At the March meeting, the Crestwood Board of Education accepted the resignation of Dr. David Toth, Superintendent, effective July 31, 2024. After the motion was accepted, Board President Dan Tillett took a moment to thank Dr. Toth for his years of service to the Crestwood District.
In the Treasurer’s Report, Treasurer/CFO, Kathryn Hoffmeister noted that February ended with a general fund balance of $8.7 million and an all fund balance totals $12.8 million. Hoffmeister noted that the forecast is currently trending with a $32,000 increase to revenue. She continued, noting that District expenditures are slightly higher due to unforeseen repairs which included water leaks and pipe bursts and State mandated instructional purchased services. She reported that the changes will be reflected in the May forecast.
Also at the March 12th meeting, the Board approved Resolution 2024-35, accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the Portage County Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the County Auditor. The resolution reads as follows: WHEREAS, This Board of Education in accordance with the provisions of law has previously adopted a Tax Budget for the next succeeding fiscal year commencing July 1 , 2024; and WHEREAS, The Budget Commission of Portage County, Ohio, has certified its action thereon to this Board together with an estimate by the County Auditor of the rate of each tax necessary to be levied by this Board, and what part thereof is without, and what part within, the ten mill tax limitation; therefore, be it RESOLVED, By the Board of Education of the Crestwood Local School District, Portage County, Ohio, that the amounts and rates, as determined by the Budget Commission in its certification, be and the same are hereby accepted. Further, that there be and is hereby levied on the tax duplicate of said School District the rate of each tax necessary to be levied within and without the ten mill limitation. For documentation and details regarding the rates and amounts, please refer to the Board minutes at crestwoodschools.org.
The Board is currently reviewing the practice of allowing community discussion at both the start and the end of each Board meeting. This issue was raised by community member Nancy Shepherd, who advocated for allowing community discussion and comments at the end of meeting to inquire about items presented during the evening’s meeting.
On Saturday, April 6th, Crestwood Schools rededicated the fieldhouse to commemorate Crestwood graduates who lost their lives in the war in Vietnam. The Fieldhouse was originally built in 1970, and plans to honor Kenneth R. Keefer, Denver J. Berkheimer, John E Lorence, and Robert W. Zoller were discussed at that time. Due to unknown reasons, plans for the dedication didn’t come to fruition. Local historian Tim Benner learned of the original plan and presented his finding to Crestwood Schools, who held a rededication ceremony prior to the annual Red Devils Don Faix Invitational track meet. Mantua American Legion Post 193 were present to honor their fallen comrades with a rifle salute and the playing of “Taps”.
Lastly, the Crestwood Board of Education will hold a meeting to convene the Permanent Improvement Committee meeting on Wednesday April 24th at 7 pm. In addition, a special meeting is called to discuss CHS gym floor replacement and winning bid acceptance on Thursday April 25 at 5 pm; both meetings will be held at the Central Office on John Edwards Drive.
The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held at 7 pm on Tuesday May 14 at the Central Office.
