REAL ESTATE TAX INCREASE District Treasurer Joyce Kinsman explains that the recent increase in real property tax is not only a result of the new emergency levy but also in part due to Fulton County revaluations on real estate
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
Convening in the Archbold High School Media Center on Monday, February 26, the Archbold School Board met for its regular February meeting with members Karen Beck, Skeat Hug, Jeremy Hurst, Tyson Stuckey, and Gina Benecke present.
District administrators including Elementary Principal Andrea Thiel, Middle School Principal Matt Shields, High School Principal Royal Short, Curriculum Director Michele Bagrowski, District Treasurer Joyce Kinsman, and Superintendent Jayson Selgo were also in attendance.
Following the call to order, roll call, and approval of the revised agenda, a motion was made to enter into an executive session to review negotiations or bargaining sessions with employees concerning compensation and also for the purpose of employment of public employee(s).
After over two and a half hours in executive session, the Board reconvened in its open meeting and voted to approve the Classified Operations Manual effective August 1, 2022, through July 31, 2025.
According to a press release distributed that evening following the vote, “Due to an improved 5-year forecast, the Board and Classified Representatives were able to reopen the manual for the purpose of negotiating the 2024-2025 salary schedule. For the 2024-2025 school year, a three percent increase to the base salary was negotiated.”
Shifting gears to administrative reports, during the treasurer’s report to the board, Joyce Kinsman presented the General Fund Analysis, Cash Reconciliation Report, Investment Report, Cash Summary Report, Financial Report by Fund, Monthly Disbursement Report, and Monthly Receipts Report representing the financial status of the district as of January 31, 2024, which included the first advance of tax collections for Fulton County only.
“So I’m going to use my time to talk a little bit about the property taxes which is a hot topic”, Kinsman began.
“The recent increases in property tax is not only a result of the new emergency levy. Just as a reminder, every three years there is either an update or reappraisal of real estate property values that therefore impact property taxes…”
The treasurer continued, “Just as a reminder emergency levies raise the same amount of money no matter – they raise the same amount of money that’s voted by the community.”
“The millage changes based on the property values. It’s an inverse relationship – so as property values go up, the millage goes down so that the same amount of money is raised…So, that emergency levy that was passed in May of 2023 will only collect the amount that was voted on – that 2.7 million dollars…”
Kinsman also noted that because it is a new levy, there is no rollback being paid for by the State of Ohio.
“…I had to double check the ballot language so I went on the Board of Elections (website) 9.96 mills was listed in the ballot language. What was actually collected was 8.32 mills…” Kinsman continued.
“But it’s through this process that’s outlined in the Ohio Revised Code that school districts either collect the same amount of money…or a little bit more money that helps keep up with inflation.”
“The additional property tax revenue that’s eventually collected and is headed to the district is one way that school districts are able to stay off the ballot in the future to help cover increasing costs – electric costs, water costs, paper costs… What’s happened is following the Ohio Revised Code.”
Mrs. Kinsman closed noting that she will be passing on to the board more information once all of the first half tax settlements have been received. Kinsman also provided each Board member with a handout “How Do Changes In Property Values Impact Property Taxes?” as a resource that Board members can refer back to when addressing questions about the property tax increase.
In the elementary report, principal Andrea Thiel noted that kindergarten registration is currently open for the 2024-2025 school year through March 1, and as of February 21, 51 students were registered.
Kindergarten Screening will take place on March 18 and 19 and there will be no classes for current kindergarten students on that day.
Thiel also offered congratulations to 4th-grade student Dru Gansmiller for winning the AES Spell-Off and participating in the February 6 Fulton County Spelling Bee held at the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center in Archbold.
AES students and their families are invited on March 4 to a Family Literacy Night with Ms. Martie from the Archbold Community Library. The AES Book Fair will also be held on March 4 from 7:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public.
Before closing her report, Thiel also touched on the review process of the Core Comprehensive and Core No Foundational Skills programs and acknowledged Students of the Month for January.
In middle school news, Principal Shields began his report by thanking the Black Swamp Arts Council for sponsoring the Art Club to AMS, which meets every Wednesday.
