Ovid Elsie educators ask board to fix COVID stipend W-2 errors and begin superintendent search

The Ovid Elsie Education Association told the Ovid-Elsie Area Schools Board of Education it is seeking corrective action after a COVID-era wellness stipend led to W‑2 reporting errors and, in some cases, tax penalties for staff. A union representative read a written communication to the board and asked the district to reimburse employees and to pursue a fair resolution for those harmed.

“As each of you are aware, OLC school employees were given 1 stipend for wellness, if you will, during COVID…we were informed that there were errors made on our W-2s,” the representative said, reading the association’s letter. The representative added that members were “hoping a fair resolution to this issue for all employees that have been negatively affected.”

The association also expressed concern about leadership continuity and requested that the board form a hiring committee and begin recruiting a permanent superintendent rather than immediately approving a second-year contract for the interim superintendent. The letter thanked “Dr. Petrolia” for stepping in as interim superintendent and said staff value continued guidance but want the board to “start looking for qualified candidates for superintendent.”

The communication said staff felt the district had shown a lack of “financial recognition” compared with neighboring districts that distributed larger COVID-related payments, and urged clearer communication and appreciation for employees moving forward.

The board did not take formal action on the letter during the public-reading portion of the meeting; the association’s requests were entered into the record and can be raised again under future agenda items or during negotiations.