The Vantage Board of Education held the March Regular Board meeting on Thursday, March 7,
2024 in the District Conference Room. During the Board meeting, Minutes from the February 1, 2024
regular Board meeting were approved along with financial statements for the month of January, 2024.
Superintendent Rick Turner began the meeting by welcoming Sam Shriver with the Times Bulletin,
Scott Truxell with the Van Wert Independent, Mr. Benjamin Winans, High School Director, Angie Fahy,
Adult Education Director, Mr. Zach Miller, Criminal Justice Instructor and students Jordyn Biberstine (Van
Wert), Jadrick Buffin (Delphos Jefferson), Tyler Wilkins (Delphos Jefferson), and Ava Foltz (Paulding).
Mr. Turner spoke about the following items in his report:
● We were pleased with the bids for the Phase 1 parking lot mill and fill to be completed this
summer. The numbers came in considerably lower than we might have anticipated. Our architect
plans to propose adding additional space to be done in this first phase at the same price per
square foot that is on the bid, if the contractor agrees to that. The low bid is on the agenda for
your consideration this evening.
● We received contracts from the company that will build, deliver, and set up our fire training prop
and from Garmann Miller Architects for the foundation of the fire training prop and the expansion
and lighting of the CDL lot. The company that will build our fire training prop has asked for us to
have the foundation piers put in this summer/fall so they are in place and fully cured by the time
they bring in the structure. They are 300 days out on delivery and set up from the time they
receive their down payment. Both contracts will be on the April agenda for your consideration.
Once those contracts are approved we can begin to move forward with our CTE expansion. The
growth of career technical education in Ohio and specifically at Vantage is exciting.
● We will be proposing an addition of 5 minutes to our school day next year. With this small change
in scheduling, we will add an additional 15 hours of instructional time over the course of the
school year and hopefully avoid make-up day situations due to inclement weather like we have
had the past two years. The school day now runs from 8:23 a.m-2:34 p.m.. The proposed school
day for next year will be 8:20 a.m.-2:36 p.m.
● I want to thank our staff for very successful Open House/Taste of Vantage and Senior Mock
Interview events over the past couple of weeks. I interviewed three of our machining students on
Mock Interview Day and each were very strong interviews. This is a testament to the hard work
and dedication from both our staff and our students.
High School Director Benjamin Winans reported on the following items:
● On February 2 we had over 800 sophomores visit the building to explore two programs of their
choice for roughly an hour. This date also marked the opening of our application for the
2024-2025 school year. As many of you know we then hosted our annual Open House – “Taste of
Vantage” event on February 26. We continued to see an increase in the numbers at this event as
we had roughly 180 sophomores turn in their postcard for a free Vantage T-shirt. The continued
support from our food vendors who were serving samples on this night is much appreciated. We
also thank our area employers who set up displays and met with both our current and potential
students to discuss employment options. Finally, our community members showed up in large
numbers to show their support as well. As you can see February was a very busy, but successful
month for Vantage.
● Speaking of applications, to date we have 396 sophomores who have applied for next school year.
This is just over 50 students above where we were last year on this date. Our administrative team
is working together to begin to sort through the applications as our priority deadline was March 1.
The priority deadline simply sets an end date for any program that might be oversubscribed –
which allows us to then determine which students will get in their first choice program and those
that will be offered a spot in their second choice program, and put on the waiting list for their
initial program. As of today we have nine programs that are over subscribed. With the large
number of applications and large number of juniors that we expect to return, we will again be at
or near capacity. We will continue to examine these enrollment numbers closely, but the key
factors to keep in mind are that an application does not always turn into an enrollment as the
students need to successfully complete the requirements at the end of the sophomore year and
also that students do at times change their mind about attending Vantage. Are there any
questions about the application process?
● We conducted Mock Interviews for seniors and ACT Testing for our juniors March 5. I want to
thank all those who volunteered to assist in the mock interview process. Each year we hear how
valuable this is for our students to have a “real” interview from someone in their career field. In
regard to ACT Testing this is the last time juniors will be required by the state to take this ACT.
While it will be available to all next year, it will not be mandatory.
● As you know we have a supervisor position to be approved this evening that will leave an opening
in the Business and Service supervisor position. We have received applications and are awaiting
the closing of the posting on March 11 to begin interviewing. I will keep Mr. Turner and you
posted as we work through this process.
Adult Education Director Angie Fahy reported on the following items:
● Ohio Career Technical Education Equipment Grant Program – we were informed that we
were not selected to receive this grant.
○ 56 schools were awarded. 10-12 were career centers.
○ We currently serve 17% of our population and they were looking for schools who
were 10% or less.
○ We plan to reapply for round 2. No time frame has been announced yet.
● Nurse Education Assistant Loan Program (NEALP) – We have been accepted as a provider.
The application will open as soon as the FAFSA rollout is complete.
○ The Ohio Department of Higher Education’s (ODHE) Nurse Education Assistant Loan
Program (NEALP) is a forgivable loan that provides financial assistance for Ohio
nursing students that are enrolled in a nursing program at one of our Ohio approved
institutions.
○ Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program funding for Future Nurses.
○ Provides financial assistance to Ohio students enrolled for at least half-time study (or
accepted for enrollment) in approved Ohio pre-licensure nurse education program
who intend to serve as nurses after graduation.
○ Funding Type: Loan.
○ Funding is provided by an educational surcharge on the biennial licensure renewal
fee paid by all licensed LPN’s and RN’s.
○ Annual award for the 2023-2024 academic year is $1,650/year.
○ Awards based on EFC.
○ Recipients must serve as a full time nurse in Ohio for five years to qualify for 100
percent loan cancellation.
● Ohio Board of Nursing Site Visit – March 27-28, 2024 – Evaluating both programs.
● Super Rapids
○ Agreement has been received and funds were deposited on 02/16/24. We have
started the ordering process.
● Tech Cred
○ Our application was approved in the amount of $13,000.00. Several employees will
be taking advantage of the opportunity to enhance their skills in the following areas:
■ Google
■ Microsoft Office Specialist
■ FANUC Robotics
■ AI for Marketers
■ Certified Digital Marketing Professional
● High School Visits
○ Maria has scheduled visits with all associate schools except the following who have
not responded to her emails:
■ Ottoville
■ Fort Jennings
■ Parkway
In new business, the Board approved the following Superintendent consent agenda items:
➢ Approved an administrative contract
➢ Approved a certified contract
➢ Approved an amended contract
➢ Approved three (3) Adult Education Instructors
➢ Approved the 2024-2025 Permanent Improvement Equipment purchase list
➢ Approved overnight and out-of-state travel for a Social Studies seminar
➢ Approved an out of state field trip
➢ Accepted a donation for the Construction Equipment Technology program
➢ Approved a new job description
➢ Approved the Business Advisory Council Joint Statement
➢ Approved the Vantage Evaluation Handbook
➢ Accepted four (4) resignations
➢ Accepted a bid from Brooks Construction Company Inc to resurface a portion of the parking lot
➢ Approved an amended resignation effective date
End of Superintendent’s Consent Agenda Items
In new business, the Board approved the following Superintendent outside consent agenda items:
➢ Approved an out of state field trip
➢ Approved an administrative contract
End of Superintendent’s Outside Consent Agenda Items
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G)(5), the Superintendent hereby requests that the Board
adjourn into executive session for the purpose of considering personnel matters of the School District.
Adjournment – at the call of the President and at the pleasure of the Vantage Career Center Board of
Education
Next meeting – Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 5:15 p.m.
In the District Conference Room
Regular Board Meeting
Annual Vantage All Boards Program
6:00 p.m. – Vantage Commons Area
