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Enrollment stable as students return
(by Sue Hoffman - August 24, 2011)
Enrollment stable as students return
By SUE HOFFMAN
Public schools in the Chagrin Valley have some new faces, programs and challenges as they open their doors this week.
All told, nearly 15,000 students are heading back to school in the Chagrin Falls, Kenston, Orange, Solon and West Geauga school districts. Opening days vary by district.
Enrollment remains fairly stable for most districts. The Solon School District has 5,054 students this fall, a decrease of nearly 100 from the state's official count of 5,152 last October. Because of the trend of declining enrollment, the district's strategic planning action committee is meeting this fall to discuss the most efficient use of school buildings. According to school officials, the team could decide to close one of the district's seven buildings, reconfigure grade levels or continue studying the matter.
School finances continue to be a concern for all of the districts. Levies are scheduled on Nov. 8 for the Orange and West Geauga districts.
The Orange district has a 5-mill operating levy. "The last operating levy was 2004," communications coordinator Lou DeVincentis said. "At that time, the district promised residents we wouldn't be back on the ballot for an operating levy for four years. Due to strong financial management, we were able to extend it for three additional years to seven years."
The Orange District recently reduced budget expenditures by $1.4 million.
West Geauga has a five-year, 0.95-mill permanent improvement levy, which would raise $631,480 annually to maintain and repair facilities.
"With the number of reductions during last school year, we were able to save dollars," West G Superintendent Thomas Diringer said. "However, our needs remain great." He said the money is especially needed for roof repair.
Like many districts, West Geauga has had to make budget reductions due to state cuts, he said. The district is down about $800,000 this year in funding from external sources, Dr. Diringer said.
Several new teachers' contracts respond to budget reductions. Solon's new contract freezes salaries, increases employee contributions to health care and reduces salaries for new teachers and those entering the top of the salary range. The contract maintains incentives based on student performance.
In their latest contract, teachers in the Kenston School District have no base raises over the next two years and are paying more in health insurance. Tobacco use increases the teachers' cost further.
The West Geauga School Board and teachers recently approved a contract extension to freeze salaries, including base salaries and steps, for two years beginning next summer.
The new school year is bringing exciting new facilities and programs to the schools. Kenston is about to break ground for its wind turbine and, with the help of a new grant, will be adding solar energy.
Brady Middle School in the Orange District will have a new gymnasium, which is scheduled to open later this fall. It has standard-sized courts, improved safety and all-school assembly space. Orange is also starting a personalized fitness class focusing on health and wellness.
Solon has introduced online emergency forms that offer time savings for parents. The district also has a new preschool playground, paid for with federal stimulus funds, at Arthur Road Elementary School.
Chagrin Falls completed several improvement projects this summer, such as a seventh- through 12th-grade campus paving project, which includes a new 54-spot parking lot and other renovations. The campus also has a new security system.
Chagrin Falls also has several new administrators. William Koons, who was high school principal, is interim superintendent. Chuck Murphy, formerly intermediate school principal, is curriculum director, and Steven Ast, previously assistant principal, is high school principal. Chris Woofter is the new intermediate school principal.
In Kenston, former high school Principal Nancy Santilli is assistant superintendent, and former high school assistant Principal Jeremy McDevitt is principal. West Geauga has a new operations manager, James A. Russo.
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