Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: board of education

  • A resident’s Q&A Facts – Loveland City School District Levy

    A resident’s Q&A Facts – Loveland City School District Levy

    by Dale Friemoth

    Dale Friemoth is a Loveland School District resident and lives on East Loveland Avenue in Loveland.

    I have put together some facts on the proposed Loveland City School District (LCSD) Levy in a question and answer format with footnotes on sources.

    After gathering and evaluating these facts, I am voting NO on the Loveland School Levy on the November 5th ballot!

    Question

    I keep hearing about the Levy lasting for 3 years before the Loveland School Board believes they will need to come back to the voters for more money – are the levies on the ballot for 3 years or are they “permanent”?

    The levy on the ballot is divided into three sections totaling 16.78 mills1;  one is for 37 years and the other two are for “continuing period of time” or PERMANENT.

    1. 6.42 mills: Issue bonds for land purchase, construction bond, and improving sites – 37-year duration (This IS permanent for many voters; I’ll be nearly 100 in 37 years!)

    2. 3.41 mills: Funds for permanent improvements – permanent.

    3. 6.95 mills: Funds to pay operating expenses – permanent  (Note:  this is a 24% increase over the last Operating Fund Levy of 5.6 mills in passed in 20142).

    Question

    What is the monthly and yearly increase over what I’m currently paying for Loveland Schools?

    • This levy would be a 42% increase in the school taxes that you are currently paying.

    • You will pay an additional $49 per month ($587.30 per year) for every $100,000 of your home’s appraised value2.  Own a $250,000 home; your taxes increase ~$1,468 per year!

    Question

    I’m a renter, will I need to pay this tax levy?

    • As a renter, you typically would not pay a real estate tax directly, though common sense would tell us that landlords will attempt to pass on their increased costs.

    • This levy will impact you as well – ask your landlord what they intend to do if the levy passes!

    Question

    Will the Board purchase the land at Grailville even if the levy issue fails?

    • The Loveland School District has already paid a $100,000.00 non-refundable deposit on the Grailville property3.  According to Art Jarvis, President – Loveland Board of Education1 “The board will purchase the GV property if the levy fails. This levy represents needs, not wants.  Unfortunately, the GV (Grailville) property is the only suitable land available in the school district, and it will eventually be needed to expand for our growing student population and their educational needs.” 

    • Dr. Amy Crouse – Superintendent hedges this some stating “The Board of Education has not yet voted on any purchase of land.  The LCSDBOE must take formal action concerning the purchase of the property prior to March (2020) per the option-to-purchase contract with The Grail.”

    • Although not formally approved by the Board, the plan would be to pay for the $70,000 per acre ($7,700,000 total) land purchase using funds from the existing Permanent Improvement Levy that was approved to maintain existing buildings.

    • Use these funds instead of “diverting funds to pay for temporary solutions such as trailers for classroom space.2”

    • Use these funds so LSD won’t need “to continue to defer important safety and security upgrades2”.  (Currently deferring important safety and security upgrades – the community should be aghast!!)

    • Use these funds instead of “diverting funds from the classroom” so that we can make critical fixes in our schools.

    Question

    Has the Board of Education and school management held down operating expenses to reduce the impact on taxpayers?

    • Since the last Operating Expense Levy in 2014, the Loveland School District’s Operating Expenditures6 increased from $43,225, 390 to $55,568,450 projected for 2019, or 5% compounded annually with a large 13% increase from 2018 to 2019.

    • The Cost per Pupil went from $8,600 in 2014 to $10,689 in 2019 which is now $968 per pupil higher than the state average.

    • This 5% annual LSD expense growth compares to a 1.66% United States average inflation rate7 (2015-2019E) over the same basic time period. LSD operating expenses are increasing three times (3x) inflation!

    Question

    If the Levy fails, won’t the Loveland School District be in a financial crisis?

    • Loveland School District will have funds required to operate through the end of fiscal 2021 though the district would fall into “fiscal watch” after this time according to the Ohio Department of Education definition. 

    • There are multiple opportunities to put a reasonable levy on the ballot before the end of fiscal 2021, this is not a crisis!

    Question

    There has been extensive growth in housing and rental properties within the LSD the past 10+ years, have we seen this same growth in Loveland students attending our schools?

    • Loveland District total enrolment decreased from 4,566 to 4,462 in the past 10 years (2007/8 to 2017/18)6 even as the community residence numbers increased.

