KENSTON MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE
We continue to work to complete the roofing project and return students and staff to classes in the middle school. While many of the questions raised by individuals at the October 23rd Board of Education meeting have been answered in communications directly with those individuals, we wish to answer some of the most commonly asked questions below:

1. Were remediation efforts pre-scheduled or added since the closure of the school building?
When the decision to complete the roofing project was made, remediate efforts were scheduled to ensure that the building would be in a safe condition. They included:
  • Contracting with the EA Group, an environmental analysis and management company, who will conduct extensive air quality tests throughout the entire building (testing for volatile organic compounds (VOC), airborne fungi and airborne fibers). Additionally, the EA Group will provide an industrial hygienist to complete a thorough inspection of the building.
  • Working with Paul Davis Restoration to develop a scope of work to repair ceilings, ceiling tiles, and walls that were damaged as a result of some leaking that occurred during the project.
  • Placing monitors on air handler units for volatile organic compounds (VOC) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) monitors.
  • Cleaning coils and changing filters in all air handler units.
  • Performing a full cleaning of the entire building utilizing our Kenston custodial staff.
Since the building has been closed, we will be converting all interior and exterior lighting to LEDs.  This is part of an HB 264 energy conservation project the the district was previously planning to complete.  Early last summer, the Board of Education evaluated energy conservation savings using HB 264 within the district.

2. What is the process for selecting a company to do remediation work on the middle school? Were these projects competitively bid?
Local school districts are only required to competitively bid on certain projects or purchases. As to the testing and renovations being done at the Kenston Middle School building, none of those services met the $50,000 threshold required by law to be competitively bid. When competitive bidding is not required, contractors and other service providers are carefully selected based on various financial and quality criteria.

3. When was the roofing contract granted?
The Board of Education approved the roofing contract with Campopiano Roofing at the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education on June 19, 2017.

4. Has the roofing contractor done school roofs before?
Campopiano Roofing has completed many roofing projects as listed on their website.

5. What were reasons for the delay in the roof project?
The original plan was to have the Middle School roofing project completed by August 11, 2017. Delays were caused by weather, roofing specs and other contract issues. When it became apparent that the August date would not be met, the decision was made to continue the project, with the majority of the roofing work to be completed after school hours and on weekends.

6. Why was the C-wing of the high school selected to house 8th grade students?
The C-wing of the high school typically houses business and world language courses. With today's technology, business is no longer conducted in just an office as it is conducted in a variety of different locations.  The same holds true for our World Language courses that focus on International Studies.  This flexibility can serve as an opportunity to offer insight into real-world situations reflecting our goals for 21st century learning.

7. Do all evacuation drills exit out the front of the building?
During a regular safety drill, a portion of the middle school classrooms would exit out the front of the building. Fire/Evacuation Drills are conducted, as required by law, each month in all schools plus three (3) additional evacuation drills are conducted to train students to respond in the event of more unusual situations and external threats. Staff and students train for a variety of situations and methods of evacuation.

8. Does Kenston Middle School have a Crisis Response team?
In the event of an emergency, everyone has a role and responsibility in responding to the situation. Emergency procedures information are posted in all school rooms.

Each building has an assigned Crisis Response Team comprised of district and building administrators, teachers, support staff including administrative assistants, custodians and health aide, guidance counselors and required outside agencies.

We also have a District Safety Committee comprised of local Safety officers, district and building administrators, representatives from certified and support staff.  Our Emergency Operations Plan is on file with Ohio Homeland Security and local law enforcement agencies.

10. When was information as to products use on the KMS roof sent to hospital(s)?
On Tuesday, October 3, the Bainbridge Fire Department obtained and electronically sent the information regarding the products used on the KMS roof to the hospitals where patients were transported.

