LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: Loveland City School District

  • Loveland High School Class of 2019 reaches new heights through their performance on multiple AP exams

    Loveland High School Class of 2019 reaches new heights through their performance on multiple AP exams

    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:

    • 142 total Scholars (average exam score of 3.94)
    • 65 AP Scholars
    • 31 AP Scholars with Honor
    • 46 AP Scholars with Distinction
    • 5 National AP Scholars

    “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

  • RP Diamond Tiger Spirit Wear Sale at Loveland Magazine during Homecoming Parade Thursday

    RP Diamond Tiger Spirit Wear Sale at Loveland Magazine during Homecoming Parade Thursday

    Loveland, Ohio – RP Diamond Printing & Embroidery will be selling Tiger Spirit Wear on the porch of the Loveland Magazine office during Thursday’s Homecoming Parade this Thursday.

    Loveland Magazine is located right on the parade route in the heart of the West Loveland Historic District at 514 West Loveland Avenue and is one of the favorite spots to view the parade because of ample parking in the District.

    The sale will start at about 4:30 PM. The parade starts at 6:30 PM. The story below contains a map of the Parade Route and all the 411 about the 2019 Loveland Homecoming festivities.

    All You Need To Know About The 2019 LHS Homecoming Festivities

    The anticipation has begun for Loveland High School’s Homecoming activities and Loveland Magazine has the 411 on what to expect this year!

     

  • 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.

  • Lynn Mangan: Why I am a yes on the school levy

    Lynn Mangan: Why I am a yes on the school levy

    Lynn Mangan, a resident of the Loveland School District lives in the Eagles Point subdivision in Miami Township.

    by Lynn Mangan

    After listening to the community meeting last Thursday night at the high school, I felt very compelled to write out why I am a yes on the levy.

    First, let me introduce myself. We have lived in Loveland City Schools for almost 23 years. We moved to Loveland when I was expecting our oldest son. My husband, Pat and I have four boys (two are in college) and the younger two are in 10th and 8th grade. I am a wife, mother, family/community member, and business executive. When I look at whether I want to vote yes or no to the levy I try to think about it from all of the angles of who I am.

    As a mom:

    • I am grateful that we are focusing on the total child. We are creating problem solvers, continuous learners, preparing students for their next steps (trades, military or college), and challenging them to try as many new things as possible. We are creating well rounded young adults. And the district is not ignoring the increase of mental health disease. I have numerous examples over the years of teachers who believed in and advocated for my boys to be their best selves.
    • I am grateful for a school district that keeps my children safe and is calling in the experts to keep it that way (I was happy to hear we have engaged the Department of Homeland Security to make recommendations on how to do this). And I’m extremely sad that the safety of our children even has to be on the list.

    As a business executive and community member:

    • I am grateful that the school district is fiscally responsible. Keeping healthcare rates at only 2.2% is unheard of (can my business hire whoever is in charge of this at the district?). Making sure that as many dollars as possible can be put towards the staff serving our children vs on extraneous expenses. The people are what make it happen in every organization and schools are no exception. I appreciate that the district is also reducing energy costs wherever possible too.
    • The curriculum is expanding to prepare children for the real world. I’ve seen firsthand the expansion of so many programs: computer science, robotics, life skills, music, etc. A focus on continuous improvement is an absolute must.
    • Our district leaders are being creative problem solvers and passing on savings when possible (ex. change in the levy structure).
    • I appreciate the balance in the focus on improved learning spaces for our children, increasing our curriculum, making the spaces safer and a focus on the whole student. As a business executive, we have to focus on employee engagement – that means we have facilities that are not 100% about work – just like the school has to improve the facilities for arts and athletics. And the auditorium move is the best use of space to expand the learning areas first. And at the middle school, the track and bleachers are atrocious and unsafe. I don’t really think the baseball fields are necessary but that is okay. At work, we always debate the best choices. It is an 80%/20%. I am happy and confident with 80% of the choices in this plan and that feedback and experts have been engaged to come up with a solid plan.

    I’ll be candid…at first, I was a no. My kids are going to graduate before most of this will be in place. Then I asked myself: If this was a non-profit would I donate to them? Would I want to spend my time helping improve the schools? Does it benefit my family if we say yes even without children in the district?

    How does it impact our family budget?

    • I recognize not everyone is in the same situation as our family. When my kids graduate, the money that we’re currently paying for their extracurricular activities will now go to the schools when the levy passes. This might seem like a strange way to justify it as obviously we’ll be helping with college tuition. It provides me with perspective that even over 37 years this is worth it so that other children and our entire community can benefit.
    • My family has already benefited from increasing home values. We moved within the district three years ago so that my mom could move in with us. Our home sold in one day and it was over asking price. My hope is that when we downsize after our kids graduate, we’ll have the same experience that our home values continue to increase for the benefit of our entire community. I want Loveland students to be known as solid citizens and our continued investment in our schools does this.

