Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Tag: board of education

[Video] Loveland School Board meeting of April 30

Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Board of Education met on April 30.

Here is the meeting agenda: BoardDocs® Pro

Here are the LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV videos – Part 1 and 2.

May 7, 2020
The LHS 2020 “Safe” Graduation will be May 23

WHO

LHS CLASS OF 2020

WHY

Award Diplomas and honor the accomplishments of LHS graduates

Loveland, Ohio – Loveland High School (LHS) has announced a “Structured and Controlled In-Person Graduation Ceremony” for the Class of 2020. The commencement ceremony will be held on the day originally scheduled. It will be held at Loveland High School.

“The Class of 2020 deserves to have the most memorable ceremony possible given the current circumstances,” said LHS Principal Peggy Johnson. “While this is not the traditional ceremony that we had envisioned for our seniors when we started out this school year, we feel it is the most personal of all options given us by the Ohio Department of Education.”

EVENTS

May 13 – Drive Through Cap and Gown Distribution

Graduates will be given an appointment time and remain in their cars for the entire process. All LHS staff members will be wearing face masks and will adhere to health and safety guidelines. Any items or materials distributed to graduates will be sanitized and quarantined for at least 72 hours prior to distribution. Graduates will receive their rental gown, cap, and tassel. Graduates earning cords will receive them.

May 13 – Virtual Senior Awards Ceremony

The LHS staff will “host” the ceremony as if speaking to a packed house in the auditorium.

The goal is to honor the accomplishments the graduates have achieved. “Unfortunately, we are not able to hold our traditional Senior Awards Ceremony honoring students for a variety of accomplishments to include our Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Top 10 of the class, scholarship winners, military accolades, academic medals and pins, and much more.” This ceremony is also typically the night many “Local” scholarships are announced.

This year, the Class of 2020 will be celebrated virtually. The LHS staff will “host” the ceremony as if speaking to the usually packed house in the LHS auditorium during this annual event. The event will be video recorded and shared. “Our hope is that we can release it later in the day on May 13 so you can view it that evening.” As in the past, scholarship winners are not announced until the evening of the ceremony so most of what will be announced is a surprise.

May 23 – “Single Family In-Person” graduation ceremony

Graduation will be held on May 23, the originally scheduled date.

Families will be called into the Ron DeWitt auditorium at the High School one-by-one (no more than 10 people total including the school administrators). Graduates are permitted to bring 4 guests. The student walks across the stage, receives a diploma and their 4 guests remain in the general seating area.

Graduation speeches by school officials, student speakers, and musical performances will be recorded prior to the ceremony.

The entire graduation ceremony will be video recorded and shared.

Graduates and their families will exit the auditorium through a side door that will lead them to the cafeteria where they will return their rental graduation gown. The student and guests return back to their vehicle.

Any items or materials distributed to graduates will be sanitized and quarantined for at least 72 hours prior to distribution.

May 5, 2020
Loveland Board of Education to fill 2 Vacancies
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland City School District board member Art Jarvis did not attend the April 30 Board meeting but instead resigned before it started. At the beginning of the meeting, President Kathy Lorenz read a letter Jarvis sent to the Board. You can watch a video clip of her reading the letter below.

Board member Ned Portune attended the meeting and resigned his position after it was over. You can read the statement he sent to Loveland Magazine the next morning below.

Both resignations were effective immediately and follow the apparent overwhelming defeat a vote on an operating levy announced the day before. (Loveland Levy apparently fails by wide margin)

According to a press release issued by the District the day after the meeting, the vacancies are expected to be filled at the May 12 board meeting.

The release also said that the board is now seeking candidates to replace Jarvis and Portune. It says that applicants should submit a “notice of interest” by Email to Treasurer Kevin Hawley (hawleyke@lovelandschools.org) by 5 PM on Monday, May 4.

Applicants should include biographical information, address, affirmation of voter registration, and a short statement describing qualifications and reasons for filling the role of Board Member of the Loveland City School District. Both of these positions would be for service through December 2021.

