JERRY CITY — A committee is being formed to support Elmwood School District’s income tax issues up for
renewal in November.
Jim Hammer, a district resident who lives near Wayne, volunteered to serve as co-chair on the Citizens
for Elmwood Committee along with John Benschoter. Eric Reynolds will serve as treasurer.
Hammer told Elmwood’s Board of Education at its Sept. 14 meeting that members of the committee “strongly
support” the decision to place the renewals on the ballot and that the committee would attempt to inform
the public about the initiatives. The committee would invite feedback from the district, he said.
“We want this to be done the right way,” he said.
The board of education approved resolutions in August, with board member Matt Reynolds dissenting, to
proceed with submitting the renewal of 0.5-percent and a 0.75-percent income taxes to residents in the
district. The proposed levies are an extension of the existing revenue stream that began when these two
tax issues were passed at the same rate 10 years ago.
The district would continue to collect $635,000 from the 0.5-mill levy and $952,000 from the 0.75-mill
issue.
In response to a question from Reynolds, Superintendent Steve Pritts said district officials have held
meetings so far with community financial planners and district mayors about the tax issues. He said the
district plans to hold another meeting in the future with township trustees.
Reynolds said he would support hosting an open town hall meeting that would allow the public to hear and
ask questions about the renewals.
The board also approved an expenditure of $17,832 for a new middle school Science Technology Engineering
and Math (STEM) course. Eric Poffenbaugh, technology education specialist, told the board that approved
monies would be used to purchase 26 computers with software to support the curriculum.
“The program is designed to help reinforce what the students are learning in their science and math
classes by using what we’re doing in tech ed,” he said. “So it is a very hands on-based program.”
He said the course could be implemented in the high school next year. And, eventually, there may be an
opportunity for the district to partner with Owens Community College and the University of Toledo to
help Elmwood students receive college credit for engineer courses while in high school.
In other action, the board:
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entered executive session for about 40 minutes to discuss personnel.
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accepted resignations from Stacey Rader, elementary aide, and Tina Border, middle school attendant.
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hired for classified positions on one-year limited contracts, with board member David Knisely abstaining:
Antony Knisely, elementary aide; Shelley Gonyer, middle school attendant; Cynthia Althaus, bus driver.

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heard from Nicholas Wenzel, curriculum coordinator, that the district had a higher performance index
rating on its state report card but rated lower than “excellent” districts based on a variety of
factors. He noted, for example, that the district — which was rated “effective” this year — was only in
its first year of growth, while two years of growth will allow districts to move up a rating.
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heard from Terri Knisely, community center director, that enrollment in the center’s fitness room has
tripled since last year.
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voted to join the Northern Buckeye Conference, beginning with the 2011-12 year.
As previously reported, the district had declared its intention to join the league after the Midland
Athletic League denied acceptance for Elmwood and Gibsonburg. The district will join five teams from the
Suburban Lakes League as well as Rossford and Fostoria.
Pritts said after the meeting that Elmwood had initially applied to the MAL because “we wanted to have
options.”