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Open enrollment making a big difference at Crestview

NEW WATERFORD — Calling it a wonderful learning experience about where the Crestview schools have come and where they are going, Superintendent Matthew Manley praised the management meeting of the board of education at a special meeting last week.

The board went over the budgets for the upcoming year, when they project to have $12.846 million in general fund expenses. Although Treasurer Charlene Mecure said there are concerns about the projection of deficit spending of about $120,000, she said it is just something to keep an eye on. Additionally, the state budget is not currently set, so it is unknown exactly how much revenue the school will receive. The projection is for Crestview’s funding to be relatively flat in the future.

It was also noted the school takes in through open enrollment 10 times the number of students who leave via the same option for other neighboring schools. The money generated through open enrollment continues to make a difference in the budget for the school, which has a carryover balance in the general fund of $1,770,403.

However it was also noted there is not going to be another 20 to 30 student increase in open enrollment due to the space limitations at the school district.

The discussion at one point turned to the modulars, which are going in behind the elementary school.

The current estimate for the project is $100,000, which includes the price to purchase, haul them to Crestview from southwest Ohio and get them set up for students for next school year.

Board member Melissa Wellman questioned the decision to get the modulars, noting there are a lot of community members unhappy about the decision.

Board president Dr. Edward Miller pointed out the choices were to get rid of the HOST program, which utilizes many local volunteers to help students with their reading skills; put art and music on a cart to move from room to room all day; or bring in the modulars.

Miller said he did not know what the other options were “short of having Elizabeth Montgomery from Bewitch come and wrinkle up her nose and give us more space.”

Board member James Weikart pointed out when the decision was made to build the Performing Arts Center he heard similar unhappiness, but now people use the PAC and it is a great facility.

While the modulars cannot be moved right next to the building because of codes, students will be escorted by their teachers to use them next year.

“These are in very good shape,” Manley said of the modulars. “We’re going to make them into warm, welcoming classrooms.”

Manley said new modulars were going to cost $200,000 each and they would be paying a lease on them. While renovations are being done in some classrooms throughout the district, these modulars could even be used as temporary space. The concern is it could be four or five years before a project can be completed granting more space.

The board discussed other projects, such as an electronic sign in front of the school to make announcements and a possible change to the scoreboard system in the gym. Board member Dave McGoogan, who has an electrical background, asked to see the scoreboard system problem, which comes unplugged due to people walking in the area.

Manley said he is impressed the school district has managed to keep health insurance rates in check and with the rates going up only $74 per month per employee for family coverage. The board discussed how utilizing a health savings plan for about 60 percent of employees has helped them keep the number of claims in control. Additionally, it was noted it is a credit to the employees and the wellness program.

Manley and Mecure pointed out staff and benefits are currently 71 percent of the general fund budget. She strives to keep it under 75 percent.

“You’ve been excellent stewards of the tax payers dollars,” Manley said of some of the things the board has done in the past to keep costs low.

The board discussed other ways of saving money, such as switching over to LED lights, something currently being done in the Performing Arts Center parking lot.

In another matter, the board learned the after-school snack program is going to start April 3 for a six-week trial. Monday through Friday, students staying after school for activities will have the option of purchasing snacks such as wraps.

djohnson@mojonews.com

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