CLAYTON — Northmont School Board and visitors were given a chance to enjoy the singing of the well-trained students in the Northmont District Elementary Choir led by Director Bruce Swank and Austin Baker.
The choir offers students in grades four through six a chance to learn new songs and perform them, some in foreign languages.
The meeting turned to the more serious subject of how anticipated state funding cuts could affect the near future of the schools.
Superintendent Tony Thomas said that if new revenue does not become available, there could be $2 million in cuts that could include closing Englewood Elementary, cutting 29 positions including cuts to teaching and certified personnel and to support staff that would include classified, non-classified and administration positions.
“There could be no school-sponsored field trips, double participation fees, double App fees and building and department budgets cut another 3 percent on top of 5 percent this year,” Thomas said.
He also asked that people oppose the Backpack Bill, which is to cost taxpayers an additional $1 billion dollars to fund charter, parochial and home schooled students, while the current budget plan would add no additional funding to Northmont’s budget.
“People need to let legislators know this is not acceptable,” Thomas said.
He then asked the board members to read the information regarding House Bill 1, which was released by the Ohio School Boards Association.
Thomas earlier introduced student Liberty Lynde and presented her with his Helping Hands Award, a tradition that he has conferred numerous times to someone deserving.
Lynde received the honor for administering the Heimlich Maneuver to a student in the high school cafeteria.
Director of Business Services Brandon Knecht and Food Service Director Jordan Greve took part in the presentation to Lynde.
Leaders of an ambitious program called “Northmont Strategic Plan — Strategy One: Family and Community Engagement,” explained details of the long-term project.
Making the presentation were the project’s committee leaders: Angie Clifford, community engagement coordinator and executive director of NACOC; Sheree Coffman, student assistance coordinator; Leslie Hobbs, student services director; Jenn Mills, family engagement coordinator and Jenny Wood, information officer/webmaster.
The opening page informs, “We will develop and implement a plan to ensure active, ongoing parental and community engagement in partnership with all Northmont schools.”
With the concept, “The Whole Child” in mind, activities are planned from third grade to senior year to give Northmont students a many-faceted head start on career readiness by the time they graduate.
The next Northmont School Board meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 10 at Englewood Elementary School, 702 Albert St., Englewood.
