Board Update

The district is moving forward with the reorganization plan beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, aligning students as follows: Reading Elementary grades PK-6 and Reading Jr./Sr. High School grades 7-12. Superintendent Jason Enix discussed the journey that has taken place over the last year, including strategic planning, reorganization, and learning recovery planning in his presentation, which can be viewed here.

Through the strategic planning process, the district developed four vision areas: Student Learning, Culture, Communication, and Fiscal Responsibility. The reorganization plan creates dedicated district support for student learning and communication while meeting our commitment to being fiscally responsible.

These steps also include alignment of our district master schedule, which will provide additional opportunities for programming and staffing in a cost-neutral way, keeping with our commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Earlier this year, Governor DeWine requested that all districts create a Learning Recovery Plan to address learning loss caused by the pandemic. This plan is in progress and there will be additional academic enrichment and intervention services for English and Math, summer school programs and a Student Wellness Outreach Coordinator paid for with federal pandemic relief funds. These positions will help with student needs related to the pandemic and will have no impact on the district budget.

Mrs. Lewis provided a summary of financial information to date with respect to our current five-year forecast, revenue, and expenses. Additional federal pandemic relief funding from the American Rescue Plan (known and referred to as ESSER III funding for school districts) is expected in the coming weeks but will not be included in district financial planning until officially allocated. The current amount and usage restrictions are not fully known at this time. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

The Buildings and Grounds Committee will meet next on April 13 to continue discussions about the Central Property. Last week, Board Vice-President Bemmes, Superintendent Enix, and Treasurer Lewis facilitated two community forums to discuss the options the district has for the use of the property, considerations, and current status and needs of the property following demolition work in the fall. We appreciate the feedback from community members that attended and further discussion/planning will be ongoing in the coming months.

Hilltop Athletic Fields is still in the bid process, which will close on April 5th. The district is anticipating construction to begin by early May and completed by October.

Superintendent Jason Enix and Treasurer Colette Lewis have held more than 20 small group Community Chats and larger Community Forums over the past year, to stay in touch with the Reading community and gather feedback. More discussions are planned for the weeks ahead.