•February 27 2019•

Sullivan School Board held a special meeting at 7 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22 hiring Heather Ethell to fill the Sullivan Elementary School principal position.
The SES elementary principal position opened when Dan Allen became the Sullivan High School principal.
Ethell most recently served as an assistant principal and principal of a K-8 building, Hope Academy in Decatur.
She received her certification in elementary education as well as middle school reading and science. Apart from her teaching experience she has served as a reading coach and instructional coach. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Sullivan Mayoral candidates Bill Burger, Incumbent Mayor Ann Short and Richard Glazebrook visited the Senior Center in Sullivan last week.

•February 20, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Mayoral candidates were guest speakers at a free luncheon provided by Mason Point at the Senior Center in Sullivan on February 15.
Current mayor Ann Short introduced herself to the 65 seniors in attendance and recalled that after moving to Sullivan, “I began my career in the treasurer’s office, and in 1975 when the office became vacant, I was voted the first woman treasurer of Sullivan.” She retired as treasurer in 2003 but was asked to run for mayor—an office she has held for the past 16 years.
Short stressed that government is a “we” thing. There are five commissioners, and they all work together really well.
She admitted to bein

g “old school” but really loves being mayor of Sullivan and would like to continue serving the community.
William “Bill” Burger spoke next, and he is running on a platform of “Change and Transparency”. He has spent the past two years researching, in particular, the rate of Sullivan’s population to the appropriations and also the TIF districts. Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Tom Caldwell from Stifel Investments explained financing during the public information session.

•February 20, 2019•

By Mike Brothers

Okaw Valley School District #302 plans for major improvements were unveiled before a crowd of interested citizens Feb. 13.
Parents and civic leaders filled the high school cafeteria as Supt. Kent Stauder gave background on the proposed $6.5 million project which includes a new high school gym, secured entry improvements at the high school and middle school in Findlay plus new playground equipment for the elementary school.
“We are investing in future generations’ memories,” Stauder said. He pointed out when the existing gym was built in 1937-38, some said it didn’t make sense, but that gymnasium has provided more than 80 years of memories for the students who passed through it.
“We want our kids to have the best experience they can have,” he continued, emphasizing the recently completed erg facility and the athletic complex illustrate the commitment of the community and school board to provide Okaw Valley students a well-rounded education.
Stauder explained administrators including high school principal Matt Schoaff, middle school principal Russ Forlines and elementary principal Heidi Vander Burgh were crucial to the success of the #YnotOV philosophy and would be on hand to help answer questions.
Members of the OVHS student council were escorts for the evening as the group was divided. Damien Schlitt of BLDD Architects went over the schematics of the construction in the new biology room with Tom Crabtree of Stifel Investments, the bond seller, explaining the financial side in the new chemistry room. Read More

•February 20, 2019•

Moultrie County Health Dept.’s outside revenue growth helped the county’s health service agency finish the fiscal year in the black.
Health Dept. Executive Director Angie Hogan presented the annual report to the County Public, Safety and Welfare committee Feb. 6.
Hogan pointed out an $8,000 nontax revenue increase helped the Health Dept. finish the Dec. 1, 2017-Nov. 30, 2018 year $5,463.34 in the black.
Some 30 percent of the annual health dept. revenue comes from the $129,719.38 tax levy, with 70 percent from other sources. That includes $199,805.35 in state grants and contracts plus an additional $96,089.86 in miscellaneous revenue, fees and contracts.
Expenses for the fiscal year totaled $420,151.25. That included $227,077.22 in salaries, $180,527.62 operating expenses, $8,675.13 rent, utilities, waste, and $3,871.28 for equipment. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
OVES pitched in pennies to help patients. From left: Teacher Kathy Doty, Principal Heidi Vander Burgh, and Counselor Paula Coffer hold a collection box for Pennies for Patients.

Giving Back but Looking Forward

•February 13, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

OVES Principal, Heidi Vander Burgh has a theme this year of “Giving Back but Looking Forward” for her 157 students.
When the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) contacted her with their program, she saw an opportunity to implement her theme.
The LLS’s program is called Pennies for Patients, and each student is given a little cardboard box to fill with 500 pennies each of four weeks. There are various prizes the students may win depending on how much they raise each week. Read More