Loveland, Ohio – Due to the COVID-19 safety measures put in place, the student/athletes of the Loveland Schools will not be able to deliver bag purchases of mulch this year.
All bag orders that were already submitted will be refunded in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Gerstemeier at (513) 898-9973 or LAB@G-FG.com
The Boosters thank you for your patience and consideration as they work through this process.
– Two kinds of high quality mulch are available to purchase by the bag or by the pallet
– Queen City Dark Hardwood – Triple processed (their biggest seller) * $5.00 per 2.0cf bag (50 bags/pallet = $250.00) – Enhanced Black Dye * $5.50 per 2.0cf bag (60 bags/pallet = $330.00)
Nonprofit started by two Loveland students receives Library of Congress State Literacy Award
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland nonprofit Adopt A Bookhas been announced a winner of the 2020 State Literacy Award by the Library of Congress. The award is bestowed upon 10 organizations across the country that, “tirelessly work to mitigate illiteracy throughout communities and the world.” Organizations are awarded grant money for, “Exemplary, innovative and easily replicable longstanding initiatives toward this goal.”
Started by current Loveland High School Juniors Hannah and Alexander Laman, Adopt A Book regularly provides books for preschool programs, Cincinnati Public Schools, home-based programming, health clinics, and even schools abroad to encourage children to read. To date, Adopt A Book has donated over 165,000 books to more than 100 organizations, schools and programs that serve children in need.
“I am very honored and it means a lot to me to be recognized by the largest library in the world for my efforts in making sure as many kids as possible have access to books,” said Alex Laman upon receiving notification about the award.
His sister Hannah agrees: “This award means a lot to me because we were one of 10 recipients from all across the country, so to see that we stood out among many applicants is very meaningful. It is great to not only be recognized for our efforts, but to also be recognized by the Library of Congress, and to think that we have made a large enough impact on the community to be chosen is great.”
Alex and Hannah Laman with their parents Brent and Angela at “Fall Feast” on Thanksgiving Day 2019. Fall Feast is a Give Back Cincinnati program which makes a difference in the lives of neighbors throughout the community, especially the less fortunate, by offering the opportunity for people to unite and share a Thanksgiving meal, receive health checks, haircuts, coats – and books. More than 2,000 books by Adopt A Book found new homes at the event last November.This photo was taken when ten-year-old twins Alex and Hannah Laman’s “Little Library” was first planted right on the Loveland Bike Trail at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Harrison Avenue. (Loveland Magazine File Photo)
Impacting the community is exactly what Adopt A Book has encouraged many others to do. It all started in 2011, when Hannah and Alex as third-graders at Loveland Elementary School decided to “start a business” that would donate reading material after hearing about an elementary school in the Cincinnati area that didn’t have library books or even textbooks for their students. To share their own love of reading, they turned the idea into an incorporated nonprofit with the help of their parents. For Hannah and Alex, the model is quite simple: they involve other students, teachers, churches and charities, and have reached out to numerous businesses in the area for donations over the years. They run book drives and have expanded their efforts to include fundraising for things like bookshelves, furniture for personal reading spaces, and to create “reading buddies” programs for young children.
The “Little Library” that Hannah and Alex Laman planted is located along the Loveland Bike Trail in Historic Downtown Loveland. (Loveland Magazine File Photo)
Adopt A Book was nominated for the State Literacy Award by the Ohio Center for the Book as the one Ohio nonprofit that best exemplifies outstanding and innovative contributions to promoting literacy and reading in the local communities. The Library of Congress is expected to announce all winners of the Literacy Awards later in the year and Hannah and Alex will be presented the award of $2,225 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of literacy and reading at a formal ceremony.
As such successful ambassadors of reading, what are Alex and Hannah’s own favorite reads?
For Hannah, it’s IT by Stephen King, mystery novels, and any books by John Green.
Alex’s favorites include Science Magazine and he reads anything from reference books, Science Fiction and Classics to books on history.
“I always have something on my nightstand, floor or desk,” he said.
Loveland Magazine is one of the 400 news outlets worldwide, with a combined audience of over 2 billion people “Covering Climate Now”, a global journalism…
Lynnette Viox (center), here with College Study Skills and Financial Literacy students from Loveland High School, will be attending the 2020 Next Gen Changemaker Summit in San Francisco in March
Loveland, Ohio – “I am very honored and excited to represent Loveland at the summit and to further my professional development as we continue to advance the Business Department’s curriculum at Loveland High School,” said Lynnette Viox. “There is a strong interest in and demand for business courses among our students and this will benefit them as our program evolves.”
Some 90 educators from 28 states across the country will gather in San Francisco for the third annual Next Gen Changemaker Summit in March. Viox, an applied technology and business teacher at Loveland High School (LHS) is one of six representatives from Ohio that will attend the conference.
Participants at the Changemaker Summit are identified as educators who are working to achieve the Gold Standard in personal finance education in their schools and districts.
According to Next Gen’s “Mission:2030”, schools achieving the Gold Standard ensure that all students take at least a semester-long personal finance class prior to graduation as part of the belief that all students deserve a financial education that will allow them to thrive in their personal lives beyond high school.
“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to host such a talented and passionate group of educators for our third Annual Changemaker Summit,” said Tim Ranzetta, co-founder of Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF). “While 90% of students and parents believe that personal finance should be taught in high school, only 16% currently get it. This inspiring group of changemakers will close that gap.”
