News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area
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Loveland, Ohio – Here are the instructions and the date for the City’s Fall Brush Pick-up.
You can also click on this .pdf and print this information to have in a convenient place as a reminder: Loveland’s Fall Brush Pick-up
Susan Craig
It is no secret that November’s ballot has caused quite a bit of controversy throughout the community. The lines have been drawn and those that are left to decide which direction they want to go have some big decisions to make. Depending upon the website that you visit, each person will tell you how they interpret the situation. Some of these things are facts, some are embellished, some are grounded in emotion. As a voter, you have an important decision to make.
Susan Craig lives in the Turnbury Subdivision of Loveland and is a District employee
To be very clear, I do work in Loveland City Schools. I started in the district in 2002. I began my career, however, in 1997 in Norwood. It was there that I had my first real experience with levies. I remember distinctly reading a forum page where people were free to openly bash teachers, staff and the board. I was so confused by the fact that people were not supporting the work that we were doing with students. It was disheartening and made me feel as though I had made a terrible career choice. I began to do research on how schools were funded. I quickly learned that without public funds, schools cannot operate. I decided to 
look in another district. I then went on to the Northwest district and taught in a building that was in dire need of repairs. This district also failed a levy and I made the decision to go closer to my home at the time. Moving two times in my first five years was my decision and it hurt my heart to leave the communities I had been a part of, even if it was brief. We did have some RIF’s (reduction in force) but I was spared in both situations.
From the moment I stepped into Loveland City Schools, I was completely amazed at the support from the families that I had the pleasure of working with. From the PTA support to casual unexpected meetings in the grocery store, I felt (and still feel) so fortunate to work in this district. It is our parents who help us mold young minds and make our jobs better.
Our staff is made up of dedicated professionals who care for and love our students. The coaches and volunteers who help mold young men and women are such a gift to the students they work with. The support staff who makes sure that they are there to give us a helping hand is such a blessing to all of us. Our bus drivers, who deliver our most precious cargo, are a part of our family. All of these people are those who make up Loveland City Schools. These are my main reasons for loving Loveland City Schools.
As we approach levy season I ask that you, the voter, pay close attention. There will be voices telling you things that may frighten you. Ask questions from a variety of sources. You will see signs telling you to vote one way or the other. Ask questions from a variety of sources. The fact is, that schools rely on their community. Our neighboring schools are also asking for money. That should be a voter’s first sign that schools are in need. Please keep in mind that their needs are different than ours. Their tax base, building conditions and level of industry contribution isn’t the same. Many people misconstrue information and try to make you believe what they believe. The truth is out there. It is your responsibility as a voter to seek it out. There are many questions that are out there. You can search for these answers even outside of the opposing parties. All schools are held to the same standard. It is important to understand, though, that not all districts are in the same situation that we are with regards to funds.
Schools are held to a standard by laws. Their books are audited and if there is any misappropriation they’re held accountable. While paying taxes is not something that anyone is overly excited about, it is certainly
something that we must do in order to support our community. If you are interested in learning more, attend one of the information sessions planned by our district. If you are in doubt of the need, ask someone in our district. Knowledge is power and loud voices are not necessarily the voices we should listen to. It is the voice of reason and the voice of truth that should help you make your decision. Seek it for yourself, take nothing out of context, and if it doesn’t sit well, ask more questions.
I will close with this, I am proud of our district administrators and board for their effort in listening to the voices of those who wanted to be a part of the process. I am in awe of the continued effort that they put into a vision that started four years ago. To step in and take a good look at the needs of our district isn’t an easy job. They continue to put our students, staff, and community in every decision they make. Many times at the cost of long hours away from their families. My family is grateful for this. Please seek out the truth, get your questions answered, and make an informed decision on November 5th.
![All the fun you missed at Homecoming Weekend [W/Photos & Video]](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/feature-2019-loveland-queen-and-king.jpg)
by Mihaela Manova
Loveland, Ohio – Homecoming weekend has come and gone, and students are resting and reminiscing from the constant adrenaline that the week brought.
To start off the festivities on Thursday, September 26, the Loveland Athletic Boosters hosted their annual Homecoming Parade. Homecoming floats graced the streets of Loveland with our very own tiger athletes, robotics team, cheerleaders, and the homecoming court nominees.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnJCkqG9nbA]
#LHSHOCO2019 pic.twitter.com/WuXg8ErEai
— Loveland High School (@Loveland_HS) September 26, 2019
Later Thursday night at the high school, students faced off in powder puff football and volleyball, as well as the winner of the cutest dog contest, was announced.
