By Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com
With the school year rapidly closing, the Wynford school board presided over a busy agenda Monday night. On the docket were the five-year forecast, personnel changes, a report on the competitive balance initiative, and a precocious young chef.
Treasurer Leesa Smith gave the five-year forecast update. After having given more detailed reports in January and March, Smith wanted to highlight a few things. Much of the report is similar to what she has given in the past, and like many other schools in the county Wynford is looking down the road to some serious budget deficits.
The foundation money received a small bump of $19,000 from the last projection. There is also a slightly different look to the personnel landscape with the end of year resignations and retirements becoming official.
Wynford elementary student Avery Langenderfer was recognized before the board for his achievement of reaching the National Semi-Finals of the Future Chef Competition. Parents Amber and Scott were on hand to witness Avery receiving his acknowledgement.
Avery made the top 15 nationwide out of 350 students who entered. His dish of choice was a chicken wrap with avocados and vegetables. Avery will receive further recognition at the elementary awards ceremony.
A great deal of personnel business was handled, much of it routine.
Superintendent Steve Mohr said it gave him, “A great deal of pleasure to recommend,” Mark Delaney as the new boys varsity basketball coach (see related story).
Several of these personnel agenda items dealt with the need for one-on-one aides in the special education department. Sandy Alspach and Holly Kaple were approved to operate in this capacity; Alspach as a substitute aide, and Kaple as a classified substitute. Mohr spoke how the costs in this department have, “risen dramatically,” and this point was further stressed when an agreement with the North Central Ohio Educational Service Center was discussed.
Twelve aides were made available to the school through this agreement, although that does not mean that all 12 will be putting in continual eight-hour days. They will be available to the district on a basis of need as determined by the superintendent.
Mohr stated that now almost the entire expenditure to NCOESC goes toward these one-to-one aides; whereas when he arrived eight years ago this was a much lower percentage.
Mohr accepted the resignation of physical education teacher Michael Voll with some regret, calling him, “a first class person with a great family.”
Also moving on is Mark Heydinger as the vocal music teacher. Heydinger, who has been in charge of that department for 15 years, and was working as a retire-rehire, will be accepting a post in New Washington.
Negotiations are ongoing with the certified staff, for which Mohr commended the work of Smith and the good faith negotiations of the teachers.
“It’s been a good team effort from this side of the table,” Mohr said.
When negotiations with the certified staff are closed, negotiations with the classified staff will commence.
Principal Jeff Holbrook reported to the board that Wynford was one of the schools that voted to pass the OHSAA Competitive Balance Initiative, which passed statewide at a vote of 411-323. After analyzing the initiative, Holbrook felt that it would not “adversely affect” the district and voted for it in, “the best interests of our kids.”
Interviews for elementary principal began Monday night, and the next two weeks will be devoted toward filling as many of the vacant positions as possible for next school year.