CALDWELL, Ohio (AVC News) — The Caldwell Exempted Village Board of Education honored Mary “Jeannie” Yontz upon her retirement Thursday after 30 years of service to the district as director of school improvement.
Yontz served the district in numerous capacities during her career but became particularly recognized for her work as a grant writer. Over the years, she helped secure approximately $12 million in grants for the district.
Yontz said the first grant she wrote was a school safety grant that brought $240,000 to the district. She also recalled writing a grant that provided $1 million for the Tribe Athletic Center.
Yontz also played a role in securing funding for the district’s urgent health care center. She said she worked closely with Gwynn Stewart, who was Noble County’s Extension economic development director at the time, to secure an $8.3 million grant for the facility.
Yontz told the board she considers Caldwell and the school district a special place.
During Thursday’s meeting, the board also approved several personnel and extracurricular appointments.
Carrie Secrest and Lori Banks were approved as peer coaches, while Terry Glidden was approved as a substitute teacher. Glidden will be employed as the high school Spanish teacher after obtaining his teaching license.
Tiffany Sideell was transferred to high school secretary, and Katie Schloss was approved as a paraprofessional. Lindsay Gurr, Kayla Wilson and Kate Franklin were approved as substitute teachers.
Janae Tucker, Erika Copley, Shannon Hearing, Beth Jarvis and Natalie Ford were approved as mentors.
The board accepted the resignation of Amanda Jones and approved Jan Mincks and Jesse Chandler as part-time kitchen staff.
Chaz Pfeffer and Caden Brownfield were approved as high school boys basketball volunteers. J.D. Harper, Lee Dimmerling and Justin Seebach were approved as wrestling volunteers, while Bree Seebach was approved as a girls wrestling volunteer.
Last Updated on September 11, 2026 by AVC News
