WBESC board hears grant, budget info

Van Wert independent/contributor content

PAULDING — The Western Buckeye Educational Service Center Governing Board received an update on grant activity and also heard a report on the state biennial budget during its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday at the Paulding ESC office.

Superintendent Brian Gerber informed the board that the 21st Century Community Learning Grant application has been submitted. The grant is comprised of five separate 21st Century grants that were submitted for Wayne Trace Local, Lincolnview Local, Antwerp Local, Paulding Exempted Village, and Van Wert City school districts. A decision on grant acceptance should be known by July 1.

Gerber commended Western Buckeye ESC employees Matt Krites and Linda Krauskopf for the time and effort they put into writing the grant.

“Matt and Linda worked tirelessly on this grant,” Gerber noted. “They worked with school personnel in both counties for the betterment of our students.”

The superintendent also announced that the Teaching American History Grant application has been submitted and commended Chris Feichter for writing that grant application.

Gerber also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Beta Delta Chapter of Psi Iota Xi Sorority for its generous $250 donation for educational supplies for the general operation of the Thomas Edison Preschool. The board also accepted the donation, with thanks, later in the meeting.

Gerber also reported that letters were written and mailed to U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, Ohio Senator Cliff Hite, and U.S. Representative Bob Latta regarding the proposed state budget.

Governor John Kasich’s proposed biennial budget for Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013 calls for “understandable” reductions in state funding for all governmental entities, Gerber noted. Unfortunately, not all of the cuts are equal in their actuality or in their effect upon the local economy.

Gerber pointed out that educational service centers in Ohio have not received an increase in state funding since 1998. In fact, over the past 13 years, ESC funding has been reduced twice. The governor’s new budget calls for a 10 percent cut for FY 2012 and another cut of 15 percent for FY 2013. This will reduce ESC state funding a full 30 percent since 1998.

In the budget proposal, ESCs are highlighted to lead the school initiative in shared service investigations and implementations. Gerber noted that what that role is exciting and underscores the true flexibility and entrepreneurship of ESCs, it becomes extremely difficult to complete when ESC staffs and facilities are compromised due to the excessive loss of funding.

The board also received an update by Treasurer Gary Ginter on current financial reports, investments and monthly expenditures.

In other action, the board approved the following Northwest Ohio Area Computer Services Cooperative agenda items:

• A continuing contract for NOACSC employee Brenda Core, effective July 11
• The FY12 NOACSC calendar as presented.
• A new NOACSC service of “voice over IP” (VOIP) phone service with fee schedule as follows: $6 per extension per month; $15 per phone (one time set-up, non-recurring charge) PSTN access will vary depending on district and availability; NOACSC will act as a “pass-through” regarding PSTN charges

The next regular WBESC Governing Board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, in the Van Wert ESC office.