MILLBURY – Feeling that it’s never too soon to try to renew a levy, the Lake Board of Education is acting
now on operating money that expires Dec. 31, 2015.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the board took the first step in getting the 6.75-mill levy on the Nov. 4 ballot
by asking the county auditor to certify the total current tax valuation of the school district and the
dollar amounts that would be generated by the levy’s renewal.
"We’d like to try and get it done and out of the way," said board president Tim Krugh.
He added that the board will also probably vote to try for a continuing levy, so it does not have to be
renewed every few years.
"So we don’t have to deal with the expense and time and effort to get it renewed," Krugh said.
Treasurer Jeff Carpenter said the board has made a concerted effort over the last few years to make all
of its operating levies continuing.
"Three years, man, that just comes so quickly," he said.
Lake voters first passed the 6.75-mill, three-year levy in August 2012. It generates $1.47 annually and
costs the owner of a $100,000 home $17 a month.
Before it was passed, voters had rejected a 4.75-mill request twice in 2011. The board, facing a $1.1
million deficit, cut 43 positions and the all-day, everyday kindergarten program. Walbridge Elementary
was also closed and sold.
"If we hadn’t passed that levy when we did, we would have had to make more cuts," Carpenter
said.
Krugh said the need for the money is still there.
"This is just to keep things going as they’re going," he said, adding that no new programs,
such as restoring the popular all-day, everyday kindergarten, will be added.
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Gave three-year contracts to three administrators who were new to their positions this academic year:
Melissa Dimmerling, Brian Cannon and Katie Beard. Dimmerling and Cannon were hired in June. Dimmerling
is director of curriculum/special education/special projects and earns $60,439. Cannon is dean of
students at Lake Elementary and makes $57,000 annually. Beard was hired in August as assistant
principal, when Dolores Swineford resigned, and is paid $53,000 annually.
• Hired Wes Bartlett as technology coordinator for $60,000 a year on a two-year contract. He is replacing
Donna Zalar, who is leaving the area.
• Approved limiting the "pick up" amount to 12 percent of administrators’ contributions to the
State Teacher’s Retirement System. It is currently scheduled to increase 14 percent by 2017. "I
think this is a real good, solid, fair solution for everyone involved," Carpenter said. He said he
surveyed other school districts and only one left it at 10 percent. Lake should increase the "pick
up," he said, to stay competitive.
• Recognized Kailyn Amonette, Ashley Greene and Delaney Fisher, who earned "best in show"
honors in the Five-County Art Show last month in Oak Harbor. Teacher Lisa Bookenberger said of the 50
pieces submitted by Lake students, 45 got ribbons, and out of the four best in show, Lake had three.
• Recognized Aedan Adler and Caleb Gibson, who earned superior ratings at the state science fair.
• Approved donations of yearbooks from Sue Hamen, and $5,000 from Ayers Wealth Management, $250 from
Steve Delventhal, $200 from James Bunke and $100 from Frank Mihalik, all toward a shooting machine.
• Went into an executive session to discuss employee compensation.
