LEWISBURG — The Village of Lewisburg held its annual State of the Village event on Tuesday, Sept. 8, inside the community center.
The meeting contained reports from County Commissioner Chris Day, Tri-County North Superintendent Bill Derringer, and a closing speech by Mayor Pat Putnam.
Day opened up with a report on the economic development of the village. He recently attended a budget overview in Columbus, where it was reported that local government will not see any more cuts for the next two years from the state. He also mentioned that the casino taxes have continued to decline and, while there was no estimate provided; cities and villages are not expected to see money from that tax.
He also said the village is potentially eligible to receive land banks as there is no longer a population requirement from the state.
He closed with a report on the upcoming elections, saying that the tablets used for voting have been paid for and that the February special elections have been eliminated. Absentee ballots will also now be handled by the Secretary of State’s Office, which will also save the village money.
Derringer was then invited up to the podium to present a report from the school district.
There were plenty of changes this year in terms of state testing. The Ohio Department of Education was prohibited from using funds to purchase PARCC tests; therefore the state is no longer using it for testing.
They have also reduced the testing window for students, and have stated that they want to provide results within 45 days of testing.
The third through eighth graders will be required to take a test on English, Language Arts, and math. The fourth through sixth grade students will also take a test in social studies while the fifth through eighth graders will also be required to test in science.
The class of 2018 and beyond, at the high school level, will be tested in seven areas – English and Language Arts I and II, algebra, geometry or integrated math, biology or physical science, American history, and American government.
It will serve as an end of course exam and there will no longer be an Ohio graduation test.
This year’s junior and senior class, however, will be required to pass the Ohio graduation test.
There is also a new law implemented that puts in safe harbor and will do away with letter grades for the next three years.
Derringer went on to say, currently the school is at status quo.
In-house, they have also purchased a new school bus and have renovated a classroom to serve as an online computer lab. This is to keep students in house instead of sending them to an alternative school in Dayton.
Putnam closed out the meeting by thanking the village council for their hard work and dedication they have shown.
He highlighted some positive points from the last year, such as the institution of the water spray park.
In closing, he addressed the proposed income tax increase from 1.5 percent to 1.75 percent, which is the first increase for the village in 30 years.
“To ensure adequate maintenance of our parks and facilities, the time has come to ask for the increase,” he said.
Village officials will hold an informational meeting for the community in the coming weeks.
Todd Appledorn, the president of Lewisburg Chamber of Commerce, also presented the business of the year award to Ace Hardware.