On Friday night, as our school faced off against Milford, students packed the stands in anticipation of not only a sudden change in score, but of the festivities around them. The Loveland Show Choir performed in a semi-circle in front of the parents, the national anthem was sung, and fireworks went off, scaring the unsuspecting spectators. The home team took one on its Tiger chin losing 13-42, but that didn’t take away our Tiger spirit.
Best band in the 🧡land! #LHSHOCO2019 pic.twitter.com/7o3rvr2K70
— Loveland High School (@Loveland_HS) September 27, 2019
Before kickoff, Grand Marshall Tony Ricci and his wife Deb landed on the field to deliver the game ball. (Read about why Tony Ricci was selected Grand Marshall)
Also, before the game, baby powder was distributed among the students and as the game started, clouds of orange and white covered the entire senior section. No person was left unmarked from the powder as many wondered if the nominees for king and queen were caught in the clouds. Not to worry, because at halftime, seniors Jeffrey Scott and Molly Hansen were crowned Loveland’s Homecoming King and Queen.
#LHSHOCO2019 pic.twitter.com/Y3bzKCxEM6
— Loveland High School (@Loveland_HS) September 27, 2019
Later on, Loveland’s marching band performed a cover of New York by Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, while displaying stands of New York imagery. The Colorguard wore matching outfits to the theme, showcasing grey suspenders and yellow taxi cab-like ties to allude to the New York aesthetic.
Starting off Saturday night, girls and boys dressed up in elegant attire can be seen standing in a long line, waiting to enter the homecoming dance. As principal Peggy Johnson tweeted of the arrivals, the anticipation to finally enter the gymnasium escalated, as she captioned a video of the crowd dancing, “Yes this is a sea of dancing tigers!”
Yes this is a sea of dancing Tigers! #LHSHOCO2019 pic.twitter.com/PfbduONBlS
— Loveland High School (@Loveland_HS) September 29, 2019
By the end of the night, the homecoming king and queen had their special dance while the music and lights continued to electrify the crowd all the way up until the mountain of discarded high heels began to suddenly decrease.
In the end, students came out satisfied with their homecoming weekend activities as they had the Sunday to rest before another week of…mandatory school activities.
by Cory O’Donnell
Who’s watching out for Loveland’s resident taxpayers? Our city leaders have ventured down a road with a questionable road map. The city is in the midst of possibly the most expensive civic project ever with $7+ million of resident taxpayer money on the line to construct a parking garage.
Cory O’Donnell lives in the White Pillars Subdivision and is a Loveland City Council Candidate
Who would argue the need for a parking facility given the explosion of visitors to the downtown area? Certainly, there needs to be adequate parking to support the masses that want to enjoy the available offerings. 
Visitors welcome the day when they don’t have to circle the downtown area for what seems to be an eternity to secure a valuable parking spot. Alternatively, some come to spend their time and money only to turn around and go home…nowhere to park.
Imagine the business owners that are giddy with the prospect of the resident taxpayers footing the bill to get more cash through their doors. Who could blame them for the smiles on their faces? Not me; what a gift!
But here’s where the roadmap leads to resident taxpayer disaster. There is no published plan to recover the $7+ million and make the taxpayers whole. Further, my calculator can’t get to a full lot, 365 days a year for 30 years, that will recover resident taxpayer investment.
I am far from knowledgeable about developing, constructing and managing a public parking garage. My assumption is our city leaders are well versed in public policy, zoning, codes, and other daily municipal functions, but there are specialists in private development that have the knowledge and expertise to make this happen on a for-profit basis.
Is it too late to get the proper road map that assures resident taxpayers are not left holding this massive debt?
P.S. Our city is already committed to close to $48,000 annually in debt service for the Christman Farm property on Butterworth Road acquired in 2007 which has remained vacant all these years and has disappeared from the city council’s interest. This translates to hundreds of thousands of resident taxpayer’s dollars being flushed down the proverbial toilet for too many more years.
Can you afford more? Who’s going to step up to the plate and get the answers?
by Kathryn Lorenz
I’ve been a Loveland school board member since 1991 and just prior to being elected, I was a chairperson of the bond issue campaign that earned us our “new” high school. Over these past 28 years, I’ve seen quite a few operating levies and a couple of bond issues, almost all of which have been supported by our Loveland community. None of them have been small or seemed completely fair. “Why not?” might be the question.
Kathryn Lorenz is a Loveland School Board member. She is Professor Emerita of French at the University of Cincinnati, and the mother of two Loveland graduates and the grandmother of three current Loveland school students.
