From left, Bob Crum and Debbie Proctor take an oath of office Thursday from District Treasurer Melcie Wells for Warren Local Schools Board of Education vice president and president, respectively. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

VINCENT — The Warren Local Schools Board of Education held its annual organizational meeting Thursday night, electing new leadership and setting the schedule for regular board meetings in 2025.

The board unanimously voted to have Debbie Proctor continue her service as board president. The board also elected Bob Crum to continue service as vice president. Both Proctor and Crum were sworn in to their positions at the meeting.

In other business, the board set the schedule for regular board meetings in 2025. The meetings will be held on the fourth Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at Building Six of Warren High School.

The board also approved an $8,000 service fund, which is used to cover expenses like staff professional development and bereavement support. This fund has been maintained at the same level for several years.

The board approved a resolution to proceed with the election on the renewal of the district’s emergency tax levy. This levy has been in place since the early 1990s.

Superintendent Kyle Newton explained that the renewal is set to be on the ballot in May. The amount of the levy will remain the same as it has been at $1,755,600.

With the current assessed property values for Warren district, the levy equates to a millage rate of $4.17 mills. Last year when the levy was renewed, the millage rate was slightly higher at $4.2 mills.

“It’s definitely important, I mean, it’s not going to raise taxes,” said Proctor. “It’s not about that, It’s about what we’re maintaining.”

Board Member Bob Allen was also in agreement, stating that it was about keeping the current level of care for facilities.

“It’s not like you’re seeing facilities dilapidated or needing maintenance.” said Allen. “We’re doing the very best we can to maintain what we have and continue to make improvements. So I think we can justify that.”

The next Warren Local Schools Board of Education meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Feb. 27 at Building Six at Warren High School.