It’s a pleasure to present an update on the West Geauga Local Schools. As I am just now completing one month on the job, it has been a positive start for me. Certainly the staff and members of the community have been very welcoming and supportive. The West Geauga Local Schools has a history of success in a variety of areas, and I look forward to becoming a part of that tradition of excellence over time. Like all organizations, certainly there are areas in which we can and should seek improvement, and that will be my primary goal.

 

In the last week or so we have received word that the West Geauga Local School District has once again been recognized by the Ohio Department of Education as “Excellent with Distinction.” This is the highest honor the state department of education can provide. It is the third successive year of such recognition for the district. In addition, the performance index score for the district of 105.2 is the highest in the district’s history. Furthermore, West Geauga is the only Geauga County school so recognized in this category and among only 81 of over 600 districts in the state to reach this plateau. Undoubtedly, congratulations are in order to our students, staff, supportive parents and community.

 

Surprising to some, summer is a busy time in the school business. This is especially true in a number of areas but especially in the repair and maintenance end of school operation. Below are some specific projects that were completed or in some cases are still on-going with completion expected soon. These projects were prioritized based on safety concerns or structural issues.

 

High School

1.      Repaired main entrance floor tile.

2.      Installed new doors between kitchen and cafeteria.

3.      Install new floor in main gym (to be completed by November).

4.      Install new door in receiving.

5.      Install new roof over south wing.

6.      Replaced carpet in library.

 

Middle School

1.      Installed new water coolers.

2.      Repaired floor in room 33.

3.      Replaced carpet in choral room.

 

Lindsey Elementary

1.      Repaired floor in cafeteria.

2.      Repaired all catch basins.

3.      Replaced carpet in library.

 

Westwood Elementary

1.      Replaced carpet in library.

2.      Replaced countertop in teachers’ lounge.

 

Main Campus

1.      Install new scoreboard on varsity field.

 

Also of some note, we are replacing the scoreboard at Howell Field. For those who have significant interest in our athletic programs this will be a welcome change.

 

On the financial front, the West Geauga Local School District ended fiscal year 2010 (June 30) with a balance of $4,600,527. Although this appears to be a substantial balance, the district was in a deficit spending mode (spending more than revenue received). Continued operation in this manner will increase deficit spending from $68,000 in 2010 to over $700,000 in fiscal year 2011. In order to lessen this trend and reduce potential future levy needs, reduction planning is underway. All areas of spending will be scrutinized, and appropriate adjustments will be made.

 

The Board of Education is placing a 1.12 mill bond issue on the November 2, 2010 ballot. With four school buildings, a maintenance garage and a transportation facility, this money is needed to make repairs and maintain district property. The money generated will be used to repair and replace roofs, resurface parking lots, replace heating units and other safety related issues. If bond money is not available, the district must use operating dollars to fund these repairs on an emergency basis. The bond money cannot be used for any operating expenses.

 

With these few comments I will close. Again, it’s a pleasure to join the West Geauga Local Schools. I believe our district, while facing challenges financially and in terms of keeping our facilities at a high level, will make progress on many fronts. I hope to see you at an activity or in a school very soon.