Loveland, Ohio – LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV captured the Zoom/Youtube meeting of the Loveland School Board on Thursday because the District prohibits further viewing immediately after the end of their meetings. The public can only view their on-line meetings as they take place.
Loveland Magazine captures the video and publishes it so it is archived and can be watched at the public’s leisure. You can watch Part 1 through 4 of the videos and read the meeting agenda below.
If you believe the time and effort involved in reporting this type of news is valuable to your life as a resident of the Loveland community, please support and reward our efforts. This story alone required 8 hours and expensive equipment to produce. 623 people have viewed the video on our Facebook Page so we feel our effort adds value to the community. DO YOU?
Your reward is knowing you are helping keep your fellow residents informed about the Loveland Schools, a subject of incalculable interest to you as a taxpayer, our teachers, and of course our children.
AGENDA
(Items in blue indicate a link for supporting documents)
9.4 Approval of transfer from general fund to “Turf Field Replacement” fund 018-9117 (Motion to authorize the Treasurer to transfer $20,000.00 from the general fund to the “Turf Field Replacement” fund 018-9117.)
10.2 Approve Resolution to Initiate Procedures under Ohio Law for the Retirement and Reemployment of Dara Hudson as a part time French and Spanish Teacher for the 2020-2021 School Year
11.1 Enter into Executive Session to review negotiations with public employees concerning compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment.
12. Meeting Closing
12.1 Adjournment
If you believe the time and effort involved in reporting this type of news is valuable to your life as a resident of the Loveland community, please support and reward our efforts. This story alone required 8 hours and expensive equipment to produce.
Your reward is knowing you are helping keep your fellow residents informed about the Loveland Schools, a subject of incalculable interest to you as a taxpayer, our teachers, and of course our children.
Loveland, Ohio – The March 17 Primary Election results have now been reported by the Hamilton, Clermont, and Warren County Board of Elections.
On election night the preliminary result was 3,844 votes for the levy and 5,766 against the levy. After counting all votes there are 57 additional votes for the levy and 104 additional votes against the levy.
Below, are now the “Official” final results as reported by each BOE.
Loveland, Ohio – With “Summary/Unofficial” results, the Loveland City School District operating levy of 6.95 mills is failing in all three counties as of 6:30 AM Wednesday morning.
All mail-in ballots and provisional ballots will still have to be tabulated in the days to come. The mail-in ballots needed a postmark of April 27, so some of those ballots will still have to be received from the Post Office. Validly cast provisional ballots also will need to be tabulated.
Hamilton County says they will need 2-3 weeks to publish final results.
Clermont County
YES – 1,988
NO – 2,741
Hamilton County
YES – 1780
NO – 2921
Warren County
YES 76
NO 104
TOTAL
YES – 3844
NO – 5766
In a statement posted on the District web site, Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse said, “We accept the outcome and respect the decision voters made, but this is a devastating loss for our schools. At this time of national and global uncertainty, we will also prepare to start the new school year in August with a significantly reduced budget, which will directly impact programs, class size, and services to our students. In addition, we will have to start preparing to go back on the ballot. This is unfortunately how school funding works in Ohio.”
As of this morning, the “Loveland Voice” Political Action Committee has not issued a statement only posting preliminary results on their FaceBook page. Loveland Voice had organized to actively oppose the levy.
The District statement also said:
In addition to the $2.7 million in expense reductions already made in 2019, significant cuts will be made to the operating budget in the coming months. These reductions include, among others, the elimination of at least 25 administrative, teaching and non-teaching staff positions, and the elimination of high school busing.
“Yes for Loveland” the Political Action Committee supporting the school levy posted this message on their FaceBook page 3 hours ago:
According to current results, it appears the Loveland Community has voted to NOT pass the Operating Levy. Official results will be reported in 2 – 3 weeks.
We appreciate all of your hard work and support this year. We understand we have to rally together once again to find the answer to funding the district for our children. We will do this together.
Seeing the out pour of love for one another and the care of our community gives us all hope in this time of a pandemic. Continue to support and take care of one another. We’re all in this together!