    • As they say for investments “past performance is not indicative of future results” but no one has presented any evidence supporting future headcount growth.

    Question

    Does the Levy fund updated and new Athletic & Extracurricular Facilities that are historically funded through boosters, private donations, & corporate sponsorships?

    • The LSD plans include ~$10M in athletic upgrades8 including: New turf fields for baseball, softball, & multi-use.;  New locker rooms, restroom facility, ticket booth, and gateway entrance; and New concessions building.

    • Plans also include $22.5M5,8 for a new performing arts building with an auditorium for ~1000 and six (6) additional classrooms.

    • This $32. M equals 20% of the total $165M “ask”.

    1Official ballot language

    2LCSD Website

    3LCSD contract to purchase The Grail land

    426-August-2019 e-mail to Loveland resident

    56-October-2019 letter to Loveland resident

    6Ohio Department of Education Score Card

    7U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

    8LCSD breakout of planned cost for implementing “Build Tiger Nation”

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  • Meeting Needs Now and for the Future

    Meeting Needs Now and for the Future

    by Dr. Amy Crouse

    As we launch a new school year at Loveland City Schools, I am particularly grateful to our community, which continues to support and invest in the greater good, especially for our children. Last week, more than 100 community members volunteered to prepare the playground at Loveland Early Childhood Center for our youngest Tigers to enjoy their first recess. And the community’s involvement has been evident throughout the past several years as hundreds of residents provided input in the district’s facility master planning process, where we extensively researched, assessed and vetted the district’s building and infrastructure needs, ultimately developing a plan that will adequately prepare our graduates.

    Dr. Amy Crouse is the Loveland City School District Superintendent

    The message heard from the community was clear: Loveland Schools must continue the positive momentum in academic achievement, yet the aging buildings need renovations and upgrades. With teachers using mobile carts and hallways for instruction and temporary trailer classrooms to absorb our overcrowded classrooms, we must modernize our facilities for our children and our community to have a strong future. The Loveland community expects a high-quality education and the reality is that we need to upgrade and expand science and technology laboratories to prepare students for college and 21st-century careers.

    The plan put forth and adopted unanimously by the Board of Education is cost-effective and unique to Loveland’s current and future needs. The plan:

    • reduces our reliance on trailers as classrooms and mobile carts and hallways for teaching;
    • provides safer and more secure learning environments at all of our schools with secure entrances, camera systems and electronically-activated locks to prevent intrusions;
    • updates and expands offerings of science, technology, engineering and math programs that are increasingly mandatory for colleges and careers.

    The bottom line is, we do a great job of maintaining our buildings and infrastructure, but we are to the point where it’s more costly to maintain than it is to upgrade or, in some cases, rebuild. The district’s facility needs will not go away; they will only increase in cost. There is no zero-cost option and without this levy investment we will need to continue diverting funds from the classroom so that we can make critical fixes in our schools.

    Strong schools mean a strong community, and I encourage everyone to make sure our schools are as strong as possible by joining us over the next couple of months at community conversations. Please see www.lovelandschools.org for all scheduled events. There will be a presentation at Loveland High School on September 12 at 7 p.m. where residents can learn more about the November 5th ballot issue and why it’s needed now. And, as always, please feel free to contact me directly with questions.

    In service to our Tigers.


  • [From the Loveland School District] November 2019 Levy FAQ

    [From the Loveland School District] November 2019 Levy FAQ

    Loveland, Ohio – Below is a post from the Loveland City School District about the combined 16.78-mill levy that will be on the Fall ballot. At the bottom of this page, you will find levy information provided by Loveland Magazine.

    Note: This resource will be updated with answers to additional commonly asked questions.

    Helpful Resources
    Directions for accessing the information from your county auditor can be found under “Calculating the Tax” on this website.

    For additional information about the Facility Master Plan and how it developed through extensive community involvement, please visit www.buildingtigernation.org.
    Do you have a question that is not answered in this FAQ? Over the coming weeks, there will be several opportunities for community involvement through small and large group meetings. The current schedule is available here. You are also welcome to call the Superintendent, Dr. Amy Crouse, or the district Treasurer, Mr. Hawley, who welcome the opportunity to answer your questions on the urgency and necessity of this levy request.

    Funding Questions

    1. What are the basics of the combined operating, permanent improvement levy and bond request? How will the dollars be used?

