Paulding School Board Hears Financial Forecast, State Report Card & Building Updates
PAULDING — The Paulding Exempted Village Schools Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the district’s administrative building.
Board members in attendance included Karen Saxton, Julie Arend, Joe Manz, and Jerrod Hawk. Board member Matt Stoller was absent. Also present were Treasurer Jacob Thiel and Superintendent Chris Etzler.
The meeting began with a presentation of an honorary veteran’s diploma to Jack C. Smith, Sr.
Treasurer Jacob Thiel followed with an in-depth presentation of the district’s updated five-year financial forecast. Thiel explained that new state requirements under House Bill 96 now mandate only a four-year submission to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, but Paulding will continue producing a five-year version internally for planning purposes.
He reported that the district is expected to enter deficit spending in fiscal year 2024, with expenditures outpacing revenues despite the renewal of the emergency levy. The district is projected to maintain a positive cash balance through 2029 but could drop below the 90-day minimum threshold by 2027 and potentially face a negative balance by 2030 without additional revenue adjustments.
During the report, Thiel referenced a proposed 0.75% income tax levy for permanent improvements, which is set to appear on the November 2025 ballot. He noted that the forecast does not include any assumptions about the levy’s passage and emphasized that funding challenges remain even with its approval.
Junior High Principal Eric Deisler gave an update on staffing, music programming, and ongoing instructional strategies at the junior high level. He highlighted improvements tied to the school’s continued implementation of explicit instruction techniques and noted recent gains in student engagement and standardized test scores.
Curriculum Coordinator Jennifer Manz provided a detailed breakdown of the district’s 2025 state report card, noting an overall score of 3.5 stars. Manz highlighted growth in achievement and early literacy, while acknowledging the need for progress in student value-added growth measures. She also reviewed the new College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness component, where the district earned three stars in its first year being rated.
Superintendent Chris Etzler addressed ongoing issues with the district’s HVAC systems and noted that meetings with engineering firms are continuing to identify sustainable solutions. He also reviewed the schedule for School Safety Week, which will include full-scale evacuation drills and lockdown simulations in coordination with local law enforcement. Etzler reported current district enrollment at 1,354 students and praised the staff and students for a strong start to the school year.
The board approved a number of resolutions, including:
• The updated five-year forecast and student activity budgets
• A revision to the district’s Gifted Identification and Service Plan
• Student participation in the OMUN competition in Columbus
• A student internship agreement with Westwood Behavioral Health Center
• Approval of Blake Dunn as an early graduate
• An increase in substitute teacher daily pay to $110
• Purchase of a new 12-passenger van from Integrity Ford
• Personnel retirement and extracurricular coaching contracts
The board concluded the evening with an executive session to discuss personnel matters.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for October. Superintendent Etzler noted that the agenda will likely include a number of board policy updates.
