Berkshire/Newbury Fact Sheet

BERKSHIRE/NEWBURY
CONSOLIDATION
Information contained in this document is valid as of the publication date of 02/28/14. We will
update this document as new information becomes available. Updates will be made to the school
website at www.berkshireschools.org and www.newburyschools.org
Berkshire/Newbury Consolidation
History of Consolidation:
Consolidation talks began in February of 2013. The County Educational Service
Center commissioned a study to look at four schools in Geauga County; Cardinal
LSD, Ledgemont LSD, Berkshire LSD and Newbury LSD. As a result of this
study, Newbury and Berkshire Boards began talks to consider consolidation.
Both districts have experienced a decline in enrollment over the past decade.
Berkshire’s enrollment has declined at an average annual rate of 2.9% over the past
ten years, which is almost a loss of 30% of student enrollment. Newbury’s
enrollment has declined by 3.03% per year, or over 30%. While both districts face
the challenges of competing with local parochial, private and online schools, the
U.S. Census data shows that Berkshire has experienced a decline in overall schoolage children population of 5.63% and Newbury has experienced a decline of
25.11%.
The declining enrollment has placed many burdens upon both districts. As class
sizes decline the cost of offering class electives and extra-curricular activities are
increasing. Both districts have been operating in a deficit spending situation
Newbury since 2012 and Berkshire since 2011. Newbury will experience a
negative fund balance in fiscal year 2015 and Berkshire will experience a negative
fund balance in fiscal year 2017. Newbury is seeking approval of an 8 mill
emergency levy in May of 2014. Even if this levy is approved Newbury will be
forced to make significant cuts in their operations. Berkshire will need to seek
additional operating monies from its voters in 2015 to offset the projected deficits
for 2017.
While athletics is not the main function of public education, it does add to the
educational process and encourages school pride and discipline. Declining
enrollments at both schools will force athletic offerings to be reduced.
In April of 2013, both Boards retained the services of legal counsel to advise them
in the legal steps necessary to seek consolidation. It was determined that this
process would be a long one and that ultimately each Board of Education does not
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have the authority to consolidate the districts, that authority lies with the State
Board of Education. In December of 2013, both Boards of Education passed
resolutions asking the State Board of Education to consider consolidation. A fiscal
analysis was commissioned by an independent school financial consulting
company. In January of 2014, the Board Presidents, Superintendents and
Treasurers from both districts attended the State Board of Education meeting to ask
the State Board to consider consolidation of Berkshire and Newbury.
Consolidation of this nature has not occurred in the State of Ohio since 1988. The
entire process has been arduous, confusing and ultimately informative. While it
would be convenient to sit back as School Boards and blame the state’s funding
system, we still have to educate our students. As Board members, it is our job to be
innovative and “think out of the box” to provide the best education possible for our
students. Based on all our research and considerations, we believe consolidation
may be the best road to take to provide that education, but that will ultimately be a
decision for the voters.
Statistics of Each District:
Current Enrollment 2013/2014
Number of Staff
Average Cost Per Student - 2013
Current Property Tax Rate
Income Tax rate - converted to millage equivalent
Current State funding per pupil
Building Age
High School
Elementary
Projected loss of students due to graduation
'2015
'2016
* 1% earned income tax
% From District Report Cards
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Berkshire
Newbury
938
120
$9,214
21.25
7.67
$2,345
504
86
$12,650
37.18
0
$806
%
*
1936
1959
1928
1972
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Do we get to vote on consolidation?
Yes, if the State Board of Education decides to place the issue on the ballot,
you will have an opportunity to vote in favor or against the issue in the
November 4, 2014 general election.
When will consolidation happen?
If the vote is approved on November 4, 2014, a new board will be appointed by
the State Board of Education. Berkshire and Newbury boards will recommend
these appointments to the State Board and they are likely to accept our
recommendations. The new District will be formed on July 1, 2015 and
children will attend school in the new district the Fall of 2015.
What is the process for electing a new Board of Education?
The state board of education will appoint the initial members of the newlycreated district’s board of education. These board members will take seats
effective July 1, 2015. The first election for board members would occur at
the next general election. That first election would produce three board
members with four-year terms and two board members with two-year terms. If
consolidation is approved, newly appointed board members will be elected in
November 2015 election.
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Other Information:
Additional information regarding the school income tax can be found at:
http://www.tax.ohio.gov/portals/0/tax_analysis/tax_data_series/school_district_data/sditqa.pdf
State Board of Education:
Tom Gunlock
Vice President
(937) 609-6951
Sarah Fowler
Local Representative
(440) 563-8535
Email: [email protected]
Local Board Members:
Newbury
Martin Sanders
Susan Arnold
Guy Munn
John Gingerich
Ken Blair
Board President
Vice President
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
(440) 564-5110
(440) 564-7754
(440) 564-5147
(440) 564-5880
(440) 564-8054
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Board President
Vice President
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
(440) 487-0201
(440) 834-3434
(440) 635-0300
(440) 635-0012
(440) 668-2816
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Berkshire
John Manfredi
James Koster
Roger Miller
Tim Honkala
Kim Brown
Information contained in this document is valid as of the publication date of 02/28/14. We will
update this document as new information becomes available. Updates will be made to the school
website at www.berkshireschools.org and www.newburyschools.org
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