    The November 5 request includes an operating levy, which is necessary with or without the building levy, to run the daily operations of the school district. The permanent improvement and bond portions of the levy are for the much-needed modernization, construction, repairs, and renovations that are outlined in the facility master plan.

    2. What is an operating levy for?

    An operating levy is used to provide money for a school district’s day-to-day operating expenses, including utilities, supplies, and salaries/benefits for staff. The November 2019 operating levy for Loveland Schools is a continuous levy. It will be collected each year, but as home values increase, the tax rate will be reduced in order to hold the payment to the schools at a constant level. This is often referred to as the “tax reduction factor,” or the “HB 920 reduction factor.” HB 920 is a state law that protects homeowners from paying more money in taxes as their homes appreciate.

    This taxpayer protection means revenues remain flat for the schools during the life of the levy, but in the normal course of business, operating expenses rise due to inflation and increased educational requirements. This is the reason the schools typically must return to voters and ask for additional operating funds every three to five years.

    The last operating levy for Loveland Schools was forecasted to cover four years of expenses, and the district has been able to sustain operations for five and a half years since approval.

    3. What is a bond levy or bond issue?

    A bond levy is a special tax used to provide revenue to repay the loan, otherwise known as a bond issue, used for school construction projects, and can by law only be used for that purpose. A bond levy remains in place until the bond is paid off, in this case a maximum of 37 years for the proposed master plan.

    The last bond issue for Loveland Schools was passed in 1998. It provided the funds to build the current intermediate school, renovate the middle school and add an auxiliary gym and large classroom at the high

    school. The school buildings have been exceptionally well-maintained over the years, but two separate assessments, including one by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, show that the cost of maintaining the Early Childhood Center, Primary and Elementary Schools is more expensive than replacing them.

    4. What is a permanent improvement (PI) levy for?

    Like a bond levy, a permanent improvement levy (PI levy) can be used only for a certain category of needs. Per state law, funds from a PI levy can only be used for the purchase of items that have a lifespan of five years or more (a capital improvement), or to repay financings used to purchase or construct capital improvements. PI funds can be used for building construction, maintenance and repairs, and certain equipment that is designed to last at least five years. For example, they can be used to replace roofs, windows, and HVAC systems, etc. PI levies cannot be used to pay for salaries, benefits, operating expenses, or basic supplies.

    5. What will the impact be on our property taxes?

    The cost of the 16.78-mill combined operating and permanent improvement/bond levy translates into $587.30 annually or $49 monthly per $100,000 of appraised home value as determined by your local county auditor. For more details, please see the section “Calculating the Tax” on this page.

    6. What is a “mill?”

    A mill is the unit of value for expressing the rate of property taxes in Ohio. It is defined as 1/10 of a percent or 1/10 of a cent (0.1 cent). “Millage” is the factor applied to the assessed value of property to produce tax revenue.
    7.  What’s the difference between the appraised value and the assessed value of a home?

    For tax purposes, a home is taxed on its assessed value, not its appraised or market value. The assessed value is 35% of the appraised value as determined by the local county auditor. For example, a home that is appraised at $100,000 by the auditor is taxed only on $35,000.

    8. Why is the Board of Education requesting this combined levy now rather than in phases?

    The master plan was developed through extensive analysis with subject matter experts and community engagement over the past several years, including large community meetings, targeted focus groups, and a community-based finance committee, which concluded that the chosen plan is the most cost effective for residents. The district is able to take advantage of historically low interest rates at this time and the adopted master plan will be completed in the shortest timeframe possible, minimizing the disruption to students and instruction, as well as the impact of increasing cost of materials and construction over time.

    9. Is there another way to generate the money needed other than using a property tax? For example, a sales tax or an income tax?

    By law, a school district cannot levy a sales tax. The district evaluated alternatives, including an income tax, but the current plan as presented was determined to be the least costly to the greatest number of residents by a group of community member volunteers. This group worked on various funding options with the assistance of a taxation specialist retained by the Board of Education. The current plan provides the least costly option based on several primary factors: current low interest rates, anticipated (high) future inflation rates, and potentially expensive future unfunded state mandates.

    10. How is the district financially accountable and how has it maintained the existing infrastructure?

    The district consistently earns accolades for strong fiscal management and excellent record keeping. This includes a high bond rating from Moody’s of Aa2. The district has a solid history of only asking the voters for what it needs and then making additional adjustments to the budget to stretch the dollars. Only 32% of the district budget comes from the state and the remainder is locally-generated revenue. It has been five years since the district asked for operating dollars and at that time promised the taxpayers it would last four years. In addition, the only remaining bond issue in the district will be paid in full within the next five years.

