The regular meeting for the Continental School Board was held at 6:30 p.m. on March 18th, 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:
The following students are being recognized as February “Students of the Month”:
Elementary:
Genevieve Llewellyn is the daughter of Patrick and Sarah Llewellyn. She is a first grader at Continental Elementary School.
Paytin Varner is the daughter of Austin and Ashley Varner. She is a fourth grader at Continental Elementary School.
Junior High/High School:
Camren Burgei is the son of Craig and Angie Burgei. He is a senior at Continental High School.
Congratulations to the following students who were selected as January “Artists of the Month”:
Elementary:
Brayden Ashbaugh is the son of Roger and Amber Ashbaugh. He is a fourth grader at Continental Elementary School. Brayden’s Whitetail Deer Aluminum Embossment inspired by the work of German Painter Franz Marc will be on display in the Administration Office at Continental School.
Junior High/High School:
Ashley DeSote is the daughter of Tim DeSote and Kelly McCoy. She is a seventh grader at Continental High School. Ashley’s Ink Graffiti piece inspired by the Graffiti work of American Neo Abstract Expressionist Jean Michael Basquiat will be on display in the administration office.
Principal Reports:
Mrs. Tracy Potts, Elementary Principal, reported:
•3rd Quarter Reward Outing: 3/27 3-6 will go skating and K-1 will have a 6-5 Glow Party
•State testing starts on Tuesday, March 31.
•Book Fair: April 14-18. We are using a new company this year called Literati.
•Parents of Pirates: On Friday, March 20 Krendl Magic will do two presentations for groups of students. Krendl is a talented illusionist, creator, and inspirationist.
•Upcoming dates:
•Mar. 25- 8:50 am – 12:00 pm – 4-6 Choir and 5-6 Band to Lima for Orchestra Concert
•Mar. 31 & Apr. 1 – 4th ELA test
•Apr. 3 – No School – Good Friday
•Apr. 6 – Make-up Day
Mr. Tim Eding, JH/HS Principal, reported:
•Congratulations to Emmie Wollam for earning a “Best of Show” ribbon at the Putnam County Fine Arts Festival on March 8th and to Seniors Camren Burgei, Kaelyn Clementz, and Kimberly Grant for earning their 4-year Honors Band/Choir awards!
•Good luck to the cast and crew of Cinderella! The drama department will be presenting the show on Friday & Saturday at 7:00 pm and on Sunday at 2:30 pm.
•Friday is the end of the 3rd Quarter. Report Cards should be released by the middle of next week via ParentAccess accounts in ProgressBook (we will send out an alert when they are available).
•The NHS is sponsoring a Blood Drive on Wednesday, March 24th from 10 am to 4 pm in the HS Gym.
•The Band & Choir Trip to Washington, DC will be Thursday, March 26 through Sunday, March 29th.
•The Government classes will be attending the Real Money/Real World simulation at OGHS on Tuesday, March 31.
•The Juniors will be job shadowing on Thursday, April 2nd.
•There is No School on Friday, April 3rd.
•Monday, April 6th is a Make Up Day.
•The Global Foods class will be taking a field trip to Lima on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 7th.
•We are sending job-seeking Juniors and Seniors to the Paulding County Career Day on Thursday, April 9th.
•State Testing/End of Course Exams will begin on April 14th.
•Update on 2026-27 JH/HS Master Schedule
•Graduation–Please mark your calendars for Sunday, May 17th. The ceremony will begin at 2:30 pm. Board Members are asked to be here between 2:00-2:15 pm.
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:
•made a resolution to accept the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the County Auditor.
•approve the following donations:
•$100.00 from Pam Jones to Stage and Music fund
•$11,371.58 from Irene Casteel Trust
•$1,786.40 Staff donations in lieu of receiving service award pins
Superintendent’s Report:
The board:
•heard the transportation report.
•heard the Superintendent’s updates.
VANTAGE REPORT
•Brian Donaldson gave the Vantage Career Center report.
