IN
order to
facilitate
connecting
students and local
companies, Chardon
Local Schools will be
hosting a Career & Job Fair
on Friday, March 1, 2019 at
Chardon High School. The event will be the culminating
activity of the district’s day long focus on college and
career pathways. Students in all grade levels, and in
all school buildings throughout the district, will be
exploring the 4 E’s: Education, Employment,
Enlistment, and Entrepreneurship.
NONPROFIT
O
RGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
CHARDON, OH
P
ERMIT #13
C
hardon Local Schools
428 North Street
Chardon, OH 44024
WAT ER FOR SOUTH SUDAN
The Career & Job Fair is collaborative venture
between the Chardon Local Schools, OH Means Jobs
and RB Sigma, Inc., with assistance and support from the
Chardon Chamber of Commerce and the Geauga
Growth Partnership.
Chardon Local Schools developed the Career & Job
Fair as a response to both the needs of graduating students
and area employers. “We want students to have an aware-
ness of all of their options for the future,” said Michael P.
Hanlon, Jr., Ph.D, superintendent of Chardon Local
Schools. “Each student, each person, should recognize
the 4 E’s and consider the pathway that is right for him
or herself.”
Organizations exhibiting at the Job & Career Fair
will have the opportunity to interview potential candidates
f
or internships and job opportunities. Additionally,
organizations exhibiting will have the opportunity
to network with graduating students entering the
workforce, students continuing with career explo-
ration, and the community-at-large for potential
employment and engagement.
Organizations interested in exhibiting at the
Job & Career Fair should contact Corine Casalina
(corine.casalina@chardonschools.org or call
440-285-4052) or check out the registration
information at www.chardonschools.org.
Career & Job Fair Scheduled for March 1
Universal Design for Learning
R
e
moving obstacles to learning with inten-
tionality, is the mantra of Universally
Designed Learning (UDL). Beginning this
school year, with a $100,000 grant from the Ohio
Department of Education, Chardon Local
S
chools staff are studying the principles of UDL,
and implementing those practices within their
classrooms. “It’s about holding all students to
high standards,” stated Greg Fronk, social
studies teacher at Chardon High School, “and
p
roviding multiple pathways for them to
demonstrate their knowledge of those high
standards.”
Over the course of the 2018–2019 school year,
Chardon teachers have been learning from
n
ational experts on UDL, observing classrooms,
and revising lessons to study the effects of UDL
on student achievement.
“Our mission as a District, is high achieve-
ment for all students,” stated Ed Klein, Ph.D.,
a
ssistant superintendent. “Through our work
with UDL we are working to eliminate barriers
for students, so that all students can demonstrate
high achievement.”
This past fall, Chardon
Middle School sixth grade
Language Arts teachers read
aloud the book A Long Walk
to Water by Linda Sue Park
to their classes. The book is
based
on the real-life experi-
ences
of Salva Dut, one of the “Lost Boys of Sudan,”
who fled his war-torn country and eventually came to
the United States. Dut founded the charity Water for
South Sudan as a way to give back to his country and
provide people with clean drinking water.
In October 2018, students had the opportunity to
participate in a live stream with Salva Dut and author
Linda Sue Park. In addition, sixth graders participated
in water-themed activities on Water Day as they
learned more about the struggles others face and
how individuals can make a difference in the world.
Sixth graders raised over $1,500 for Water for
South Sudan through various fundraisers, including a
Stall the Teacher coin drive. The money raised will
help drill and maintain wells in South Sudan, which
improves health and gives children in South Sudan
the opportunity to attend school.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Madelon Horvath
President
Karen Blankenship
Vice President
Sheldon Firem
Member
Paul Stefanko
Member
Guy Wilson
Member
Michael P. Hanlon. Jr., Ph.D.
Superintendent
Ashley Brudno
Treasurer
Ellen T. Ondrey
Editor
Phone: 440-285-4052
www.chardonschools.org
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CHARDON
LOCAL S C H OOL S
4E’s
E
|
E
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E
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the
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eachers and tutors throughout the
District, but specifically serving kindergarten
t
hrough third grade, have been engaged
with a comprehensive review of literacy
instruction. Led by Kelly Moran, Ed.D.,
curriculum supervisor, staff are revising
literacy instruction throughout the District.
“Teaching reading is more than teaching
strategies and literature,” stated Dr. Moran.
“In order to effectively support the
p
rogressive skills of reading development, and
cultivate life-long readership, students must
effectively learn phonics and decoding, as well
as continuously develop content knowledge.”
As part of her efforts overseeing state
a
nd federal programming for the District,
Dr. Moran is leading teachers and tutors in
review of research-based literacy practices.
I
n addition, staff are reviewing curricular
materials, engaging as small groups in digital
p
rofessional learning experiences, and setting
goals to serve as the basis of a newly
developed comprehensive literacy plan.
“Solid literacy instruction begins with an
understanding of the standards and best prac-
tices,” stated Moran. “This is why we are
investing time for teachers to discuss the lat-
est findings in brain research and identifying
the elements of what sound reading instruc-
tion looks like.”
