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![[Video] Mark Leguillon addresses BOE on school levy](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/maxresdefault-1.jpg)
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Board of Education met on September 24 and Mark Leguillon spoke at the beginning of the meeting about the combined operating and bond levy of 16.78-mil that will be before voters on the November 5 ballot.
![[Video] Board President Art Jarvis addresses residents at Board meeting](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/maxresdefault.jpg)
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Board of Education met on September 24 and Board President Art Jarvis spoke at the beginning of the meeting about the combined operating and bond levy of 16.78-mil that will be before voters on the November 5 ballot. (Loveland Board of Education asks for combined 16.78-mill levy)
by Robert Giuffre
I have been a proud Loveland resident for twenty-three years. As a retired public-school treasurer, having served four districts including Loveland, I am familiar with Loveland School’s fiscal operations and its needs in placing the November 5th levy on the ballot…While this levy request is certainly about numbers, I encourage you to read this article and consider critical aspects of this levy request. (Loveland Board of Education asks for combined 16.78-mill levy)
As a former school treasurer, I am well versed in school finance. I have been challenged throughout my career trying to explain how the laws governing school funding work and what their impact has been on school districts over the years. This redirection of tax-payer dollars by our legislators has fallen on our lap to explain. We have had little or no input on preserving the level of school funding voted and approved by our community. These legislative decisions cost Ohio school districts millions of dollars each
a year and are almost impossible to explain to stakeholders. All I would ask of you is to consider that your feelings about this levy are not fully directed at the leadership of this district. Please understand your legislators’ responsibility for the confusion surrounding school funding and the redirection of tax dollars.
With that, Loveland City Schools has a long and documented history of strong conservative fiscal management and has kept its commitments to this community. Two examples I would like to bring to your attention are: The District vowed that the last levy in 2014, would last for four years and it has lasted for five and a half. Twenty years ago, when I was still the District Treasurer, this community supported a bond issue to build and to renovate its buildings. Past and current students and community members benefit still from these facilities. Now, it is time to move forward with renovations and construction of new buildings for the next generation.
This levy request is about what is best for our children and our community. Students cannot learn as well in these rapidly changing times in buildings that are older than my fifty-year-old house. As we all know, maintaining, operating and implementing technology costs significantly more in old buildings as opposed to new construction. You may not be aware that students are currently being taught in temporary trailers and hallways. The one-time cost of new construction is certainly more frugal than continuing to expend operating funds year after year on dated facilities. Energy efficiency, our children’s safety and the continuing evolution of technological integration are our new normal. Unfortunately, safety training has become an urgent and critical component of our children’s and our community’s education. You own
these facilities and although the Board of Education and Administration provide leadership, you are ultimately responsible to provide that which our children need to be safe so they can succeed. Our buildings do not have current safety and security infrastructure to protect against real threats facing them.
The quality of our schools has a direct impact on the quality of our community and its economic stability, including the value of our property. Legitimizing a “no” vote without taking into consideration these critical realities is short-sighted.
As we each make up our minds about how to vote on November 5th, I ask that you consider not just the numbers, but also what the school district has consistently delivered for our children and for this community. There is a shift in education. This vote is about all our children, the lives of the children of our community. This responsibility belongs to all of us. The return on investment will come both soon and later. Actually, return on investment has already been provided for us by voters in the past. PASS IT FORWARD, please.
by Tony Mackzum
I am a lifelong West Sider who moved his young family to Paxton Woods last summer. Since I am new to this side of town, I wanted to share some of my thoughts and feelings with you regarding the recent ongoing Loveland School District Levy debate. (Loveland Board of Education asks for combined 16.78-mill levy)
While my family is younger in nature, my football and soccer friends in Loveland call me the Old Dad, which I wear with great pride. A few extra years of doing things well and not so well at times has allowed me a history perspective to see both sides of this debate.
Sincerely,
The New Guy
The format will follow the same as in the past:
Residents will be putting their questions into a “hat,” and all questions will be screened for duplication by a third party. We will ask as many of the questions as time allows in the 60 minutes.
