CLAYTON — The biggest takeaway from the April 9 Northmont School Board meeting was the revelation of a proposal made to the board by the Northmont YMCA.

Business Manager Brandon Knecht explained that Sinclair Community College is vacating its space in the Kleptz YMCA building. Northmont Schools has a chance to take over the space for the school district’s administrative offices and the pre-school.

The district had planned to add two new classrooms at the Kleptz Early Learning Center, but this move would open up space there for seven new classrooms. It would be possible to put second-graders there to relieve overcrowding in some other district schools, especially Englewood Hills and Union Elementary, which took in students from Englewood Elementary when it was closed.

The district’s current administration building at the northwest corner of Taywood and Old Salem roads could be leased to the Northmont Area Chamber of Commerce.

Money spent to renovate the YMCA facility could be recovered by lease revenue from the chamber and pre-school tuition.

“What am I missing?” said Board President Linda Blum. “If it sounds too good to be true, it may be.”

She indicated the central office is crowded, adding, “There are 35 women and one restroom!”

Board member Chris Pulos wondered if a rendering could be made to show the board what the renovated space could look like.

On the financial side, board member Nick Orrill was concerned about up-front costs and how long before savings began to recoup the initial expenditure.

Board member Jane Woodie noted the Y made the proposal to the school district first and if Northmont didn’t make a decision soon, others would be interested.

Following a lengthy discussion, the board voted to consult an architect and move ahead depending on that report. Although the motion passed, student representative Jacob Hobbs and Orrill voted against the proposal because they didn’t believe there was enough clear information at this point.

Lynnette Roeth, new principal at Northwood Elementary, was introduced during the meeting.

“I come from a long line of educators,” she said.

Roeth, who previously lived in the Northmont District, was accompanied by her entire family, including Zeb Woodward-Roeth, Shya Woodward-Roeth, Eli Woodward-Roeth, Zax Woodward-Roeth, Joe Woodward-Roeth and Cheryl Woodward.

Northmont Superintendent Tony Thomas presented his Helping Hands award to Alice Cummings for her efforts to help build the PTO organization at Northwood.

Knecht and Operations Director Jason Watson presented an update on Strategy Plan 3, which focuses on facilities within the next 10 years.

“The plans need to be equitable across the district,” Knecht said. “It doesn’t mean equal but addresses the needs of the students at different buildings.”

One example was a special needs playground that needs to be functional. Another is a better layout for dropping off and picking up the students, Knecht said.

He also explained that the high school had to be repainted.

“We had to use the lowest bidder, but the paint job was rubbing off as students brushed against the walls,” he said.

“Phase 2 of the plan has been deferred because it would require another levy,” he said.

Blum said the rise in property evaluations actually hurt the district as the state was withdrawing some money, but the levy was not bringing in that much more money.

She said the property tax as a basis for school financing had been declared unconstitutional in Ohio four times since the 1990s and the state needs to change the system of financing.

“Even rich districts are finding problems passing levies,” Blum said.

Hobbs reported that three finalists have been selected for students to vote on as his replacement for next year.

The next meeting of the Northmont Board of Education will be at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 22, at Northwood Elementary School, 6200 Noranda Drive, Clayton.