The April meeting of the Indian Lake Local School District Board of Education was highlighted by a heartfelt presentation of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award to longtime DeGraff residents David and Nancy Knight, whose legacy of public service, education, farming, and faith continues to enrich Logan County and beyond.
Honoring the Knights: A Life of Impact
Few couples represent a life of shared commitment and service like David and Nancy Knight.
David P. Knight, a 1961 Indian Lake graduate and former class president, was a student-athlete who later served 37 months in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of First Lieutenant.
He went on to serve on multiple boards, including the Riverside and Logan County Boards of Education, before serving as Logan County Commissioner for two terms.
Nancy J. Knight, a 1960 graduate of Washington Local Schools, built a career in nursing and education, eventually serving as Superintendent of Ohio Hi-Point Career Center.
Her name is now proudly displayed on the nursing building in recognition of her leadership.
The couple’s 61-year marriage, deep faith, and community involvement were recognized and celebrated by the board and community.
The Knights talk about why they are proud Lakers:
Generous Community Donations Accepted
The Board accepted the following donations:
- $2,375 from Gray Fox Broadcasting to support student lunches
- $3,000 from Lanny and Betty Davis – allocated as:
- $1,500 to the Athletic Department
- $750 to Vocal Music
- $750 to Instrumental Music
- $1,000 from the Boys Soccer program for the Athletic Weight Room Project
- $1,000 from Football for the Athletic Weight Room Project
- $2,500 from the Blackbond Giving Fund to benefit the Elementary Student Fund
Staffing Approvals and Personnel Actions
The Board approved the following personnel changes:
Substitute and Transportation Staff
- Approved Substitute Employee List (as recommended by Midwest Regional ESC)
- Jonathan Griffiths – approved as a substitute bus driver (pending certification)
- Bus and Van Driver Physical Providers for the 2025–26 school year were approved
Retirement
- Barbara Scherer, Bus Driver – retirement effective July 1, 2025
Resignations
- Delani Harter – resignation effective March 24, 2025, prior to the 2025–26 contract
- Lauren Hilty – resignation effective end of 2024–25 contract year
Teaching Contract for 2025–26
- Riley Myers – approved for a one-year limited contract, 3rd Grade, Bachelor’s Degree, 0 years of experience
Supplemental Contracts for 2025–26 School Year
Volleyball
- Mandy Tidwell – Freshman Volleyball Coach; Category 5, 8 years of experience
- Megan Kimbler* – JV Volleyball Coach; Category 5, 0 years experience
- Marissa Davis* – Volunteer Volleyball Coach
- Janelle Maul – 8th Grade Volleyball Coach; Category 5, 4 years of experience
- Abbie Roe – 7th Grade Volleyball Coach; Category 5, 5 years of experience
- Hannah Kilgore – MS Volleyball Coach; Category 5, 1 year experience
Wrestling
- Ryan Dickson* – Head Boys Wrestling Coach; Category 1, 10 years experience
- Thomas Taylor* – Assistant Boys Wrestling Coach; Category 5, 12 years experience
- Steven Major* – Assistant Boys Wrestling Coach; Category 5, 8 years experience
- Ty Klofta* – MS Wrestling Coach; Category 5, 1 year experience
- Nicholas Christman* – MS Wrestling Coach; Category 5, 1 year experience
- Phil Mackesy* – Head Girls Wrestling Coach; Category 3, 1 year experience
Soccer
- McKenzie Thorpe – Head Girls Soccer Coach; Category 3, 2 years of experience
- Matt Hurley – Assistant Girls Soccer Coach; Category 6, 0 years of experience
- Dallas Clary* – Head Boys Soccer Coach; Category 3, 1 year experience
- Mike Pequignot – Assistant Boys Soccer Coach; Category 6, 4 years of experience
Cross Country
- Justin Metzger – Head Cross Country Coach; Category 4, 7 years experience
- Renee Metzger* – HS Assistant Cross Country Coach; Category 5, 4 years experience
- Kristen Glink – MS Cross Country Coach; Category 5, 9 years of experience
Football
- Jonn Rapp – Head Football Coach; Category 1, 4 years of experience
- Larry Cascioli* – HS Assistant Football Coach; Category 4, 9 years experience
- Thomas Taylor* – HS Assistant Football Volunteer Coach
- Joe Teague* – HS Assistant Football Coach; Category 4, 4 years experience
- Alex Jacobs – HS Assistant Football Coach; Category 4, 3 years of experience
- Ethan Fulkerson – MS Football Coach; Category 5, 1 year experience
- Donn Volbrecht – MS Football Coach; Category 5, 1 year experience
Golf
- Nick Tucci – Head Boys Golf Coach; Category 4, 0 years experience
- Todd Inskeep* – Head Girls Golf Coach; Category 4, 2 years experience
Boys Basketball
- Zach Overturf – Head Coach; Category 1, 7 years of experience
- Josh Shelton* – JV Coach; Category 4, 6 years experience
- Seth Bodenmiller* – Assistant Coach; Category 4, 7 years experience
- Nick Tucci – MS Coach; Category 5, 20 years of experience
- Ethan Fulkerson – MS Coach; Category 5, 1 year experience
- Chris Burden – MS Coach; Category 5, 14 years of experience
Girls Basketball
- Yasmyn Inskeep – Head Coach; Category 1, 3 years experience
- Kaylee Shelton* – JV Coach; Category 4, 4 years experience
- Todd Inskeep* – Assistant Coach; Category 4, 1 year experience
- Mike Pequignot – Assistant Coach; Category 5, 17 years of experience
- Chad Kean* – MS Coach; Category 5, 12 years experience
- Jim Even* – MS Coach; Category 5, 9 years experience
Cheerleading
- Hailey Even – MS Basketball Cheer Coach; Category 7, 1 year experience
- Jamie Ross – Head Basketball Cheer Coach; Category 6, 5 years of experience
- Michelle Parsell – HS Football Cheer Coach; Category 6, 5 years of experience
Swimming
- Lori Zarnosky* – Head Swim Coach; Category 4, 11 years experience
Weight Room Supervision
- Jonn Rapp – Summer Supervisor; Category 9, 16 years of experience
- Ryan Lillard – Winter Supervisor; Category 9, 10 years of experience
- Yasmyn Inskeep – Spring Supervisor; Category 9, 2 years of experience
*Non-staff member
ELA Curriculum Adoption
The Board adopted a new English Language Arts curriculum aligned with the Science of Reading:
- Amplify CKLA for Grades K–5 and ELA for Grades 6–8
- Total Cost: Approximately $260,000 over six years
- Funding: $70,469.27 offset by the High Quality Instructional Materials Subsidy from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
Facilities Project
The Board authorized the advertisement of bids for the High School Wrestling Room Project, based on designs by Garmann Miller & Associates.
Next Meeting
The next regular Indian Lake Board of Education meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the Board of Education Office in Lewistown.
After the meeting, Dr. Rob Underwood had these comments about the Knights, the award, and wrapping up the 2024/2025 school year:
