By Don Rutledge
FPS Associate Editor
August 19, 2008
 Carrollton’s new School Superintendent Palmer Fogler is settling into her new position.
Since becoming the new superintendent of the Carrollton Exempted Village School District (CEVSD) Aug. 1 - succeeding Kevin Spears - Mrs. Fogler has been busy holding staff meetings and making sure everything is ready for the opening of school next Tuesday, Aug. 26.
“The decisions I have to make will make some people happy and others unhappy,” she commented during an interview last week.
When asked what she feels are the most “pressing” problems facing the district, Fogler answered in one word - Facilities!
Noting that restoration is too expensive, Mrs. Fogler pointed out the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission is changing its requirements for state funding, allowing school districts to build in segments instead of the entire project.
However, the district’s Master Plan calls for the construction of three new buildings at the “Farm” ground on SR 332 - a new elementary - new middle school - and a new high school, totaling $31.2 million.
Of that amount, the school district must provide $12,480,000 in local share money.
In an attempt to get the consensus of the residents of the school district about what to build, Mrs. Fogler says she plans to set up open public meetings at Carrollton, Dellroy and Augusta schools to get comments and ideas.
“We’ll have a better idea of what and how much the state can fund when we receive a revised evaluation from the state which was completed recently, along with a revised enrollment report due this October,” she explained.
The superintendent also noted several safety issues were found by the state fire marshal’s office, Bureau of Workmen’s Compensation and other state officials regarding electrical wiring, roofs, storage in the boiler rooms, etc. which need attention.
When asked if she foresees more building closings and consolidations (Augusta and Dellroy) in the near future without jeopardizing the quality of education, Mrs. Fogler replied “What is the near future?”
However, she noted our educational quality is already in jeopardy with antiquated science labs at Carrollton High School and crumbling school buildings.
In response to another question about “Pay to Play”, Mrs. Fogler said this means different things in different school districts, and there are many pieces to a plan.
“Pay to play will always be discussed, along with other ideas,” she added. However, she does not see any proposals for pay to play within our school district at the present time.
When asked how soon the CEVSD will ask voters for a tax levy or bond issue approval and for what, the Superintendent said there will be nothing on the ballot this November. “Although $40 million awaits us in Columbus,” referring to the amount of money available through the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission to construct new buildings, representing 60% of the cost.
Supt. Fogler said she plans to include parent engagement in meetings this fall and will have a schedule for those meetings at the Sept. 9 meeting of the Board of Education.
In focusing on the importance of Education, Supt. Fogler recalled that her ancestors came to this country from Greece and Ireland. “My great-grandparents probably did not complete elementary school and most of my grandparents did not receive a high school education. My father was the only one of four children to go on to college - only upon his parents’ insistence,” she commented.
“I only mention this to point out how education has changed over the years and how students can really make a dream happen. You don’t need to let obstacles keep you from making dreams come true,” she added.
“We as educators can only offer an education and teach kids, but the parents are so important in getting their children to seek and obtain a good education,” Supt. Fogler added.
Since Mrs. Fogler is a former school superintendent of the Strasburg schools, she was also asked if she is now a “True Warrior” or still cheering on the Starsburg Tigers”
Her response - “when I’m cheering varsity sports, I want the Warriors to win!” |
