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Valley schools open doors to 15,000 students
(by Sue Hoffman - August 18, 2010)
Valley schools open doors to 15,000 students
By SUE HOFFMAN
Public schools in the Chagrin Valley will have some innovations, renovations and cost-saving measures waiting when they open their doors next week for the 2010-2011 school year.
Enrollment will remain fairly stable, with little change in the Chagrin Falls, Kenston and Orange districts and slight declines in the Solon and West Geauga districts. All told, nearly 15,000 students will be heading back to school in the five school districts.
No operating levies are planned this fall among the local districts, although a possible May levy is yet to be determined by the Chagrin Falls School Board. The West Geauga School District has a $12 million bond issue on the Nov. 2 ballot to fund new roofs and other maintenance projects.
Currently under construction is the Orange School District's new full-sized gymnasium at Brady Middle School. The district also is completing renovation in the former Pepper Pike School, which houses the inclusive preschool and Orange Community Education and Recreation.
Brady Middle School's smaller gymnasium limits students to having physical education one semester only each year, according to Phil Dickinson, director of business and operations for Orange schools. He said the new gym will enable the school to provide state-recommended "every-other-day activity."
Solon's 6.9-mill operating levy, which was approved handily by voters in May, will start being collected in January 2011. The levy will cost homeowners $211 per year for each $100,000 of property valuation. While the levy's passage saved numerous jobs and kept class sizes from growing, school officials said permanent cuts continue to be made.
"The key is to control expenses," Solon School Superintendent Joseph V. Regano said Monday. "We're constantly looking at ways to save money."
Among new cost reductions, the Solon district has cut approximately nine teaching positions. Administrators, monitors and aides will not be receiving raises or step increases in the new school year.
Through attrition, the Solon district also has reduced the number of guidance counselors. Tamara Strom, coordinator of communications services, said there is one fewer counselor at the high school. A "new model" has been created at Solon and Orchard middle schools, in which the school psychologist "will be helping with counseling issues," she said. As a result, two additional guidance counselors were not replaced.
Cost savings are a focus at the other school districts. The Kenston district will begin school with one less administrator, other staff reductions and consolidation of three bus runs, according to Katy McGrath, director of community relations. The district has saved $50,000 on energy costs compared to the previous year, she said.
In addition to ongoing energy-savings efforts, the Chagrin Falls School District will determine whether to proceed with an Ohio House Bill 264 energy-conservation program, which includes zero- or low-interest loans, School Superintendent Stephen Thompson said.
The Chagrin Falls district is starting off the year with several innovations, including the Bridge to the World program with China. Chagrin students and staff visited Chinese schools for 15 days earlier this summer. Chinese students and staff arrived in Chagrin Falls Monday and will continue their visit in the district through Aug. 30.
Among its new programs, the Kenston district is expanding its "healthy days" at school, in which only healthy snacks are an option, according to Mrs. McGrath. The district also will be purchasing produce and fruit in a farms-to-school program, she said.
Local districts are looking forward to offering new courses, ranging from an engineering survey class in Solon to alternative energy in Kenston and Advanced Placement Psychology in Chagrin Falls.
Among the new faces this year is Thomas Diringer, superintendent of the West Geauga School District. He has 35 years of experience in education, including the last four years as superintendent at the Brecksville-Broadview Heights School District. The district also has a new transportation supervisor and band director.
Solon, Orange and Chagrin Falls high schools have new principals.
In Solon, Erin Short, who has been associate principal at the high school, has replaced George Steyer, who retired. Erica Kosiorek, a Solon alumna and former math teacher at the high school, replaced Ms. Short as assistant principal.
In Orange, Paul Lucas, who was an assistant principal, now is at the helm at the high school. Jasmine Clark is the new assistant principal of the high school, and Katrinka Dean-Moore is the new assistant principal at Moreland Hills Elementary School.
Bill Koons is the new principal of Chagrin Falls High School, and Steven Ast is the new assistant principal. Kurt Gabram returned to the district as the new business and facilities manager, and Charles Barch is the new athletic director.
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