Bellefontaine City Schools Board of Education members elected officers for the year during their first meeting of 2023 Monday night, followed by a regular monthly meeting, during the board discussed a tax abatement relating to a hotel project on the city’s north side.
Colin Yoder was elected board president during the organizational meeting. Yoder succeeds Brenda Sanford. She led the board the last two years.
Mark Fissel was elected board vice president.
Logan County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Ben Vollrath addressed the board relating to the hotel project. He said a group of investors is seeking a tax abatement to build an 80-bed Cobblestone Hotel next to Mary Rutan Health Center near U.S. Route 33 at 5120 Dowell Ave. The land is owned by Mary Rutan Hospital.
Vollrath explained the benefits of a Community Reinvestment Area.
He said the hotel would generate Bed Tax dollars and boost restaurant and retail sales in Bellefontaine.The proposal calls for a 100-percent tax abatement for 15 years.
In lieu of a tax payment, the investors would give approximately $10,500 to BCS per year during the abatement. Currently, the property taxes on this lot generate $3,900 per year to the school district.
After much discussion, the board approved the tax abatement.
Bellefontaine City Council will consider the abatement during their Jan. 24 meeting.
The investors would like to break ground this spring. A 54-bed Cobblestone Hotel opened in Urbana in 2020.
January is also School Board Appreciation Month. BCS Superintendent Brad Hall thanked the board members for their leadership and commitment.
Each board member was given a gift basket, cookies, and Marie’s Candies for their service.
In personnel matters, the board accepted the resignations of fourth-grade teacher Vanessa Bumgardner, effective May 26, and guidance secretary Barb Triplett, who will be retiring June 30.
The board approved their meeting schedule for 2023, with a change to the second Monday of each month (with some exceptions).
Board meetings are slated for: Feb. 13, March 13, April 17, May 8, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 13, and Dec. 11.
Each monthly meeting will be conducted in the Bellefontaine High School Distance Learning Center at 6:30 p.m.
In other action durning the organizational and regular meetings, the board:
• approved Jacob Watkins as a second-shift custodian at Bellefontaine Elementary School; and Benjamin Manbevers as a substitute custodian;
• extended supplemental contracts to Russ Hogue, varsity baseball; and Josh Wallace and Aaron Kean, assistant baseball coaches;
• approved Mike Mosbarger as a volunteer baseball coach;
• approved the job description of a bus/van aide;
• appointed Karen Wilson as the Ohio School Boards Association delegate for 2023, and Brenda Sanford was appointed the OSBA alternate for this year.
• designated the Bellefontaine Examiner and WPKO Radio as the official media outlets of the school district.
The next board meeting is 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Distance Learning Center.
