Thursday, February 12th, 2009

New Bremen defers use of funds

School construction funding from state

By Margie Wuebker
NEW BREMEN - New Bremen Local Schools board of education Wednesday night decided to defer an Ohio School Facilities Commission project another year given the current state of the economy.
"I can't imagine building a new building or remodeling what we have given these tough economic times," board President Mark Barhorst said as fellow board members nodded in agreement.
New Bremen, which first deferred funding in March 2008, currently ranks 30th on the OSFC list with the possibility of receiving 49 percent state funding.
Treasurer Deb Meyer noted the district will likely move up as tangible personal property tax collection subsides with the possibility of even more funding.
"I do not believe a 1 to 2 percent increase is out of the question," she added.
Meanwhile, local officials continue to look into what direction such a project could take. Possible options include making the current high school a K-12 building, a smaller addition to house seventh- and eighth-graders at the high school and construction of a new K-6 building.
With the first year of open enrollment under way, school officials and board members reported hearing no negative comments. Twenty students are involved in the open-door policy, which goes beyond contiguous school districts.
"The positives far outweigh the negatives," elementary Principal Karen Smith said. "In fact, there are no negatives."
In other action, the board:
• Decided to seek information from the athletic council before making a decision on what to do about deteriorating bleachers at the junior high football field.
• Accepted the retirement resignations of five longtime teachers effective May 31. They include: second-grade teacher Cindy Newman, family consumer science teacher Sandy Schwartz, high school social studies teacher Burt Fiser, high school English teacher Jan Fiser, and high school business teacher Jane Kaylor. Collectively, they have 158 years of service to the district.
• Received an update on the 2009 New Bremen Education Foundation fund drive, which is currently under way. Last year's efforts resulted in 77 scholarships being awarded to members of the Class of 2008. Donations, which are considered charitable and tax deductible, can be made by contacting Jeff McCollum at First National Bank or Superintendent Ann Harvey.
• Approv-ed the 2009-2010 calendar which lists Aug. 25 as the first day of classes and May 27 as the last class day for students. Christmas break runs from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1 with graduation taking place May 30.
Additional online stories on this date
Hurricane force winds struck the local area Wednesday night downing trees and power poles and damaging buildings and vehicles.
No injuries were rep [More]
School construction funding from state
FORT RECOVERY - Board of education members are considering a $4.3 million school construction or renovation project with financing help from the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC). [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
ST. MARYS - In view of the current economic troubles, one community member thinks the school district should look at wage cuts to show it understands local residents' struggles.
Mercer County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) technicians will be creating a topographical map of the flood plain area around Beaver Creek for 32 landowners in that area.
Mercer County Soil and Water Conservation District board members Wednesday reviewed and accepted a pollution complaint involving a Fort Recovery dairy with a history of improper manure management practices.
WAPAKONETA - Funding shortfalls at the state level could have drastic eaffects on area programs that affect the health and well-being of local children.
NEW BREMEN - The New Bremen Local Schools board of education Wednesday night unanimously agreed to seek renewal of a 1 percent income tax. The resolution of necessity represents the final step in the process of placing it on the May 5 ballot.
COLDWATER - Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's school funding proposal, particularly the portion dealing with accountability and transparency, is "a good thing," say administrators at Coldwater Exempted Village School.
Local officials expect program to provide $132 million for upgrades
Mercer County officials hope to receive a share of the $132 million in federal funds expected to be distributed to Ohio communities this year for economic development.
For the second time in three days, Celina's girls basketball team will face one of the best teams in the state.
While Tuesday's overtime loss to Crestview provided the Bulldogs with a chance to see how they stacked up against an elite team, tonight's challenge is even greater.
Passport to History
With the area gymnasiums heating up as the end of the basketball season quickly approaches, February has historically provided loads of excitement.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Wright State University-Lake Campus men's basketball team ended the regular season on Tuesday with an 85-53 win over OSU-Mansfield at the Mercer-Auglaize County Family YMCA.
Highlight Game:
The annual Backyard Battle features the top two seeds of the Division III Wapakoneta sectional after Sunday's sectional meeting.
The Redskins have