    The district operates on an ongoing five-year maintenance plan to ensure safety, provide for upkeep, and to extend the life of the buildings. As buildings age, however, they become increasingly more difficult and costly to maintain.

    11. How does our per pupil spending compare to other similar districts?

    The state average for per-pupil spending is $11,953/year. As a fiscally conservative district, Loveland spends approximately $1,000 less, but allocates proportionally more to classroom instruction. Compared to other, similar school districts in the area, the district spends less than Mason, Forest Hills, Madeira, Wyoming, Mariemont, and $4,000 less per pupil than Sycamore and $5,000 less than Indian Hill.

    12. What happens if the ballot issue fails?

    The financial needs and the needs of the buildings in the district will not go away. The facility master plan outlines the repairs, renovations and additions that are needed today; the cost of meeting those needs will continue to increase over time. Without the necessary operating funds, the Board of Education would have to evaluate and execute budget cuts, which would have a direct impact on classroom instruction and the quality of education in the district.

    Facility Master Plan Questions

    1. What is the new property the school district is considering purchasing? Why is it needed and what are the plans for current properties?

    The Loveland Board of Education adopted a resolution at the March 19 business meeting to approve a contract for the option to purchase real estate in Clermont County. The approximately 110-acre large piece of land – part of a property known as Grailville – is currently owned by the Grail, an Ohio nonprofit organization. The Grail plans to maintain property on the opposite side of O’Bannonville Road.

    For the first time in many years, Loveland Schools has the opportunity to purchase a large enough plot of land for a new campus. The current LPS/LES and LECC campuses are not large enough to allow for additions or to demolish and build new, based on state recommendations for the current (and projected) number of students at these locations. The district is looking into various options for the LECC and Loveland-Madeira campuses once vacated, but no decisions have been made, and cannot be made until a bond is passed.

    2. Why does the master plan show three buildings on the Grailville site?  

    The current 1st-4th grade building is really two buildings in terms of square footage – the number of students requires two gyms, two cafeterias, two entrances, and two admin suites. Today, Loveland’s Pre-K through 5th grade students are spread across four different buildings on three campuses. The efficiency in the master plan is captured by sharing a campus. It is more efficient to maintain one versus multiple campuses. Very large elementary schools are undesirable for the learning and developmental needs of students,  which is why the new master plan has three buildings (PK/K; 1st-2nd; 3rd-5th) on the Grailville site.

    3. What will the impact of a new campus be on traffic? 

    The district is in the early stages of working on possible bussing and routing alternatives. Preliminary mapping shows a reduction of trips through downtown Loveland and the opportunity to go in the opposite direction of “rush hour” traffic. The campus will be accessible from both O’Bannonville Road and Route 48/Oakland Road, and the property is large enough for improved staging for buses and parents. It will not be a high school campus, so student drivers will not be impacted by the plan. Currently, about 50 percent of the students are transported daily from Hamilton County to Clermont County (and vice versa) for school, which will not change by adding the new campus.

    Once a bond is passed, approximately a year of designing the campus and at least another year of construction will follow. Students will not move into new buildings until the fall of 2022 at the earliest, which provides ample time to seek positive solutions for safe transportation. The district continues to have a strong relationship with the City of Loveland and Miami Township and will work with them to accomplish a mutually agreeable plan for bussing and routing.

    4. What does the phasing/timing of the master plan look like? Isn’t the plan just a “wish list?” 
    The bond levy will provide the full budget for the comprehensive facility master plan. According to the plan, new buildings and additions will be ready for students in the fall of 2022, and the renovations at the other campuses will be completed by the end of 2025. The plan outlines the needs that have been identified through two separate expert assessments of the district’s buildings and properties, and captures input from hundreds of community members, staff members, and students.
    5. Is the master plan presented the one that the community and focus groups wanted?
    Yes. The community input sessions and focus groups recommended two master plans – the first of which focused on a new high school, and the second of which was recommended by the finance committee for being the most cost effective. It was presented to the Board of Education for adoption and was selected because it achieves the following:
    • Addresses the space and facility needs identified in two separate assessments.
    • Can be completed in the shortest amount of time, limiting disruption to students and staff and minimizing costs that increase over time.
    • Provides for the safety of students and staff.
    • Captures the input of community, staff, and students.
    • Allows for additional programming; supports instruction for students that will allow them to compete in the 21st century workforce; and maintains the momentum in academic improvements at Loveland.

