Winter Newsletter

West Liberty-Salem Local Schools
Tiger News
An educational partnership dedicated to helping students reach their full potential
Volume 7 Issue 1
District Cuts Likely in Response to
Winter 2012
This Issue’s Contents:
Page 1,Superintendent’s Message - District Cuts Likely
Page 3,National Honor Society
Page 3,Excellent - Six Years in a Row!
Page 4,District Now Accepts Credit Cards
Page 4, iPads arrive at WL-S
Page 5,Seniors of the Month
Page 6, Middle School Students of the Month
Page 7, Nurse’s Message, Hall of Fame Banquet,
Kindergarten and Pre-school Screening Info.
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Revenue Shortfall
Since the 2008-2009 school year, the West LibertySalem Board of Education and administration have
been actively responding to a decrease in revenue at
both the state and local levels. Driven by the recession
that began in 2008, the district has had to make many
cuts; most of these have been in programming, staff,
and by not replacing retirees. To date, the district has
implemented nearly $760,000 of reductions in total
operations. These reductions were approved by the
Board of Education and are listed below:
• Reduction of 6.5 staff positions (1 administrator,
4 1/2 teachers, 1/2 middle school counselor, and
1/2 bus driver) This was done through retirements
and layoffs.
• Reduction of supplies by 20% and equipment and
textbooks spending by 93% (The district has not
purchased new textbooks in 3 years)
• All staff and administrators eliminated a pay
increase for this year and all salaries for teachers
and administrators will be frozen completely for
the next two years (No base or step increase).
• Reduction in printing expense
• Reduction in field trips
• Eliminated after school tutoring and summer
school
• Instituted a transportation fee for extra-curricular
activities
• Transferred a $223,000 Budget Reserve to general
operating fund in addition to the reductions noted
above
Even with these cuts, the district continues to deficit
spend due to a revenue loss at the state and local level.
At the end of this fiscal year, the district will have went
from a 2.3 million dollar balance in 2008 to approxi-
mately $700,000 in 2012.
The reductions taken by the school district in 2010
appeared to help significantly until the state revealed
the new two-year budget last summer. The new state
budget greatly reduced the amount of State-Aid to
school districts. West Liberty-Salem had a $450,000
reduction in State-Aid this year and it is not projected
to improve next year. The reductions that we had
made in 2010, although beneficial, no longer were
enough to eliminate or slow down the district’s deficit
spending. In fact, our deficit spending increased from
approximately $580,000 in the 2010/2011 school year
to a projected $730,000 this year. Knowing this, the
grams our students and community have profited from
in the past are worth supporting with an additional tax
levy in the future.
The Board has also been working with community
members and professionals for the last year on our
district facilities needs. Our district building is approaching twenty-five years of faithful service for the
thousands of students and public that live in or visit
our community. The excellent maintenance to the
building continues to provide a positive atmosphere
for our students; however, the wear and tear of twentyfour years on different building systems, e.g. roof and
Current Revnue -vs- Normal Revenue Growth (For Property Tax,
Income Tax, and State Aid)
Revenue
$11,000,000
$10,500,000
Total Revenue (These
Categories)
$10,000,000
Total Revenue (Normal
Growth)
$9,500,000
$9,000,000
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
Year
2011/12
The graph above shows the difference between the district’s current total revenue from state and local
sources and the typical growth the district would have had in revenue during most normal years. In
most typical years a 3% increase from state funding and a 2% increase in local revenue occurs. If this
trend would have continued since the 2008-2009 school year, the district would have had over 1 million
dollars more in revenue for this school year.
district will continue to look this winter and spring
at reductions/changes that can be made to improve
our deficit spending. At this time the district plans
to consider additional employee layoffs, program and
transportation changes, possible changes to health
insurance plans, and a retirement incentive program
for teachers that would help current employees retire,
while replacing those workers with new employees
making less salary.