The current system and laws in regard to funding schools in Ohio are flawed. The funding system overemphasizes real estate taxes and creates inequality in educational funding across the state. The system has been declared unconstitutional multiple times by the Ohio Supreme Court, most recently in 2002.However, due to inaction by the administrative and legislative branches, the funding system remains law. So school systems, like Loveland, that do not have large commercial and industrial bases, must rely heavily on local, individual real estate taxes in order to operate.Voters are faced with the choice of voting for higher taxes or not providing our public schools with the funds necessary to operate effectively. Our schools simply cannot be effective in preparing current and future students without the essential funds to operate.
Dr. Gregg Tracy is a Loveland resident and property owner, a Loveland High School Graduate, a retired professor of leadership, and former school administrator.
Even as assessed property values increase, no new monies are generated for schools. Thus operating funds are fixed while operating costs increase.New levies are regularly and periodically necessary. It is a reality in Ohio.Excellent schools depend on good administration, teaching, and community participation, but schools just cannot perform effectively without periodic tax levies.
Loveland’s consistent excellence will continue to benefit students and the community.
It is easy to say, “I do not want to pay more taxes.” It is equally as easy to come up with justifications for voting “no.” Historically, voting against operating levies has not been a strategy that has facilitated any positive change. It is a weak substitute for dialogue and cooperative participation in a meaningful process aimed at changing and improving schools. Without necessary funds, schools cannot operate effectively, let alone have opportunities to change and improve. With needed funds, Loveland’s consistent excellence will continue to benefit students and the community. Loveland’s board and administration, have established a number of ways to learn, cooperate and participate in the school improvement process.Administration is accessible, public meetings have been held and will continue, printed materials have been sent regularly, and online communications are available.The leadership team has been very clear about the district’s needs and financial status.
They are simply asking for operating funds to continue the quality education that Loveland has been providing over time.
As our school board asks for additional operating funds in March, they are not asking for money for building or adding programs. They are simply asking for operating funds to continue the quality education that Loveland has been providing over time. The board has committed to keeping expense growth to less than 3% through fiscal year 2024. As a concerned citizen, I encourage you to make an informed decision in March based on an understanding of the need based on Ohio’s funding system and the recognition of the importance of your vote for our community. Public schools are one of our community’s vital organizations.As you make your decision in March, I hope you have gone directly to the source and not relied on hearsay and negative campaigns. I hope that you have directly accessed information sources made available by the district’s leadership team. I also hope that you consider our students and the short term and long term effects of your vote.Summarily, I hope you cast a concerned and informed vote on March 17.
Kim and Rick Donaldson live on Paxton Road in Miami Township
by Kim and Rick Donaldson
At its February 18th business meeting, the Loveland City School District Board of Education reviewed the administration’s updated five-year financial forecast, which includes annual operating expenditure cuts averaging $2.5 million and fee increases averaging $0.2 million.* The updated forecast still requires passage of a 6.95 mill operating levy, which will raise annual revenue by $6.3 million, to maintain an adequate cash balance through fiscal year 2024. Indeed, the included budget cuts were made for the express purpose of limiting the levy to only 6.95 mills. So, after cutting $2.5 million from expenditures, why do we need an additional $6.5 million (taxes plus fees) in revenue? Let’s look at the numbers.
This graphic is the Donaldson’s original presentation of the data sourced from the Ohio Department of Education and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as noted on the chart and in the list of references.
As shown in the included chart, both five-year forecasts start from a very high baseline expenditure level established in 2019 when operating expenditures increased 13% from the previous year.**That increase was the culmination of an accelerated spending trend that started in 2015, bringing the total four-year increase to 26%.By comparison, the cumulative inflation rate was only 7.7% during the same period.***This rapid expenditure increase quickly overtook the 23% annual revenue increase in the years following the 2014 levy.
Since median income tends to be tied, albeit loosely, to inflation, expenditure increases that exceed the inflation rate make our schools increasingly less affordable to taxpayers.
Furthermore, it is important to recognize that the spending cuts and fee increases included in the updated forecast are all relative to the previous forecast, which anticipated increasing expenditures by 4% annually.Since the Federal Reserve Board targets a 2% annual inflation rate, the plan was to increase spending by twice the rate of inflation.The updated forecast anticipates annual increases of 3%, which is still 50% above the target inflation rate.Since median income tends to be tied, albeit loosely, to inflation, expenditure increases that exceed the inflation rate make our schools increasingly less affordable to taxpayers.
