JERRY CITY – Elmwood Schools’ prekindergarten program has received the highest award possible through a
new Ohio Department of Education program.
This is the first year that prekindergartens throughout Ohio are being graded, and Principal Michelle
Tuite said she expected her team to finish with an average rating in the Step Up To Quality standards.

"I was hoping for three stars. Five stars is excellent," she told the school board at its
meeting Monday.
A school had to receive 56 points in a number of areas judged, and Elmwood received a score well into the
60s, Tuite stated.
Of the 4,000-plus prekindergarten programs in Ohio, Elmwood is one of 11 to earn five stars.
Step Up To Quality is Ohio’s quality rating and improvement system for licensed learning and development
programs. Step Up To Quality recognizes learning and development programs that exceed licensing health
and safety standards. Supports and incentives are available to assist programs in achieving and
maintaining a Star Rating, according to the ODE website.
Elmwood received 62 points. There are 95 youngsters enrolled in the program.
Points were given for offering professional days, personal days and sick days; for teachers who have a
higher education; the education level of aides; and the staff-to-child ratio.
Tuite recognized her four teachers for changing the entire preschool program: Katherine Rider, Amy
Satterfield, Allison Whiteleather and Jen Eckert.
Several have master’s degrees, and the staff-to-child ratio is 1:9.
She explained that points also were received for the prekindergarten screening process, how the
prekindergarten does lesson planning for math, science, literature and motor development, as well as
Tuite’s training as program director.
"This prestigious standing will afford our school with additional dollars as well as bragging
rights," wrote Tuite in her report to the board.
Superintendent Tony Borton told the board that the district has released proposals for designs for the
new band room, with a deadline of May 22. At that time, a list of no more than three will be chosen
based on qualifications, and those firms then will be asked to give a cost estimate for work.
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Increased cafeteria prices for 2014-15. Breakfast went up to $1.75; lunch to $2.20 for elementary,
$2.45 for high school and middle school, and $2.55 for adult; milk to 0.50; and entree to $1.75. All
except breakfast rose along with product costs. The elementary increase is due to federal requirements.

• Approved continuing teacher contracts to Laura Davidson and Julia Nickels, both at the middle school;
and continuing classified contracts to Amy Hoiles, elementary secretary; Sarah Gonyer, cafeteria; and
Paula Morgart, bus driver.
• Agreed to spend $17,721.95 on 30 iPads and carts, to Apple Store, funded by an anonymous donation;
$9,869 on virtualization software to OARnet; $28,765 on three floor scrubbers, to Brown Supply Company;
$40,956 on a nine-seat van, to Cardinal Bus Sales; and $223,851.51 on a server room setup and network
refresh, to Netech Corp.
• Accepted donations, including: from Sue Cortez, Newlove Reality, $360 for the music program; from Royal
Summer Baseball, $1,851.28 for the high school spring trip; from Athletic Boosters, $405 to the athletic
department for new pole vole standards; and from Roppe Rubber Company, $2,500 estimated value for a
vinyl cove base for the Community Center Auditorium.