    Key components of the plan:

    • Provides new buildings for Pre-K – 5th grade.
    • Provides a building addition, as well as repairs, renovations and enhancements to the high school.
    • Provides repairs, renovations and enhancements to the middle school.
    6. Looking in the future, when is it estimated that a new high school will need to be built?  
    The high school was built in 1992. A school building typically has a lifespan of about 50 years, so the current high school facility has ample useful life remaining. The assessments of LHS supported repairs and renovations of the current facility rather than replacement, but also that additions are necessary due to overcrowding. (A summary of the assessments is available here.)
    7. What efforts have been made to secure a corporate partner for the master plan?

    The district has reached out to several groups/corporations that have successfully partnered with other districts in the area. In these arrangements, the district is typically required to fund the development

    of land or facility space. Once built, however, the third-party partners could manage the facility and share operating costs or other gain-share arrangements. Such partnerships may benefit the school district later, but the upfront cost of construction increases.

    The district has identified corporate partners that are willing to provide lab equipment and furnishings for specific programming in the new facilities. In addition, it is possible that the Loveland City School District would provide a small amount of square footage at the Pre-K – 5th grade campus to a partner to operate a health clinic that would be accessible to students, families, and the community.

    The master plan does not include a community center, pool or other community facility at this time, but the district is open to discussions on future use of the properties that will be vacated per the master plan. Discussion will continue with other parties and entities, including the City of Loveland, who are interested in collaboration on what type of use would best serve the community.

    The next meetings of the Board of Education are:

    August 15 – Board business meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. in the LMS/LIS Media Center.

    September 3 – Board work sessions are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Board of Education administrative offices.

    To contact Board members:

    President, Art Jarvis jarvisar@lovelandschools.org

    Vice President, Kathryn Lorenz, Ph.D. lorenzka@lovelandschools.org

    Member, Michele Pettit pettitmi@lovelandschools.org

    Member, Ned Portune portunne@lovelandschools.org

    Member,  Eileen Washburn washbuei@lovelandschools.org 

    To contact the Administration

    Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse (513) 683-5600 crouseam@lovelandschools.org 

    Treasurer/CFO Kevin Hawley (513) 683-5600 treasurer@lovelandschools.org

    Read: Grailville and School District Option to Purchase Agreement and Appraisal

     

    Loveland Magazine “Local Voter Guide” to issues and candidates

  • Loveland City School District presents facility master plan options to the community

    Loveland City School District presents facility master plan options to the community

    Recommendation to be delivered to the Board of Education this spring

    Loveland, Ohio – At the third “Building Tiger Nation” community meeting in January, the Loveland City School District presented seven facility master plan options and accompanying concept budget estimates, which were developed by architects following assessments of the school buildings in 2018.

    “Each option presented represents a combination of repairs and renovations to existing buildings and the creation of new facilities,” said Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse. “It is clear that we don’t have any zero-cost options going forward. Simply maintaining our current facilities will require substantial funding in the years to come. And if we do nothing, our students’ educational needs will continue to be compromised by the ineffectiveness of our school buildings.”

    “I will meet with district staff members to hear their comments and we’ll set up an online system for feedback on the Building Tiger Nation website so that we can continue to gather community opinion as we narrow down the options,” said Dr. Crouse. “Focus groups will dive deeper into certain aspects, like renovations and the potential addition of a fine arts center and an athletic complex. The community’s involvement is invaluable in the master planning process, which is ultimately guided by the needs of our students and teachers.”

    The work of the “Building Tiger Nation” Finance Committee, launched in October 2018 as a forum for school finance education and discussion, will now shift gears to focus on analyzing the financing options available and developing a recommendation that will be presented to the Board of Education with the facility master plan this spring. All meetings of the Finance Committee are open to the public. For more information, visit www.buildingtigernation.org.

    TIMELINE

    CALENDAR

    CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW LARGER

    Follow this LINK to see all of the options in greater detail.

  • Former Board of Education member Linda Pennington passes

    Former Board of Education member Linda Pennington passes

    Loveland, Ohio – Longtime Board of Education Member Linda Pennington retired from her service, on April 18, 2017. Mrs. Pennington began serving the students of the Loveland City School District in 1995 and was vice-president six times in that span.

