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Superintendent Community Updates

3.17.23

Dear Community Members:

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

There are several notes today.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SKYLAR ROBERTS

It is always hard to share information like obituaries, but never harder than it is when it is a part of our family. We share this so you can pay your respects to the Skylar's family and show your love and support for them. Our kids have been resilient, but there will be some difficult days ahead. Please make sure to reach out to us if you have any concerns.

We have the funeral arrangements and obituary for Skylar below.

Visitation - Sunday, 3:00 - 7:00

Funeral - Monday, 11:00

Harrold - Floriana Funeral Home (Fostoria, Ohio)
301 W Tiffin St
Fostoria , Oh 44830

 

https://www.hffh.net/obituaries/Skylar-Briane-Roberts?obId=27513495#/celebrationWall

A GoFundMe has also been set up to assist the family with expenses. The link is below.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/skylar-roberts?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=sms&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined

I would like to thank all of those who have helped our students and staff this week. Please continue to keep the Roberts family and Skylar’s friends in your thoughts and prayers.

 

STILL LOOKING FOR HELP IN THE CAFETERIA

We have a 2-hour position for a cafeteria worker at Eastwood Middle School. Great chance for a retiree who would like to do something small while making a big impact. Also works well for a mom who may have kids in school but still wants to earn a little money and see what other jobs may open up. If interested, please email Karen Brown at kbrown@eastwoodschools.org.

 

FREEDOM TOWNSHIP IS HIRING

Freedom Township is hiring seasonal workers. Duties include mowing, weed eating and general maintenance of cemeteries, along with assisting the Road Superintendent with road and right-of-way maintenance. Hours are Monday thru Friday, 7:30 A.M. until 3:30 P.M.

If interested, please email FREEDOMCLERK@AMPLEX.NET for an application or call the office at 419-287-4626.

 

AFTER PROM FUNDRAISER

Please see the attached flyer for information on purchasing greenhouse gift certificates as we get ready for spring and summer! This is a big fundraiser for After Prom. Great gift for Mother’s Day!

 

PEMBERVILLE FREE FAIR BINGO NIGHT

This Sunday the Pemberville Free Fair will be hosting Bingo at the Legion from 1:00-6:00. There is a flyer attached. The funds help to support many of the activities of the Fair Board during the Free Fair in August. It purchases supplies and prizes for kid’s activities like the Kid's Zone, Treasure Hunt and Small Animals and allows the Toledo Zoo, COSI or magicians' to put on performances.

Best wishes,

Brent Welker, Superintendent
Eastwood Local Schools
120 E. College St.
PO Box 837
Pemberville, Ohio 43450
419-833-6411

"Leaders create Culture, Culture drives Behavior, Behavior produces Results." - Tim Kight


3.8.23

Dear Community Members:

I have several items for you today.

FRIDAY

We are watching things for Friday morning.  If the latest “snowmageddon” hits and we do not have school, we will be switching to a remote learning day. Teachers and administrators have provided students with the format for a remote day, so we encourage you to make sure your kids login and attend classes or complete activities as assigned.

TIME TO SPRING FORWARD

This weekend, we will have the Spring Forward time change. A couple of years ago, we began to schedule a 2-hour delay for the Monday afterward to help kids with the transition. We will do so again this year with a 2-hour delay on Monday March 13th. This is our last scheduled one for the year!

SPRING BREAK

A quick reminder about spring break this year. Spring Break runs April 1st-April 10th. We will return to school on TUESDAY APRIL 11th. We typically return on a Monday, but this year we are taking the Monday after Easter off and returning on April 11th.

LOOKING FOR A CAFETERIA WORKER

We have a 2-hour position available for a cafeteria worker. If interested, please contact Karen Brown at kbrown@eastwoodschhols.org.

That is it for today!

Brent Welker, Superintendent
Eastwood Local Schools
120 E. College St.
PO Box 837
Pemberville, Ohio 43450
419-833-6411

"Leaders create Culture, Culture drives Behavior, Behavior produces Results." - Tim Kight


2.27.23

Dear Community Members:

Good Monday morning to everyone! I hope this finds you well.

I have several announcements for you today.

