C’view bd. OKs contract; goes ‘paperless’

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

CONVOY — Crestview Local Board of Education had a light agenda, but did approve one very important item: a new three-year contract for employees.

The board approved a contract with the Crestview Employees’ Association that provides a 1-percent raise in each of the three years of the contract.

Crestview Superintendent Mike Estes said contract negotiations were cordial — and efficient.

“It went really well. I have to compliment our association on the manner in which negotiations were conducted,” Estes said. “We had one meeting to exchange lists and then a three-hour session and we were basically done, other than sending the language to an attorney … and making sure both sides were okay with it.

“We feel we were in the position where we could offer a modest increase, and we think our employees deserve an increase in compensation,” he added.

High School Principal Mike Biro was also given an extended three-year contract, effective August 1, 2012, through July 31, 2015.

Elementary Principal Kathy Mollenkopf noted the kindergarten registration is being conducted this week and also noted that a re-evaluation of the district’s bus routes is underway, due to enrollment decreases and the retirement of a bus driver.

Estes stressed that the cutting of a bus route is possible, but not assured, at this point.

Middle School Principal Dave Bowen also talked about testing and recognized his school’s Quiz Bowl team, which recently finished in first place at the Coldwater Invitational.

Biro also spoke about testing — the Ohio Graduation Test, in his case — that is also ongoing, while the government trip is also this week.

Biro noted that Crestview’s prom is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, at Willow Bend Country Club in Van Wert.

During his report, Estes talked about a proposal to install a driveway on the east side of the athletic complex, although he added that no action will likely be taken until next fall, at the earliest. The superintendent did say the proposal makes sense, since it would take some of the traffic load off Oak and Maple streets, and the residential area near the school.

Estes also noted that he had learned from State Senator Cliff Hite during a meeting that pension reform legislation might be coming sooner than expected.

The superintendent also noted there would be a mediation meeting between contractors and school officials over rubber tile installed as part of Crestview’s facility renovation/construction project.

It was also the first “paperless” school board meeting, with board members and administrators using laptop computers to conduct the meeting. Estes said the transition went smoothly.

In other action, the board:

• Accepted, with thanks, a donation of $1,000 from an anonymous donor for two senior scholarships.
• Approved a depository agreement with US Bank.
• Authorized a stipend of $500 each to Terri Sutton, Melissa Roop and Ali Sawmiller as coordinators of the Resident Educator Program for the 2011-2012 school year.
• Approved a Family Medical Leave for Bud Walls.

The next regular meeting of the Crestview Local Board of Education is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, April 16, in the district boardroom.