Loveland, Ohio – Below is the agenda for Tuesday’s Loveland Board of Education’s Work Session scheduled for 6 PM at the LMS/LIS Media Center.
The Administration has said that if the recommendation is to put an operating levy on the ballot in March, the board will need to pass an initial resolution of necessity on December 10, have it certified by the county auditor, and pass a second resolution to proceed on December 17. The content of the ballot issue must be submitted to the board of elections no later than December 18.
1. Opening Items
1.1 Adoption of Board Agenda
2. Discussion Topics
2.1 First Reading Policy 5460 – Graduation Requirements
2.2 Open Checkbook Update
2.3 Discuss the potential of a March levy which may include the passage of the first of two resolutions for the March ballot
3. Superintendent Resolutions
3.1 Approve course adoptions for 2020-2021
4. Treasurer Resolutions
4.1 Approve disposal of inventory
5. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
5.1 Resignations and employment of certified, classified, homebound, substitute and supplemental positions for the 2019-2020 school year
5.2 Motion to approve travel for our athletic teams, performance groups or individuals will be staying overnight at an event.
Loveland, Ohio– On December 3 the Loveland Board of Education met with their ad hoc advisory committee to discuss how the District should move forward after the defeat of a combined operating and bond issue that was on the November ballot. This is Part 1 of the meeting where the fate of the option to purchase 110 acres at Grailville was discussed.
Grail U.S. Executive Director Terrie Pucket was at this meeting to discuss their stance on the contract they have signed with the District.
The Administration also brought in their consultant to discuss land and building options.
To view the slides used for the discussion go HERE.
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Board of Education is expected to discuss the purchase of the Grailville property at a “Special Meeting” on December 3.
No formal agenda for the meeting has been published yet, but besides discussing Grailville, the Board is expected to continue discussions with their Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee* that has been established to help the Board of Education to determine whether a March ballot issue is feasible or not. The committee met for the first time with the Board on November 26.
The determination of millage for a ballot issue in March 2020 must be approved in a formal resolution of necessity by the Board of Education on 12/10/19. Seven days later (12/17) the Board must approve a resolution to proceed. The resolutions must be given to the Board of Elections by 12/18/19.
The video of the December discussion is being up-loaded so stay tuned if you are interested in hearing the back and forth between the Board and residents. No consensus on how to move forward was reached. You can watch Part 1 and 2 right now by visiting LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV. The videos are being uploaded in 25-minute increments so you can easily pause and can return to take up where you left off.
This ad hoc advisory committee has been established for the purpose of helping the Board of Education to determine whether a March ballot issue is feasible or not. The committee will work with the Board while the meeting is in session which will allow for interaction between committee members and board members.
On 11/26, the committee will be invited to join the meeting after the board has concluded regular business outlined on the agenda. On 12/3, the full board meeting time will likely be given to the work of the committee.
Should the work result in a determination that a March ballot language is feasible, we must meet election timelines. The determination of millage for a ballot issue in March 2020 must be approved in a formal resolution of necessity by the Board of Education on 12/10/19. Seven days later (12/17) the Board must approve a resolution to proceed. The resolutions must be given to the Board of Elections by 12/18/19.
Should the work result in a determination that March is not feasible, the Board and community will focus on a November 2020 operating levy.
Following the 12/3/19 meeting, this committee will be dissolved having served its intended objective. However, should the format be successful we will develop a system to continue the work and identify a way to give more people an opportunity to participate if they wish.
Up-Coming Meetings
Tuesday, December 3, 6 PM (special meeting) (LMS/LIS Media Center)
Tuesday, December 10, 6 PM (work session) (LMS/LIS Media Center) (LMS/LIS Media Center)
Loveland, Ohio – On November 26 the Loveland Board of Education unanimously passed two motions in response to subjects that had been requested by voters who questioned the need for the operating and bond levy that the Board had placed on the November 5 ballot. The ballot issue was defeated by a 78-22% margin.
The Board first voted to cancel the contract with Allerton Hill Consulting, the Columbus and Washington D.C. based consulting company the District hired to help with “messaging”. The contract was set to expire at the end of March, and Superintendent Amy Crouse said it would take 30 days to end the contract so it will end at the end of December. Crouse said the consultant has been working with the District for the last two years and were hired to help the District as they undertook big projects and to help support the Communications Director. She said Allerton Hill Consulting, increased social media presence, helped reduce costs in some mailings, and provided “structural support”.