Remaining Board members are Dr. Kathryn Lorenz, Board President, Michele Pettit, and Eileen Washburn.
For Immediate Release. 5/1/2020

It is with sadness that I acknowledge my departure from the Loveland City Schools Board of Education. My resignation is for personal reasons, and should not be interpreted as a negative reflection of my faith in, and support of, the district leadership.

As I have said previously, students and teachers alike can’t be successful if they aren’t in the right culture of care, support, learning, and high expectations set by their administrators. And as such, our administrative team and educational staff have raised the bar of expectations at Loveland well beyond “average.” The improvements our district has experienced, and the achievements our students have accomplished over the past several years have been tremendous. Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse and Treasurer Kevin Hawley are tireless champions for our students, and perform their roles with exceptional grace and integrity, as do Dr. Kathy Lorentz and the rest of the Board. I am grateful to have worked with this team.

As community members, we should all take pride in what we have accomplished together over the past several years, and the reputation for excellence that has been achieved by our schools. This success is only possible with support. I know I am proud to have been a part of a list that includes:

moving key state report card grades to A and B from C, D and F,

improving from 433rd (out of 610 districts) to 22nd in ODE’s Value Added rankings,

LES students performing on average 20% higher than the State average in Reading/Math for AIR and exceeding MAP projections, on average, at 20% higher than the National average,

100% of all third graders meeting the Third Grade Reading Guarantee for 3 consecutive years,

LIS students scoring 20% higher than the state average in 3 of 5 areas, and 15% higher in all 5,

8th grade foreign language curriculum increasing from 150 students receiving HS credit to 227 students, and foreign language exposure in 7th grade increasing from 0 students to 185,

LHS increasing AP offerings to 24 courses serving 428 students, up from 291 in 2016, and our students earning AP Honor Roll for 2 years (a distinction given only to the top 3% of districts in the US and Canada), with 80% scoring a 3 or higher,

Over 40% of our LHS seniors earning college credit through AP or CCP offerings,

LHS adding 20 new elective offerings, and adding Transition to Work programming with multiple community sites,

Developing 6-12 College and Career counseling programming, and adding class-leading Teaching, Business and IT programs,

LHS ranking in Cincinnati Magazine improving to 8th out of 80 local high schools, and receiving the Momentum Award from ODE for the last three years.

And this doesn’t begin to address the improvements in gifted and special education services, social-emotional support improvements, or individual awards and accolades our students and teachers themselves have received across all of our schools. Add to that the readiness and excellent implementation of remote learning which has kept our students learning during a time no one could have predicted. Our administrators and educators have truly moved the bar higher for our students, and we should all celebrate that accomplishment.

Today, the district, its staff, students, and parents are entering an unprecedented time in our history. The right thing to do is to be positive, helpful and supportive in keeping our schools operational and our students successful. I believe we as a community will do that moving forward.

It has been an honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to serve our schools and this great community with this Board. I will continue to be a fervent supporter of Loveland Schools and our students.

-Ned Portune
May 3, 2020
U. S. News: Best High Schools in Ohio
U. S. News has released its annual report on the nation’s high schools.

Ohio had 732 school districts supporting 902 high schools in the 2017-18 academic year. Students are assessed via mathematics and English proficiency tests.

Loveland High School is ranked 55th within Ohio out of 902 schools.

Ohio high school students must earn at least 20 credits in various subjects, including four credits of English language arts, four of math, three of science, and three of social studies. High schoolers in Ohio must also learn economics and financial literacy to graduate, as well as take two or more semesters of fine arts, according to the Ohio Department of Education.

How U. S. News Rank the Best High Schools »

Quick Stats for Loveland H.S.

Grades

9-12

Total Enrollment

1,443

Student-Teacher Ratio

18:1

Overview of Loveland High School

Loveland High School is ranked 55th within Ohio. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Loveland High School is 50%. The total minority enrollment is 7%, and 11% of students are economically disadvantaged.

