As the number of COVID-19 cases decline and vaccinations ramp up, the Penta Career Center board of education and administrators believe that the 2021-22 school year can begin in a relatively normal fashion.
Toward that end, the school board approved next year’s calendar, which includes students in the building five days per week.
Superintendent Ed Ewers is optimistic that they will see a return to traditional learning.
The calendar calls for new students to attend on Thursday, August 19, with all students reporting Friday, August 20. First quarter will end on October 15 and the second quarter ends on December 23, just prior to winter break.
Students return on January 3 and classes end May 25, unless make-up days are required. Those have been added to the end of the year, May 26 to June 2. The last day for next year’s seniors will be May 13, 2022.
The superintendent said for this year, students remain on the hybrid learning format, attending two days per week with online learning offered on the other days.
While he admitted he would “love to see students return to four- or five-day in person learning in the near future,” Mr. Ewers is reluctant to say when that could happen.
He pointed out that each time he believes in person learning will begin, the area experiences an uptick in cases or issues with staffing.
He is hopeful with vaccines being administered to staff the week of February 15 that a return to on-campus learning could take place by April 1.
“This is one of the pieces we need for getting back to normal,” he acknowledged.
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Accepted the retirement resignation of Adrienne Drake, assistant to the treasurer, effective July 31. Mr. Ewers said her resignation is accepted with regret, noting she has been a “valuable member of Penta since 2009.”
•Approved the employment of Roger Schultze, substitute bus/van driver, $15.55 per hour for 2020-21, and Taylor Zuchowski, Aspire support staff, $20 per hour, February 1 through June 30.
The board also hired 18 Aspire instructors from February 1 through June 30, at an hourly rate of $25. They are Jennifer Legakis, Claudia Ruedisueli, Jo-Anne Chrysochoos, Catherine Manol, Pattie Senerius, Bill Ferguson, Pam Martin, Susan Hyman, Katie McClure, Delores Young, Jennifer Mowrer, Chris Zervos, Steve Jenkins, Penny Jenkins, Persilla Zervos, Anne Keil, Diane Rogers and Bill Kopaniasz.
•Approved a request by Krista Hellwig, to attend a curriculum for agricultural science educator virtual seminar June 13 to 23 for $900.
•Renewed membership in the Regional Growth Partnership of northwest Ohio for 2021 at a cost of $20,000. Mr. Ewers said the organization is integral for workforce development
•Approved policy revisions regarding cost principles-spending federal funds, investments and procurement-federal grants/funds.
•Learned from Carrie Herringshaw, treasurer, that the career center will need to advertise for bids on the second and third phases of the masonry façade restoration project.
The Ohio attorney general’s office said the project needs to go through the state bid process. Penta had planned to use Garland DBS for the work over three years. The firm recently completed the first phase.
“It went very well,” said Kevin Baker, buildings and grounds supervisor, of the project’s first phase. He added that the materials used were very good.
•Accepted Madison Spirnak of Bowling Green State University, as a student teacher in special education, March 8 through April 23.
•Received an update from Debra Morris, adult/post-secondary supervisor, on the district’s accreditation with the Council on Occupational Education.
Penta’s accreditation is up for renewal this year, and due to COVID-19 the COE will conduct the visit virtually, she explained.
•Heard from director Ryan Lee on recent student competitions which were held virtually this year. Students finished regional competitions, he said, adding that in Business Professionals of America, 16 did well enough to advance to state contests.
Mr. Lee also noted that the school has been celebrating career technical education month, posting messages and throwback pieces on social media.
The next board of education meeting will be at 5:15 p.m., Wednesday, March 10, in the board meeting room of the career center, 9301 Buck Road, Perrysburg Township, and is open to the public. Social distancing protocols will be followed.