    Longtime friend, colleague, and current Board Vice-President, Kathy Lorenz told Loveland Magazine today, “I can tell you that even as she was confined to a care center, she and I still discussed how things were going in Loveland and she talked about wanting to run again. Linda believed she had a special constituency in Loveland and wanted to serve them well and she was concerned about every taxpayer. She was concerned about every child and got on the board to advocate for the ones in need, for the academically gifted, for the athletes, for the just-plain-average important student.”

    At the time of her retirement, Loveland Superintendent Chad Hilliker said, “Mrs. Pennington has been a leader of positive change for the students in the Loveland City School District; her dedication to the Board of Education is quite remarkable. Mrs. Pennington has been a treasure to our educational community.”

    Lorenz also said today that Pennington had a gift and passion for rewarding accomplishments and achievements and she was constantly looking for ways that the Board could show appreciation for students, faculty, and staff who were doing their jobs well. “Linda and I didn’t agree on everything but we agreed on what we were working for – the children of Loveland. She served Loveland well as a board member and even before that as a parent, PTA member, and PTA President. We will miss her,” said Lorenz.

    Linda (nee Gulley)Pennington

    Linda C. (nee Gulley) Pennington, born February 3rd, 1950 to Richard and Nettie Gulley, passed away October 12th, 2018 at the age of 68. Linda was the beloved wife of Gary L. Pennington for 49 years. Loving mother of Gina (Doug) Ogden and Lisa (Ben) Dalton. Cherished mamaw of five grandbabies; Alexis Wiles, Julia Ogden, Kylee, Avery and Ashton Dalton. Dear sister of Bonnie Harper and the late Cecil Coy, Don Gulley, Barb Snyder and Betty Schmitz.

    Linda was deeply involved with Loveland Community for 30 plus years. She was passionate about the best interest of all children. Linda showed this by being involved in a number of organizations including Junior Women’s Club, PTA and serving on the Loveland School Board for 22 years. She was an integral part of enhancing the educational experience for the students of Loveland City Schools.

    Friends will be received Wednesday, October 17 from 6-8 PM in the Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home, 129 N. Riverside Ave., Loveland, where funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 AM. Interment Rest Haven Memorial Park.

    In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the NEST. The NEST provides sound Nutrition and targeted Education in a Safe neighborhood environment to Transform the outcome of at-risk school-age children. Donations can be made through nestclc.org/donate.

     

  • Late start for the school year proposal stirring up controversy

    Late start for the school year proposal stirring up controversy

    Statehouse could withhold funding for schools that start before September 3rd

    ““Bills that reduce the flexibility of that local control are cause for concern.” 

    – Loveland City School Superintendent, Dr. Amy Crouse

    Loveland, Ohio – School starting after September 3rd? Well I’m sure the students wouldn’t mind!

    The Ohio General Assembly Senate Bill 34 and House Bill 549 would both require the state to hold education funds if school districts started their school year before September 3rd. The bills do state that schools would be able to make the decision to start before September 3rd, without losing any state funding, only if the school board of that particular district held a public hearing 30 days before the decision would be put into action.

    Local School Openings for 2018

    Loveland: August 21

    Milford: August 15

    Little Miami: August 13

    Kings: August 15

    Sycamore: August 15

    Loveland City School Superintendent, Dr. Amy Crouse strongly supports the local decision-making ability of the Board of Education.

    “Bills that reduce the flexibility of that local control are cause for concern,” Crouse said when asked her opinion on the two bills, “Planning the school calendar takes into consideration many factors and the school boards need to be able to respond to changing local and state factors that might impact the student experience.”

    The majority of the School District Business Administrators as well as Ohio’s Superintendent Association oppose the bill stating that it gets in the way of the boards required “local flexibility” in meeting the educational needs of the students.

    “Some factors are ‘fixed’ that we need to consider. These include things like: Fall sports schedules, increasing student instructional time prior to testing dates for Advanced Placement courses, ACT, or state assessments, planning around holiday breaks, the number of day or hours required by the state, and the number of days in staff contracts. Some factors are locally driven like planning for weather, construction projects, or local community needs,” Crouse said.

    Read the Senate version S. B. No. 34

    State Bill 34 states that it will not make any adjustments to the state’s testing schedule or make any decisions in regards to the school’s calendars. According to Crouse, “The impact of any school start date is reflected in the number of days provided at holiday break times and in the date for the last day of school.”

