Linesville loses grades K - 8 students

News and Analysis

The vote, after months of discussion, debate and review, is in and the Conneaut School District will see major changes in setup beginning next school year set to begin August 29 for all students.

There will be a single grades 9 - 12 high school for the students of Conneaut Lake, Conneaut Valley and Linesville areas, there will be two elementary schools and two middle schools with the elementary and middle schools to be located at Conneaut Lake and Conneaut Valley buildings.

There will be no grades K - 8 students attending any building in the Linesville area as those students will now be bussed to the Conneaut Lake and Conneaut Valley school buildings.

The new setup in the Conneaut School District will be all grades K - 4 to be housed in the Conneaut Lake and Conneaut Valley Elementary Schools and two middle schools for grades 5 - 8 to be housed in the former Conneaut Lake and Conneaut Valley High Schools.

Sewer Board seeks to end service on delinquent accounts

Sadsbury Township held their April public meeting with Board members Roy Whaley. Kevin VanHonk and Lyle Hoovler in attendance.

Secretary Rose Mumau took the minutes and there were 3 citizens present.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said and the floor opened for Public Participation.

Mark Fox stood to talk about some Airport Hazard Zoning.

The current cell tower near Ellion Road was discussed, as to flight traffic and heights; it will be allowed to remain, but no other cell towers may be erected there.

This is a Federal Mandate to the states and there is $3,500.00 available for changing or amending any Ordinances for fees incurred by the township, for coming into compliance with PADOT criteria.

There are safety zones around each airport, in this case, Port of Meadville, pertaining to cell towers or drilling rigs.

Supervisor Whaley asked about future development and the possibility of future housing there, if the gravel pits ever stopped producing or zoning changed.

News and Analysis

Monday, April 30, is decision time on the future setup of schools within the Conneaut School District.

The Conneaut School Board of Education will vote in special session as to which option the district will pursue, if any, in the upcoming year and beyond.

Currently there are three elementary schools and three high schools in the district - one each at Conneaut Lake, Conneaut Valley and Linesville.

With declining student enrollment, nearly 800 in the last 10 years, stagnant real estate values, and declining state support, the district, according to financial projections, staying as they are now with the 3 high schools and 3 elementary schools, face a projected deficit of over $5-million by the end of the 2014/15 school year.

To meet obligations, many areas of curriculum and extra curricular activities would need to be cut with suggestions ranging from kindergarten to athletics, band and music to guidance counselors, libraries to art. and physical education with only the basic of classes to be offered in schools that now range in capacity from 60 to 79 percent.

It is an option to stay-as-is.