ADAMS TOWNSHIP — Compared to the end of last academic year in May, Clinton-Massie’s enrollment is up by 86 students, a pleased superintendent reported to the board of education.
Open enrollment is up 20 from last school year, and stands at 169 altogether. Open enrollment is the voluntary enrollment of students in a public school other than the one assigned on the basis of residence.
Presently, the entire student body enrolled at Clinton-Massie schools is comprised of 1,868 students, Superintendent Matt Baker said Monday night.
He called the enrollment upswing a boon to the school district and to district finances.
Clinton-Massie Board of Education Vice President Mike Goodall described the higher enrollment as really good news, adding it basically is the district’s best enrollment in five years.
He remarked that when the Little Miami school district in Warren County was having serious financial problems, Clinton-Massie had a large influx of their students. But when the Little Miami district got its house back in order, those students left Massie, added Goodall.
In the superintendent’s report, Baker gave an overview on the recently released state of Ohio grade card of Clinton-Massie. The school district received an overall C grade compared to an overall B grade a year ago. Statewide, scores trended down, Baker said.
The superintendent said the main cause for CM’s overall grade going down stems from one grade card category — the district went from B to C in the Progress category. The Progress component looks at the growth all students are making based on their past performances.
High School Principal Aaron Seewer presented a report to the board. Hope Squad (suicide prevention) training will be provided to staff on Friday, he said. A Writing & Resource Lab is being organized to support students with academic and career needs, said Seewer.
An after-game dance was held after the football game with East Clinton, the first such event for a while, the high school principal said. A fishing club has been organized with weekly meetings to clean the pond and to fish.
Senior Gabby Woods was recognized as the September Student Spotlight at the high school. Seewer said Woods recently was named the Junior Southern Ohio PGA Player of the Year. She has broken the school’s nine-hole record and its 18-hole record.
Woods has been selected SBAAC First Team three times. Off the golf course, she is in the top 10 in her class. She works with special needs students daily, and plans to study to be an elementary intervention specialist.
“She is a humble, kind, thoughtful, considerate, team player who represents all Clinton-Massie with class and dignity wherever she goes,” said Seewer.
Christin McClain was recognized for Staff Spotlight at the high school. “Christin invests countless hours of time and unbelievable energy to organize and perform with the band every week,” the principal said.
During the meeting’s public participation, former Clinton-Massie superintendent Ron Rudduck and local attorney William “Bill” Peelle spoke in favor of a Clinton County Joint Recreation District tax levy that’s on the November ballot. The levy is for 3 mills with a 30-year duration “to improve, develop and maintain various parks and wellness projects in the county’s municipalities and townships, including a county recreation and wellness center,” states an official leaflet.
If approved, the levy will generate about $3 million per year, or $90 million over the 30 years, said Peelle. That revenue would definitely provide the opportunities for facilities and maintenance in more than one location, he added.
Similarly, Rudduck said the funds would provide facilities and also money for ongoing maintenance.
Both men recommended the website www.voteforjointrecdistrict.com for residents to learn more about the levy and plans, and to access answers to 40 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.