The Board of Education and administration are concerned that many of the strong academic and extracurricular programs we have taken great pride in as a
community could be negatively impacted by cuts in
programming. There have been discussions among
the Board members about the possibility of asking for
additional local revenue. Ultimately the community
may have to decide if the successful educational pro-
HVAC, means that the district will be facing millions
of dollars in improvements. The district has been
exploring our options and has hired an architectural
firm to do an assessment of our facility. Although,
several options exist to meet these needs, the option
that seems to make the most sense to the district and
community members that have been involved in district meetings is an Ohio Schools Facility Commission
project. This option would benefit the district because
over 70 percent of the cost to maintain and improve
our school would be paid for by the state. Although
this may not seem like good timing for the project,
since the district is facing difficult financial times,
the cost for permanent improvements of the building
and the cost of daily operations of the facility, must be
viewed as two separate initiatives. The district facility
improvements will need addressed for our building to
continue to serve students safely and effectively.
National Honor Society Welcomes Newest
Members
West Liberty-Salem Local Schools Earns
Excellent - Six Years in a Row!
West Liberty-Salem’s National Honor Society (NHS)
advisor, Carrie Smith, and student officers welcomed
new members inducted into the National Honor
Society on Friday, January 20, 2012. The purpose of
the National Honor Society is to create enthusiasm for
scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to
promote leadership, and to develop character in students of secondary schools. At West Liberty - Salem
High School, member selection is based upon a cumulative grade point average of 3.335 or higher and the
student’s ability to provide evidence of strong leadership, character, and service to the community.
For the sixth consecutive year, West Liberty-Salem Local Schools has earned an Excellent designation based
on the 2010-2011 Local Report Card by the Ohio
Department of Education (ODE). In addition, both
the Elementary and Middle/High Schools earned the
rating of excellent as well.
2011-2012 NHS Inductees
A student becomes eligible to apply for NHS during
their junior and senior years.
This year, twenty-five students were inducted in a ceremony lead by President, Trevor Smoot. Linda Sparks,
former principal and superintendent of WL-S, was the
guest speaker. The names of the inductees are Amber Landis, Austin Dillon, Cole Upton, Megan Etgen,
Matthew Kauffman, Courtney Leach, Addison Hartsel,
Megan Vogel, Robert (Aaron) Scott, Alyssa Kauffman,
Rebekkah Gresh, Tyler LeVan, Shawnda Henault, Jessica Rabenstein, Addie Kendall, Madeline Crissinger,
Savannah Marceau, Jasmine Smith, Taylor Glock, Corey Lianez, Grant Burden, Landon Hormann, Savanna
Shipp, Sarah Williams, and Megann Boyd.
The dedication of our staff, students, families, and
community is apparent in the continual success of our
school district.
Each year, ODE rates every district in Ohio based
upon four key measurements including State
Indicators, Performance
Index, Value-added and
Adequate Yearly Progress.
This year the district received the highest performance index score
in the school’s history
with a score of 104.2.
This reflects the achievement of every student
enrolled for a full academic year in relation to
their performance level
in each of five performance level categories. Greater
weight is given to students achieving in the accelerated and advanced categories. The performance index
score received indicates that more students are reaching higher achievement levels than ever before. The
district performance level puts the school district in
the top 15% in the state.
School districts are measured on a total of twenty-six
indicators. West Liberty-Salem met twenty-five of
these and also surpassed state averages in almost every
area.
In addition, the district also met the value added measurement requirements which represents the progress
the district has made with our students since the previous school year.
Lastly, we are pleased to announce that the district met
the criteria for the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
measures. This is a federally mandated requirement
applied to student groups in the areas of reading proficiency, mathematics proficiency, reading participation, mathematics participation, graduation rate, and
attendance rate. Every area measured must be met in
order to receive an overall “met” label for AYP.
