C’view to buy new bus; health costs rise

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Board of Education discussed health insurance, the new 1:1 computer initiative, approved a number of supplemental contracts and bus routes for the 2013-2014 school year and also moved to seek bids for a new school bus during its last meeting prior to the start of school in September.

The board discussed the 1:1 computer initiative that provides a computer for each student in grades 7-12, with Crestview Middle School Principal Dave Bowen noting that an informational meeting for parents and students on the subject went well. A second meeting will be held from 8-9 p.m. Wednesday, August 28.

High School Principal Mike Biro called the 1:1 computer initiative “a new frontier” for the district, adding, “it’s new to all of us.”

Principals also announced enrollment figures for the 2013-2014 school year, with Elementary Principal Kathy Mollenkopf stating that enrollment there is 439 students, an increase from last year. Bowen said the middle school will have 140 students, with 71 seventh-graders and 69 eighth-graders, and Biro said high school enrollment is currently at 299 students, with 80 freshmen, 61 sophomores, 80 juniors and 78 seniors enrolled for the new year.

Superintendent Mike Estes talked about district health insurance costs, with Estes noting that district health insurance costs will increase 13 percent for the coming year through the Van Wert Area Schools Insurance Group.

Co-pays will also increase, Estes said, noting that the consortium had a “significant shortfall” this past year in its health insurance collections, versus expenditures for health care.

The superintendent also noted that the district would be offering an anti-bullying hotline this school year, with he, Biro and Bowen all receiving training on the issue through a webinar to be held next week.

“Certainly, we want to do what we can to help our kids feel safe here,” Estes said of the anti-bullying hotline program.

Board members also talked briefly about the campaign to renew an operating levy in November, with board members and the administration planning an information booth at home football games.

Also Monday, the board accepted the resignation of Meghan Henry as varsity assistant girls’ basketball coach, due to Fair Labor Standards Act rules, but will accept Henry as a volunteer girls’ basketball coach for the upcoming season.

Other supplemental contracts approved Monday include the following: Jim Wharton, head baseball coach; Gregg Mosier, junior varsity baseball coach; Terry Crowle, varsity baseball assistant; Doyle Sheets, eighth grade baseball coach; Matt Perkins, seventh grade baseball coach; James Lautzenheiser, head track coach; Hannah Phlipot and Randy Grandstaff, varsity track assistants; and Diane Wilson and Steve Sealscott, middle school track coaches.

Owen Pugh was also extended a one-year contract as a bus driver, while Don Coleman, Doug Germann, Eric Hancock, Glenn Hicks and Kirby Joseph were approved as volunteer drivers for the school’s box van to transport swing choir and band equipment for away performances.

The board approved specifications and authorized the district to advertise for competitive bids for at least one new bus to be purchased this school year, and also approved memorandums of understanding with the Crestview Education Association regarding the operation of the district’s food service program and the new prom/class advisor coordinator’s position.

Ben Kaufman was also moved from his position as sophomore class advisor to freshman class advisor, due to class sizes, effective with the start of the 2013-2014 school year.

The board also held an executive session to discuss personnel items, with no action taken afterward.

The next meeting of the Crestview Local Board of Education will be at 6 p.m. Monday, September 9, in the district boardroom.