The West Liberty-Salem School Board conducted a special meeting to discuss a proposed levy Tuesday.
The board passed a resolution authorizing treasurer Steve Godwin to submit the levy to the Logan County Board of Elections before July 31st. The resolution of necessity was passed on July 17th and was recently certified by the Champaign County Auditor.
The levy will allow for the issuance of bonds for an Ohio School Facilities Commission project. The project would allow the district to renovate, improve, and construct additions to the campus.
The levy for the project will be 7.05 mills, totaling $14.5 million. The levy will affect the district for up to 27 years. An additional property tax will generate 0.5 mills.
After the meeting, Superintendent Kraig Hissong explained the next step in the levy process. By the end of August, an organizational meeting with community members will be held to start formulating a strategy. The strategy will develop a way to communicate with the public to inform them on what they will be voting on, the benefits to the district, and what it will cost them.
The board approved an agreement with SMS pro TECH to improve the school's Internet and wireless connections. The school will pay SMS $38,252.38 for their services. SMS will upgrade the current wireless infrastructure to support more wireless devices. In the future, the district hopes to have a one-to-one ratio for students and technology devices.
Hissong talks about the levy and the technology agreement.
Three full-time bus driver positions were filled following two retirements and one resignation recently. The district promoted one part-time driver and hired two new drivers. The drivers are Julia Smith, Jim Smith, and Crista Shoemaker.
The West Liberty-Salem Board of Education will meet again on August 21st at 7 pm in Modular #10.
