MCESC Superintendent's Message
July 30, 2020
As fall approaches, we want to share information with our families regarding the planning that has gone into this upcoming school year. Superintendents in Mahoning County and the Mahoning County Public Health Department have met monthly through early summer, and then weekly thereafter. We reviewed recommendations, discussed orders, examined various scenarios, and deliberated over processes to best protect our students and staff. We shared resources so that every colleague and each community in Mahoning County would benefit. We worked as a team to ensure that we are as prepared as possible to meet or exceed the recommendations set forth by the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Education.
The Mahoning County Public Health Department sent their best to assist. We engaged Susan Kovach, Epidemiologist; Erica Horner, Nursing Director; and Ryan Tekac, Health Commissioner in ongoing dialogue regarding our plans for this fall’s return. We have worked collaboratively and committed a tremendous amount of time, effort, and resources to develop processes for communicating effectively and efficiently while addressing any potential illnesses.
We understand that everyone wants definitive answers, but the fact is, there aren’t any. Instead, we hope you can rest assured that we have worked tirelessly and collectively with one another to do everything in our power to protect our students and staff. Dealing with a novel virus has upended education. We understand that the constant changes that the virus brings to our region just adds angst to the situation. We are calling on each of you to partner with us as we continue our work together in educating our Valley’s children in an environment that is conducive to the health of all involved.
In partnership,
Traci Hostetler
Superintendent, Mahoning County ESC
Ryan Tekac
Commissioner, MC Public Health Dept.
Susan Kovach
Epidemiologist, MC Public Health Dept.
PDF (Original Press Release)
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New Start Date for Students for 2020-2021 School Year
The First Draft of The Poland Schools’ Reopening Plan
The Poland Board of Education voted and approved a modification of the school calendar to change the start date of school for the 2020-2021 school year. This action was taken at the July 20, 2020, Board of Education Meeting.
The new start date for students is September 8, 2020. The calendar change was made in regards to the pandemic.
The Reopening Committee and the Poland Board of Education reviewed the first draft of The Poland Schools’ Reopening Plan.
Please review the Reopening Plan and complete the questionnaire included to share your intentions regarding the return of your children for the 2020-2021 school year. The questionnaire is due by Midnight Friday, July 24th and will require a gmail account to complete. Should you have any difficulty completing the form, please contact Mark Zura at mzura@polandschools.org
Thermal Imaging Devices to Perform Temperature Checks in School Buildings
Thermal Imaging devices will take the temperature of everyone who enters any of the school buildings in the Poland Local School District.
The district purchased ten devices, two will be at Union Elementary, two will be at McKinley Elementary, two will be at Poland Middle School, and four will be at Poland Seminary High School. Each device can scan 2,400 individuals in an hour.
Anyone who enters the building will walk up to the device for a temperature check. An individual’s temperature appears on the screen with a “green light” indicating he or she is good to go. The device also recognizes if someone isn’t wearing a mask. If a person does have a temperature of 100 or above, a red warning will appear with the message “Stop, do not enter.”
“Each building will have an area where students specific to a high temperature will go upon the reading. It will be an area where PPE is worn.” said David Janofa, Superintendent, Poland Local Schools. “They will immediately go there, following CDC guidelines to retest them.”
The devices are mobile and can be moved around to where needed, including athletic events.
The devices also have facial recognition capabilities, which can be used for visitor entry into school buildings. Each device cost $2100, money from the CARES Act covered the cost of the purchase.
Poland Local School District employee getting her temperature checked by a thermal imaging device the district purchased.
Stadium Closed for Track and Turf Replacement
Poland, Ohio- The Poland Schools Stadium will be closed until further notice starting June 1, 2020. The stadium has been previously closed, this is a continuation of the closure. The track and turf at the stadium are being replaced in preparation for the start of the fall athletic season. All other outdoor athletic facilities on school grounds will open on June 1, 2020, including tennis courts and baseball/softball Fields. We ask all community members who use any of those facilities to visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov and follow the Responsible Restart Ohio guidelines that are mandated by Governor DeWine. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Kindergarten Screening has been postponed indefinitely.
All Poland Schools Playgrounds closed per Dr. Amy Acton MPH Director order to limit spread of the novel coronavirus.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: COVID-19 Latest Information
Teacher Directory
Welcome to the Poland Local School District, home of the Bulldogs.
The Poland Local School District (PLSD) is made up of four schools, Union Elementary ( Preschool-Grade 2), McKinley Elementary (3-5), Poland Middle School (6-8) and Poland Seminary High School (9-12.)
The Poland Local Schools started in 1802. Our vision is to build upon a tradition of excellence and our core values. Doing this, the Poland Local Schools will be a leading center of learning for students. Poland Local Schools are committed to providing students with a well-rounded education, preparing every student for success and meeting the individual needs of students.
POLAND SCHOOLS MISSION STATEMENT
Educate, empower and inspire every student at every opportunity.
POLAND SCHOOLS VISION
Built upon a tradition of excellence and our core values, the Poland Local Schools will be a leading center of learning for all students.
CORE VALUES
- Place the needs and welfare of students first.
- Respect the inherent value of each student.
- Nurture a desire for lifelong learning.
- Build community engagement.
- Operate with accountability and transparency.
- Uphold the tradition of our schools within the community.
- Educate within a collaborative, creative, and cultivating learning environment.
- Encourage parent and community involvement.
- Build honest and trusting relationships that respect all people.
State Audit Shows Positive Financial Standing For Poland Local School District
Performance Audit Update Presentation
The Ohio Auditor of State reports a 13 million dollar turnaround for the Poland Local School District. A report from the state’s office was presented at the Board of Education meeting on February 24, 2020.
The Poland Local School District (PLSD) was audited by the state due to a projected fund balance deficit provided by the May 2017 five-year-forecast. The audit listed several recommendations the district could implement to reduce expenses. The Poland Board of Education and district administrators looked at the recommendations and made decisions based on what was best for student achievement. Not all recommendations from the state were acted upon. Some of the steps taken include the following:
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A Bus/Vehicle Replacement Plan
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Technology Replacement Plan
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Reducing expenditures by bringing some services back to PLSD
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Heating and cooling conservation programs
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Reorganization of district personnel
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Closing Dobbins Elementary School
When it comes to finances, there are several other positive steps to note, as reported in the five-year-forecast adopted in October 2019. The unreserved fund balances through Fiscal Year 2024 is in the black. Second, the annual debt service payment has been reduced by more than $160,000 annually for the next four years due to refinancing of the district’s outstanding debt.