Building committees have been established
to evaluate current literacy practices and cre-
ate an established framework defining what
the District believes should be the defining
characteristics of a literate Hilltopper.
Additionally, teachers will engage in site visits
to observe other literacy educators in action,
and brainstorming how the District can offer
more literacy based family events outside of
the school day.
T
ANE W S L E T T E R F O R T H E C H A R D O N C O M M U N I T Y
Winter
2019
C
hardon Local Schools have implemented
training for both students and staff in
L
ean Six Sigma. Lean Six Sigma is a
systematic means of process improvement and
waste reduction. It focuses on improving systems
and processes in order to enhance efficiency and
effectiveness. Pioneered by Toyota Corporation,
Lean and Six Sigma continue to be applied for
the benefit of organizations in many industries
across the globe.
Over three days in October, a team of teachers,
support staff, and administrators from Chardon
School District, trained in the implementation of
Lean thinking. RB Sigma, Inc., a continuous and
process improvement company located in Mentor,
Ohio, conducted the training. “Our objective is to
empower people and organizations to continuously
improve
; professionally and personally,” stated
Justin Bloyd, President of RB Sigma.
Returning to their roles within the district,
staff and administrators have been applying the
training to the district operations. “Utilizing the
Six Sigma problem solving tools and techniques
has helped to create a climate for our employees
to be more self-motivated,” stated Steve Kofol,
assistant superintendent for business affairs for
Chardon Local Schools.
I
n addition to applying Lean to enhance the
efficiency and effectiveness of school district
operations, Chardon Local Schools will be offering
certification in Lean Six Sigma to students at
Chardon High School.
Beginning in November, 2018, students at
Chardon High School had the opportunity to earn
certification in Basics of Lean. Over the course of
the next two years, Chardon Schools plans for the
additional implementation of Yellow Belt and
Green Belt certification in Six Sigma. Chardon
Local Schools will be the second school in the state
of Ohio to offer programming in Lean Six Sigma.
Six Sigma, which focuses on process improve-
ment, is an industry-standard for operational
efficiency. Individuals earn certification as they
learn the theory and skills of process improvement
and implement those in projects for organizational
improvement.
Focusing on training in Lean Six Sigma,
students at Chardon High School will learn with
Master Black Belts from several area companies
representing a variety of industries. Among these
companies, who are offering internships to
Chardon students as they complete training in
Lean Six Sigma, are PCC Airfoils, Lincoln Electric,
Rockwell Automation, Fredon.
Implementation of Lean Six Sigma
Training for Staff and Students
Comprehensive
Review of K
–
3
Literacy Program
“ O u r o b j e c t i v e i s t o e m p o w e r p e o p l e . . . t o
c o n t i n u o u s l y i m p r o v e ; p r o f e s s i o n a l l y a n d p e r s o n a l l y , ”
—JUSTIN BLOYD, President of RB Sigma
[
]
Chardon High School
students worked in teams to
conduct various manufacturing
simulations during their
Basics of Lean training.
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Meetings with the Ohio Facilities
Construction Commission led to
the following:
■
Assessment of all Chardon Local School
D
istrict (CLSD) instructional facilities by the
Ohio Facilities Construction Commission
(OFCC). These assessments led to recommen-
dations by the OFCC that the replacement of
existing school facilities was more cost effective
t
han renovation based on overall needs identi-
fied in each building.
■
Completion of updated enrollment projections
for CLSD indicating a continuing decline in
enrollment, with the projection of a 10 percent
reduction in enrollment by 2026.
■
Formulation of the district’s Facilities Advisory
C
ommittee (FAC) comprised of parents, com-
munity leaders, Board of Education members,
educators, and school design professionals to
begin evaluating options for the school district.
■
Evaluation of the Ohio Facilities Construction
Commission’s Equity Ranking List which
determines both the timing of eligibility for the
Classroom Facilities Assistance Program
(CFAP) and the amount of State funds offered
to the district. It was determined, based on the
district’s equity ranking, that CLSD will be eli-
gible for an approximate 9 percent state share
for eligible co-funded expenditures. Further, it
is estimated that CLSD will become eligible for
CFAP (state funding) in 2026.
■
A decision to participate in the OFCC’s
Expedited Local Partnership Program. Under
ELPP, qualifying school construction expendi-
tures made prior to CFAP eligibility (state
funding) will then be accurately credited to the
school district.
■
Development of a conceptual Master Plan (MP)
for CLSD completed collaboratively with the
Ohio Facilities Construction Commission,
design professionals, and CLSD (through the
Facilities Advisory Committee).
The Chardon Local
School District began
discussions concerning
possible replacement of
s
chool facilities in 2016.
