Fall classes may still look drastically different

This story has been updated to correct the name of Treasurer Tina Gabler. WELLINGTON — Educators are already wondering what school will look like if coronavirus issues haven't been cleared up by the fall. A mix of online and in-person teaching might be necessary, Wellington Board of Education President Brett Murner said Tuesday. "Blended learning" may be the key to keeping the district's families healthy, Superintendent Ed Weber agreed. He said Wellington has enough Chromebook computers to assign one permanently to each student next school year. Whether that will happen has yet to be decided. At the same time, Treasurer Tina Gabler is worried about possible state cuts, and other financial problems the school system could face because of the pandemic. At the end of March, property tax collections came in about $78,000 less than predicted, she said. That doesn't mean there was a loss, though. Gabler had expected real estate revenue to shoot up by 5 percent due to the brisk housing market — there was still an increase, just not as much as had been hoped. "We're still ahead about $20,000 overall on the total, so I feel good about that," she said. Financial experts across Ohio are concerned that pandemic-related foreclosures could cripple schools, libraries and agencies that rely on taxes. Gabler said for now Wellington's reserve fund looks healthy. It's expected to close out the fiscal year at around $3.8 million. The district typically aims to keep $3 million on hand to make it through a recession. Gabler said the district is sure to run a deficit this year for lunchroom operations, possibly as much as $100,000. How much isn't clear, though, because the district may extend its free breakfast and lunch offerings through the summer to help local families in need. Reimbursements from the state could help, but Gabler said there will be extra costs from buying more prepackaged meals and paying workers to hand out food through the summer. Ayers Ratliff, the Wellington school board's representative to the Lorain County JVS, raised concerns about vocational students. He said there is no clarity on how JVS students studying emergency medicine, auto repair, cosmetology and other subjects will receive their state-required licenses and certifications. Under state law, they have to complete a certain number of hands-on training hours with an instructor. "That is not going to be the case with this situation," Ratliff said. Making matters worse, not all JVS students have wireless internet access, which means they have trouble keeping up with online instruction, he said. Murner said he hopes the state will waive some of those requirements. The Ohio Department of Education hasn't offered any guidance to vocational schools yet, however. The fall sports season is also up in the air. School board member Kevin Stump said coaches have a lot of questions about whether they'll be able to start meeting with athletes again in July. "Right now, to my knowledge, there's still more questions than answers there," he said. Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.