(PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTY … Treasurer William Blakely presents a lengthy report and five year forecast with several concerns regarding the current uncertainty in the state budget.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Edgerton Board of Education met on Monday, May 19th. Board President Robert Siebenaler called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance was the roll call with all members present as follows: Robert Siebenaler, Lyn Bowsher, Amanda Giesige, Bill Swank, and Nick Hug.
Also in attendance were Treasurer/CFO William Blakely, Superintendent Ben Wilhelm, High School Principal Brett Grieser, Elementary Principal Lucas Smith, FFA Advisor Kristine Manning, and several FFA members.
The first item for approval was the meeting agenda, which had no changes or discussion from the board. The agenda was approved with the motion being made by Bowsher and seconded by Giesige.
The board waived the reading of the minutes from the April regular board meeting. With no board discussion, Swank made the motion to approve and seconded by Hug which was approved by all.
Dr. Wilhelm introduced Kristine Manning. Mrs. Manning introduced FFA members who had received several awards and recognitions at state. She started with four members, Adyn Herman, Ava Herman, Giselle Romero, and Gretchen Keppler, who placed ninth in the state for Dairy Cattle Judging. It had been over 15 years since a dairy cattle team had gone that far.
Bowen Reed and Grace Herman were next, both being selected as State Band members. Only 56 students were chosen from across the state.
Manning then introduced Ross Dockery, Ava Herman, Bryce Schroeder (not present), and Avery Perez (not present) as State FFA Degree recipients, with less than 2% of Ohio FFA members receiving this honor.
Three members were awarded for State Gold Officer Books, Avrie Herman’s with her reporter’s book, Alyssa Landis’s with her secretary book, and Bryce Schroeder the treasurer’s book. It has been about 25 years since all three have received the honor.
Mrs. Manning also recognized the floral team that placed second at districts and ninth at state. Also being recognized was Avery Perez, who gathered a team to participate in the district aquarium contest and placed fourth.
Finally, Manning highlighted that Avrie Herman won the State Agriscience Fair performing a feed trial comparing two show lamb feeds in the hopes of finding which one feed allows the sheep to gain the most pounds and show the best.
Avrie is currently applying for the National FFA Agriscience Fair with a focus on animal science. This has also inspired interest from multiple underclassmen to participate in the agriscience fair where students’ projects can focus on plant, food, animal, or social science.
The board thanked the FFA members and Mrs. Manning and congratulated both on the recent state awards. Siebenaler said he was impressed with the students and the FFA program overall.
The treasurer’s agenda followed, with Blakely warning he had a lengthy agenda to present. First was an update on the general fund. Revenue is up approximately 13% over last year at this time, mainly due to DPIA funding due to the CEP program.
Real estate tax revenue was also up from the previous year. Expenditures were also up but not as much as revenue, being up only 9.36%.
The food service update was next. Cash on hand is approximately $234,000, which is up $5,000 from last month but down $10,000 from last year. Lunch participation was up to 73.95% and breakfast was also up to almost 34.5%.
The state budget was the next topic of discussion. Blakely informed the board that the state budget bill is still not approved and he expects an update in late June or possibly early July.
There are several unknowns currently including a 30% carry-over cap on the school budget and the potential elimination of property tax.
Blakely warned that all of this uncertainty would affect the five-year forecast, which will be presented in the treasurer’s recommendations.
Blakely shared the Financial Health Indicator, provided by the Ohio Auditor of State. Currently, Edgerton Local Schools is green meaning they are in good financial health.
Blakely reiterated that if the 30% cap were passed, most categories would fall into the red within a year. This would in turn mean a downtrend in financial health indicators and moving towards a fiscal emergency.
The final topic before the treasurer’s recommendation was a thank you to the NWO friends of the NRA who provided a donation of almost $2,500 to be used for school safety. The donation was provided to the Edgerton Police Department, with part of the donation going to the school.
The treasurer’s recommendation followed, starting with approving the financial reports. Blakely provided figures for the current accounts, including interest rates all being within 4% – 4.5%.
Also accepted was a donation from Nye’s Greenhouse. Approximately $70 worth of flowers were donated and planted out front of the school in decorative planters.
The five-year forecast was provided to the board by Blakely. He included and explained several slides. Blakely explained the five-year forecast was constructed using the current house plan without the 30% cash cap, stating there still could be a drastic change that would then require another approval vote.
Blakely explained several slides, starting by showing the projected general fund revenues and expenditures for the current year.
He provided a slide with a breakdown of state funding compared to local districts. Overall costs followed with 77% going to personnel and purchased services.
All five years of the forecast were presented next. Several slides followed, including information about the change in revenue as an increase of 3.3%, annual expenditures being above the historical average due to a one-time cost increase, cash on hand from 2021-2029, district enrollment with an increase expected in 2027, cost per pupil which has increased with inflation at about $95 per day, and current revenue compared to projections.