The Little Miami River Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman has asked the Honorable Judge Brad Greenburg (Hamilton County Courthouse) to serve as the emcee.
The Chamber and Loveland Magazine feels it is important to allow the residents/voters to meet and ask questions before going to vote on November 5. We intend to provide the community with the opportunity to ask questions and make an informed choice when voting.
by Dr. Amy Crouse
As the superintendent of the Loveland City School District, it is my responsibility to ensure that every child in our district has access to quality education while managing our tax dollars wisely and providing a good value to residents. I take this responsibility seriously.
Dr. Amy Crouse is Superintendent, Loveland City School District
Another responsibility I take very seriously is the dissemination of facts. This is why we have been hosting community chats and forums, such as the event held on September 12; it’s why we are constantly updating our website and addressing frequently asked questions; and it’s why we are so intent on engaging with our community. It is imperative that our residents have the facts in order to make an informed decision at the ballot on November 5. And some of what we’re seeing out there, well, it’s simply not accurate.
What is accurate is that Loveland City Schools have reached a critical juncture: We have overcrowding, with some classes being held in hallways and in trailers, we have three old buildings for which repair costs have reached the threshold where industry standards recommend replacement over renovation, and we have a need to secure additional operating dollars. The needs facing our schools are very real and immediate.
Over these last several years, we have spent time working with the community on a plan that is cost-efficient and meets the school district’s needs. This is the ballot issue facing voters with the Tuesday, November 5 election.
We realize that this ballot issue is no small ask. We also realize, like the community members who helped identify and prioritize the needs, that it is more cost effective to do the work all at once and that the longer we wait, the more expensive it will be to remedy the needs facing our schools.
Large amounts of money would have to be spent on other temporary solutions, like trailers, instead of putting the dollars toward real solutions for the long term.
When considering this ballot issue, it is important to note that there is no zero-cost option with our facilities and the needs do not go away over time if we continue with the status quo. In fact, continuing to do so with our facilities comes at a substantial cost – we would need to divert funds from the classroom to pay for critical repairs, which are still only temporary fixes to problems that don’t go away. We would need to put off important safety and security updates in the buildings and continue to make do with antiquated science and technology laboratories and learning spaces. Large amounts of money would have to be spent on other temporary solutions, like trailers, instead of putting the dollars toward real solutions for the long term.
I encourage you to visit the “Frequently Asked Questions” section on our website.
These are important considerations for our community – it comes down to how we want our schools to operate. So that you can be informed about the facts regarding the district work, planning and needs, I encourage you to visit the “Frequently Asked Questions” section on our website. Among other facts on this page, we have also included the updated cost information that shows the board’s intent to structure the financing so that the overall impact of the tax is phased in for residents over three years. This helps residents and it helps meet the school district’s needs.
In service to our Tigers.
by James Visconti
In the past 4 years our school board has been working on a plan to cover an anticipated increase in the student enrollment and the replacement of older schools with a super campus; that is second to none. This is the dream. Then the nightmare began trying to figure out how to pay for this this campus and justify nonexistent increases in student enrollment.
After countless meetings and input from many different sources a decision was made to place a tax levy totaling 16.78 mils on the November ballot.
James Visconti is a resident of Pheasantwoods in the City of Loveland
Unfortunately, most Loveland residents were unaware of this process and the impact to their taxes until the ballot information came out. What it means to most property owners is an increase of $588 per $100,000 dollars of your homes appraised value, not the assessed value. Yes, the school board did vote and passed a resolution to alter the first two years of the collection but from the third-year forward is the full amount. This is an addition to the 45 mils already on the books for schools and does not preclude the school board from placing additional levies on the ballot in future years.
The initial numbers used by the school board to forecast the increase in enrollment was 20% over the next five years. When in fact it by their own admission it is more likely to be 5% over the next five years. Without this increase, one of the reasons for the new schools is gone. It should be noted that enrollment for the last 15 years has been relatively flat. Since, 2008 has been dropping including the last year despite all of the local development. Enrollment of 4,837 in 2008. Per the Ohio School report card 4,428 in 2019.
