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Spotlights of the Month
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 At the April 15, 2008 Fairview Park City School District Board Meeting, Lewis F. Mayer Middle School eighth-grade students were reconized for their accomplishments at the Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair held at Cleveland State University.
After
leading the board meeting in the
pledge of allegiance, Lewis F. Mayer Middle School eighth-graders
(l-r) Denisa P., Julia L., Jessica F. and Brittany M. were presented certificates by FPCS Superintendent Brion Deitsch (center) for their
accomplishments. Students not pictured: Scott D., Brain H. and Maddie A.
Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair Results -
Julia L. - Third place in Chemistry, Irene Heller Award
Scott D. - Third place in Enviromental Science
Brian H. - Third place in Chemistry
Jessica F. - Second place in Chemistry, Discovering Youth Challenge Award
Denisa P. - Second place in Chemistry
Maddie A. - Honorable Mention, Most Original Project
Brittany M. - Honorable Mention
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District Receives Increase in Bond Rating
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Fairview Park City Schools' [FPCS] bond rating improves from
an A3 to an A2 rating. Without solicitation from the district,
representatives from Moody's Bond Rating and from Wachovia Securities
approached the district about the upgrade.
"This
increase in bond rating clearly demonstrates what the board of
education and superintendent have been communicating to Fairview Park
residents," said FPCS Treasurer Ryan Ghizzoni. "That for the first time
in years, the district has continual financial stability for years to
come."
The A2 rating and upgrade reflects
the district's moderately growing and medium-sized tax base, stable
financial position evidenced by the district's healthy General Fund
balances and above average debt burden with average principal
reduction. The long-term benefit to the district is a better interest
rate if there is a need to issue bonds or refinance existing bonds.
"Moody's
upgrade of the bond rating is big news for the Fairview Schools and
people of Fairview Park," said FPCS Board President Dennis Rehor. "As
banks are becoming more stringent with credit ratings because of the
foreclosure crisis, the fact this upgrade occurred now is significant.
It is a clear sign of the financial stability of the district,
something this community has not seen in decades. The upgrade is due to
a lot of hard work by all involved, especially by Superintendent Brion
Deitsch, and the fact that the impact of the Gemini Project is kicking
in. The result of all this is that the Fairview schools now rank the
fourth lowest out of the county's 31 districts in costs per pupil and
is the lowest of the five northwest suburban districts of Cuyahoga
County, Fairview Park, Bay Village, North Olmsted, Rocky River and
Westlake. On behalf of myself and the other Board of Education members,
Brad Lamb, Marcy Starks, Joe Shucofsky and Mark St. John, I extend
congratulations to the community of Fairview Park, without whose
support this would not be happening, and to Superintendent Deitsch,
Treasurer Ryan Ghizzoni and the employees of the District for all their
hard work and effort in turning the district into one of the most
financially stable districts in Cuyahoga County."
"In
today's financial market where many people are struggling to hang on to
what they have, the fact that Moody's is upgrading our bond rating is
tremendous," said FPCS Superintendent Brion Deitsch. "This is the
result of a great deal of work by many to restructure and reorganize
this school district, and a community that values education and expects
excellence. This news is another area where we are achieving
excellence."
In the know
In 2003 the City of Fairview Park and FPCS came together to create the
Gemini Project. The
project included the new Gilles-Sweet Elementary School, physical
improvements and technology upgrades to Lewis F. Mayer Middle School
and Fairview High School campuses and the Gemini Recreation Center.
In
January 2008, the FPCS Board of Education and the Coffinberry Early
Education Center moved into the former Parkview Intermediate School to
consolidate the district down to three campuses. Currently, the
district is researching the property value of Garnett Elementary and
Coffinberry. A public sale may take place late spring or early summer
of 2008.
In March
2008, Fairview Park voters authorized the levy renewal of 7 mills
reaffirming the 2006 FPCS Board of Education's pledge to not seek new
money for five years.
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New Fleet Will Save District $700,000
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 At the April 15, 2008 Fairview Park City School Board Meeting, the
district approved the immediate purchase of six school buses. By
implementing this initiative, the district is projected to save over
$700,000.
"This is a cost-saving opportunity to save a significant amount of tax dollars over the upcoming fiscal years," said FPCS Treasurer Ryan Ghizzoni. "While creating a safer environment for our students and staff."
Without
taking this initiative, the cost of repairs for the existing fleet
would continue to rise if the current replacement plan of one bus
purchase per year continued. A portion of the funds that were used for
maintaining the current fleet will be reallocated into a Transportation
Permanent Improvement Fund [TPIF], with the remaining portion of funds being returned to the General Fund. Reallocated TPIF will accumulate to $300,000, and will ultimately allow the district to pay for the replacement buses in six years.
Two
2008 and four 2009 Blue Bird buses are expected to arrive in the
district the beginning of May. The district will retire four 1993 Blue
Bird buses from the current fleet.
