Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: bond levy

  • To the class with 2020 vision… we made it!

    To the class with 2020 vision… we made it!

    Mihaela Manova is now a Loveland High School Graduate. She joined Loveland Magazine as an Intern in September of 2019 and was soon promoted to be the Editor for our “Covering Climate Now” series. She will study journalism at Miami University.

    Here is Loveland High School’s 2020 Graduation (my graduation) in photos and videos – you can experience the whole 11-hour day!

    By: Mihaela Manova

     

    Welcome by Olivia VonDeylen

     

    Carson Sarver Class President

     

    Senior Choir members perform Irish Blessing

     

    Sophia Dillhoff Salutatorian

     

    Ashley George Valedictory Address

     

    National Anthem Tribute by Chamber Orchestra and Show Choirs

     

    Principal Peggy Johnson

     

    Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse and School Board President Kathy Lorenz

     

    Each student receiving their diploma

    Below is the entire video of the LHS Graduation that was produced by the school.

    To see each graduate cross the stage drag the slider to the 28:52 minute mark.

    The entire video of the Commencement exercise 

    Also read these stories about the Class with 2020 Vision…

    [Video] LHS’s Class of 2020 Celebrated in a Moving Assembly Through…

    The awards, honors, and scholarships for the LHS Class of 2020

    Aerial video greeting from Loveland Schools bus drivers to Class of…

    Introducing the honors awarded the LHS Class of 2020

    LHS Principal Peggy Johnson to Class of 2020: You are the…

    A video message from LHS Senior William Heard about his $socks4homeless2020…

  • [Video] Pay to Play/Participate fee increases and next levy discussed by BOE

    [Video] Pay to Play/Participate fee increases and next levy discussed by BOE

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland School District Board of Education met via Zoom/YouTube on Tuesday, June 2 to revisit the 2020-21 Commitments to the District Vision, the Portrait of a Tiger, the five-year financial forecast, and levy cycle scenarios. They also discussed possible Pay to Play/Participate fee increases.

    View the five-year forecast HERE.

    During the live District broadcast of the meeting, possible new operating levy scenarios were discussed by the Board and staff, but the documents they were reading from were not available to the public.

    The documents can now be view here because of a public record request made by Loveland Magazine.

    To view these documents (seen below the video) as a larger image and in a correct visual orientation, you can “Right Click” each to open in a new tab. You can also view the document file here as the .pdf the District provided. Levy Scenarios

    Treasurer Kevin Hawley presents the different levy scenarios at the 53:54 minute mark of the video.

    Possible Pay to Play/Participate fee increases is discussed at the 30:21 minute mark of the video.

     

    To view the Treasure’s discussion of the Five Year Forecast at the May 28 Board of Education meeting watch the video below.

    If you believe the time and effort involved in reporting this type of news is valuable to your life as a resident of the Loveland community, please support and reward our efforts.

    Your reward is knowing you are helping keep your fellow residents informed about the Loveland Schools, a subject of incalculable interest to you as a taxpayer, our teachers, and of course our children.

    Checks can be sent to Loveland Magazine:

    Loveland Magazine

    243 Wall Street

    Loveland, Ohio 45140

  • Loveland Primary says goodbye and congrats to students at drive-through celebration

    Loveland Primary says goodbye and congrats to students at drive-through celebration

    David Miller is the Editor and Publisher of Loveland Magazine

     

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – Last Thursday was the last day of school for children and staff at the Loveland Primary School and the traditional goodbye was much like any other year because of the cheering and tearing.

    Usually the teachers and staff line up as buses and parents drive the children away to begin their summer break, but on Thursday afternoon parents drove their children to the school campus and to the back parking lot where teachers and staff had formed a chute to be driven through so everyone could wave and shout their goodbyes. One family even rode bicycles through the middle.

    One young man navigated the waves in a speed boat.

    There were many homemade signs and decorations, bubbles blowing, and music blasting.

    Click on any picture to see a larger view or click on the first one and keep on clicking to see them all.

    I apologize that it was just not possible to capture the faces of every child that was there that day.

  • [VIDEO ARCHIVE] May 28, 2020 Loveland Board of Education Business Meeting

    [VIDEO ARCHIVE] May 28, 2020 Loveland Board of Education Business Meeting

    Loveland, Ohio – LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV captured the Zoom/Youtube meeting of the Loveland School Board on Thursday because the District prohibits further viewing immediately after the end of their meetings. The public can only view their on-line meetings as they take place.

    Loveland Magazine captures the video and publishes it so it is archived and can be watched at the public’s leisure. You can watch Part 1 through 4 of the videos and read the meeting agenda below.

