More lockers needed for incoming freshmen

by Sheldon Ocker

May 14 board of education work session

Next fall’s incoming class at Revere High School will need one thing previous classes didn’t need: more lockers.

Because of the size of this year’s eighth-grade class, 50 additional lockers will be installed at the high school in time for fall classes.

“We knew that our eighth-grade class was big,” Treasurer Rick Berdine told the board of education. “It’s larger than our 12th-grade class. So we did locker counts and student body counts. Typically, we go up about 15 from eighth to ninth grade, which is a fascinating phenomenon at Revere. At most places I’ve worked, we’ve lost kids from eight to nine. Ours is historically a little bit opposite of that, so we’re preparing.”

More lockers aren’t usually included in the operating budget, but Berdine said not to worry.

“Fifty lockers sounds like a lot,” he said. “It’s something like $15,000. They’re not really expensive.”

Berdine also said there is plenty of room to install 50 more lockers.

“We have spaces where we did not put lockers originally,” he said. “So we’ll have places to put those lockers in.”

Berdine said the new lockers won’t go to waste after next year’s freshmen graduate.

“Three years later we have another big group of students coming in,” he said. “So if you look outward, we’ll need these extra lockers twice in that time period.”

Preview

Superintendent Michael Tefs teased a presentation scheduled for the next board meeting about the science of reading, a teaching method that has been mandated by the state for all Ohio schools.

“There’s a lot of conversation about the science of reading,” Tefs said. “I’m sure you’ve heard about it. Mrs. Roach [Marcia Roach, curriculum coordinator] is going to spend a little time to bring you as a board up to speed.

“What exactly is the science of reading and how does it impact Revere? Just to put you all at ease and let you know, Revere was in a very good place prior to the science of reading becoming law.”

Money

Berdine previewed his forthcoming financial report by saying, “It looks very, very good, thanks to the wonderful increase in valuations that occurred.”

Berdine said there was a 26% increase in residential property values in the district as a result of the latest assessment. ∞