Minster BOE puts levy renewal on ballot

MINSTER - Board of education members voted Monday night to seek the renewal of a 0.2-mill recreation levy in November.

Treasurer Laura Klosterman said the current levy expires at the end of the year. If approved by voters the district will collect $12,349 annually for five years.

Proceeds are earmarked for Melcher Street Park, owned by the school district, and Seventh Street Park, which is leased from the village.     

Klosterman explained the levy renewal will continue to collect 12.5 percent rollback from the state - only replacement and new levies will be affected by elimination of state support included in the recently passed two-year state budget.

Local voters have approved the levy since its inception in the 1970s.

Superintendent Brenda Boeke reported the district may be in line to receive funding through the School Security Grant Program authorized in the state budget.

Districts may apply for up to $2,000 for one emergency communications systems or Multi-Agency Radio Communications System (MARCS) and up to $5,000 for costs associated with the purchase of a security entrance system.

Officials are waiting for additional information, but work has been completed to upgrade security at the high school. The office has been rearranged to give personnel a clear view of the front entrance.

Board members also met in executive session to consider the sale of property at competitive bidding. No action was taken. Boeke said the district is taking the next step in finding a buyer for the Hanover Street building that closed prior to the 2011-2012 school year.

A public auction was held July 14 but no one submitted a bid after Klosterman announced a reserve amount of $400,000. The Auglaize County auditor's office website lists the property value at $752,000.

Anyone interested in purchasing the former school or needing additional information should contact Boeke at 419-628-3397.

Board members also,

• authorized Boeke to dispose of unneeded desks and other items at the former school building. Boeke explained nonprofit organizations exempt from federal income tax can contact officials regarding plans for the items.

• learned minimum school day changes scheduled in 2014-2015 will have no effect locally. The changes involve going from a required number of days to a required number of hours. Boeke said students currently attend more than 100 hours over the prescribed minimum of 910 hours for K-6 and 1,001 hours from grades 7-12.

• received a building and grounds update from maintenance supervisor Tim Jay. Cabinets removed from the Hanover Street building have been relocated to the elementary and junior high/high school buildings. Additional storage racks are in place to provide needed space.

• hired Jason Lammers, elementary and junior/senior high school physical education and health teacher; Sarah Ambos, kindergarten teacher; Donna Borges, cafeteria supervisor/head cook; Lois Seger, head cook; Cathy Stahl, cook's helper; Jill Prenger, server; Cami Lefeld, instructional aide; and Kay Schmiesing, school health aide.

• accepted the resignation of Cindy Nelson as assistant high school volleyball coach and awarded supplemental contracts for 19 coaching positions. Dennis Hemmelgarn, Roger Boeke, Mike Sextro, Jason Hagaman and Sean Dorsten were approved as sports program volunteers.

• approved bus routes and student fees in preparation for the 2013-2014 school year. Boeke noted there were no major route changes. The technology fee has increased from $10 to $12.50 at all grade levels due to the increased cost of online products.

• set 8 p.m. Aug. 19 as the time and date for the next meeting. The session will be held at the high school library.