Commissioners learn about future plans for Tiffin City School district
[Tiffin, OH Oct. 31, 2019] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners received an update from Tiffin City Schools Superintendent Gary Barber Thursday morning about the future of the school district.
Barber said he had just returned from the Jobs for the Future workforce development conference at Harvard. He said he looks forward to collaborating with the city, the county and other entities to help prepare young students with the skills they need to succeed in an ever-changing workforce.
Barber said the district is working with the state to consolidate buildings to become safer and more efficient. He said property was recently purchased off SR 231 that could become the site to a new Pre-K-6th grade building. A more long-term plan is to upgrade the Tiffin Middle School to serve 7th-12th grade students. Tiffin Columbian High School would then be converted into a performing arts center with an auditorium and alternative gymnasium.
He said under this plan, the current elementary school buildings would be demolished, and the land could be sold and turned into residential lots.
Barber said a levy to help fund these future upgrades is on the ballot in March. He said about 70 percent of funding is to be covered by the state, and that it’s unlikely the district will ever get a larger share of funding from the state for this project.
The levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $193 per year. Starting in 2023, the TMS levy will expire, reducing that same homeowner’s property tax burden by $73 annually.
In other business, the commissioners learned that the annual Veteran of the Year Dinner is to be Nov. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Also during the meeting, the board approved a $77,790.31 bid from Great Lakes Community Action Partnership for the 801 Kirk St. property in Fostoria. The property was owned by the Seneca County Opportunity Center. It houses the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (formerly WSOS), the Head Start program and other services.
During the session, the board approved:
* A $600 supplemental appropriation to the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program Fund for training.
* A $24,855 supplemental appropriation to the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program Fund for salaries and contract services.
* A $36,464.57 fund transfer to the Public Assistance Fund.
* A $70,127.31 fund transfer to the Public Assistance Fund.
* A $57,518.29 fund transfer to the Public Assistance Fund.