We are proud of the academic rigor and efforts demonstrated on a continuous basis by our staff and students. We hope that you share our excitement regarding the district’s achievements and look forward to our
future successes as we strive to make “West LibertySalem Schools an educational partnership dedicated to
helping students reach their full potential.”
The District Now Accepts Debit
and Credit Cards
program includes five components: a protein source,
bread, a vegetable, a fruit and eight ounces of milk.
Choices of entrees are available each day, including
both hot and cold selections. There are also a variety
of vegetables, fruits and cold milks to choose from. In
teaching our youngest students (K-5) the concept of a
balanced meal, all students receive a five component
lunch with milk daily. For the older students (6-12)
at least five components are offered each day; however
your child may choose as little as three foods to complete a meal. We also offer a variety of ala carte items
for sale including portioned baked snacks, juices, fresh
baked cookies, yogurt, waters and alternate beverages
ranging in price from $.50 to $1.25. For the remainder
of the school year lunch prices will be $2.15 for elementary and $2.40 for middle/high school.
Please contact Kathy Smith, Food Service Supervisor, if
you have any questions about our lunch programs or if
you need more information about the new online payment system, PayForIt.net.
iPads Have Arrived at
a School Near You
Want to make payments for your child’s lunch online
and not have to pay by check or cash at the school? If
you answered yes, you will be happy to know that beginning March 1, 2012, the district will begin accepting VISA and Mastercard debit or credit cards. Using
a system called PayForIt.net, the district will be able
to provide a secure web-based system for accepting
payments for student lunches. School districts already
using this system have said that PayForIt.net has provided an excellent service to families. The new system
allows parents to pay for student lunches and check
student balances right from their home, work, or onthe-road, 24 hours per day. Parents will simply access
the PayForIt.net system through a link on the WL-S
website. In the future, the district plans to expand the
system to be able to pay for student fees, fundraisers,
and afterschool programs. More information will be
sent to families in late February.
Our food service department offers lunch daily. We
want to remind parents of the importance of providing
each child a balanced meal. Each lunch served in our
This January, iPads have been introduced to many of
the classrooms at WL-S. The district is committed to
continuing to provide our students access to technology that can benefit the educational experience for
students. Thirty iPads were purchased for the elementary school and will be used within the K-5 classrooms.
Olivia Williams, a fifth grader, is seen here using an
iPad in Mrs. Orahood’s science class.
The iPads offer many new possibilities for students
and teachers. Like a traditional computer, they may be Rebecca Hager used for web access. Also available are thousands of ap- Rebecca is the daughter of Margaret
plications, APPS, that students can use to make learnand Rodney Hager . She is involved
ing fun and provide access to information not possible
in the Marching, Pep and Concert
before. iPads also feature touch screens which allow
Bands, Choir and Musical, Science
easy navigation and use of the iPad features.
Olympiad, STAND, Upper Room
Youth Group, and Oak Grove
Forty staff members took advantage of the opportunity
Youth Group. Next year she will be
offered to them to purchase iPads through educational
attending Bethel College in Indiana
program pricing. This is a great for both our staff and
and majoring in Psychology, Criminolstudents as they will be learning together how to use
ogy and Graphic Design for a Liberal
Luke Cook
the iPads which will also give our staff a better underArts Degree.
standing of how iPads can support their instruction.
Luke is the son of Mike and Peg
The district is just now at the beginning stage of disCook . He particiaptes in footcovering the capabilities of the iPad. As we continue
ball, baseball, NHS, Link Crew,
to pilot the use of iPads, the district will continue to
and Student Council. He has
assess the impact and importance of purchasing adreceived the Honda OSU Math
ditional iPads for the district.