#1,745 in National Rankings

Overall Score 90.19/100

Top Ranked Cincinnati Metro Area Schools
Top Ranked Ohio Schools
1. 1. #1Ottawa Hills High School
  2. #2 Walnut Hills High School
  3. #3 Bexley High School
  4. #4 Solon High School
  5. #5 Indian Hill High School
  6. #6 Wyoming High School
  7. #7 Chagrin Falls High School
  8. #8 Mariemont High School
  9. #9 Dublin Jerome High School
  10. #10 William Mason High School
  11. # 14 Turpin High School
May 3, 2020
Loveland Levy apparently fails by wide margin

Loveland, Ohio – With “Summary/Unofficial” results, the Loveland City School District operating levy of 6.95 mills is failing in all three counties as of 6:30 AM Wednesday morning.

All mail-in ballots and provisional ballots will still have to be tabulated in the days to come. The mail-in ballots needed a postmark of April 27, so some of those ballots will still have to be received from the Post Office. Validly cast provisional ballots also will need to be tabulated.

Hamilton County says they will need 2-3 weeks to publish final results.

Clermont County

YES – 1,988

NO – 2,741

Hamilton County

YES – 1780

NO – 2921

Warren County

YES 76

NO 104

TOTAL

YES – 3844

NO – 5766

In a statement posted on the District web site, Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse said, “We accept the outcome and respect the decision voters made, but this is a devastating loss for our schools. At this time of national and global uncertainty, we will also prepare to start the new school year in August with a significantly reduced budget, which will directly impact programs, class size, and services to our students. In addition, we will have to start preparing to go back on the ballot. This is unfortunately how school funding works in Ohio.”

As of this morning, the “Loveland Voice” Political Action Committee has not issued a statement only posting preliminary results on their FaceBook page. Loveland Voice had organized to actively oppose the levy.

The District statement also said:

In addition to the $2.7 million in expense reductions already made in 2019, significant cuts will be made to the operating budget in the coming months. These reductions include, among others, the elimination of at least 25 administrative, teaching and non-teaching staff positions, and the elimination of high school busing.

“Yes for Loveland” the Political Action Committee supporting the school levy posted this message on their FaceBook page 3 hours ago:

According to current results, it appears the Loveland Community has voted to NOT pass the Operating Levy. Official results will be reported in 2 – 3 weeks.

We appreciate all of your hard work and support this year. We understand we have to rally together once again to find the answer to funding the district for our children. We will do this together.

Seeing the out pour of love for one another and the care of our community gives us all hope in this time of a pandemic. Continue to support and take care of one another. We’re all in this together!

Apr 29, 2020
[Exclusive Video] April 7 meeting of the Loveland Board of Education
Loveland, Ohio – On April 7 the Loveland Board of Education held a work session using a remote meeting platform.

Here is a re-play of the meeting.

AGENDA

1.1 Adoption of Board Agenda

1.2 Pledge of Allegiance

2. Superintendent Discussion Topics

2.1 Progress Report on Building Closure Due to COVID-19

2.2 Planning Commission
3. Superintendent Resolutions

3.1 Resolution declaring an emergency, suspending board policy related to public participation at board meetings, and authorizing remote meetings

A RESOLUTION DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, SUSPENDING BOARD POLICY RELATED TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS, AND AUTHORIZING REMOTE MEETINGS

WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death, is caused by the SARS-C0V-2 virus, which is a new strain of coronavirus that had not been previously identified in humans and can easily spread from person to person between individuals who are in close contact with each other (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected persons coughs or sneezes. It may also be possible to contract COVID-19 through the touching of a surface that has the virus on it then touching one’s own mouth, nose or eyes; and

WHEREAS, the Governor has declared a state of emergency with respect to the spread of the novel coronavirus; and

WHEREAS, the Director of the Ohio Department of Health has ordered that all K-12 schools be closed to students through 11:59 p.m. on May 1, 2020, and this order may be extended beyond that date; and

WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Health has further ordered residents of the state to stay at home except to conduct essential business and prohibits public or private gatherings of more than ten individuals occurring outside a single household; and

WHEREAS, House Bill 197 was enacted on March 27, 2020 as an emergency measure which was designed to assist schools and other public bodies to maintain operations during this health emergency in a way that complies with orders issued by the state and federal government; and

WHEREAS, in order to permit the fair and orderly expression of public comment at its meetings, the Board has adopted a public participation policy; and

WHEREAS, while the Board intends to continue to conduct the business of Loveland City Schools and to keep the community informed of its discussions and decisions related to the official business of the District, the Board must also act to protect the health and safety of its members, staff, students and other community members who may enter on to school premises.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the Loveland City School District, that after careful consideration and evaluation of the information before it:

Section 1. The Board of Education hereby finds that an emergency exists with regard to the spread of a serious communicable disease, COVID-19.

