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MCS approves next steps in SHP process

By Sophie Wheeler 3 min read

MARIETTA - Marietta City Local Schools met for their regular Board of Education meeting on Monday evening with Mary Schaeffer, superintendent, giving an overview of the report card results, a presentation from Dan Leffingwell, client relations manager with SHP, on a cost analysis for the proposed renovations of district buildings. The Board also presented Focused & Fierce awards to four students, two staff members, and one community member.

Schaeffer said the area high school reached four stars and 2.5 stars for area elementary, and recognized the work of the teachers while there are areas for continued focus. Schaeffer said they are having "data-driven conversations" to look at the areas for improvement.

The community advisory team, a team created with phase two of the building assessment plan with SHP, met earlier this month and discussed the essential needs for the school district and how the district can maximize this impact on learning. Schaeffer said the team’s next meeting will be on Oct. 15th and encourages additional community participation; those interested can contact Melissa Howard at mhoward@mariettacsdoh.org for more information.

The community advisory team is composed of community members, including MLS alumni with Schaeffer and Board member Chris Fennell.

Shaeffer said there will be a separate group of community members for an educational visioning team and focus on learning environments and ensuring the readiness of students with a focus on flexible learning spaces.

Leffingwell discussed the importance of the educational visioning process, and taking into account the needs of the students. He also expressed the "cost of doing nothing" with the increase in costs for the project in a five year span.

He said the total project cost for the entire district at $134.9 million for needs of improvement and $30.7 million for immediate needs, while the project could increase to approximately $170 million if the project spans ten years.

In the financial presentation from Frank Antill, CFO, he discussed the general fund is currently down compared to previous years. He said the district had not yet received the second half real estate (tax) settlements and the process is still to be reconciled with the changes due to House bill 186 and 335, and the district should receive the funds by the end of the month.

Ohio HB 186 limits school district property tax increases from exceeding the rate of inflation and Ohio HB 335 limits revenue increases from unvoted inside millage property tax levies during county reappraisals or updates.

Russ Garrison, board member, commented on the situation saying "(Legislation) has complicated the funding enough that the treasurer and the auditor are having a hard time making sure they're in compliance with all the changes."

In other business, the board endorsed the district’s participation in National Red Ribbon Week, organized by the Ohio Parents for Drug-Free Youth, activities for the week of Oct. 23 – 31.

The Board approved revisions to Policy 5517: Anti-Harassment and Policy 2266: Non-Discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities, based on suggestions by the board attorney, an agreement with John Ruf for staffing analysis, and Phase three of the SHP process. Phase Three: Interactive Educational Visioning and Alignment "uses an interactive, workshop-based framework that will help our school district plan our future learning models and design the physical facilities needed to support them," according to the Board of Education resolution.

The board presented Focused & Fierce awards to Marietta High School student, Gage Matthews, Marietta Elementary student, Lily Gaines, Phillips Elementary student, Benjamin Farley and Washington Elementary student, William Gardner. Awards were also presented to staff members, Abby Ehrenberg and Karen Lamb, and community member, Cathy Harper.

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