VWCS Board of Education Meeting: May 28, 2025
VWCS Board of Education Meeting: May 28, 2025
VAN WERT — The Van Wert City Schools Board of Education approved the district’s five-year forecast at its meeting on Wednesday night.
The document, compiled twice a year, is a snapshot of what the district’s finances are anticipated to be over the next five years.
“Our five-year forecast is a picture at a point in time,” said Troy Bowersock, Van Wert Schools district treasurer. “In the fall forecast, we thought we had a pretty good idea of where we are, but when we look at it in the spring, there’s a lot of uncertainties that we’re presented with, with an uncertain state budget at this point in time which would lock us in for two years, uncertainty with property taxes and then the potential for a property tax repeal. Those are all uncertainties that could have a drastic impact on our budget. At this point in time, we’re focusing on the knowns, which was where we are in the fall, and it’s likely our forecast this coming fall will look quite different than what we have presented tonight.”
Board members approved a series of personnel changes ahead of the 2025-26 school year, including new hires and retirements.
The board accepted the retirements of high school intervention specialist Roland Alvarez and elementary intervention specialist Amy Covey. Alvarez’s retirement is effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year, while Covey’s revised retirement date is June 1. The board also acknowledged Alvarez’s intention to seek re-employment with the district, and set a public hearing for 5 p.m. on June 25 to discuss the matter.
Other resignations included Kate Delgado, high school secretary; Lori Honigford, custodial/maintenance worker; Emma Guggenbiller, third-grade teacher; and Alex Martz, volunteer football coach.
New hires for the upcoming school year include Dylan Wierwille as a third-grade teacher; Kolby Barnhart, middle school science; Matthew Warnecke, middle school language arts; Michael Dowdy, high school math at the Goedde; Noah Floyd, high school band director; and Sara Bauer, elementary paraprofessional.
The board also reappointed Bob Priest to a four-year term as assistant superintendent and approved a new three-year contract for athletic director Trent Temple.
Additional staffing decisions were made for summer programs and coaching roles. Notably, Dowdy was also approved as the new girls’ head basketball coach.
The board acknowledged multiple donations from the Van Wert County Foundation and community groups, including over $11,000 toward scholarships and school programs. Notable contributions included $5,000 from the Van Wert High School Class of 1970 to the Eggerss Stadium Project and $3,000 from the Elementary PTO for the school’s wellness program.
The board also recognized longtime board member Anthony Adams for 10 years of service during its meeting.
The next meeting of the Van Wert Schools Board of Education is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, at 5 p.m. at the First Federal Lecture Hall at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.