The final slide was a comparison of the differences in the budgets from the current year, the governor’s proposal, and the proposal with the 30% cap. Within four to five years there could be potential of a tax levy on the ballot if the 30% cap passes.
Blakely clarified he wanted the board to be very aware of potential concerns that would arise with the cap, including a much tighter budget where unplanned things would be detrimental.
Hug asked for clarification on the 30% cap. Blakely explained that if for example there was 10 million worth of expenditures and the school could not have more than 3 million in general fund, the county auditor is required by law to reduce property tax rates until the 30% cap is met.
He acknowledged that while for a short period, this may alleviate some tax burden on residents by school district property tax being eliminated, after the cap is met, the property tax would then be reinstated potentially at a higher cost.
The main driver was to help offset the large increases in property tax. This would also push the school into deficit spending.
The final recommendation was to enter into a master marketing agreement with Arcadia Towers. Arcadia Towers works with the Ohio Schools Council and contacted Blakely who has shown interest in this opportunity.
A cell phone tower would be placed on an approximately 50 x 50-foot plot on school grounds, and the district would receive a portion of the revenue generated from cell phone equipment being placed on the tower.
It could also improve cell service in the village. The agreement would allow Arcadia Tower to evaluate potential locations, which ideally would be behind where the bus barn will be built.
Swank motioned to approve all treasurer recommendations. The motion was seconded by Giesige and approved by all.
The superintendent’s report was next on the agenda, with Wilhelm starting off with the Four County Career Center Meeting minutes which were provided to the board.
He followed up with a brief update on enrollment numbers, also provided to the board, with enrollment being slightly up from the start of the year.
Student commendation followed with a list of recent award recipients. Spring concert and fine arts program were set up over the recent weekend in the annex.
Several students’ work was taken to the regional art show at the Heart Gallery and Studios in Toledo, Ohio. There were also several students published in the Bryan Times in their yearly design and ad campaign.
High school art students competed at the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition and the Black Swamp Art Council High School Invitational, with two first-place award winners, Emily Stuck and Parker Abraham. Finishing commendations, Wilhelm again congratulated the FFA awards recipients.
The recommendation began with the presentation of the list of 2025 graduates to the board, contingent upon their completion of all local and state requirements. Next was approval of the proposed changes to the NEOLA board policies as presented in April, also provided to the board.
The board also approved the policy for dual sports, a new policy for the 2025-2026 school year. Siebenaler asked about the coach’s view of the policy.
Wilhelm explained that starting off there were some concerns, but after reworking the policy to allow more flexibility to the coaches they were happy with the policy.
Flexibility would allow a student-athlete to participate in a particularly high-stakes or rivalry game if both coaches agreed. Giesige asked if this was comparable to other districts.
Wilhelm said he pulled basic information from other district examples and adapted to what would fit Edgerton best.
The next recommendation was approval of an agreement with Joy D. Fruchey and Associates to provide mental and behavioral health services to students from July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026. Wilhelm said he feels this is a well-received and utilized service and is happy to be able to continue with it.
Wilhelm moved quickly through several other recommendations including:
-Approval of instruction fees of Pre K – 6 $35 and 7-12 $100.
-Approval of an overnight cross country athletic camp in Hocking Hills August 4th- 8th.
-Approval of the 2025-2026 curriculum guides.
-Approval of a contract for shared speech services with Edon Northwest Local School for the 2025-2026 school year.
-Approval of the 2025-2026 sports passes and ticket prices with no change.
-Approval of the 2025-2026 sports physical packet.
-Approval of the 2025-2026 Athletic Handbook.
-Approval of the 2025-2026 students handbook, both Pre K-6 and 7-12.
-Approval of the district-wide faculty handbook for the 2025-2026 school year, a consolidation of two previous handbooks.
Wilhelm followed with a long list of personnel recommendations, including:
-Approval of the current NWOESC sub list for paraprofessionals and teachers.
-Approval of the non-renewal of the 2024-2025 spring supplemental contracts after the athletic session or the end of the school year, an annual action. The list was provided to the board.
-Approval of the resignation of Kim Hissong for the purpose of retirement, affection July 1, 2025.
-Approval of the resignation of Jeff Sleesman for the purpose of retirement, effective date July 1, 2025.
-Approval of the reduction in hours for Gary Beck, from eight hours to four hours per day, effective school year 2025-2026. The lost hours would be filled by a second shift position, to be determined in June.
-Approval of a correction to the 2025-2026 winter supplemental contracts approvals. Cory Everetts was approved in April as Junior High Boys Basketball Coach, now corrected to Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Coach.
