VWCS board OKs Elmco tax abatement

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert City Board of Education heard a request from Van Wert Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming to move the annual Fourth of July fireworks display to school property, while also accepting an Enterprise Zone agreement for an Elmco Engineering facility project and hearing a presentation on Van Wert Elementary School’s student fitness programs.

Fleming said the city must find a new site for the annual fireworks display because the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prohibited fireworks at the current site: Van Wert County Regional Airport. Fleming requested that the fireworks display held on school property in an area near the district’s track and field complex. Fleming and City Parks and Recreation Director Sue Heppeard noted that safety would be maintained at the school site, which would be under the jurisdiction of Van Wert Fire Chief Jim Steele, while adding that school property offered significantly more parking for spectators than the airport and adjacent Smiley Park.

Superintendent Ken Amstutz and board members seemed to favor the idea of using school property for the fireworks display, but the board postponed a decision on the request until more study could be done.

School board members also heard a presentation from physical education teacher Betty Holliday on the Van Wert Elementary School wellness programs, as well as a jump rope demonstration by the school’s Jumpin’ Jammers.

The board also unanimously approved an Enterprise Zone agreement with Elmco Engineering that would provide 90 percent abatement for 10 years, although some board members said they would like to see less tax abatement and more revenues for the school district.

Amstutz said the project, which is expected to create at least 10 new jobs, would be a positive for the school district, as well as the community as a whole.

VWHS teacher Chuck Rollins was also on hand to talk about an opportunity he and math teacher George Scott had to testify before the Ohio Senate Education Committee on the subject of school testing (see story below).

Also Wednesday, the board took a number of personnel actions, including accepting the resignation of Kristi Bell, elementary school computer lab instructor, effective March 31. Head swimming coach Kim Clifton and assistant coach Martha Martin also resigned their supplemental contract positions, while Kate Finlayson also resigned her supplemental position as Van Wert Middle School fall cheerleading coach.

The board also approved the purchase of two 84-passenger Blue Bird buses.

The board also accepted the following donations: $250 from Van Wert Service Club, $600 from Valam Hospitality (Comfort Inn) and $1,000 from Federal-Mogul Corporation for the high school robotics club; and $125 from Timothy and Kari Stoller for the Van Wert City Schools Educators Fund.

The next meeting of the Van Wert City Board of Education will be at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in the First Federal Lecture Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.