DIGITAL EMPOWERMENT PROJECT PRESENTATION

This Thursday evening, we will be hosting a presentation called the Digital Empowerment Project hosted by former Wood County Sheriff’s Department Captain, Scott Frank. This will take place from 6:30-8:00 at Eastwood Elementary School. We have had Captain Frank here before, but it has been several years.

Captain Frank is extremely knowledgeable and he will be direct and straightforward. It is a very important message regarding student safety online. He has a very important message. His flyer is attached.

He will also be meeting with students during the day on Thursday.

INTO THE WOODS – EASTWOOD HS MUSICAL!

The Eastwood Musical this year will be Into the Woods! The shows this year will be Friday March 17th- Sunday March 19th. Tickets are now available at www.ehsmusical.com and there is a flyer attached.

 

BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL SPRING FLING FUNDRAISER

Bethlehem Lutheran Preschool will host their 16th annual Spring Fling on Saturday March 25th from 10-4:00 at the church. The Easter Bunny will make a special appearance from 10-2:00.

Please see their flyer which is attached.

FRIDAY

We will be watching the forecast for Friday. Looks like a complicated system that may impact afternoon and evening travel. It’s Monday, so we have some time, but this is worth keeping on your radar.

Have a great week.

Brent Welker, Superintendent
Eastwood Local Schools
120 E. College St.
PO Box 837
Pemberville, Ohio 43450
419-833-6411

"Leaders create Culture, Culture drives Behavior, Behavior produces Results." - Tim Kight


2.10.23

Dear Community Members:

Good Friday to everyone! I have several items for you today.

2-HOUR DELAY SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY FEBRUARY 13TH

Just a reminder that we have a planned 2-hour delay for professional development on Monday the 13th.

BOARD VOTES TO REMOVE THE PI RENEWAL FROM MAY BALLOT

Last night, the Board of Education met to discuss the renewal of the Permanent Improvement Levy. The Board had voted in January to place the levy on the May ballot for renewal. However, we discovered that our levy would be the only issue on the ballot.

Several years ago, the General Assembly made a change to how elections are financed. The result is that entities on the ballot are required to split the costs of the election. The more entities on the ballot, like you would have in a major general election, the lower the cost. If you are the only issue on the ballot, then you must pay the entire cost. While there are fewer precincts that have to be open, there are still early voting hours that have to be maintained by law.

It was the Board’s decision to be fiscally responsible and remove the issue from the May ballot. The Board will be voting this summer to place the renewal on the November ballot.

 

CALAMITY DAYS

We have missed five calamity days so far this year. We will be making up the next three calamity days via online lessons similar to what we have done in the past. Students made up days last year via remote learning, and those days were structured similarly to the online Mondays we used during the 2020-21 school-year. It is likely that you have already received information from principals or classroom teachers.

We do allow for flexibility due to the age of the child. MS and HS students will follow a schedule from 10:00-2:00 while first graders will do something different.

Let’s hope that we do not have to make-up any days, but we are prepared nonetheless.

 

DRINKING WATER NOTICE

I am attaching a notice of violation for testing of the drinking water at the elementary school. Back in September, we were alerted to the fact that we were not compliant with our water testing. The understanding of our technical supervisor was that testing was required twice per month, but it was required every other week. The result was a test was completed two days late. We are now testing weekly so there can be no further issues. However, we are still required to share this notice.

 

THANKS YOUS!

I wanted to thank those staff members who were responsible for putting on a tremendous event to celebrate our 1,000 point scorers in basketball. The event was VERY well done and the result of hours of time and effort from planning to locating and inviting players and coaches to the ceremony itself.

HS Guidance Counselor, Andrew Hemminger, truly spearheaded the event and planned most of the activities. AD Jeff Hill and Secretary Nichole Brown, along with Assistant AD Shelly Vajen also played prominent roles.  While not alone in their efforts to make the event possible, I did want to single them out. I also want to thank Greg and Kristy Pioterek for doing pictures and video in the Eagle’s Nest for the families of our honorees.

To those who played any other role who I may have forgotten, please know that you are appreciated. Thanks to all and congrats to our 1,000 point scorers!