Before voting, Board member Ned Portune said, “It goes without saying I’ve not been satisfied with what we have gotten out of the Allerton Hill and I agree with the void of that contract.”
Responding to Portune’s comment, Board member Eileen Washburn said, “I think that sums it up.”
The second action was also a unanimous vote to participate in Ohio Open Checkbook. This will allow the public easier access to District spending.
Treasurer Kevin Hawley said he hopes to get the most recent 12 months of data on-line in two weeks and then each month another year would be added. The Board discussed a target goal of having five years’ worth of data on the site by the end of 2019. The motion that passed said the District would participate in Open Checkbook and the Treasurer’s office will enter one-year’s worth of data within the next 2 weeks.
Below is OPENGOV’s video demonstration of how Ohio Open Checkbook should work for District residents. The City of Loveland uses Open Checkbook and you can check it out HERE.
Users can search by a specific department, date, vendor, or use the Google-style search bar, which will return any value in the report that matches the entered text. Keywords may be searched by simply clicking on the term – one of the most popular ways to explore the data.
In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video, you can hear the discussion on these two motions. (From the bottom of the screen are Treasurer Kevin Hawley – Board member Eileen Washburn – Board Vice President Dr. Kathryn Lorenz – Board President Art Jarvis – Board member Ned Portune – Board member Michele Pettit – Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse.)
Loveland, Ohio – On November 19, before a packed, stand on the furniture in the back for a better view, house, Jennifer Monroe took to the open forum microphone to express views on the recently failed levy that was on the November 5 ballot. The Board asked voters to approve issuing bonds for $118,515,000 and a combined operating and bond levy of 16.78-mill. The levy was rejected by voters 78-22 per-cent.
The Board is currently considering placing another levy on the ballot in March of 2020. They say they will need to submit ballot language for a potential operating levy on the March ballot no later than December 18, requiring a first resolution to be passed at the December 10 board meeting.
Monroe’s comments were during the regular business meeting of the Board where residents are allowed to sit in front of a microphone for 3 minutes to talk to the Board, the Administration, and the other audience members about anything relating to the operation of the District.
There was another meeting that night following the business meeting. It was facilitated by Jeffrey Stec, the Director of Citizens for Civic Renewal. The District hired Citizens for Civic Renewal to conduct this public meeting.
Te next meeting of the Board will be on November 26 at 6 PM in the LMS/LIS Media Center. (View the Agenda) Among agenda items is a “Recommended Action” by the Superintendent to cancel the contract with Allerton Hill Consulting. Another item is a resolution put forth by the Treasurer to participate in Ohio Open Checkbook. The Board is also expected to appoint an Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee. You can read the proposal below.*
Other Meetings:
Tuesday, December 3, 6 PM (special meeting)
Tuesday, December 10, 6 PM (work session)
Tuesday, December 17, 6 PM (special meeting)
*Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee
This ad hoc advisory committee has been established for the purpose of helping the Board of Education to determine whether a March ballot issue is feasible or not. The committee will work with the Board while the meeting is in session which will allow for interaction between committee members and board members.
On 11/26, the committee will be invited to join the meeting after the board has concluded regular business outlined on the agenda. On 12/3, the full board meeting time will likely be given to the work of the committee.
Should the work result in a determination that a March ballot language is feasible, we must meet election timelines. The determination of millage for a ballot issue in March 2020 must be approved in a formal resolution of necessity by the Board of Education on 12/10/19. Seven days later (12/17) the Board must approve a resolution to proceed. The resolutions must be given to the Board of Elections by 12/18/19.
Should the work result in a determination that March is not feasible, the Board and community will focus on a November 2020 operating levy.
Following the 12/3/19 meeting, this committee will be dissolved having served its intended objective. However, should the format be successful we will develop a system to continue the work and identify a way to give more people an opportunity to participate if they wish.
Loveland, Ohio – On November 19, before a packed, stand on the furniture in the back room house, at the Loveland School Board meeting, Juliet Tissot took to the open forum microphone to express her views on purchasing the Grailville property for new schools.
The Board recently asked voters to approve issuing bonds for $118,515,000 and a combined operating and bond levy of 16.78-mill. The levy was rejected by voters 78-22 per-cent. Included in the District Master plan was a plan to build 3 new schools on the Grailville property on St. Rt. 48 in Miami Township.
