The Indian Lake Board of Education met for its regular February meeting after scheduling issues forced the meeting to be moved to Thursday. After setting two committee meetings, Superintendent Dr. Rob Underwood presented a certificate of achievement to Indian Lake seventh-grader Calin Headings after winning the Logan County Spelling Bee recently held at the Holland Theatre in Bellefontaine.
As previously reported on peakofohio.com, Headings recently defeated students from Bellefontaine, Benjamin Logan, Indian Lake, Riverside, and Calvary Christian. This makes the third time in a row that Headings has won the contest. Headings talks about how special it was to be honored by the school board:
Superintendent Underwood also informed the board that he had recently been made aware of three retirements by long-time district employees:
- Elementary school Co-principal, Pam Scarpella – 25 years
- High School Guidance Secretary Barb Keykens – 29 years
- 8th-grade Science teacher Julie Grider – 34 years
Dr. Underwood spoke about the retirements:
In his report, District Treasurer Brady Hipsher updated the board on the district’s financial shape. Hipsher told the board that there is still significant uncertainty about the funding the district will receive in the coming years. While Indian Lake is in solid financial condition currently, the district, like other local districts, may face deficit spending as early as 2030, unless the State provides guidance on how changes to property valuations will affect the district.
The board also approved the financial report, financial forecast, and assumptions, and the payment of the district’s bills, the hiring of several substitutes, the awarding of several supplemental contracts, the 2026-2027 school calendar, and approved a resolution that would allow the district to join the Ohio High School Athletic Association for middle and high school athletic contests.
Dr. Underwood told the board that the district may rise to Division IV in some sports but remain in Division V in others, based on projected enrollment numbers. Dr. Underwood said he plans to appeal any increase in division changes if it happens.
