In a move that will greatly benefit them financially, the Benjamin Logan Local School District board of education passed a resolution at their meeting this week to pay off their permanent improvement (PI) loan two years early.
The action — which requires transferring $716,495.99 from fund 003 to fund 002 — will take care of their Huntington loan. This will also save the school $22,850 in interest.
According to John Scheu, school superintendent, “anything with a shelf life of five years or more is considered a PI expenditure.” This includes buses, computers, roof repairs, and door and window replacements.
For several years, the district had to draw money from the general fund for these improvements. With this payment, they can address yearly PIs as it will free up approximately $650,000 in the necessary funds.
In more financial good news, Scheu announced the district ended fiscal year 2025 in the black with a carryover balance for the first time in more than a decade. He stated it’s a “positive outcome made possible by living within our means.”
Treasurer’s report
After accepting the October 2025 bank reconciliation, financial reports and all bills, the board approved the following financial items:
- A Mary Rutan Foundation Wellness Grant of $700 for Samantha Gessler.
- The donation of the remaining funds from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2027 ($1,000.04) and to the Class of 2029 ($370).
- An adjustment to the budget/purpose statement for the STEM Robotics Club student activity.
Personnel
The board approved the following as submitted by the superintendent:
- Resignations of Alecia Myers, teacher, effective May 27, 2026, for retirement after 38 years at BL at the end of the school year; and Caitlynn Wickline, bus driver, effective Nov. 2, for personal reasons.
- Deduct days for Caitlynn Wickline.
- Employment of Richard (Allen) Campbell, bus driver.
- ESC substitute list for the 2025-2025 school year at a rate of $130 per day.
- Non-athletic supplemental contracts to Joanne Rader and Erica Caudill, Builders Club advisors, middle school (MS) half contract, and Gretchen Powell, MS yearbook advisor.
- Athletic supplemental contract to Alison Spriggs, football varsity cheer coach.
Other action:
- Josey Queen and Elliot Carpenter were named November Seniors of the Month.
- The board approved an overnight trip to Carrollton for FFA Camp, June 1-5, 2026.
- Contributions accepted included several for the high school STEM/Robotics Club: Quest Federal Credit Union ($250), All About Landscaping ($250), Middlefield Banking Company ($100), Steve Austin’s Auto Group ($100), Ohio Lumber Brick and Block ($500). Other accepted contributions were $1,000 from Belle Center United Presbyterian Church for the Raider Care Program, $100 from an anonymous donor for student lunches, and an iPad mini valued at $350 from Kristy Daniels for the MS cheer program.
- Valerie Kerns, indoor track coach; Jeff Coaty, MS boys basketball coach; and Teri Masters, HS girls basketball coach were approved as volunteers.
- The board adjourned to executive session and, upon returning, stated they would officially appoint board member Deron King to fill the remaining two years of his term at the organizational meeting on Jan. 12, 2026.
The next BL district board of education meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15.
