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WARREN -- In order to help students be prepared for the next school year, various extended learning opportunity and enrichment classes will be offered during the summer.
Superintendent Steve Chiaro told the board of education Wednesday that in June and July, Warren students will be able to take part in extended learning classes that will help prepare students for the 2021-22 year.
"We wanted to do something different and something big. It will be a very busy summer for our students. There will be a lot of great things for all grade levels," he said.
Chiaro said all students in kindergarten through 11th grade will see where their comprehension level, skills and standards level are to determine how much intervention is needed.
Inspiring Minds also will offer enrichment activities for students to take part in recreational activities in July.
Regina Teutsch, director of curriculum and instruction for Warren schools, said the key for the summer classes is to have students as prepared as possible for the next school year and have mastery of the subject areas for their grade levels. She said the summer school teachers also will have students assessed and data provided on where they are at the end of summer.
Chiaro said talks have begun for the 2021-22 year of possible blended learning where students may have some online classes and also in-person classes.
He said the state Lsegislature may not permit full online remote learning as an option next school year.
"We will wait and see. If the Legislature does not permit it, that will not be a format that we can offer," Chiaro said.
In other business, John Lacy, director of business operations, and David Smith of Gardiner of Solon spoke about plans to replace lights in all buildings in the district with LED lighting for energy efficiency savings.
Officials said the entire district will be LED by the end of July.
Smith said the $998,000 project will mean $160,000 annually in savings for six years with LED lights to last 18 to 19 years compared to current lights lasting 10 to 12 years.
"This is a good time for this project and the district to become energy efficient and help recoup savings. We will then see what the future holds," Smith said.
As part of the agreement with Gardiner, the project will begin in the spring and be completed by August. The project entails replacing district lights with LED lights with the exception of the board offices, which is already done.
In other action, the board:
• Heard from Chiaro that Harding High School Principal Dante Capers has been nominated for a Principal / Administrator Recognition Award through the Ohio Association of Black School Educators, which recognizes eight individuals per year;
• Accepted retirements of Michelle Chiaro, Willard PK-8 principal, effective June 30; Mary Jo Livi, elementary teacher, effective May 31; and Linda Ohlin, mailroom / order clerk June 30;
• Approved an agreement with Illuminate Education Inc. of Irvine, Calif., at $97,890 to provide assessment, data and decision-making tools for the diagnosis, intervention and enrichment of student learning across multiple domains. The agreement is from July 1 to June 30, 2024.