School board thanks and says goodbye to district treasurer Suzanne Wilson

By Melanie Williamson

The Vermilion Local Schools Board of Education met for a regular meeting on Monday, March 12. The meeting opened with an introduction of the Vermilion Elementary School’s Citizens of the Month. The board heard  a presentation by several students and the head of the Boys and Girls Club of Lorain County’s program at Sailorway Middle School.

House Bill 360: Board member Sara Stepp shared with the board that Ohio House Bill 360 is currently being looked at. Called the Ohio Anti-Bullying and Hazing Act, this would include harsh discipline tactics for bullies including mandatory suspension for first offences, community service for all offences, and it would expand current bullying definitions to include adult victims.

School safety update: Superintendent Phil Pempin updated the board and audience regarding the community safety forum and the many ideas that came out of that meeting, which included both increased safety measures and increased mental health services. He then shared that one group charged the district with reporting back to the community regarding what decision would be made. Pempin stated that they are working on exploring their options and will report back on those options at the Monday, April 9, school board meeting. He stated that they are exploring options within the current budget as well as the idea of pursuing a safety levy, which would provide money that could only be used for safety related upgrades.

Treasurer’s report: Treasurer Suzanne Wilson provided the current financial statements showing that the district is at 71% of their budgeted revenue and 64% of their budgeted expenses, which is on track for the year. Superintendent Pempin took the opportunity to share that this was Wilson’s last board meeting as treasurer because she was retiring at the end of the month. She was congratulated and thanked for her service to the district over recent years.

Future meeting: Before moving into executive session, board president Chris Habermehl announced the next board meeting would be Monday, April 9. These are open meetings and the public is invited.