[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6018728,"mediaKeyId","5774398-54a8cf4338579c97b1baf2b0253f90d8","parentId",5774398,"title","High school language teachers seek permission to gauge interest in Europe trip","audioSeconds",283,"startMs",1368000,"endMs",1651000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774398-54a8cf4338579c97b1baf2b0253f90d8&start=1368&end=1651","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774398-54a8cf4338579c97b1baf2b0253f90d8/thumbnail_1368000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6018728/Norwalk-City/School-Districts/Ohio/High-school-language-teachers-seek-permission-to-gauge-interest-in-Europe-trip","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6018728-e71de7b3fa9cdd39ca8737cced55145c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140354&Signature=WRD~ltM-5nJxGeCy4BckzkVeOepGmGRufLpLE3wJeFhCuLcSgdnRJ1zgHrA7WFfoHjeGIJpXK2DHLvC0a9g23vZKbkmjoEXKJY3GrXRfvwEqTL7BDOg-VZhQCD5V5KIXFHvp8ZXOFT59JVyvUiJatuLJRIPQlZOn71xB8pBpN36WWXgiOsNbwAJY6vMueNqmgTdyVzQ0WK7N~jhIvrsXgbY2gfNt4upVNBPCeLixAMqCRIO4wnxfvFPpzLML8j6bbJV-1~7JjsgUtK5Mick2fbvTsVngc~wLN2GsOIDrXSRm7ydbsao1jCClzWrwbdgRLsOsS3BjjPIMaDCL9kXmKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk City School District","date","2025-09-11T01:23:22Z","article","High school foreign language teachers told the board on Sept. 10 they are exploring a student trip to the United Kingdom, France and Spain and requested permission to gauge student and family interest before seeking formal approval. Hannah (teacher) and colleagues described an all-inclusive itinerary with Explorica that would include airfare, hotels, two meals per day and entrance fees, and said a minimum of about 10 students would be needed to operate the trip this year, with the district considering a 2026 travel window.

Presenters said organizers prefer tour companies that keep hotels near city centers and provide bilingual tour guides; they cited prior trips to Costa Rica and described Explorica as including a 24/7 tour guide who stays with the group. Teachers discussed costs and fundraising challenges and emphasized a desire to avoid a situation in which only students from families with means could attend; they said the district has benefactors and sponsors who in the past provided large donations and that organizers will pursue scholarships and other supports so the opportunity can be broadly accessible.

The presenters asked the board for permission to solicit interest and begin preliminary planning; they said if fewer than 10 students commit, they would postpone the trip to the next year. Board members responded that exploring interest and potential benefactors is appropriate and that district staff should be mindful of equitable access. No formal vote was taken; this item was informational and a request to begin outreach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NCSD BOED Meeting 9 10 25","oneSentenceSummary","High school language teachers presented a nonbinding plan to explore a 2026 trip to the U.K., France and Spain using an all-inclusive tour operator; they sought approval to solicit student interest and discussed funding equity and a 10-student minimum to run the itinerary.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",49806,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6018732,"Treasurer reports tax receipts rise, CD laddering and appropriation updates",204,1847000,2051000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774398-54a8cf4338579c97b1baf2b0253f90d8&start=1847&end=2051","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774398-54a8cf4338579c97b1baf2b0253f90d8/thumbnail_1847000.jpg","/articles/6018732/Norwalk-City/School-Districts/Ohio/Treasurer-reports-tax-receipts-rise-CD-laddering-and-appropriation-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6018732-42db1e5fe0e26f07678449a49c85041c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140354&Signature=WS7zYfF-b5PV7log4QX4L8nQ49eVo-VjOJadxurB2TO~tQTOxHfTPP8IALfTZl243PSfqDSASqq05oOleAUbcYzE4xQaFlKV0gFD1uiHNUqyfwl060WOFLrEOYm67310pmydfLOg46o6oPfYxFFDQgAobOJgt6HbHA2-at1ytZoYN9-In7QPm5ycmRlYzdC71Pux0sXE~wwH05xUhHg5YAQhMWKw6~JyNY61GXhFmY-v6UmOmWLi3rdOU9JpYLIZgFocH3uvF725-8KJoAmwVf7oeSUVxzRm51Iii9v4h2msekw20rhduOXo5Tg2F1SKHz~cB4P~0uk~mFxtHGEUAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwalk City School District treasurer told the board on Sept. 10 that the district placed three new certificates of deposit at roughly 4% and 3.8% to replace older accounts that earned near-zero interest, and that a 2028 CD at 5% had been called because market rates are falling. The treasurer also reported that higher property valuations and the second half of the tax year resulted in increased receipts: the general fund rose by about $1.6 million and bond receipts by about $1.1 million.

