BUCRYUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW) — This week, the Wynford Board of Education met for the November meeting.
After voters rejected the levy for a second time, district administrators assured the public that no layoffs or job cuts are planned because of prior budget adjustments and state funding protection.
Across the state, renewal operating levies passed at a 35% rate, whereas new operating levies (property and income taxes) passed at only 15.4%.
For future fiscal controls, leadership will conduct due diligence across all vendor contracts, open staff positions, and upcoming retirements to control expenditures organically over time.
State legislation shifted the deadline for submitting the mandatory five-year financial forecast from May to February, requiring district reporting prior to full post-election property tax reconciliation.
Becky Prenger, a Title I reading teacher in the elementary school, gave a presentation on Project MORE.
Project MORE is a one-on-one reading mentorship program that pairs high school students with third-graders struggling with comprehension and vocabulary Monday through Thursday before the elementary school day starts.
The program is funded entirely through Education Foundation grants.
The school originally relied on adult community volunteers during study hall but was restructured into a second-period high school elective credit.
Bowling Green State University evaluations confirm its effectiveness.
Eleven former mentees with Project MORE went on to become mentors in high school.
During public comment, Greg White brought up several issues he had with the board over legal procedures and board compliance.
White stated that, according to ORC 3133.2014, only board members can be elected pro tempore regarding appointing Treasurer Leesa Smith as president for the January organizational meeting. The line item on the matter, B.11 on the agenda, was tabled.
White also brought up ORC 149.43, which requires that all addenda must be published online prior to meetings. He stated he will be submitting an official records request for all packet materials.
The last matter White discussed was questioning agenda items allocating extra-duty pay for teachers supervising detentions, challenging the overall educational efficacy of detention programs.
District projects funded through 2017 allocations, including track resurfacing and structural maintenance, continue to progress on schedule toward completion in 2026.
The board approved Spencer Mutchler, former assistant baseball coach, as head baseball coach for this spring.
The board accepted a $250 donation to the LEADS Fund from Colonel Crawford Post 181 American Legion.
The board also accepted a donation of 550 pumpkins to Wynford Elementary students from the Bennett family, totaling an estimated $1,100.
The next meeting is Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m.