Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: loveland city school board

  • Application process for open school board seat re-opens

    Application process for open school board seat re-opens

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland School Board has been functioning with only four members since Kevin Dougherty resigned effective June 30. As previously reported the board of education appointed Dr. Brad Goldie on July 17 to the unexpired term but later had to rescind their vote. (School Board calls special meeting to rescind appointment of new member)

    Then, because, of the circumstances of the Board missing the deadline to re-vote and re-affirm Goldie’s appointment, Ohio Law requires the decision to now be made by the Hamilton County Probate Court. That court has now requested that persons interested in being appointed apply directly to the court administrator.

    Applications are due by September 1, however, the administrator has not responded to Loveland Magazine’s phone request inquiring about when the Probate Court intends to make the appointment.

    The circumstance arose after the Board’s meeting of July 17 when they met in an open session to interview prospective candidates via phone calls, and voted to appoint Goldie, but later learned that all of the doors to the building were locked and the public could not attend the meeting. After receiving advice from their lawyer that if the doors were indeed locked the meeting was a violation of Ohio’s open meetings law the Board then met on July 26 and rescinded the vote to appoint Goldie.

    The District’s attorney then called the Hamilton County Probate Court informing it what had happened and that the time allowance for the Board to make the appointment had passed. The District has received no further communication from the court except that they were requested to post the new application process on the District website, which they did.

    The Board also communicated to the court that they have reaffirmed their support for Dr. Goldie to fill the unexpired term.

    Meanwhile on July 18, attorney Curt Hartman on behalf of a client made a public records request for “all video or audiovisual recordings within the interior and the exterior of the Board Administrative Offices from July 17, 2023, from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm all video footage from inside and outside cameras at the building.” There is no indication that Hartman has followed up with legal action since receiving the files which were mailed to him on a flash drive.

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    HERE IS HOW TO NOW APPLY FOR THE VACANT SEAT AS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE OF THE HAMILTON COUNTY PROBATE COURT

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    RECENT ALERTS

    LOVELAND CITY SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY

    NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT

    Having been advised of a vacancy on the Loveland City School Board pursuant to R.C. 3313.85, Hamilton County Probate Judge Ralph Winkler is accepting applications from eligible candidates interested in serving on the Loveland City School Board.  The person selected to fill the vacancy shall hold office for the shorter of the terms specified in R.C. 3313.11.  Eligible candidates must be registered voters that live in the Loveland City School District.

    Applications, which must include a resume and three references, will be accepted until September 1, 2023.  Please address applications to:

    Scott Weikel, Court Administrator
    Hamilton County Probate Court
    William Howard Taft Law Center
    230 E. Ninth Street, 10th Floor
    Cincinnati, OH 45202
    E-mail to: Scott Weikel

  • A Good Sign for Loveland Schools: A Robust Election Season

    A Good Sign for Loveland Schools: A Robust Election Season

    By Elliot Grossman, Candidate for Loveland City School Board

    The races for the Loveland School Board have strengthened my faith in democracy. For at least two decades, most candidates for the school board had run without challengers. That means the community didn’t have much of a choice of candidates. It also meant there was minimal discussion about the issues facing the school district.

    This year, there are nine candidates for four seats. The exchanges of ideas among the candidates and voters have been robust. That shows people care deeply about the school district.

    Once the winners have been announced, the community’s focus will shift to helping the school district move forward. Better times are ahead for the Loveland Schools, our community and our children.

    My campaign is about hope, optimism and restoring trust. This is a great school district. It’s a big reason my wife and I moved to the Loveland area. 

    But it’s gotten off track with some poor decisions by leaders. The problem is that those poor decisions have led to damaged relationships with the community

    Now, the district’s number one goal needs to be restoring trust. Without trust, the community won’t provide enough resources to the district. Without enough resources, the students will not get the education they deserve.

    How do we restore trust? I have a plan:

    • First, the district needs to embark on a thorough and formal listening process — seeking out voices from throughout the community — to learn what type of school district the community wants. What are the community’s priorities for the district? For a decade, a Butler County school district has held what they call Community Conversations. They’re led by a neutral facilitator. We need to do that here. Communication needs to be a two-way process. Systems need to be set up to listen to parents, students, staff and the community on an ongoing basis. These conversations are about building a partnership with the community. 
    • Second, after we’re sure we’ve sought out voices from throughout the community, we need to do a scientific survey to gauge voter sentiment before putting another levy on the ballot. We shouldn’t guess about whether a levy would pass. That could do even more damage if it fails.

    ​I’m a strong supporter of public schools. I attended public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. I believe public schools are a great equalizer. They give children from all walks of life opportunities. I’ve given a big part of my career and civic life to supporting public schools. I have a daughter in the Loveland Schools. So I want the schools to thrive. But I’m not going to make decisions with just the students in mind. I will always make decisions with the best interests of the students and the taxpayers in mind.