The treasurer explained that the district does not receive state rollback (a state-paid reduction) on newly issued bond millage and noted the state has changed rollback policies; the transcript records the treasurer saying the new bond millage does not receive the 12.5% state rollback that older levies received. The treasurer also presented updates to estimated resources and permanent appropriations for fiscal 2026 and said the state provided a drawdown schedule that included a roughly $5,062,000 figure tied to the ongoing project; the district reported having already received the first draw of just over $1 million.

Other finance items covered in the report included property, liability and automobile insurance premiums paid through the Ohio School Plan and a separate cyber-insurance policy premium of just under $10,000; a continued relationship with American Fidelity to provide pretax premium options for employees; and an hourly instructor rate for driver’s education set at $21.24, aligned with the district’s bus-driver step rate. The treasurer also said the district must increase the adult lunch price to a minimum of $5 starting the next day to match a reimbursement benchmark of $4.69.

Board discussion noted concerns about state-level tax and budget actions and the possible effect on district revenues in future legislative sessions. The treasurer said the district will continue to monitor interest rates on investments and will present appropriation changes and contract exhibits to the board as needed.","The district treasurer reported new certificate of deposit placements, increases in general fund and bond revenues after the second half of the tax year, and permanent-appropriation adjustments tied to state draws for a capital project; the board was also told an adult lunch price must rise to at least $5 to match reimbursements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6018737,"District names commissioning agent for new elementary project; public briefing set for October",466,2677000,3143000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774398-54a8cf4338579c97b1baf2b0253f90d8&start=2677&end=3143","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774398-54a8cf4338579c97b1baf2b0253f90d8/thumbnail_2677000.jpg","/articles/6018737/Norwalk-City/School-Districts/Ohio/District-names-commissioning-agent-for-new-elementary-project-public-briefing-set-for-October","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6018737-ca9cf3d147ce5ecce664c2192552b9e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140354&Signature=kWRe280U8t5BNjj2QnRbEM6VayzNkGJrnUavSN7lnlxtRUxUd2qvGQNNf5YmNodqtaqW0wfP1lK8a9mkHOdhTejoq7GluJYi73xfRibYPM5-zwWEivEG3O4MObE3s2~k1fb8JU6yM9BXFtBvfkNRmZ3uVfnqcSSI3HLKmoOfmXGLoTFRid24JKHvcKOoz7Bx3692wbGbnmiq8jcuHRJYneSUEV~13lhDSdUe6622wy83qyDVw74XYQpQuNLoG~sCAU4OUG6Xr9wvahEKdJo9hmQ-x6a0~vOlQ9lBMGL6Wi4EtQAAGBjsw3zibwYmXwYLdiAJy390Yq2VHfK1gftWWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norwalk City School District administrators told the board on Sept. 10 that they selected a commissioning agent (identified in interviews as a Dayton-area firm, referred to in the meeting as “Stan”) to review mechanical, electrical and building-envelope systems for the district’s new elementary building and that the firm rose to the top in the interview process. District officials said next steps include a public briefing with the architect, construction manager at risk (CMR), the commissioning agent and Westfield Consulting Group to explain roles, system-level choices and training for operations staff.

Administrators said the commissioning agent will evaluate HVAC, electrical, roofing and other systems to confirm they meet the district’s specifications and to provide training to maintenance and operations staff. Discussion during the meeting touched on specific technical tradeoffs — for example, dimming and sensor-driven lighting tied to natural light, mechanical ventilation strategies and ionization vs. conventional filtration — and on how those choices affect operating costs, maintenance and classroom conditions.

School staff and board members described the commissioning work as detailed and technical; the district plans to have the architect, the CMR and the commissioning agent present at a fall meeting so the public, the board and building-level staff can review the recommended systems and ask technical questions. Administrators said the commissioning agent will also assist in verifying that the project delivers specified features, and that training sessions will be provided so building staff know how to operate controls and settings. The district said it brought two commissioning-agent firms to interviews and selected the candidate it judged to be the best fit; the firm’s contract and exhibits were described as part of the procurement record that will be presented to the board for formal approval.

District leaders also discussed community engagement measures planned by the CMR and architect, including on-site visits for elementary students, trade-student engagement opportunities and a live construction webcam so community members can monitor progress. Board members and administrators noted the project team includes the architect, the CMR (CT Taylor was named by presenters), Westfield Consulting Group and the commissioning agent; the district will finalize some scheduling details for the October briefing and said it will post the team and exhibit materials before that meeting.

