Bluffton-Harrison board OKs personnel decisions

The Bluffton-Harrison district filled the last of the open educational positions within its schools Monday, after board members hired 14 new people and 29 coaches.

Those hired Monday were:

• Alex Baker, fifth-grade science and social studies (he will also coach middle school volleyball).
• Sarah Jackson, teach second grade
• Shelbi Zelt, teach fourth grade
• Zella Walborn, Title 1 reading
• Justin Uptgraft, middle school physical education and swimming.
• Denny Squires, high school special education instructional assistant
• Sarah Yergler, Tiger Cubs preschool
• Jacob Amstutz, related arts technology
• Stephanie White, middle school social worker
• Nicole Wingate, speech language pathologist
• Heather Stoppenhagen, speech language pathologist assistant
• Chase Anderson and Aleyce Lowe will substitute for teachers on maternity leave, and Allison Krinn will teach second grade instead of third grade

Those hired for athletic positions were:

• Robert Vanderkolk, assistant athletic director

Cross Country:

• Tyson Brooks, middle school coach
• Stacy Herrold, head high school boys coach
• Stephanie White, head high school girls coach
• Danielle Kunkel, volunteer high school girls coach

Football:

• Casey Kolkman, head coach
• Josh Clark, assistant coach
• Brent Kunkel, assistant coach
• Kyle Brunn, half-time assistant coach
• Eric Bennett, half-time assistant coach
• Bill Leising, half-time assistant coach
• Tom Michael, half-time assistant coach
• Denny Squires, half-time assistant coach
• Eric Smith, half-time assistant coach
• Darin Johnson, middle school
• Kyle King, middle school
• Damon Dudley, middle school
• Jesse Fredrick, half-time coach
• Bev Balash, half-time coach

Tennis:

• Robert Vanderkolk, head coach
• Shane Dunwiddie, boys assistant coach
• Brian Bowman, boys assistant coach

Cheerleading:

• Ashlee King, head high school coach
• Karen Pearson, high school assistant coach
• Holly Leising, high school assistant coach
• Kristen Smallman, middle school coach
• Kristen Brinneman, volunteer middle school coach

Volleyball:

• Gretchen Grau, head coach
• Alyssa Moser, high school assistant coach