August 14, 2007 - Volume 16, No. 33

a Winkler Company publication

Also featuring photos from our monthly supplement...

Louis Lott's tribute to
Frank Lloyd Wright

Introducing our new teachers and staff...

By Kathy Bartalo
Director of Educational Services

Our schools will see ten new instructional staff members join our community as our school doors open in just a few short days. Here is a brief introduction to the stellar new group of teachers you will meet this school year.

Dan Weckstein is our new Junior High School Principal. Mr. Weckstein comes to us from Lakota Schools, where he served as Hopewell Junior School Assistant Principal for seven years. Prior to that, he had five years teaching and coaching experience at the seventh and eighth grade level.

At Edwin D. Smith Elementary School, Jodie Nixon will join our first grade team. Ms. Nixon has been a kindergarten teacher and a first and second grade reading teacher in Vandalia for the past seven years. She received her Bachelor Degree from Miami University and her Master Degree from the University of Dayton.

Jennifer Janicki will join our second grade team at Edwin D. Smith Elementary School. Ms. Janicki earned her Bachelor Degree from Wright State University. She has been teaching second, third and fifth grades and has been a reading intervention teacher for the past seven years, in Dublin, Worthington, and Dayton.

Kim Walther will return to us teaching fourth grade at Harman Elementary School.Ms. Walther held a long-term substitute position in second grade last school year at Harman. She has seven years experience, in grades two through five as well as Kindergarten. She earned her Bachelor Degree from Miami University.

Fayanne Saunders will join the first grade team. Ms. Saunders has 31 years of teaching experience, mainly in first grade at Wilmington City Schools, but has also taught sixth and second grades, and has served as a Gifted Specialist and Literacy Specialist as well. She received her Bachelor Degree from Ohio State University, her Master Degree from Miami University, and has also earned National Board Certification.

Kate Grunkemeyer joins the staff at Harman as a part time Physical Education teacher for this school year. Ms. Grunkemeyer is a graduate of Oakwood High School, and earned her Bachelor Degree from Hanover College. She taught Physical Education for four years in Indiana, and has also taught during the summer session at Oakwood.

Kristin Bull will join the Intervention Specialist team working with students at both the Junior and Senior High level. Ms. Bull earned her Bachelor Degree from the University of Dayton.

Matt Briddell will be working with our students at both the Junior and Senior High levels. Mr. Briddell will be teaching Latin and seventh grade Social Studies. He attended Indiana University where he earned his Bachelor Degree.

Sally Harper joins our Science Department where she will be teaching Chemistry and Astrology this year. Ms. Harper received a Bachelor degree from Kent State University, and has taught a variety of High School Science classes for Westerville City Schools for the past five years.

Laura Green Gregg is welcomed into our High School Social Studies Department officially this year. Last year she completed her practicum teaching with us, and earned both her Bachelor and Master degree from Wright State University.

Kim Munn joins our staff as a Speech and Language Pathologist, serving our students at both Smith and the Junior and Senior High. Ms. Munn has held the position of Speech and Language Pathologist in the Oak Hills Local Schools for the past eight years. Prior to that time she worked as a Speech and Language Pathologist for Darke County ESC, as well as a variety of hospitals and rehabilitation facilities over a period of 18 years. She earned both her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Speech Pathology at Miami University.

Randy Dorsey is our new Technology Coordinator. Randy has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the field of technology, and comes to us from the San Diego Public Schools, where he gained experience in the application of technology in the school environment.

We also welcome Polly Mayhew as an Educational Aide at the Junior and Senior High School where she will work with students in all grades, and Rande Chapman as Library Aide at the Junior and Senior High. Ed Santos will join our transportation department as a van driver, and Michelle Herbert will join us as Cook at Smith School.

We know that we are fortunate to have such quality faculty and support staff joining our learning community this school year. Please join us in welcoming them all to Oakwood Schools!

School board to place 6.5-mill operating levy on Nov. 6 ballot

By Dawn Beigel

Oakwood Board of Education voted in favor at last night’s meeting to place a 6.5-mill operating levy on the Nov. 6 ballot. It marks the first request for new money since passage of the levy nearly three years ago.

The levy is needed primarily to maintain the district’s academic programs (among the best in the region, state and nation) and to protect its essential everyday operations.
“This levy (is) on schedule with what we told the voters three years ago,” said Superintendent Dr. Mary Jo Scalzo.

Treasurer Kevin Philo added, “We’ve always maintained accountability to the citizens of Oakwood through sound fiscal management, full financial disclosure and continued commitment to excellence. The district has demonstrated follow-through in keeping promises made.”

The district plans to name levy co-chairs and provide additional information before the November election so voters can make an informed decision. Last night’s resolution was the first step in placing the levy on the ballot; the next step was a second and final resolution passed today at a special board meeting.

Among administrative reports, Kathy Bartalo, director of educational services, presented a brief overview of the district’s new elementary school counseling program. It was spearheaded by elementary school counselor Marsha Flannery, who reviewed such programs at the state and national levels, drafted the beliefs and mission statements for the new program, and many other tasks.

“This is big…it represents an enormous amount of work,” said Scalzo. “Marsha did a tremendous job undertaking this.”

Bartalo said the program is divided into three domains, and it will allow staff to be more consistent and help them to spot gaps that need attention. The program is to be implemented for this coming school year.

Also reporting was Kim Kappler, curriculum director and Lange Elementary School principal, on Lange School’s year-end evaluation survey of last school year. She said the data is fairly consistent with that of previous years. The survey asked residents such questions as how long they have lived in the district, which school(s) their children attend and their opinions of the school based on a number of objectives. Kappler said some suggestions the school received through the survey included full-day kindergarten, more opportunities to showcase student work, relaxing the winter party oversight and paying the school librarian.

In other discussion, Scalzo named two educators who are to be inducted into the Sam Andrews Educational Hall of Honor at a ceremony prior to the Sept. 14 home football game. The honored educators are Warner Simpson, who has served as school psychologist and director of educational services, and the late Ralph Furguson, who taught English at the high school.

In legislation, the board approved:

*An agreement with One Call Now to provide the district with an automated phone service to parents with updates, emergencies, etc.

*Employing Roetzel and Andress, LPA, successor in interest to Whalen & Compton Co. LPA.

*Employment contracts for Kevin Philo and for Dr. Mary Jo Scalzo, both effective this past Aug. 1.

*A transportation agreement with Kettering City Schools for Lange School this coming school year.

*Supporting the DARE program for this coming school year.

*Accepting the resignations of Kristen Myers (teacher), Judy Ward (educational aide) and Nicole Wagstrom (prevention/intervention counselor), all effective this month.

The Oakwood Board of Education will hold its next regular meeting Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m. at the board office.

top of page