CRESTLINE — The Crestline Exempted Village Schools Board of Education met virtually for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Board members met on the virtual meeting application Zoom and had a live stream available for the public on YouTube with a link also posted on the district’s Facebook page.

To begin the meeting, the board passed a resolution allowing for the style of meeting to take place, adhering to guidelines set by the State of Ohio.

Crestline Superintendent Matt Henderson said the purpose of the virtual meeting was to keep everyone healthy while still conducting the district’s business. He said face-to-face meetings are preferred, but the district must do what it has to do to keep the staff and public safe during the pandemic.

For the public to still participate in the meetings, Henderson said an email account, comment@CrestlineBulldogs.org, was created for comment and question submissions to the board during its meetings.

During his address to the board, Henderson said the district is reducing the amount of days it is distributing meals to two days, but still will be handing out the same amount of food. He said the district has given an average of 2,000 meals per week.

Henderson also addressed some upcoming changes and possible changes that may be made at the May board meeting. He told the board the school’s grading policy will need adjusted to accommodate for the online remote learning students have been completing during the state-mandated school shut down. Henderson told the board students’ work from the first four weeks of the fourth-quarter grading period were collected last week and students still will be graded on the work they have been assigned.

He also said the district’s graduation date is May 29, but if Gov. Mike DeWine extends the school closure, Henderson said he has two other tentative dates to use.

Also during the meeting, the board accepted the following donations:

  • Robert Wozniak and the Crestline High School Class of 1971: $25 to the Crestline High School Athletic Department for the purchase of football helmets.
  • Mary Jane Frye and the Crestline High School Class of 1971: $25 to the Crestline High School Athletic Department for the purchase of football helmets.
  • Tom L. Dowell and the Crestline High School Class of 1971: $50 to the Crestline High School Athletic Department for the purchase of football helmets.
  • Attica Lumber of Attica, OH: Donation of 24 sheets of plywood valued at $597.36 for the Crestline Exempted Village Schools weight room platform project.
  • Eagles Aerie No. 859 of Crestline in the amount of $457.38 for the Crestline Preschool graduation caps.

To conclude the meeting, the board accepted the non-renewals of 73 supplemental and pupil activity positions such as coaches, class advisors and others. Henderson said this is done at the conclusion of every school year so the district may post the positions and prepare for the following year.