WESTERN RESERVE District forecasts deficit

The board wants input on how to use the special-education funds.
By JOANN JONES
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BERLIN CENTER -- The state-mandated five-year forecast and assumptions, a document that all school districts in Ohio must complete, shows the Western Reserve Local School District will be about $480,000 in the red by the end of the 2005 fiscal year ending in June.
The board of education discussed its financial woes during its regular meeting Thursday evening at the high school.
Treasurer Carol Brobst initially had predicted the deficit at about $500,000, but said cuts and cost-saving measures have saved the district about $20,000. The figure reflects no new money coming in. Two operating levies have failed recently -- one in November and the other in March. And although a district levy committee is functioning, the board has placed no new levies on the ballot.
The board approved the application for special-education funding to meet the needs of disabled children. The amount of the funding, which is federal money administered by the state, is undetermined until sometime this summer. The board and administration encourages input as to how the funds should be used.
Written comments should be sent to Victor Ugran in care of the Western Reserve Local School District.
Red Apple Awards
The board awarded its Red Apple Award -- given to staff, students and community members for significant contributions to the district -- to several people. Grace Hageman, who retired as the superintendent's secretary last October after more than 27 years of service, was given the first award. Middle school teacher Barb Smith was recognized for being chosen to testify before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education. Manufacturing technology teachers Mike Groubert and Jay Clark were honored as outstanding educators, while district parents Joan Tucker, Kim Dunlap, and Bob Osthoff were honoring for volunteering at the middle school.
Board members rehired 57 certified and 32 classified employees while granting new continuing contracts to custodians Mona Stover of Salem and Jill Mitsch of Berlin Center.
The board also approved a list of 76 students who will graduate upon completion of district and state requirements.
The board accepted the retirement resignation of bus driver Judith Barbone, effective at the end of the school year. Added to the substitute teacher list were Sarah Cain of North Jackson, Jared Crum of Diamond, and Kerri Snovak of Austintown.