 

CHOIR SOLO AND ENSEMBLE RESULTS

Congratulations to the following students for their participation at the 2022 OMEA District I HS Solo & Ensemble competition this past Saturday at Lake Local Schools:

Jordan Appelhans, Mezzo-Soprano Solo, Class A, Excellent (II) Rating

Phoenix Coon, Mezzo-Soprano Solo, Class C, Excellent (II) Rating

Curtis Nutter, Baritone Solo, Class B, Superior (I) Rating

Brooklyn Preston, Mezzo-Soprano Solo, Class C, Superior (I) Rating

Emma Ruffner, Mezzo-Soprano Solo, Class B, Superior (I) Rating

Ladies Ensemble, Class C, Excellent (II) Rating

Phoenix Coon, Lexi Hoffman, Zoey Olson, and Brooklyn Preston

Encore, Chamber Ensemble, Class C, Superior (I) Rating

Jordan Appelhans, Morgan Duquette, Andre Lantigua, Kellan Miesmer, Taylor Nowakowski, Curtis Nutter, Hunter Ollivier, Isabella Romero, Carys Ruck, Emma Ruffner, Eric Sander, and Ian Sander

 Well done!!!

That is it for today! Have a great weekend!

Brent Welker, Superintendent
Eastwood Local Schools
120 E. College St.
PO Box 837
Pemberville, Ohio 43450
419-833-6411

"Leaders create Culture, Culture drives Behavior, Behavior produces Results." - Tim Kight


2.3.23

Dear Community Members:

I hope you have been enjoying the sun this week. In the winter, bright sunshine often is accompanied by cold temps, but it has been nice.  I have multiple notes for you today including kindergarten screening information for 2023-24 and other important events.

MR. HILL TO RETIRE AS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

After seventeen years as Principal, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Eastwood High School, Jeff Hill will be retiring at the end of the year. He has been in education for 42 years with most of his previous experience being at Mapleton HS which is near Ashland.

Jeff was hired 17 years ago to take my job as HS Principal when I moved to the superintendent’s chair. His guiding principle throughout his time here has been, “Take care of the kids”. He has brought that perspective to his job every day. His Captain’s Leadership Training has been one of the best programs you will find anywhere in the state. Learning and applying those leadership lessons is a skill that our kids will take with them forever. He leaves a significant legacy behind. We are losing far more than an AD.

We will be making some adjustments to this position moving ahead. We have decided to couple the Athletic Director and Assistant Principal position at the HS together as it had been for many years. We will be advertising for this job by early next week and hope to have a recommendation to the Board in April/May.

ADDITIONAL ATHLETIC RETIREMENTS OF NOTE

Eastwood has been blessed with longevity in a number of our coaching positions. Several of those coaches have decided to retire/resign.

Mike Gardner is retiring from coaching boy’s golf after coaching for over half a century. He is credited for helping Benjamin Franklin learn how to read greens. Mike is simply a gentleman and one of the classiest people you will ever meet. His teams have multiple conference championships and competed in the State Tournament on numerous occasions. We have been blessed as a district to have Mike working with our kids.

John Cavendish is stepping aside as our girl’s golf coach of over 20 years. He has been a great role model for our kids and has a passion for the game. I love how he always closes his comments at our Fall Sports Awards with a thank you to Coach Gardner for teaching him the game.

Bob Brough is also retiring as our assistant golf coach. He has been with Coach Gardner for 23 years. Like all of our coaches, he is positive and supportive of our student-athletes and will be missed.

Ken Perkins has been the throws coach for the last 20 plus years at the JH. A number of outstanding throwers have come through the JH ranks and his approach is consistent with everything Eastwood Track stands for. He is stepping aside as coach.

We wish all of them well!

 

EASTWOOD TO COMMEMORATE 1,000 POINT SCORERS ON FEB. 7

On the evening of Tuesday, February 7, Eastwood will honor and remember the 16 basketball players (11 women, five men) that eclipsed 1,000 points in their careers.  

We're expecting most of the former players (likely 12-14) to be in attendance with several being represented by members of their family.  We have also invited those individuals that coached a 1,000 point scorer.

There will be a reception in the Eagles Nest (by the cafeteria) from 6:00-7:15. It is open to the community, free of charge.  You're invited to come greet the players and talk with some people that aren't back in the area very often.   

The varsity game (boys versus Ottawa Hills) will tip around 7:15-7:30. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for senior citizens (60+) and $5 for students.

At halftime of the varsity game, we will recognize the coaches and honor/remember the 16 players individually.  Each will receive a gift and we will unveil their signs in the gym.

