POTENTIAL GOOD NEWS Treasurer Chris Lee presents his monthly report to the board sharing a Rover Pipeline case update which could lead to potential increased tax revenue to the district
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
Pettisville Board of Education met on Monday the 18th for its regular March meeting with Brent Hoylman, Scott Rupp, Justin Rufenacht, Pam Skates, and Barry Hoylman in attendance.
Treasurer Chris Lee, Superintendent Josh Clark, Principal Jason Waldvogel, and Principal Adam Wagner were also on hand to share the latest happenings in the district.
In the treasurer’s report, Mr. Lee presented a chart comparing property tax revenue from 2023 to receipts from this calendar year. Lee noted that the General Fund settlement was up $161,543.75 from the same time last year.
“It’s obviously the biggest jump in property tax revenues since I’ve been here – although it’s a little bit less than I was expecting based on the Auditor – the County Auditor’s projections,” added Lee.
Lee expects that money received from late real estate tax payments should be reflected in the August settlement from the County.
Lee also shared with the board a development in the Rover pipeline case which involves the valuation of the pipeline for tax purposes.
In March 2024, the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals set the valuation at $5.67 billion, higher than Rover’s proposed $3.32 billion.
This decision impacts school funding as it determines the tax revenue generated from the pipeline, which could potentially affect funding allocations for schools in the area.
Lee elaborated, “They ruled that the commissioner – tax commissioner’s expert appraisal is the best evidence of the pipeline value.”
“That’s particularly good news because their expert appraiser valued the pipeline higher, obviously than what Rover was appealing at…”While there has not been a settlement negotiated yet, the Board of Tax Appeals has ordered the tax commissioner to begin those negotiations with them and there’s a range. “
“And the high and the low in that range should be bringing us additional revenue going back to 2019, I believe. It will be nice, obviously, to have that case resolved, so we know – we can project revenues going forward on that.”
The board approved a Certificate of Estimated Resources and Appropriation Modifications to amend the budget as presented by Treasurer Lee.
In elementary news, Principal Jason Waldvogel noted that kindergarten screening is underway with around 40 students registered at the time of his report. This number has increased by 10 students from March 2023.
Waldvogel also shared that young men in kindergarten through 6th grade will have the opportunity to take a special guest (mother, grandmother, aunt, etc.) to have some “Glow Bowling” fun at the Lil’ Gents Date Night which will be held on March 22nd at River City Bowl Away in Napoleon.
On Friday, April 26, the elementary will host the Sweetheart Dance and the young ladies from the elementary school will have the opportunity to bring their date (father, grandfather, uncle, etc.) to dance the night away. The board also received quick updates on elementary testing and the Blackbird Pantry.
Shifting gears to the older students, High School/Jr. High Principal Adam Wagner briefly highlighted the latest happenings in 7th – 12th grades to the board.
The first week of April will bring with it Student Appreciation Week. While the event is still in the planning stage, Wagner anticipates that the special week will include dress-up days, food treats, and games during lunch.
On Friday of the appreciation week, the regular curriculum will be set aside so various staff members teach students about other fun topics such as fishing, card games, and pickleball just to name a few.
Wagner also shared that the junior high quiz team came home with a victory following the Fulton County Junior High Quiz tournament where they took first place. The high school quiz team will be participating in the NBAL tournament on Friday the 22nd.
Pettisville High School will also be hosting a Blood Drive on Wednesday, March 27th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The high school’s musical, “The Music Man” will be held on April 4 through April 7. Tickets may be purchased by emailing music@pettisvilleschools.org.
In his report, Superintendent Clark provided information concerning two internal staffing changes. Upon the retirement of Shelly Schramm from the school library, Clark requested that current Technology Assistant, Jenae Lammers be approved to fill the vacancy effective the 2024-2025 school year.
The superintendent also requested approval for current bus driver Gabe Jaramillo to serve as the new Technology Assistant replacing Lammers.
Jaramillo will also be picking up the duties of Transportation Coordinator effective the 2024-2025 school year. The board approved both staffing change requests.
In other matters, the board approved the meeting minutes from February 2024, authorized the payment of bills, and approved the financial reports as presented by Treasurer Lee in the Consent Agenda. The proposed 2025-2026 school calendar presented at the February meeting was also approved.
Also as contained in the Consent Agenda, Dane Waidelich was granted permission to serve as a volunteer track coach while Eli Norr was approved to serve as a volunteer baseball coach.
Before adjourning, the board also adopted a measure to enter into a professional agreement for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years with the Pettisville Teachers Association. The agreement calls for a 3% salary increase for teachers each school year.
The next Pettisville Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, April 8.