It is with great pride and some serious reservations that I begin my fourth year as the Superintendent of our Midview Schools. I am very pleased with the improved academic achievements and advancements in the past three years and we want to continue our march toward excellence. Our schools are a vital part of our community. Teachers and staff work hard each day to see that our children are prepared not only to be part of the workforce, but young people with “character”.
Our Board of Education has worked extremely hard to be open, honest and financially responsible. I know that every taxpayer dollar is important and must contribute to the education and character building of our students. We spent less money per child to educate one student than anyone in Lorain County last year. And as fuel and utility costs increase we are constantly seeking new ways to reduce our budget and still maintain our educational system. In the future we will reduce busing, reduce the cleaning staff, not purchase supplies and eventually reduce academic programs for children. We are currently studying a “4 Day School Week” as well as closing our old, inefficient middle school facility and moving to split sessions in the high school. All of these things and more are on the table as we try to deal with increased costs and reduced funding.
The voters of the community will have an opportunity to keep our district operating reasonably well if they support a 2.5 mil Permanent Improvement Levy that will appear on the ballot. Without the support of the community and additional funding, even greater cuts will have to be made, cuts that will impact every child, every parent and homeowner.
Yes, there are struggles and serious problems that serious people must address. But we must keep in mind that every school day, 3,500 Midview children will appear at the school house door searching for their futures. It is our job, yours and mine, to give our students the opportunity for a bright tomorrow. You have my word--we will do our absolute best with the resources the community has given us.