Section 2. In order to prevent against the further spread of the novel coronavirus, the Board of Education hereby temporarily suspends its public participation policy, which shall no longer be in effect upon adoption of this Resolution by a majority of the Board. Such policy may be reinstated through a subsequent action taken by the Board of Education.

Section 3.In order to enable the Board of Education to continue with District operations during the public health emergency,the Board of Education may meet telephonically or through other electronic means, including conference calls or other meeting technology to conduct the public business of the public body while emergency orders of the federal and/or state government are in effect limiting public gatherings. Members will be considered present regardless of whether they attend in person or remotely, and their votes shall be counted for the purpose of determining quorum. Such meetings will be properly noticed to the public through the established and usual method of notice to the public.

SECTION 4. In order to provide an opportunity for attendance by the public, news media, and any other person that has requested notification of meetings via the technology utilized will be made available to the extent reasonably possible and feasible. The means of technology and information on how to access the meeting as a member of the public will be made available. The Board of Education intends to fully honor its obligations under the Open Meetings Act (R.C. §121.22) through measures approved by House Bill 197 (2020).

Section 5. The Board of Education hereby finds and determines that all formal actions relative to the adoption of this resolution were taken in an open meeting of this Board of Education, and that all deliberations of this Board of Education and of its committees, if any, which resulted in formal action, were taken in meetings open to the public, in full compliance with applicable legal requirements, including Section 121.22, ORC and House Bill 197 (2020).

Section 6. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and immediately after its adoption and shall supersede any prior resolution or act of this Board of Education that may be inconsistent or duplicative with the provisions of this resolution.
3.2 Resolution for a Contingency Plan for the 2019-2020 school year in the event school is closed for more than the hours permitted under board policy and state law

CONTINGENCY PLAN

FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR

IN THE EVENT SCHOOL IS CLOSED

FOR MORE THAN THE HOURS PERMITTED UNDER

BOARD POLICY AND STATE LAW

WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code §3313.48 mandates that a school district must be open for instruction with pupils in attendance for a minimum number of hours each school year; and

WHEREAS, R.C. §3313.482 authorizes a board of education to adopt a plan that permits students to make up missed hours of instruction via online/remote learning in the event that schools are closed for a disease epidemic or other reasons; and

WHEREAS, House Bill 197 (2020), which was enacted on March 27, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic health emergency, authorizes the Loveland City School District Board of Education (the “Board”) to adopt a plan to provide for online learning opportunities for students to make up an unlimited number of hours in lieu of attendance on days when buildings are not open to students during the 2019-2020 school year in compliance with any order issued by the Ohio Director of Health and/or a local board of health; and

WHEREAS, the Board has developed a contingency plan in accordance with R.C. §3313.482 under which district students will make up any time missed through online instruction/remote learning that caused the district to fall below the minimum number of hours of instruction required by section 3313.48 of the Ohio Revised Code and Board Policy; and

WHEREAS, the Board desires to adopt said plan; and

WHEREAS, House Bill 197 (2020) also permits the Board to adjust the student grading criteria and the Board has determined it necessary to modify the method for student promotion and retention during this crisis.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Loveland City School District that:

SECTION I

Pursuant to R.C. §3313.482 and House Bill 197 (2020), the Board hereby authorizes the following plan to allow students of the Loveland City School District to access and complete online/remote lessons in order to fulfill the required number of hours during the 2019-2020 school year:

Each teacher shall develop a sufficient number of lessons for the days and hours of closure.

Teachers will submit the lessons to the building principal for approval. The building principal will certify that the lessons are equal to or greater than the amount of instructional time the student missed.

As soon as practicable, the appropriate administrator will direct staff about how to make lessons available through a District approved website or other technology portal.

The teacher will be responsible for posting the lessons online.

