RISINGSUN - FFA students attended the Lakota Board of Education meeting Tuesday night and came away richer for it, $2,500 richer.
Monsanto Representative Diane Zyski, Ballville Sunrise Cooperative Representative Jim Giesigi and area agribusinessman and Burgoon farmer Don Michaels presented a check to FFA student officers Dakota Heminger, Kylie Podach, Haylee Roper and advisor Jeff Adams.
The money was given to the FFA in the name of Michaels, the 2010 Sandusky County award winner in the American Farmers Grow Communities competition.
The FFA chapter at Lakota are expected to use the money for 2010-11 service projects, a career development event, technology needs for the classroom and student supervised experience projects, helping students attend leadership events, camps, conferences and conventions and the purchase of additional FFA jackets for members.
Zyski told the board Monsanto is very focused and invests successes back into agriculture, not carpet or other types of businesses. She added the company anticipates more than 1200 communities to participate in the project again, and may sign up to compete after the August-December time frame.
The Lakota FFA, with advisers, traveled to the Lake Township/Millbury area after the early June tornado to assist residents in the massive clean-up and recovery efforts. Those attending included: Kylie and Dillon Podach, Jacob Myers, Ben Timmons, Spencer Sprow, Haylee Roper, Emily Hagen, Leah, Ben, Greg and Alison Gabel, Tracy Foos, Angela Rapp, Kyrt Myer, Tom Dussel and advisor Jeff Adams.
Certified recommendations for this school year were approved, including social studies teacher Dustin Nejedly and new entry-year teacher mentors Andrea Widman, Holly Matla, Cindy Schimmoeller and Kaylene Kramer. Yvonne Riffle was approved as administrative assistant at Central and West elementary schools.
A number of classified recommendations also were approved, including bus driver Harold McArthur and groundskeeper Steve Eisenman.
Supplemental recommendations were approved including Tom Hallett, volunteer high school assistant boys basketball; John Tolento, high school assistant wrestling; Bo Kin and Philip Gosche, junior high boys basketball; Tracy Rosser and Mark Salyer, head and assistant baseball coach; Rick Breidenbach, freshman boys football; Kimberly Johnson, webmaster; and Jill Pixley, junior high student council.
Other items approved included:
An FFA trip to national FFA convention in Indianapolis Oct. 19-23.
An agreement between Lakota athletic department and Bradner Fire and EMS.
A memo of understanding between Lakota and WSOS Community Action Commission Head Start program.
Food service contract renewal with WSOS family development early childhood programs for meals.
A?patriot flag donated to Lakota large gym by Russel and June Foster for $2,675.
A donation of 160 back packs of school supplies from First Call for Help for Lakota.
In superintendent Rebecca Heimlich's report, she told the board the district should have a new school in May, adding "it's huge, it's going to be something."
Discussions are to be conducted on a community opening of the new school when the keys are turned over.
Heimlich also stated the auction of junior high school property is to take place Wednesday.
The board went into executive session. No further action was taken.
