NORTH ROBINSON, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW) — Treasurer David Sheldon updated the board on the highly concerning House bills currently sitting in Columbus, set to be voted on by Governor Mike DeWine on June 30.
Previously discussed in May, House Bill 96 is a significant threat to Ohio schools’ financial stability.
In the House’s proposal, if a district has a cash balance of 30% or more, the state will take voting millage away. In the Senate’s version, the threshold is raised to 50%. Both proposals could have disastrous impacts on districts.
More recently, House Bill 335 has been introduced. This property tax reform bill would eliminate all outside millage not only from schools but from police and fire departments as well.
If HB 335 passes, Colonel Crawford would lose $1.2 million each year. The Ohio Education Association spoke in Columbus, stating that 20,000 teachers could be without jobs, and schools statewide would lose approximately $2 billion due to districts losing that much funding.
HB 335 offers no plan to replace the lost revenue and prevents districts from proposing new emergency or substitute levies, which are tools often used to stabilize budgets and respond to changing needs.
Districts would be encouraged to create income taxes or city sales taxes.
If this passes, it would be the “most disastrous ever in public education,” and would result in larger class sizes, fewer programs, and diminished educational quality in Ohio.
After many years in education, elementary principal Cindy Voss was honored ahead of her retirement from the district with a rocking chair and a floral arrangement.
Superintendent Mike Voll thanked her, stating, “We want to thank you, you have been a tremendous leader while you have been here. You have been compassionate, you’ve been committed. You’ve shaped our elementary school into what it is today. Your legacy is of kindness, excellence, and most importantly, being student-centered.”
“I think I am going to hear Cindy’s voice over and over in my head saying, ‘We do that because it is best for kids,’ and that is what she used over and over and over and that is what guided her is, ‘I don’t care if everybody doesn’t like it, that’s what’s best for kids and that’s why we do it,’” middle school principal April Bond said.
Ashley Pirnstill was approved as the new high school secretary, following the retirement of former secretary Sherry Stuckman.
The board approved an agreement with the Northern Buckeye Education Council for online learning services and a credit recovery program for the upcoming school year.
AVITA Health System was approved to provide athletic training services for the 2025–2026 school year.
Paulin Sealcoating, LLC, was approved to refinish the district’s parking lots and driveways, including crack filling.
Damschroeder Roofing Inc. was approved to refurbish the ticket booth at the stadium.
A contract with Skaggs Family Farm LLC was approved for painting the North Gym, including the black section.
River Run Solutions will be removing the fencing in front of the stadium and the middle tower on the home side.
The front entrance and sidewalk in the north lot of the North Building will be redone by Sloan Concrete.
Sports Safe Testing Inc., of Powell, Ohio, will once again provide random drug testing for all students who drive to school and all student-athletes in grades 7–12.
The next board meeting is scheduled for July 21 at 7 p.m.