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WELLSVILLE -- The lack of free lunch at Wellsville High School was addressed last week by school officials.
Questions were addressed following the food service report, presented by treasurer Eva Elliott. There was no report for July, but, according to the May/June report, an ending balance totaled $38,309.07.
Starting with a balance of $57,360.41, revenue of $2,028.80 was received from Head Start. Expenditures totaled $21,080.14. She also reported receiving the fresh fruit and vegetable grant for $15,235.
On that matter, board member Gary Althiser addressed the free lunch issue, following several conversations, he said, with parents, regarding the district not providing the service as had been done in the past.
Elliott explained that both Garfield and Daw are over 62.5 percent, to which they would receive full reimbursement, but the high school was at 38.15 percent and not eligible for reimbursement.
Bereschik stated all schools in the district still provide free breakfasts for all students, and free lunch for students up to the seventh grade. He said as students move up, the free lunches at the high school could again happen.
Althiser asked if it could be possible for the board to pay for free lunch for the high school, to which Elliott answered "yes," but she recommended the district do that for the 2018-19 school year.
Elliott also presented the July financial activity report for the district, which totaled $3,935,741.48. Starting with a balance of $3,881,455.39, the district received $779,882.16 in revenue and incurred $725,596.60 in expenditures. The final total for July was an increase of over $52,000 from the month before.
Other reports discussed:
-- In Student Achievement Leadership Team news, board member Nancy Francis mentioned this year's open houses recorded higher attendances than last year. She said based on reports, 61 percent of Daw Elementary parents attended open house there, while Garfield Elementary also had an increase.
Francis also commended the efforts of the Wellsville soccer team, which played its first official game in school history on Aug. 21 -- a 4-0 loss to Jefferson County Christian at Nicholson Stadium. The Tigers then lost 2-1 to East Palestine, the following Wednesday in Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference action. She also commended the Wellsville football team and the Wellsville volleyball team.
She also commended head soccer coach Cary Lemasters, who was in attendance for the meeting, for his efforts in leading the team in its inaugural season.
"It was a dream of mine to see soccer in this school district," Francis said. "When (Cary) stepped up to be a volunteer coach, it just kind of made it a doable thing. It will be neat to see it progress. I wasn't surprised at the first game. I don't anticipate many wins in the first year, but as it grows, I do anticipate wins, and it's a great thing to watch."
-- In legislation matters, board vice president Tom Brophey discussed the biennial budget, also known as House Bill 49, which provides $16.8 billion for education. Brophey said based on the formula, per-pupil spending will slightly increase to $6,010 in fiscal year 2018 and $6,020 in FY19. He also said there is aid for economically disadvantaged students and those who have special needs, which will remain at 2017 levels.
The bill also added multiple ways for seniors to earn diplomas, he said, which include senior year attendance, community service, employment, and concluding a senior year capstone project, but it only applies to the Class of 2018.