LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: education

  • Board moves to place 6.95 mills on the March 2020 ballot

    Board moves to place 6.95 mills on the March 2020 ballot

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Board of Education met on Tuesday, December 17 and unanimously passed a resolution to place an operating levy of 6.95 mills on the March 2020 ballot. The deadline to file the resolution with the Hamilton County Board of Elections is today, December 18.

    Neither Board Superintendent Amy Crouse or Treasurer/CFO Kevin Hawley wanted to speak to Loveland Magazine after the meeting, so details of the implications of the levy are sketchy. Neither Crouse or Hawley would discuss the budget cuts they are proposing or the amount the levy would provide the District. However, Crouse did say last week in a press release, “Approximately $2.7 million dollars of budget cuts will be made in conjunction with the levy. They will include a combination of reductions in the instructional cycle budget (textbooks, etc.), staff, and contracted services, among others.”

    Last week’s press release also said:

    The 6.95 millage levy translates into approximately $20/month ($243 annually) per $100,000 of appraised home value as determined by the county auditor.

    Below is a LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video of the 14-minute meeting.

    In the interview below Dale Friemoth, a member of the

    Loveland Voice on Facebook: “Voter Oversight, Involvement, Concern for Education.”

    District Ad Hoc Advisory committee that was appointed to discuss how the District should move forward after the defeat of a combined operating and bond issue that was on the November ballot discusses the Board’s vote. He talked about the new levy and also about a new community organization that has formed, Loveland Voice. Friemoth said they will meet soon to discuss their actions going forward. One thing he stressed is that he feels that the Board must take purchasing the Grailville land off the table at their next meeting if they want voter support for the new levy.

    Below is the Resolution that was to be delivered to the Hamilton County Board of Elections today.

  • Great Oaks now accepting high school applications for 2020-2021 school year

    Great Oaks now accepting high school applications for 2020-2021 school year

    Promoted Post

    Welcome to Great Oaks Online Application. The following are instructions regarding the completion of this application:

    • You must be a high school student to apply. If you are not a high school student, please see adult education programs
    • You must attend or reside in one of our district’s partner school districts
    • You must have your parent’s approval to complete this application
    • Most of our programs are designed for juniors and seniors in high school.

    If you have any questions or concerns regarding our programs or applying for Great Oaks programs, contact one of the career specialists below:

    Continue to Application

  • More than 40 VEX Robotics Teams Ready to compete at Loveland High School on December 21

    More than 40 VEX Robotics Teams Ready to compete at Loveland High School on December 21

    Students in the VEX Robotics Program at Loveland High School started working on their current robots last summer and will continue to refine them throughout the 2019-20 competition season.

     

    Loveland, Ohio – It may be just a few days before Christmas, but teams from Loveland High School (LHS) and Loveland Middle School (LMS) will be competing with more than 40 other teams from across the region in the VEX Robotics Competition at LHS on December 21, officially kicking off their tournament season. The seven Loveland teams have been hard at work preparing for the 2019-2020 season.

    “This game has many challenging aspects, including robot design, programming, and game strategy,” said LHS Robotics Coordinator Amy Stewart.

    In the competition, teams of students will use their own designed and built robots to compete against other teams in a game-based engineering challenge. This year’s VEX Robotics game, “Tower Takeover,” is played on a 12’x12’ square field with the object of attaining a higher score than the opposing alliance by placing cubes in towers or scoring cubes in goals.

    “This game has many challenging aspects, including robot design, programming, and game strategy,” said LHS Robotics Coordinator Amy Stewart.

    The matches on December 21 start at 9:45 AM and the event concludes with an awards ceremony around 4 PM.

    The competition is open to the public and free of charge.

    The competition tests the students’ knowledge of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) concepts, inspiring them to bring their best problem-solving skills to the table while simultaneously building on teamwork, leadership, and communication skills for life. Tournaments are held throughout the year at the regional, state and national levels, with an eye toward the VEX Robotics World Championship, which is held annually in April.

