On Aug. 11, the Crestwood Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting at the central office. In attendance were Board President Kristen Cavanaugh, Vice President Bonnie Lovejoy and members Eric Hummel, Monica Stouffer and Dan Tillett. Also in attendance were Superintendent Aireane Curtis and Interim Treasurer Greg Slemons.
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. and, following the opening business (roll call, Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the agenda), Slemons offered a look at the district’s five-year financial forecast.
“The forecast today is much better than what we presented in May,” he said.
Some of the numbers shared included a projected operating fund balance of $310,000 at the end of FY 2026. 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.”
Following this presentation, the board took up, and unanimously approved without discussion, the evening’s consent agenda. Included in this were meeting minutes, financial statements, fund transfers and approval of the five-year forecast as presented. Also included was an agreement for visually impaired services, a memorandum of understanding with Akron Children’s Hospital and multiple employment and volunteer contracts.
Individually, the board also unanimously approved several contracts for educational specialists. Additionally, they took up a shared services agreement with Cardinal Local Schools. Curtis explained that new regulations require all food service workers to have a college degree and this agreement would help both districts meet that employment requirement, while also sharing employment costs.
The board next approved the payment of $2,500 through a grant to Jennifer Hirsch. Curtis said this is part of a fully funded grant and would not cost the district anything. The payment is for Hirsch’s administration of the Feed Our Future program.
Russ Jones was approved by the board as the interim principal at the middle school. Jones was the former superintendent for Stow-Munroe Falls.
Next, the board approved a three-year contract for E-Rate to include “consulting and funding procurement.” They also agreed to enter into a contract with SPARCC. Curtis explained that the district is required to have a student information system and this is the one they are transitioning to. The transition won’t happen for a year, but the contract needs to be in place now. Cavanaugh added that once the system was up and running, it would take the place of other student and communication systems, which would present a cost savings.
Curtis then asked the board to approve the receipt of a PPG innovation grant in the amount of $1,000. This was unanimously given. This grant will help defray the costs of the Destination Imagination program.
The board then approved a schedule of course fees for the coming school year. The highest fee will be $25. The subject of fees carried on into the last item on the agenda, as well. The board approved the cost of athletic passes for the 2026-2027 school year. Adult passes will be $150 and student passes are $100. Curtis said they spoke with neighboring districts to get an understanding of what their fee structures are.
“I feel ours is pretty reasonable, especially because it’s good for the entire year,” Curtis said.
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.