2025 to June 30,2026 school insurances from SORSA (Schools of Ohio Risk Sharing Authority) for property, fleet, and liability with a total liability limit of $15,000,000 at a premium of $80,336.
•approved to adjust the Treasurer’s salary for the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 school year.
Superintendent’s Report:
The board:
•heard the transportation report.
•The bus inspection was completed June 5, 2025
•congratulated Elementary Intervention Specialist Jenna Warnimont for completing the training to be a dyslexia specialist. We now have 2 Dyslexia Specialists in the Elementary.
VANTAGE REPORT
•Robin Etter gave the Vantage Career Center report.
SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDATIONS
The Board:
•approved elementary and junior high/high school student handbooks for 2025-2026. See attached handbooks and updates.
•approved $40.00 K-12 workbook/supply fee for all students for the school year 2025-2026. Extra fees may be applicable for some projects. In addition to the workbook fee, there will be a $50.00 iPad premium (to be used toward iPad initiative) for students in grades 7-12.
Personnel and Other Recommendations:
The Board:
•non-renewed the following 2024-2025 supplemental and pupil activity contracts at the conclusion of their season or duties:
•Spencer Ordway, Athletic Director
•accepted the following resignations.
•Allison Schmidt-Prom Advisor
•Tia Vogt-Prom Advisor
•Leva Aguirre, Varsity Assistant Girls Soccer
•accepted the following teaching resignations effective end of FY 25.
•CarrieJo Verhoff, Second Grade Teacher
•Emily Fuller, 7-12 ELA Teacher
•accepted the retirement of school bus driver Cathy Ohms effective January 9, 2026.
•congratulated and thanked the following staff members who were recognized on May 27, 2025 for their service at Continental Local School:
•reaffirmed the hiring of Allison Gilliland from the June, 28, 2023 board meeting to continue working under her substitute teaching license while pursuing appropriate licensure.
•approved the following supplemental and pupil activity contracts, pending proper certification and satisfactory FBI/BCI background checks, if applicable, for the 2025-2026 school year. These contracts will be voided if the sport or activity is unable to take place:
Spencer Ordway, Athletic Director
Ryan Keck, Baseball
KC Knowles, Asst Baseball
Leva Aguirre, Girls Softball
Ben Homier, Assistant Softball
Isaac Gibbs, Varsity Girls Track
Gage Hoehne, JH Track-Boys
Justin Etter, School Musical Director
Chelsea Manon, HS Student Council
Jacob Palte, JH Student Council
Sarah Baughman, Co-Elementary Student Council
Brian Gerdeman, Co-Elementary Student Council
Katie Meyer, FCCLA Advisor
Chelsea Manon, HS Scholastic Bowl
Cliff Koenig, JH Scholastic Bowl Advisor
Gage Hoehne, School Musical Asst. Director
Pam Jones, School Musical Accompanist
Elliott Kosch, E-Sports
Jacob Palte, Art Club
Jessica Sanders, 8th Grade Volleyball
•approved the following volunteer assistant coaches, pending proper certification and background checks:
•Leva Aguirre, Girls Soccer
•Matt Slattman, Varsity Baseball
•Jami Sullivan, Varsity Softball
•Madison Rayle, Varsity Softball
•approved the hiring of Tammy Makara, Derek Heitzman, and Tammy Rayle as full-time school bus drivers pending proper certification and satisfactory background checks, if applicable.
•approved FY26 salaries for exempt employees.
•approved a 5-year contract for Tim Eding as Jr. High/High School Principal.
•approved a 3-year contract for Tracy Potts as Elementary School Principal.
•approved a 5-year contract for Mark Siebeneck as Maintenance Director.
•approved a 3-year contract for Elliott Kosch as Technology Director.
The next regular Board meeting will be July 23 at 6:00 p.m in the administrative office. The meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.
