Indian Lake Board of Education hears forecast; Hires new principal

The Indian Lake Local School District Board of Education took action during its regular monthly meeting Wednesday evening, approving a wide range of personnel contracts, facility upgrades, and community donations that will impact the 2025–2026 school year.

District Treasurer, Coleen Reprogle, presented the 5-year financial forecast to the board, saying that things are so fluid in the state, with an unknown state budget, that the forecast is simply nothing more than just that, unknown.

Reprogle gave a short PowerPoint showing that wages are the top expenditure, followed by benefits and purchased services, which include 80% of the budget.

She went on to report that 56% of the total revenue from the district is from real estate taxes, while 24% is state foundation funding.

Superintendent, Dr. Rob Underwood, talks about the forecast:

The Board approved several generous donations, including:

$9,000 from the Music Boosters for new choir robes,
$5,000 from the Athletic Boosters toward the Weight Room Project, and
$10,000 from the Athletic Boosters for the Athletic Department.

At this time in the meeting, Underwood recognized several FFA students for their recent State FFA Honors.

Administrative Appointments

Several administrative contracts were renewed or approved:

Clayton Westerbeck, Assistant High School Principal (2-year contract),
Molly Hall, Elementary Co-Principal (3-year contract),
Pat Smith, Transportation Director (3-year contract).

Westerbeck will replace the retiring Dave Coburn, who has served the district for nearly three decades.

From Sidney, he has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 16 years, and together they have two children.

Westerbeck is currently in administration at Greenville High School, where he has been an educator for 27 years.

Underwood comments on the administration changes at the high school:

Personnel Updates and Contracts

The Board accepted the retirement of longtime bus driver Mike Pusey, effective June 1, 2025, and approved the updated substitute employee list as recommended by the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center.

Bus Drivers:

Chris Burden – 2-year limited contract; 4 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year
Valarie Chamberlain – 2-year limited contract; 4 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year
Jonathan Griffiths – 1 year limited contract; 0 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year
Robert Hill – 2-year limited contract; 6 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year
Brenda Mitchell – 2-year limited contract; 6 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year
Sandra Stultz – 2-year limited contract; 8 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year
Steven Warniment – 2-year limited contract (mechanic); 8 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year

Custodians:

Robert Benedict – 2-year limited contract; 3 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year
Dan Kirkpatrick – 2-year limited contract; 8 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year
Pam Robson – 2-year limited contract; 1 year. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year

Educational Assistants:

Gabriella Davidson – 2-year limited contract; 3 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year
Ethan Fulkerson – 2-year limited contract; 1 year. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year
Sarah Woodcock – 2-year limited contract: 3 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year
Kelli Yoder – 2-year limited contract; 1 year. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year

Food Service:

Ashley Brentlinger – 2 hour cook/cashier – 2 year limited contract; 8 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year
Deb Risner – Head Cook – 2-year limited contract; 16 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year
Arielle Thompson – 4 hour cook/cashier – 2 year limited contract; 3 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year
Connie Warniment – 2 hour cook/cashier–2 year limited contract; 12 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year

Secretary:

Carrie Cummins – 2-year limited contract; 7 yrs. exp. for the 2025-26 contract year

Certified Teaching Contracts:

Robin Boots – 2 year limited contract; BS+165; in 14th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Brian Claybaugh – 1 year limited contract; MS; in 8th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Emali Davidson – 1 year limited contract; BS+165; in 4th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Alice Darrough – 3 year limited contract; MS+25; in 6th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Elizabeth DeLeeuw – 3 year limited contract; BS+165; in 15th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Stacy Everhart – 2 year limited contract; MS+15; in 12th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Jason Fauley – 3 year limited contract; BS+165; in 26th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Jamie Hampton – 1 year limited contract; MS; in 7th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Karinne Herndon – 1 year limited contract; BS+150; in 5th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Alex Jacobs – 1 year limited contract; BS+165; in 3rd year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Andrea Jacobs – 3 year limited contract; MS; in 15th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Hannah Kilgore – 1 year limited contract; BS; in 6th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Sarah Kinsey – 3 year limited contract; BS+165; in 10th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Melissa Kunkler – 1 year limited contract; BS; in 2nd year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Jacklyn Leffel – 1 year limited contract; BS; in 2nd year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Justin Metzger – 3 year limited contract; MS+45; in 17th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Amber Newkirk – 1 year limited contract; MS; in 12th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Randy Page – 1 year limited contract; MS+25; in 13th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Bailey Robison – 2 year limited contract; BS; in 11th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Lindsay Ross – 3 year limited contract; BS+165; in 14th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Kay Schulze – 1 year limited contract; MS+25; in 10th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Amber Shively – continuing contract; MS+45; in 20th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Cassandra Sullivan – 1 year limited contract; MS; in 12th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Jenna Speelman – 3 year limited contract; BS; in 6th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Brian Sutton – 3 year limited contract; BS+165 in 32nd year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Linsey Titus – 2 year limited contract; MS; in 5th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Jessica Tussing – 3 year limited contract; MS+45; in 18th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Greg Tuttle – 3 year limited contract; MS+45; in 31st year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Amy Van Horn – 1 year limited contract; MS+15; in 12th year of teaching 2025-26 school year
Tracy Whitlow – 3 year limited contract; MS+15; in 19th year of teaching 2025-26 school year

Bus Driver Contracts for the 2025-26 school year, as needed at regular hourly rate (timesheets)**:

