Crestview Elementary to focus on reading, math skills

By LEONARD GLENN CRIST
COLUMBIANA — Improving reading and math skills will remain the top priorities at Crestview Elementary School next year.

Elementary Principal Marian Dangerfield and several elementary teachers presented a continuous improvement plan to the Crestview Local Board of Education Wednesday.

A number of intervention programs are in place at the school to provide additional teaching for students by focusing on their various weak areas, said Rick Gates, a Title instructor.

Gates described how Shawn Louk, an instructional tutor, took children who underperformed on a reading assessment practice test early in the school year and worked with them in small groups to bring up their test scores.

Students in grades 1-4 also do daily math exercises first thing every morning — even before morning announcements and the pledge to the flag — targeted to the various state standards, Gates said.

Another goal for the year calls for improving safety and health issues at the school. This includes a themed bully prevention program — this year’s theme was “Look at me! I’m bully free,” while next year’s theme will be “Be a buddy, not a bully” — that focuses on positive character traits and being a good friend.

Third grade teacher Pam Todd spoke about improving student achievement through parent and community involvement, which was another stated goal. Kindergarten parents have been provided with games and activities to help their child’s development while other teachers regularly communicated with individual parents through phone, e-mail, newsletters and handouts. The school also recruits a number of community volunteers and partners with the Way Station to provide services for disadvantaged students.

Future plans for next year include teaching children in grades 2-4 typing skills and converting a former computer lab to a preschool classroom, Dangerfield said.

Also at the meeting:

¯The board approved a five-year financial forecast that calls for budget surpluses through 2010 and budget deficits in 2011 and 2012 of $168,133 and $821,760, respectively. With rising fuel prices and an uncertain housing market that could lead to lower property taxes, the financial future is uncertain, said Treasurer Charlene Mercure.

¯The board approved the retirement of elementary teacher Joseph McKim, who wishes to return next year under a retire-rehire plan. A public hearing on the possible re-employment of McKim will be held 7 p.m. July 14.

¯The board adopted a resolution requesting not to participate in the Ohio School Facilities Commission Classroom Facilities Assistance Program.

¯The board adopted a resolution to enter into an Ohio House Bill 264 Project with Phoenix Engineering for possible energy saving ventilation work in the high school gym and building a pitched roof over the middle school gym. Phoenix completed an energy study of the district and has found it could provide about $356,000 in energy saving modifications to the buildings, with all of the work being paid from the future energy and operational savings.

Leonard Glenn Crist can be reached at lcrist@salemnews.net