The Ohio Department of Education had high praise Tuesday evening for Mansfield City Schools’ comprehensive plan for improving student achievement.
“We are very impressed with how this district has embraced the process toward improvement. The district is on a trajectory toward greater student achievement,” said Clairie Huff-Franklin of ODE’s Center for Accountability and Continuous Improvement.
Huff-Franklin and other ODE representatives were in the audience at Mansfield Senior High as Superintendent Brian Garverick and four other district administrators outlined the multi-faceted plan to the board of education. The plan is in response to a weeklong ODE visit in the district last November and a subsequent 74-page report detailing recommendations for improvements in several areas to elevate academic achievement.
“We have an action plan in place for student achievement and success,” Garverick said. “It is a living document. As needs arise, we will make adjustments.”
Joining Garverick in detailing the plan to the board were Curriculum Director Stephen Rizzo, Special Education Director Jonathan Burras, Personnel Director Mark Manley and Treasurer Robert Kuehnle.
“We are here to be proactive and preventive,” Huff-Franklin said of ODE. “I applaud you for the hard work you are showing. We will return in about six months – before the end of the school year – to meet with you again about your progress in implementing the plan.”
Praise for the district’s work also was offered by Julie Frankl and Steve Short, consultants with ODE’s Region 7 State Support Team. Both provided support during development of the plan.
In other business the board unanimously approved resolutions of necessity for the renewal of two emergency tax levies on the May 2 ballot. Both levies were approved by voters in 2013.
Neither renewal would raise taxes. The first would continue to generate $3.9 million annually over seven years; the second would raise $4 million annually over five years.
Kuehnle said he will ask the county auditor to calculate the millage necessary to continue raising the same annual amounts, then take ballot language to the county board of elections.
The board of education will continue its discussion of appointing a student representative to serve on the board in a non-voting capacity. Garverick said the Ohio School Boards Association has advised that there are no specific criteria for adding a student to the board for a one-year term.
“The board can design the experience you want for that student and there are a variety of methods for selection,” Garverick said.
Board President Renda Cline said the topic will be discussed at future meetings.
The board’s next regular meeting was moved to 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 22 at the Raemelton administration building because of a conflict the previous week with OSBA’s Capital Conference in Columbus.