Good Evening:
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SINCE MY LAST SCHOOL BOARD UPDATE
The School Board met on February 18th for a Special Board Meeting. The Board went into executive session on a personnel issue and adjourned taking no formal action.
The School Board met on February 11th for its February Regular Board Meeting. Some highlights from the meeting. School Board President Dr. Kelly announced the board’s decision to use the services of Finding Leaders to aid in the search for the next superintendent. Finding Leaders led the search process that resulted in the employment of Vittardi four years ago. Meetings will commence with Finding Leaders in the next few weeks to initiate the search. The Board approved appointment of Dr. John Kelly as delegate and Anne Reinkober as alternate delegate to the Ohio School Board Association’s Annual Meeting, November 10-13, 2013. The Board also approved 2012-2013 appropriation adjustments. Board approved the North Royalton High School 2013-2014 school year Course Catalog. Board approved various retirements, leaves of absences, and appointments of certificated and classified employees. Board approved resolution to authorize the Ohio Schools Council’s Cooperative School Bus Purchasing Program to advertise and receive bids on behalf of the North Royalton Board of Education for the purchase of school buses as needed and agree to pay a service fee not to exceed $325. Board approved various Parental Transportation Contracts as per Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3327 for students attending schools where bus transportation is not effective for the 2012-2013 school year. Board discussed other such matters that came before the Board.
Community Survey Results on Bond Issue Update
Over the past several months, the North Royalton City Schools have completed a survey of 500 residents, including school and non-school parents, of North Royalton and Broadview Heights to gage their thoughts regarding the November 2012 bond issue and current needs of the district’s facilities. Preliminary results are in and being reviewed by administrators, the School Board, and members of the Shape Our Schools’ Future Committee. There is a great deal of information to review and we look forward to analyzing what our residents feel are the most important and pressing issues that need to be faced in the near future as it relates to our facilities. We intend to keep the lines of communication open with our residents and school families as we determine next steps in what needs to be done. From what we have seen, voters in the North Royalton City Schools have a positive opinion of the quality of education (91%). In addition, 90% said they are informed about their schools. This number has increased from the 2008 survey. Of the residents surveyed, 69% agreed that the schools do a good job with the tax money they receive. Regarding the bond issue, the survey results revealed that the majority of voters favor most of the improvements. A more detailed analysis of the survey will be discussed at a SCENE (School Community Exchange Night for Education) meeting on Tuesday, March 12 at 6:30 pm in the community room at North Royalton High School. I encourage you and all residents to attend to learn about this.
North Royalton City Schools to Offer Safe School Helpline
There are occasionally times when students or parents would like to provide information to a school but hesitate because they do not want their identities known. Providing open, direct communication with the community has long been a basic practice for North Royalton City Schools. The district will soon be offering the Safe School Helpline, another method to allow parents and community to provide input. The Safe School Helpline utilizes a unique, automated telephone service which allows callers to report an allegation, concern, or suggestion confidentiality and anonymously. The caller’s identity is protected. He or she is never asked to give a name. The voice message is typed then faxed to school officials. In this way, no one except an operator in Columbus hears the voice. Calls are made through a 800 number. If the caller would prefer to speak with a live mental health counselor, they can do so by selecting option ‘3’. For those who prefer reporting via the Internet, reports can be made by logging onto www.safeschoolhelpline.com. Each call is assigned a case number. The caller can then call back to the Helpline to check the school’s progress on the call, or to provide more information. A caller may make a report24/7 and the schools will be notified the next school day. Ordinarily, the principal of the school, where the alleged offense occurred, will investigate. Should a crime such possession of a weapon be reported, the superintendent will be notified immediately; day or night, and he can contact the police department. As with any allegation against a student of staff member, no public action would be take until guilt is proven. Recent polls show that parents’ first concern about schools today is their child’s safety. That is my concern as well. Fortunately, the North Royalton City Schools are very safe. However, no community is immune from the threats of violence and drugs that endanger schools nationwide. We are introducing this Safe School Helpline to help prevent such actions. Funding for this service is through dollars received from a safe and drug free school grant. The North Royalton Wellness Committee has discussed various ways to keep our schools healthy and free of bullying and this is another step in that process. Posters promoting the Safe School Helpline will be located in the schools. Specific information will be sent to parents as well. Safe School Helpline is operated by Security Voice, Inc.
State Budget Update
The Ohio House has officially introduced House Bill (HB) 59 the proposed biennial budget bill for FY 2014-FY 2015. It contains language for implementing Gov. John Kasich’s school-funding plan.
Click here for an electronic copy of the bill:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText130/130_HB_59_I_Y.pdf
This something the school board and administration have begun analyzing the bill and potential impact it could have on our district. I will share more information with you when we have a better understanding of the details.
Kindergarten Registration
As we near the holiday season and the New Year, plans for the upcoming school year are in full swing. North Royalton will be offering both the traditional kindergarten classes and two all-day, every day kindergarten classes, with the option for a third all day every day class if there is enough interest. The all day, every day, kindergarten classes will be a fee-based option (with adjustments made for families with a financial need) and students will be selected using a lottery system. To be eligible for the lottery for all day, every day kindergarten for the 2013-2014 school year, parents must begin the registration process on one of the February registration dates and complete the online INFOSNAP process. The dates are February 26, 27 and 28th in the Community Room adjacent to the High School. Hours for registration are 8:00 -8:00 on February 26th, 12:00 – 8:00 on February 27th, and 8-4 on February 28th. The complete online INFOSNAP registration process and deposit must be completed no later than March 5, 2013. Children whose registration process is completed after this date will not be eligible to participate in the all-day kindergarten program.
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Partnership for a Healthy N.R. Meeting on March 5th at 2:45pm @ NRHS Community Room, 14713 Ridge Rd., North Royalton, OH 44133.
Special Board Meeting on March 7th at 6:30pm @ North Royalton Board of Education Office Conference Room, 6579 Royalton Rd., North Royalton, OH 44133.
March Regular School Board Meeting on March 11th at 7:00pm @ NRHS Community Room, 14713 Ridge Rd., North Royalton, OH 44133.
SCENE (School Community Exchange Night for Education) Meeting on March 12th at 6:30pm @ NRHS Community Room, 14713 Ridge Rd., North Royalton, OH 44133.
E-mail Updates
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My Contact Info
If you ever have any questions or concerns please feel free to give me at call at 440-596-0078 or e-mail me at dan.langshaw@northroyaltonsd.org.
Have a great week!
Dan Langshaw
North Royalton School Board Member
440-596-0078
www.danlangshaw.com
“Putting Students First”