GARFIELD HEIGHTS CITY SCHOOLS 5640 Briarcliff Drive Garfield Heights, OH 44125
A publication designed to keep an open line of communication with the community.
GH
Superintendent’s Introducing Message
Superintendent
Linda N. Reid
www.gar fieldheightscityschools.com Garfield Heights City Schools Launch
Bulldog Business Partnership On January 21, 2010, district officials launched the Bulldog Business Partnership, an innovative plan designed to create a stronger, mutually beneficial relationship between The Garfield Heights City Schools and the local business community. The partnership will provide local businesses the opportunity to become an official partner of the schools by sponsoring an academic program, contest, or event that promotes higher academic achievement. In return, participating businesses will receive increased exposure to the school community to increase patronage. Examples of increased exposure include regular recognition at extracurricular events, a page on GHTV, and feature stories in future editions of Open Line. Fifteen members of the local business community attended the morning meeting held at the Central Office building. Following a brief overview of the partnership, each participant was picked up by a school bus and dropped off at one of the district’s five school buildings. For the next hour, participants were taken on a tour of their respective school building and given the opportunity to interact with students and faculty. At the conclusion of the buildings tour, all business partners were taken back to the Central Office for a light lunch and an opportunity to discuss any thoughts or impressions they gained from the tour. The reactions were all positive, although some individuals expressed concern over the lack of district space for students. Business leaders recently toured district buildings. Overall, the launch of the Bulldog Business Partnership was a success, as all of the participants agreed to attend a follow-up meeting in March, which will include another tour of the district’s buildings. District officials are excited about partnering with the local business community and believe that in working together, Garfield Heights will become a better, more friendly place with an improved sense of Bulldog Pride! 4
It is my honor and privilege to write to you in this edition of the Open Line newsletter as your new superintendent of The Garfield Heights City Schools. At a Special Board meeting held on February 19, 2010, the Board appointed me to begin a new era for the district, and I am confident that in the weeks and months to come, The Garfield Heights City Schools Superintendent Linda N. Reid will in fact work hard to reach its potential as a district, one student at a time. Being named superintendent of The Garfield Heights City Schools is very special to me, as I have a profound relationship with the school district, the parents and students, and the community. A bit About My Background… For the past 10 years I have experienced the outstanding attributes of the school district and how it fits within the community. Beginning with the district as an intervention specialist, I saw classroom-level, firsthand experience of the needs of our students and the challenges and opportunities that confront our educators and staff. From there, I served the district as building principal at William Foster Elementary School and helped to encourage our staff from an administrative perspective. Nearly four years ago, I was asked to join the Central Office staff as Director of Curriculum, during which our team worked to make relevant curricular strides and place a focus on improving test scores. I believe that the efforts began then, are becoming a reality today. And finally, prior to my appointment as superintendent I most recently served the district as assistant superintendent.
Issue 3
Garfield Heights City Schools
Educated at Kent State University as an undergraduate, I learned the values of organization, leadership and communication. I also learned the value of hard work, as a member of the varsity track and field team. From there, I earned a Master’s Degree from John Carroll University, and shortly thereafter, began my education endeavors with The Garfield Heights City Schools. Today, I am married for 27 years to my wonderful husband and have three adult children. Because my husband and I are ‘empty-nesters,’ the time required to invest into our schools is available in my life, and similar to my running days, the race has begun, we’re ready to work hard to make the district all it can and should be as a public school system. …Looking Ahead We believe in the extraordinary potential of all of our more than 4,000 students and are committed to meeting their individual needs. Our work together requires teamwork, dedication and collaboration. That collaboration extends beyond our school district staff and students to the entire community. We look to engage our community in creating a shared vision for our district to guide us toward excellence. We are very proud of the accomplishments of our students and staff and with the help and support of our community, look forward to creating new levels of greatness. In the days, weeks Mrs. Linda Reid makes remarks at the and months that lie ahead, I State of the Schools address. look forward to a continued dialogue with the community. As always, if I can be of service to you, do not hesitate to contact me at any time.