We hope this will be a nice event for our former players, our current student-athletes and the community.

The 16 student athletes include:

- Randy Gardner (Class of 1977)

- Carol Bruning (Class of 1978)

- Cathy Smithey (Class of 1980)

- Teri Poggemeyer (Class of 1984)

- Jodi Juergens (Class of 1986)

- Stephany Dunmyer (Class of 1996)

- Kerri Wohltman (Class of 1996)

- Aaron Lawniczak (Class of 1997)

- Darcy Miesmer (Class of 2000)

- Stacey Weiland (Class of 2002)

- Kim Young (Class of 2006)

- Clay Rolf (Class of 2010)

- Jacob Schmeltz (Class of 2014)

- Jamie Schmeltz (Class of 2020)

- Aubrey Haas (Class of 2022)

- Jacob Meyer (Class of 2022)  

2023-2024 Kindergarten Screening Registration

Kindergarten Screening for the 2023-2024 school year is scheduled for Friday, April 14, 2023, Monday, April 17, 2023 and Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at the Eastwood Central Office (The old Pemberville Elementary) located at 120 E. College Avenue, Pemberville.

Screening times each day are:  8:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.

District Policy states the child must be five (5) years old on or before August 1st.

Please complete the Screening Sign Up Form by March 1, 2023.

Do NOT input your child’s information into FinalForms at this point.

Contact Laurie Ruch at 419-833-6411 Ext 104 or lruch@eastwoodschools.org with any questions.

EASTWOOD HS NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY’S SPAGHETTI DINNER!

The annual Spaghetti Dinner will be held on Friday February 10th from 4:30-7:30 in the HS Cafeteria. Cost is $8 for adults and $6 for kids. It is an all-you-can-eat dinner featuring spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, dessert and drink. Take out meals are available and tickets can be purchased from any NHS member!


TWO VILLAGES PRESENTS A TOWN HALL MEETING - YOUTH SUICIDE - STRUGGLING WITH THE UNTHINKABLE

I received this email today and wanted to pass this along. There is a handout attached in case you are interested.

Dear Principals of Neighboring Schools,

My name is Jayne Klett and I facilitate a local community group in the Woodmore district that focuses on raising resilient children.   Two Villages has been providing programs since 2010 after 5 local teens/young adults lost their lives from high risk behaviors in 2009.

Our next program, a Town Hall meeting, will be Sunday March 19, 2023 at Woodmore High School.   We have success in gathering adults from our district and neighboring communities to attend these annual Sunday afternoon events.  Our topic this year is Youth Suicide (please refer to the attached flyer).

I am asking the favor of sharing this information within your school district, as you deem appropriate.  Two Villages is painfully aware that high risk behaviors know no boundaries; therefore, our programs are always open to our neighbors.

Feel free to contact me with questions.

Kind regards,

Jayne Klett, Facilitator

That is it for this week!!!

Brent Welker, Superintendent
Eastwood Local Schools
120 E. College St.
PO Box 837
Pemberville, Ohio 43450
419-833-6411

"Leaders create Culture, Culture drives Behavior, Behavior produces Results." - Tim Kight


1.26.23

Dear Community Members:

WINTER DRIVING IS HERE
This afternoon the winds picked up quickly and created some challenging driving issues. I was speaking with one of the deputies who helps here frequently who shared that situations like today are some of the most challenging. The roads look great and are fine, and then you hit a 100-foot patch of snow out of the blue. When we see these things happening we try to make announcements before the HS kids leave. It changed just that fast today.

It looks like we will have up and down conditions that will change over the course of the day for at least the next week to ten days. We will do our best to try and provide you and our students with the best information possible. As always, you as the parent has the right to make decisions that you feel are in the best interest of your child.

We will be up and out again in the morning to check the roads tomorrow. Will keep you posted.

RECOGNIZING EASTWOOD’S 1,000 POINT BASKETBALL SCORERS

On Tuesday February 7th, we will host a very special ceremony during our boy’s basketball game where we will be recognizing all of the boys and girls who have score 1,000 points during their HS career. It will be a great evening and celebration of the great tradition of Eastwood Basketball. More information to follow.

