Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: local news

  • Kathryn Lorenz: There’s no such thing as a small tax levy

    Kathryn Lorenz: There’s no such thing as a small tax levy

    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.

  • Robert Giuffre : “Pass it Forward”

    Robert Giuffre : “Pass it Forward”

    by Robert Giuffre

    Robert (Rob) Giuffre is a resident of Loveland and a retired public-school treasurer, having served four districts including Loveland

    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.

  • Dear Fellow Residents of Loveland School District from a “New Guy”

    Dear Fellow Residents of Loveland School District from a “New Guy”

    by Tony Mackzum

    Tony Mackzum lives in Paxton Woods – (Photo Provided)

    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.  

      1. First and foremost, everyone’s economic situations are fluid and unique, but either way, both sides should try to respect the other side’s opinion and show class at all times while debating this topic on all social media formats and in person.  
      2. If you don’t spend at least 30 minutes researching the topic, then your opinion loses value and can’t be supported by anything other than emotions or a popularity contest trying to fit in.
      3. If you don’t have children in the past, now, or planned future within the district then it is OK for you to vote NO, but remember if the levy fails you will not realize as much on the sale of your residence when you want to sell and that is a fact no matter where you live or what you do within the district. It is a proven equation that better schools equal better property values for all, just look at the demand for Loveland recently vs surrounding school districts.  
      4. If you vote NO now because you think there will be a better plan or idea later, You’re Mistaken, we chose to leave the West Side because once levies fail they almost never get going again as strong as the last one voted NO.
      5. If you think we don’t need three schools then you haven’t comparative shopped school systems lately. My wife and I spent months reading and visiting school districts around the city, and we chose to overlook the fact that only the high school was comparable because we figured the funding was already in place for replacements due to the outstanding history of the school district. Trust me we noticed, and it plays a role in future decisions that go back to school systems providing the demand for your house if and when you choose to sell it.  
      6. I am an accountant, and the cost of capital currently being offered to the school district at this point in time is the lowest it will ever be, and will cost us more in the long run if we pass on this chance or nickel and dime it because we don’t see the need for certain things of benefit to all of us in some fashion monetarily or in benefit of use.  

    Sincerely, 

    The New Guy

  • 10th Annual Halloween Edition 2019 – Escape From Loveland

    10th Annual Halloween Edition 2019 – Escape From Loveland

    What: Escape From Loveland
    Where: Historic Downtown Loveland
    When: Saturday, October 26, 2019
    5:30pm: LIVE Music by The Counting Skeletons
    6:00-8:00pm: Escape Game
    8pm – Beer and Food Tasting Begins

    OPEN CONTAINER!

    Loveland’s Zombie Apocalypse is coming! We are already 3/4 sold out in just a couple weeks time so sign up fast or face your demise!

    Downtown Loveland is under attack by a Zombie Apocalypse and you must escape the city.
    In each participating business you must decode clues in order to gain access to the safe houses (bars). Once inside the bars you must find or solve part of the phrase that will get you out of the city to safety.  Escape by 8 PM or risk your demise and get eaten by the Zombies!
    Please feel free to dress up and make it festive. Maybe become one of the Zombies.
    BEWARE – You will never know who the real zombies are and who are the warmbloods posing as zombies!
    This event will fill up fast as in the past so use your brain and get signed up while you still have one.
    4 -Person Teams
    (Must Be 21 or older)
    $35 Per Person
    Sample Size Drinks and Small Bites will be provided

  • When does a dream become a nightmare!

    When does a dream become a nightmare!

    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.

    THE PLAN TO PAY FOR IT

    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 NUMBERS

    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? 

    OUR RIGHTS

    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!

  • Loveland High School students among the best academically in the nation

    Loveland High School students among the best academically in the nation

    A Letter of Commendation will be presented to Seniors (left to right) Ashley George, Samantha James, Simon Grome, Daniel Hinrichsen and Zachary Case by Loveland High School and the National Merit Scholarship Program.

     

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District congratulates Loveland High School (LHS) Seniors Zachary Case, Ashley George, Simon Grome,Daniel Hinrichsen and Samantha James, who have been named Commended Students in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. Commended Students are recognized for the exceptional academic promise demonstrated by their outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

    Approximately 34,000 test takers in the United States qualified as Commended Students by placing among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2018.

    “We are thrilled to have five Commended Students at Loveland High School this year,” said LHS Principal Peggy Johnson. “This is truly a fantastic accomplishment by each one of them and an amazing stepping stone in their continued pursuit of academic success.”

  • Our Community/Our Schools

    Our Community/Our Schools

    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.



  • Mike Hunting: Expect more levy proposals even after this one is shot down

    Mike Hunting: Expect more levy proposals even after this one is shot down

    Mike Hunting is a resident of the Black Horse neighborhood

    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.

  • Juliet Tissot: We should not thumb our noses at the less fortunate just because we want nice stuff

    Juliet Tissot: We should not thumb our noses at the less fortunate just because we want nice stuff

    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.

  • [Video Interview] Loveland Frogman Race

    [Video Interview] Loveland Frogman Race

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio (The Staycation Resort of Southwest Ohio)- I met Meredith Taylor and Mark Bersani on the most beautiful of sunny afternoons on the bank of our State and National Scenic and wild Little Miami River yesterday to ask them questions about the up-coming Loveland Frogman Race, but the conversation also turned to important topics of interest about two Loveland institutions. Mark and his wife Robin own Loveland Canoe & Kayak and Meredith is the Program Director of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance.

    Click the paddle to learn more about the Loveland Frogman Race and how you can register. Registration is filling up fast!

    The Frogman Race is centered at Loveland Canoe & Kayak in Historic Downtown and Mark promises plenty of available parking in the civic lot adjacent to his business. You will be taken by bus into Warren County to canoe/kayak back to Loveland, and then bike the Loveland Bike Trail to Miami Township’s Riverview Park and sprint back again. Sprint if you can, however, Mark and Meredith say the event is more for fun than the competition of it. There is however plenty of pride and friendly home-grown competition in winning or beating your time from last year. Can you claim the title of “Top Frog”?

    Individual spots (all of the kayaks have been reserved) for the 5 Mile Canoe/Kayak, 8 Mile Bike ride, and 5K Run have filled, but you can still register as a team and reserve a canoe.

    Both Meredith and Mark were pretty coy in their answers when asked whether anyone would run into the famous Loveland Frog along the course, in or out of the river!

    We also talked about wine tastings, morning mixers, the Chamber’s 300th member celebration, the Fall for Symmes Fall Festival, and the annual Chamber award banquet.

    Mark shares the remaining dates on their river calendar if you still want to get on the scenic river this year and how he and Robin are hosting a large group of inner-city youth on the river immediately after the finish of the Frogman Race.

    PHEW! That’s a lot of good information. I hope you enjoy our conversation.