Mantua – At their last meeting, Crestwood Superintendent David Toth shared that at the start of that week, the district’s nutrition team had distributed 35,172 meals to local families. While the school year has progressed virtually, Toth noted that no new instruction will take place after May 22nd. He shared that each school will determine the review and practice materials needed by students for the end of the school year, which takes place on June 3rd. He noted that details on required assignments, make-up assignments, and chrome book returns will be forthcoming to families from each building’s principal.
Looking ahead to fall, the State of Ohio has identified three possible scenarios for classes in the coming school year. The first scenario assumes that schools will be open with restrictions such as social distancing, masks, and other measures. The second assumes schools reopen as above, however provides the option of remote learning for families who require it. The third option is that schools opens with fully remote learning, as has been done this year. With so many unknown factors, Toth noted that if there is a Covid-19 reemergence, schools may transition back to this scenario from the other two as health and safety requires. He noted that Crestwood is working through the details and considerations of each scenario, and has solicited feedback from families to learn ways to improve remote learning, should the district be continuing in the fall.
Next, both Superintendent Toth and District Treasurer Sarah Palm discussed the impact of Covid-19 on the District’s financial situation. Prior to the pandemic, Toth and Palm had discussed plans to be on the November 2020 ballot for new money. According to Toth, “we still need to be on the ballot,” but understands this issue is further complicated now that many in the community are suffering financially.
According to Aaron Rausch, Ohio’s Director of Budget & School Funding, traditional K-12 public schools typically receive $300.5 million from the State’s Foundation. He noted that due to the pandemic, which had reduced tax collections due to business closures, funding to those schools would be reduced by 3.7%, effective May 22nd. He noted that the State had determined a cost per pupil reduction calculation, which ranged from $88.76 – $304.32 per pupil depending on the district. Crestwood received a reduction of $378,000 over the next two months, since the fiscal year ends on June 30th.
In addition, Toth noted that another reduction is expected for fiscal year 2021, which begins on July 1st. He noted that as K-12 public education funding represents 34% of the State Budget, according to key officials, cuts would be at least the same percentage (3.7%) as 2020, but more likely be 10%, which would represent a loss of $1 million for Crestwood. Other industry sources suggest the increase could be as high as 20%, which would represent a loss of $2 million dollars. The determination must be made by August, but will potentially happen earlier.
“This puts us in a crisis situation,” Toth remarked. He noted that in 2018, the School Board needed to reduce the budget by $1.4 million, which resulted in the loss of 12 teachers, 3 classroom staff, 1 school administrator and several support positions. He noted that since that time, the district has been reducing staff to remain fiscally responsible. He noted that these recent cuts will affect operations across the district, including transportation, maintenance, technology, programming and electives. “I’m very concerned with how we’re going to educate kids with that kind of reduction,” he added.
Toth and Palm will provide recommended cuts to cover the initial budget reductions for the board’s review at the next meeting on May 26th. They’ll work with the district’s financial audit committee to formulate recommendations in dealing with cuts to FY2021 for discussion soon after. Treasurer Palm has adjusted the District’s Five-Year forecast to account for the current and potential budget cuts. Those documents are available at crestwoodschools.org.
In other news, Toth shared that the team at CHS has completed filming of CHS 2020 graduates and speakers on the high school stage in preparation for the commencement ceremony, which will be held on June 3rd at the Midway Drive In. He noted that last Saturday, the district, in conjunction with the Mantua Police Department, held a senior parade through the village that ended with a community-supported fireworks display. He shared “Much thanks to Brandy Kress for gathering fireworks donations (and generous donors like AmeriCANS, Oscar Brugmann Sand & Gravel, Buckeye Partners, Kress Transportation, Star Therapy & Sales, the Pruszynski and Shultz families. Plus, shout out to Mantua PD and Fire! It takes a Village!”
The next school board meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, May 26th at 7 pm. To attend visit the Crestwood Live channel on YouTube or follow the links at crestwoodschools.org.
