ACADEMIC RECOGNITION … 9th Grader Bailee Cape was awarded the Student of the Month Award at the latest meeting of the Pike-Delta-York Board of Education. (PHOTO BY JEREMY SCOTT, STAFF)
By: Jeremy Scott
The Pike-Delta-York Board of Education met on December 16th in regular session. Board member Dr. Michael Mattin was not in attendance. The Board recognized the following students during the meeting for being Students of the Month- Ethan Rollins (1st Grade), Jakub Heinemann (5th Grade), and Bailee Cape (9th Grade). Ashley Creps (11th Grade) and Shawn McCullough (12th Grade) were also recognized from the Four County Career Center.
Matt Feasel, CFO and Treasurer for the District informed the Board that the reassessment of property taxes did not go how they had thought that it would. Initially, the District was told that the reassessment would garner the District between a 15-18% increase in revenue.
Instead the District was only given a 2% increase adding to the financial woes that have plagued them since the failure of a tax levy in November. The District has asked the city to look at this number, believing that several industries that were due to have expiring tax abatements were not correctly calculated.
In staying with finances, the Board discussed the possibility of attempted another levy on May’s ballot. Discussion revolved around putting an earned income restriction on the future levy instead of a traditional levy which taxes any income, including retirement benefits. Council will make a decision and vote at the next Board meeting.
In other news, the Board wanted to recognize Pike Township and the Pike Township trustees for their donation of their remaining CARES Act funds to the School District. The Board approved reassigning employee Kerri Simon from being a Bus Driver to her new position as Custodian.
The Board also approved the 2021-2022 High School Guidance Handbook. Also approved were Local Graduation Seals which are alternative ways for students to still graduate while learning skills that they can use once they get out of school.
Finally, the Board approved the purchase of a new PA System replacing the existing PA system. The work will be completed by the Northern Buckeye Education Council at a cost of $60,701.55
The next meeting of the Pike-Delta-York Board of Education will be January 13th with an organizational meeting at 6:15 followed by the regular Board meeting at 6:30.
Jeremy can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com