The next number of concern is the age of the Loveland Primary School which houses grades 1-4. Built in 1941 the school has had several remodels over the years but will eventually need to be replaced but when and at what cost?
Why does the school district use 3 classrooms at Loveland Early Childhood Center (LECC) for half day preschool classes when none are required by law?
Why does the school district use 3 classrooms at LECC for full-day kindergarten classes when none are required by law?
We have the right to expect our elected officials to act in the best interest of those being asked to foot the bill!
We have the right to ask any and all questions and have them answered without first putting them in writing in an open board meeting!
We have the right to expect our tax dollars to be spent to educate our children not to build a super campus.
We have the right not to be taxed out of our homes!
We have the right to VOTE NO on November 5
I for one am going to exercise that right!
by Dr. Gregg Tracy
I have yet to meet the person who wants to pay more taxes. A major issue with most taxes is that when we pay them we frequently do not know how they’re going to be spent. That is not the case with school levies and bond issues that by law must be spent for the purposes as stated. Therefore, the tax initiative headed to the ballot in the Loveland City School District must also follow those rules. Thus, we know how the money will be spent and that it will be used to benefit the current and future students of the Loveland City School district. Investments into our schools are laden with value since they have a direct, positive impact on the future of our students, families, community, and society.
What we cannot forget is that support for our schools will also contribute to the success of our growing, vibrant, and prosperous community. Financial support is not only an investment in our children’s future and a flourishing community, but great schools serve to increase the value of our properties as well. An investment in our schools is certainly an investment in the future of our nation.
As a Loveland citizen, property owner, and Loveland High School graduate, I look to our school leadership team to put together a tax package that is the most economical, reasonable, and feasible but does not compromise excellence in providing for our students’ and community’s future.
Join me in voting “yes” to fund the current and future operation and building needs of the Loveland City School District.
by Mike Hunting
The proposed school levy for Loveland has been extremely stressful for residents on both sides of the issue. I have no doubt the students, faculty, and staff at Loveland schools would love to work and study in newer facilities and use turf athletic fields. The folks opposed to the levy are extremely frustrated with what appears to be the largest tax hike in the history of Loveland and possibly in the state of Ohio. While I can sympathize with the frustrated faculty and want to support our schools (and have supported them), the tax implications of this levy are simply stated…ridiculous.
We need to realize this will break the bank for many people who are living in and around Loveland. I attended the meetings on September 9 at Loveland Middle School (LMS) and on September 12 at Loveland High School (LHS).
During the LMS meeting, I heard several couples say they would move if this levy passed. One couple was in dire straits because they had moved several times recently and cannot afford to move again. They are now simply stuck in Loveland and facing what appears to be the largest tax hike in the city’s (and possibly state’s) history. A tax hike that is certain to be followed again and again with MORE levies.
For those who paid attention to the words of Loveland Superintendent, Dr Amy Crouse, she said she hopes Clermont County and the City of Loveland will help with infrastructure costs for the new school. To date, Loveland and Clermont have not officially committed to these costs, at least not publicly to us. Expect another levy to cover this if and when they refuse (and even if they do we are STILL paying for it).
I would also expect a third levy to cover more teachers since this proposed levy adds several buildings but only two additional teachers. I strongly believe we have reached the breaking point in this community. We will likely see an exodus similar to what is happening in failed areas such as New York City, Detroit, Chicago, California, and much of New England.
Perhaps the most frustrating part of the meetings last week was the school board’s arrogant attempt to manipulate its audiences. At both meetings, members of the school board, the Treasurer, and Dr. Crouse kept saying, “The community wants this” or “the community voted for this.” Most of the community didn’t even know of this levy until the flyers arrived in their mailboxes in mid-August. Thus, the community certainly DID NOT vote for the levy or approve it. The only people I have spoken with who are in favor of this are school faculty or folks affiliated with the schools (although I have also spoken with school employees who are opposed).