BOOSTERS REVERSE RAFFLE

The Eastwood Athletic Boosters will be holding a Reverse Raffle on April 22nd at Glass City Boardwalk. Tickets are on sale now and there is a flyer attached with more information. The Grand Prize is $10,000!!

EASTWOOD YOUTH SOCCER REGISTRATION

Online registration for the Spring 2023 Season will be open January 29 – February 12, 2023


 · Registration is open to boys and girls born between January 1, 2008–December 31, 2019. This is the last season of eligibility for 2008 birth year middle schoolers!
· Spring season games will run from April 1–May 26. There will not be an end of season ESSL tournament for 8U-14U, but rather an ESSL day (pool play) is planned for May 6.
· Register at eastwoodsoccer.org – click on Registration to begin the process
· All registrations need to be completed online before the deadline of 11:59 p.m. on February 12th . Registrations completed after this date will be assessed a $10 late fee and will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on February 15th or when rosters are full.
· 8U–14U uniforms must be purchased from Ortinau Art by registration deadline if the participant doesn’t currently have a uniform. (4U and 6U will receive a t-shirt uniform included with their registration)
· All volunteer coaches will receive cash back upon team assignments and completion of paperwork
· For questions, contact us by email at eastwoodyouthsoccer@gmail.com.
Also, check us out on Facebook - Eastwood Youth Soccer

That is it for this afternoon. Be safe and have a great rest of the week.

 

1.17.23

Dear Community Members:

Hard to believe that we are nearly halfway through the month of January. For those of you worried that we will not have a winter, please remember that the last couple of Februarys have seen a lot of snow.  I have a couple of things for you today including the December Financial Report.

DECEMBER FINANCIAL REPORT

Below you will find the year-to-date comparison for December 2021 and December 2022. Last month we went into some detail with regards to our Revenues and Expenses as well as the updated 5-Year Forecast.  I have some thoughts below.

 

Eastwood Schools Financials

Friday, January 13, 2023

REVENUE

FY 2022

FY 2023

$$ change

% change

General Property Tax

$3,513,598.44

$3,421,612.92

-$91,985.52

-2.62%

Tangible Personal Property Tax

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

0.00%

Income Tax

$1,266,867.69

$1,485,131.57

$218,263.88

17.23%

Unrestricted Grants-In-Aid

$2,953,479.95

$3,282,499.35

$329,019.40

11.14%

Restricted Grants-In-Aid

$0.00

$148,543.56

$148,543.56

100.00%

Property Tax Allocation

$312,978.83

$314,349.96

$1,371.13

0.44%

All Other

$646,322.20

$354,985.72

-$291,336.48

-45.08%

Advances / Other

$211,002.85

$129,038.28

-$81,964.57

-38.85%

TOTAL REVENUE

$8,904,249.96

$9,136,161.36

$231,911.40

2.60%

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

FY 2022

FY 2023

$$ change

% change

Personnel Services

$5,140,959.47

$5,334,019.30

$193,059.83

3.76%

Retirement / Insurance

$2,167,393.54

$2,415,629.63

$248,236.09

11.45%

Purchased Services

$595,858.03

$551,982.56

-$43,875.47

-7.36%

Supplies / Materials

$267,175.99

$475,635.66

$208,459.67

78.02%

Capital Outlay

$0.00

$357,817.82

$357,817.82

100.00%

Other Objects

$625,285.23

$744,991.32

$119,706.09

19.14%

Advances / Transfers

$1,336,823.25

$1,336,628.75

-$194.50

-0.01%

TOTAL EXPENSES

$10,133,495.51

$11,216,705.04

$1,083,209.53

10.69%

 

REVENUES vs. EXPENSES

-$1,229,245.55

-$2,080,543.68

-$851,298.13

69.25%

 

REVENUE

 

There is very little that has changed from November to December. Our state funding rose by about $80,000 over last year at this time due to some timing, but most everything else is flat. In the next couple of months, we will receive our first half property tax collections as well as our final income tax collections for the fiscal year.

 

EXPENSES

 

I have two areas highlighted. The first is Personnel Services which is primarily salaries. This number is up $193,059 over last year which is way down by comparison over last month. This is a timing issue since December 2021 was a 3 pay month. We have moved to a 24 pay schedule vs. the previous 26 pay schedule which will eliminate these anomalies next year.

