ECS superintendent discusses new school funding proposal

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EATON —During the Eaton Community Schools Board of Education meeting on Monday, April 8, Superintendent Jeff Parker discussed the Cupp-Patterson School Funding proposal.

The Cupp-Patterson Fair School Funding report was released last week, with the simulations for what each district would receive.

“The thing is, it probably won’t move as fast as we would like. I hesitate to give a lot of specific situation. We know it will change. Right now, this week, there will be testimony in Columbus on the Governor’s budget and his proposal for school funding. There is talk in Columbus that Cupp-Patterson could become a part of that,” Parker said.

“I was at my Western Ohio Advocacy Network Superintendents meeting this morning with 40 superintendents from western Ohio. We decided, after a little bit of discussion, that we support it. We know things are going to change and we know there are questions if it could be funded. It is the first plan that really looks at what it takes to educate a child in the State of Ohio. There is no school funding formula right now.

“There is 85 percent of the schools who are on the guarantee or the cap. Eaton is on the guarantee, which means we’re guaranteed that amount. The school funding formula that they have, we wouldn’t get what we’re getting. There are schools on the cap that are capped that are not getting as much as the formula says they should get. The Cupp-Patterson would be about 15 percent that would have to do some tweaking with.

“If the state were to adopt the Cupp-Patterson model, Eaton Community Schools would get about $190,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $192,000 more than right now in fiscal year 2021. There are other districts who would get a lot more. This is the first attempt to really figure school funding off what it costs to educate a child.”

Board member Terry Parks gave his monthly Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) report:

•MVCTC held a career fair at Bruce Elementary for the fifth grade with eight programs present.

•The ground breaking for the new building will be held on Friday, May 10, at 1 p.m.

•On April 14, a group from Alabama visited MVCTC as the “best vocational school in the nation.”

•There have been 1,350 Junior Applications for MVCTC.

In other business:

•The board approved a resolution to implement a necessary reduction in administrative force due to consolidation of administrative functions and financial conditions affecting the district. This will eliminate the position of Director of Technology. The administrator impacted by the proposed reduction in force has been notified of the intended suspension at least 15 days prior to the board’s action under this resolution.

•The board approved the third grade summer reading program. The program will run from June 18 through July 10, Tuesday through Thursday. Staffing will include up to five staff members, to be paid $100 per day with duties including planning, supervision, instruction, and test administrations. Costs will be paid from grant funds.

•The board approved the Foodservice Compliance Consulting agreement with Southwestern Ohio Educational Purchasing Council (EPC) to provide consulting services int he school food service program.

•The board approved the Alternate School Food Authority Agreement between the Eaton Community City School District and the Preble County Educational Service Center for the 2019-2020 school year.

•The board approved an agreement with XTek Partner for security camera hardware, software integration, and installation throughout the district (excluding Eaton High School).

•The board approved a contract with Southwest Ohio Computer Association (SWOCA) for Internet Access Service and Managed Internal Broadband Services beginning July 1, and ending June 30, 2024. Actual cost to be adjusted based on annual E-rate discount.

•The board accepted a monetary donation to East Elementary and Bruce Elementary cafeterias from Covenant of Peace Church for student lunches.

The next regular Eaton Community Schools Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, May 20, at 6 p.m. at Hollingsworth-East Elementary.

By Kelsey Kimbler

[email protected]

Reach Kelsey Kimbler at 937-683-4061 or on Twitter @KKimbler_RH

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