www.gar fieldheightscityschools.com
Nearly $18 million in funding from state agency will renovate and upgrade Elmwood Elementary and Maple Leaf Intermediate School
Board Brief
GARFIELD HEIGHTS CITY SCHOOLS BOARD OF Robert A. Dobies, Sr. EDUCATION
Christine A. Kitson
June A. Geraci
Joseph M. Juby
President Vice President Member Member Liaison to City Curriculum & Instruction Board Representative to Liaison for Student Activities Parent Involvement Liaison Cuyahoga Valley Career Center District Liaison
As the 2009-2010 school year nears completion, The Garfield Heights City Schools Board of Education would like to congratulate all students on another successful year of hard work and academic achievement. We would also like to wish all graduating seniors continued success in all their future endeavors. To all district teachers and staff members, your continued professionalism and dedication to our students is the primary reason for our students’ continued success. Finally, we would like to thank all parents and family members for their continued support of our students. Your support is greatly appreciated. With the arrival of the spring season comes a sense of new opportunities and beginnings. One example is the appointment of Linda Reid as the new superintendent of The Garfield Heights City Schools. We believe that Ms. Reid has the dedication and experience to successfully guide the district on a path towards continued improvement and growth. She also brings an unmatched passion for the district, that this Board fully supports. Ms. Reid is no stranger to the school district. Prior to serving as assistant superintendent, Ms. Reid was an intervention specialist at William Foster Elementary School for ten years before becoming principal. From there, she served in our Central
Talking Finance$ Moving Forward While Not Wasting Operating Dollars
While the school district primarily relies on property taxes and state funding for a good portion of its dayto-day operating expenses, there are other areas of financial funding that the district receives for special projects, programming, and other educational opportunities. This edition’s “Talking Finances,” explains what sorts of additional funding the district receives and for what projects that money is specifically allocated. These additional funding opportunities are important for the citizens to be aware of, so that when they see or learn about new projects or additional programs, they know precisely from where the funding originates. As the community knows, the district has NOT received additional operating money from the community since 1992. Fortunately, there are other opportunities, primarily through state and federal government grants, that are earmarked to fund certain educational enhancements in the district. Other areas of additional funding come from the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission and also from Permanent Improvement levies.
Alternative Funding for Specific Uses
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Member Community Liaison to Faith-based Initiatives Legislative Liaison
Office. We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Ms. Reid and believe that her determination and vision will help The Garfield Heights City Schools achieve continued success. This spring also involves the placement of Issue 5, a crucial ballot issue for the future of our school district, on the May ballot. Issue 5 is a renewal levy, which will renew approximately $2.5 million to be utilized for general operating expenses. A vote YES on Issue 5 will not raise taxes, but will simply renew money for the district that has been continuously renewed by voters for the past twenty years. Your support of this issue is critical, as failure to renew the $2.5 million will place the district on a path toward fiscal emergency, as well as jeopardize the academic success achieved over the past few years. The district looks forward to continued academic achievement during the spring and the conclusion of another successful school year. We encourage all residents to contact us concerning any questions or concerns, as your feedback and thoughts are important to us.
-The Garfield Heights City Schools Board of Education
With district financial bulldog, Allen Sluka, Treasurer.
District Financial Report:
Allen Sluka Treasurer/CFO
Gary Wolske
Specifically, this funding is earmarked for certain uses, and is typically awarded to school districts by application process on a regular basis. Superintendent Reid has been very successful in securing supplemental funding from alternative sources such as federal and state grants. Once awarded, the district is compelled to use the funding for the specific use. If a district fails to use the money, it loses the money altogether.
District Finance Information Available Online at GARFIELDHEIGHTSCITYSCHOOLS.COM Did you know that IMPORTANT DISTRICT FINANCIAL INFORMATION is available to the community online at the district’s Web site, www.garfieldheightscityschools.com? Simply… Go to www.garfieldheightscityschools.com Click in the drop-down box to the upper right, Administration/Schools Click on Center for Finance Look to the left
…It’s that simple! On our finance page, you can retrieve: • • • •
Month-by-month finance updates Budgets for the current and recent past fiscal years Most recent 5- Year Forecast Relevant financial forms
Our finance team works hard to keep the public informed of district financial information. Check us out online to learn more, or feel free to call us at anytime at 216-475-8100.
