By Kim Gasuras

The administration of Wynford School District is working to save tax payers money.

The district’s board of education voted during their regular meeting Wednesday evening to refinance bonds sold in 1999 for the construction of the elementary school building. The bonds will be re-issued at a lower interest rate and the savings to tax payers will be about $126,000, or .15 mills, based on property values beginning in 2019.

This is the second time the Wynford Board has refinanced the elementary school bonds with the first time being in 2008. According to treasurer Leesa Smith, taxpayers were saved a little over $117,000 at that point.

“As the elected representatives of the residents of the Wynford district, we take very seriously our job of managing the public’s money,” said board president Debbi Gifford. “The people of the Wynford community are fortunate to have a dedicated administrative team that informs board members of every opportunity to stretch the hard-earned dollars of the taxpayers who fund the school.”

This move by the board comes at a time when the board is also asking for voter approval of a building project.

“If the new bond issue is approved, we will be watching to save those dollars too,” Gifford said of the building project that will include the renovation of existing facilities and new construction.

“I’m very impressed with the level of understanding this board has of school finances,” said Superintendent Fred Fox. “Their commitment to finding ways to save money, even as they ask for the approval of the bond issue in November, should not be taken lightly.”

The board also approved several old and new business items after recognizing Jeff Knedler of Hempy Water near Forest in Wyandot County.

Fox said Knedler and his company provided water to the school district during the city-wide boil advisory, along with the Colonel Crawford School District. Bucyrus City Schools were also affected by the advisory.

“He provided us with water and gave us a great deal,” said Fox.

Elementary principal Jeff Holbrook said Hempy Water turned a bad situation into a good thing.

“We do not capitalize when a hospital, school, or nursing home need water,” said Knedler.