BCS Board approves resolution to place earned income tax levy on the ballot

Bellefontaine City Schools held its monthly meeting Tuesday night in the High School Sloan Distance Learning Center.

Board members approved a resolution to place a 1 percent earned income tax levy on the ballot in November for current expenses.

If the levy is approved, taxes will be collected beginning January 1st, 2027 for a continuing period of time.

State funding to public schools has significantly decreased over the last 5-10 years.

Now, hundreds of schools are facing deficit spending in their respective five-year forecasts.

Last month, BCS Treasurer Josh Wasson explained why the levy is necessary.

"Bellefontaine City Schools has been fiscally responsible with taxpayer funds by making several strategic staffing adjustments in recent years to save money while only being on the ballot 3 times since 2011.

"Unfortunately, public school districts have been put in a position where expenses are increasing but revenues are not. BCS needs local community assistance to maintain the basic programming our students need and deserve."

In other news, the board approved an updated five-year forecast after the district recently received designation of Fiscal Pre-Cautionary Status with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Updating the forecast was the last requirement of this designation.

Another five-year forecast will be completed in August.

The board also approved monthly financial reports.

In personnel, the board accepted the following resignations:

Grant Gariety - 7th Grade Social Studies

Angie Horvath - Gifted Coordinator

Tyler Shamblin - Intervention Specialist

Cody Sigrist - High School Science

Whitney Stolly - Literacy Coach

Kimberly Collier - Educational Aide

Susan Gleason - Educational Aide

Tina Norton - Transportation Aide

The following hires were approved:

Whitney Stolly - Gifted Coordinator

Christy Ash - Bellefontaine Intermediate School Guidance Counselor

Alyssa Maguire - Intervention Specialist

Courtney Sims - Intervention Specialist

Lucy Somerlot - 5th Grade

Makayla Young - 5th Grade

James Howell was approved to teach summer school.

Donna Howell and Bri Hughes were approved to teach ABC K-Camp in August.

The board approved 6 extended days for high school guidance secretary Deborah Sheehan.

One-year classified contract renewals were approved for the following:

Valerie Burton

Lauren Henry

Jayden Sims

Two-year classified contract renewals were approved for the following:

Jai Abhyankar

Cindy Agamez

Kristin Allore Lowe

Jolene Clary

Trinity Floyd

Nicole Fulkerson

Brenda Hall

Micah Haynes

Terry Headings

April Logan

Chandler Martell

Joseph McCall

Margaret Navaroli

Tonja Reed

Lisa Ropp

Jody Salmons

Connie Sanders

Erin Short

Erica Young

Continuing classified contracts were approved for the following:

Tonya Anderson

Seth Close

Mary Dillard

Joyce Fogan

Tawnya Irick

Cassidy Miller

Brenda Moon

Erica Morris

Rebekah Price

Eva Skaggs

John Vicario

The following supplemental resignations were approved:

Sean Egler - High School Boys Basketball Assistant Coach

Darcy Neeld - Bellefontaine Middle School Show Choir Director

Garrett Reinhard - High School Chieftain Leaders Advisor

The following supplementals were approved:

Daniel Boy - 8th Grade Football Head Coach

Jason Brown - High School Football Head Coach

Hoyt Buckingham - 7th Grade Football Head Coach

Art Caudill - High School Football Assistant Coach

Jeremy Clifton - High School Football Assistant Coach

Carleton Cotner - High School Football Assistant Coach

Sean Egler - High School Girls Basketball Head Coach

Sean Egler - High School Football Assistant Coach

Matt Gallaway - High School Girls Basketball Assistant Coach

Yvette Hunsicker - High School Chieftain Leaders Advisor

Jesse Jervis - High School Percussion Advisor

Melanie Lehman - High School Interact

Skylar Mifsud - High School Football Assistant Coach

Chris Miller - High School Envirothon

Rob Palmer - 7th Grade Football Assistant Coach

Garrett Reinhard - High School Chieftain Leaders Coordinator

Tom Rose - High School Girls Tennis Head Coach

Reagan Standley - Middle School Volleyball Assistant Coach

Andrew Stoner - 8th Grade Football Assistant Coach

Heather Storm - High School Basketball Cheer Head Coach

Jeremiah Vigansky - High School Football Assistant Coach

Dean Whetsel - High School Boys Basketball Assistant Coach

Richard McDaniel was approved as a volunteer coach for high school football.

The board approved the cafeteria rates for the '26-'27 school year.

The district will offer free breakfast to all students.

Here is a breakdown of lunch prices.

High School/Middle School

Lunch – $2.65

Reduced Lunch – $.40

Intermediate School/Elementary School

Lunch – $2.40

Reduced Lunch – $.40

The board announced the recipients of the 17 Bellefontaine Board of Education Scholarships.

The scholarships, amounts, awardees, and institutions of choice are listed below:

Board of Education Academic Scholarship - $1,000.00
Jacob Henry – The Ohio State University
Son of Kathleen Fogarty

Board of Education Academic Scholarship - $1,000.00
Elliett Lang – Miami University
Daughter of Caleb and Kristen Lang

Board of Education Academic Scholarship - $1,000.00
Kaeleigh Flora – University of Kentucky
Daughter of Brad and Laura Flora

Board of Education Academic Scholarship - $1,000.00
Claire Brown – Wright State University
Daughter of Brad and Kim Brown

Board of Education Academic Scholarship - $1,000.00
Chloe Stolly – The Ohio State University
Daughter of Terry and Cindy Stolly

BHS Alumni & Friends Scholarship - $250.00
Ryann Gatchel – University of Findlay
Daughter of Scott Gatchel and Michelle Hughes

Robert L. & Helen E. Ginn Memorial Scholarship - $500.00
Patrick Stolly – Bowling Green State University
Son of Henry and Sally Stolly

Effie Patterson Memorial Scholarship - $500.00
Jacob Henry – The Ohio State University
Son of Kathleen Fogarty

Pepsi Leadership Scholarship - $1,250.00
Kelsie Snapp – The Ohio State University
Daughter of Kerry and Lisa Snapp

Pepsi Leadership Scholarship - $1,250.00
Carter Caudill – Ashland University
Son of Art Caudill and Kelly Caudill

Monicha Simpson Memorial Scholarship - $250.00
Hayden Maus – Ohio Northern University
Son of Jason and Lindsey Maus

James Stolly Memorial Scholarship - $500.00
Chloe Stolly – The Ohio State University
Daughter of Terry and Cindy Stolly

James Stolly Memorial Scholarship - $500.00
Patrick Stolly – Bowling Green State University
Son of Henry and Sally Stolly

Ronald H. Wisse Scholarship - $500.00
Gillian Steele – Bowling Green State University
Daughter of Jon and Stacie Steele

Harold & Barbara Marker Academic - $10,000.00
Caitlin Haley – Miami University
Daughter of Joseph Haley and Erika Haley

Harold & Barbara Marker Academic - $7,000.00
Thessaly Reminder – Miami University
Daughter of Jon and Makenzie Reminder

Harold & Barbara Marker Academic - $5,000.00
Lane Howard – Bowling Green State University
Son of Brad Howard and Bridgett Hardy

The next board meeting will be July 27th at 2 p.m. at the board office.

Photo: The Bellefontaine School Board meets in the Distance Learning Center.