PHOTO BY JESSE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
PLAY BALL … Workers put finishing touches on the Swanton Local School District’s new baseball/softball complex Friday afternoon. During Wednesday’s board meeting, Superintendent Chris Lake said the facility would be complete within a few days.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
Members of the Swanton Local School District Board of Education heard from Craig Kachmarik, vice president of commercial insurance for Stapleton Insurance, on the school’s insurance policies during the board’s most recent regular meeting.
According to Kachmarik, the theme of this year’s renewal was that premiums were finally going down. “Overall, things are starting to improve from a general insurance market across the board,” Kachmarik said.
He said the reason for the improvement was, among other factors, an easing of inflation and that insurance companies made money last year and are now trying to price their coverage in a way to be competitive in the market.
The school district’s total blanket limit for property damage is just over $80 million, which Kachmarik said covers all the buildings and their contents, down to things like musical instruments.
He also added that despite the premium going down, the values went up by roughly $1.2 million.
He said the coverage is not split between buildings, so if there was a claim at one of the facilities, it would be eligible for up to the full $80 million.
Other parts of the district’s policy cover everything from lock replacement, employee theft, stolen checks that are then forged or altered — which Kachmarik said was on the rise — cybersecurity issues, vehicle liability, law enforcement liability, educator liability, and violence such as a school shooting.
Kachmarik also praised the thoroughness of Treasurer Sheila Horseman, saying “She never fails to challenge me with new situations or questions that we’ve never had before.”
Board members approved the policy renewal — covering July 1, 2026, through July 1, 2027 — through the Ohio School Plan at a cost of $79,490, as well as cyber insurance coverage for the same period through the Hylant Cyber Liability Program at a cost of $5,463.
OTHER BUSINESS
Board members approved a transfer of just under $120,000 from the general fund to the food service fund and just under $48,000 from the general fund to athletics.
Board members approved the purchase of one 78-passenger propane school bus. Board members approved the placing of a ballot issue seeking renewal of the Swanton Public Library’s 1-mill tax levy.
Board members approved participation in all federal grant programs for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year, as well as participation in the federal lunch and breakfast program for the same.
From the 2021-2022 school year through the 2025-2026 school year, the district received a total of nearly $2.9 million through the meal program.
Board members approved a slate of personnel updates, including one resignation. A public hearing was held for input on the rehiring of retiring Swanton Middle School teacher Mark Philippi, but no one appeared to comment on the matter.
Board members approved the job description for the position of HVAC technician. Board members approved the pay schedule for classified, non-union employees.
Board members approved the rescheduling of a professional development day from May 5, 2027, to May 19, 2027.
Board members approved payments in lieu of transportation for 22 students.
Board members approved changing the Chromebook fee to $25 per student for all levels kindergarten through 12th grade, marking a reduction from $40 per student for fourth grade and higher and an increase from $15 per student for kindergarten through third grade.
Board members approved the district’s annual agreement with Neola. Board members approved renewal of the food service contract with The Nutrition Group for the 2026-2027 school year.
Board members approved the fiscal services agreement with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center for fiscal year 2026.
Board members approved its annual agreement with the Northwest Ohio Juvenile Detention Center for the 2026-2027 school year to provide educational services to any students housed there at a rate of $91 per student per day.
Board members approved a 2026-2027 service agreement with New Story Schools.
Board members approved updates to the elementary school, middle school, and high school handbooks.
Board members voted to accept donations totaling $640 for the first grade field trip to Imagination Station, $581 for the second grade field trip to Sauder Village, $304 for the third grade field trip to Imagination Station, $920 for the fourth grade field trip to Camp Palmer, $175 for boys basketball, $1,250 for elementary school communication folders, $500 for an elective middle school sewing class, $1,000 to the high school, $627.75 for fourth grade shirts, $3,875 for elementary school classroom funds, $3,350 for middle school classroom funds, and $500 for a scholarship.
Superintendent Chris Lake provided a mandatory report on the number of “true bullying cases” reported and investigated in the district, with no cases at the elementary school, five at the middle school, and eight at the high school, a decrease from last year.
The next regular meeting of the Swanton Local School District Board of Education is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, at 108 N. Main Street, to be preceded by a visit to the new baseball/softball complex at the high school at 6 p.m.
