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New watchdog group questions SWCS
(by Andrea Cordle, Southwest Editor - January 18, 2010)
Residents from a new citizen's watchdog group questioned the South-Western City Schools District Board of Education on past decisions, academics and future spending.
At a recent board meeting, members of Excellence for South-Western Schools fired away concerns at the new school board. The group consists of parents and homeowners in the district who want to work with the school board to educate students in a "fiscally responsible" way. They claim to be an "independent voice who can propose alternative solutions to the district's challenges."
Excellence for South-Western Schools member Bob Ruth wanted to revisit the decision by the previous board to eliminate athletics and extracurricular activities when a tax levy failed. Three board members who voted on the measure are currently on the board, Cathy Johnson, Randy Reisling and Mindy Garverick. Jo Ellen Myers and Karen Dover are new to the board.
Ruth said the watchdog group is "deeply distressed" by the previous board's decision to cancel extracurricular activities. In his investigation, Ruth found that since 1996, 29 school districts in Ohio were placed on fiscal emergency.
"Do you know how many of them cut sports or extracurricular activities," Ruth asked the board. "Zero."
Ruth received an e-mail from Scott Blake, Ohio Department of Education, telling him districts in financial trouble have instituted pay-to-participate, but none has eliminated the activities.
Ruth, and the group, say they want to ensure proposals to cut student programs are not used as levy campaign tactics.
The board of education made the decision in May of 2009 to eliminate extracurricular activities after voters rejected an 8.3-mill tax levy. The board has said this was not a scare tactic, but a way to balance the budget. The board implemented pay-to-participate after voters passed a 7.4-mill levy in November.
Cindy Legue, who is coordinator of the watchdog group, said the new board of education cannot conduct "business as usual." She said the board needs to stop with alleged "half truths."
Legue said the board told the public about the employee salary freezes last year, but failed to mention the $2 million in step increase bonuses some employees received. She said the new board needs to be more transparent and allow more public participation. The group suggests the district Web site include information on labor contracts with administrators and employees.
Secretary of Excellence for South-Western, Rob Starrett, questioned the board about academic standards.
He believes the standards are too low and wondered if the district was "cooking the book" to improve graduation rates.
"The goal should be to raise standards, not lower them," Starrett said.
Lois Rapp, superintendent of curriculum for the district, explained that the lowest passing grade is a D- and the district abides by all state education regulations.
"We did not make any changes to our board grading policy or to our board approved grading scale," Rapp noted. "Teachers did not change any of their grading practices. Standards were not lowered to improve our graduation rate."
Rick Redfern, who is not a member of the watchdog group, addressed the board at the meeting and said he supports the supplemental contract to pay an individual $250 to make morning announcements. The group questioned this decision and suggested a volunteer do the announcements.
Redfern said a non-paid volunteer could be a liability, especially if they have the attitude "Hey, I'm not being paid."
"We trust you (the board) with our most precious cargo," said Redfern.
He also suggested in order to raise funds have a company sponsor morning announcements.
Excellence for South-Western Schools is not affiliated with the district or its board of education. Those interested in learning more about the watchdog group, should contact Legue at 806-1004 or cvrlegue@yahoo.com, or Starrett at 306-8512 or rstarrettj@aol.com.
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