Sue Ball as driver for special needs preschool, as needed (4 hours per day, 4 days per week)
Holly Dalton as driver for special needs extra duty route, as needed (2.5 hours per day, 5 days per week)
Lynne Snipes as aide for special needs extra duty route, as needed (2.5 hours per day, 5 days per week)
Nancy Beatty as driver for OHP shuttle, as needed (1.5 hours per day, 5 days per week)

Supplemental Contract for the 2025-26 School Year**

Jason Fauley – Marching Band Director; Category 2, 25 yrs. exp.
Jason Fauley – MS Pep Band; Category 8, 12 yrs. exp.
Morissa Sweeney – Asst. Marching Band; Category 5, 14 yrs. exp.
Sarah Woodcock* – Drill Team Advisor; Category 7, 17 yrs. exp.
Jason Fauley – Jazz Band; Category 7, 16 yrs. exp.
Morissa Sweeney – HS Pep Band; Category 7, 24 yrs. exp.
Tracey Notestine– Director of Musical; Category 5, 7 yrs. exp.
Ed Rogers – Asst. Director Musical; Category 6, 10 yrs. exp.
Jason Fauley – Drama Director/Musical; Category 7, 20 yrs. exp.
Becky Taylor* – Choreographer for Musical; Category 7, 14 yrs. exp.
Tracey Notestine – HS Show Choir; Category 5, 26 yrs. exp.
Amanda Strayer – MS Show Choir; Category 6, 21 yrs. exp.
Becky Taylor* – Choreographer for Meistersingers; Category 7, 14 yrs. exp.
Jennifer Ignarski – Key Club Advisor; Category 6, 12 yrs. exp.
Ashley Brentlinger– Freshman Class Advisor; Category 9, 2 yr. exp.
Brian Levingston – Sophomore Class advisor; Category 9, 3 yrs. exp.
Alexis Scheiderer– Senior Class Advisor; Category 8, 3 yrs. exp.
Alice Darrough – National Honor Society; Category 9, 3 yrs. exp.
Andrea Jacobs – HS Student Council; Category 8, 11 yrs. exp.
Jill Onyema – EL Student Council; Category 8, 10 yrs. exp.
Kristen Soos– Elementary Yearbook Advisor – 50%; Category 9, 7 yrs. exp.
Sarah Elliott – Elementary Yearbook Advisor – 50%; Category 9, 12 yrs. exp.
Deb Metzger – SADD Advisor; Category 6, 19 yrs. exp.
Matt Steinbarger – Science Club Advisor; Category 9, 9 yrs. exp.
Rebecca Dotson – MS Art Club; Category 8, 9 yrs. exp.
Melissa Kunkler – HS Art Club; Category 8, 1 yr. exp.
Richard Yocum – Spanish Club Advisor; Category 9, 9 yrs. exp.
Brian Sutton – Judo Club; Category 8, 10 yrs. exp.
Lindsay Imm – MS Intramurals; Category 8, 3 yrs. exp.
Katy Taylor – MS Student Council; Category 8, 8 yrs. exp.
Mandy Tidwell – MS Intramurals; Category 8, 13 yrs. exp.
Elizabeth DeLeeuw – HS Yearbook Advisor; Category 5, 8 yrs. exp.
Lauren Hilty*- MS Yearbook Advisor; Category 9, 2 yrs. exp.
Sarah Woodcock* – Winter Guard; Category 7, 7 yrs. exp.
Matt Steinbarger – Quiz Bowl; Category 9, 5 yrs. exp.
Elizabeth DeLeeuw – Junior Class Advisor; Category 8, 6 yrs. exp.
Michelle Parsell – Junior Class Advisor; Category 8, 6 yrs. exp.
Ryan Stanford – Robotics Club Advisor; Category 7; 9 yrs. exp.
Dave Snapp – Carpentry/Welding Club Advisor; Category 8; 9 yrs. exp.
Brian Sutton – Recreational Activities Club Advisor; Category 8; 8 yrs. exp.
Michelle Parsell – Competition Cheer Coach – 50%; Category 6; 5 yrs. exp.
Jill Onyema – Leapin Lakers; Category 8, 15 yrs. exp.
Dan Young – Leapin Lakers; Category 8, 15 yrs. exp.
Kaylee Shelton* – Weight Room Supervisor – Fall; Category 9; 0 yrs. exp.
Avery Shirk – MS Football Cheer Coach; Category 7; 0 yrs. exp.
*Denotes Non-Staff Member

Approved the following 2025-26 supplemental contract.

Jamie Ross – Competition Cheer Coach – 50%; Category 6; 5 yrs. exp.

Facility Improvements

The Board approved a contract with Grand Lake Building Company for the wrestling room expansion project at the high school.

The $96,640 project includes removing an interior wall, installing structural bracing, and constructing a new masonry wall to enhance athlete safety and expand the space.

The contract was awarded following a competitive bid process, with Grand Lake Building Company identified as the lowest responsible bidder, as recommended by project architect Garmann Miller.

Summer and Graduation Activities

Two summer trips were approved for the district’s FFA program:

Ohio FFA Camp at Muskingum (June 2–6)
Officer Retreat (June 21–22)

The Board also gave preliminary approval to the Class of 2025 graduation list, pending students’ successful completion of all academic requirements.

Next Meeting

The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the Board of Education Office in Lewistown.