The Board is currently considering placing another levy on the ballot in March of 2020. They say they will need to submit ballot language for a potential operating levy on the March ballot no later than December 18, requiring a first resolution to be passed at the December 10 board meeting.
Tissot’s comments were during the regular business meeting of the Board where residents are allowed to sit in front of a microphone for 3 minutes to talk to the Board, the Administration, and the other audience members about anything relating to the operation of the District.
There was another meeting that night following the business meeting. It was facilitated by Jeffrey Stec, the Director of Citizens for Civic Renewal. The District hired Citizens for Civic Renewal to conduct this public meeting.
Te next meeting of the Board will be on November 26 at 6 PM in the LMS/LIS Media Center. (View the Agenda) Among agenda items is a “Recommended Action” by the Superintendent to cancel the contract with Allerton Hill Consulting. Another item is a resolution put forth by the Treasurer to participate in Ohio Open Checkbook. The Board is also expected to appoint an Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee. You can read the proposal below.*
Other Meetings:
Tuesday, December 3, 6 PM (special meeting)
Tuesday, December 10, 6 PM (work session)
Tuesday, December 17, 6 PM (special meeting)
*Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee
This ad hoc advisory committee has been established for the purpose of helping the Board of Education to determine whether a March ballot issue is feasible or not. The committee will work with the Board while the meeting is in session which will allow for interaction between committee members and board members.
On 11/26, the committee will be invited to join the meeting after the board has concluded regular business outlined on the agenda. On 12/3, the full board meeting time will likely be given to the work of the committee.
Should the work result in a determination that a March ballot language is feasible, we must meet election timelines. The determination of millage for a ballot issue in March 2020 must be approved in a formal resolution of necessity by the Board of Education on 12/10/19. Seven days later (12/17) the Board must approve a resolution to proceed. The resolutions must be given to the Board of Elections by 12/18/19.
Should the work result in a determination that March is not feasible, the Board and community will focus on a November 2020 operating levy.
Following the 12/3/19 meeting, this committee will be dissolved having served its intended objective. However, should the format be successful we will develop a system to continue the work and identify a way to give more people an opportunity to participate if they wish.
Loveland, Ohio – On November 19, before a packed, stand on the furniture in the back for a better view, house, Anna Bunker took to the open forum microphone to express views on the recently failed levy that was on the November 5 ballot. The Board asked voters to approve issuing bonds for $118,515,000 and a combined operating and bond levy of 16.78-mill. The levy was rejected by voters 78-22 per-cent.
The Board is currently considering placing another levy on the ballot in March of 2020. They say they will need to submit ballot language for a potential operating levy on the March ballot no later than December 18, requiring a first resolution to be passed at the December 10 board meeting.
Bunker’s comments were during the regular business meeting of the Board where residents are allowed to sit in front of a microphone for 3 minutes to talk to the Board, the Administration, and the other audience members about anything relating to the operation of the District.
There was another meeting that night following the business meeting. It was facilitated by Jeffrey Stec, the Director of Citizens for Civic Renewal. The District hired Citizens for Civic Renewal to conduct this public meeting.
Te next meeting of the Board will be on November 26 at 6 PM in the LMS/LIS Media Center. (View the Agenda) Among agenda items is a “Recommended Action” by the Superintendent to cancel the contract with Allerton Hill Consulting. Another item is a resolution put forth by the Treasurer to participate in Ohio Open Checkbook. The Board is also expected to appoint an Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee. You can read the proposal below.*
Other Meetings:
Tuesday, December 3, 6 PM (special meeting)
Tuesday, December 10, 6 PM (work session)
Tuesday, December 17, 6 PM (special meeting)
*Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee
This ad hoc advisory committee has been established for the purpose of helping the Board of Education to determine whether a March ballot issue is feasible or not. The committee will work with the Board while the meeting is in session which will allow for interaction between committee members and board members.
On 11/26, the committee will be invited to join the meeting after the board has concluded regular business outlined on the agenda. On 12/3, the full board meeting time will likely be given to the work of the committee.