School Facilities Planning Update
This Master Plan recommends the following:
■
Construction of a new PreK–5 facility and
Construction of a new 6–12 facility
C
onsideration of the following
Locally-funded Initiatives:
■
Construction of a 700-seat Performing Arts
Auditorium
■
Construction of a new Transportation
Compound (assuming relocation of the current
facility from the Chardon High School site)
■
Renovations to the existing football stadium
a
nd track complex, as well as construction of
additional baseball and softball fields; or
■
Construction of a new football stadium and
track complex, as well as construction of addi-
tional baseball and softball fields. This option
would be considered if the current athletic facil-
i
ty sites were needed to complete the PreK–5/
6–12 academic plan as described above.
During this planning process, the Facilities Advisory
Committee also carefully considered that the
school district was facing a serious reduction in
general operating funds due to school funding cuts
by the Ohio Legislature. As a result, in May 2017,
the FAC recommended to the Board of Education
that the primary focus should remain on stabilizing
the operating budget for the school district and
tabling further discussion of master planning and
new facilities construction until a later time. The
district successfully passed a 3.9 mill operating levy
in May 2018 and returned to consideration of new
school facilities.
Current Facilities Planning Work
The FAC was reconvened in July 2018 and
has continued to meet to consider new school
facilities for the district. From the time
committee work resumed to the present,
the following has been completed:
■
Updated district Master Plan to reflect current
trends in school construction costs
■
Requested the OFCC to update the district’s
enrollment projection
■
Site visitation to the North Olmsted City
Schools to observe first-hand a grades 6–12
facility design and operation
■
Fallon Research surveyed a sample of registered
voters in December 2018 to evaluate receptivity
to a school construction project
■
Reviewed all funding options for the district’s
school construction project including state
funds, a new bond issue, and possible use of
the district’s Permanent Improvement Fund to
provide partial funding, and; Recommended to
the Board of Education a November 2019 ballot
issue to fund a new Grades 6–12 building to
replace the current high school.
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October 2018 It is important to note that the five-year forecast is an estimate. The financial climate for Ohio
schools is constantly changing, and there are numerous, and often unpredictable, variables that exist when projecting
school revenue and expenditures. Because of this, the five-year forecast tends to be a “moving target” and should
be expected to change from year to year. The five-year forecast represents only the General Fund of the District and
is only as accurate as the information that was available at the time it was prepared. The current forecast estimates
an ending unencumbered fund balance of $4,636,010 at the end of fiscal year 2023. It should be noted that current
estimates also show the District deficit spending by more than $4 million by fiscal year 2023. Thus, given current
estimates, the District would be in a negative cash balance situation by the next fiscal year, 2024.
The 2018–2019 school year is a historical one for the
Chardon Local Schools, with the District reconfigura-
tion of school buildings and grade-levels completed
this past summer. Students in kindergarten through
t
hird grade now attend either Park or Munson
Elementary Schools, students in fourth through sev-
enth now attend Chardon Middle School, and students
in eighth through twelfth now attend Chardon High
School. Additionally, the District now operates a
Preschool at Maple Elementary School.
Designed as a means of addressing declining
student enrollment, the District anticipates annual
savings of $2.1 million as a result of reconfiguration
o
f school buildings and grade-levels.
“Reconfiguration of the District was a monu-
mental undertaking,” stated Michael P. Hanlon, Jr.,
Ph.D., superintendent. “Through these efforts, our
District is not only realizing substantive savings,
b
ut we have been able to expand our program-
m
ing and benefits for our students.”
As a result of the District’s efforts with recon-
figuration, curricular programming has expanded
to include STEM, computer science, and world
language introduction for students in grades 4–7;
a
nd courses in leadership, entrepreneurship,
communication, and critical thinking at the high
school. Additionally, the District has engaged in
a comprehensive review of literacy instruction
at all grades.
“
Our students have been engaged in very
real, and very purposeful, learning with very cool
projects,” stated Brent Hilston, STEM teacher at
Chardon Middle School. “We’re excited for the
opportunities for all of our students to learn and
a
pply scientific principles in a design setting.”
Enrollment in the District, similar to local
and state-wide trends, is projected to continue
declining over the next several years.
The District has convened a community-based
c
ommittee to study District facilities, and consider
p
lanning of facilities for the future.
Reconfiguration Update
Five-Year Forecast Financial Report
REVENUE VS. EXPENDITURE AND EFFECT ON CASH BALANCE
Fiscal Years 2018–2023
202320222021202020192018
$40 million
$35 million
$30 million
$25 million
$20 million
$15 million
$10 million
$5 million
$0
($5 million)
($10 million)
($15 million)
REVENUE EXPENDITURE CASH BALANCE
REVENUE
GENERAL
PROPERTY TAX
(Real Estate)
63%
Tangible
Personal
Property Tax
4.9%
Property
Tax
Allocation
7.4%
All Other
Revenues
5.9%
All Other
Financing
Sources
0.8%
EXPENDITURES
PERSONNEL
SERVICES
56%
Employee
Retirement/
Insurance
Benefits
23%
Supplies
and
Materials
3%
Purchased
Services
15%
Operating
Transfers Out
0.4%
Other
Objects
2%
State
Funding
18.1%
Advances Out
1%
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