Thomas
ENGLEWOOD — The Northmont Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, August 12, at the Kleptz Early Learning Center, covering a range of important topics as the district prepares for the upcoming school year.
Treasurer Ann Ferraro provided an encouraging financial report, noting that the district ended the fiscal year in a stronger position than initially expected. This was largely due to the timing of revenue from local property taxes.
Ferraro explained that while the district saw an increase in property tax revenue (inside mills) for the fiscal year 2024, the state revenue the district will receive this fall is expected to decrease.
This decrease is due to the state formula, which is based on property values and personal income. As a result, the combined local and state revenue is projected to remain relatively flat as one goes up and the other decreases.
Superintendent Tony Thomas shared several key updates and accomplishments within the district:
New Teacher Orientation
The two-day orientation for new teachers was a success, with a strong focus on curriculum and daily operations. Thomas expressed his gratitude to Amy Sipes and her team for organizing the event, and he extended special thanks to board members for attending.
“There was a ton of excitement in the room!” Thomas noted, reflecting on the positive energy among the new staff members.
iPad Pickup
Thomas praised the technology department and the many volunteers who helped make the iPad Pickup event seamless and welcoming. The event provided parents with a one-stop approach to finalize their obligations for the year. Many parents expressed their excitement for the upcoming school year.
Safety Patrol Academy
As the new school year approaches, the annual Safety Patrol Academy, hosted by the school resource officers (SROs), was held. This event is always a highlight, with students excitedly preparing for their roles in maintaining school safety. Thomas commended the SROs and safety patrol advisors for their excellent work in running this event.
Open Houses
The district is gearing up for Open House night on Monday, with the goal of fostering an inviting atmosphere for parents. Thomas emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with the community, reflecting the district’s tagline: ‘Stronger Together.’
Opening Week
In a departure from tradition, the district will forgo its usual Opening Day event. Instead, teachers will be given time to focus on lesson development and to deepen their understanding of the new English Language Arts curriculum framework.
“While tradition is important, treating one another with dignity and respect is a core value,” Thomas remarked.
ACT Prep
The high school staff organized an ACT Prep session this week, bringing students back into the building for this important preparation. Thomas was pleased to see the students engaging in such a crucial academic endeavor.
Community Engagement
Information Officer Jenny Wood recently participated in a Facebook Live chat with parents from the region, engaging in two-way communication with the community. The event was hosted on the “Moms of Vandalia, Englewood, & Clayton” page, and it has already garnered 1,900 views.
Northmont High School
Handbook Amendment
The Board discussed and approved an amendment to the 2024-2025 High School Student Handbook. The amendment, which prohibits the use of cell phones by students during study halls, aligns with the upcoming state mandate on cell phone usage effective July 1, 2025.
The high school administration believes this change will benefit the school environment.
Board President Linda Blum expressed her gratitude to the volunteers who assisted with the Citizens for Northmont booth at the recent Art Festival. Blum noted that the event was a great success, thanks to the hard work and dedication of many individuals.
The next meeting of the Northmont Board of Education is Monday, August 26 at Northwood Elementary, 6200 Noranda Dr., Clayton.
