Bellefontaine City Schools Board of Education members received a tour and hands-on experiences at the new Bellefontaine Elementary School preschool during their Monday evening meeting.
Preschool teachers Lauren Burkhardt and Bri Hughes led the presentation. Several preschool students also talked with board members and showed them some of the interactive play stations in their classroom.
The new program has been a huge success, school officials said. A total of 64 students ages 3-5 attend the preschool at BES, which opened in the fall.
More than 70 students are being screened this week as part of the enrollment process for the next school year.
The preschool is looking to add an outdoor learning environment in the courtyard at BES.
The new space will include a toy post office, diner, donut shop, farm and more for students to enjoy hands-on learning. This new feature should be complete by the fall of 2024.
Following the preschool tour, board members finished the meeting in the BES library.
In other news, the board got their first look at the school calendars for 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Both calendars are similar to this school year. Classes will start after Labor Day and conclude by Memorial Day.
The board is expected to approve the calendars at the April board meeting.
Bellefontaine Mayor Ben Stahler shared some positive financial news, presenting a check for more than $77,000 to BCS. The funds are thanks to a program the city established several years ago.
Beginning in 2010, the City of Bellefontaine began the implementation of several Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Districts covering various parcels throughout the city. Today, there are four TIF Districts in the City of Bellefontaine.
TIFs are an economic development tool that come into play when properties within the TIF District see an increase in property value, usually due to remodeling or new construction on the property.
The increase in property tax collections resulting from the improvement is diverted to the city, which can then be used for investment in various public infrastructure and other improvements, which benefit the properties in the district.
Examples of work that can be accomplished using TIF dollars include, but are not limited to: curbs and sidewalks, sanitary and storm sewers, street lighting, parks, road construction, traffic control devices, and streetscapes.
The city began receiving revenue into these funds in 2014. To date, the funds have been used for various projects including street resurfacing and pedestrian crossings.
The City of Bellefontaine was pleased to present a check to the school district, which helps to offset revenue that they may have otherwise received had the TIF Districts not deferred a portion of collected property taxes to the city.
“We are thankful for the work that the TIF funds have allowed us to accomplish throughout our growing city and we are happy to be able to present Bellefontaine City Schools with this check tonight,” Stahler said. “The City of Bellefontaine and Bellefontaine City Schools have a long history of cooperation and partnership. We are grateful for that relationship, and this evening we celebrate that we are able to give back to the district in the form of this payment from our TIF funds.
“As our city continues to grow, we do expect that the revenue in our TIF funds will continue to increase over the coming years. We’re excited for the public work that we’ll be able to accomplish with these funds.
“We also recognize the importance of education in our community and will continue sharing this revenue with Bellefontaine City Schools for the life of our TIF Districts.”
Bellefontaine City Schools Superintendent Brad Hall added, “This is just one more example of how the school district and city work hand in hand to make our whole community a better place. These funds will be used to support student learning, and we are grateful to receive them from Mayor Stahler this evening.”
In other action, the board:
• accepted the resignations of educational aides Destiny Henry and Lyric Kindle, effective March 9; and the resignation of enrollment secretary Pam Patton, effective April 30;
• accepted the supplemental contract resignation of Sean Egler, assistant high school track coach, and extended a supplemental contract to Zoe Price for the position;
• approved volunteer coaches Richard McDaniel, high school track, and Tom Rose, high school baseball; and
• recognized March Seniors of the Month Landon Kelley and Sophie Adelsberger.
The next board meeting is 6:30 p.m. April 17 in the Distance Learning Center at Bellefontaine High School.
