News Summary

A discussion on preschool funding is expected to be discussed at the Madison Board of Education meeting Monday night, Nov. 17.

The board will be examining how much the district will pay for the pre-kindergarten program next year and what the cost will be to parents.

In July, the board discussed — but voted against — cutting the program because of funding changes.

Madison had been using Title 1 funds to pay for the program, something the state said cannot be done.

Board President Glenn Cappel said the board will examine only the cost Monday night and will vote on the issue at its next meeting in December.

Board members also are expected to appoint Junior/Senior High School Principal Curtis Philpot to serve as acting superintendent through Dec. 31.

Superintendent Chris Cline is set to retire on Dec. 31, but will be on vacation for the majority of time until that date, Cappel said.

Cline will still be serving in a consulting role until his retirement, Cappel said.

The board also will talk about creating a policy on teachers sending text messages to students. There is nothing in board policy that directly addresses text messaging, but language was recently added to the high school teachers' handbook on appropriate actions.

The board also will have an executive session discussion and vote on a salary increase for Treasurer Mark Zimov.

The Franklin Board of Education also meets tonight, but it is not expected to appoint a new board member until its Nov. 24 meeting.

The Franklin board is expected to have a first reading of a policy to allow home-schooled students to participate in extra curricular activities.

The Middletown Board of Education will continue its traveling meetings tonight with a session at Miller Ridge Elementary School.

Superintendent Steve Price is set to give a State of the Schools report.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mengle@coxohio.com.