Should the work result in a determination that a March ballot language is feasible, we must meet election timelines. The determination of millage for a ballot issue in March 2020 must be approved in a formal resolution of necessity by the Board of Education on 12/10/19. Seven days later (12/17) the Board must approve a resolution to proceed. The resolutions must be given to the Board of Elections by 12/18/19.
Should the work result in a determination that March is not feasible, the Board and community will focus on a November 2020 operating levy.
Following the 12/3/19 meeting, this committee will be dissolved having served its intended objective. However, should the format be successful we will develop a system to continue the work and identify a way to give more people an opportunity to participate if they wish.
Loveland, Ohio – On November 19, before a packed, stand on the furniture in the back for a better view, house, Linda Holtkamp took to the open forum microphone to express views on the recently failed levy that was on the November 5 ballot. The Board asked voters to approve issuing bonds for $118,515,000 and a combined operating and bond levy of 16.78-mill. The levy was rejected by voters 78-22 per-cent.
The Board is currently considering placing another levy on the ballot in March of 2020. They say they will need to submit ballot language for a potential operating levy on the March ballot no later than December 18, requiring a first resolution to be passed at the December 10 board meeting.
Holtkamp’s comments were during the regular business meeting of the Board where residents are allowed to sit in front of a microphone for 3 minutes to talk to the Board, the Administration, and the other audience members about anything relating to the operation of the District.
There was another meeting that night following the business meeting. It was facilitated by Jeffrey Stec, the Director of Citizens for Civic Renewal. The District hired Citizens for Civic Renewal to conduct this public meeting.
Te next meeting of the Board will be on November 26 at 6 PM in the LMS/LIS Media Center. (View the Agenda) Among agenda items is a “Recommended Action” by the Superintendent to cancel the contract with Allerton Hill Consulting. Another item is a resolution put forth by the Treasurer to participate in Ohio Open Checkbook. The Board is also expected to appoint an Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee. You can read the proposal below.*
Other Meetings:
Tuesday, December 3, 6 PM (special meeting)
Tuesday, December 10, 6 PM (work session)
Tuesday, December 17, 6 PM (special meeting)
*Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee
This ad hoc advisory committee has been established for the purpose of helping the Board of Education to determine whether a March ballot issue is feasible or not. The committee will work with the Board while the meeting is in session which will allow for interaction between committee members and board members.
On 11/26, the committee will be invited to join the meeting after the board has concluded regular business outlined on the agenda. On 12/3, the full board meeting time will likely be given to the work of the committee.
Should the work result in a determination that a March ballot language is feasible, we must meet election timelines. The determination of millage for a ballot issue in March 2020 must be approved in a formal resolution of necessity by the Board of Education on 12/10/19. Seven days later (12/17) the Board must approve a resolution to proceed. The resolutions must be given to the Board of Elections by 12/18/19.
Should the work result in a determination that March is not feasible, the Board and community will focus on a November 2020 operating levy.
Following the 12/3/19 meeting, this committee will be dissolved having served its intended objective. However, should the format be successful we will develop a system to continue the work and identify a way to give more people an opportunity to participate if they wish.
“Our analysis of the data indicates that a levy cannot be justified at this time.”
By Kim and Rick Donaldson
Dr. Amy Crouse, Loveland City School District Superintendent, has put together a committee of district residents to advise the Board of Education as to whether an operating levy should be placed on the March ballot, and if so,
Kim and Rick Donaldson live in the Grailville neighborhood of Miami Township
how much it should be. While we are not members of this committee, we are long-time district residents who have taken some time to examine district revenue and expenditure trends available on the Ohio Department of Education website. Our analysis of the data indicates that a levy cannot be justified at this time.
As we have opined in the past, district expenditures need to be limited to levels the community can support. To that end, we have recommended managing total expenditures per pupil, operating and non-operating, to 20 percent of district median income, which is what it was in 2013. From 2013 to 2018 total expenditures have risen
We therefore recommend to the Board of Education that instead of rushing to place a levy on the March ballot, they delve into the details of current spending levels and develop a clear understanding of why increases over the past five years have outstripped median income.
sharply. Operating expenditures alone jumped to 21.2 percent of median income in 2018 after remaining relatively flat around an average of 19.1 percent from 2006 through 2017. While 2.1 percentage points may not sound like much, it represents an 11 percent increase in spending relative to the median income in a single year. Perhaps more alarming is the fact that non-operating expenditures, which include things like land purchase, construction, equipment and interest on the debt, have nearly doubled from 1.2 percent of median income in 2013 to 2.3 percent in 2018. The net result is a 2018 total expenditure per pupil that is 23.6 percent of median income, an 18 percent increase in only 5 years.