As a more affordable alternative, we advocate limiting operating expenditures to 2015 levels on a per student basis, adjusted for inflation.As shown on the chart, this approach would result in spending much lower than the updated five-year forecast and, more importantly, lower than current projected revenue.It would thus obviate the need for any additional operating levy.It is worth noting that this would be consistent with, and a continuation of, expenditure trends from 2006 through 2015.
If a 2015 baseline seems too aggressive, the same approach using a 2018 baseline could be considered.Although it would require an additional levy, the levy vote could be postponed to November 2021 and would only need to be around 1 mill to maintain the same cash balance as in the updated forecast.
These particular cuts, chosen by the administration, raise some serious questions.
So, what would we cut?After all, in the same February 18th presentation we were told that we will have to eliminate teaching and staff positions even if we approve the levy in March.We have also been warned that failure to pass the levy in March will result in additional cuts, including staff, teachers and high school transportation.These particular cuts, chosen by the administration, raise some serious questions.If we could afford current staffing levels in 2018, why can we not afford them in 2021 with nearly 13% higher expenditures in the updated forecast?****Even if we choose to defeat the levy and limit expenditures to inflation-adjusted 2018 levels, why could we not continue to support essentially the same staff and transportation that we did in 2018?Where is the additional money going, and why has the administration chosen to cut staff and transportation?
Before we head to the polls in March, we need to have satisfactory answers to these questions that are quantitative, complete and transparent. We need to know whether the proposed budget and associated cuts are indicative of fiscally responsible management for the benefit of our children, or emotional manipulation designed to get the levy passed.Ultimately, it comes down to a question of trust.
Our youngest Loveland Tigers know these three words well. Here in Loveland schools, we care for each other.We respect each other. And we take responsibility for our words and actions.
The Loveland Board of Education strives to do our best to live up to the expectations our teachers and staff have for our students. We care about each and every member of our school community and demonstrate that with leadership and fiscal responsibility. That care means we regularly need to place tax levies on the ballot in order to ensure the operation of programs that our students need and deserve.
The way taxes work in Ohio means that a school board respects the right of our district citizens to vote on these levies. We need to show the necessity for new operating funds and do so with the publishing of budgets, expenditures, and five-year forecasts. We publish the evidence of the success of our students as well.
The last operating levy passed in 2014 was designed to move the district from a “stay put” mode of operation to a time of forward progress and was strongly supported by our community. Our teachers and students delivered significant achievements as a result of that change in direction and now we need to protect that investment and optimize that effort.
Acting responsibly means telling the truth and sometimes means that you cannot respond in kind when false, harmful accusations are made.
Acting responsibly means telling the truth and sometimes means that you cannot respond in kind when false, harmful accusations are made.But responsible public servants also stand up for what is true. There are many false statements being made about the March 2020 levy, about the Board of Education, and about the people who work with us and for us. The Loveland school district and this Board of Education are committed to optimizing resources, to extending the adequacy of 2020 levy funds as long as possible, and to continuing progress for Loveland students.
Please take the time to review the information on our website, lovelandschools.org under the levy tab.Take the time to talk to our board and our administrators.Attend a board meeting or an information session.Get the right information right now.
We know our community cares about our schools. We respect the right of our citizens to vote on March 17. Each of us has a great responsibility for the future of Loveland schools.
Kathryn Lorenz is the President of the Loveland Board of Education and lives in Miami Township
Jim Hooper lives in the Loveland High School neighborhood
Jim Hooper
Catchy common phrase. Heard it used a couple times at the LCSD Adhoc committee meetings. Thought I ‘d try it out to gain perspective on the LCSD Levy situation.
Whoa, it’s high up here!
I see Loveland as a whole, comprised mainly of ranch style homes, modest neighborhoods, occupied by homesteader types who have lived in Loveland for decades – more semi-rural/rural than urban. Look down on West Loveland Ave, Rich Road, Rte 48, The Heights, Lebanon Road, the Glen Lake neighborhood, out towards Grailville , all the smaller roads off these arteries and you will see Loveland. Pocketed among these byways are sub-divisions like Chatham Woods, Pheasant Hills on the Lake, Woodford, White Pillars.
