WBESC board holds February meeting

Van Wert independent/WBESC information

The Western Buckeye Educational Service Center Governing Board learned from Superintendent Brian Gerber that he would again be submitting a 21st Century Grant application this year.

“Last year we submitted a very comprehensive and thorough grant application,” Gerber told the board, although he added that, ironically, the high reading and math scores of the WBESC’s partner schools were a negative for the 21st Century Grant, which are awarded to schools submitting long-range plans to improve reading and math scores.

That means, Gerber noted, that urban school districts that have lower math and reading scores often get the 21st Century Grants, because they have more room for improvement.

“We can be very proud of the academic success our schools are achieving, but it reduces our chances of securing grant dollars for this particular grant,” Gerber told the WBESC board.

The superintendent added that local school districts also don’t gain any points against urban schools when it comes to Free and Reduced Lunch rates.

“Even though the average percentage of Free/Reduced Lunch rates in our area is between 40 and 50 percent, the larger urban school districts are submitting percentages around 80 percent or higher,” Gerber explained.

While the WBESC will continue to submit 21st Century Grant applications, the superintendent added, it will also continue to lose out to the larger urban districts, which have a higher percentage of needy children trying to raise standardized reading and math scores.

“I understand there is only so much money to be awarded,” Gerber said. “We will continue to work for our partner schools to secure 21st Century monies as long as this grant is available.”

Also Wednesday, the superintendent congratulated WBESC employee Chris Feichter, who was selected to be an Ohio Teacher Evaluation System state trainer. Feichter also serves Wayne Trace Local Schools as director of instruction.

“Christ was chosen as a state trainer based on her knowledge of teacher evaluations, professional development, availability, regional demand and experience,” Gerber told board members. “We are happy for Chris to represent northwest Ohio as an OTES state trainer.”

Also during the meeting, WBESC Treasurer Gary Ginter reviewed current financial reports, investments and monthly expenditures with the board, while the board also accepted the resignation of paraprofessional Donna Worchuck, effective February 3.

The board also approved moving Sherray Elliott from part-time to full-time status as a paraprofessional, while also continuing her Ohio Children’s Trust Fund duties through June.

The board also authorized the Allen County Educational Service Center to take over as fiscal officer for the Northwest Ohio Area Computer Services Cooperative, beginning April 1 of this year through June 30, 2014.