Summit participants will have the opportunity to collaborate and will be provided new resources and ideas on how to engage students in their classes. Teacher-led sessions and panels will showcase the progress of increasing access to personal finance education nationwide and how to support teachers in the advocacy for this type of curriculum in their communities.
Viox, who in addition to her teaching position at Loveland High School also serves as first vice-chair of the Loveland City School District’s Business Advisory Council, worked in business for 10 years prior to becoming a teacher. She has served as a coordinator for the Clermont County Mentor Program, as a member of the district’s “Innovation X” team and as the co-founder and co-leader of the LHS Link Crew, among others.
Viox will be representing Ohio at the Changemaker Summit along with Judy Matey, (Tuslaw High School, Massillon), Katherine Blanton (Butler Tech, Fairfield Township), Mark Rairigh and Nathan Kee (Bryan Middle and High Schools, Bryan) and Molly Tyson (Lorain High School, Lorain). NGFP has underwritten the full cost of the conference for all attendees as part of its commitment to teacher professional development.
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced the launch of Ohio’s new Infant Mental Health Credential for early childhood professionals, the first of its kind in the state. This credential provides professional development to support the social-emotional needs of Ohio’s youngest children. Early childhood professionals who hold this credential will have met the state’s minimum core standards.
“When children are young, they are building the foundation for the rest of their lives. It’s important that we ensure they have the emotional and behavioral skills to succeed,” said Governor DeWine. “This new credential guarantees that those early childhood professionals have specialized skills and training to help young children reach their best possible wellness.”
Applications are being accepted through the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association. Early childhood system professionals working in the following categories may apply:
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.
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland High School (LHS) Counseling Department’s partnership with Junior Achievement is facilitating a series of presentations and Q&A opportunities for students to learn about local companies and the industries in which they operate. These Career Pathways presentations host representatives from a variety of companies who share knowledge and experience about their field, helping link the curriculum at Loveland with real-world opportunities and assisting students as they prepare for success after high school.
David Cook, senior vice president and chief human resource officer at TriHealth (Photo from TriHealth)
“David Cook, senior vice president and chief human resource officer at TriHealth, recently spoke about career paths and success in the healthcare industry,” said Drews Mitchell, LHS Career and College Counselor. “It was eye opening for students to learn about the multitude of career options within healthcare – not only traditional medical pathways, but everything from culinary to information security and marketing careers.”
Next up in the Career Pathways series was Steve Eder from Messer Construction, representing the Construction Industry, who spoke to students on February 10.
Bonnie Curtis from the Castellini Group, representing the Transportation, Supply Chain and Logistics Industry, will speak to students on March 12.
Loveland, Ohio – We wanted to let the community in on the excitement that is building as the Loveland High School Women’s Basketball team heads to the Division I District Finals tomorrow. Cassie Mattia went to the school Friday afternoon and interviewed Head Coach Darnell Parker and the team just before they were to begin their last practice before taking on Mount Notre Dame Saturday at 3 PM.
They have put themselves in the position to beat the #3 team in the nation. MND is also rated the top team in Ohio.
You will be needed as the 6th woman/man/girl/boy and that’s why we wanted you to meet the team. Both LHS and the community of Loveland encourage everyone to come out and show their support for the LHS Women’s Basketball team tomorrow as they continue to change school history!
Game time is 3 PM and it will be played at Princeton High School in what is predicted to be a jam packed gym. (MAP 100 Viking Way, Cincinnati, Ohio.)
Below is the exclusive interview with Coach Parker and the Tiger’s!
Junior Jenna Batsch (above) scored 17 on 7-9 shooting from the field. She had 5 rebounds, 3 assists. and blocked 2.
Loveland, Ohio – It will be the Loveland Tigers vs. #1 seed Mount Notre Dame Saturday, February 29 at 3 PM (at Princeton H.S.).
Mount Notre Dame defeated Edgewood 85-25 Monday night to get to the finals. MND is undefeated, ranked #1 in Ohio by MaxPreps, and has a #3 national ranking. The Tigers are the #6 seed and defeated Mason Monday night 55-41 to reach the District Finals. Loveland Tigers now 22-3 and Walnut Hills both from the ECC advanced Monday night.
A strong 22-7 1st quarter with shots coming from every part of the court was too much for Mason to overcome.
Senior Jillian Hayes led the Tigers with a game-high 20 points shooting 50% from the field. and 4-5 from the foul line. She had 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocked shots.
Junior Jenna Batsch scored 17 on 7-9 shooting from the field. She had 5 rebounds, 3 assists. and blocked 2.
Senior Kate Garry finished with 10 points, 6 coming from behind the 3-pt line, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists.
A young Tiger high-5’s Jillian Hayes before she heads into the locker room after the win.
MND is led by Sophomore 5’9″ forward K.K. Bransford who averages 20.2 points per game and scored 40 on the road against Lincoln Gahanna in October. Senior 5’6″ guard Makira Cook averages 17.6. and scored 27 against Huntington St. Joseph Academy on February 1.
Loveland’s Hayes scored 27 in a December win over Walnut Hills.
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.
![[Photo Album] Tiger women vie for District title on Saturday vs #3 team in nation](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/jenna-batsch-feature.jpg)