    I believe in the leadership of the district

    • And most importantly, I believe in the leadership of the district. Is every decision they make the right one? Nope…and who am I to hold them to that unreasonable standard? I give them a lot of credit for their composure and well thought out plan. It is extremely hard to go in front of 1000s of people to present a plan like this.
    • Does it stink that we have to pay this much property tax? Yes, it does, and I made the choice to live in a community where there aren’t businesses to fund the school system. I grew up in Sycamore and my husband went to Catholic schools. We believe in public schools and didn’t want to pay the huge home prices in Sycamore schools. Of course, I would love to have less taxes due to all the businesses in Sycamore schools. It’s a tradeoff. I’ll take the tradeoff and pay for the increase to invest in our children and our community.

    Overall, no plan will ever be without ways to make it better. I appreciate that the district has asked for feedback, been transparent and is continuing to strive for what is best for our students. I am thankful for teachers that advocate for my children and want to see them succeed in their class and in life. I am a yes.

    If you haven’t already done so, I’d encourage you to listen to the latest presentation here and the corresponding slide deck here.



  • Tigers lose to Lebanon

    Tigers lose to Lebanon

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Lebanon beat the Tigers 50-20 in Loveland’s home opener last Friday, the identical score of their loss in their season opener at Sycamore.

    Tiger quarterback Calvin Cloud passed 34 times and completed 21, for 247 total yards. Cloud threw touchdowns to Bailey Jackson and Austin Lodor. Lebanon held the tigers to minus 12 total rushing yards. Possession was in Lebanon’s favor 30:44 – 15:13.

    Friday, Sept. 13, Milford hosts Loveland at  7 PM in Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown

    The Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown is the nation’s largest and longest-running high school football event in the United States and there will be a pre-game show presented by Skyline Chili.

    This will be a non-conference game and the two teams meet again two weeks later on the 27th at Loveland for ECC competition.

    Milford is 1 and 1, losing to Princeton 38-7 in their season opener and defeating Dunbar last week 27-26

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eHXeM7QvkA]

    Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, text

  • Al Osgood, Jr. – The school district is listening to voters

    Al Osgood, Jr. – The school district is listening to voters

    by Al Osgood, Jr.

    Loveland is so fortunate to have a great school district with strong leaders. The Board of Education’s announcement Monday that they are able to phase in the requested November levy increase is a perfect example of that. They listened to community feedback, and because of the recent reduction in interest rates, they are able to phase in the requested levy increase over three years versus all at once; that will certainly help from a budgeting and cashflow planning standpoint.

    It is critically important to recognize that this levy request is about needs and not wants.  We have buildings that are almost 80 years old, we have students learning in temporary trailers and hallways, we have inadequate

    Al Osgood, Jr. lives in Miami Township and is co-chair of Citizens for Loveland City Schools

    safety and security for today’s world, classrooms are “bursting at the seams” and the list goes on.  These issues are not going away; they will only get worse and more expensive if we wait.  Now is the time to act.  There is a significant cost of inaction.  In fact, multiple district building estimates show that the cost of maintaining the current facilities is MORE than the cost of rebuilding.  Bottom line, choosing to “kick the can down the road” will end up costing us more and have a direct negative impact on our children’s education.

    The district’s request is good for students and good for our community.  Great schools correlate to great communities.  People want to move to and live in Loveland because of our schools and the great community atmosphere that the schools help create.  Great schools are good for our property values and our ability to sell our homes.  Please remember that we don’t need to look too far to see the negative impact to communities and schools with failed levies.

    I want to commend the school district for their open, transparent and inclusive process that they have used in developing the facility master plan and current levy request.  They have been working on this for four years with opportunity after opportunity for the community to participate and provide input.

    Please get the real facts before making a decision at the ballot box.  There are almost daily social media posts and websites that are incorrect or misleading.  It’s easy to assume that everything posted on-line is accurate, but it’s definitely not.  If you haven’t had an opportunity to get the facts, please go to one of the multiple community events that the District has scheduled. The next one is a Community Meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 12th at 7 pm in the high school auditorium. Please go tour the almost 80-year-old LES building at 7 pm on September 17th.  Please attend one of the five currently scheduled Ask the Superintendent discussions. Please call the District office.  Any of these opportunities will allow you to get the real facts and understand why the levy request is needed and needed now.

  • [VIDEO] Board votes to amend parameters of levy request

    [VIDEO] Board votes to amend parameters of levy request

    Below you can read the resolution passed by the Board and the Ballot language that will remain the same.

