ARCANUM — During July’s Arcanum-Butler Local School District Board of Education Meeting it was approved that World War II (WWII) Veteran Howard Eley, of Arcanum receive his high school diploma.
During the time of his graduation, Eley was serving his country in the 12th Armored Division, an armored division of the U.S. Army in World War II. As part of the Graduation Class of 1939, Eley was awarded his diploma during the August 10 Arcanum-Butler board meeting.
“I am pleased that you could be here and that your family was able to be here,” Superintendent John Stephens said. “I would like to congratulate you and thank you for your service to our country.”
Arcanum-Butler School Board President Ed Everman spoke a few words to Eley and his many friends and family that were in attendance.
“On behalf of Arcanum-Butler Board of Education it is indeed an honor and a pleasure for us to present this diploma to you tonight,” Everman said. “I understand you were serving our country and unable to be here for you normal graduation, so this is really a pleasure for us to be able to do this.”
High School Principal Jason Stephan said he was glad to have Eley as part of the graduating class of 1939.
“Congratulations,” Stephan said. “This is the oldest and most well-deserving diploma i have given.”
Eley’s response filled the room with laughter.
“I sure appreciate this,” he said. “I’ve been to all of their graduations; I wasn’t expecting them to come to mine.”
In other news, the board approved the following: a contract with the Darke County Educational Service Center to serve as fiscal agent for FY18 for the use of IDEA Part B funds for the employment of special education related services personnel; the reimbursement in lieu of transportation to parents/guardians of students int he Arcanum-Butler school district enrolled in non-public schools or attending other county schools for special ed services for 2017/18; the purchase from Loudy Office Machines for a Sharp MX-M266N 26 CPM copier for the Field House for $4,800; the proposal by Waibel to repair the York Chiller for $12,196; the proposal from Wagner Paving, Inc., for $3,590, for striping and $4,775 for widening the delivery access road.
In addition, the following personnel considerations were approved: all certified/licensed substitutes for the 2018/18 school year as presented by the Darke County ESC; Arcanum Elementary School Principal Joni Pechi as an Ohio Department of Education credentialed teacher evaluator, per the completion of required training; the resignation of Dusin Byers as the middle school wrestling coach; and Lauryn Timmerman as high school varsity girls assistant basketball coach for the 2018/18 school year.
In other news, Arcanum-Butler Middle and High School Band Director Heather Marsh was recognized by Superintendent Stephens for receiving a $1,000 grant for the band, from the Darke County Foundation, for the Scott Lang Leadership Seminar. Arcanum-Butler Middle School Principal Marcus Bixler said the school was looking forward to the technology the Chromebooks will bring to the fifth-eighth graders. The teachers have received training and the parents are invited to a meeting during open house, he said.