POINTS OF INFORMATION
The Board:
•heard the following upcoming dates and information:
•The Band and Choir trip to Washington D.C. is March 26-29.
•Monday, April 6, 2026 will be used as a make-up day.
•The 48th Annual Vantage Alumni Hall of Fame Induction and All Boards Dinner will be on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 6:00 in the Vantage Commons.
•Kindergarten Screening will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026.
•Monday, April 6, 2026 will be used as a make-up day.
•Graduation will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 2:30.
SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDATIONS
The Board:
•approved an overnight trip for Mr. Nathan Schmidt and the robotics team to Marion, Ohio on April 16-18, 2026 for the National Robotics Challenge.
•approved the out of state 1st Grade field trip to the Ft. Wayne Zoo on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
•heard the following resolution:
•Whereas the Continental Board of Education wishes to advertise and receive bids for the purchase of 1 or more school buses. Therefore, be it resolved the Continental Board of Education wishes to participate and authorize the Southwestern Ohio Educational Purchasing Council to advertise and receive bids on said Boards’ behalf as per the specifications submitted for the cooperative purchase of 1 “Type A” school bus (Van).
Note: Board adoption of this resolution does not obligate the district.
•approved the quote for the track removal, replacement, and resurfacing from the Equalis Group.
Personnel and Other Recommendations:
The Board:
•Non-renew the following 2025-2026 supplemental contracts:
Toby Bidlack, Summer Weight Room Coordinator
Gage Hoehne, School Play Asst Director
Sarah Llewellyn, Fall Concessions
Gage Hoehne, Non-Competition Summer Band
Mckenzy Mayes, Competition Color Guard
Allison Schmid,t Varsity Volleyball
Erin Schmidt, Reserve Volleyball
Macie Cordes, 7th Grade Volleyball
Jessica Sanders, 8th Grade Volleyball
Toby Bidlack, Varsity Girls Soccer
Joseph Smith, Asst Girls Soccer
Dalton Bradford, Varsity Soccer
Brian Stegbauer, JV Boys Soccer
Kelly Tegenkamp, Co-HS Cheerleader Advisor
Jami Sullivan, Co-HS Cheerleader Advisor
Tiffany Dawson, JH Cheerleader Advisor
Scott Keck, Varsity Boys Basketball
Nathan Schmidt, Varsity Asst Boys Basketball
Timothy Vogt, Reserve Boys Basketball
Damon Schmidt, Varsity Girls Basketball
Jessica Vennekotter, Varsity Asst Girls Basketball
Johnathan Spitnale, Reserve Girls Basketball
Ryan Keck, 8th Grade Boys Basketball
Nick Keck, 7th Grade Boys Basketball
Sarah Donaldson, 8th Grade Girls Basketball
Lindsey Miller, 7th Grade Girls Basketball
Gage Hoehne, Pep Band
Sarah Llewellyn, Winter Concessions Manager
•approved the March 2026 Putnam County substitute teacher list, provided by the Putnam County ESC.
•approved 7.5 dock days for custodian Cheryl Grant.
•approved 1 dock day for aide, Maria Martinez
•approved 10.5 dock days for elementary social worker, Erin Schmidt.
•approved .5 dock day for elementary teacher, Sydney Brecht.
•approved Dominique Hammond as a volunteer assistant track coach, pending proper certification and background check.
•approved a 3-year contract for Jordan Streicher as Jr. High/High School Principal.
•employed Kristen Ellerbrock as a 4th Grade Teacher and issue her a one-year limited contract, pending proper certification and satisfactory background checks, effective August 20, 2026. Placement on the salary schedule will be pending verification, for the 2026-2027 school year.
•heard a resolution to re-employ teachers as retire/rehire:
•Tammy Baker
•Kelli Roney
•Terri Schlegel
•approved the three-year negotiated agreement between the Continental Local Board of Education and the Alliance of Continental Educators, effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029.
•approved the three-year negotiated agreement between the Continental Local Board of Education and the Continental Local Education Association, effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029.
The next regular Board meeting will be April 15th at 6:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
