Board of Education

board members

2024 Board of Education Members

Jake Broering, President, Email, 419-733-5502
Jerry Shardo, Vice President, Email, 937-726-7934
Matt Magoto, Email, 937-564-3836
Christy Prakel, Email, 937-621-0600
Steve Ruhenkamp, Email, 937-417-2444

Board of Education Meetings 

Times:
7 pm (unless noted different)

Location:
Versailles Board of Education Office

2024 Dates:

  • January 9 (Budget Hearing - 5 pm, Organizational Meeting - 5:15 pm)

  • January 16

  • February 20 at 6 pm

  • March 19

  • April 16

  • May 21

  • June 5 (Special Board Meeting - 6:30 pm)

  • June 25 - 7 AM

  • July 16 - 7 AM

  • August 20

  • September 10

  • October 15

  • November 13

  • December 17

Jake Broering

Jake Broering, Board President

Current Committee(s): Legislative and Policy Committee

Service: January 2020 - Present

Term Expires: December 31, 2027

Jake Broering resides in suburbs of Willowdell with his wife Christy and their six children: Greta, Simon, Delia, Vayda, Colin and Lyla.  He enjoys spending free time attending kids activities, sporting events, and camping trips.

 Jake is an Engineering Manager at Midmark where he has worked for over 20 years.  He has worked in several different capacities in both New Product Development and Manufacturing Operations.  Jake is a 2001 graduate of Versailles, holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University, and a Master of Science in Business Administration from Wright State University.

Matt Magoto

Matt Magoto, Board Member

Current Committee(s): Finance/Audit and Facilities Committees

Service: January 2018 - Present

Term Expires: December 31, 2025

Matt Magoto is an Engineering Manager for Midmark Corporation.  Prior to joining Midmark in 2009, he held positions in quality, was a six-sigma black belt, as well as a product engineering manager for Delphi Automotive and Lear Corporation. Matt came to Midmark as a manufacturing engineer on the casework assembly line.  He has been promoted multiple times in his career at Midmark to MPS coordinator, supervisor in operations, manager of technical service, and most recently engineering manager in 2019. 

On top of being a school board member of Versailles, He has also served as President of Versailles Rotary Club, Board Member of Versailles Area Chamber of Commerce, and Board Member of Versailles Youth Baseball Association.  He has coached both youth baseball as well as youth girls and boys’ basketball teams.  Matt earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the University of Dayton and an MBA from the Jack Welch Management Institute.   

Matt is a ‘97 graduate of Russia High School, who has been married for 20 years to his wife Julie, and has 3 children, Lexi (18), Cameron (16), and Kayla (14).  His hobbies include playing basketball, running (13 half-marathons), and of course being a big part of his kid’s lives. 


Christy Prakel

Christy Prakel, Board Member

Current Committee(s): Student Achievement Committee

Service: January 2024 - Present

Term Expires: December 31, 2027

Christy Prakel resides in Versailles with her husband Mike. She grew up near New Weston on the Stemley family farm and tomato cannery, attending Ansonia Schools, where her father Neil and grandfather Charles served on the school board. Christy’s father-in-law Stewart Prakel and his father Homer served on the Versailles school board.

Christy graduated from Miami University in 1988. She lived in Indianapolis for 16 years and worked in the publishing industry. Seeking a more peaceful, sensible, and family-centered way of life, the Prakels moved to Versailles, Mike’s hometown, in 2004 with their 5 children: Mary, Margaret, Samuel, Caroline and Lucy. Christy was involved in booster groups and other volunteer efforts at Versailles Schools for 16 years. At St. Denis Catholic Church, Christy and Mike have been active in various ministries. Since 2009, Christy has served as the director of the Darke County Foundation, managing charitable funds for the benefit of Darke County residents.

Steve Ruhenkamp

Dr. Steve Ruhenkamp, Board Member

Current Committee(s): Legislative Liaison, and Legislative & Policy Committees

Service: 2001 - 2017, January 2022 - Present

Term Expires: December 31, 2025

My name is Steve Ruhenkamp, and I have served on the Versailles School board for 18 years. I reside in North Star with my wife, Angie (Schmitmeyer). We have six children - Lee (Alexa Didier), Emily (Kyle Poeppelman), lsaac (Claudia Counts), Ben, Joe, and Elizabeth and three grandchildren.

I graduated from Russia in 1986. I received a bachelor's degree in Comprehensive Science Education from Bowling Green in 1990, then graduated from The Ohio State University with a doctorate in Optometry in 1995. I have been practicing in Versailles since 1995.

In my spare time, I enjoy being with family, playing music, farming, and attending sporting events.

Jerry Shardo

Jerry Shardo, Vice-President

Current Committee(s): Finance/Audit and Facilities Committees

Service: January 2018 - Present

Term Expires: December 31, 2025

My name is Jerry Shardo. I grew up in Willowdell and continue to live there. I am a graduate of Versailles High School and have been  married for 41 years to my high school sweetheart, Reyna, who works as the HS secretary for Versailles schools.  We have 3 married children, Mindy, Joe, and Jeremy, and 8 grandchildren.  I was part owner of a local pallet shop for approximately 35 years until I sold out to my brother and nephew. I continue to work part-time for them today and also run a small used car business on the side. 

I decided to become a Versailles school board member to simply give back and to do my part in keeping Versailles schools at the top of the pack.