Indian Lake Board of Education members and administrators interact with the crowd at the Monday evening meeting. (Indian Lake Schools Photo)
The Indian Lake Schools Board of Education held their first meeting Monday night, March 18, in the aftermath of the devastating tornadoes on March 14.
Superintendent Dr. Rob Underwood talked about the efforts underway to get back to school on Wednesday, March 20, operating on a two-hour delay.
“Really the decision to get back in the classroom is just to create some normalcy for our students and make sure that they know they are loved and supported. Academics are always important, but right now we’re working to secure those immediate needs of our students and their families.”
The board also approved Garmin Miller as the design professional for the upcoming project to relocate the bus garage to the south end of campus and turn the current garage into an athletic facility for the school’s growing wrestling program. They also voted to hire several other design consultants.
Once the plan is in place, Indian Lake will go out to bid on a general contractor.
“We really have our fingers crossed to at least have some construction started by the end of the summer. I think it’s going to be a stretch to be in that building before next wrestling season, but obviously we want to make sure we are supporting that program, especially the women’s program that made great strides this season.”
To wrap up the meeting, Dr. Underwood gave certificates of achievement from the board to several members of the ILHS girls wrestling team who qualified for the OHSAA State Meet for the first time in school history.
Riley Shaner, Maddison Miller and Kiylee Haude were able to attend the meeting. Wrestlers Tori Roby, Owen Pummel and Dylan Valerio also competed in the State Wrestling Meet.
Members also accepted a $1,200 IL Athletic Boosters donation to the athletic department for state wrestling expenses.
Finally, the board also recognized ILHS bowlers Chase McMillen and Kayleigh Zedlitz who both competed in the OHSAA State Bowling competition.
In other action, the board:
• approved the membership to the Ohio SchoolComp OSBA 2025 Workers Compensation Group Rating Program;
• accepted the Ohio Attorney General’s FY24 School Safety Grant;
• extended a one-year limited teacher contract for 2024-25 to Amber Newkirk, intervention specialist, MS Resource Room;
• accepted the resignations of Wes Hall, elementary educational technology teacher, effective at the end of the 2023-24 contract; and Matt Hurley, 2024 Spring Weight Room superviser;
• accepted the retirement resignation of Deb Hooley, elementary educational assistant, effective June 1; and
• extended a supplemental contract to Yasmyn Inskeep, 2024 spring weight room superviser.
The next regular meeting is 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in the board of education office, Lewistown.
Indian Lake High School girls wrestling team members, from the left, Riley Shaner, Maddison Miller and Kiylee Haude hold certificates presented to them Monday evening by Superintendent Dr. Rob Underwood. (Indian Lake Schools Photo)