The timeline of the release of information is interesting. My family and many of our peers didn’t even know about this levy until we received the flyers in our mailboxes around August 15. August 15 is a significant date because the deadline to place names on the ballot to run against Art Jarvis and Kathryn Lorenz was August 7. Once again, this is utterly ridiculous (albeit well played by Art and Kathryn and the other members of the Levy). Since they are now protected for at least two more years, expect more levy proposals even after this one is shot down.
The Treasurer, Kevin Hawley, stated he will propose another levy if this goes down. He doesn’t even live within this tax district, so why would he care? We must get people to run against this out of control board and Treasurer at the earliest opportunity.
Dr. Amy Crouse finished the meeting on Thursday by saying, “We hope we answered some of your questions, and we hope that you choose to support this when it comes time in November so that we can move forward.” Unfortunately, they failed to answer many of our questions. They would not allow us to voice questions and we had to submit index cards with questions written on them for Thursday’s meeting. Thus, they could selectively answer the easy questions and dodge the relevant questions. I know for a fact I saw roughly 30-40 index cards with questions on Thursday. I am guessing they answered at most 1/3 of these cards. My question was not answered. I merely wanted to confirm Dr. Crouse and Mr. Hawley live elsewhere and thus won’t be impacted by the increased taxes (which I have since learned is true).
The last part of Dr. Crouse’s statement is interesting. She recommends how we should vote from inside a government building and while serving in an official government capacity. Thus, the government is telling you how you should vote and not allowing the opposition to speak. This is on tape.
by Juliet Tissot
The Loveland school levy we will vote on November 5 is one of the largest in Ohio state history at $165 million! We are told it is “needed” because the current K-5 buildings are old and outdated. They are old, this is true, but there are many buildings in the city that are even older and still being used for education with wildly successful results.
Juliet Tissot lives in Miami Trails
Even if we all agreed the K-5 buildings need to be replaced we could still cut this levy almost in half to pay for them. $77 million of the current $165 million levy is going to the high school and middle school which are less than half as old as the K-5 buildings. According to the superintendent, the upgrades to the HS and MS will include $10 million in athletic upgrades and the auditorium alone will cost $5 million.
Enrollment hasn’t increased much in the Loveland City School district over the last 10 years. As a matter of fact, in 2007-2008 enrollment at the high school was 1,428 students and in 2017-2018, ten years later, enrollment at the high school was 1,400 students. Why all of a sudden is there a “space issue” that needs to be addressed immediately?
The upgrades to the middle school involve skylights, office upgrades, and athletic upgrades. When people will literally be taxed out of their homes, these upgrades to the high school and middle school should wait. They are luxuries, not needs.
There has been a lot of criticism of those who say they will be taxed out of their homes if this monstrous school levy passes: comments about how people should budget better or buy a smaller home or sacrifice a raise to cover this tax. I find those comments troubling. These people, who I have talked to personally, are young families just starting out, retired folks on a fixed income who have supported the district for decades and single moms who struggle daily. They are part of Tiger Nation too and they have more value than any turf field, skylight or auditorium ever could.
According to 2018 data from the Ohio Department of Education, 13% of Loveland school district’s student body is on the free or reduced lunch program. Do you think they should pay for skylights or $10 million athletic upgrades or a $5 million auditorium?
According to the census bureau (2017), 9.97% of Loveland lives in poverty. That amounts to 1,027 people. Does Tiger Nation value them at all?
According to the food pantry, 300 local families rely on them for assistance with groceries every month. How are they expected to pay for the “wants” in this levy?
When the schools’ 2018 operating budget ends the year with a $3 million surplus it is unreasonable of the board to now ask for a 45.2% increase in operating funds from the taxpayers?
A NO VOTE November 5th is not a vote against the schools, the teachers or the children. It is a fiscally responsible vote that simply tells the board to try again because Tiger Nation values all its members and $49/month per $100,000 value of your home for 37 years is way too much. We should not thumb our noses at the less fortunate just because we want nice stuff. If the board focused on needs that improve education this levy would pass just like the other 15+ PERMANENT levies we are currently paying on to the tune of $60 million a year.
