NEW BREMEN – The New Bremen Local School District Board of Education approved a contract to build a new bus and maintenance facility during their Wednesday, May 18, meeting.
New Bremen Superintendent Jason Schrader told the board that after reviewing bids for the Bus & Maintenance Facility project, he recommended the contract go to Luginbill Construction, which bid $430,789 to build a new facility. The 50-foot by 190-foot building will be located at the northeast corner of the school property off Cardinal Drive. Construction is expected to begin after May 24.
School treasurer Jill Ahlers told the board that the Free Lunch Program, which has been in place during the last two schools years, is scheduled to end on June 30, 2022. For the 2022-23 school year, families can apply for free or reduced-price meals starting July 1. Applications for Free/Reduced lunches should be completed online at www.lunchapplication.com.
Ahlers also presented her May five-year forecast, which showed that fiscal year 2023 expenses of $9,620,415 will exceed revenue of $9,288,151, for a deficit of $332,264 that year. However, she pointed out the district is predicted to carry a cash surplus of $5,943,615 that same year. Over the next four years, her prediction shows a widening gap in revenue versus expenditures and a draw down of the cash reserves. In fiscal year 2026 expenditures are predicted to be $10,531,968, revenue to be $9,773,401 for a deficit of $992,426. The 2026 cash surplus is predicted will amount to $4,213,602.
Elementary Principal Diane Kramer said all state testing was completed April 29, with math, science and social studies results released last week. English Language Arts results will be available mid-June with family reports available the end of July.
Math scores had an 87% passage rate for third grade, 91% passage for fourth grade, 97% passage for fifth grade, 95% passage for sixth grade. Advanced students taking seventh grade test scored 100%, Science scores had 90% passage for fifth grade.
Kramer said May 2-6 was Teacher Appreciation Week. She said “I cannot thank our teachers enough for the positive impact they make on our students each and every day.” She added the staff enjoyed a breakfast, snack cart, and lunch provided by Cardinal Pride, treats from Faith Alliance Church and a pizza lunch from the Junior High Student Leaders.
Junior/Senior High Principal Marcus Overman said New Bremen High School ranked No. 49 in the state of Ohio in the U.S. News & World Report list of the 2022 Best High Schools. Also, it ranked No. 1,458 nationally. He said “This would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our staff and students.”
Overman shared passage rates on state testing scores.
Seventh-grade math was 87%, eighth-grade math had 89%, eighth-grade science was 80% rate, Algebra I was 90%, Geometry was 68%, American History was 90%, Government was 95%, and Biology was 93%.
He added English Language Arts scores will be released in June.
Overman congratulated senior Grace Wilker for finishing first place in the Job Skills USA interview competition at Tri Star. This is a state-wide competition.
Several employee service awards were noted, among them Helen Moeder, Kathy Neumeier, Amy Poeppelman, Nancy Riethman and Donna Schmitmeyer, each with 30 years and Darlene Gilberg who has accrued 35 years of service to the school district.
Two retirement were also noted, Kathy Neumeier and Nancy Riethman.
