By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

With the modulars that house the Wynford Junior High exceeding their shelf life, discussions were held during Superintendent Fred Fox’s report to the Wynford Board of Education on what to do with the aging temporary school houses.

During Fox’s report he explained to the board that in conversations with John Schiefer, Mike Hoffman, and Kay Scott that the three were in agreement to encourage the board to pass a resolution to pursue the Ohio Facilities Commission on the modular situation.

Prior to engaging in the public’s thoughts, Fox spoke his opinion on the matter.

“We just put $500 in pest control for the buildings. We are constantly putting money into something that we really don’t want to,” Fox said.

Substitute elementary teacher and secretary of the Wynford Parent Teacher Organization Melissa Pope shared her opinions on the modulars during the discussion.

“I have three students in the school, but I would like to push forward to either make renovations or move on from them,” Pope said.

Father of two elementary students at Wynford, Ryan Pelter spoke his opinion on the modulars.

“I was part of the last junior high class at Holmes-Liberty, and I think we need a permanent solution.”

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Fox also spoke about school safety during his report.

“We continue with safety issues around the district. We have cameras up that will be doing surveillance of the student lot. We are also working on ALICE training,” Fox said.

Fox then procured an orange bucket which had contents that included a hammer and bug spray.

“Instead of hiding and being prey, we are not going to take it,” Fox said.

Fox noted that in the event of a lockdown, if someone tried to break into a room, the hammer would be used on the intruder, along with the bug spray. Fox also added that the school would be preparing for evacuation and exit strategies.

Fox added that he purchased 110 buckets with the contents from Home Depot for $1,100.

Also along the lines of student safety Fox reported that he and Andy Schiefer were looking at the Where’s My Bus tracking system app. Fox noted that he wanted to contact other districts and look into a possible group discount.

Treasurer Leesa Smith gave an updated five-year forecast for the school. Prior to delivering the forecast Smith explained that normally they are due in October and May, however, there are times when they need to be revised in the January and February timeframe if a significant change occurs.

Smith began her report noting that the carryover for Fiscal Year 2017 is within $20,000 of the October forecast, however, a few changes took place to warrant an updated forecast.

Smith noted that the forecast will be changing in state funding. Smith added that the state funding changes occur every two years making seeing five years out somewhat difficult.

“At this time two years ago we were given estimates that we would have a loss of $50,000 one year and $30,000 the next, then we wound up getting more money,” Smith said. “Don’t get too excited, but we were told that we would be receiving $120,000 less in state funding, but since then the state has adjusted that number down to $60,000. Every two years they change the funding and how they calculate it. It is very hard doing the forecast when 50% of the school’s funding is that number.”

Smith noted that preschool funding doubled with the addition of a second preschool, and that the school is looking at an additional $10,000 in open enrollment increases.

“In personnel services we had retirements, so I adjusted the replacements at a lower cost, but substitute teachers and drivers has increased,” Smith said.

Smith also noted in changes to healthcare, open enrollment out, and instructional aides.

Smith added that with the installation of replacement boilers and lighting the school received a one-time rebate of $72,000. The new lighting and boilers are also expected to save on the utility bill as well.

At the end of the five-year forecast Fox added that currently it is looking like the federal funding on Title I schools will receive a $2-$3 billion decrease nationwide. Fox wasn’t sure if that federal funding would go towards charter schools, or if it would be put back into other areas of Title I schools.

Wynford board member Rhonda Rowland was recognized by the Wynford Board of Education for being honored at the Ohio School Boards Association Central Region Spring Conference for her 15 years of service to the Wynford Board of Education.

Dhana Vercryusse, A.J. Reichard and Christine Mears spoke about the District Leadership Team’s survey of the Teacher Based Team. During their presentation the three spoke on those two groups along with the Building Leadership Team and what each group is responsible for, when they meet, and what they will be doing moving forward.

The Wynford Board of Education approved moving up their start times of regular monthly meetings. Beginning in March the board will now meet at 5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month.

The Wynford board approved all items on the agenda without a dissenting vote including an agreement with North Central State College for College Credit Plus courses through June 30, 2018. Also approved was establishing a moratorium on extracurricular activities from July 1, 2017-July 8, 2017.