Mapleton board approves technology, facilities and personnel actions; robotics trip, donations also cleared

The Mapleton Local School District Board of Education on March 10 approved a slate of routine and capital purchases, accepted personnel actions under the superintendent’s consent agenda and authorized student travel for the Mapleton Robotics teams.

The board, meeting at the Mapleton HS/MS Media Center, approved the superintendent’s consent agenda — which included hiring Cliff Wittman as a substitute van driver, accepting the retirement of Scott Gerwig (Mapleton Middle School social studies teacher) effective May 31, 2025, approving leave requests and accepting other resignations — by unanimous vote. The consent agenda also included appointment of Mitchell Young as a varsity assistant track coach (half-time).

The board approved several technology purchases funded from Permanent Improvement and e-Rate sources: the purchase of 21 staff laptops and 110 Chromebooks from ComputerMixx for $52,945.00 and 87 district-wide wireless access points from the Midland Council of Governments for $58,980.00. Both motions passed with all five board members voting yes.

Facilities and maintenance work approved at the meeting included: Blackmore Construction, LLC for painting of the middle school gym and high school entrance structural steel for $11,150.00; JamesCo. contracts to repair campus sidewalks ($17,065.00), repair pads/piers/sidewalks at John E. Camp Stadium (not to exceed $25,896.00), and construct a concrete driveway approach at CR 801 south drive ($21,750.75); and Mc.B Paving and Sealcoating to repave roughly 20,655 square feet and to sealcoat and stripe 77,495 square feet of elementary parking lot for $47,204.00. All motions carried unanimously and were identified as funded from Permanent Improvement accounts.

Board members also approved donations for February — including funds from the Mapleton Athletic Boosters and several individual donors — to support sports fees and Mapleton Robotics. The board unanimously approved an overnight/extended field trip for Mapleton Robotics teams (students from elementary, middle and high schools) to attend the Ohio VEX IQ and VRC State Championships at the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, March 11–14, 2025.

Other routine business approved included creation of two ACCF activity funds for FY25 (page-to-pod and high school drama production equipment) and a Memorandum of Understanding regarding calamity days with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, Local #348. The board also conducted the required first reading of a package of board policies.

Votes at a glance - Dispense with reading of Feb. 10 minutes: motion carried, ShaNa Benner (mover), Fred Hartzler (second); vote: Benner, Goon, F. Hartzler, V. Hartzler, Scurlock — Yes. - Accept February 2025 Financial Report: motion carried, Vince Hartzler (mover); unanimous yes vote. - Superintendent’s Consent Agenda (personnel approvals including hiring and resignations): motion carried, unanimous yes. - Approve donations (listed on agenda) and robotics trip to Dayton (Mar. 11–14, 2025): motion carried, unanimous yes. - Purchase 21 laptops/110 Chromebooks ($52,945.00): motion carried, unanimous yes. - Purchase 87 wireless access points ($58,980.00): motion carried, unanimous yes. - Facilities contracts (Blackmore, JamesCo., Mc.B Paving): each motion carried, unanimous yes.

What this means The approvals allocate district Permanent Improvement and e-Rate funds for classroom devices, network infrastructure and multiple facilities repairs and upgrades, and finalize routine personnel transitions. The robotics trip and donor-funded activity support student extracurricular participation at state competition.

The board set its next meeting for April 7, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. and listed lights at the storage shed near the track as a future discussion item. The board recessed into an executive session at 6:35 p.m. and returned at 7:29 p.m., then adjourned the meeting at about 7:00 p.m.