    Levy skeptics offer opinions after meeting adjourns…

    Loveland, Ohio – At the end of July, the Loveland Board of Education voted unanimously to issue bonds for $118,515,000 and to place a combined operating and bond levy of 16.78-mill on the November 5 ballot to fund daily operations of the school district and to implement the district’s facility master plan, including three new school buildings at Grailville.

    The Board met Monday in a special meeting at 5 PM and voted to amend the parameters of the levy request. They voted unanimously to approve a resolution to structure the levying of the new taxes that will phase them in over three years.

    LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV was at the meeting and recorded the meeting as well as a few comments from residents after the meeting was over.

    Full video of meeting

    Walter Golladay, Pete Palmer, and Marcia Neumann comment on Board action.

    This is the draft Resolution that the Board voted on Monday. There were no changes made before approving it.

    This is how the question will appear on your Ballot. Nothing the Board did Monday changes this ballot language.

    Read Background:

    Paul Motylinski says Monday’s School Board vote on revised levy impact…

    School Board to vote Monday on revised levy impact

    David Callahan: “Saying no to our children is not acceptable to…

    Loveland Board of Education asks for combined 16.78-mill levy

    [BREAKING NEWS] Board votes to build new campus for Pre-K thru…

    Read: Grailville and School District Option to Purchase Agreement and Appraisal

    School Board approves option to purchase 110 acres of land at…

    [From the Loveland School District] November 2019 Levy FAQ

    [Video] Residents speak to Board of Ed about 16.78-mill school levy

    Information sessions with Loveland Schools Superintendent and Treasurer about the November…

    Meeting Needs Now and for the Future

    [Walter Golladay] Loveland City School District to raise 2019 school property…

    David Callahan: “Saying no to our children is not acceptable to…

    Matthew Kapszukiewicz: Loveland schools can count on my support

    Loveland Magazine “Local Voter Guide” to issues and candidates

     

  • Paul Motylinski says Monday’s School Board vote on revised levy impact won’t change anything significantly

    Paul Motylinski says Monday’s School Board vote on revised levy impact won’t change anything significantly

    Paul Motylinski lives in the Turnbury subdivision in Symmes Township

    by Paul Motylinski

    How does this change anything significantly? (School Board to vote Monday on revised levy impact)

    There are still several issues that need to be addressed with this request being made of the taxpayers; issues such as reducing the millage, and the short and long term cost risk. Below are issues that need to be closely reviewed, addressed, and considered in order to achieve a millage reduction and a clearer path to this levy passing.

    Why are three buildings needed for grades K-5?

    One building for grades K-5, or two separate buildings; one for grades K-2 and one for grades 3-5 will be less costly to design, construct and maintain than three separate buildings, even if located on the same property. The new facility plan for grades K-5 is not efficient cost-wise. Significant cost savings can be realized by reducing the number of buildings, without sacrificing the safety and delivery of education, and still maintains the same number of grade levels between one or two buildings versus three buildings.

    New or renovated educational facilities are more important than upgraded athletic facilities. The current athletic facilities are more than adequate for now. Priority needs to be focused towards the educational facilities’ needs and not the athletic facilities’ needs.

    What maintenance has occurred at the existing middle school athletic facilities?

    Having been to the athletic facilities at the middle school, it appears to me that maintenance has been largely ignored. Illustration of care needs to be shown towards the existing athletic facilities before asking the taxpayers to fund new; otherwise, history will quickly repeat itself. The existing high school athletic facilities are wonderful in my opinion. The field turf and track surface are brand new at the football stadium, and the baseball and softball fields are more than adequate. There is no need to spend taxpayer dollars unnecessarily.

    The immediate needs pertaining to capital building improvements appear to be the current LECC, LPS, and LES buildings. I have attended several functions at all three buildings and it is obvious that these buildings need to be replaced with new ones. I have much respect for the administration and staff for delivering quality education given the antiquated state of these buildings. Regarding the capital building improvements for the LIS, LMS, and the HS, either place this scope on a future ballot for permanent improvements if upgraded athletic facilities take precedent over updated buildings, or eliminate the entire scope for the upgraded athletic facilities. If safer buildings and delivery of quality education are the priorities, then the scope for upgrades to the athletic facilities is expendable.

    Why risk combining the operation portion of the levy with the permanent improvement portion?

    The Loveland community has largely supported the levies placed on the ballot over the last approximately 20 years. I do not want to hear that services will have to be reduced or eliminated since the entire levy did not pass when a stand-alone operation levy will have a much better chance of passing instead of combining with the permanent improvement portion.

     

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