During the fall session, 26 students in grades 6 through 8 participated and the spring session will see 17 fifth grade students.
Shields also shared that AMS basketball and wrestling concluded successful seasons with both the 8th-grade girls’ basketball and 8th-grade boys’ basketball teams taking home tournament champion trophies while wrestling finished 3rd overall in the league.
The middle school also had students participating in the Fulton County Spelling Bee with Linus Kunesh and Kaydence Prosser placing 2nd in the 5th & 6th grades while Jack Weber & Brady Culler were champions in the 7th and 8th grades.
AMS students participated in the Fulton County Heart Radiothon and 8th-grade students will be taking part in various activities preparing them for the transition into high school next year.
Ten students are currently participating in the Quiz Team led by Mrs. Jan Lindsay, and they are gearing up to take part in the Fulton County Quiz Tournament on March 7.
Shields also took a moment to recognize the Mindset Leaders for January who were chosen by their peers and teachers for demonstrating “Accountability.”
High School Principal Royal Short began his reporting by offering congratulations to Northwest Ohio Athletic League Scholar Athletes Norah Ruffer, Jenae Kinsman, Alayna Perez, Mackenzie Brennan, Mason Miller, Brennan Garrow, Blake Grime, Cade Brenner, Stephen Diller, Chase Miller, Jayden Seiler, and Elizabeth Theobald. Charlee Forward and Miley Gericke were also recognized for receiving Honorable Mention.
Short noted that some AHS Students took part in the District Mock Trial and AP Government students competed in the “We the People” competition hosted by the Ohio Center for Law Related Education at the Ohio State House of Representatives.
Preparing for their senior year and beyond, AHS junior took the ACT on February 27 and will also have an opportunity to participate in a job shadow day on April 4.
Short recognized Ariah Bagrowski, Emma Kurtz, Jessa Petersen, Haylee Valle, and Maddie Short for participating in the OMEA Solo and Ensemble. Elizabeth Theobald was congratulated for qualifying for OHSAA State Swimming.
Curriculum Director Michele Bagrowski noted that Ohio State Tests will begin on April 10. The National Assessment for Educational Progress test was also recently completed by a select group of eighth-grade students.
Bagrowski also shared that Junior Achievement will be coming back to Archbold after being put on hold due to COVID-19 and thanked volunteers and businesses that support the program.
In the superintendent’s report, Dr. Selgo thanked Kevin Miller, Diana Fridley, and Andi Nafziger for their years of service as they will be retiring at the end of the school year.
He also noted that Don Karcher will be taking on the role of ESC Licensed Social Worker serving both the Archbold School District and Four County Career Center.
As the end of the school year rapidly approaches, summer building improvement plans are in the works and projects will most likely include HVAC updates, carpet replacements, and lighting upgrades among others.
Selgo also noted that the Tiny Mobile Robot Field Painter that will be shared with Archbold Parks and Recreation was delivered in January.
Selgo provided an OHSAA Divisional Update noting that the organization approved a recommendation to expand divisions in the competitive balance sports of baseball, softball, basketball, and soccer.
In its last order of business for the evening, the board adopted the Consensus Agenda which included approval of the regular meeting minutes from January 22, 2024, and the January 2024 Financial Reports. Various donations to the district totaling $5,127.60 were accepted as were appropriation modifications to the HS Principal Fund Concessions and the Girls Golf Team Account.
The board also adopted the Tax Rate Resolution accepting the amounts and rates determined by the budget commission, authorizing the necessary tax levies, and certifying them to the county auditor.
In personnel recommendations, the board approved the substitute paraprofessional and teacher lists provided by the NwOESC and accepted retirement resignations from Kevin L Miller, Diana Fridley, and Andrea Nafziger.
One-year 2023-2024 classified sub-contracts for Jennifer Marihugh and Mary Lou Alvarez were approved as were one-year supplemental 2024-2025 head coach contracts for David Dominique, Rachel Kinsman, Laura Bickel, Logan Wyse, James Kidder, Stewart Rodger, and Debbie Culler.
The Archbold Board of Education will meet for its next regular meeting on Monday, March 18, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in the High School Media Center.