Meanwhile, district revenue per pupil since 2015, the first year after the last levy was passed, has averaged 22.2 percent of median income. While this is less than 2018 expenditures, it is significantly more than was expended in any previous year. Our conclusion is that the district’s problem is excessive spending, not insufficient revenue. We, therefore, recommend to the Board of Education that instead of rushing to place a levy on the March ballot, they delve into the details of current spending levels and develop a clear understanding of why increases over the past five years have outstripped median income. If they believe a 2020 levy is justified after having done this assessment, they can put it on the November ballot. The delay would make no difference in terms of cash flow since it would start delivering increased revenue in 2021, the same time a March levy would.
Chart by Kim and Rick Donaldson from Ohio Department of Education data. Click on Chart for a Larger View
We further recommend Loveland voters not support additional levies until the Board of Education demonstrates a solid grasp of district spending and clearly communicates the justification for recent spending increases and the need for future increases. All such justification must be solidly grounded in measurably improved educational outcomes. If we do not demand more of the Board of Education and district administration, we can expect school taxes to continue to consume an ever-increasing share of our income with little tangible benefit.
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Loveland, Ohio – On November 19, before a packed, stand on the furniture in the back for a better view, house, Roberta Paolo took to the open forum microphone to express views on the recently failed levy that was on the November 5 ballot. Many in the community know Paolo as “Granny” as she was the founder of Granny’s Garden School within the Loveland schools. The Board asked voters to approve issuing bonds for $118,515,000 and a combined operating and bond levy of 16.78-mill. The levy was rejected by voters 78-22 per-cent.
The Board is currently considering placing another levy on the ballot in March of 2020. They say they will need to submit ballot language for a potential operating levy on the March ballot no later than December 18, requiring a first resolution to be passed at the December 10 board meeting.
Paolo’s comments were during the regular business meeting of the Board where residents are allowed to sit in front of a microphone for 3 minutes to talk to the Board, the Administration, and the other audience members about anything relating to the operation of the District.
There was another meeting that night following the business meeting. It was facilitated by Jeffrey Stec, the Director of Citizens for Civic Renewal. The District hired Citizens for Civic Renewal to conduct this public meeting.
Te next meeting of the Board will be on November 26 at 6 PM in the LMS/LIS Media Center. (View the Agenda) Among agenda items is a “Recommended Action” by the Superintendent to cancel the contract with Allerton Hill Consulting. Another item is a resolution put forth by the Treasurer to participate in Ohio Open Checkbook. The Board is also expected to appoint an Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee. You can read the proposal below.*
Other Meetings:
Tuesday, December 3, 6 PM (special meeting)
Tuesday, December 10, 6 PM (work session)
Tuesday, December 17, 6 PM (special meeting)
*Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee
This ad hoc advisory committee has been established for the purpose of helping the Board of Education to determine whether a March ballot issue is feasible or not. The committee will work with the Board while the meeting is in session which will allow for interaction between committee members and board members.
On 11/26, the committee will be invited to join the meeting after the board has concluded regular business outlined on the agenda. On 12/3, the full board meeting time will likely be given to the work of the committee.
Should the work result in a determination that a March ballot language is feasible, we must meet election timelines. The determination of millage for a ballot issue in March 2020 must be approved in a formal resolution of necessity by the Board of Education on 12/10/19. Seven days later (12/17) the Board must approve a resolution to proceed. The resolutions must be given to the Board of Elections by 12/18/19.
Should the work result in a determination that March is not feasible, the Board and community will focus on a November 2020 operating levy.
Following the 12/3/19 meeting, this committee will be dissolved having served its intended objective. However, should the format be successful we will develop a system to continue the work and identify a way to give more people an opportunity to participate if they wish.
![[Video] Grailville? YES or NO](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/maxresdefault-1.jpg)
Loveland, Ohio – On December 3 the Loveland Board of Education met with their ad hoc advisory committee to discuss how the District should move forward after the defeat of a combined operating and bond issue that was on the November ballot. This is Part 1 of the meeting where the fate of the option to purchase 110 acres at Grailville was discussed.
