 Who knows? But if it's repeated enough times it becomes accepted as fact. Be sure to check this page to find out what is "Fact or Fiction" about our schools. Waynesfield-Goshen School strives to provide accurate information and maintain open lines of communication. To meet that goal, we have established “The Rumor Mill” feature on our web-site. Rumors can spread quickly and be damaging so we encourage all patrons to let us know about any rumor they hear. We’ll find out the truth as quickly as possible and post a reply on this page but it may take some time to get answers to certain questions.
In order to protect individual privacy and maintain appropriate decorum, we reserve the right to screen or edit an inquiry prior to posting. For individual or private concerns, you should contact the school or district office by phone. We will not answer comments about specific individuals by name. However, for issues that we think impact a number of people in the community, we will provide a response on this page for all to see. Anyone in the district can post a question; we request your name and contact info in the case that we need more information. Only your question will be posted back on the web site. If you'd prefer, you can contact Chris Pfister by phone at 419.568.9100. Sometimes two way conversations are needed to really address the issues. We may take the gist of those conversations and add them to our "mill". Remember there are no unimportant questions. If you're wondering about something - at least five of your neighbors are too! So get the facts and make the best informed decisions we can for students and our community.
Email Questions to: Rumorblog@wgschools.org Q: What is the safety issue on the painted sign on St. Rt. 196 that I pass on my way to work? A: Following the media reports that the Board of Education employed me as interim superintendent I was asked this question by many people. Today is my first day on the job and I have met with the concerned parent, carefully reviewed the situation, and have directed a change that resolves the issue. However, based on my review, including supporting documentation from Mr. Japikse, Ohio Department of Education, I have concluded that the previus bus stop arrangement met all regulations and was not an unsafe bus stop. (Mr. Japikse is responsible for school bus safety for all of Ohio) Obviously the concerned parent felt otherwise and fortunately we were able to modify the arrangement. But I think it is very important to assure you that the previous superintendent, as well as our Board of Education and all current employees, would never knowingly allow an unsafe condition to exist. I look forward to serving the Waynesfield-Goshen community and encourage you to contact me if you have concerns or have ideas that will help make our schools the best possible place for our students. This is your school district and we want to work with you. We want all of our children to learn, grow, and be successful. Sincerely, J. Chris Pfister Q: At the recent death of an employee, why wasn’t the flag flown at half-mast? A: The display of the American Flag at half-staff can only be ordered by the President of the United States or the Governor of the state. Here's what our local board policy states:
Q: I heard the board was paying for a commercial for open enrollment. Why is the board spending money on that when it just made so many cuts? A: The board has decided to shoot a commercial to try to increase our open enrollment numbers. The board has limited options to increase revenue - when state and federal money is decreasing we can go to the voters or try to increase our numbers since the money follows the student. One student brings in approximately $5700. The commercial will cost $4520. So if we bring in one more student next year, it will more than offset the cost. The 30-second commercial will run 19 times a week for 5 weeks on WLIO. In addition, we are reaching out to our district parents who are open enrolling their students elsewhere to try and retain our own students. Above and beyond that, it also gives us an opportunity to highlight the fine things that are being done in the district. We are working hard to bring the best education to our students and it provides us with the vehicle to share what makes Waynesfield-Goshen the best choice for education. Update: Q: Are they going to raise the participation fee for the sports to $200? A: No, it will be $40. As the Board considered reductions to balance the 2011-12 budget, co-curricular and athletic programs were considered. These programs are considered vitally important to our students but cost the district approximately $100,000 per year out of the general fund to pay for the coaches, advisers, and transportation. The athletic fund, where ticket sales are deposited, pays for equipment and officials. If we had the same number of athletes as we did this year, it would cost approximately $230 per participant to fully cover the general fund costs next year. Historically, the participation fee had been $10 and was raised to $25 this school year. At the April 11, 2011 meeting the Board of Education voted to increase the participation fee from $25 to $40 for next school year which will cover about 17% of the general fund costs. Q: I read several comments on the survey results about bullying in the schools. What is the district doing to address this? A: The Community Relations Team (CRT) reviewed the results of the community survey and has established a goal that states: By the end of the 2012 academic year, student respect for one another will increase from 48% in the MS/HS to 90% or higher and in the Elementary from 77% to 90% or higher, as measured by a community survey. We have already had the DARE Officer in to our school to present to all students in grades 5-8. A parent presentation was also provided in the evening. We plan to bring this program back again next year. The DARE Officer also spoke at the elementary level with the 3rd grade classes. Topics that were addressed included: what is bullying, how to prevent it, and what to do if you’re being bullied. Students seemed receptive to the presentation and pledged to help prevent bullying at school. During the 2011-2012 school year W-G Staff members will be trained and utilize the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is a multi-level school based program designed to prevent or reduce bullying in elementary, middle, and junior high schools. The program attempts to restructure the existing school environment to reduce opportunities and rewards for bullying. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program works with intervention at three levels: School Wide Interventions: · The Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire about bullying will be anonymously answered by the students. · Formation of a Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee · Staff Training · Development of school wide rules against bullying Classroom Intervention · Classroom meeting about bullying and peer relations · Parent meetings Individual-level Interventions · Individual meetings with children who bully · Individual meetings with children who are targets of bullying · Parent meeting for the children involved More information about this program will be discussed at the Spring Parent Meeting scheduled for May 25th beginning at 6:00 in the auditeria. Q: Did the state give us back our 2 calamity days? A: The House and Senate have now agreed to a bill that contains language that would excuse up to five, instead of three, calamity days for the 2010-2011 school year. It is likely that this bill will be signed into law in the very near future. So far this year we have missed 10 days. We have already made up one day on President’s Day. The other four days we will make up are: April 21, April 25, May 26 and May 27th. Q: Will the district allow students to bring their own laptops to school? AKA - BYOT - Bring your own Technology. A: The answer to your question is “yes” but there are also rules that must be followed. Laptops fall under the category of “wireless communication devices” and, just like cell phones, can be brought to school but they can be turned on only with the approval of the teacher in the class you are taking. We have been anticipating that students would want to bring their own laptops or iPads to school and so we are making changes to the way our network can be accessed. Beginning 4th quarter (March 28, 2011) you can also access the school’s internet connection. If you want to access the school’s WiFi you will need to contact the school’s technology coordinator to register your device. As a school district we know that allowing students access to technology greatly expands their learning opportunities. However, with such opportunity comes responsibility. Use of the WG network is a privilege we are willing to offer to members of the school community. However, the Board provides a set of guidelines for security and acceptable use, and violations of these guidelines will be handled as a disciplinary issue. The main point of these guidelines is an understanding that the manner in which students use their computers reflects their strength of character. All members of the WG community must understand that this tool should be used with good judgment, common sense, and integrity. As we look at new math textbooks for next year it is apparent that the full potential of the learning experiences can only be realized with access to technology. Opening a book only allows a two dimensional view of the subject area. When that same book is viewed on a computer it opens limitless possibilities; students may go virtually anywhere and interact with anyone. As work is completed online the programs are able to build individual learning plans to reinforce skills the student might need to review or to provide enrichment for students ready to move on. They also offer tutorials so parents and students can review lessons and offer help when completing homework. WG schools are committed to providing a one to one program for our students sometime in the future. Not all our computers are mobile and, as we replace them, that is our goal. In these times of tight budgets students who have devices of their own can help the district more quickly realize that goal.
Q: I have heard the income tax levy on the May ballot is for new money. Is that true? A: The levy on the ballot in May is NOT for new money – it is a 1% income tax renewal. The first time it was approved was in 1991 and was first collected in 1992. It has been renewed every 5 years and is set to expire on December 31st 2011 unless it is once again approved. Two years ago it brought in $550,815 and last year $482,935 was collected. This represents approximately 9-10% of our revenue and is used for operating expenses.
Q: I have heard that there are major roof leaks in the new building – that teachers have trash cans in their rooms to collect rain. Is this true? If so, what’s being done about it? A: Thanks for asking this question. This last winter storm was unusual because we had 3-5 inches of ice built up on our roof. The leaks were caused by all the ice build-up on the roof valleys. Once that ice melted we have been leak free. We did not have much damage (maybe 12 ceiling tiles) and those will get replaced starting this week. All staff affected by this (5 rooms) seemed to understand completely and worked together with the custodial staff to make the best of the situation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||