Madison Messenger - March 21st, 2021

www.madisonmessengernews.com March 21, 2021 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 3
Enrollment down this year but growth expected
By Josephine Birdsell
Staff Writer
The Cowardly Lion had it right.
The lovable, yet nervous, feline from
“The Wizard of Oz” famously dreamed for
bravery.
With a swipe of a pen in signing a proclamation
at their March 2 meeting, the Madison
County commissioners endorsed March
as Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness
Month. This year’s theme is to take
time to know someone with a disability and
recognize that they “Have Courage.”
Annually, the commissioners endorse
DD Awareness Month. They support the
Madison County Board of Developmental
Disabilities (MCBDD) and the people the
board serves throughout the year.
“The fact that ‘Have Courage’ is the
theme this year is very appropriate,” said
MCBDD Superintendent Susan Thompson.
“So many of the individuals we serve have
shown courage this past year as we all know
the difficult challenges that the pandemic
has presented.”
On hand for the proclamation signing
were MCBDD consumers Laura Cotton and
Debbie Morris, as well as their direct service
provider, CRSI’s Judy Coy.
Following a five-year growth trend, London
City Schools experienced a 2 percent
drop in enrollment this school year over last
school year.
While enrollment at the middle school
and high school grew modestly this year, the
elementary school’s enrollment decreased
by 72 students—a significant drop.
“We can attribute that specifically to a
smaller kindergarten class and (an increase)
in the number of children who chose to be
homeschooled this year. We would suspect
both of those factors are likely due to the pan-
Celebrating courage
demic,” said Dr. Lou Kramer, superintendent.
Despite this year’s decrease, district
leaders expect enrollment to grow over the
next several years.
From the 2015-16 academic year to 2019-
20, the district’s enrollment grew by 180
students. Projections show an additional
200 students in the next five years as more
families are attracted to London due to increases
in economic development and housing
in the area.
“This year was somewhat of a blip. Once
pandemic restrictions ease even further
back to normal, the growth pattern should
be back to normal,” Kramer said.
“These ladies represent the many people
we serve who have had several aspects of
their lives uprooted due to the pandemic,”
Thompson said. “But they, like countless
others, have been fortunate to have helpful
direct care staff like Judy who have helped
guide them through these unprecedented
times.”
MCBDD Family Support Services Director
Carol Ansel shared with the commissioners
the process through which
individuals with disabilities have received
the COVID-19 vaccine. This included a registration
process facilitated by Ansel and
her staff, as well vaccines administered by
MCBDD’s Health Services Coordinator
Denise Zerkle, a registered nurse. Ansel
and Thompson acknowledged the assistance
offered by Madison County Public Health.
“The organization of the vaccine schedule
by Carol and her staff have allowed us to be
more efficient with the distribution at the
Madison County Board of DD Office,”
Thompson said. “Also, we are fortunate to
have Denise to administer the vaccine as
she was a familiar face who helped calm a
potentially-stressful situation.”
The district will use the enrollment projections
to make decisions about personnel,
programs and facilities.
Existing programs are retaining and attracting
students, so the district will continue
its available programs, Kramer said.
In August and September 2020, district
leaders met with architects to consider potential
renovations at the high school, the
building experiencing the fastest enrollment
growth. Decision were put on hold, pending
the pandemic’s impact on enrollment.
In other news, the district returned to
fully in-person instruction on March 1. In
the week of March 8, 20 students and staff
members—out of a total campus population
of 2,500—were isolated or quarantined due
to exposure to COVID-19.
OPENING FOR
THE SEASON
119 S. MAIN ST., LONDON, OH 43140
“We’re really excited to be back, and so
far our students and our families are just as
excited as we are,” Kramer said.
The district is providing an optional summer
intervention program for all students to
prepare for the 2021-22 school year.
Elementary and middle school students
can sign up for a series of three two-week
sessions centered around various themes.
The program will take place in person on
campus. The district will provide transportation,
breakfast and lunch for participating
students. So far, 160 elementary
school students and 61 middle school students
have signed up. High school students
can participate in a blended program, completing
most course work online with occasional
in-person classes.
ST
APRIL 1, 2021
WEEKLY PRODUCE SUBSCRIPTION,
FARM FRESH VEGGIES & MEAT
SHARE OPTIONS AVAILABLE.
TO REGISTER GO TO:
www.protercenter.org/farm
On March 2, the Madison County commissioners signed a proclamation designating
March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. They were joined by several individuals
served by Madison County Board of DD: (front row) Laura Cotton, Debbie Morris,
CRSI Direct Service Provider Judy Coy; (back row) MCBDD Family Support Services Director
Carol Ansel, commissioners Mark Forrest and Chris Wallace, MCBDD Superintendent
Susan Thompson, Commissioner Tony Xenikis and County Administrator Rob Slane.