    The matches on December 21 start at 9:45 AM and the event concludes with an awards ceremony around 4 PM.

    The competition is open to the public and free of charge.

    To learn more about this year’s competition game, visit vexrobotics.com.

    For more information about programs available to students at Loveland, visit Loveland Robotics at lovelandrobotics.wixsite.com.


  • Governor DeWine Announces School Safety Working Group Members

    Governor DeWine Announces School Safety Working Group Members

    Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced the members of the Governor’s new Ohio School Safety Working Group.

    Governor DeWine called for the creation of the working group in August when announcing the development of the Ohio School Safety Center, a new statewide office focused on assisting educators and law enforcement in preventing, preparing for, and responding to threats and acts of violence, including self-harm. The working group, which will be led by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, will evaluate current issues regarding school safety and advise the Ohio School Safety Center on its work.

    “Members of this working group all have a common goal of making Ohio’s schools as safe as they possibly can be,” said Governor DeWine. “I’m confident that this group will be a great asset as they work to promote a safe environment for Ohio’s school students and school employees.”

    Members of the Ohio School Safety Working Group include:

      • Tim Armelli, Teacher, Chardon High School
      • Melissa Wervey Arnold, CEO, American Academy of Pediatrics
      • Todd Barnhouse, CEO, Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association
      • Bobbie Boyer, Deputy Director of Prevention, Ohio MHAS
      • LeeAnne Cornyn, Director, Governor’s Children’s Initiatives
      • Courtney Ebersole, Program Administrator, Ohio ACBHA
      • Joan Englund, Executive Director, Mental Health and Addiction Advocacy Coalition
      • Dan Flannery, Director, Case Western Reserve University
      • Eric “Yitz” Frank, Director, Agudath Israel of Ohio
      • Dan Girard, Principal, Wilson Hill Elementary, Worthington Schools
      • Dan Grothause, Transportation Supervisor, St. Marys City Schools
      • Kirk Hamilton, Executive Director, Buckeye Association of School Administrators
      • Donna Harrass, Executive Director, Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police
      • Brian Hill, School Psychologist, Ohio School Psychologists Association
      • Lois Hochstetler, Assistant Director of Community Treatment, Ohio MHAS
      • Scott Huddle, Board President, Mad River Local Schools
      • Jeff Hussey, State Fire Marshal, Ohio Department of Commerce
      • Joe Kitchen, Fire Chief, Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association
      • Jon Kochis, Fairfield County EMA Director, EMA of Ohio
      • Teresa Lampl, CEO, Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers
      • Nicholas Lashutka, President, Ohio Children’s Hospital Association
      • Sarah LaTourette, Executive Director, Ohio Family and Children First
      • Rick Lewis, Executive Director/CEO, Ohio School Boards Association
      • George Maier, Sheriff, Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association
      • Krista Maxson, Associate Vice Chancellor P-16 Initiatives, Ohio Dept. of Higher Ed.
      • Mark Mecum, Executive Director, Ohio Children’s Alliance
      • Matt Miller, Superintendent, Lakota Local Schools
      • Nichole Miller, President, Ohio School Counselors Association
      • Bradley Paramore, President, Ohio School Psychologists Association
      • Kari Parsons, Executive Director, Ohio School Resource Office Association
      • Mark Porter, Director of Law Enforcement, Ohio Attorney General’s Office
      • Pam Reed, Teacher, Columbus City Preparatory School for Girls
      • Terry Russell, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness Ohio
      • Angela Sausser, Executive Director, Public Children Services Association of Ohio
      • Marcie Seidel, Executive Director, Prevention Action Alliance
      • Stephanie Siddens, Senior Executive Director, Ohio Department of Education
      • Jeff Staggs, Superintendent, Newcomerstown Exempted Village Schools
      • Joe Suozzi, Director of Safety, Security and Preparedness, Olentangy Local Schools
      • Ben Suver, Director of Law Enforcement Initiatives, Ohio Dept. of Public Safety
      • Dean Tondiglia, Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police, Kent State University
      • Kim Welter, Director of Finance and Policy, Equality Ohio Education Fund
      • Jeff Westhoven, Chief of Program Services, Ohio Facilities Construction Commission

    The Ohio School Safety Center and the Governor’s Ohio School Safety Working Group were created as part of Governor DeWine’s STRONG Ohio plan.

