COMMUNITY TURNS OUT TO HEAR SUPERINTENDENT'S "REINVENTION PLAN"
To view a video of the presentation, click the link at the bottom of the page
February 01, 2010
On Thursday, January 28, 2010, Superintendent Philip Pempin and his team presented the Vermilion community with a “Reinvention Plan”. Nearly 500 community members viewed a visual presentation that offered additional information about the recommendations for school consolidation and new exciting educational opportunities for students through a partnership with Lorain County Community College. The presentation also included answers to many of the “frequently asked questions” that have been asked through the community “coffee” meetings, and through a survey that was distributed to parents and residents in mid-January. At the end of the meeting, audience members were given an opportunity to ask the Superintendent for additional information about the plan.
The recommendation for reinvention includes three main goals: The first goal is to achieve the designation of Distinguished Excellence on the State Report Card, and a “wow” factor as the community enters school buildings. Pempin has the expectation that the staff will create an exciting and dynamic place for students to come to and to learn. The second goal includes the use and application of technology that will reach students that are growing up in a digital age by increasing emphasis of use of technology in classrooms. The third goal is a commitment to excellent customer service provided by all employees of the district.
The plan further identified three major challenges. The first challenge is Vermilion’s financial outlook for the next three years. The district is facing a $14.6 million budget deficit by the 2012-2013 school year.
The second challenge is declining enrollment in Vermilion. The district first consolidated buildings from 6 to 4 in 1988 due to reduced enrollment. This decline has continued over the past decade, and as a result, Pempin will recommend the closing of South Street School in 2010.
The third challenge is battling a common problem in education: TTWWADI (that’s the way we’ve always done it). The Superintendent emphasized the need for the public and school employees to embrace the challenge of teaching digital learners.
With these three major challenges looming, Pempin is promoting a "reinvention" of the Vermilion Schools that will include a reduction in spending. The schools will begin with cost cutting measures to be implemented in three major departments: Building/Operations, Technology and Curriculum. Recommendations include cost savings in the way the district operates its facilities, energy savings from better use of technology devices, and restructuring that will reduce staffing and administrative costs. Total savings for all of these measures will total $4,000,000 per year.
If the Board of Education adopts all of the recommendations made by Superintendent Pempin, the district will be able to avoid approaching taxpayers for additional operating money for at least 2 years.
Pempin spoke briefly about a long-term goal of creating a single, state-of-the-art campus for Vermilion students. The Ohio School Facilities Commission has recommended closing 5 of the properties currently owned by the district, due to their age and cost of upkeep. The Board of Education and Administration will continue to look at what the needs of the students are, and how to best meet educational goals with existing or new facilities.
The Board of Education and the Superintendent have sought community input over the last few months through a series of “coffee” meetings, held at homes of local residents, and through surveys sent to parents and community groups throughout the city. The Board will continue to promote the “coffee meetings” as a way for community members to provide ideas and suggestions for school improvement.. If you are interested in hosting or attending a “coffee” meeting, please contact Cindy Akers at 440-204-1716.
The Board would like to continue the e-mail survey process, as well. If you have not yet received a e-mail survey, but are interested in participating in this process, please contact Sid Jordan at the e-mail address listed below.
Parents and community members may express their ideas and questions to the Board of Education members or Superintendent Pempin using the contact information below:
Board President Tim Rini Phone 440-967-7221 e-mail: trini@vermilionschools.org
Board Vice President Dale Dawson Phone 440-668-7424 e-mail: ddawson@vermilionschools.org
Board Member Sid Jordan Phone 440-396-6912 e-mail: sjordan@vermilionschools.org
Board Member David Rice Phone 440-967-0848 e-mail: drice@vermilionschools.org
Board Member Read Wakefield Phone 440-967-0761 e-mail: rwakefield@vermilionschools.org