    A whopping 59 percent of Ohio residents, according to a poll taken by The Ohio Travel Association, supports Ohio schools starting after September 3rd and preferably on the same day to get a sense of uniformity across the state. Ohio residents agree that the later start date would not only benefit students with summer jobs and internships, but also family vacations.

    Read the House version House Bill 549_00_IN

    One of the most interesting statistics pointed out by voters in this poll is that 71 percent claimed that teaching students in the August heat is actually more detrimental to their learning than helpful. Ohio teachers agreed with the voters adding that starting school before Labor Day would be detrimental to their learning as well because they would no longer have as much time to pursue advance degrees and added training over the summer. Unfortunately, advanced learning would also be hard for students seeking college course credits because their high school schedule would no longer align with Ohio’s University schedules.

    With all the pressure being put on the Ohio General Assembly to make a decision on this controversial matter there’s no doubt that a decision will be made sooner than later. Loveland residents can only hope that the final decision made benefits those that matter most; the students and the teachers.

    Want to contact the State House to weigh in on the pending bills?

    These are the House members representing the 45140 zip code. Click the image to contact them.

    Contact your Ohio Senator

     

     

    RP Diamond Printing & Embroidery

      RP Diamond is the exclusive retailer of LOVELAND HIGH SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR Welcome to  RP Diamond Printing & Embroidery located at 370 Loveland Madeira Road.

  • New Loveland Middle School (LMS) assistant principal to join team

    New Loveland Middle School (LMS) assistant principal to join team

    Sara Gehring is the new LMS assistant principal

    Loveland, Ohio – The Board of Education approved administrator and educator Sara Gehring as the new LMS assistant principal. Gehring comes to the district from the Mount Healthy City School District where she has served as the executive director of student services since 2015.

    Gehring began serving students at Mount Healthy in 2006, and during that time has worked as an intervention specialist and student services coordinator.

    She earned her bachelor’s degree in history from University of Ohio, Miami University in 2005, and her master’s degree in special education from Xavier University in 2010. Gehring has her licensure in education administration from Xavier University (2010) and her superintendent licensure from University of Ohio, Miami University (2017).

    The addition of Gehring to the LMS team is part of a cost-neutral restructure according to a release from the District; LMS Assistant Principal Jayson Bruce will continue in his current role and assume additional athletic responsibilities for the middle school.

  • Loveland School District Financial Update

    Loveland School District Financial Update

    Terrah Floyd is the Interim Treasurer & CFO of the Loveland City School District

    By Terrah Floyd,

    Loveland’s recent update to the district’s financial projections show that the district remains committed to keeping the promises made from the last levy – to make the last levy last through 2018 through conservative fiscal management while maintaining excellent educational opportunities for the students we serve. The district’s forecast, called the five-year financial forecast, was approved by the Board at the April 17 Business Meeting. The five-year financial forecast is a tool that aligns our income and expenses to our district’s current and future goals with respect to academics, operations and facilities. There are some updates to note.

    The district is investing in additional school building safety and security updates. These are needed in order to keep pace with the current safety and security needs and to reflect the changing times.

    First, the forecast shows that the district is investing in additional school building safety and security updates. These are needed in order to keep pace with the current safety and security needs and to reflect the changing times. They include placing fire-code approved locks on interior doors of our buildings, and plan for increased school resource officer presence.

    Plans include placing fire-code approved locks on interior doors of our buildings, and plan for increased school resource officer presence.

    The district is engaging in a Master Planning process with the community. This is an investment, and it is critical to the long-term planning and operations of the district. Aging buildings bring significant costs, and in order to help minimize these for the future we are working now to make sure that we are deliberate about our next steps.

    In fact, we will be able to stretch it a bit longer, and anticipate that an operating levy will be needed in 2019.

    Loveland continues to stretch every dollar and to wisely plan for the future. Our Board of Education kept the promise of making the last levy last through 2018. In fact, we will be able to stretch it a bit longer, and anticipate that an operating levy will be needed in 2019. Operating levies fund the day-to-day operations of our schools like staff, programs, textbooks and supplies.

    To provide you with relevant history, the Loveland City School District passed a 5.6 mill operating levy in May of 2014; passage of the levy provided the district the opportunity to invest in and enrich the excellent education we provide by enhancing the classroom experience for the 4,800 students we serve. None of these investments could have happened without your support, and – as always – we offer a sincere thank you to those who believed in our mission and continue to support our district.