    How can I be so sure that we can turn things around? I’ve seen this situation before. Professionally, I’ve provided communication and community engagement services to school districts. In fact, I’m the only candidate who has provided professional communication and community engagement services to school districts.

    I’ve attended hundreds of meetings of school boards and local governments in various communities as a news reporter and consultant to school districts for several decades. Additionally, I’ve attended meetings of the Loveland School Board as a parent, taxpayer and now candidate. I’ve learned what works and doesn’t work in school districts. I will bring those insights and ideas to the Loveland School Board. 

    A school district in western Hamilton county had failed two consecutive levies. I spent a year helping that district with communication and community engagement. With great leadership by a new superintendent, they passed a levy and just a few months ago they opened new schools. But again, I’m not saying we need new schools here. That’s up to the community.  

    Here’s another example about why we should have hope and optimism. This example shows the importance of setting priorities with our school district budget at a time when the district’s funds are stretched so thin.

    For the first time this fall, the Loveland Schools are offering full-day kindergarten to all families who want it for their children. Significantly, the district expanded its kindergarten spots without additional salary costs. After a retirement, district leaders moved a teaching position to the Loveland Early Childhood Center as enrollment numbers changed in the upper grades. It’s all a matter of setting priorities with limited funds.

    I know what needs to be done to move the district forward. I have the experience, the determination and the ability to listen to unite the community.

    I hope you’ll vote for me.

     

  • Loveland Board of Education recognizes My Voice, My Choice students

    Loveland Board of Education recognizes My Voice, My Choice students

    The Loveland Board of Education recognized 23 students for creating a culture of kindness through the My Voice, My Choice campaign during the April 17 Business Meeting.

    Loveland, Ohio – On Tuesday, April 17 the Loveland City School Board saluted 23 students by formally recognizing them during their Business Meeting. It was for their “exemplary effort in helping create a culture of kindness as part of the district-wide My Voice, My Choice campaign.” Board members presented each student with a certificate and shirt, and thanked them for being leaders among their peers.

    “We are so proud of these students for stepping up to be leaders in and around their school,” said Loveland Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse. “The My Voice, My Choice campaign is a meaningful program our district uses to help our Tigers grow socially and emotionally as they transition from building to building. It is part of our strategic plan to ensure Tiger Care for all of our students, which is one of our big three district goals, and we are proud to celebrate this moment of much deserved recognition with our Board of Education.”

    Students recognized during the ceremony included (listed by building):

    Loveland Early Childhood Center

    Zavier Charles

    Dylan Jones

    Jack O’Donnell

    Iris Rich-Greatorex

    Loveland Primary School

    Hannah Gruber

    Quinton Merritts

    Lucas Patterson

    Ava Pursley

    Loveland Elementary School

    Emily Mix

    Brendon Salm

    Julianna Westerman

    Loveland Intermediate School

    Delaney Bair

    Rylee Burnett

    Maggie Reis

    Loveland Middle School

    Presley Beller

    Ellie Boni

    Elle Brinkman

    Reagan Brunett

    Emma Clark

    Loveland High School

    Logan Colletta

    Ben David

    Garret Gillespie

    Brianna Wright

  • Campaign Statement of Dave Blumberg

    Campaign Statement of Dave Blumberg

    EDITOR’S NOTE:
    Dave Blumberg is a candidate for Loveland City School Board and provided this Candidate Statement to Loveland Magazine.
     

    Loveland Magazine invites all candidates for public office in the 45140 zip code or within the Loveland City School District boundary to send a similar Candidate Statement for publication. Send to lovelandmagazine@cinci.rr.com

     

    As a 26 year resident, It has been an absolute pleasure to serve on the Board of Education for the past four years. The District is headed in a positive direction advancing our major goals in the areas of Growth, Care and Innovation. 

    In the past four years, we have constructed much needed facility improvements, including a new playground, tennis courts, reconfiguring the high school and affecting the replacement of the Tiger Trail entrance to the high school just to name a few. We have invested in long needed updated curriculum to meet the challenges and needs of today’s students as they prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities. We have established the Destination Loveland initiative which includes engaging community stakeholders to help define the future of education in Loveland. This broad student centered initiative is beginning to materialize into a meaningful long term educational solution that will continue to make Loveland a destination school district for years to come. 

    With the current positive momentum, it would be in the Districts best interest to maintain Board leadership continuity so these advancements can continue to accelerate. Please consider these critical points and accomplishments in your vote. Thank you for your continued investment in our community and remember to WRITE IN DAVE BLUMBERG AT THE BALLOT BOX! My name will not appear on the ballot and it is critical for voters to literally WRITE IN my name in order to cast a vote for me.  DON’T WRITE ME OFF – WRITE ME IN! GO TIGERS!