Paulding EVSD Addresses Levy Outcome and Outlines Plan for Emergency HVAC Repairs

Paulding, Ohio — The Paulding Exempted Village School District Board of Education
acknowledges the results of the recent levy vote and respects the decision of our community.
While the levy did not pass, the District remains fully committed to maintaining safe, functional,
and effective learning environments for all students and staff.

In light of ongoing and urgent facility needs, the District has developed a plan to move forward
with critical repairs to its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. These
systems are essential to ensuring that school buildings remain safe, operational, and conducive to
learning throughout the year.

The need for these repairs has been underscored by recent challenges within District facilities.
HVAC improvements are expected to restore cooling and heating capabilities that were
significantly reduced during this past school year due to boiler and/or chiller failures. There is a
growing concern of a catastrophic failure that would require more expensive repairs if these
issues go unaddressed. Addressing these concerns is a top priority to ensure a healthy and
comfortable environment for students and staff. PEVS plans to have all students and staff in
their school buildings during 2026-2027 school year.

Due to the immediate nature of these repairs, the District is currently evaluating a plan to secure
approximately $2 million in debt proceeds to address HVAC system failures. This proposal is
still under development and is expected to be presented to the Board of Education for
consideration at its May 19 meeting.

Superintendent Chris Etzler stated, “While we are disappointed with the levy outcome, our
responsibility to provide a safe environment for our students and staff cannot be delayed. These
HVAC repairs are absolutely essential. We are working diligently to identify a responsible path
forward that allows us to act quickly while remaining mindful of our financial obligations. Our
students and staff deserve this.”

The District also recognizes that assuming new debt will require careful financial planning. As
part of this process, additional budget adjustments and/or reductions will be necessary to free up
resources to meet annual debt service obligations. The District will approach any such decisions
thoughtfully, with a continued focus on minimizing the impact on students and educational
programs.

The District understands that taking on debt is a significant decision and one that carries long-
term financial implications. Paulding EVSD is committed to transparency and fiscal
responsibility and will continue to communicate openly with the community about financial
decisions and future needs.

Moving forward, the District will continue to evaluate its financial outlook and explore options
to address both immediate and long-term facility and operational needs. Community engagement
and input will remain a priority as these discussions continue.

Paulding EVSD appreciates the continued support of its residents, families, and staff as we work
together to provide quality education in a safe and secure environment.