Teachers will regularly assess the progress of students and will update or replace such lessons as necessary throughout the remainder of the school year based on the results of the assessments.

For students who experience difficulty accessing the online material or who do not have access to a computer, the Board hereby authorizes “blizzard bags” as needed, which are paper copies of the lessons/assignments posted. Teachers shall prepare paper copies approximating the content of the online lessons and shall update such paper copies when updating any of the online lessons. Blizzard bags will be distributed by school personnel or during scheduled pick up times. Printed copies of any graded lessons or assignments will be included in the blizzard bags.

This plan was shared with the teacher’s employee representative.

SECTION II

Should circumstances warrant a change in the plan during the 2019-2020 school year, this contingency plan may be amended by the Superintendent at any time in his or her discretion.

SECTION III

In order to provide appropriate educational opportunities to students through alternative methods, to allow promotion from grade-to-grade, and so not as to penalize students who determine to complete assignments through the offered alternative means, the Board temporarily suspends current Board Policy 5421 on the award of letter grades, which shall no longer be in effect upon adoption of this Resolution by a majority of the Board. Such policy may be reinstated through a subsequent action taken by the Board. Any other Board Policy that is inconsistent with the action taken within Sections III and IV of this Resolution shall also be temporarily suspended until such time as Board Policy 5421 is reinstated.

SECTION IV

The Board authorizes the Superintendent and School Administration to develop and implement a system of pass/not pass grading for each course in grades 5-8 within the Loveland City Schools instructional program until such time as the Board restores the grading policy.

SECTION V

IT IS FOUND AND DETERMINED that all formal action of this Board concerning or related to the adoption of this Resolution was adopted in an open meeting of this Board, and all deliberations of this Board that resulted in such formal action were adopted in meetings open to the public, in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Ohio Revised Code.
3.3 Resolution delegating authority for determining it impracticable or impossible to evaluate employees due to COVID-19

RESOLUTION DELEGATING AUTHORITY FOR DETERMINING IT IMPRACTICABLE OR IMPOSSIBLE TO EVALUATE EMPLOYEES

DUE TO COVID-19

WHEREAS, Board of Education of the Loveland City School District (the “Board”) employees are annually evaluated in accordance with Ohio statues and Board policies; and

WHEREAS, an Order of School Closure was issued by Ohio Department of Health Director Acton on March 14, 2020 and in response to the Order of School closure, House Bill 197 (2020) was enacted on March 27, 2020; and

WHEREAS, language contained in HB 197 (2020) permits the Board to elect not to evaluate employees when it is deemed impossible or impractical to do so based on the implications of COVID-19.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the Loveland City School District:

SECTION I

For the 2019-2020 school year, due to the Director of Health’s March 14^th Order, or any extension of an order to close all kindergarten through 12th grade schools, and the language of House Bill 197 (2020), the Board hereby delegates authority to the Superintendent, Treasurer, or their individual designees to determine and deem it impossible or impracticable to conduct an evaluation of Board employees in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code and Board policies.

SECTION II

It is found and determined that all formal actions of this Board concerning or related to the adoption of this Resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Board, and all deliberations of this Board and any of its committees that resulted in such formal actions were adopted in meetings open to the public, in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Ohio Revised Code.

3.4 Approve rescheduling of Board Meetings

Move the April 21, 2020 Board of Education Business Meeting to April 30, 2020

Move the May 5, 2020 Board of Education Work Session to May 12, 2020

Move the May 19, 2020 Board of Education Business Meeting to May 28, 2020

These meetings will all be conducted in a virtual format due to the extension of the “Stay at Home” order signed on 4/2/2020.

4. Treasurer Discussion Topics

4.1 Costs Related to the Building Closure Due to COVID-19

5. Treasurer Resolutions

5.1 Recommend to refund tuition for full day kindergarten for 50% of March and 100% for April

6. Meeting Closing

6.1 Adjournment
Apr 15, 2020
Should Loveland school taxes increase while residents Lose their livelihoods?
by Kim and Rick Donaldson

While many in Loveland are losing their jobs and their businesses, our school board persists in asking us to raise our taxes. As it stands today, they may very well get their way simply by virtue of low voter turnout. So, if you

Kim and Rick Donaldson live on Paxton Road in Miami Township

haven’t already done so, apply for an absentee ballot now. The primary election originally scheduled for March 17^th is now by mail only. Completed ballots must be postmarked no later than midnight, April 27^th or dropped off at your county board of elections by 7:00 PM April 28^th. Since you will first need to apply to have a ballot mailed to you, there is no time to lose.

