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 ATHLETIC BOOSTERS
The Loveland Athletic Boosters is a non-profit organization composed of adult volunteers. The primary purpose of the Boosters is to generate income to supplement the Athletic Department’s budget. Money is raised by running concessions, fundraising, and through Booster Membership Dues. The Loveland Athletic Boosters are involved and directly support numerous programs to promote school spirit and enthusiasm. THANKS to ALL for supporting our organization!
As the superintendent of the Loveland City School District, it is my responsibility to ensure that every child in our district has access to quality education while managing our tax dollars wisely and providing a good value to residents. I take this responsibility seriously.
Dr. Amy Crouse is Superintendent, Loveland City School District
Another responsibility I take very seriously is the dissemination of facts. This is why we have been hosting community chats and forums, such as the event held on September 12; it’s why we are constantly updating our website and addressing frequently asked questions; and it’s why we are so intent on engaging with our community. It is imperative that our residents have the facts in order to make an informed decision at the ballot on November 5. And some of what we’re seeing out there, well, it’s simply not accurate.
What is accurate is that Loveland City Schools have reached a critical juncture: We have overcrowding, with some classes being held in hallways and in trailers, we have three old buildings for which repair costs have reached the threshold where industry standards recommend replacement over renovation, and we have a need to secure additional operating dollars. The needs facing our schools are very real and immediate.
Over these last several years, we have spent time working with the community on a plan that is cost-efficient and meets the school district’s needs. This is the ballot issue facing voters with the Tuesday, November 5 election.
We realize that this ballot issue is no small ask. We also realize, like the community members who helped identify and prioritize the needs, that it is more cost effective to do the work all at once and that the longer we wait, the more expensive it will be to remedy the needs facing our schools.
Large amounts of money would have to be spent on other temporary solutions, like trailers, instead of putting the dollars toward real solutions for the long term.
When considering this ballot issue, it is important to note that there is no zero-cost option with our facilities and the needs do not go away over time if we continue with the status quo. In fact, continuing to do so with our facilities comes at a substantial cost – we would need to divert funds from the classroom to pay for critical repairs, which are still only temporary fixes to problems that don’t go away. We would need to put off important safety and security updates in the buildings and continue to make do with antiquated science and technology laboratories and learning spaces. Large amounts of money would have to be spent on other temporary solutions, like trailers, instead of putting the dollars toward real solutions for the long term.
These are important considerations for our community – it comes down to how we want our schools to operate. So that you can be informed about the facts regarding the district work, planning and needs, I encourage you to visit the “Frequently Asked Questions” section on our website. Among other facts on this page, we have also included the updated cost information that shows the board’s intent to structure the financing so that the overall impact of the tax is phased in for residents over three years. This helps residents and it helps meet the school district’s needs.
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.”
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.
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
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.
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.
David Callahan, a resident of the Loveland School Dristrict lives in the Belle Meade subdivision in Miami Township
by David Callahan
Hundreds of community and business leaders were assembled by the board to find the best path forward. This process has been going on for nearly 2 years, so it is not out of the blue. (Loveland Board of Education asks for combined 16.78-mill levy)
Classrooms are overcrowded and don’t have the necessary modernization to educate our future leaders of the community. The 21st Century workforce will be vastly different than it is today and we need to prepare our most valuable assets, children, to be at the forefront of our community, city, state, and country.
The cost to do nothing is higher than the cost of this levy.
Saying no to our children is not acceptable to me. I want my children to have more than I did. My child is 16 and will not see the benefits of this project. My neighbors’ kids will be the beneficiaries and I plan to vote for them and support this levy. Supporting this levy secures our community’s future and makes investments that pay higher dividends. Investment in education has been shown to increase economic growth and stability. I love my community and want to invest in the future. The time is now!
Blue Ash, Ohio – The Aviators’ opening half performance was too much for the Tigers to overcome last Friday when they traveled to Sycamore to open the regular season. At halftime, it was 43 – 14. Each team scored one more touchdown in the second half to make the final score, 50 – 20.
Sycamore outpaced Loveland with 372 total yards vs. the Tiger’s 178. Loveland’s Liam Hamill ran 21 times for 94 yards. The stats for the game are incomplete, however, you can view what Sycamore reported (below). Home teams are responsible for reporting stats.
These photos were taken both in the pre-game warmups and during the game.
The Tiger home season-opener is on Friday against Lebanon at 7 PM. Lebanon lost as host to Kings last Friday, 34 – 20.
On August 16, 2019, The Loveland Initiative, held its 23rd Annual Backpack Program for the 2019/2020 school year. We are so happy to
Thank you for making our 23rd annual backpack program an enormous success!!
announce that, together with our donors and volunteers, The Loveland Initiative sorted, packed and distributed 300 backpacks to help students right here in Loveland, Ohio, get off to a great start for the new school year!!What joy it is for students to personally pick out their own backpacks. You can tell by looking at their smiling faces. They are so proud of what they have chosen. The backpacks they choose from are endless, all donated and collected each year for students returning to school.
Terri Rogers is the Executive Director of The Loveland Initiative
This service is important because (1) we make a positive impact on the lives of children and families in our community, (2) we expanded services to other low-income children within the community.(3) we relieve the financial burden of back-to school-time for families and (4) we help to reduce peer pressure and self-esteem so that students are focusing on learning. It is about generating excitement and joy at the prospect of students returning to school.
Each year, I am amazed at the amount of support that we receive from the Loveland community. A HUGE thank you to EVERYONE who collected supplies and/or backpacks for us. A HUGE thank you to New Hope Baptist Church for hosting us for the fifth year in a row, and for the use of their facility. A SPECIAL thank you to JackRabbit and VIBE Nutrition for serving as a collection spot. A HUGE thank you to ALL our volunteers, YOU were invaluable! A HUGE thank you to Loveland Magazine for their publicity support. Without the support from our awesome community, we could not do what we do.
Thank you for making our 23rd annual backpack program an enormous success!!
CLICK HEREto learn more about the Loveland Initiative and the community programs they provide.
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![[Photo Album] Aviators soar over Tigers in season opener](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/football-loveland-syacome-football-feature.jpg)