First of all, Loveland has a predominantly residential tax base. This means that the tax burden is mostly borne by homeowners, whether their houses are large or small, whether their incomes are growing or fixed, whether they are employed or retired, whether they have school age children or not. And tax collections, once approved, can’t grow with increased valuation of property or additional homes or additional students in the district. So tax levies and bond issues, which are very big questions for voters, have a lot of inherent inequity, regardless of the number of mills involved. They can seem unfair to taxpayers just as the state funding model appears unfair to the school district.
Furthermore, tax levies are always a big deal. There has never been, in any of the years that I have been a board member, a tax issue that was proposed lightly or without consideration for the taxpayers of the district. Every levy has been considered through the lens of the current economy, the promises made in previous levies, the real needs of the district and the fiscal soundness of the uses proposed for the taxes to be collected.
Questions about the levy/bond issue shouldn’t be feared, nor should there be anger. Some questions are answered by board vote or information on the district website. Some questions cannot be answered because they concern actions that the board has not yet been able to consider or take. The board is consistently trying to get information out and into the hands of our citizens.
Each board member is a Loveland taxpayer. That doesn’t make it any easier to ask more tax dollars of our families, neighbors or fellow citizens. We all know what we committed to in becoming a board member and we take our responsibility very seriously. Our job is to oversee the provision of a safe and adequate education for all the children of our community. We strive further for excellence in Loveland education and we believe our community deserves no less.
Over the years that I have been a board member, enrollment in our schools has more than doubled. I imagine that you have seen Loveland schools get bigger and stronger and yes, better. This progress can only be due to the work of our whole community – citizens, parents, teachers, students. We, the community as a whole, expect great things from our schools and we have overwhelmingly supported the district in these past years. During this time, we have seen districts all around us struggle and communities as a whole suffer, often taking many years to recover from failed support of their schools.
Let’s never take for granted what we have in Loveland today. It has taken tremendous effort to get here and will take resources to maintain our place. We are at a truly important moment and there is really no option for us other than to rely on support on Election Day to keep our schools running and improving. An investment is necessary.
This Board of Education has respectfully presented a big picture. A big ask. It is based on needs of space and programs. We are beyond capacity but not beyond our abilities. Please consider carefully the issue that is on the November 5th ballot. Our students and their futures deserve no less.
Beginning Thursday, October 10, the railroad crossing at Hopewell Road in Branch Hill will be under construction. The construction project will affect school bus transportation from Clermont County residences to and from:
• Loveland High School:
![[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)
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland High School Athletic Boosters will be sponsoring their Fifth Annual mattress sale on October 5. This has been a very successful fundraiser for the past three years.
Brand new, name brand mattress sets are up to 50% off retail. Top quality sets with full manufacturer warranties. Much higher quality for the price that a retail store offers. All sizes, price ranges, delivery, and free layaway will be available. Floor models will be on display at Loveland High School.
If you, or anyone you know is in the market for a new mattress check out this fundraiser. Every sale benefits the Loveland Athletic Boosters.
Loveland, Ohio – Each fall, College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Program recognizes high school students who have demonstrated outstanding college-level achievement through their performance on multiple AP exams. Recently released information shows that the Class of 2019 achieved the highest numbers to date for Loveland High School, with:
“I am very proud of our students’ achievements and of the incredible educators at Loveland who taught the classes and prepared the students for the exams.” – Principal Peggy Johnson
“We have worked diligently over the past several years to increase our AP course offerings and have nearly doubled the AP classes available at Loveland High School,” said LHS Principal Peggy Johnson. “I am very proud of our students’ achievements and of the incredible educators at Loveland who taught the classes and prepared the students for the exams.”
In March, LHS was recognized as one of less than a dozen public high schools in Ohio to earn College Board’s inaugural AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award. Only 685 of more than 18,000 secondary schools worldwide offering AP courses were selected for the award, which recognizes them for expanding young womens’ access to AP Computer Science courses. LHS was also included on the 9thAnnual AP Honor Roll for increasing overall access to AP courses while maintaining or improving the rate at which students earned scores of 3 or higher.
“We have built up great momentum in academic achievement at Loveland,” said Dr. Amy Crouse, superintendent. “The recent AP Scholar data shows that our efforts to continue to add valuable programming for our students are making a real difference in their lives; entering college with credit or advanced placement experience makes the transition from high school easier, both academically and financially.”
For more information about AP Scholars, visit CollegeBoard at https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/awards-recognitions/ap-scholar-award
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.