Now back to the original question: should our school taxes be increased? We are told that additional funding is needed to “protect our progress”. This would imply that past increases have improved district performance. However, according to Ohio Department of Education data, Loveland’s overall performance index score ranked in the top 15% of Ohio schools from 2010 through 2014, with correspondingly high overall grades. In 2015, Loveland’s performance dropped precipitously, nearly to the bottom 25%. Various explanations have been floated for this drop: Common Core implementation, testing changes, students opting out of testing, etc. Available data do not definitively show what the explanation is, but it does show what it isn’t: spending. Referring to the first chart, note that Loveland’s 2019 overall performance is virtually identical to its 2010 to 2014 performance, but expenditure per pupil is as much as 20% higher after adjusting for inflation. Also note that Loveland’s performance had already recovered to pre-2015 levels by 2018, before the big ramp-up in expenditure.

Graph provided by Kim and Rick Donaldson

Since increased funding doesn’t seem to be improving our district’s rating, it is difficult to see exactly what progress we are protecting. Moreover, if we are to invest more of our hard-earned and increasingly scarce money in the schools, we expect to reap some benefit as a community. So far, our children don’t seem to have reaped the benefit of a better education and our property owners haven’t reaped the benefit of the appreciation that should result from a better-rated school system. However, there is one segment of the community who has reaped the benefit: teachers.

According to Ohio Department of Education data, presented in the second chart, Loveland’s average teacher salary was $63,566 in 2010, which was about average for an Ohio school district with similar demographics among both the community and the teachers. In 2019, Loveland’s average teacher salary had increased to $78,248, 10% above the comparable Ohio district average. Loveland’s average teacher salary has also risen faster than median income. In 2010, the average teacher salary was 28% above median income. By 2019 it had risen to 47% above median income. While some might argue that paying teachers more improves educational quality, Loveland’s teacher salary and performance trends do not support that claim. Statistical analysis of statewide trends also shows no practical benefit for paying teachers above-market salaries.

Graph provided by Kim and Rick Donaldson

We do not question the quality, dedication or professionalism of Loveland teachers. Nor do we fault them for negotiating the most favorable compensation package they can. It is the responsibility of the board of education and administration to negotiate effectively on behalf of the Loveland community at large to deliver a high-quality education at a cost we can afford. Sadly, they do not seem to be doing an adequate job of cost control at a time when residents cannot afford to pay more.

While no one knows how severe the current economic downturn will be or how long it will last, we do know the proposed levy will cost property owners an additional $20 per month for each $100,000 of appraised value, forever. Under the circumstances, it would be appropriate for the Loveland School Board to withdraw the levy, and we wholeheartedly agree with those who have already called on them to do so. However, the board’s past behavior indicates they are unlikely to heed those calls. The only way we can stop this levy and impose fiscally responsibility is to get an absentee ballot and vote no.

References:
1. Elections and Voting in Ohio, Ohio Secretary of State website: https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/voters
2. Ohio Department of Education District Profile (Cupp) Reports: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Finance-and-Funding/School-Payment-Reports/District-Profile-Reports
3. Ohio Department of Education District Achievement/Rating Data: https://reportcard.education.ohio.gov/download
4. US Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator:
  https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm
5. Ohio Department of Education District Teacher Information: https://reportcard.education.ohio.gov/download
Apr 13, 2020
Upcoming Loveland City Schools Levy and Ohio School Funding

by Dr. Gregg Tracy

The current system and laws in regard to funding schools in Ohio are flawed. The funding system overemphasizes real estate taxes and creates inequality in educational funding across the state. The system has been declared unconstitutional multiple times by the Ohio Supreme Court, most recently in 2002. However, due to inaction by the administrative and legislative branches, the funding system remains law. So school systems, like Loveland, that do not have large commercial and industrial bases, must rely heavily on local, individual real estate taxes in order to operate. Voters are faced with the choice of voting for higher taxes or not providing our public schools with the funds necessary to operate effectively. Our schools simply cannot be effective in preparing current and future students without the essential funds to operate.