No formal construction contract or final CMR approval was announced at the Sept. 10 meeting; administrators said the commissioning-agent recommendation will be posted with contract exhibits and the project team will present at the following month’s meeting for additional public review and formal board action.","Board members and administrators discussed hiring a commissioning agent to review HVAC, electrical and envelope systems for the new elementary building and scheduled a public presentation by the architect, construction manager-at-risk and the commissioning agent in early October.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6018741,"Norwalk schools report drop in chronic absenteeism after ‘Stay in the Game’ campaign",1248,67000,1315000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774398-54a8cf4338579c97b1baf2b0253f90d8&start=67&end=1315","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774398-54a8cf4338579c97b1baf2b0253f90d8/thumbnail_67000.jpg","/articles/6018741/Norwalk-City/School-Districts/Ohio/Norwalk-schools-report-drop-in-chronic-absenteeism-after-Stay-in-the-Game-campaign","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6018741-8dceffcaf5bc523fd70c0e6ad80ad319/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140354&Signature=Ju7maHso63qTCqyBobp~cdfiarGiC3zI8XLyyiNWYGvMetyiSDwVphnL8f~dM4CQ7UvaHGqpj1d-UWKgitFYPNO9SINK~qMCIyBox66IrzOuSpOmVyZh9GkLAifm7wKlPRx~f-XayuRJrV4RDEaxxatghHwmXAITh5xeOtIqLtvn30H0iV5CZANpH4xYpAhwSMSwlpzqImmjIINr6SWuJvFU3yjhtJCiBU6cM5k6WQDtT4zQZNCfa3K1wHwGIwjYx8bS4UK2FNnNnSCUSrlIkGkqzWW7vnunOi4y7ex0yPHB5Rlr67xTr3UqVemrxhXfJpRc3tAYZ5asjDLWeNLGCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norwalk City School District officials told the board on Sept. 10 that a districtwide attendance campaign tied to the “Stay in the Game” playbook helped reduce the district’s chronic absenteeism rate from 20.1% to 18.3% in the most recent reporting year. Sandy Stewart and Jen Gerber, who presented the plan to the board, said the district adopted the playbook’s data-driven approach, teacher reports and incentive activities to focus effort across all six district buildings.

The district framed the campaign around chronic absenteeism — defined in the presentation as missing days that add up to learning loss regardless of whether absences are excused — and said the state-backed Stay in the Game program supplies a playbook, packaged incentives and quarterly reporting requirements the district now uses to measure progress. Stewart and Gerber told the board the district exceeded the state improvement goal: the state’s improvement target was a 3% reduction, and the district recorded a 9% improvement under the metric the presenter cited.

Stewart and Gerber described three main strategies: raising awareness with staff and families, giving teachers regular data on each student’s risk category, and using low-burden, classroom-level interventions and buildingwide incentives. The district uses a color-coded risk system supplied by the program: satisfactory (five or fewer missed days), at risk (about five to nine missed days), moderate chronic absenteeism (10–19%), severe (20–49%) and extreme (50% or more). Teachers receive color-coded lists twice each quarter showing where each student stands so they can make early, positive outreach to students and families.

Presenters said the program pairs incentives — T-shirts, yard signs, prize events and districtwide spirit weeks — with ongoing data collection so school staff can spot trends. The presenters noted some disruptive factors, such as a heavy influenza season in January that depressed attendance and required clarifying health guidance for families about when to keep children at home. To reduce lost instructional time the district piloted building-level challenges such as attendance brackets and prize rewards; the presenters said those activities helped restore momentum after the winter illness spike.

The presentation also emphasized long-term academic consequences tied to chronic absence. District presenters summarized research distributed with the Stay in the Game materials showing that missing roughly two days per month accumulates into substantial lost instruction — for example, about 121.5 hours in a school year — and correlates with lower grade-level reading outcomes, higher dropout risk by ninth grade, and reduced graduation likelihood. The presenters credited teachers and school staff for engaging with the campaign and encouraged sustaining the program across the school year.

District staff said their operational goal for the year is to reduce the number of students in the “orange” (moderate risk) category by three percentage points and that the district leadership team has made the attendance target a district priority. They also said the district’s Stay in the Game committee meets roughly twice a month and includes representatives from each building, central office and the high school, and that current incentive activities include an ongoing contest tied to tickets and signed footballs donated through program partnerships.

Board members thanked the presenters for the work; one board member asked how the district’s rate compares to the state and was told the district is lower than the state average though exact comparative figures by district size were “not specified” during the meeting. No formal board action was taken at the presentation; the item was informational and part of the public agenda.

The district plans continued quarterly reporting to the Stay in the Game program and said staff will keep teachers updated on student risk-category changes so teachers can do early outreach to families. The presenters said participating in the state-backed campaign provided both material incentives and the organizational structure the district lacked when it began its local attendance efforts.","Norwalk City School District officials described a districtwide push using the Stay in the Game playbook to lower chronic absenteeism, reporting a decline from 20.1% to 18.3% last year and outlining quarterly data reporting, teacher-facing risk lists, incentives and family outreach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

High school language teachers seek permission to gauge interest in Europe trip

Treasurer reports tax receipts rise, CD laddering and appropriation updates

District names commissioning agent for new elementary project; public briefing set for October

Norwalk schools report drop in chronic absenteeism after ‘Stay in the Game’ campaign