By James Massara

BUCYRUS – The Wynford Board of Education met for the first time in 2018 on Jan. 10, but no new faces sat at the tables.

Debbi Gifford, Steve Crall, Fred Hendricks and Tom Kalb all were sworn in for their new terms, as Gifford and Crall retained their positions as board president and vice president.

During the meeting, the board passed two resolutions to put two renewal levies on the spring election ballot.

The first is an operation levy to over expenses not exceeding 6.9 mills for every $1 of valuation for three years.

The second is an emergency costs levy, which will provide $350,000 during three years.

Wynford Superintendent Fred Fox previously said the taxes are not new money, and the figures were included during the levy campaign for a new school during the fall election.

The board then heard from Sylvia Gillis and Desmond Cullimore of Bricker and Eckler on options of how to proceed in hiring the various positions needed to build a new school. After the informational presentation, no decision was made.

Members of the Wynford school board stand with fellow members who represent First Federal Community Bank who accepted an award for a donation toward a new school sign.

To begin the meeting, two Partners in Education of the Wynford Schools awards were given. The awards are given to organizations or individuals who make noticeable contributions of time or money to the district.

During the January meeting, First Federal Community Bank was recognized for their partnership with Wynford graduate Jack Reed in the purchasing and installation of the new sign in front of the school.

Members of Wynford Local Schools stand with Tim Hicks (center) of Timken. Timken donated $20,000 toward new lights in the school auditorium.

The Timken Company also was recognized. Timken donated $20,000 to the fine arts department for new lights in the school auditorium. Wynford eighth-grade math teacher Brandon Buck, who also assists with the fine arts department, said the original goal was to buy a new board for the equipment, but the Timken donation allowed for the purchase of the new lights.

The board also approved the purchase of a new school bus for $90,891. Fox said that is the sixth new bus in three years and in four more years an entire new bus fleet should be purchased. Fox said the busses are important to the school district as zero percent of students walk to school, so transportation must be available.

The board’s next meeting Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 5:30 p.m.