Saturday, June 28, 2003
The state plans to release the money after July 1.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Because state officials are trying to get a handle on their budget, Niles and other school districts across the state will not be able to balance their books next week.
Schools Treasurer Linda C. Molinaro informed the board of education Tuesday the state's Office of Budget and Management announced no payments to reimburse school districts will be made the remainder of the fiscal year. The fiscal year ends June 30.
Superintendent Patrick N. Guliano said Niles City Schools annually receives state and federal money as reimbursement for participation in several programs, including special education and reduced and free lunches. All of the grant money is filtered through the Ohio Department of Education's OBM, then distributed to local school districts.
Guliano said Niles will still get the money it is entitled to, but the state doesn't plan to release it until after July 1, which begins the 2003-04 fiscal year. School officials didn't have the exact amount available.
"We got all of our paperwork in. We were approved. We met all of our deadlines," Guliano said.
Guliano said Niles met all of its requirements to receive the money, but state officials are holding it back from several school districts so they can balance their own state budgets.
Molinaro said it's through no fault of their own that Niles schools won't get the money before July 1.
"It's not the board of education's fault that the state's holding up our money," she said.
2 teachers recalled
The board also agreed to recall two teachers laid off earlier this year because of state-mandated budget cuts. Elementary teacher Christopher G. Staph of New Castle, Pa., and special education teacher Marsha E. Campana of Youngstown were granted teaching contracts for the 2003-04 year because of the retirement of two other educators.
Several teachers and classified staff members were laid off earlier this year when the state auditor's office placed the schools in fiscal watch. Guliano said Staph and Campana, who will receive the teaching assignments later this summer, were recalled in accordance with the Niles Classroom Teachers' Association master contract.
Staph will earn $29,731, and Campana will get $32,755.
The board agreed to let the administration advertise for bids for the demolition of Edison Junior High School. The building, on West Church Street, was formally closed when school ended earlier this month since Niles Middle School will be ready in time for classes in the fall.
The district received state money to demolish the building, which opened in 1914. Once a contract is awarded, demolition is expected to take place later this summer.
slshaulis@vindy.com