C’view discusses state report card system

KELSEY CLEMONS/independent correspondent

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Board of Education met at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday to talk about state report cards and recognize several guests.

Director of Curriculum-Instruction Trent Kreischer presented results from the latest state report card, which is a compilation of test data taken during the 2014-2015 school year. Students were given the choice to opt out of these tests, which meant several scores were recorded as zero, thus lowering a school or district’s score.

Because several students from Crestview chose that option, Kreischer said, state report card scores may have not been an accurate portrayal of district test results. The curriculum/instruction director also talked a lot about the importance for students to be prepared to use various forms of technology as their assessment tools.

The board also heard from former Crestview graduate Sarah Moser, who spoke about her company, Apex Clean Energy. Moser talked about plans for the Long Prairie Wind Project, a portion of which is planned for the Crestview district, and explained how the project would benefit the district and community.

Apex purchased the project from BP and is now the leader in projects in the pipeline. Moser explained how the process works and the different phases involved in the operation. There is an Apex office located in Ohio City, where Moser currently works in the mornings.

Crestview senior Nevada Smith gave her county-winning Rotary Four Way Test speech about organ donation. The speech noted that one person’s organs can help eight different people. Smith also expressed the benefit that organ donations can have on the donor, the family of the recipient, and, of course, the organ recipient. Smith strongly urged everyone to consider becoming an organ donor and saving a life.

The Board learned of the new form of “No Child Left Behind” called the “Every Student Succeeds” Act (ESSA), which will provide more state and local control to Ohio school districts. Superintendent Mike Estes spoke about how this will allow the district to work with legislators to evaluate concerns, while the program has opened a new opportunity to address issues to legislators who will work with the districts.

Elementary Principal Kathy Mollenkopf spoke to the board about kindergarten enrollment numbers and upcoming testing. Mollenkopf spoke of her confidence in the students as testing time draws nearer and said she intends to use initiatives for students to help lower testing pressure.

Middle School Principal Dave Bowen talked about his students’ participation in the Living Wax Museum. During this event, the students would “come to life” when a button was pressed and provide information about their characters. Bowen spoke of approaching testing and also intends to give an incentive to the students for this.

High school Principal Mike Biro spoke to the board about the busy last month. Biro commended the band for its success at the district band and choir contest held at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio, with very high remarks received from the judges during the competition.

Estes also reported to the board on architectural information for the master site proposal. The superintendent also spoke of another plan that will involve a switchover from florescent lighting to LED lights.

The board accepted, with thanks, two donations. $100 was donated from the Women’s Fellowship at St Paul’s RCA for needy students and $1,000 was donated from Wren Community Chest for 2 senior scholarships. The board thanks both organizations for their generosity.

The board extended a one-year contract for as vocational agriculture teacher to Erica Priest for the 2016-2017 school year, and also welcomed Priest, who attended the meeting, to the district. Heather Baker will also be reassigned as a middle school paraprofessional for the 2016-2017 school year.

The board also learned that Alicia Perrott also started her family leave in February, while Kreischer resigned as a varsity girls’ basketball assistant coach, effective immediately.

In other action, the board also:

• Approved the renewal of the Northwest Ohio Education Technology (NWOET) contract
• Read for the first time new, revised, deleted and/or replaced board bylaws and policies, as recommended by NEOLA Inc.