11. What is the long-term plan for Kenston Middle School?
Plans are underway for another facility assessment.  The plans will be used to develop a 5-year Facility Master Plan. At this time, we have no plans to build a new middle school facility. We will be evaluating all options for all of our buildings based on the findings of the facility assessment.
NEW STATE ABSENCE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
School attendance is an important ingredient in students' academic success.  A new state law (House Bill 410) changes how Ohio schools must report student absences and other time out of school.  All time out of school, including coming in late and early dismissals, is now included in student attendance totals.  Limiting scheduled appointments to before or after school and weekend hours will help students avoid reaching the new absence limits.  Parents are encouraged to schedule vacations during school breaks.  Please continue to report absences to the school or attendance office each day as well as submitting a doctor's excuse for verification of any student absences for medical reasons.

Families will receive an Excessive Absence Notification when a student misses:
  • 38 or more hours in one school month (with or without a legitimate excuse)
  • 65 or more hours in one school year (with or without a legitimate excuse) 
The law requires schools to address Habitual Truancy, which occurs when a student misses:
  • 30 or more consecutive hours without a legitimate excuse
  • 42 or more hours in one school month without a legitimate excuse
  • 72 or more hours in one school year with a legitimate excuse
According to the law, schools cannot suspend or expel students for missing too much school.  Instead schools must provide ways to promote compliance and school attendance.  Additionally, schools must develop Absence Intervention Plans to help improve student attendance. 

CROSS COUNTRY QUALIFIES FOR STATE
Nine runners will be competing at the OHSSA Division 1 State Cross Country meet on Saturday, November 4th.  The Boys Cross Country team placed 4th at the Youngstown/Boardman Regional earning their second state berth in two years.  The team is comprised of Jakob McConnell, Sam Markel, Will Grendell, Kyle Silk, Will Britton, Jordan Knapp, Casey Pleune and Jacob Sandoval.

Freshman Ellie Pleune placed 23rd and earned an individual bid to compete in the Division 1 State Cross Country meet.  She is the first Kenston girl to qualify since 2005.
KHS STUDENT VIDEO SELECTED AS #1 IN STATE CONTEST
Each year Ohio School Boards Association accepts entries for its annual "Stand Up for Public Schools" student video contest. Videos are entered by Ohio students expressing their thoughts and ideas on how public schools make a difference. I am excited to announce that KHS students', Jimmy Burg and Jack McDonough, entry took first place out of 53 submissions! They will be recognized at Ohio School Boards Association's annual conference in November. 

View the Video.
FIVE YEAR FORECAST
State law requires all public schools to file a  Five-Year Financial Forecast with the Ohio Department of Education twice a year in October and May.  The forecast requires districts to evaluate their General Fund for potential long-term outcomes when making current decisions about new initiatives and fund to existing programs and services over multiple years.  The multi-year budgeting process lends itself to meeting both short and long-term goals while maintaining financial solvency.
The General Fund is the largest district fund. General funds are primarily unrestricted and are used for the day-to-day operation of the school district.

The forecast represents a series of assumptions or estimates of future economic, legislative and market conditions.  It is a "snapshot" of variables known or assumed at a particular point in time.  Due to the uncertainties and changing nature of school finance and economic factors, this forecast is fluid and subject to change. Contact  Phillip Butto, Treasurer with any questions.
UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO CHOIR VISIT
The University of Toledo Concert Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Brad Pierson, visited the Kenston High School Mixed Choir to sing and share insight and opportunities for students interested in music after high school.
TIMMONS READING FOR THE RECORD
Timmons Elementary School was part of the world's largest shared reading experience - bringing together over 2 million people each year in classrooms, libraries, community centers, and homes across the US. This annual campaign was launched over a decade ago to highlight the importance of building early literacy and language skills for every child.

CANDIDATES' NIGHT FORUM 
Political Action Committee of Kenston (PACK) and the Geauga County League of Women Voters were hosts to Candidates' Night Forum Wednesday Night. Candidates and issue representatives gave speeches and answered questions from the community. Thank you to all who participated and made this year's forum successful and insightful.

THANK YOU
Thank you to Howard's Apple Farm for donating apples to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and dedication of our staff.

UPCOMING BOE MEETINGS
Monday, November 6,  BOE, 7pm - Work Session
Monday, November 20, TES, 7pm - Regular