    If you believe the time and effort involved in reporting this type of news is valuable to your life as a resident of the Loveland community, please support and reward our efforts. This story alone required 8 hours and expensive equipment to produce. 623 people have viewed the video on our Facebook Page so we feel our effort adds value to the community. DO YOU?
    Your reward is knowing you are helping keep your fellow residents informed about the Loveland Schools, a subject of incalculable interest to you as a taxpayer, our teachers, and of course our children.

    AGENDA

    (Items in blue indicate a link for supporting documents)

    1. Opening Items

    1.1 Adoption of Board Agenda

    1.2 Welcoming of Guests

    1.3 Pledge of Allegiance

    1.4 Oath of Office

    2. Board Discussion Topics

    2.1 Board Meetings

    3. Board Resolutions

    3.1 Elect Vice President of the Loveland Board of Education for 2020

    3.2 Appoint Members to Planning Commission
        • Donel Autin
        • Daniel Colletto
        • Bradley Combs
        • Susan Craig
        • Kelley Deer
        • Bradley Goldie
        • Tara Hamilton
        • Matthew Hammer
        • Jeff Hawk
        • Leah Jewell
        • Jill Jones
        • Kevin Kimnach
        • Alvin Kressler
        • Craig Lewis
        • Nathan Libby
        • Lynn Mangan
        • Kirk McCracken
        • Lisa Moorhead
        • Lynn Oury
        • Lisa Saletta
        • Michael Shiverski
        • Alexander Topala
        • Lindsey Willmann
        • Warren Winning
        • Natasha Young
    4. Recognition
    5. Board Reports

    5.6 Principal Reports

    LEEC  LES  LMS  LPS  LIS  LHS
    6. Discussion Topic

    6.1 Superintendent Update

    7. Superintendent Resolutions

    7.1 Approve Board Policies

    8. Presentation

    8.1 Five Year Forecast

    9. Treasurer Resolutions

    9.3 Approve financial reports, payment of invoices, board member expenses, transfers, investment of funds, and appropriation adjustments

    9.4 Approval of transfer from general fund to “Turf Field Replacement” fund 018-9117 (Motion to authorize the Treasurer to transfer $20,000.00 from the general fund to the “Turf Field Replacement” fund 018-9117.)

    9.5 Approval of contract with HCESC

    9.6 Approval of contract with WCESC

    9.7 Approval of Treasurer Items 9.1 – 9.6

    10. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources

    10.2 Approve Resolution to Initiate Procedures under Ohio Law for the Retirement and Reemployment of Dara Hudson as a part time French and Spanish Teacher for the 2020-2021 School Year

    Dara Hudson May 28 2020 HR Pre Resolution Rehire Retiree.pdf (140 KB)Dara Hudson Loveland (Retire Rehire Mtr) Release and Waiver Agmt GTS 102317 .pdf (171 KB)Dara Hudson May 28 2020 HR Exhibit A Rehire Retiree.pdf (132 KB)
    11. Executive Session

    11.1 Enter into Executive Session to review negotiations with public employees concerning compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment.

    12. Meeting Closing
    12.1 Adjournment
    If you believe the time and effort involved in reporting this type of news is valuable to your life as a resident of the Loveland community, please support and reward our efforts. This story alone required 8 hours and expensive equipment to produce.
    Your reward is knowing you are helping keep your fellow residents informed about the Loveland Schools, a subject of incalculable interest to you as a taxpayer, our teachers, and of course our children.


    Checks can be sent to Loveland Magazine:

    Loveland Magazine

    243 Wall Street

    Loveland, Ohio 45140

  • I grew up with White Privilege in Loveland in the 80’s and 90’s

    I grew up with White Privilege in Loveland in the 80’s and 90’s

    As I reflect on what I can do as white woman in America to change our society, I am overwhelmed with doubt and uncertainty.

    by Trinity Mahan Walsh

    I grew up with White Privilege that I didn’t even know I had. Growing up in Loveland in the 80’s and 90’s, it was a pretty white town. I went to Loveland Schools for 13 years, with maybe 3-5 classmates of color. It never seemed weird to me, but I did notice. We really didn’t talk about race in my house. Not because we were afraid to talk about it or my parents are bad people (they are loving and wonderful), but it just wasn’t anything we “needed” to consider. White privilege.

    Trinity Mahan Walsh grew up in Loveland, Ohio, graduated LHS in 1994, and is now a Guidance Counselor at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.

