(PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
STUDENT REPORT … Students present progress updates for the Eagle Tabletop Gaming Club to the board.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The North Central School Board meeting was held on Tuesday, March 25th, starting at 6pm. In attendance were only three board members, Board President Katie Burt, John Huffman and Dustin Meyers of the Budget Committee.
Superintendent Michael Bute led the work session held prior to the meeting. This work session is open to the public and is a great opportunity to have a better understanding of what the meetings will cover.
The session opened with the waving and approval of the reading of February’s last meeting. Motioned by Huffman, seconded by Meyers. Meyers motioned to table the approval of the February meeting as well.
Superintendent Bute presented several discussions on improvements at the school, starting with a “Culture Playbook,” which focused on accountability.
He hopes to instill values in his staff and students. This includes becoming outcome driven and solution oriented. Bute says that organizational growth on a whole is dependent on personal growth.
He followed with the results of the State Report Card, and a new plan set into action called Gap Closing. By tracking the academic success of groups, Bute and his staff will be able to see exactly what is and isn’t working in the school system. There is a huge focus on student growth, and they plan on following the guidelines set by the state of Ohio.
Treasurer Eric Smeltzer moved on to cover the financial and budget report. Due to the high valuation and low enrollments from the town’s recent appraisal, North Central is now considered a wealthy school district.
This lowers the unrestricted funding, or state funding, and it is estimated that they will lose over $100,000 of help from Ohio.
The mill rate dropped from 20% to 14.23%. A mill is a property tax that is 35% of the appraised value and is $1 for $1,000 of assessed value.
The state will be providing additional revenue through general property tax to bump them back up to the 20% floor rate.
This will help alleviate financial pressure but will not help fix the issue of now being considered a wealthy district who needs less funding.
The work session was adjourned at 5:54pm, motioned by Huffman, seconded by Meyers.
The board meeting began shortly afterwards, with all of the same members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was given by a few members of the third-grade class.
President Burt gave thanked the members of the staff, including Travis Creek for his hard work on the Eagle Cam project.
The FCCLA, or Family Career Community Leaders of America, club gave a small presentation of their recent successes. Mrs. Good gave updates on their fundraisers, donations and activities.
The Eagle Tabletop Gaming club had a student representative who spoke to the Board and community, hoping to reach out to students and encourage them to join.
The treasurer’s report, given by Smeltzer, provided detailed spreadsheets and information to everyone present. It approved:
-The waiving of the reading of minutes from the February 18th, regular meeting.
-Financial statements and investments from February 2025.
-Donations from Nickloy’s Fix and Fab to the Backpack Program ($329.70 and $327.60). Donations from the LakeView United Brethren Church, which included tissues, sanitizing wipes, and other school supplies for the junior and high school.
-Appropriation Additions such as a Miscellaneous State Grant ($659.84), Title 1 ($10,604.67), Title 2-A ($1,562.45), and a Miscellaneous Federal Grant ($37,813.96).
The recommendation for the board was to rescind resolution for the operating standards for education students with disabilities. They then moved on to approve the new updated resolution.
The second reading for the proposed Neola Revisions was motioned by Huffman, seconded by Meyers. The Consent Agenda approved:
-The NwOESC Government Board Service Agreement for the 2025-2026 school year. This agreement is made by the North Central Local School Board of Education and the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center Governing Board.
-The bid of $562 for the 1939 John Deere A Tractor from Bob Short.
-The employment of Shailynn Bohner (Track/Field), Lindsey Eckley (JH Track/Field), Sharon Deetz (Assistant Musical Director), John Fiser (Volunteer Baseball), and Andrew Ranoni (Volunteer JH Track).
-The resignation of Aleea Livensparger (Superintendent Administrative Assistant) Eric Smeltzer (Treasurer), and Lindsey Eckley (JV Track/Field).
-The Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer Search. This approved agreement is between NWOESC and North Central for the purpose of leading a search for the new treasurer.
-College Credit Plus Partnership Agreement with Owens Community College for the 2025-2026 school year.
-FFA trip to the Ohio State Convention May 1-2, 2025.
The board moved on to a private executive session, which included Superintendent Bute, at 6:44 p.m.