County-Administered Preschool to Save $400,000

The hopes to save $400,000 next year by paying the county to administer a developmental preschool program at.

Two full-time teachers and two part-time preschool teachers who were in charge of the preschool are reassigned, Superintendent Russ Jones said.

Many teachers were unhappy with the board's decision, made at a packed school board meeting last week. Teachers, clad in neon yellow shirts that said "United in Excellence," voiced their disappointment.

"I speak on behalf of all teachers and staff ... we can do this by trying to embrace the new program, teachers and opportunities ahead," said Nicole Marconi, a teacher at Woodland Elementary School. "If we demonstrate enthusiasm, our children will also be enthusiastic. We need to smile even when we’d rather cry."

Nancy Marquette, whose children attended the preschool, said the district-led program "laid the foundation for success in school. I’m saddened [by the decision]."

Jones said he understands change isn't always accepted right away.

"They've worked together for some time ... change is difficult for some folks to understand," he said.

Jones explained the developmental preschool program is a federal requirement. The district gets about $1 million in federal grant dollars annually to help pay for services for special needs children across the district.

"By privatizing and using an outside agency to handle it, we are allowed to use those federal dollars ... instead of taking $400,000 from our general fund," he said.

The Summit County Educational Service Center, which now will run the program, will offer the same level of services as the local school district.

"We wouldn’t have entered into contract unless they were," said Jones.

The board approved a one-year contract. Board member Denny Mariola stressed the district will evaluate the program after a year to see if the relationship will continue.

"We're not bound by anything after one year. If we don’t like it, we will dump it," he said.

"This new arrangement will have benefits educationally and financially for the district," Marty Saternow, director of special services, said. "As you are aware, the district is facing significant funding cuts from the Ohio Department of Education. With no new money, it necessary to cut positions or find ways to share resources."