C’view bd. deals with personnel, finances

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Board of Education heard a presentation from first-year Treasurer Ashley Whetsel on the district’s five-year forecast and also took some personnel action during its brief June meeting held Monday.

Whetsel, who replaced retired treasurer Laura Metzger earlier this year, provided a detailed look at the district’s five-year forecast, which was later approved by the board when it dealt with new business.

The board also accepted the resignation of high school intervention specialist Lindsey Shumaker after two years with the district, and later hired Mimi Wreath as a middle school language arts teacher.

Two coaching positions were also filled, with Allison Reindel given a contract as middle school cross country coach and Matt Perkins approved as a volunteer high school football coach.

Elementary Principal Kathy Mollenkopf, who also manages the district’s bus fleet, noted that summer maintenance has begun on Crestview buses.

She also talked about a recently held music and arts camp, and also noted that Crestview did very well on mandatory third grade testing for math and reading, with no mandatory retentions of students. In addition, 80 percent of Crestview’s third-graders were ranked high on the tests, which Mollenkopf said was “pretty strong”.

Middle School Principal Dave Bowen noted that he was impressed with how engaged students were during culminating activities at the end of the school year, and also talked briefly about Wreath, who he was recommending for a language arts teaching position. In his role as athletic director, Bowen commended the high school baseball team and several track athletes for their accomplishments at state tournaments.

High School Principal Mike Biro said he was looking at rebuilding his staff, with a number of retirements and several more likely occurring. He also talked about summer Ohio Graduation Testing, noting that eight students in grades 10-12 participating in that program.

Biro also talked about a technology conference held at Crestview with staff members from Wayne Trace, Lincolnview and Paulding, as well as Crestview, on the one-to-one initiative, noting that the conference “was a really good thing.”

During his report, Superintendent Mike Estes added that 102 people attended the tech conference, and also talked about paving projects at the school complex.

Estes also talked about the 2015 consolidated application for federal funds, which will come before the board in July, and noted that Crestview’s administrative retreat will begin today to help plan for the coming school year. “It always helps us breathe easier when we know what the plan is,” the superintendent said.

Estes also talked about changes for the 2014-2015 calendar, noting that dates won’t change, but only how days are made up, and when they are made up, and also touched briefly on the district’s land lease agreement for 40 acres the district owns, but is not using at the moment, and non-bargaining unit contract changes.

The superintendent also noted that fall sports teams would all begin practicing on August 1, with a “Meet the Team” night scheduled for August 11.

In other action, the board:

• Approved Fiscal Year 2014 amended appropriations and FY 2015 temporary appropriations, as well as the district Five-Year Forecast.
• Authorized the transfer of $100,000 from the General Fund into the Retirement Benefits Fund, and $1,000 from the General Fund to the Latchkey Fund.
• Approved resolutions congratulating the varsity baseball team and third-place track team members Mycah Grandstaff, Zach Jellison, Malcolm Oliver and Sage Schaffner, and their coaches.
• Approved the new Tech Team budget and premise and also the 2014-2015 Pride budget as presented.
• Appointed Estes as Crestview’s administrative representative to the Van Wert Area Schools Insurance Group (VWASIG).
• Approved a resolution opposing efforts to remove the “thorough and efficient” provision related to education from the Ohio Constitution.
• Approved elementary, middle-high school, athletic department, choir, band and Latchkey handbooks for the upcoming school year.
• Authorized a contract with the Western Buckeye Educational Service Center for services to be provided during the 2014-2015 school year.
• Went into executive session to discuss personnel, with no action taken after the executive session.

The next regular meeting of the Crestview Local Board of Education is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, July 21, in the district boardroom.