Revenue to increase for NB schools

NEW BREMEN —  Last month in her five-year forecast for New Bremen Schools, Treasurer Jill Ahlers discussed the revenue streams for the district, with the biggest one being real estate.

Wednesday night at the board of education meeting, Ahlers said the district will be looking at a 20% increase in real estate valuations for next year.

Ahlers said Auglaize County Auditor Janet Schuler informed her that the Ohio Department of Taxation was directing all coun

ty auditors to look at the current market and past year’s sales.

“It’s astronomical how much things have increased,” said Ahlers. “They are pushing them and telling them they need to increase valuations based on sales.”

Typically — this is an update year, not a full reappraisal year — so we normally don’t see this type of increase, normally it’s maybe 3 to 5%.”

Superintendent Jason Schrader noted that the increase is not because of the new building, but inflation.

“This would have happened regardless,” said Ahlers. “And it is statewide. The majority of counties have gone up quite a bit.”

Earlier in the meeting, during his report, 7-12 Principal Marcus Overman remarked that this week, grades 7 through 12 do not have any students out due to quarantine.

“I’ve been in every teacher’s classroom several times. There’s good things that I’m seeing in the classroom by students and staff,” he said. “Students are wearing their masks, teachers are having good lessons and trying to have as safe as lesson as possible. Everything seems to be going well.”

Overman said the school is partnering with Auglaize County Solid Waste and they will begin recycling paper, plastic and tin cans after the holiday break.

The county is providing containers and will pick up the items free of charge.

As far as students who are

learning remotely, Overman stated that a few of the students that began the school year learning virtually will be going back to in-person schooling for the next semester.

K- 6 Principal Diane Kramer noted that the elementary went from six students down to five who were doing remote learning to begin the first semester.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the addition of a tutor/permanent substitute teacher using CARES Act money.

• Approved various treasurer’s recommendations including the establishment of an activity account for bowling camp and coaches; establishing a fund for CARES Act money received from the village and increasing appropriations for three different funds.