Approximately at 2:00 PM on Friday, the entire Village of Swanton and much of the surrounding area was subjected to a major power outage. An early Toledo Edison estimate of power restoration was first at 4:00 PM, then 5:00 PM, then 6:00 PM. Not good news for Swanton High School which was getting ready for the presentation of its 2025 Homecoming Court followed by its football game against the Evergreen Vikings.
Sometime around 6:15 PM, the lights on the scoreboard flickered, light was seen coming from the concession stand and eventually full power was restored, much to the relief of everyone in attendance. And so, the show went on.
Click on the link above to access photos from the coronation. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Click on the link above to access photos from the parade. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of thefultoncountymedia.com website.
School consolidation is a topic of discussion because the Ohio legislature’s current school funding laws are heavily reliant on local property taxes. Lake County Auditor, Chris Galloway, responded to our recent consolidation letter by reaffirming his support of school consolidation. Here’s the truth, some officials believe true savings will only be realized when school buildings are closed and local identities are stripped away. This is why our school communities will continue to receive information from the Fulton County superintendents; not to scare you, but to inform you of what’s going on at the state and local levels regarding your child’s public education.
This is not a joke or an exaggeration of facts. We believe this topic of consolidation is just one of the many ways the state legislature is trying to dismantle Ohio’s public education system. It all starts with the information displayed in the graphs below. You will see that decisions from our legislators in Columbus have shifted the tax burden to our local tax payers. As a result of legislative mandates, the reliance on local tax revenue has increased significantly since 1975. Less state funding means more money is needed from our local communities in order to maintain the level of education our students deserve.
This is a broken system created by legislators now weaponizing property tax reform against public school districts and your voting rights. They are literally pitting our homeowners against the very schools that are the heart of our communities while holding hostage the quality of education our children receive. The Ohio Educational Policy Institute released a property tax policy analysis, entitled Analysis of Residential Property Taxes in Ohio: A Balanced Approach to Reform, that illustrates how Ohio’s reliance on local control, along with economic factors and state tax policy changes, has led to a significant shift in the state-local funding partnership toward residential taxpayers.
Key Takeaways • Rising home values, slow economic growth and 20 years of state tax policy changes have intensified local school funding challenges. • Homeowners and farmers now carry 67.5% of school property taxes, up from 46.1% in 1975. Meanwhile, the business share has nearly been cut in half. • Cuts and eliminations of state taxes have reduced state support, forcing schools and local governments to raise property taxes, leaving Ohio with the eighth-highest property tax rate nationally. In contrast, the state’s overall tax burden ranks 46th.
Why it Matters This imbalance creates growing pressure on communities and limits how schools can fund essential services for students.
Stay tuned for the next Your Rights Matter – School Vouchers
Sincerely,
Dr. Jayson Selgo, Superintendent – Archbold Area Schools, Mr. Eric Smola, Superintendent – Evergreen Local Schools, Dr. Angela Belcher, Superintendent – Fayette Local School District, Mr. Josh Clark, Superintendent – Pettisville Schools, Mr. Doug Ford, Superintendent – Pike-Delta-York Local School District, Mr. Chris Lake, Superintendent – Swanton Local School District, Mr. Troy Armstrong, Superintendent – Wauseon Exempted Village School District
PRESS RELEASE: The Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce is inviting the community to attend a Village Council Candidate Town Hall ahead of the upcoming election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Birchwood Meadows, 10 Turtle Creek Circle, Swanton, Ohio 43558. The evening will begin promptly at 7:00 pm. Moderated by Julia Benfield, the town hall is designed to give residents the opportunity to hear directly from all candidates running for the Swanton Village Council.
The format will include: ● Equal opening remarks from each candidate. ● A moderated Q&A with questions submitted in advance by the community. ● Equal closing remarks from each candidate.
The Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse or oppose any candidate or political party. The purpose of this event is to ensure that residents have direct access to candidates and the information they need to make informed decisions on Election Day. Community members are encouraged to attend and participate in this important discussion.
Questions for candidates may be submitted in advance through the online form provided by the Chamber here: https://forms.gle/oHUzc4vkLrsHDE147
Event Details: ● Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 ● Time: 7:00 – 8:30 pm (beginning promptly at 7 pm) ● Location: Birchwood Meadows, 10 Turtle Creek Circle, Swanton, OH 43558 ● Moderator: Julia Benfield For more information, please contact the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce at 419-826-1941 or swantoncc@gmail.com. PO Box 116 Swanton, OH 43558 | Facebook | SwantonCC@gmail.com | 419.826.1941
In a rare Monday afternoon football game, the Swanton Bulldogs lost to the Montpelier Locomotives 44-7.
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Evan Stambaugh (3) caught several passes including one for a touchdown
Click on the link above to access photos from the night. Photos are in the jpg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Maddux Pinter threw three touchdown passes in the first half to give Archbold a 21-0 lead and the visiting Blue Streaks went on to beat the Wauseon Indians 35-0 in NWOAL action. It was the ninth consecutive victory in the series for the Streaks over their long-time league and Fulton County rival.
The win gives Archbold a 4-0 record in the league and a 6-1 mark on the season. They return home next Friday to take on the Patrick Henry Patriots (3-1/6-1). Wauseon falls to 0-4 in the NWOAL and 0-7 overall. They will stay at home to welcome in the Bryan Golden Bears (1-3/2-5).
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Morgan Harris pulls in a pass from Maddux Pinter for a touchdown.
Click on the link above to access photos from the celebration. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
The visiting Liberty Center Lady Tigers scored eight goals in the first half and went on to defeat the Swanton Lady Bulldogs 10-2 in an NWOAL soccer match on Tuesday afternoon.
The loss drops Swanton to 0-5 in the league and 3-10 on the season. They play next tomorrow at home against the Lady Comets of Genoa. Liberty Center improves to 2-3-1 in the NWOAL and 4-8-1 overall. They will be at home next Tuesday to face the Bluffton Lady Pirates.
Click on the link above to access photos from the match. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Swanton and Liberty Center scramble for ball control in front of the Bulldog goal
Prior to its match with the Liberty Center Lady Tigers, the Swanton Lady Bulldogs recognized their senior players for their contribution to the program. Betty Jo Sadowski introduced each senior and read a short bio of their time at Swanton High School.
Our first girls’ soccer player is Lauren Bettinger. Lauren is being escorted by Kristi Bettinger. While at Swanton High School Lauren has participated in Soccer, Basketball, Track, National Honors Society and Frosh Fest. Her future plans are to attend college to major in Biology on a Pre-Med Pathway and to pursue a career as a neurologist or a neuro-oncologist. Senior Lauren Bettinger
Our next senior is Madelaine Diaz. Madelaine is being escorted by April and Shaun Bailey. While at Swanton High School Madelaine has participated in Soccer, National Honor Society, Set Crew, Frosh Fest, SEED and SACC. Her future plans are to go to college and major in psychology and criminal justice. Senior Madelaine Diaz
Our next senior is Izabella Donald. Izabella is being escorted by Shana Crapsey. While at Swanton High School Izabella has participated in both Track and Soccer. Her future plans are to go to college and become a registered dietitian. Senior Izabella Donald
Click on the link above to access photos from the event. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Fulton County Ohio Media 