 

Finally, our overall YTD expenses are down by roughly $100,000 as compared to last month’s report. This is due to the payroll difference mentioned above.

 

Most of the other areas have small differences except Capital Outlay, which is flat.

 

We have identified some cost reduction strategies in transportation which should help to slow some of the increase in maintenance costs. Thanks to Transportation Director, Nick Hannan, and his staff for this.

 

RENEWAL OF THE PERMANENT IMPROVEMENT LEVY

 

On Monday night the Board will be looking to take the final step to renew the district’s Permanent Improvement Levy. The levy was first passed over 20 years ago and is not a new tax. Funds from a permanent improvement levy can be used for items that have a 5-year life expectancy or more. This can cover things like repairs, maintenance, technology, furnishings, construction and overall facility improvements.

 

One of the biggest projects completed recently has been the construction and paving of the bus parking lot. We also renovated the offices at both the MS and HS along with numerous other repairs and preventative maintenance programs. The PI fund helps fund our annual Chromebook purchases for students

 

Our next big project is the replacement of the dugouts and some fencing at both the baseball and softball fields. We are expecting drawings to be completed by early February and out to bid by early March. We had plans for the softball field to be done earlier, but our contractor backed out during Covid.

 

The levy currently collects roughly 1.91 mills costing a taxpayer $133.70 annually on a $200,000 home.

 

At the end of calendar year 2023, the bond issue for the HS addition will be paid in full. Currently that levy collects around .9 mills. A year from now our total property tax collections will be under 22 mills which will be one of the lowest property tax millages in the county.

 

Enjoy your weekend.

 

Brent Welker, Superintendent

Eastwood Local Schools

12.21.22

Dear Community Members:

We first want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. It looks like we will have a couple of rocky days before then. Campus and Pemberville will be closed Friday-Sunday to all activities. We will determine Monday when we will get things open for practices, but noon will most likely be the earliest. The timing of the snow and wind coupled with Christmas will be a factor. We want to give our employees time with their families and like many of you, Monday is a holiday.

Please also make sure to connect with neighbors in the event that we have power outages. Temps are going to be very cold so please take care of one another.

Attached are two consumer lead notices for the water at the elementary. All lead readings are below minimum levels, but periodically we have to post these notices. The letters include all of the taps tested in the building.

Best wishes to one and all and hope you are Santa's Nice list!

Brent Welker, Superintendent

Eastwood Local Schools

Consumer lead notice 1  Consumer lead notice 2

 
12.9.22

Dear Community Members:

December is moving along and for those of you who tend to wait a little before shopping know that there are 15 shopping days until Christmas. I have several announcements and the November Financial Report.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

This Saturday will be the annual laying of the wreaths at cemeteries in the Eastwood Community. There will be a ceremony at the HS starting at 10:00 and folks will head out to the cemeteries around 10:30 if you wish to go directly to one of them. They will be laying wreaths at all of the cemeteries in the district through the Wreaths Across America program. The goal is to lay a wreath at the grave of all veterans in our district. This is made possible through a wide network of residents and organizations, and the Eastwood Key Club has been heavily involved.

EASTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL NHS DRIVE THRU FOOD DRIVE NEXT TUESDAY DECEMBER 13TH

Eastwood High School National Honor Society is sponsoring a food drive for the local food pantries for the Holidays.  We would like to invite the community to help out. We will sponsor a drive thru food drive on Tuesday, Dec. 13th from 5-7pm.  Community members can bring any non-perishable items to the High School entrance on the Luckey Road side of the school.  NHS members will be there to take the items from you and bring them into the school.  Please do not bring any expired items.  We also need items like soaps, Detergents, Deodorants, Paper Towels, Kleenex, Shampoos, and Dental Items. 

LUCKEY’S JOURNEY TO NATIVITY

Please come join Luckey residents this Saturday, December 10th from 6-8 PM. They invite all to come see the "Journey to Nativity" at the manger on 215 Main St, Luckey. Meet their new addition, "Dillon" the miniature donkey.

Enjoy hot chocolate and homemade cookies while listening to the Eastwood Ensemble play Christmas music.

The Luckey Police Department Toy Drive  will run from Noon-6:00 PM as well!

 

NOVEMBER FINANCIAL REPORT

We are now five months into the fiscal year. In this report, I want to focus on some of the expense items as we have some increases year over year that need explanation.

