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Campbell BOE gets an update on plan
By jeanne starmack
campbell
The board of education got an update on the district’s plan to send eighth-graders to the high school next year.
About 100 eighth-graders will move to Campbell Memorial High School from Campbell Middle School this fall.
The middle school now will house fifth-, sixth- and seventh-graders.
Schools Superintendent Thomas Robey told the board at its Wednesday meeting that he and the transportation supervisor are continuing to work on a study on busing the eighth-graders.
He said after the meeting that the school district buses them now to the middle school, and the study will determine if the district should continue doing so.
He said, too, that staff is working on a curriculum update.
He said he hopes to have a presentation on progress for the board at its May 17 meeting.
The school board voted unanimously March 10 to do the reconfiguration.
Robey told the board it will save the district a minimum of $500,000.
“We passed a reorganization plan to try to be more efficient and to spend taxpayers’ money as wisely as possible,” he said Wednesday.
He said he wanted to thank the staff, adding, “This has not been easy. But we worked together and tried to get it done.”
He referred to the new controversial state law restricting collective bargaining for public workers, saying “legislation in Ohio” complicated collective bargaining.
Under the reorganization, the middle school loses one administrator. Assistant Principal Robert Carlson will become an assistant principal at the high school, and the high school’s assistant principal, Jacquelyn Hampton, will become principal. High School principal Richard Gozur is retiring.
Robey, in a letter to the board posted on the district’s website, projected cuts of 5 to 6 teachers and 5 to 6 classified employees. He said the district would try to accomplish the cuts through resignations and retirements.
He told The Vindicator Campbell’s enrollment is declining, and not as many staff are needed.
He also recommended that the board set aside consideration of a new levy and open enrollment.
“We’re not looking at open enrollment. It’s not an option at this point,” said board member Beth Donofrio.