The Pettisville school board formally approved agreements with the Ohio School Facilities Commission at the board's Monday night, Jan. 5, meeting.

The agreements were required for the district to participate in the OSFC program and receive funding for the planned new K-12 building.

Voters approved a bond issue to provide the local share of the $20 million-plus project in November.

The agreements approved by the board Monday allow the district to receive the state funding and proceed with planning for the project.

The board also approved a resolution to contract with the Buehrer Group, Maumee, for design services for the building project.

The Buehrer Group already provided preliminary design services, pending voter approval and district qualification for the OSFC program.

Organization

John King was reelected as president of the board, and Dan Bruner returns as vice-president.

Those actions resulted from the organizational meeting, held prior to the board's regular meeting. The organization meeting basically covers housekeeping matters, which are required by state law.

The organizational meeting is always the first meeting of the new year.

Board meetings will continue to be scheduled for the second Monday of the month at 7 pm during the school year and at 8 pm during the summer.

The board stipend will continue at $20 per meeting with a maximum of 13 meetings per year.

A previously approved measure will increase the maximum number of meetings to 24 beginning in 2010.

Steve Switzer, district superintendent, said the Pettisville board stipend was the third lowest among 24 school boards he surveyed.

The board approved a service fund of $6,000 for the coming year to cover expenses for board members to attend conferences, seminars, and other meetings. Last year the expenses for this fund totaled $5,351.

All board members were present.

February

The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 9, 7 pm in the school library. - D. J. Neuenschwander