  • [VIDEO] The State of Our Schools

    [VIDEO] The State of Our Schools

    By Dr. Amy Crouse, Loveland Superintendent

    We promised a GIANT open house with students as your tour guides – and the State of Schools event certainly delivered! Students – at all grade levels – talking one-on-one about their learning around the three core district goals of Growth, Innovation and Care… student-musicians and student-artists celebrating their creativity… our Loveland student-athletes sharing their successes – all under one roof. It absolutely made my heart swell to see our kiddos informed, engaged and in charge of creating the futures they want to grow into!

    This event was the Loveland City School District, up close and very personal.

    It was also a reflection of work we have accomplished as a district to enhance the experience for our students as a direct result of the Destination Loveland Task Force meetings, when a group of Loveland parents, community members and business leaders joined our educators, staff and administrators in developing our future goals to create a world-class student experience.

    It is now time to take the work that group began to the next level with the Destination Loveland Task Force (DLTF) who will reconvene to continue the process of creating the future we want for our district. We will outline specific goals and timelines for achieving them. We will engage experts to lead us on this journey of growth. We will do it together. This is the work of our , and it is no small task that we are facing as a district.

    Our Tigers – the very students who spent that Thursday night sharing their academic Growth, their passion for Innovation, their ability to Care, their beautiful music, their sophisticated art, their spectacular athletic pursuits deserve the very best that we can provide them. Their future depends on it. We will not fail them.

    It is the Tiger way  

    In service to our Tigers

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    Loveland Sweets – Fine Candies

    Loveland Sweets is a purveyor of hand-crafted chocolates, caramels, marshmallows, and ice creams. Our house-made candies are prepared in small batches using only the…

  • Dr. Amy Crouse named superintendent of Loveland City Schools

    Dr. Amy Crouse named superintendent of Loveland City Schools

    Board of Education makes official decision at March 15 Special Meeting

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District has announced the search for the permanent superintendent of Loveland School District is complete; in a unanimous vote the Loveland Board of Education made official their selection of Dr. Amy Crouse as the new educational leader at the March 15 Special Meeting.

     

    “The Board of Education, working with the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), found the best of the best candidates to interview, and sought feedback from the administrative team, the Tiger staff and the Loveland community before making this decision; we feel confident in our choice to name Dr. Amy Crouse as our new superintendent,” said Loveland Board of Education President Art Jarvis in a statement issued to the press. “During her tenure as interim superintendent, Dr. Crouse has worked tirelessly to ensure the district continued to focus efforts on enhancing the experience for our students. We know she is the perfect leader to push forward our key initiatives of Tiger academic growth, Tiger innovation and Tiger care.”

    Dr. Amy Crouse is the new educational leader in Loveland

    Crouse joined the Loveland administration as the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning in August of 2014; she came to the district with 21 years of education experience on her resume. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in elementary education in 1990, her master’s in education administration from the University of Cincinnati (UC) in 1997, and her doctorate of education from UC in 2012, where she served as an adjunct professor in educational leadership in 1998, 2000, and 2010-2014. She began serving students as a teacher in 1993 at schools in Illinois, then North Carolina, before taking an administrative role as an assistant principal for West Clermont Local Schools in Cincinnati (1997) and then principal for that same district (1999). She moved to the Princeton City School District to serve as curriculum coordinator (2004), director of curriculum and instruction (2008) and served that district as associate superintendent (2012-2014).

    In addition, Dr. Crouse has been a featured conference presenter and contributing author to multiple publications, according to the press release issued by the District.

    “It is humbling to have the privilege to serve my Tiger Family in this role,” said Crouse in the statement. “With the full support of the Board of Education, we are laying the ground work right now for advancements in the student experience that will game-change the way this district does business, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue to collaborate with our Tiger staff and our Loveland community to make it happen. It is an exciting time to be a Tiger!”

    “Dr. Crouse is a proven educational leader,” added Jarvis. “Her accomplishments within our district are already outstanding – from developing a strategic plan to include our classroom educational leaders in researching and investing in the best teaching tools for our students, to bringing innovative learning to our classrooms, to growing our academic programs with a partnership with the University of Cincinnati just this year – she has already enhanced our student experience. The Board of Education is excited to support her leadership in accomplishing our vision.”