BRISTOL SCHOOLS State controlling board to consider loan for district

The commission remains one member short.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
BRISTOLVILLE -- The Bristol school district's request for a $785,000 loan will be on the state controlling board's Nov. 17 agenda.
The two-year, interest-free loan from the state's Solvency Assistance Fund is available to districts that are in fiscal emergency.
The state auditor's office declared the district in fiscal emergency last month, citing a projected $785,000 general fund deficit by the end of June 2004.
When fiscal emergency is declared, a fiscal oversight commission is appointed by the state. It has 120 days to submit a financial recovery plan for the district to the state superintendent of public instruction.
First meeting
Commission members met for the first time Friday, although they were one member short. Gov. Bob Taft hasn't named his appointee who by law must be a business person who either lives or works in the district.
Under law, the commission may assume any of the powers of the school board and may remove the superintendent or treasurer for failing to comply with commission orders.
"It's never gotten to that point with any of our fiscal commissions," said Scott Bennington, assistant director of finance and management services with the Ohio Department of Education.
"We're not here to run your school district," said William Wenger, commission chairman. "We're here to restore the fiscal integrity of your district. We want to assume as little authority as possible to do that, but we will assume as much authority as we need to."
Commission members next meet at 11 a.m. Nov. 17 in the middle school, when Superintendent Rocco Nero and the school district treasurer are expected to present information about district finances.