Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
In a letter shared to the community on Aug. 7, Eastwood Local Schools superintendent Brian Hughes shared that board of education president Randy Rothenbuhler decided to resign from his post effective immediately.
As his professional responsibilities and time commitments have grown, Randy has determined that now is the right time to conclude his Board service,” Hughes said. “On behalf of Eastwood Local Schools, I want to thank Randy for his years of dedicated service to our students, staff, families, and community. During his seven years of service on the Board of Education, Randy has helped guide important decisions that have strengthened our district and supported student success. As both a board member and board president, he has devoted countless hours to serving our schools and helping shape the future of Eastwood Local Schools. His leadership, thoughtful perspective, and commitment to doing what is best for students have been greatly appreciated.”
In accordance with Ohio law and Board policy, Hughes said the board of education already began the process of filling the vacant board seat. Applicants had to be at least 18 years of age, be a registered voter, reside within the Eastwood Local School District and meet all qualifications established under Ohio law.
Applications were due on Aug. 14, and candidate interviews are slated to be conducted on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 5 p.m.
“Eastwood Local Schools looks forward to welcoming a new board member who will help continue our district’s tradition of excellence,” Hughes said.
Hughes issues fact sheet for Eastwood residents regarding ballot initiative
On Aug. 12, Eastwood Local Schools superintendent Brian Hughes sent out a community-wide email about the proposal to overhaul the school’s facilities, which is on the Nov. 3 ballot.
“One of the most important responsibilities I have as superintendent is ensuring our community has accurate information about our schools,” he said. “During an election, that responsibility also comes with clear legal requirements. Ohio law allows me to share factual information about a ballot issue, but it does not allow me to use public resources to express my personal opinion or advocate for or against the proposal. My commitment is to provide the facts so every voter can make an informed decision.”
The Nov. 3 ballot will include a single issue that combines a property tax bond issue and a 0.5 percent school district earned income tax. If approved by voters, it would provide approximately $77.65 million in local funding toward the district's proposed $95.3 million master facilities plan. The remaining approximately $17.65 million would come from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), contingent upon voter approval of the ballot issue.
The plan, developed through years of planning, facility assessments and community input, would include the construction of a new school serving students in grades 5-12; continued use of Eastwood Elementary School; the preservation and repurposing of portions of the current high school to maximize existing district resources; dedicated learning spaces for STEM, career-technical education, agricultural education, the arts, athletics and collaborative learning and improvements to campus traffic flow and site organization.
If approved, the 6.49-mill property tax bond issue would include a cost to residents of approximately $227 annually for every $100,000 of a home's county auditor-appraised market value, as well as a 0.5 percent school district earned income tax.
The proposed school district earned income tax would apply to residents of the Eastwood Local School District who earn wages, salaries, commissions, tips or self-employment income. It would not apply to social security benefits, pension income, retirement distributions or unemployment compensation.
The proposed property tax bond issue would apply to taxable real property located within the Eastwood Local School District.
More info can be found at EastwoodSchools.org/facilities-updates.