    I often thought about what it was like for my black classmates to live in Loveland. To be a very, very small minority in our school and town. It wasn’t until I was in high school, I had my first real black friend. Yep… HIGH SCHOOL! I wasn’t as brave as I am now to ask the question, “How do you feel living here?” I am sure it was hard, but I am grateful for her seeing me as “safe” and accepting. I wanted to be her friend because she is awesome and not because she is black.

    I’ve always considered myself to be accepting of everyone and the least racist person around. As I reflect on my friend choices over the years, I must have known early on who had the same types of life views as me, as I am still friends with several of those people today. But still, my circle of friends doesn’t include too many people of color. I’d like to believe that this isn’t a choice, it’s just how my life is, but now as I really think about it, it is a choice.

    I live in a predominantly white community and work at a predominately white school. Searching out friends of color to say that I have diverse friends seems disingenuous. I don’t avoid it, my life is such that I very rarely travel in circles where my diversity factor could even be expanded.

    Why did I move to a town much like where I grew up? Comfort. Is that bad to say? I don’t think so. We all want to live where we are comfortable. Does it help expand our understanding of each other as human beings? Not necessarily, but we can choose to find other ways to make sure we do find ways to understand each other. 

    I don’t mind if I look “stupid” because I can guarantee that these white faced teenagers have the same questions as me.

    Trinity Mahan Walsh and fellow educator Elise Carter

    One of the greatest blessings in my life has been my friendship with Elise Carter. You guessed it… she’s black. She and I have the most frank and honest conversations about what it’s like to be a person of color, especially working in a predominately white school.

    She has opened my eyes to issues that I didn’t know existed… not because I chose to look the other way, but as a part of my white privilege I never had to consider. And, what I consider to be the most powerful part of our friendship is that we OPENLY talk about race issues.

    At the high school where we work, she and I often have very honest and frank conversations in front of students. I don’t mind if I look “stupid” because I can guarantee that these white faced teenagers have the same questions as me. And, like I was in high school with my friend, they are too ashamed and scared to ask the questions. So I will ask for them.

    I want them to see that she and I can have real conversations about what it’s like to be a person of color in America. She will be the first to tell the students, “I am not a spokesperson for the black community, but I will give you my perspective.” Probably one of the most powerful conversations we can have with the students is to tell them, it’s OK to call her black. She IS black! “Guys, you can call me black. I know I am! Are you offended when I call you white?” This is a common phrase from her. 

    One of the most heartbreaking conversations that we have ever had is about “the talk.”

    One of the most heartbreaking conversations that we have ever had is about “the talk.” As we started that conversation, I honestly and truly thought we were having a totally different conversation. I couldn’t understand why she was talking to me about giving her then 5-year-old son “the talk.”

    As a mother of white boys “the talk” is about sex.

    As a mother of black boys “the talk” is VERY different. It was never something I had ever thought about; I didn’t have to. And if you are like me, and are still wondering what “the talk” is, ask yourself these questions: Do I have to warn my son about the way he approaches a white woman? Do I have to warn my son that when he is running, it might appear that he is not just getting exercise? Do I have to warn my son that when he is 16 and gets pulled over for going a few miles over the speed limit, the situation can turn ugly very, very quickly? Do I have to warn my son that when he is hanging out with his white friends and things get rowdy, he might be the one blamed for anything that might go wrong?

    And this list goes on and on. 

    I want to break into tears when I think about anyone ever wanting to harm her son just because of the color of his skin. It hurts me to my core. He is kind, loving, inquisitive, and hilarious – just the same as any other 7-year-old boy. And it isn’t just her son, but every mother’s black son.

    If you’re a dumb white girl with white privilege like me, start asking questions.

    I am grateful every day that she is willing to be my friend and continues to educate this white girl about the reality of the world. If you’re a dumb white girl with white privilege like me, start asking questions. IT IS OK! We can only get better as a society when we start asking each other what it’s like to be them. You may not be able to relate personally, but you certainly can try and understand. 

    I am trying, and when I don’t hit the mark, I hope that someone calls me out on it.

    I wasn’t raised to be racist or not racist. And now recognizing that white privilege, I am trying to make some different choices in raising my children with open and honest conversations about the world we live in. I am trying, and when I don’t hit the mark, I hope that someone calls me out on it. 

    You may judge what is happening with riots in your own personal way. You don’t have to agree with what is happening around our country, but just consider the why.

    As I reflect on what I can do as white woman in America to change our society, I am overwhelmed with doubt and uncertainty. What I know I can do is to keep having those open and frank conversations with Elise and with our students. I am an educator, and that is my gift. This is one way that I can use it. You don’t need to be a trained educator though to have these conversations, too.

