Mantua – As a result of the failure of Issue 6 this spring, the School Board discussed options and considerations for the district’s financial situation. Superintendent David Toth noted that the district has made cuts of over two million dollars over the last 5 years. In addition, the planned closure of the Crestwood Middle School stating next school year will save the district over $500,000. In spite of this savings, as the cost of educating students continues to rise, and facilities continue to age, he noted the challenge in offering the same interventions, transportation, electives, and extra-curricular activities for students without additional funding. “Our staff will always strive to do what is best for the kids of Crestwood,” Toth noted. “We will continue to move forward to the best of our abilities.”
Superintendent Toth noted that Crestwood has the 39th lowest gross tax rate out of the 42 School districts across Geauga, Lake, Portage, and Summit Counties. Since 1992, the majority of Crestwood voters have opposed a total of 14 Operational and 10 Permanent Improvement or Bond levies.
On a positive note, Mr. Toth and district Treasurer Sarah Palm shared that the district has received Federal grants to be earmarked for use with programs including those for special needs students, homeless students, family literacy projects, mental health support, and summer learning programs. In addition, the district has seen a projected savings of $300,000 in healthcare costs as well. The Board discussed the district’s finances, as well as the need to update the district’s strategic plan. It was noted that the last plan was created seven years prior; it was created with the help of an outside organization who conducted surveys and moderated focus groups in order to garner community input. After a lengthy discussion, the Board agreed to revisit these topics at the next Board meeting, at which time Ms. Palm will present an updated Five-Year-Forecast to the Board.
Moving ahead, Mr. Toth noted that Crestwood High School has joined in a consortium of eight other School districts in Northeast Ohio to participate in a pilot program of experiential learning. Through the program, CHS juniors will have the opportunity to interact with professionals from 40 Northeast Ohio businesses through internships, externships, job shadowing opportunities, and networking opportunities during and after graduation. “This program will allow students to explore careers both in school and after graduation,” Toth noted.
In other news, CHS juniors and seniors recently took part in Frontier Days, the culmination of Crestwood’s highly regarded experiential learning program. The program took place over several days, outdoors in the Pioneer-era camp adjacent to the school. Students dressed in period-appropriate costumes they made by hand as they showcased their skills in starting fires using flint and steel, baking biscuits over a campfire, making butter, and other skills early Ohio settlers would have employed. They also engaged in games and activities from that time period in this culmination of the yearlong program. Graduation will take place at Parkside Church in Solon on Wednesday, June 2nd at 7 pm.
The next School Board meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 25th at 7 pm at Crestwood Primary School.
