NORTH ROBINSON, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The Colonel Crawford board meeting on Thursday focused on ongoing facility upgrades, summer projects, and district financial planning.
The district is expediting a major HVAC overhaul, adding an extra phase this summer to cover the Pre‑K wing, offices, and library. Originally expected to take four years, the project is ahead of schedule.
New communication wiring for the comms system is set to begin on July 20. The new system is designed to be more user‑friendly and energy‑efficient than the previous setup.
A major roofing project on the building’s flat section has been completed. The new white roof replaces a 2005 installation that was only anticipated to last approximately ten years. The new roof is expected to provide additional energy savings for the district.
The board approved an agreement with Sports Safe Testing Services Inc. of Powell, Ohio, not to exceed $12,000 for random drug testing for student drivers, athletes, and marching band members in grades 7–12.
The bus parking lot will be resurfaced by Bucyrus Road Materials at a cost of $59,550.
Financially, the district is preparing for property tax fluctuations following a retroactive 2024 reappraisal. Many residents will see an immediate deduction; rates are expected to adjust again in January. Treasurer David Sheldon is preparing for the fiscal year closing on June 30, and the district is preparing the August forecast to account for these shifts.
Superintendent Mike Voll discussed several improvements made across the district using roughly $53,000 in grant funding, including upgrading buses with brighter LED lighting and new illuminated signage for better visibility in darkness, installing new intercoms with flashing blue lights in high‑traffic areas such as the gym and cafeteria to ensure announcements are seen and heard, continuing the Raptor entrance ID system, and adding fencing in the ag area to protect students during the school day and secure equipment stored outside.
To avoid a conflict with the Crawford County Fair, the next board meeting has been moved to July 27 at 7 p.m.