Medal, Academic Achievement
Award, and chosen 1st Team
Our future goal is to see how the iPad may be able to
OHC, All County Football , and
meet the need for a one to one, computer device to
2nd Team
student, environment. Since iPads are less expensive,
Janessa Huffman SW District Football. Next year
more mobile, and easier to use than laptops, they may
Luke will be attending college to
be the best option for students and staff in the future.
major in Mechanical
Also, with Apple’s announcement in January to proEngineering.
vide free software to companies to help create more
electronic textbooks, the future may be bright for the
Janessa is the daughter of Jerry
switch from traditional paper textbooks to lighter,
Huffman and Todd and Dajuan
more up to date, electronic textbooks. The district
Kindle and is the Majorette Capplans to send out a survey this spring to find out the
tain, NHS Vice President, and
interest from MS/HS students and families to support
class secretary. She is involved in
a pilot class next school year that would utilize elecSTAND, Girl Scouts and Softball. She
tronic textbooks for iPads or other tablet computers.
received the White
A demonstration of the use of iPads in the classroom
Tiger Award and the Three Years Viviane Csillag
will be held at the February 21st Board of Education
Academic Excellence Award .
Meeting.
Next year she will be attending
Ashland University and majoring
in accounting and hopefully continuing to twirl as feature twirler
Seniors of the Month
WL-S would like to recognize our seniors of
the month for September through January. Seniors of
the month are chosen by the WL-S teaching staff each
month. The recognition is based on accomplishments
that make each of our individual students special.
Viviane is the daughter of Corinne
and Robert Csillag. She has been
actively involved in Band where she
has participated as Field Commander in the Marching
Band and in Concert Band. She is also involved in NHS
and Link Crew. Her favorite school memory is conducting the band during football games. Next year she will
be attending college and majoring in accounting.
Seniors of the Month Continued........
Ryan is the son of Joni and Bob
Meister. At WL-S, he is involved in
Track, Cross Country, Golf, Link
Crew, NHS, and Presidential Body
Guard of the 2012 Class. Ryan’s favorite memory of school was the State
Cross Country meet. Next year Ryan
hopes to be attending the University of
Findlay.
Ryan Meister
Eric is the son of Darla Moore and
participates in Choir, Musical, Quick
Recall and Soccer. Next year Eric will
be attending OSU and dual majoring
in education and psychology.
Eric Moore
Abby Blair
Abby Blair is the
daughter of Michael
and Kimberly Blair . She is involved in
National Honor Society, STAND, Link
Crew, Student Council, Softball, and is
an office worker. She has received the
White Tiger and Academic Excellence
Award. Next Year she will major in
nursing at Kent State University.
Felissa King
Felissa is the daughter of Marlin and
Anita King . She has participated in
Marching Band Flag Corps, Musical,
Quick Recall, Link Crew, National
Honor Society, Concert Band and was
Homecoming Queen. She will be attending a four-year Christian college,
potentially majoring in Pre-Art Therapy.
Trevor Smoot
Trevor Smoot is the son of Tim and
Jodi Smoot and has been involved in
school musicals, Quick Recall, Science
Olympiad, and SOTM. He has also
received the National School Choral
Award. Next year he
will be attending The Cole Upton
Ohio State University.
Cole is the son of Todd and Michelle
Upton and is involved in Link Crew,
Student Council, and President of
S.T.A.N.D. Cole will be attending a
four year university next fall.
Middle School Students of the Month
The West Liberty-Salem Middle School staff
would like to say congratulations to all of our
Students of the Month. Each student and their
families should be very proud of their hard
work and accomplishments!
6th Grade - 2011-12
Bowden, Jared
Cox, Kenedie
Dillon, Abby
Loffing, James
McGill, Dierdre
Miller, Braden
Parker, Jonni
Wilkins, Zane
7th Grade - 2011-12
Boggs, Allison
Glock, Connor
Harr, Claire
Hartsel, Katie
Jordan, Justin
Nitchman, Michael
Reames, Kiana
Woodruff, Mason
8th Grade - 2011-12
Cole, Leah
Etgen, Miranda
Hild, Austin
Hiltibran, Johnathon
Loverde, Taylor
Nisonger, Jacob
Roach, Stephanie
White, Caleb
Congratulations!!!
