by Brad Goldie
Dear Loveland Community,
It has been my honor to work with Community Advisory Team (CAT) this year and to represent them as I have presented their feedback to the local school board. Working alongside a group of passionate and dedicated community members to support the continued success of our students and schools. This team, which includes numerous volunteers from throughout the community, has been a cornerstone of the district’s commitment to authentic community engagement, and our discussions have brought fresh perspectives to key issues facing our schools.
Our first meeting focused on the well-being and academic success of our students. The CAT was given the opportunity to learn about district efforts to address student mental health, and various intervention programs for both gifted students and students facing various challenges including students for whom English is not their primary language. One of the most significant pieces of feedback shared by our group was the growing concern about student fatigue. I presented this feedback to the school board, emphasizing the need for changes to better support students’ mental health. I was heartened to see their thoughtful consideration of our input. As a result, the district is planning to implement a later high school start time beginning with the 2025-26 school year, a decision rooted in research on the benefits of better sleep for teenagers.
In our second meeting, we turned our attention to school finance. Treasurer John Espy provided an in-depth look at the district’s finances, sparking engaging conversations about how to make this information clearer and more accessible to the public. The creation of the “Finance Fridays” video series is a direct response to the input from our team, offering a new way for the community to better understand the district’s funding and expenditures.
Looking ahead, our team will tackle discussions on the Loveland Tiger Pathways program and district facilities. I am confident these conversations will yield actionable ideas to further strengthen our schools and ensure we are meeting the needs of all students.
Throughout this process, I have been consistently impressed by the district leadership’s openness and responsiveness. Superintendent Mike Broadwater and the school board have not only welcomed our input but acted on it, demonstrating their commitment to fostering a true partnership with the community. This collaborative approach underscores the spirit of the #beLOVEland initiative and highlights why our district continues to excel on so many levels.
I would like to encourage everyone in our community to get involved in whatever way you can—whether by attending Town Halls, completing district surveys, or even joining the CAT in the future. Your voice matters, and together we can ensure that Loveland schools remain a source of pride and opportunity for our entire community.
On behalf of the Community Advisory Team, I want to thank Superintendent Broadwater, the school board, and all of the district staff for their hard work and dedication to our students. Together, we are creating a district that listens, grows, and continues to thrive.
Sincerely,
Brad Goldie
Community Advisory Team Member
Brad Goldie lives in the Symmes Creek neighborhood in Symmes Township. He is a professor at Miami University.
Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation
