LIBERTY SCHOOLS Board frustrated over expenses

The facility is considered a home within the district.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- Board of education members are expressing frustration about the mounting cost of educating pupils living at a residential treatment facility.
"It's time we pushed the issues," board member John K. Lallo said during a caucus before the Tuesday board meeting.
The district has spent about $250,000 this year to provide educational services to residents of Belmont Pines, located in the district. The money is paid to the Trumbull County Educational Service Center, which hires the staff.
The facility has 35 students at any one time, said schools Superintendent Lawrence Prince.
Lallo said he wants the financial burden on the school district to become a public issue to get the district reimbursed.
"Nobody's willing to step up to the plate," Lallo asserted.
"We're spending a quarter-million dollars on kids that basically aren't ours," board member William C. Beinecke said.
Obligated to pay: Prince said the district has to pay for the residents' education because they meet the definition of being a home within the district.
Most of the residents are special-education pupils, making the education more expensive.
The district has been trying to get reimbursed by the residents' home school districts.
The real answer, Prince said, is through a change in state law or added funding to the district through the Ohio Department of Education.
Allocated money: In other business, the board approved nearly $350,000 in school improvements. Beinecke said money to pay for the projects will come from the permanent improvement and bond issue funds.
The projects and their estimated costs are: relocating the transportation office and maintenance department, $40,000; replacing stadium lights, $150,000; upgrading technology infrastructure at Blott elementary and Guy middle schools, $32,000; and upgrading the electrical systems at Blott and Guy, $90,000.
The work also includes the extension of sanitary sewer lines from the Varsity House to home and visitor concession stands, $6,000; the upgrading of baseball and softball fields, $15,000; and the renovation of the entrance canopy at Blott.
Prince said the work will begin immediately and be completed by the opening of school in the fall.
Also, the board approved supplemental contracts with Heather Smith, assistant middle school track coach, $1,791; Jeffrey Walter Sr., head high school track coach, $2,303; and Casey Bogerd and Santana Crespo, assistant high school track coaches, $1,279 and $1,663 respectively.