More recently, the school district has been awarded supplemental funding for additional teachers and staff, various programming, and student lap top computers. To be financially prudent, our district is always on the lookout for additional sources of revenues for operating expenses and programming. These supplemental grants from the federal and state governments fulfill that specific pursuit. In the chart to the left, you can see the specifics of alternative funding for The GHCS. As always, if you have any questions or need more information, please do not hesitate Allen Sluka to contact me at any time. Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer Garfield Heights City Schools
Time is drawing near for the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission to make good on their reimbursement to The Garfield Heights City Schools of nearly $18 million, earmarked specifically for major renovation projects at two of our district’s school buildings, Elmwood Elementary and Maple Leaf Intermediate School.
Why Does the District Get “Reimbursed?”
Simply put, because the community already kicked-in its fair share. In 2001, school district officials submitted a Facilities Master Plan to the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission, as a long-term plan for future facilities upgrades. Some of the improvements to district facilities, including the High School, Center for Performing Arts and an addition to William Foster School, have already taken place, and were funded at the time by two bond issues, previously passed by the community. Since schools are prioritized by wealth, where less wealthy schools receive funding immediately and more wealthy schools are placed on a waiting list, Garfield Heights has waited nearly 10 years for its reimbursed share. But now, the nearly $18 million is on its way to the district, and will fund the final components of the district’s Facilities Master Plan.
Where will the upgrades be made?
Two buildings: Elmwood Elementary School and Maple Leaf Intermediate School. Let’s begin with an explanation of Elmwood’s upgrades. First, complete classroom renovations will be underway this summer as part of the state funding upgrades. All classrooms will become state-of-the-art, wired for technology and air-conditioned, among other improvements. Since the building was constructed in 1943, many necessary upgrades are long overdue. When completed, Elmwood Elementary School will be a fine, state-of-the-art elementary facility. The other series of upgrades will be made at Maple Leaf Intermediate School. Two grand Elmwood Elementary School. changes are anticipated, including the addition of a new gymnasium on the north
side of the building, and the second change includes the addition of 12 new classrooms on the building’s south side. Today, the gymnasium is outdated and cramped. In fact, as soon as physical education classes are completed for the day, tables are wheeled in and the gym becomes a cafeteria. After this upgrade project, both of these undersized facilities will be opened up for the students of Garfield Heights to learn in a clean, safe and state-ofthe-art facility.
Maple Leaf Intermediate School.
How much will Garfield Heights residents pay for these upgrades?
Nothing. Repeat, nothing. Again, with the bond issue passage, the community contributed its portion to these facilities projects. These projects will be paid-in-full by the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission as part of its Master Plan for the district.
What Happens to the Students while these upgrades are taking place?
The district is working on a plan right now to provide alternative, temporary spaces for student learning during the construction process. The district is fully committed to keeping a safe learning environment for the students despite the initiation for these projects. More information is forthcoming.
How Can I learn more and keep updated on the progress of these projects?
The district is hosting two important & informative meetings to update parents on the coming construction changes. Plus, the district is committed to keeping the lines of communications open as it relates to these projects--- We will keep you posted: • • • •
In our newsletter Online at www.garfieldheightscityschools.com GHTV regular updates Updates will be sent home with students periodically.
Another way the district has successfully found alternative means of funding major projects….More to Come…
GHCS Hosts First Ever “State of the Schools” Address The Garfield Heights City Schools hosted its first-ever State of the Schools Address on March 31, 2010. Over eighty people attended the public forum held at the Center for Performing Arts. The event began with an overview of the evening’s discussion topics by Superintendent Linda N. Reid, followed by acknowledgements of important individuals including, members of the Board of Education, as well as The Garfield Heights City Council and Mayor Vic Collova. Immediately following the introductions, Superintendent Reid presented on both the district’s overall academic performance, as well as how each individual school performed academically. An overview of the district’s finances was provided by Treasurer Allen Sluka. Portions of the discussion included revenues, expenses, and alternative sources of funding. Superintendent Reid emphasized that this forum was part of a new direction for the school district, designed to increase communication with the rest of the Garfield Heights community. The event was concluded with an interactive Question and Answer session with members of the audience. Overall, parents, staff, and city officials left the forum with an increased understanding of the direction of The Garfield Heights City Schools.
A question and answer session followed the State of the Schools Address on March 31st. 3