Clearview Schools continue to build

Clearview Local Schools is continuing to build toward the future.

In district report cards issued by the Ohio Department of Education, Clearview Schools received an overall D grade, but scored A’s in graduation component and four-year graduation rates.

But the district scored F’s on preparedness for success and value added component indicators in gifted programs and overall.

As part of the district’s five-year financial forecast, it saw an average property tax revenue increase of 2.54 percent annually between fiscal years 2016 and 2018, officials said.

Between 2019 and 2023, the district is projecting sharp increases in its cash balances where it’s expected to increase from $7.2 million in 2018 to more than $16 million in 2023, providing added financial flexibility for the district, Clearview Schools

officials said.

Food pantry

The district began a new pilot program in August in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio.

Durling Middle is one of several Lorain County schools offering a monthly mobile food pantry program.

The food pantry is expected to assist 100 families in the area.

“I kind of think of it as a grocery store,” said Durling Middle School Principal Laura Manning. “So when the food is dropped off, it’ll be dropped off here under the awning.

“So as families come through, they can shop their way through and take what they’ll use and then they’ll head home.

“If it’s a nice day we’ll be outside. If not, we’ll be in the gym lobby.”

Manning said as the program grows, the district wants to have cooking demonstrations and bring in community partners and set up booths focusing on health and nutrition.

The pantry will be available to anyone living in the area as the program hopes to build new bridges between schools and the community.

Funding support

The funding for the program was provided by 100 Women Who Care About Lorain County, a local grassroots organization, who have raised more than $313,000 for in support of Lorain County nonprofit initiatives since 2010.

The members votes on different initiatives to support.

“What really tugged on the heartstrings of our members is that these kids come in hungry,” said co-founder Nancy Sullivan. “They’re hungry on Monday, they’re hungry on Tuesday at school and over the weekend.

“And if they can’t get the right nutrition, they won’t be able to learn and excel at school.”

Second Harvest is focusing on its Child Hunger Initiative which aims to create food security for the entire family.

In working with schools to provide families in a variety of avenues, the initiative hopes to dramatically increase the amount of food and meals families and their children will receive to address child hunger.

Second Harvest has received funding from several supporters for one year and the final piece of funding from 100 Women Who Care will ensure the program is fully funded for 12 months.

The pilot program for 2018 included General Johnnie Wilson Middle School, Longfellow Middle School and Southview Middle School, all part of Lorain City Schools.

National honor

Clearview High School received national recognition for its arts programming.

It is one of 50 school districts across the United States named as a semi-finalist in the Vans Custom Culture Contest.

The Vans Custom Culture Contest was created to support schools experiencing art department budget cuts.

More than 2,000 schools submitted customized Vans shoes embodying the Vans “Off the Wall” and “Local Flavor” lifestyle.

Schools also submitted an impact document explaining how their school, class and community would be impacted by winning the prize.

Vans Custom uses the competition as a way to empower high school students and individuals to embrace creativity and to give a helping hand to local art programs facing budget cuts.

Vans Custom selected the top 50 finalists based on creativity, relevance to theme and overall execution.