1920 Slabtown Road, Lima, OH 45801 Phone: 419-222-1836 Fax: 419-224-0718

Administration

Superintendent, Craig Kupferberg

Craig Kupferberg assumed the position of Superintendent of the Allen County Educational Service Center on August 1, 2018. Prior to this position he served as the Assistant Superintendent for Findlay City Schools for six years, Findlay High School’s Principal for eight years, Cory-Rawson’s High School Principal for nine years, and as a Mathematics Teacher at Lancaster High School for five years and Kings Mills High School for one year. Mr. Kupferberg earned his Bachelor’s of Science from Illinois State University, his master’s in educational administration from the University of Cincinnati, his initial principal’s license from The Ohio University, and his superintendent’s license from the University of Findlay. Mr. Kupferberg is married to Becky who is an Adjunct Professor of English at The University of Findlay. They have three adult sons, the oldest working in business in Columbus, Ohio; the middle a Lieutenant in the Army serving as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Officer; and the youngest a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Cincinnati.

Karla Wireman, Treasurer

Mrs. Wireman is a licensed Treasurer with the State of Ohio. Her role as treasurer is to serve as Financial Officer and Secretary to the Allen County Educational Service Center Governing Board. Mrs. Wireman has been employed with the district since 1984.

Keith Baumgartner, Director of Special Education Services

Keith Baumgartner is the Multiple Disabilities and Great Day Academy (Autism) Special Education Director. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bluffton University and Masters of Arts degree from The University of Findlay in Educational Administration. Keith has spent the last fourteen years as the high school principal and special education officer for Allen East. He also spent the last four of those fourteen years as the preschool supervisor. He spent ten years at Lima Senior as an intervention specialist and assistant coach for football and track. Keith is looking forward to being part of the ESC team and working with students, families, and staff from all of the county schools.

Shannon Bowers, Director of Gifted Program/K-12 Curriculum/JDC

Shannon Bowers is the Director of Gifted Programming and K-8 Curriculum. Shannon earned her Undergraduate degree from Miami University and has completed Graduate level coursework at Bowling Green State University and the University of Cincinnati studying Gifted Education. Shannon is a Gifted Intervention Specialist and has taught at several schools in Allen County. Shannon looks forward to coordinating the Allen County Spelling Bee and Quiz Bowl this year. Shannon’s most recent teaching assignments were at Shawnee Middle School, Maplewood Intermediate and Perry Elementary providing gifted services to third through sixth grade students. Prior to that, Shannon taught second grade at Liberty Arts Magnet for four years and third and fourth grade at Maplewood for three years. Shannon has worked as a teacher at Camp Invention, has coached the Power of the Pen writing competition and Science Olympiad. Shannon is married to Jason and they have three teenage daughters. As a family they enjoy traveling to Northern Michigan, going to watch the Cincinnati Reds and cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes!

Nikki Rettig, Director of ED/Alternative Programs

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Nikki is the Director of the Pathway to Success Alternative School Program as well as overseeing the education at the Allen County Juvenile Detention Center. Nikki's main goal is to help students who typically struggle in a traditional academic setting gain self- confidence, academic independence, and the skills for self-advocacy. Nikki obtained her Bachelor's Degree from Bluffton University, focusing on the field of Special Education, holding a K-12 Intervention Specialist license. Nikki then acquired her Master's Degree from the University of Cincinnati in the area of Educational Leadership and is a licensed Principal and credentialed OTES evaluator. Nikki's teaching experience include having taught as an Intervention Specialist in a resource room setting, as well as a self-contained classroom for students who struggled academically and social-emotionally with behavioral challenges. She then worked as a Special Education Coordinator for Apollo Career Center, before accepting the position as Director of the Pathway to Success Program at Allen County ESC. Nikki loves what she does and is grateful for the opportunity to work with such amazing students, parents, and a staff who is committed to serving our youth. Nikki has an open door policy and welcomes feedback from our parents and community partners.

Julia Yeagle, Director of Preschool

Julia Yeagle is the Preschool Special Education Director and Supervisor of Related Services consisting of Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists and Preschool Speech Therapists. Julia has a Masters in Education and licenses in P-3 General Education, Early Ed of the handicapped, P-12 reading, and 4-5 Generalist.