PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
NEW MEMBER … New Montpelier Board of Education member, Michael Wortkoetter (above) was officially sworn in prior to the regular board meeting on Tuesday, February 10. He was appointed to the board in January.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Montpelier Board of Education approved the five-year financial forecast at its meeting on Tuesday, February 10.
Prior to the meeting, Michael Wortkoetter was sworn in as a new board member after being appointed last month.
Treasurer Eric Smeltzer told board members there are two major changes involved with property tax revenue and state funding.
“We all know the property tax reform that is going on, and now they have the forecast with the software that we use,” said Smeltzer. “They have calculated all of that into our software now.”
Starting with the 2028 fiscal year, the district is projected to see a decrease in property tax revenue.
“Between 2028, 2029 and 2030, we’re projecting $1,136,000 less than we were in the previous forecast due to the property tax reform,” pointed out Smeltzer.
“That’s not a good thing because we were losing over a million dollars.” A positive through all of this, according to Smeltzer, is that the district’s enrollment numbers are going up.
He added the enrollment numbers have been added to the forecast. This year’s enrollment numbers are 772 students and the projected enrollment for 2026 is 796 students.
Regarding unrestricted state grants and aid, that number over the five years, according to Smeltzer, has gone up at least $214,000 or more each year because of the district’s increased enrollment that Montpelier has projected in the future.
“Over the next five years, our revenues technically have increased to $3,134,119 in state funding due to our enrollment going up,” noted Smeltzer.
“We’re losing just over a million dollars, but we’re gaining three million dollars. Our cash balance at the end of five years in October 2030 is projected only $809,000 and we’re now at $2,853,000.”
Smeltzer stressed that the latest funding issue has been discussed at meetings across the state all the time, saying it’s the treasurer’s best guess at this point in time where the district is going to be for the next five years.
He will be sending the five-year forecast to the Ohio Department of Education Workforce.
In other financial news, Smeltzer reported on the January income tax collection. The district collected $379,363 in income taxes for the month, an increase of seven percent over last year.
Superintendent Travis Lichty reported the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation grants submitted last fall were approved.
With the grant, the district has purchased a new floor scrubber, HVAC filters for a year, and bullet-resistant screening for every entrance and exit in the K-12 building.
The total amount of the grant is in excess of $50,000, of which the district received over $38,000 in funding and will be paying $12,000.
Lichty commented that the new sign for the front of the school building has been ordered. The sign will be installed either in late spring or early summer.
The superintendent updated the board that the Village of Montpelier has reapplied for a Safe Route to School grant for construction of a sidewalk on district property.
Lichty also congratulated the high school cheerleading team for qualifying for state competition for the first time in school history.
Elementary principal Lance Thorp reported on the recent two-hour delay work session where teachers are currently working on a new math curriculum, which hasn’t been updated since 2018.
He is hoping to make a recommendation at the March board meeting. Thorp also reported that a Red Cross Blood Drive will be taking place on February 25.
Interim high school principal Steve Arnold, who took over from Su Thorp in January, thanked the board for making him feel welcomed to the district. He also reported that state testing will take place from April 14–30.
The board also approved the following items:
–Approved the high school band and choir trip to Chicago March 19–21, 2027.
–Approved LB Speech Pathology LLC, as an independent contractor, to be paid at a rate of $100 per hour for speech services, as needed for the 2025–26 school year.
–Accepted the resignation of Jessica Reader as Custodian II, effective February 20, 2026.
–Approved the employment of Paul Frisby as Custodian II at eight hours per day, effective February 23, 2026, for the 2025–26 school year.
–Approved Braylon Hopper, Bria Friend, and Kharleigh Kitchen to compete at the OATCC State Indoor Track Meet on March 7, 2026.
–Added Kellie Aderholt to the substitute cafeteria and custodian list for the 2025–26 school year.
–Accepted donations totaling $9,475.52 from various businesses and organizations.
–Approved spring sports coaches for the 2025–26 school year.
The board went into an executive session to discuss the employment of a public employee, with no action being taken. The next board meeting is Tuesday, March 10 at 5 p.m.
