C’view board hears calendar information

KELSEY CLEMONS/independent correspondent

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Board of Education met during its March meeting to discuss the upcoming calendar and bring testing to an end for the year.

Elementary Principal Kathy Mollenkopf updated the board on preliminary kindergarten registration numbers, noting that, currently, 42 students are enrolled, with as many as half that number likely yet to come. Mollenkopf said she expects kindergarten enrollment to reach the school’s usual 55-60 students.

The board learned from Middle School Principal Dave Bowen and High School Principal Mike Biro that the significant number of mandated state tests is finally dwindling, with sophomores currently in the process of finishing the Ohio Graduation Test.

Bowen and Biro thanked both Director of Curriculum/Instruction Trent Kreischer and Technology Coordinator Shane Leeth for making the process as smooth as possible. Biro also commented that changes to lessen the number of tests taken are being considered in the future.

The board also learned that the College Credit Plus meeting at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio in Van Wert was a success. A total of 25 Crestview students and their parents attended the meeting, with one of those a student currently enrolled in the program. Colleges at the meeting like this type of gathering as they can talk to several schools (five at the March meeting, including Parkway) in one trip.

Superintendent Mike Estes spoke to the board about the calamity days situation and how days would be made up this school year. Currently, the two makeup days needed will probably be added to the end of the year, extending the last day of school to June 8.

During the meeting, the public was able to address the board on the 2015-2016 school calendar. Area resident Mike Schumm spoke about the importance of balancing schoolwork, Van Wert County Fair responsibilities and extracurricular activities for students. With his children at the center of this situation, Schumm stated all three areas are important, if students are to be well balanced.

In other action, the board:

• Approved the seventh grade trip to the Ohio Statehouse and Ohio Supreme Court in Columbus on May 12
• Approved to extend a one-year contract for Rachel Ciminillo, elementary physical education teacher, effective the 2015-2016 school year.
• Approved the second and final reading of the new, revised, deleted and/or replaced Vol. 33, No. 1 district bylaws and policies.

The next scheduled meeting for the Crestview Local Board of Education will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in the district boardroom.