Schools

Portage County voters rejected almost every request for new money on Tuesday’s ballot, while renewal levies passed easily. The Aurora City School District held the distinction of the only successful requested increase.

Motion to add flag football as a girls’ sport. There was discussion regarding who will coach. Hawkins stated they will offer the position to teachers first before deciding.

The Aurora City School District is asking voters to approve Issue 4, a 37-year, 4.26-mill bond issue meant to finance building, furnishing and equipping a new elementary school and transportation facility, and to renovate, remodel, equip and otherwise improve school district infrastructure.

We are incredibly honored to share that Windham Exempted Village Schools is one of 1,175 schools (almost 1,000 less than last year) nationwide to apply for the T-Mobile $1 Million Friday Night 5G Lights Grant to put a track on our football field.

Though the rumors that it was an ajar door that enabled a gunman to enter Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and kill 19 students and two teachers in May of 2022 turned out to be false, the incident still inspired Southeast Local Schools to invest in increased precautionary measures.

Larkin immediately asked Crowe for a moment of reflection. He announced that the day prior, a Roosevelt senior passed away after a long battle with a medical condition.

Also in the consent agenda, Heflinger proposed the removal of school fees, excluding extra and co-curricular activities. He additionally asked for approval for contracts to purchase ELA books, for pest control services with A-Best Pest Control and with the ESC for special services.

With a projected growth in revenue in 2027, the end balance that year is estimated to be $750,000. That number will continue to grow in 2028 to $1.035 million. At that point, revenue numbers will flatten out. He predicted that in 2030, the district “will need to pay close attention to their cash on hand.”

The district will be operating with a surplus for two years, which will quickly turn into a deficit by 2031. Plageman also updated the board on recent and pending state legislation that could impact these projects. “There is an uncertainty at the state level,” Plageman said. 

A year after launching Life Discovery, most area school districts that signed on are calling it a good deal.

Following the recent May and April bomb and gun threats at Stanton Middle School and Longcoy Elementary, the district is extensively reviewing how these situations were handled. Leaders are updating safety plans during the summer and anticipate hosting more theoretical drills with faculty throughout the school year.

Due to a desire to increase focusing, and social interaction skills, this fall all students and staff at Waterloo School District will be undergoing a 'Digital Diet.'

In addition to the closures of West Park and West Main elementaries, Ravenna City Schools might be introducing another building change.

After the Kent City School District was informed that a student was suspected of having a gun and Longcoy Elementary School was placed under lockdown, the police are investigating the situation.

Disappointed by May’s primary election results, school and city officials across Portage County know they have work to do before November.

Kent State University’s administration and police had intended to use license plate readers on campus, but reversed themselves after public outcry became apparent.

Kent City School District leaders hope voters will approve a 9.8-mill continuing levy in May. If approved, Issue 1 will generate $8,522,335 annually for the district’s general operating budget.

When the Suffield Elementary School principal job opened up in 1999, Shawn Bookman was hesitant to apply. At that time, Bookman was a fifth grader teacher in the Springfield City School District with two young children.