    I’ll leave you with this one last thought…

    I’ll leave you with this one last thought… do not surround yourselves with people only like you. Your face-to-face personal interactions, but even easier on social media. I am “friends” with so many different types of people with so many different perspectives on the world on social media. I actively choose to not de-friend people who have sometimes very different views than me. Yes, sometimes what they post makes me mad – raging mad – but I cannot grow as a person if I do not read what they are saying, consider it, and then come to my own conclusion. The greatest gift we can give each other is agreeing to disagree, but at the same time agree to just be good and loving humans. 

    If you need some more perspective on the issue of “the talk,” take a few minutes to read this powerful article:

    When My Beautiful Black Boy Grows from Cute to a Threat

  • [Video] LHS’s Class of 2020 Celebrated in a Moving Assembly Through Loveland!

    [Video] LHS’s Class of 2020 Celebrated in a Moving Assembly Through Loveland!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Many High School Seniors across Ohio didn’t get the graduation they had in mind this year, so several High Schools are now taking the initiative to honor their Seniors through virtual graduation ceremonies or moving assemblies through the town in which the High School is located. Loveland High  Seniors recently celebrated with a moving assembly that took place on Friday, May 22nd at 7 PM.

    During the 2020 LHS Senior Class Moving Assembly each Senior’s “quaranTEAM” drove through previously selected Loveland neighborhoods so that the community could not only celebrate the Seniors but also wish them luck with their future endeavors! The moving assembly began at LHS, while of course keeping in mind Ohio’s social distancing requirements, and proceeded using 1 pre-planned 52 minutes route with 4 sections through all of Loveland. Below is the route the LHS “quaranTEAM’s” took last Friday!

    The Entire Route Map

    Loveland was covered in orange and black as many LHS Seniors wearing their cap and gown and their “quaranTEAM” paraded throughout the community in their decorated cars! LHS’s Seniors were encouraged to be creative when decorating their cars so many vehicles included the grad’s name on the window followed by something “Loveland” inspired, military flags, or the college the grad would be attending in the Fall. As the procession made its way through Loveland several Seniors and their teams “laid” on the horns and cranked their radios in celebration of the class of 2020!

    Loveland Magazine was lucky enough to capture the 2020 LHS Seniors in action during the entirety of their moving assembly last Friday as it crossed the Loveland Bike Trail in Historic Loveland! Join us in congratulating LHS’s class of 2020 by enjoying the moving assembly video below!

  • “My Voice, My Choice”student recognition for creating a culture of kindness at Loveland

    “My Voice, My Choice”student recognition for creating a culture of kindness at Loveland

    Loveland, Ohio – “My Voice, My Choice” is a Loveland District student recognition program where teachers and staff nominate students who, “contribute to a more compassionate culture at their school through their good deeds and kind words.” The program is focused on creating a positive school climate by encouraging students to “stand up for their peers” in both words and actions. It is an anti-bullying initiative.

    The honorees are typically brought to half-court or the 50-yard line at a varsity basketball or football game so they can be given a certificate and be held in high esteem before a large crowd.

    This Spring, because of all of the many COVID 19 changes in the practices of the District, the awards were announced at last night’s “Zoom/YouTube” Board meeting when a video that was produced by high school counselor and Chair of the program Jamie Gordon was “Zoomed” for people who had tuned in to watch the meeting.

    Because the meeting was only available to viewers in “real-time” while the meeting was taking place, Loveland Magazine brings it to you so the students and their parents can now watch it at their leisure and share it with friends and family. The District deletes their meeting videos as soon as they are adjourned.

    During the meeting there was also discussion about the students before and after the video was shown. That discussion is also now available because LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV captured the meeting and it is now archived. You can watch the entire Board meeting HERE on our Facebook Page or see just the “My Voice, My Choice” discussion at 1:08 minute of our video.

  • It’s “Official” – Loveland school levy fails

    It’s “Official” – Loveland school levy fails

    Loveland, Ohio – The March 17 Primary Election results have now been reported by the Hamilton, Clermont, and Warren County Board of Elections.

    On election night the preliminary result was 3,844 votes for the levy and 5,766 against the levy. After counting all votes there are 57 additional votes for the levy and 104 additional votes against the levy.

    Below, are now the “Official” final results as reported by each BOE.

    Hamilton County

    For the Levy – 1,806

    Against the Levy – 2,971

    Clermont County

    For the Levy – 2,018

    Against the Levy – 2,795

    Warren County

    For the Levy – 77

    Against the Levy – 104

    TOTAL

    For the Levy – 3,901

    Against the Levy – 5,870

  • Loveland School Budget Cuts – Responsible Management?

    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

  • Our youngest Loveland Tigers know these three words well

    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