School Board Talks About Adding Staff

The Archbold Area School Board heard about the possibility of adding back staff positions that were cut as part of cost-saving measures during the Monday night, Jan 14, meeting.

The board approved adding Linda Schmidt, a district bus driver, as a two-hour playground aid at the Archbold Elementary School.

David Deskins, district superintendent, told board members the position had been reduced as part of earlier cost-cutting efforts. Since then, he said the ratio of students to adults on the playground was becoming problematic. School administrators felt safer reinstating the post, he said.

Other changes he discussed included consider adding a halftime teacher in the special education section, as the number of special education students increase.

"We continue to monitor that situation," he said.

Deskins said the elementary school guidance counselor position was reduced from full-time to two days a week; but two days a week is not meeting the needs of the students, Deskins told board members. He said school district officials plan to go back to a full-time guidance counselor next year.

He said during the board's February meeting, other staffing needs will be discussed with the board. The February meeting is set for Monday, Feb. 18, at 7 pm in the Archbold High School media center.

Deskins said the district fiveyear financial forecast looks favorable, but if more staff members are added to the payroll, the forecast "will look a little less favorable."

Additional staff is not built into the current forecast, he said.

Deskins told board members there are 51 open enrollment students in the district, about double last year's number. That, he said, could also impact the district's financial forecast.

In response to a question from the board, Deskins and Christine Ziegler, district treasurer, estimated that about 83 students left the Archbold Area School District under open enrollment. When students leave the district, state funds follow them to their new schools.

"We're still not breaking even on the loss of revenue. With any luck, we're beginning to make a dent. In a couple years, the numbers could even out," he said.

Miller Named President

Scott Miller, board member, was elected board president, taking over from David Yoder, who held the post for two years.

Miller said the change was made for no specific reason.

"The president's job is becoming more involved every year. It's nice to pass the responsibility around," he said.

Roel Galvan was named board vice president, in a 3-2 vote over Janet Wyse.

The board will continue to meet on the third Monday of each month at 7 pm.

Ziegler reviewed the district's financial picture after the first six months of the fiscal year, saying she was comfortable with the results.

So far, she said the district had collected 57.98% of the revenue it was expecting for the fiscal year, while overall expenses were 49% of projections.

Audit

Deskins told board members as part of the district alternative energy wind power project, the district had received a grant for a complete energy audit.

There were 16 applications nationwide for the audit; the Archbold school district was one of three selected. The audit will start at the end of January.

Deskins said engineers will visit the school buildings, and observe and measure energy usage. Then, they will present suggestions where energy can be conserved.

Such audits "are pretty expensive," Deskins said. They can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $15,000. District officials worked with Toledo Edison on the audit application.

"We feel fortunate to be one of the schools selected," Deskins said.

All board members were present.- David Pugh