-Approval of the 2025-2026 supplemental contracts, Nicole Thiel – Junior High Volleyball coach, Cole Meyer – Junior High Boys Basketball Coach, and Volunteer Tracy Cape volleyball, pending completion of the necessary pre-employment requirements.
-Accept the resignation of Marchetta Caryer as Varsity Girls Basketball coach, effective May 1, 2025.
-Approval of a one-year contract for Jordan Bok as a third-grade teacher for the 2025-206 school year.
-Approval of a correction of the step placement for Sara Sargent from Step 8 to Step 9 for the 2025-2026 school year. This would be retroactive and was a mistake found when preparing this year’s contracts.
-Approval of certified teaching contracts for the 2025 2026 school year. One-Year Contract: Sara Sargent, Alesha Archer, and Zoe Scott. Three-Year Contract: Zane Miller, Abigayle Wood, Clayton Flegal, Amanda Mercer, Cody Moser, and Vicki Schaffner. Five-Year Contract: Emily Grine and Nora Jackson.
-Approval of a one-year contract for Melinda Thiel at the current hourly rate of $19.87 per hour as a district substitute teacher for 180 days, with three personal and two sick days for the 2025-2026 school year, including the basic 3% increase.
-Approval of a three-year contract for Angella Burklo, effective for the 2025-2028 school years, a 186-day contract with 2% increases for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years.
-Approval of two-year non-certified contracts effective for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years: Julie Eitniear, Krista Pahl, Haley Rhodes, Ashlie Grieser, Chris Herman, Khristina Hilty, Angi Hoag, Crystal Miller, Brian Bowsher, Neil Haughn, Dan Hissong, and Traci Suchocki.
-Approval of the 2025 summer worked at the applicable rates. Julie Eitnier, Chanda McNally, Dave Shufelt, James Walker, and Krista Pahl all at $16.00 per hour. Gary Cooley at his current custodial rate.
The motion to approve all superintendent’s recommendations was made by Hug and second by Bowsher. All members approved the motion.
Principal reports closed out the meeting, with Elementary Principal Lucas Smith first who could not believe it was already May.
Smith started with the recent Teacher Appreciation Week. The administrators strived to show their appreciation by providing a special treat or gift each day for the teachers.
Smith continued with several field trips for the elementary, especially highlighting the sixth-grade trip to Camp Kimball. Students recently completed the last Lifewise days.
Other highlights were the recent health walk, kindergarten screening, Pawsitive referrals, lunch with a dog, and the Bulldog Best assembly.
State Test results were just beginning to be released, Math being one the first where Edgerton saw a 90% passing rate, with one grade level reaching 97%.
Despite only a few days of school remaining, several events and awards were still scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, including kindergarten and sixth-grade graduation ceremonies.
Also taking place on Tuesday is Bulldogs with TIES, an etiquette dinner. Thursday the third grade will take their field trip, a rescheduled trip due to fog. Friday closes the year with field day and early dismissal.
Principal Brett Grieser followed, delivering updates from the Junior High and High School. First, he highlighted four Edgerton students who were honored through the National Technical Honor Society program, which he was lucky enough to attend.
Another recent highlight was the Quiz Bowl trip to Chicago, which included a send-off from the school and a chance for students to tour the city.
Grieser again congratulated the FFA awardees and commented on the recent FFA banquet. He jokingly stated he keeps requesting an FFA jacket but has yet to receive it.
Grieser continued with the successful recent senior night awards. He was impressed with the overall setup and especially the students’ achievements.
$500,000 in scholarships were awarded to the Edgerton Seniors. Even more impressive, 6.1 million has been awarded to Edgerton seniors over the last decade.
Another successful event was mock interviews; panel interviews being added this year with board member Bowsher taking part.
While not as many as the elementary, the high school also had some recent field trips. Mr. Matt Krill hosted his annual local history tour, which Grieser commented was very informative and interesting. Sweetwater welcomed Mrs. Alicia Krill’s guitar class who also performed at the recent fine arts night.
The Government class, also led by Mr. Krill, toured the courthouse and witnessed a mock trial. Freshmen and Sophomores went to the Museum in Dayton. Prom finished out the recent highlights, with Grieser thanking all the volunteers for a successful evening.
Spring sports are moving into tournament action, with the softball season record already qualifying them as sectional champions. They will take on North Central in districts. The baseball team will play against Antwerp for the sectional title. The track team will be traveling to districts in Ayersville.
Grieser finished his report with senior week, which started today. Seniors completed community service projects, such as laying mulch, and took part in self-defense classes.
The school year will wrap up with field day, academic awards for both Junior High and High School, and finally graduation on Sunday.
With no need for an executive session, Bowsher made the motion to adjourn which was seconded by Giesige.
All members approved with the meeting being adjourned at 6:55 p.m. The next Edgerton Board of Education meeting will be held on June 23rd and there will be no meeting in July.