District sees decreased cash balance; new CVCC rep introduced

by Laura Bednar

Sept. 17 board of education meeting

Treasurer Jennifer Knapp updated the Independence school board on district finances.

Independence Local Schools saw a decrease in real estate tax revenue but an increase in other revenue due to a new business in the tax increment financing district. TIF is a designation for commercial properties that distribute portions of property taxes to the schools and city infrastructure projects.

State aid was higher in July and August compared to the same months in previous years. Salaries and benefits trended higher. Knapp said she plans to investigate why they increased. There were three pay periods in August instead of two, which affected salary figures.

The district’s cash balance in August was just under $15 million, compared to $17.5 million in August 2022.

Knapp said the goal is to “reduce or eliminate deficit spending.”

Superintendent Kelli Cogan said she sent faculty and staff members a survey to learn what areas they think need to be addressed. She said the survey included questions like: Where are there opportunities for growth? What should be celebrated in the district? What are ways the administration can support professional development?

Cogan also planned to meet with math, science and English language arts teachers for grades pre-K-12 to discuss curriculum.

CVCC update

Linda O’Neil, the district’s new representative to the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center board, introduced herself and offered statistics on Independence student participation at CVCC.

O’Neil is a 37-year Independence resident and has worked in education for several years. She has taught in the classroom, supervised education, overseen curriculum and worked in personnel.

Students can take CVCC classes starting their junior year. Of 70 juniors in this year’s Independence High School class, 19 are taking a CVCC class as are 16 of 84 seniors. O’Neil said the popular areas of study are cosmetology and the health industry.

“Very excited to have Linda and we’re hoping to strengthen the communication avenues between the CVCC and our district,” said Cogan. ∞