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9/20/2012 - South Side Leader
     

By Emily Chesnic

The Coventry Local Schools Board of Education honored the “Star Student Achievers” for September at the Sept. 18 meeting. The award winners include, from left: (back row) senior Nino Kovaljesko and eighth-grader Sydney Pyke; and (front row) fifth-grader Andrea Braucher and first-grader Cara Hadbavny.

Photo: Emily Chesnic

The Coventry Local Schools Board of Education is preparing to push for the passage of another levy, but this issue won’t pave the way for a new educational facility.

Board member Vicki Tavenier said during the Sept. 18 meeting there is some confusion about what is going to be on the Nov. 6 General Election ballot.

District voters will see Issue No. 70, a 9.96-mill operating renewal levy, which is separate from the combined 5.99-mill levy and bond issue voters defeated in the Aug. 7 Special Election, she said. The bond issue would have funded the construction of a new high school and renovations to existing school facilities, with financial assistance through the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC).

The five-year levy on the November ballot is used for operating expenses and generates about $2.9 million a year, according to Treasurer Aaron Butts.

Board member Robert Wohlgamuth announced it was time to focus on getting the word out concerning the renewal levy.

“This levy won’t cost anyone any more taxes and has been in place for the last 10 years,” he said.

Wohlgamuth invited the public to a levy meeting Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Coventry Middle School Library, 3257 Cormany Road, to learn more about the importance of the renewal levy.

The board has not confirmed if it would go back to the ballot in the future with the bond issue.

At the meeting, however, the board approved a resolution of acceptance in the OSFC Classroom Facilities Assistance Program.

Superintendent Russell Chaboudy said approving the resolution was a step in the process the board must take should it decide to put the issue back on the ballot.

“It is a standard operating procedure,” he said.

In the spring, the OSFC offered $11 million toward the construction of a new high school. The district now has under a year to raise its share of the project funds before the OSFC offers the $11 million to another deserving school district.

Through the bond issue that failed, the board planned to demolish Erwine Intermediate School, construct a new high school on the site of Erwine and turn the current high school into the elementary school. Renovations were slated for the middle school, and Turkeyfoot Elementary would have been closed to students.

The board heard a presentation concerning the poor state of the district’s facilities and the number of repairs needed and the money being spent specifically to keep Erwine in operation.

Wohlgamuth said it is sad money is being spent on maintenance issues when the money could be used for the benefit of students.

Also during the meeting, the board named teacher Shannon DeMita the instructional assessment and accountability coordinator. Chaboudy said DeMita’s increase in responsibility would not come with an increase in pay.

Board member Tina Gable said she was amazed the district has so many employees like DeMita, “willing to do more work for no more pay” for the sake of the district and the students.

The board also presented district employees with perfect attendance and longevity awards. Teachers Joanne English and Deborah McNamara were honored for 25 years of service and teacher Audrey Baker and Director of Operations and Facilities John Hibian for 30 years.

The board also presented the Star Student Achiever Awards to first-grader Cara Hadbavny, fifth-grader Andrea Braucher, eighth-grader Sydney Pyke and senior Nino Kovaljesko.

In other business, the board additionally accepted donations of a 2000 truck and 2013 trailer from the Coventry Band Parents; $1,000 to the Dave McCormick memorial scholarship from Mr. and Mrs. Ralph McCormick; and $700 from an anonymous donor to the athletic department.

The next regular Coventry Local Schools Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. at Coventry High School, 3089 Manchester Road.

     

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