Windham – Windham Board of Education (BOE) held their most recent meeting via Zoom due to the high COVID-19 numbers. They had all board members in attendance, along with the superintendent and the treasurer. A discussion was held on an Ohio house bill that looks good initially, but when delved into, it takes more money from already financially strapped schools. The bill will bring relief to business but it will be detrimental to the financial health of school districts. School administrators and board members were asked to call their representatives and encourage them to vote no.
House Bill 305, on a new formula on how Ohio funds schools was passed in the House but is expected to fail in the Senate. The state has admitted their method of funding schools is illegal, yet they have stalled once again, on rectifying the situation. They will start the process again in the new year.
Currently, the county is on a purple level for COVID-19 and that forced the school to go fully remote. The school had planned on being remote the first week after Thanksgiving but they have been remote for the entire month of December. It is unclear whether the students will return to the classroom right after the Christmas holiday or continue with remote learning, it will depend on what the county numbers look like. A decision will not be made until after Christmas. Superintendent Aireane Curtis says, they hope to have students return to the building a soon a possible. One of the problems, she foresees is if staff members get exposed and have to be quarantined, they just don’t have enough substitutes to cover the classes.
The district is continuing to transport Maplewood Career students as they are continuing in school instruction. Maplewood is a hands- on style learning environment that really can’t be done remotely. The district is continuing their breakfast and lunch meals to the students. The food can be picked up at the school and they have a bus at P&M Estates delivering food there as well.
Treasurer Adam Hines was contacted by Plug Smart, a group that evaluates the needs of the district and helps you apply for grants for building improvements. They will also help digitalize their hard copy blue prints and such. They will look at options for relief of high utility bills as well.
Hines reported that the bus accident that happened before Thanksgiving might cost the school a $1000 deductible even though it wasn’t a Windham’s driver’s fault.
The board voted to terminate their contract with Mahoning County ESC. They, then voted to join the Summit County ESC. They will be with other Portage County districts in the Summit ESC.
The board approved to have the Portage County Auditor determine the millage rate for a permanent levy on the May Ballot. They plan on forming a levy committee in January to promote and explain the need for the levy. The BOE approved the appointment of Mandy Berardinelli as president pro-tem to run the January organization meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
