GALION —The Galion School Board of Education has approved a resolution authorizing the board president, superintendent and treasurer to execute the negotiated purchase agreement for the acquisition of approximately 17.6079 acres of real property located west of Hesby Drive for $175,000.
“We’ve worked diligently to ensure the community clearly understands the reason for the purchase of this property,” said Galion Superintendent Jim Grubbs. “I want to thank the co-executors of the Hesby Estate, Thomas V. Ruta and Roy L. Benscon, for working with the district to make this transaction possible for future generations of Tigers.”
The beginning of the board meeting on Thursday was focused on the many accomplishments of the fall sports teams and coaches during its regular meeting Nov. 17.
Twenty-four Galion student-athletes were recognized as top performers in Crawford County, in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference (MOAC) and in the District. Those recognized include: (Boys Golf) Jack McElligott – 1st Team MOAC, All-County & District Qualifier, Brevin Owens – All-County, Mitch Dyer – All-County, Matt Kingseed – Honorable Mention MOAC; (Girls Golf) Shae Ness – 1st Team MOAC & All-County, Abby Barre – 2nd Team MOAC; (Girls Tennis) Kayley Gimbel – 2nd Team MOAC, All-County & District Qualifier, Katherine Talbott – All-County, Jayln Oswald – All-County; (Cross Country) Sari Conner – All-County; (Volleyball) Marissa Gwinner – 1st Team MOAC, All-County & 1st Team All-District, Morgan Gregory 2nd Team MOAC & 3rd Team All-District, Callie Wildenthaler – 2nd Team MOAC, Chloe McCleese – Honorable Mention MOAC; (Football) Connor Moreton – 1st Team MOAC & MOAC scholar-athlete, Harrison Ivy – All-County, Garrett Kuns – 2nd Team MOAC, Noah Grochowalski – Honorable Mention MOAC; (Boys Soccer) Stephen Thompson – 1st Team MOAC, Matt Sparks – 2nd Team MOAC, Lucas Conner – Honorable Mention MOAC; (Girls Soccer) Natalie Rodriguez – 2nd Team MOAC & 2nd Team All-District, Allison DeNero – Honorable Mention MOAC & Honorable Mention All-District, Kate Wildenthaler – Honorable Mention All-District.
The Board approved personnel agenda items as presented, including the hiring of several new coaches for the winter sports season. Bob Lear was approved as the head girls bowling coach and Matt Valentine will take the helm of the boys basketball team.
“This is the first year for our varsity bowling teams at the High School, and we’re excited to have Mr. Lear and Ryan Scribner (head boys bowling coach) leading our programs,” said Grubbs. “The start of the winter sports season is only a few weeks away, and we hope the community will show our coaches and student-athletes its great support.”
The Board accepted two significant donations from the community. The first was a donation of Texas Instruments TI-30X solar calculators to all sixth grade and new seventh and eighth grade students at the Galion Middle School from Galion Building and Loan Bank. The second donation was $64,735.72 from the Crawford County Partnership for Education and Economic Development to be used for The Leader in Me Program.
“Our students and staff at the Primary and Intermediate Schools have done a tremendous job embracing The Leader in Me program this school year,” said Grubbs. “We are already seeing a positive impact from the 7 Habits in both buildings, and are excited to see how these lessons stay with students and carry through to our other buildings.”
All other agenda items were approved as presented before the board recessed to executive session with no additional action being taken. The next regular meeting of the Galion Board of Education will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Galion Middle School computer lab Thursday, Dec. 15.