    The working group’s first meeting will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the Ohio Department of Public Safety, 1970 W. Broad Street, in Columbus.

  • School Board meets Tuesday for March levy vote

    School Board meets Tuesday for March levy vote

    Board members, Michele Pettit, Ned Portune, Eileen Washburn, President Art Jarvis, and Vice President Kathryn Lorenz

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District has called a special meeting for Tuesday, December 17. This meeting will be held to consider a “resolution to proceed” in order to place a March operating levy on the ballot.

    The Board will also go into executive session to discuss employment matters.

    The 6 PM meeting is in the Loveland Intermediate and Middle School’s Media Center at 757 S. Lebanon Road.

     

    Treasurer Resolutions
    Approve a resolution declaring intent to proceed with election on the question of an additional tax in excess of the 10 mill limitation and certifying the same to the board of elections per ORC 5705.21.

     

    The Board of Education met on Tuesday, December 10, and passed a resolution of necessity to place an operating levy of 6.95 mills on the March 2020 ballot. The decision was five weeks after a failed combined operating and permanent improvement/bond issue on November 5.

    According to a press release issued by the Distric, the 6.95 millage levy translates into approximately $20/month ($243 annually) per $100,000 of appraised home value as determined by the county auditor. The board is to have the millage amount certified by the county auditor and intends to pass a resolution to proceed on December 17. The deadline to submit ballot language to the county boards of elections is December 18.

  • Three Loveland Schools Recognized with Achievement Awards by Ohio Superintendent and State Board of Education

    Three Loveland Schools Recognized with Achievement Awards by Ohio Superintendent and State Board of Education

    State Board of Education and Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria (Image ODE)

    Columbus, Ohio – The State Board of Education and Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria announced this week the recognition of schools across the state for achieving high performance, outstanding progress and momentum for students – and among them are Loveland High School (LHS), Loveland Elementary School (LES) and the Loveland Early Childhood Center (LECC).

    Loveland High School earned the “Momentum Award” for the third consecutive year in recognition of exceeding expectations in student growth. In order to be recognized, schools must earn straight A’s on all value-added measures on the report card and must have at least two value-added subgroups of students, which include gifted, lowest 20% in achievement, and students with disabilities. Value-added measures use student achievement over time in English Language Arts and Math to measure the gain in learning from year to year.

    Loveland Elementary School earned the “Overall A Award” for receiving an “A” as a school on the report card. The overall letter grade is calculated by using results in the six components that make up the state report card: Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing, Improving At-Risk K-3 Readers, Graduation Rate and Prepared for Success.

    Loveland Early Childhood Center earned the “All A Award” for receiving A grades on the applicable Ohio School Report Card measures. Only 50 schools and four school districts across the state were recognized for this achievement in 2019.

    “I’m incredibly proud of our educational leaders and staff across the district who embrace the mindset of continuous improvement,” said Loveland City School District Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse. “They have done a remarkable job putting goals into action for the benefit of student achievement and academic momentum at Loveland Schools.”

    State Board of Education President Laura Kohler issued a statement in a press release issued by the Ohio Department of Education:

    “The students, teachers, administrators and staff honored today are shining examples to peers and colleagues around Ohio. We are so proud of these award recipients and the effort they put into learning, leading and growing every day. We are both encouraged and challenged by the example of excellence they are setting.”


  • [Breaking] School Board votes to put 6.95 mills on March ballot

    [Breaking] School Board votes to put 6.95 mills on March ballot

    Loveland, Ohio – A Press Release issued by the Loveland City School District tonight reads:

    Loveland Board of Education Passes Resolution of Necessity for Operating Levy in March 2020

    The Loveland City School District Board of Education met on Tuesday, December 10, and passed a resolution of necessity to place an operating levy of 6.95 mills on the March 2020 ballot. The decision comes five weeks after a failed combined operating and permanent improvement/bond issue on November 5.