Dr. Gregg Tracy is a Loveland resident and property owner, a Loveland High School Graduate, a retired professor of leadership, and former school administrator.

Even as assessed property values increase, no new monies are generated for schools. Thus operating funds are fixed while operating costs increase. New levies are regularly and periodically necessary. It is a reality in Ohio. Excellent schools depend on good administration, teaching, and community participation, but schools just cannot perform effectively without periodic tax levies.

Loveland’s consistent excellence will continue to benefit students and the community.

It is easy to say, “I do not want to pay more taxes.” It is equally as easy to come up with justifications for voting “no.” Historically, voting against operating levies has not been a strategy that has facilitated any positive change. It is a weak substitute for dialogue and cooperative participation in a meaningful process aimed at changing and improving schools. Without necessary funds, schools cannot operate effectively, let alone have opportunities to change and improve. With needed funds, Loveland’s consistent excellence will continue to benefit students and the community. Loveland’s board and administration, have established a number of ways to learn, cooperate and participate in the school improvement process. Administration is accessible, public meetings have been held and will continue, printed materials have been sent regularly, and online communications are available. The leadership team has been very clear about the district’s needs and financial status.

They are simply asking for operating funds to continue the quality education that Loveland has been providing over time.

As our school board asks for additional operating funds in March, they are not asking for money for building or adding programs. They are simply asking for operating funds to continue the quality education that Loveland has been providing over time. The board has committed to keeping expense growth to less than 3% through fiscal year 2024. As a concerned citizen, I encourage you to make an informed decision in March based on an understanding of the need based on Ohio’s funding system and the recognition of the importance of your vote for our community. Public schools are one of our community’s vital organizations. As you make your decision in March, I hope you have gone directly to the source and not relied on hearsay and negative campaigns. I hope that you have directly accessed information sources made available by the district’s leadership team. I also hope that you consider our students and the short term and long term effects of your vote. Summarily, I hope you cast a concerned and informed vote on March 17.

Mar 1, 2020
Loveland School Budget Cuts – Responsible Management?

Kim and Rick Donaldson live on Paxton Road in Miami Township

by Kim and Rick Donaldson

At its February 18th business meeting, the Loveland City School District Board of Education reviewed the administration’s updated five-year financial forecast, which includes annual operating expenditure cuts averaging $2.5 million and fee increases averaging $0.2 million.* The updated forecast still requires passage of a 6.95 mill operating levy, which will raise annual revenue by $6.3 million, to maintain an adequate cash balance through fiscal year 2024. Indeed, the included budget cuts were made for the express purpose of limiting the levy to only 6.95 mills. So, after cutting $2.5 million from expenditures, why do we need an additional $6.5 million (taxes plus fees) in revenue? Let’s look at the numbers.

This graphic is the Donaldson’s original presentation of the data sourced from the Ohio Department of Education and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as noted on the chart and in the list of references.

As shown in the included chart, both five-year forecasts start from a very high baseline expenditure level established in 2019 when operating expenditures increased 13% from the previous year.** That increase was the culmination of an accelerated spending trend that started in 2015, bringing the total four-year increase to 26%. By comparison, the cumulative inflation rate was only 7.7% during the same period.*** This rapid expenditure increase quickly overtook the 23% annual revenue increase in the years following the 2014 levy.

Since median income tends to be tied, albeit loosely, to inflation, expenditure increases that exceed the inflation rate make our schools increasingly less affordable to taxpayers.

Furthermore, it is important to recognize that the spending cuts and fee increases included in the updated forecast are all relative to the previous forecast, which anticipated increasing expenditures by 4% annually. Since the Federal Reserve Board targets a 2% annual inflation rate, the plan was to increase spending by twice the rate of inflation. The updated forecast anticipates annual increases of 3%, which is still 50% above the target inflation rate. Since median income tends to be tied, albeit loosely, to inflation, expenditure increases that exceed the inflation rate make our schools increasingly less affordable to taxpayers.

