Celina School Board Reviews Athletic Facility Plans, New School Progress and Head Start Funding

CELINA — The Celina Board of Education received an update Monday night on plans for future athletic facilities, heard about continued progress on the district's new 7-12 school building and approved several financial and personnel matters during its October meeting.

Superintendent Brooke Gessler told board members the district is moving forward with additional facility improvements as funding becomes available, while a community fundraising campaign continues to seek private contributions.

Athletic Facility Plans Moving Forward

Gessler outlined the district's plans for future athletic facilities, explaining that the first phase includes renovations to the Tri Star facilities, construction of a new track with a turf field, parking and sidewalk improvements, renovations to the middle school, and an additional practice field with irrigation.

The turf field is expected to be made possible through donated funds.

A second phase would include remaining football stadium improvements, visitor restrooms, soccer field improvements and tennis upgrades.

Board members discussed the possibility of completing the work in 2 phases rather than 3, depending on available funding.

The Bulldog Athletic Capital Campaign Committee is working to raise private contributions to help finance the improvements. During the discussion, officials said the campaign has a fundraising target of at least $3 million, with an overall goal of $5 million.

Committee representatives said fundraising efforts are active, with outreach underway to businesses, alumni and other potential donors. Some financial commitments have been made, although not all pledged funds have been received.

The Mercer County Civic Foundation is also involved in helping facilitate donations.

Gessler emphasized that the district intends to proceed with improvements as funding becomes available.

New School Construction Nearing Completion

Facilities Director Phil Metz reported significant progress on the new 7-12 building, with many interior areas entering the final stages of construction.

The main gymnasium floor has been painted and finished, while work continues on the auxiliary gymnasium, where crews have begun painting the floor and installing the Bulldog logo.

Stage rigging and curtains have been installed in the dining and performance area, with lighting work continuing.

Lockers have been installed in athletic areas, flooring is being completed in hallways and music rooms, and crews are connecting kitchen equipment.

Cleaning crews are also working throughout the building as contractors complete finishing touches.

Metz reported that more than 200 names have been submitted for the district's planned military recognition wall, which will honor veterans connected to Celina schools.

Board Recognizes 4 Retiring Teachers

The board approved personnel recommendations that included the retirements of 4 longtime educators with a combined 126 years of service.

Those retiring at the end of the school year include Drew Braun, a high school science teacher with 30 years of service; Missy Guggenbiller and Christy Binkley, both middle school math teachers with 32 years each; and Dave Mader, a middle school social studies teacher with 32 years.

Gessler thanked the educators for their commitment to students and said replacing their experience and institutional knowledge will be difficult.

The board also approved Rob Cisco as the new head track coach. Gessler said Cisco brings extensive coaching experience and hopes to return the program to a high level of success.

In another personnel matter, the board approved hiring former elementary administrator Michelle Duncan on an as-needed basis at $50 per hour to provide guidance and support to Celina Elementary administrators and staff.

Gessler said Duncan's experience will be particularly valuable as the district adjusts to new classroom needs and prepares for kindergarten registration and screening.

Head Start Funding and Vehicle Purchases Approved

The board approved several Head Start financial requests involving previously unspent federal grant money.

Among the approvals was the reallocation of $99,998 toward the purchase of 2 vehicles, with each vehicle costing no more than $49,999.

Head Start officials explained the vehicles will be used to transport children and families to appointments, conduct home visits and move supplies between program locations.

The board approved alternative funding arrangements using unspent money from Fiscal Years 2025 or 2026, depending on federal authorization. Officials clarified that only 2 vehicles would be purchased, not 4.

The board also approved reallocating $39,000 for architectural design work and $17,000 for an environmental study related to a proposed renovation of the Head Start portion of the existing middle school building.

Those preliminary expenses are connected to a future federal grant application for the renovation project.

District Receives More Than $120,000 in Donations

Treasurer Michelle Mawer presented the September financial reports, showing revenues of $9,231,101.58 and expenditures of $5,964,929.58.

The district's cash reconciliation balance stood at $55,957,274.59, including $22,569,977.60 designated for the building project.

Board members also accepted donations totaling more than $120,000 from community organizations, businesses and individuals.

Among the larger contributions were $89,540 from the Celina Athletic Boosters for the new high school gymnasium scoreboard and volleyball equipment, $11,000 for football helmet reconditioning and $9,700 for gymnasium athletic signs.

Additional donations supported FFA activities, school musicals, robotics, field trips, agricultural education and student activities.

Board members expressed appreciation for the continued community support.

The board also authorized participation in a cooperative purchasing program for the potential acquisition of a new school bus during Fiscal Year 2027.

Additional Board Business

The board approved several other matters, including stipends for high school Wednesday school monitors, who supervise students assigned to after-school disciplinary sessions as an alternative to suspension.

Board members also approved Carl Huber as a volunteer girls bowling coach for the 2026-27 school year. Huber abstained from the vote.

Additional approvals included overnight trips for Tri Star students participating in state and national activities and a leadership conference.

During a public hearing, Gessler explained that the district uses federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funding primarily for salaries, benefits and services supporting students with special needs.

Resident Raises Concerns About School Open House

During public participation, resident Theresa Howick thanked the district for allowing former students to tour the existing high school and middle school buildings.

However, Howick criticized the condition of one classroom she observed, saying it contained boxes and trash despite the district knowing visitors would be touring the building.

She questioned why the room had not been cleaned before the event and called for accountability.

The board concluded its meeting without entering executive session.