"This is Fairview Park moving forward," said FPCS Director of
Transportation Nancy Colby. "Now we have safer buses for our students
and drivers." |
Superintendent's Report
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2008-09 School Calendar
The Ohio Revised Code dictates that school districts are to be in session for 180 days. Two days can be used as parent/teacher conferences and five days for calamity days. Plus, the district needs to factor in holidays, election days, work release days and mandated state testing days. The state has changed the testing days to some degree almost annually. For the 2008-09 school year, the state moved the Ohio Graduation Test to the second and third weeks of March and the Ohio Achievement Test to the third week of April. Ultimately, the district has to insure the education of the students. Therefore, spring break will be the last full week of March. The move will allow high school students to complete testing, take spring break, and allow our first through eighth-grade students a chance to prepare for their tests in April. With this change, school will also not be in session the Friday before and the Monday following Easter. To download the 2008-09 calendar, click here. Or visit the district Web site at www.fairviewparkschools.org.
New Hope Reformed Church/Bus Parking
Holland Paving will work on three projects for the district this summer. Projects include: resurfacing of the former Parkview Intermediate School parking lots, resurfacing the area behind the middle school and a new pad for bus parking in the far southwest corner of the former Parkview Intermediate School property. The southwest corner will provide a substantial distance from the Early Education Center and the homes in the area. The district assured the city that there are no plans to build a service garage for the buses.
Staffing
FPCS is currently receiving applications for a Curriculum and Instruction and Early Childhood Education Administrator.
Staffing
The district's Title VI-B money for Special Education from the federal government was cut by twenty-five percent for next year. Funds for Special Education in the district has increased three times over the past four years. FPCS officials are taking a further look into this situation. In addition, a representative from the Cuyahoga ESC informed their staff that their hours would be reduced twenty-five percent, which creates another issue, because the county does not offer health benefits to employees who are not full time. For school districts, the largest expenditures are staffing and benefits. Health care costs that are passed on to the district from the county are equivalent to the employees gross wages. As the new year approaches, there is potential of some hours being restored, but not near the levels of the past.
Property Disposal
Currently, the district is working with Pepple/Waggoner to determine the value of the former Garnett and Coffinberry properties, and the impact that the current economy will have on the sale of these properties. Once the information is collected, the district will prepare for the public sale sometime late this spring or early summer.
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FPCS Principal Reports
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Gilles-Sweet Elementary School
Kindergarten Screening
Currently, 88 kindergarten students are enrolled for fall 2008. The tentative cutoff for AM/PM kindergarten is west 215th street and east as AM and west 217th street and west for PM.
Report Cards
Report cards went home to parents on Wednesday, April 9.
Count on Me Assembly
PTA sponsored a three-screen production assembly on Tuesday, April 1. The program "Count on Me" focused on responsibility and respect for yourself and others.
Mother/Son Event
Around 400 participants traveled to the "Q" to enjoy an evening with the Lake Erie Monsters. Several students were able to participate with the Cave Crew before the game. Second-grade choir students performed between first and second periods down on the ice. Principal Barb Schutte surprised the students by riding the Zamboni between second and third periods.
Coming Up
Gilles-Sweet OAT Testing Schedule:
Monday, April 21 - 4/5 Reading
Wednesday, April 23 - 4/5 Math
Friday, April 25 - 4 Writing & 5 Science
Monday, April 28 - 3/6 reading & 5 Social StudiesWednesday, April 30 - 3/6 math
Spring Conferences will be Wednesday, May 7 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. Students will be released at 11:15, and there will be no AM & PM kindergarten.
Fifth-grade DARE Graduation will be Friday, May 23.
Lewis F. Mayer Middle School
Student Academic Reward Program
As a reward for their academic achievement, students
earning a 2.25 GPA or above for the third grading
period were treated to a school dance held on Thursday, April 10.
PTA Reflections
Eighth-grader Maddie Allen achieved Honorable Mention at the state level of the PTA Reflections program for her essay.
Homework Help desk
Starting the week of Feb. 25, students may choose to participate in the new Homework Help Desk program. The program will assist students to help complete their homework, while receiving additional instructional help. The free program is offered to students Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Ohio Achievement Tests
Tests will be administered to Ohio students April 21 through May 1. OAT results are expected back by June 15. For information regarding the tests, practice tests, and copies of previous tests, please visit the Ohio Department of Education website at: www.ode.state.oh.us.
LFMMS OAT Testing Schedule:
Monday, April 21 - 7/8 Reading
Tuesday, April 22 - 7/8 Math
Wednesday, April 23 - 7 Writing & 8 Science
Thursday, April 24 - 8 Social Studies
Coming up
Friday, May 2 - Bain Days - eighth-grade orientation to FHS
Friday, May 9 - Bain Days - eighth-grade orientation to FHS
Friday, May 15 - Bain Days - eighth-grade orientation to FHS
Monday, May 19 - Honors Reception
Fairview High School
FHS National Honor Society
Congratulations to spring inductee of the Fairview High School Chapter of the National Honor Society: Katie Videc and Peter Salamon.
Coming Up
May 10 - Prom - The Cleveland Metroparks Rainforest
May 10 - After Prom - 11:00 p.m. in the Gemini Center
May 19 - 29 - Senior Project
May 21 - Scholars Reception - 7:00 p.m.
May 30 - FHS Awards Assembly - 8:25 a.m.
May 30 - Baccalaureate 7:00 p.m.
June 3 - Commencement - 7:30 p.m. - Lakewood Civic Auditorium
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