As a more affordable alternative, we advocate limiting operating expenditures to 2015 levels on a per student basis, adjusted for inflation. As shown on the chart, this approach would result in spending much lower than the updated five-year forecast and, more importantly, lower than current projected revenue. It would thus obviate the need for any additional operating levy. It is worth noting that this would be consistent with, and a continuation of, expenditure trends from 2006 through 2015.

If a 2015 baseline seems too aggressive, the same approach using a 2018 baseline could be considered. Although it would require an additional levy, the levy vote could be postponed to November 2021 and would only need to be around 1 mill to maintain the same cash balance as in the updated forecast.

These particular cuts, chosen by the administration, raise some serious questions.

So, what would we cut? After all, in the same February 18th presentation we were told that we will have to eliminate teaching and staff positions even if we approve the levy in March. We have also been warned that failure to pass the levy in March will result in additional cuts, including staff, teachers and high school transportation. These particular cuts, chosen by the administration, raise some serious questions. If we could afford current staffing levels in 2018, why can we not afford them in 2021 with nearly 13% higher expenditures in the updated forecast?**** Even if we choose to defeat the levy and limit expenditures to inflation-adjusted 2018 levels, why could we not continue to support essentially the same staff and transportation that we did in 2018? Where is the additional money going, and why has the administration chosen to cut staff and transportation?

Before we head to the polls in March, we need to have satisfactory answers to these questions that are quantitative, complete and transparent. We need to know whether the proposed budget and associated cuts are indicative of fiscally responsible management for the benefit of our children, or emotional manipulation designed to get the levy passed. Ultimately, it comes down to a question of trust.

References:

*5 Year Forecast Update from 18 February 2020 Board Meeting: https://go.boarddocs.com/oh/love/Board.nsf/files/BLY4FG0B571B/$file/5%20Year%20Forecast%20Presentation.pdf

**Ohio Department of Education District Profile (Cupp) Reports: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Finance-and-Funding/School-Payment-Reports/District-Profile-Reports

***US Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator:
https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm

****Ohio Department of Education District Teacher Information: https://reportcard.education.ohio.gov/download

Feb 26, 2020
Our youngest Loveland Tigers know these three words well

by Kathryn Lorenz

Our youngest Loveland Tigers know these three words well. Here in Loveland schools, we care for each other. We respect each other. And we take responsibility for our words and actions.

The Loveland Board of Education strives to do our best to live up to the expectations our teachers and staff have for our students. We care about each and every member of our school community and demonstrate that with leadership and fiscal responsibility. That care means we regularly need to place tax levies on the ballot in order to ensure the operation of programs that our students need and deserve.

The way taxes work in Ohio means that a school board respects the right of our district citizens to vote on these levies. We need to show the necessity for new operating funds and do so with the publishing of budgets, expenditures, and five-year forecasts. We publish the evidence of the success of our students as well.

The last operating levy passed in 2014 was designed to move the district from a “stay put” mode of operation to a time of forward progress and was strongly supported by our community. Our teachers and students delivered significant achievements as a result of that change in direction and now we need to protect that investment and optimize that effort.

Acting responsibly means telling the truth and sometimes means that you cannot respond in kind when false, harmful accusations are made.

Acting responsibly means telling the truth and sometimes means that you cannot respond in kind when false, harmful accusations are made. But responsible public servants also stand up for what is true. There are many false statements being made about the March 2020 levy, about the Board of Education, and about the people who work with us and for us. The Loveland school district and this Board of Education are committed to optimizing resources, to extending the adequacy of 2020 levy funds as long as possible, and to continuing progress for Loveland students.

Please take the time to review the information on our website, lovelandschools.org under the levy tab. Take the time to talk to our board and our administrators. Attend a board meeting or an information session. Get the right information right now.

We know our community cares about our schools. We respect the right of our citizens to vote on March 17. Each of us has a great responsibility for the future of Loveland schools.

Kathryn Lorenz is the President of the Loveland Board of Education and lives in Miami Township

Feb 25, 2020