Wayne Trail Students Send Care Packages To Soldiers In Afghanistan
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
Wayne Trail Elementary students are hoping to make Thanksgiving a little brighter for Marines stationed at a weapons platoon base in Afghanistan.
On September 26, care packages were assembled and sent to soldiers in the 1st Battalion 9th Marines Charlie Company in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
With an estimated delivery time of six weeks, student council members spearheading the collection expect the packages to arrive in time for Thanksgiving.
“We wanted to show our support for the troops there,” said fifth-grade teacher and student council advisor Kathy Eckhart, who coordinated the project along with fifth-grade teacher Christine Smith.
Eckhart’s son, Lance Cpl. Justin Eckhart, is serving a seven-month tour with the battalion.
“I didn’t do this just for my son; I did it for all soldiers there,” Eckhart said. “We send Justin care packages all the time, but some soldiers there don’t get anything.”
With no access to a shower, refrigerator or microwave and a daily diet that consists of “meals ready to eat,” the soldiers enjoy very few comforts of home, Eckhart said.
“The forward operating base is bare bones – there’s not much there in way of comfort,” she said.
Students collected a variety of items for the care packages including toothpaste, mouthwash, razors, canned fruits and vegetables, macaroni and cheese, hot cocoa, socks, gum, baby wipes and soap.
“The care packages provide additional things to make their lives more tolerable. They are things they might not be able to get there very easily,” Eckhart said.
The students set a goal of collecting 700 items, but that goal was quickly surpassed with more than 2,100 items collected.
“The response from Wayne Trail families and the staff is amazing and overwhelming,” Eckhart said.
She attributes the generous giving to a higher sense of public awareness for the troops overseas.
“The troops are viewed in a very positive way, and there are just a lot of giving people in Maumee,” she said.
In addition to sending much-needed items, the students also wrote letters to the soldiers to thank them for their service.
Eckhart said that her son’s platoon, which consists of 45 to 60 Marines, is based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
A 2006 graduate of Perrysburg High School, Justin completed boot camp training in August 2010. He has been in Afghanistan since May 2011, Eckhart said.
His battalion is expected to return to the United States in early January.
A total of 37 boxes were sent with shipping costs of $13.00 each paid from student council funds and a private donation by Eckhart.
Additional donations are being accepted to help offset shipping costs. Those interested in helping may contact Kathy Eckhart at Wayne Trail Elementary School at (419) 893-2851.

School Board Discusses Cuts If Operating Levy Fails
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
If a school levy fails in November, Maumee City Schools will need to cut $2.2 million from its budget.
At its September 26 meeting, the board of education discussed options should the 4.9-mill operating levy fail.
Voters will decide November 8 whether or not to approve the levy, which district treasurer Paul Brotzki says is necessary to keep the district solvent through 2015.
According to district superintendent Dr. Greg Smith, if it fails the district would have to eliminate both high school busing and the option of full-day kindergarten. In addition, fees would increase for extra-curricular activities.
Staff positions would also be cut, he said.
“This is not something I would like us to have to do,” Smith said.
The district would save approximately $143,000 if it eliminates high school busing and $300,000 if it eliminates the option of all-day kindergarten. The increase in pay-to-participate fees would also save the district approximately $100,000, he said.
In addition, 25 to 30 staff positions would also be cut, with the board considering reductions at all levels, Smith said.
Those would include the transportation supervisor, operational and support positions including custodial and secretarial staff, as well as teachers, he said.
The elimination of teachers would also mean the elimination of certain electives, he said.
“It can be done, but I’m am not advocating any of these options,” Smith said.
According to Smith, approximately five staff members are expected to retire at the end of this year, and it is likely their jobs will not be filled.
In past meetings, Brotzki has cited declining real estate valuation, the loss of state reimbursement from the commercial activity tax, and the loss of additional state and federal funding as reasons for declining revenue.
If the levy passes, the owner of a $100,000 home would pay an additional $150.06 annually, Brotzki said.
“We need to get the word out how much we need this levy and explain the consequences if this levy goes down,” board president Sylvia Washburn said.
Smith has several forums and meetings planned to explain the urgency for passing the levy.
“The reality is if we don’t have additional revenue, we have to address it, and the options aren’t pretty,” he said.
At the October 17 meeting, board members plan to review in greater detail the financial implications and the specific cuts necessary, including the teaching positions that would be eliminated if the levy fails.
In other action at the meeting, the board:
• Approved Red Ribbon Week for October 23-31.
• Approved a request for Matt Szyndler to attend the National Athletic Directors Conference on December 9-13.
• Approved overnight trips for the ice hockey team.
• Approved changing the time of board meetings from 5:30 to 5:45 p.m.

The next regular school board meeting will take place Monday, October 17 at 5:45 p.m. in the administration building.