Fairless District Creates a 3-Step Financial Plan
In a 4-0 vote, the Fairless Board of Education approved the reinstatement of bussing this August when school starts. In an effort to listen to the community’s questions and concerns, the district held ten focus group meetings in which 57 people participated during April, May, and June. Each focus group brought up the fact that the elimination of bussing was an issue in the community. The Board of Education and administration have heard and recognize this concern and have created a plan that will allow bussing to be reinstated.
According to Superintendent, Dr. Mona Fair, “We are bringing bussing back because we have been able to save some money in the area of administration over the past two years to make this possible. We restructured a Buildings and Grounds supervisory position last year due to a retirement saving $56,000. All Fairless administrators are taking a wage freeze this coming school year saving the District another $23,000. Rehiring Dr. Lynn Wagner as high school co-principal following her retirement will save the district approximately $21,000. Total savings for these items is $100,000. The cost savings listed above will allow us to reinstate bussing for the next three years provided the State doesn’t cut the district’s budget any further and the renewal levies pass. We are restoring 9-12 bussing and the 2 mile radius bussing for grades K-8.”
In the past three years, the Fairless Local Schools’ Board of Education, Administration, and Staff have been working to balance the district’s budget. Two million dollars worth of cost saving measures have been implemented. These included such staff reductions as art, music, phyical education, and home economics, the elimination of high school bussing (grades 9-12), the elimination of bussing for those who live in a two mile radius for grades K-8, and the implementation of pay to participate. As a result of the cost saving measures, this year will be the first year since 2002 that the district has operated in the black. Balancing the budget was the first step of the district’s three step financial plan.
In another vote the Board of Education approved placing a “substitute” levy on the ballot this November. In essence, it is a renewal levy, but the ballot language refers to it as a substitute levy because it combines two existing levies. The levy combines the two five year emergency levies originally passed in 1993 and 1996 respectively. The emergency levies have been renewed every five years since originally being passed, causing the district to be on the ballot at least twice every five years. The Board of Education decided to combine the two present levies in an effort to get off the ballot, which costs the district money. According to School Board President, Jody Seward, “One of the complaints we frequently hear is that we (Fairless Local Schools) are always on the ballot asking for money. By passing the substitute levy, the district will not be on the ballot so often, thereby saving money and resources which are normally used to run levy campaigns.” The money from this levy will help the district maintain a balanced budget, maintain excellent academic programs, and provide a solid financial base. The board wishes to stress to voters that this “substitute” levy represents NO NEW TAXES. This is step two of the plan.
Step three of the plan is to secure additional operating funds in order to maintain a balanced budget for the district.
Class Reunion
The Fairless Class of ‘75 35th Class Reunion will be held at the Shady Rest Pavillion (Army Navy) on Sat., Aug. 28, 2010 at 6 p.m.
Our Theme this year is: “It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere!” Please pass the word! Check us out online: Facebook FHS Reunion Classmates. Question? or to R.S.V.P. call Paul at 330-268-8821, email pames1@verizon.net or Diana at 330-756-0272. Bring a covered dish and your Jimmy Buffet attitude! (Donations accepted & appreciated.)
Fairless Local Schools
Kindergarten Registration
Fairless Local School District Kindergarten and Preschool screening will be held Thursday, August 12, at the Fairless Elementary from 9-12 and 1-3. This is for children who are currently 3 or 4 years of age considering Preschool and for those children who are 5 years of age by September 30th who are attending Kindergarten this fall.
Please call 330-767-7083 to leave a message and we will return your call to schedule an appointment. Please bring with you your child’s state-issued birth certificate, child’s social security card, child’s current immunization record, proof of residency (utilities bill, rental agreement, house title), doctor’s names and phone numbers, custody papers, if applicable, and proof of income for preschool students. Don’t forget to bring your child! For all other NEW elementary students (grades1-5) please stop in the Fairless Elementary office.
Collect Inkjet Cartridges For Recycling!
The Fairless High School National Honor Society is now collecting inkjet cartridges for recycling! They get up to $3.00 for each recyclable cartridge deposited in their collection bin located in the high school library. So check at home and work for those empty inkjets. For more information call 330-767-3408.
In addition to raising money for the N.H.S. recycling inkjet cartridges has a positive impact on our environment. Consider this: Each day nearly 1 million cartridges are simply thrown away into a landfill where it takes 1000 years for each cartridge to decompose! Less than 5% of the cartridges produced are recycled.
Homework Hotline
The Fairless Freshman Homework Hotline is now online. Fairless students in Freshman classes and their parents can now hear a daily recorded message that includes homework assignments and announcements of upcoming tests, quizzes, and projects. The message can be heard after school hours at (330) 767-3444, ext. 449.
R. G. Drage Career Center
Strasburg Local Schools
Tuslaw Local Schools
Tuslaw Kindergarden Screening
Tuslaw residents with children who will be five years old on or before September 30, 2010, are encouraged to register their children for kindergarden for the 2010-2011 school year. Kindergarden registration and screening will be conducted Tuesday, April 13, and Thursday, April 15, at Calvary Baptist Church, 11616 Sinclair St. SW (corner of Sinclair and Deerford). Please call Beech Grove Elementary at 330-837-7809 to schedule a screening appointment.
Parents should bring a certified copy of their child’s state-issued birth certificate, child’s social security card, current immunization record, two proofs of Tuslaw residency and, if applicable, custody papers. Proofs of residency may include utility bill(s) in the parent’s name, rental agreement, or property tax bill. A child will be screened only if proofs of residency are provided.
Beech Grove Elementary School
Dalton Schools
