C’view bd. looks at administrative jobs

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Board of Education looked at a proposal for an administrative personnel change, while students and staff made presentations at the board’s March meeting on Monday.

Superintendent Mike Estes noted that his administration was contemplating splitting the current program services director’s position into a director of curriculum/instruction and director of special education. The position is currently open with the retirement of Becky Wells.

Estes said the reason for the change was to provide an additional position to help with the administrative workload since principals’ duties would increase significantly with the new state teacher evaluation program.

Board members also unanimously approved a resolution opposing House Bill 59, which would expand the current Educational Choice Scholarship Program that would provide school vouchers to anyone with income within 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

“Vouchers, to me, is just an attempt to eliminate public education,” the superintendent told the board. “If we stop doing our job, maybe they should eliminate us, but I think we are doing a good job.”

Estes also talked about a planned incentive program that would provide five additional days of pay to teachers who provide early notice they are planning to resign at the end of a school year.

To receive the incentive, teachers have until March 28 this year to make early notification because the program was implemented late; however, the notification deadline would be February 15 in subsequent years.

“It will be nice to know early if people are going to leave,” the superintendent said, adding, “it gives us a better chance of planning and getting schedules done early.”

The board later approved a memorandum of understanding with the Crestview Education Association approving the incentive program.

Elementary Principal Kathy Mollenkopf noted that Crestview was chosen to make a presentation to the Race to the Top conference relating to the teacher evaluation program, and also said that kindergarten registration was completed, with 51 kindergarten students enrolled for the coming school year, 11 of those through open enrollment. Mollenkopf added, though, that there are usually several late registrations and expects to have approximately 60 kindergarten students by the beginning of the new school year, which is a typical enrollment number for Crestview’s kindergarten classes.

Middle School Principal Dave Bowen talked about the upcoming Ohio Music Educators Association’s solo and ensemble contest, and also talked about the success of the Crestview Middle School Scholastic Bowl team.

High School Principal Mike Biro noted that Ohio Graduation Test week was last week, adding that some make-ups for the test were being administered this week. Biro also reported that the Crestview High School Concert Band received a I (superior) rating at the OMEA’s district band and choir competition held recently in the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio. The band, which last received a I rating in 2005, will now advance to state competition.

The high school principal also reported that the high school dinner theater will be held this coming weekend, and also talked about Crestview student accomplishments in connection with Model UN and Optimist Club competitions.

Two members of the Crestview Writing Club also attended the meeting and presented the board with copies of books they wrote.

Judy Wortman, Crestview Student Council advisor, also attended the meeting, along with three Student Council members, to make a presentation to Biro of a Humanitarian Award the school received from the Ohio School Boards Association’s Northwest Region in conjunction with its Walk for the Dealeys fundraiser.

Estes noted that school shooter response training that had been scheduled for teachers had to be canceled when the instructor became ill. That training has been rescheduled for August 28.

In other action, the board:

• Renewed a contract with the Northwest Ohio Education Technology agency as presented.
• Approved revised calendars for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years, as presented.
• Accepted, with thanks, a $1,000 donation from the Wren Community Chest for two senior scholarships.
• Approved a change in the April board meeting date because of a conflict. The board will now meet at 6 p.m. Monday, April 22, in the district boardroom.