MILLBURY – A former – and now current – board member has been honored for her 10 years on the board.

Margene Akenberger was announced as a Distinguished Board Member at the June 26 Lake Local School Board of Education meeting.

Akenberger served from 2000 to 2010 and was elected to a four-year term in November.

“Your passion for this school district is commendable and envious,” said Superintendent Jim Witt.

He often says that other than your family, this school is the most important thing in the world to you, Witt said to Akenberger.

She and her husband Randy are in the buildings at least three days a week.

“I wish I had a dollar for every hour you spend of your own time at this district,” Witt said.

“We do it because we enjoy it. It’s for the kids,” Akenberger said.

“I’m glad you were crazy enough to come back on the board,” said President Brad Blandin.

The board also honored the girls 4×200 track team, which placed fifth at state and also qualified for nationals in Philadelphia.

Team members included Brianna Braatz, Vayda Delventhal, Kennedy Eckman and Savannah Little

“The best thing I can say being the track expert like I am, they run really, really fast,” Witt said.

They are better young ladies than they are track stars, he added.

Coach Jason Schober said the team came close to breaking their own record at state and the girls track team as a whole broke seven school records.

“This has been the best season I’ve ever been a part of,” he said.

The baseball team also was recognized for its season, which ended when they lost the state championship game.

This was the winningest team in Lake history, said board member Darrel Wagner.

“I hope they understand how proud we are,” said Ackenberger. “It wasn’t the outcome they wanted but it was still great.”

The board also:

• Approved a one-year leave of absence for intervention specialist Karla Hoverman and hired Nicole Abke to fill the role in her absence.

• Accepted the resignation of Hollie Parsons as district data reporting and enrollment services and hired Leah Rymers as the new EMIS coordinator to take her place.

• Hired Rebekah Snowdy as elementary secretary and Lauren Colangelo as middle school secretary.

• Tabled the approval of nine co-curricular committee recommendations for pay scale increases.

• Heard Witt report as he was cleaning out his office, he found a handwritten agenda for the June 6, 2010, board meeting held at Bob Evans at 6:30 a.m. A tornado tore through Lake Township the night before and destroyed the high school.

• Approved the school fees for the 2024-25 school year.

Board President Brad Blandin asked for a flat fee for the elementary grades, which currently ranges from $38-$60.

• Accepted donations of $3,000 for choir/vocal music and $250 for choir from the family of Sharon Isch; and $100 for Glider Packs from Caryl Stone.

• Heard Chris Wilson, food services director, report that to date 10,843 meals have been served as part of the summer food program. She said she was hoping to serve meals until Aug. 14.

• Learned the July meeting will be in a different location as the middle school library will be a staging area for elementary equipment. The board will take possession of the new elementary on July 15. The location of the meeting has yet to be determined.