By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Ohio’s siphoning of funds from public education is only adding to the property tax crisis in the state, according to Bowling Green Board of Education President Ardy Gonyer. More than $1 billion a year of taxpayer money is spent funding private schools – requiring public schools to seek more funding through property taxes, he said.
With the district’s new high school under construction outside the board meeting, Gonyer opened Tuesday’s meeting by talking about district milestones, like the spring musical, National Honor Society induction, and beginning of the elementary building study process.
But the excitement of those events is being shadowed by the threat of funding losses for public education in Ohio, Gonyer said.
“Meanwhile, in the state of Ohio, our legislators continue to assault public education,” he said. “They are passing legislation aimed at further intertwining religious education with public education through House Bill 486. They have introduced legislation that would all but prevent those who are undocumented from attending K-12 schools.”
This is all taking place, while public education is continuing to fight for equal funding from the state. The lawsuit against the state over school vouchers has a court date in May.
“Meanwhile, schools are forced to rely heavily on local funding, which includes property tax,” he said. “Property taxes, like everything, continue to rise, costing taxpayers even more of their hard-earned dollars, which has led some to advocate for the removal of property tax completely.”
That would be a disaster, for many reasons, Gonyer said.
In addition to stripping a primary source of school funding, the loss of property tax revenue would be devastating to parks, senior citizen services, boards of developmental disabilities, mental health and substance abuse services, fire, police and townships, he explained.
While Gonyer said he agrees there is a need for property tax reform, he also said Ohio must look at the causes behind the rise in property taxes.
“Ohio lawmakers in Columbus continue to take tax money, and funnel it away from public schools to private schools, thus creating a catastrophe of their own doing when it comes to property taxes,” he said. “Instead of fixing the root cause of the issue, they then introduce legislation that even further limits how public schools can be funded through this means.”
Gonyer took the opportunity to invite district residents to attend an event focused on “The future of property taxes: Understanding the impact of Northwest Ohio public services.” The discussion will be held Wednesday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m., at Penta Career Center.
In other business at Tuesday’s board meeting, Superintendent Ted Haselman mentioned that spring is hiring season for schools. Being “good stewards” of taxpayer money, Haselman said the district examines the need to fill openings each year. In the last two years, the district was able to slightly reduce staff through attrition.
The board voted to accept the recommendations to hire five new teachers:
- Malena Coleman, middle school English language arts.
- Addisyn Fields, high school science.
- Emily Mason, Crim Elementary intervention specialist.
- Serena Rable, middle school English language arts.
- Oliver Soper, high school mathematics.
The new teachers are “definitely the cream of the crop,” Haselman said. “I am extremely impressed with them.”
The new staff members are “adding to the quality staff we have,” he said.
Seven other teachers were approved for continuing contacts:
- Kaitlyn Cenci, Crim Elementary intervention specialist.
- Mara Connor, Crim first grade.
- Kenneth Hale, high school computer science.
- Robyn Lewis, Kenwood Elementary kindergarten.
- Carrie Moyer, Kenwood first grade.
- Laura Reyes, middle school world language.
- Amber Ruemmele, Crim first grade.
Haselman also reported that this is Public School Volunteer Week. He noted the valuable contributions of the more than 250 district volunteers who help in areas such as the library, as coaches, mentors, tutors, and serve on PTO and booster groups.
Also at the meeting, the board:
- Heard Treasurer Matt Feasel report that the district has received all its real estate taxes, and a delinquency payment from Rover Pipeline.
- Learned from Haselman that the new high school project is moving along, with concrete floors being poured, and roofing and exterior sheeting to be added soon. It remains “on budget and on time.”
- Accepted donations from community residents and businesses totaling $5,865.
- Approved lease renewals for two of the four modular classrooms the district uses.
- Approved the request for a student trip for high school and middle school students to travel to Iceland in June of 2028. The costs will be paid by the students.
