Norwalk board reviews finances, notes $3M bond payment; accepts resignations and enters executive session

At its Nov. 11 meeting, the Norwalk City School District Board of Education reviewed October financials, received personnel updates and voted to enter executive session on promotion and compensation.

Treasurer Joyce DePant presented the financial report, noting that the school district income-tax receipts for the most recent two quarters (July–September 2025) were lower than the same quarters last year and that the district completed a debt-service payment of about $3,000,000 to Zions Bank in October for the pre-K–8 bond. DePant said the bond had been passed on the ballot with an estimated 5.4 mills but was currently funded at 4.35 mills; she recommended keeping the rate at 4.35 for next year while monitoring delinquencies and valuations. "The 4.35 mils does bring in enough to cover it, but there's not much cushion," the treasurer told the board.

DePant also reported credit-card rebate receipts ($473.77 and about $2,297) and that the district plans to use the Southwestern Educational Purchasing Cooperative to purchase a 2026 Ford Transit nine-passenger van to reduce contracted transportation costs. She described an agreed-upon-procedures audit for Medicaid-billable services and noted 50% of that audit cost is reimbursable by the Ohio Medicaid Schools program.

On personnel, the superintendent reported resignations including Kevin Nikolai, longtime custodian at Norwalk Middle School (working through Dec. 31, 2025), and Byron Crockett, a route bus driver who left for another position; the district is down two route drivers and recruiting candidates. The board moved to approve personnel items 6.1–6.2 and approved the treasurer items 5.1–5.9 by roll call.

Finally, the board voted to enter executive session to discuss promotion and compensation of a public employee; board members voted in favor and the chair stated there should be no action after the executive session.