Superintendent: David M. Toth / [email protected] Executive Secretary: Tara L. Reid Treasurer/CFO: Jill A. Rowe Main Office: 330-357-8206 / Fax: 330-274-3710

September 15, 2017

Dear Community Members, Parents, Guardians, and Crestwood Staff Members,

At the board meeting on Tuesday, September 12, during an open discussion, the possibility of re-configuring the school district by moving sixth grade students to the elementary campus and relocating seventh and eighth grade students to the current high school was discussed. The Board of Education has directed me to look at this option. This option is being discussed by the Board of Education for financial reasons as well as enrollment decline in the district. Financially, the State Legislature has reduced our revenue over the next two years by a total of $543,000. This was passed by the legislature on June 30, 2017. Second, the Crestwood Local School District is on what is called a state guaranteed funding model. Out of the over 600 school districts in the State of Ohio, the Crestwood Local School District is in the top one percent of districts receiving state guaranteed funds. We receive roughly 4.5 million dollars in guaranteed state funds. These funds can be reduced at any time the State Legislature revises its budget. This occurs every two years. Historically, these funds have been reduced or are in jeopardy to be reduced. The school district’s five year financial forecast in October will detail that the cash balance for the school district will be in deficit in the year 2021. If there are any more reductions to our state guaranteed money, this will exacerbate that deficit. The enrollment decline in the school district has been significant. Since the 2004/05 school year, the year students moved into the elementary campus, we have lost 940 students. An enrollment study conducted by FutureThink, at no cost to the district, has estimated future enrollment in the school district based on census data, home starts, and birth rates among other factors. You can find this study on the district website and projections on future enrollment are detailed below. Based on the information stated above and below, the Board of Education feels it is financially prudent to discuss the reconfiguration of the district as a possible solution to this dilemma. This is early in the process of this discussion and may not be the only option, but nevertheless, a solution to this dilemma will have to be pursued. Please view our district website for the financial forecast of the school district as well as information on student enrollment. Sincerely,

David M. Toth David M. Toth Superintendent Board Members: David Becker / Bonnie Lovejoy / Todd Monroe / Karen Schulz / Mitch Wilson

11260 Bowen Road, Suite A / Mantua, OH 44255 / www.crestwoodschools.org

Board Members: David Becker / Bonnie Lovejoy / Todd Monroe / Karen Schulz / Mitch Wilson

11260 Bowen Road, Suite A / Mantua, OH 44255 / www.crestwoodschools.org