By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Wynford Superintendent Fred Fox delivered his first State of the Schools address to the district school board on Wednesday.
Sharing the school district’s CUPP report, Fox noted that as of 2014, 44 percent of the school’s students were considered at the poverty level. Fox said since then the number has increased to about 50 percent, which is similar to the Buckeye Central and Colonel Crawford communities.
Fox noted teacher salaries in the district are below state averages, but are similar to the area schools.
On the state level Fox pointed out Wynford is ranked at about the middle, coming in at 324 out of 611 school districts in the state.
Fox then moved on to the recent State Grade Cards for the school district.
“Improvements are moving slowly but they are moving,” Fox said. “With Gap Closing we have got to work on the students, because that is what will bring us back. It is like an assembly line at the Ford factory: you don’t look at the chassis and say that it is a great car, you look at it at the end.
“When the kids are reaching the end here they are succeeding. We don’t stop teaching at the third, fifth, or eighth grades, the staff continues to teach.”
After reflecting on some of Wynford’s rankings, Fox turned the focus of his presentation to what is new at the school. Starting out Fox spoke of a renewed focus on writing, which he said would also help improve reading. Fox noted that for the first time the school fielded a girls’ golf team, as well as an increase in band and Royal Singers participation.
Turning his attention to communication Fox reported on the revamped school website and newsletter. Fox also shared that text messaging has been implemented in school announcements such as events, and school delays.
Fox reported that on the financial side the school is improving.
“Financially the district is on the verge of being in OK shape, not great shape, but better than it has been,” Fox said.
Elementary Principal Nelle Nutter gave a presentation to the Wynford Board of Education on the 21st Century Community Learning Grant.
Nutter reported that the program received a review from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), from which the school received a very high ranking.
“Kathy Waters is very serious and down to point,” Nutter explained of the reviewer for the ODE. “I am going to let Superintendent Fox share what she said in her report.”
“She said we are doing exactly what the purpose of the grant is intended to be, and proposed that the school reapply for the Junior High version of the program,” Fox said. “The work the staff did here will benefit the students into the future, and feels good where the district is headed. The key is that the students, parents, and staff are buying into the program.”
After speaking about the 21st Century Community Learning Grant, Nutter spoke of the Leader in Me program and played a video that the elementary school staff had created.
“Old Fort was looking at the Leader in Me program, and asked if the staff could write a testimonial,” Nutter said. “We put together a video testimonial instead. Kristie Mears at ESC Consultants asked if she could use the testimonial. It was played at the Old Fort Board of Education meeting and Carey will play it at one of their upcoming board of education meetings. I also uploaded it to the Franklin Covey’s message board. As a result received $3,000 worth of free training from the Light House team.”
Nutter added that the video could help the school receive Light House Status by involving more districts.
Prior to her presentation Nutter gave recognition to artist Kymberlee Wood, along with volunteers Diane Sand and Zach Bauer for their work on a new mural that adorns the Wynford Elementary School’s gymnasium.
Nutter also gave recognition to Bud Cook of Sycamore Cabinet Company for his donation of the Buddy Bench.
The Wynford Board of Education unanimously approved all items on the agenda including the retirements of elementary teacher Glenda Leuthold and Don Brooks.