News from Medina City Schools

June 30, 2010

Welcome to Medina City Schools

Greetings!

Welcome to the Medina City Schools e-newsletter, the Bee's Buzz Broadcast. This publication will be sent out semimonthly sharing highlights, news and important dates.

Many thanks to our sponsors of the e-newsletter.

Concessions allow district to bring back some programs and services

In response to the school district's current financial situation and the recent lay-off of close to 160 employees (100 being teaching positions), the teacher's union (MCTA) membership voted to make concessions in their current contract. Those concessions are to contribute a dollar value equivalence of about 15 percent to their health care costs, taking a family plan payment from $85 per month to $215 per month and to realize one percent less in the base salary increase for the 2010-2011 school year. These concessions total approximately $1,000,000.

The Board of Education agreed that if concessions were made the money would be used to bring back teaching positions so that some programming and services for students could be restored. With the current concessions, the district will be bringing back 14 teaching positions. The areas in which these positions will serve students are reading intervention, guidance counseling, and gifted intervention. Classes that will be restored for students at the middle and high school levels are in the areas of language arts and high school electives such as art, physical education, and social studies.

The rational for the areas of services and programming that are being restored is to meet and fill the greatest needs for district students.

The Board of Education will be meeting throughout the month of July to discuss future ballot options and millage amounts to continue to address the district's financial needs.

U.S. Army Field Band performing in Medina

The internationally acclaimed United States Army Field Band of Washington, D.C. will continue its long history of presenting free public performances when it appears at the Medina Performing Arts Center on Thursday, July 1, at 7:00 p.m. The Field Band's Medina concert is sponsored by the City of Medina, Medina Community Band, the Medina City Schools, First Christian Church, and Medina County Veterans Services.

As the premier touring musical representative for the United States Army, the Field Band travels throughout the nation and abroad. Since its formation in 1946, the Field Band has appeared in all 50 states and in more than 30 countries on four continents. This 65-member concert band presents a powerful and diverse program of marches, overtures, popular music, patriotic selections, and instrumental and vocal solos.

The Field Band's members, selected by highly competitive audition, represent some of the finest musical talent in America. More than five decades as the military's most traveled musicians have earned them the title, "The Musical Ambassadors of the Army."

Ticket distribution locations are Medina Buehler's locations,

Medina City Hall, Medina County Veterans Offices, and the Medina Performing Arts Center Box office by calling 330-636-4300. Tickets can also be printed through the military web site at www.armyfieldband.com. Tickets will be limited to four per person.

Tina Cassidy named as H.G. Blake principal

Tina Cassidy was approved by the Board of Education at its regular monthly board meeting as the new principal of H.G.Blake Elementary School. Cassidy follows the leadership of retiring principal, Kathy Wetta who opened H.G. Blake in the fall of 2001. Wetta served the district for 16 years and was in education for 36 years.

Cassidy has worked for the school district since 1996. She taught fourth and fifth grade, served as a reading intervention teacher and was an administrative intern for the past two years. She has her MA in Educational Administration from the University of Akron and her MA in Curriculum and Instruction from Cleveland State University.

She lives in Medina with her husband Tim and two children who both attend school within the district.

Since her employment with the school district Cassidy has received numerous awards including the Excellence in Teaching Award, Distinguished Service Award, the Wini Muska Place Scholarship Award and is a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar.

Cassidy stated "I am so excited to be named the principal at H.G. Blake Elementary. I have had such a great experience working with the students, parents and staff as an administrative intern this past year. I look forward to being a part of the Blake community and nurturing our students to develop their love for learning."

Root Candle Company celebrating "Legacy Days"

Mark your calendars for The Root Candle Company's "Legacy Days." For the first time in 140 years Root Candle Co. will be offering public factory tours. The tours will take place on Saturday, July 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a one time opportunity.

Students from A.I. Root and Claggett Middle schools will be assisting during the factory tours and will receive all proceeds from the tours.