    “We have sought the feedback of our community through an ad hoc advisory committee to determine the feasibility of a March ballot issue,” said Board President Art Jarvis. “We are tremendously grateful for the commitment shown by these individuals to step up, assist us and provide the community input needed for this decision. After collaboration and conversations with concerned community members, parents, staff and administration about the implications of both a March and a November 2020 operating levy, we, as a board, feel that it is in the best interest of the district to give the community the opportunity to vote in March.”

    Approximately $2.7 million dollars of budget cuts will be made in conjunction with the levy. According to Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse, they will include a combination of reductions in the instructional cycle budget (textbooks, etc.), staff, and contracted services, among others.

    “When implementing cuts in our budget, our priority is to protect our students and the growth, achievement and academic momentum gained over the past several years,” said Dr. Crouse.

    If the March levy fails, additional cuts will need to be made in order for the district to go back on the ballot in November 2020.

    Operating levies fund the school district’s day-to-day expenses, including the salary and benefits of staff, which at Loveland make up approximately 83 percent of operating expenditures. Loveland Schools receive about 32 percent of its budget revenue from the state, an amount that remains relatively flat from year to year. The majority of the budget, nearly 60 percent, must be generated locally – mainly through property taxes. This locally-generated source of funding is also flat due to Ohio House Bill 920, which prevents schools from collecting additional revenue as home values increase over time.

    In addition to voting for a March levy, the board discussed the intention to look into options for increasing transparency and community involvement, for example through a model of community advisory groups, one of which would focus specifically on school funding issues and advocacy at the state level.

    “We will continue to work with our community on creative solutions for increasing income and reducing expenditures,” said Dr. Crouse. “Our school facility needs as presented earlier this year still remain and will eventually need to be addressed, but the board will not be placing any levy on the ballot for facilities in November.”

    The 6.95 millage levy translates into approximately $20/month ($243 annually) per $100,000 of appraised home value as determined by the county auditor. The board will have the millage amount certified by the county auditor and intends to pass a resolution to proceed on December 17. The deadline to submit ballot language to the county boards of elections is December 18.

     

  • School Board to discuss the potential of a March levy Tuesday evening

    School Board to discuss the potential of a March levy Tuesday evening

    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.

    6. Meeting Closing
    6.1 Adjournment

  • [Video] Grailville? YES or NO

    [Video] Grailville? YES or NO

    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 MAGAZINE TV IS SPONSORED BY MOVE2LOVELAND

     

    BACKGROUND

    To bone up, here is the Option to Purchase Grailville Contract and the Appraisal of the land the District received.

    Related:

    Thought you knew how school buses will get to Grailville? (See…

    School Board approves option to purchase 110 acres of land at…

    [BREAKING NEWS] Board votes to build new campus for Pre-K thru…

    Board of Ed cancels contract with Allerton Hill Consulting and enrolls…

    [Binge Watch Alert] Videos from short-term Levy advisory committee meeting

  • Loveland School Inclement weather information for 2019-20

    Loveland School Inclement weather information for 2019-20

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District operates on a two-hour delay schedule for weather-related delays. This means all buildings will begin classes on a two-hour delay from regular start times, and all buses will run on a two-hour delay to pick up students.

    On weather delay days, Loveland Early Childhood Center (LECC) will enact the following schedule:

    • Preschool and AM Kindergarten = 11:10-12:50
    • Preschool and PM Kindergarten = 2:10-3:50
    • All Day Kindergarten & First grade = 11:10-3:50

    Breakfast will not be served in any of the buildings on days with a delayed start.

    Families will be notified about weather-related delays and closings through the district’s alert notification system, the district website, and on the district’s Facebook (Loveland City Schools) and Twitter (@lovelandtigers). Traditional media outlets will also run listings of school delays and closings.