 

Eastwood Schools Financials

Thursday, December 8, 2022

REVENUE

FY 2022

FY 2023

$$ change

% change

 

General Property Tax

$3,513,598.44

$3,421,612.92

-$91,985.52

-2.62%

 

Tangible Personal Property Tax

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

0.00%

 

Income Tax

$1,266,867.69

$1,485,131.57

$218,263.88

17.23%

 

Unrestricted Grants-In-Aid

$2,468,105.38

$2,717,774.99

$249,669.61

10.12%

 

Restricted Grants-In-Aid

$0.00

$123,760.85

$123,760.85

100.00%

 

Property Tax Allocation

$312,978.83

$314,349.96

$1,371.13

0.44%

 

All Other

$543,007.83

$291,517.20

-$251,490.63

-46.31%

 

Advances / Other

$205,082.78

$129,038.28

-$76,044.50

-37.08%

 

TOTAL REVENUE

$8,309,640.95

$8,483,185.77

$173,544.82

2.09%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

FY 2022

FY 2023

$$ change

% change

 

Personnel Services

$3,960,635.26

$4,373,267.64

$412,632.38

10.42%

 

Retirement / Insurance

$1,774,700.61

$1,989,922.78

$215,222.17

12.13%

 

Purchased Services

$507,701.70

$454,124.78

-$53,576.92

-10.55%

 

Supplies / Materials

$245,364.42

$430,535.15

$185,170.73

75.47%

 

Capital Outlay

$0.00

$357,817.82

$357,817.82

100.00%

 

Other Objects

$543,363.70

$611,338.43

$67,974.73

12.51%

 

Advances / Transfers

$1,336,823.25

$1,336,628.75

-$194.50

-0.01%

 

TOTAL EXPENSES

$8,368,588.94

$9,553,635.35

$1,185,046.41

14.16%

 

 

REVENUES vs. EXPENSES

-$58,947.99

-$1,070,449.58

-$1,011,501.59

1715.92%

 

 

 

PERSONNEL SERVICES – Up $412,632.38 – See below

·         Market adjustment for classified staff wages. In order to remain competitive in the marketplace, especially for drivers, we had to make some one-time adjustments to hourly rates for our classified staff.

·         There are several positions that in part or in full were covered by grants that are now in the General Fund. Many of these positions are in areas of special education where we have added staff to meet the increasing needs of students.

·         We will continue to see some staff moving from grant funds into the General Fund next year. We also need to continue to address the expanding needs of some of our kids.

RETIREMENT/INSURANCE – Up $215,222.17 – Our medical premiums saw a significant increase for this school year. Like many self-insured plans, there were delays in medical procedures during Covid that led to defrayed costs that spilled into succeeding years. The 20% increase last year was greater than the combined increases of the previous 7 years. Things are better this year so we are hoping for a normal increase going into 2023-24.

SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS - Up $185,170.73 – going to bullet these

·         Inflation overall has an impact on the costs for all materials

·         We have spent more repairing our bus fleet in particular so far this year. We have a number of buses that are at the age and mileage where investments need to be made. Close to $50,000.

·         We purchased additional reading materials in the area of phonics that were required for the district to be compliant with the new dyslexia guidelines at a cost of roughly $50,000. This program, however, has been an outstanding addition to our K-3 reading program. Staff are reporting strong gains in both phonemic awareness (sounding words out) which will improve reading fluency and writing. There is an even greater expectation for future growth as students.

CAPITAL OUTLAY – Up $357,917.82 – We made the decision to pull forward some bus purchases to take advantage of favorable pricing. We anticipated inflationary pressure on the cost of buses, and there was a great deal that we felt was too good to pass up. We are pulling forward future spending which is impacting this year’s costs.

SUMMARY

Over the last 2-3 years we have talked about the need to widen our support for our kids. While Covid played some part in some of those areas, we started seeing this prior to March 2020. These needs are both academic and social/emotional. This will continue to impact our need to provide services for them. This is something that is not going away and will require flexibility in our approach to educating them.

 

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Brent Welker, Superintendent

Eastwood Local Schools

120 E. College St.

PO Box 837

Pemberville, Ohio 43450

419-833-6411

"Leaders create Culture, Culture drives Behavior, Behavior produces Results." - Tim Kight