A Message from
the Nurse..........
FREE
For any Logan County Child Age Birth to 6 Years Old
(and not yet in Kindergarten)
Parents;
Even though the winter has been mild,
there are still a lot of upper respiratory illnesses and sinus infections making theirrounds. If your child has a fever or is vomiting at night, please follow the handbook
guidelines…do not return to school for 24
hours. Also, remember the best way to prevent illness is to always wash your hands!
Car Seat
Safety, Child Development, IDentaKid Kits,
Local Services,
& More
I have completed most of the hearing and
vision screenings and the referrals have
been mailed out if follow up is necessary
with your doctor.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Appointments
Mrs. Thornburg has been doing the height
and weights for elementary grades so I can
work on the BMIs for grades K,1,3, and 5.
There is never a dull moment in the Nurse’s
Office! Please call me if I can help you out
in any way. Remember the best way to prevent illness is to always wash your hands!
Pat McGill, RN
from
9-11am
&
1-2:30pm
Christ Our King Church
1325 Co. Rd. 9, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311
To schedule an appointment call Help Me Grow at 937-292-3041
Presented by: Project Child Member Agencies
Funded by:
Ohio Department of Health/Federal Government Bureau
of Early Intervention Services/ Help Me Grow Program
Early Childhood Coordinating Committee
Logan County Family & Children First Council
2012 Hall of Fame Banquet, February 18th
The Athletic Department, along with the Athletic Hall of
Fame Committee, is excited to announce the 2012 class
of inductees. This years inductees are Abbey Freese,
Amber Coder Falloon, and Lee Yoder. The inductees
will be honored prior to the varsity boy’s basketball
game on Feb. 17th, with a social time following the
game. The formal induction banquet is Feb 18th at 5:30
at the Urbana Christian Conference Center. Tickets are
on sale until Feb 10th and can be purchased at the following locations; Big Orange Shoe Shop, Wren Kilgore
Realty, Hair Kare N Tan, Stocksdale Insurance (Urbana),
or at the High School office.
United Way of Logan County
WL-S Kindergarten Screening Coming Soon
The West Liberty-Salem School District will have
Kindergarten screening on March 28, 29, and 30, 2012.
It will be held at West Liberty-Salem Elementary, with
appointment times being set up between 8:00 a.m.
and 1:00 p.m. To be eligible for kindergarten, students
must be 5 years of age on or prior to August 1, 2012.
Parents planning to send their child to kindergarten
during the 2012/2013 school year need to fill out a registration form and return it to the school by February
10, 2012. Parents needing a form can stop in or call
the West Liberty-Salem Elementary office at 465-0060
to have one sent to them.
West Liberty-Salem Local SchoolsNon-Profit
7208 US HWY 68 N
US Postage PAID
West Liberty, OH 43357
Urbana, OH 43078
Permit No. 1
POSTAL PATRON
Calendar of Events
2011-2012 School Year
February
17
Interim Reports go home
20
No School/President’s Day
23
P/T Conferences, 3-6 p.m.
March
1
P/T Conferences, 3-6 p.m.
7
2- Hour Delay/ Staff Dev.
22
End third nine weeks
23
No School/Tchr. In-Service
28-30 Kindergarten screening
30
Grace Cards go home
April
2-5 No School/ Spring Break
11
2-Hour Delay/Staff Dev.
May
4
28
30
Interim Reports go home
No School/Memorial Day
Last Day for Students
2012-2013 School Year
August
21
First Day for Students
September
3
No School/Labor Day
21
No School/Tchr. In-Service
28
Interim Reports go home
October
19
No School/COEA Day
26
End of First Nine Weeks
November
1
P/T Conferences, 3-6 p.m.
8
P/T Conferences, 3-6 p.m.
21
No School/Reciprocal Day
22, 23 No School/Thanksgiving Break
December
7
Interim Reports go home
24-Jan 4
No School/Christmas Break