Two guests spoke at a recent Paulding Exempted Village Schools Board of Education meeting. Tim Copsey, Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) director, and Mark Holtsberry, a Paulding County Commissioner both spoke to the board.

Copsey spoke to the school board to request permission to pursue the creation of the Emerald Township Community Reinvestment Agreement (CRA) area that would extend from the US 127/US 24 interchange north along both sides of US 127 to north of the Vagabond Village area. Once Copsey gets permission to move forward, the proposal will go to the state for approval of the CRA area. After state approval, any business wanting to utilize the CRA for an abatement would need to address the school board for approval of an individual agreement. This is similar to a CRA that was completed in the village of Oakwood.

Copsey also provided updates on several development projects currently happening in the school district. First, he spoke about the Dollar General proposal that has since been approved by Paulding Village Council. He also brought up the transload facility Pioneer Lines is interested in locating in the county. Copsey updated the project’s status, stating that enough customers have committed that the railroad is evaluating several properties in the county to host the facility.

Holtsberry continued to address his concerns about several history textbooks he felt disrespected World War II veterans, and he wanted to ensure that they weren’t being used in Paulding’s schools. He also spoke reverently of the sacrifices made by Paulding County World War II veterans. (Editor’s note: Please see the Paulding Progress’ coverage of the Wayne Trace school board for more information on his speech. Because of the similarity in his remarks to each board, we edited them for space).

District treasurer Kim Sprague announced that first PILOT payments from the windfarms arrived. They totaled $70,000. However, companies have the option of paying all at once or paying semi-annually and some chose to do that. According to Sprague, the district can expect around $100,000 for the whole year from the PILOTs.

The school board also passed the following consent items:

• Approved a list of graduates for the class of 2022. The names are recommended for graduation, pending completion of the final requirements

• Approved sending three students and an advisor to the State Public Speaking and Ohio Youth Capital Challenge in Marysville on March 4-5. The cost was $75 per student and was paid for by FFA Alumni

• Approved sending 4 students and an advisor to the State Ag Sales Contest in Marysville on March 13-14. The cost was $100 per student and was paid for by FFA Alumni

• Approved a one-year limited extra-curricular contract for Sydney Collins, head volleyball coach, for the 2022-23 year

• Approved a one-year limited extra-curricular contract for Jeremy Thompson, head cross country coach, for the 2022-23 year

• Accepted the resignation of Brittany Newsome, PES 6-hour cook, effective March 8. She has served the district for 3.5 years

• Accepted the resignation of Sarah Heller, high school 2nd shift custodian, effective March 10

• Approved the following extended service contracts: John Kennedy, Industrial Tech, 10 days; and Maddie Reinhardt, Guidance, 5 days (additional)

• Rescinded the following one-year extracurricular supplemental contract that was approved at the May 18, 2021, regular board meeting for Garrett Stoller, weight room coordinator

• Approved a one-year limited extra-curricular supplemental contract for the 2021-22 school year for Brian Miller, volunteer JV baseball coach, pending records

• Approved the following one-year limited extra-curricular supplemental contract for the 2022-23 school year for Jennifer Deitz, varsity cheerleader advisor (football), pending records

The board went into executive session, but it took no action. The next Paulding Exempted Schools Board of Education meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 19, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at Oakwood Elementary.