Tuesday, January 12th, 2021

Board project on May ballot

2nd attempt for school buildings

By William Kincaid
CELINA - School board members are preparing to try again to get a building project approved at the May 4 primary election, asserting the district must address its outdated facilities before costs inevitably escalate in the future.
Board members at Monday night's meeting told Garman/Miller Architects-Engineers officials to proceed with the same building project that fell just short of passing in the April 2020 primary election.
They'll meet again for a special meeting at 5 p.m. Jan. 21 in the high school lecture hall to vote on a resolution to send the necessary paperwork to the county auditor. They'll then have to submit the issue to the county board of elections by Feb. 3.
Board members directed Garmann/Miller officials to proceed with the same master plan as previously put before voters - construction of a 182,122-square-foot middle/high school and renovation of the intermediate school to house preschool-sixth grade.
The plan includes demolishing the high, middle, elementary and primary schools (East and West schools) and the education complex (fieldhouse).
Board members on Monday night also passed a resolution asking that the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission establish a new scope, cost and local share requirement for a building project through its Classroom Facilities Assistance Program.
They had passed a similar resolution in November but have since learned building costs as set by OFCC had been expected to rise 11% as of this month and potentially another 5% in April due to inflation, officials said. Also, the district's equity rank has changed, reducing its local share of a building project, effective July, from 54% to 51%, according to newly elected board president Craig Flack.
For the project to reflect the updated figures, board members on Monday night rescinded previous requests to the OFCC and asked it to establish a new scope, basic cost and local share requirement.
A full master plan project with a 51% local share is estimated at $75.6 million, including $22.8 million in locally funded initiatives, according to a Garman/Miller presentation. That likely would necessitate a 37-year bond at 7.5 mills.
More details are likely to be released Jan. 21.
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ST. HENRY - School board members learned at Monday's meeting that students will continue to receive free meals through the end of the school year.
The Seamless Summer Option was extended beyond its Dec. 31 deadline, superintendent Julie Garke said after the meeting. [More]
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ST. MARYS - Mayor Patrick McGowan, in his annual report, outlined the past year's major accomplishments and provided a list of goals for 2021.
A 69
MINSTER - A permanent improvement levy is up for renewal this year, and Minster board of education members will discuss at an upcoming work session whether to renew or replace the levy.
MARIA STEIN - Treasurer Heather Cramer told Marion Local school board members on Monday night that the value of property within the district has increased 5.5% to $132,074,680.
Gatherings at holidays cited
WAPAKONETA - Auglaize County Health Department officials are warning of a post-holiday rise in the number of COVID-19 cases as 54 new cases reported over the weekend raised the county's cumulative number of confirmed cases to 3,034.
CELINA - City council members on Monday night gave second reading to legislation that would authorize using city revolving loan funds to finance the demolition of a blighted private building, clearing the way for the expansion of a retirement village.
COLDWATER - A Coldwater man arrested on Friday faces 10 felony charges for reported sexual conduct with a preteen girl.
Richard W. Holtzapple, 60,
NEW BREMEN - Don Kuck who had served as village council president since 2003 declined the nomination last night and recommended Jacob Larger to lead the council.
ST. HENRY - Village council members met briefly on Monday night and discussed the events of 2020 and plans for 2021.
Mayor Steve Koesters first rem
WAPAKONETA - Emily Kramer has been hired as a special programs technician at the Auglaize County Soil and Water Conservation District.
According to
COLDWATER - Mayor Doug Bertke thanked residents who had served on village boards and committees at the first council meeting of the year on Monday.
Jon Winner was recognized for eight years of service on the park board and Travis Gerlach for 13 years of service with the Coldwater Fire Department.