I see the Loveland School system. Led by the Board of Ed and the LCSD Superintendent. The BOE members are elected officials which automatically makes them politicians, whether they see themselves that way or not. We all know how politics works – from the local constituency the politician seeks out his/her core bloc of voters, those voters who will deliver the necessary votes to successfully elect. These politicians (BOE) are beholden to this core bloc. The bloc group influences the Board by way of their backing.
So what influence does 2,447 bloc voters have on a School Board and Superintendent?
In the case of the LCSDBoard of Ed I think we can fairly safely establish the core bloc of voters is 2,447 persons. I am thinking anyone voting FOR a 16.78 mil levy is definitely a BOE core bloc voter. So what influence does 2,447 bloc voters have on a School Board and Superintendent?A LOT!Especially under the “normal circumstances” of a levy issue – off year voting, little interest by the silent majority who assume their financial
The “Board Whisperers”
interests are being conservatively managed – the 2,447 voter bloc, under these conditions, pretty much guarantees the election of their candidates.And, pretty much guarantees the Board of Ed will be very receptive listeners. These people are the Board influencers – the “Board Whisperers” – the people in the ear of the Board members. They are the localized version of lobbyists. And, many of them are inside the school system where their voice is amplified many times over. Their job circumstances are directly impacted by money the LCSD spends.
Now I’m listening, now I’m reading, now I’m researching, now I’m in it with both feet.
Now under normal conditions, I don’t really mind this influencing activity. The only time I would perk up my ears and take an outsized interest would be, let me think,perhaps when this influencing campaign produced an unheard of, unconscionable, state record 16.78mil levy. Now I’m listening, now I’m reading, now I’m researching, now I’m in it with both feet.
I have heard a lot about trajectory, vision, maintaining forward growth, maintaining gains. Hey, I’m all for it! I support 2-3% trajectory, 2-3% vision gains, 2-3% growth gains. I fully support increase in hard work, efficiency, increased productivity. I fully support the LCSD taking baby steps to move up the rankings ladder. Set a vision of moving up 5 steps at a time. Great! Let’s not set a vision to move from a Value-Added rank of 433 to 22. I applaud the excellent 22 ranking. I do not applaud the fact that a lot of taxpayer dollars went into buying that result!
You know, the Bengals could be in the Super Bowl – all it takes is spending$$$. You know, the Reds could be in the World Series, all it takes is spending $$$. You know, the LCSD could be better than Indian Hill and Sycamore – all it takes is spending $$$ – taxpayer money!
My opinion is that there are “silent agendas” in our schools that the silent majority know nothing about.
Returning to the LCSD/Superintendent vision for LCSD. Firstly, what is that vision? I know only one thing about it – it costs lots of money($$$). Sorry, I do know another thing, that 78% of voters do not know Dr. Crouse’s vision for LCSD. Although, I am beginning to get some hints – $6,365,528 spent on technology improvements. Is this a Dr. Crouse vision, to be the most technologically advanced school system in the area. A four year 69.1% spending increase in “Support for the Instructional Staff”. $5,717,737 spent with Hamilton County ESC over 5 years. My opinion is that there are “silent agendas” in our schools that the silent majority know nothing about. These silent agendas are driven by the “Board Whisperers” – backed up by their votes at election time.
The taxpayer asked for $20/month over and over doesn’t realize they are slowly being taxed to death.
Again let me say, I have no issue with school agendas moving forward at a conservative, sustainable, within a budget pace ( 2-3% a year). I do have a huge problem with the LCSD making quantum leaps bought with my tax dollars. Now I have heard it said, “it is only $20.27/month per $100,000 appraised home value. Let me use an old saying – the frog in a pot of cold water over low heat doesn’t realize it is being slowly boiled to death – and the taxpayer asked for $20/month over and over doesn’t realize they are slowly being taxed to death.
What is really beginning to bother me is the total lack of self-reflection by the 22%. Based upon all I have read on social media the attitude is that “nothing wrong here – nothing to see here”, we know what is right, you (78%) are uninformed, and get out of our way. I must interpret that to mean spending will continue unabated. Not exactly the response hoped for (or expected) after a 78% to 22% drubbing at the polls.
I also hoped the myriad of testimonials from “forever” Yes voters that had been pushed to the difficult position of voting No would have enlightened the minority to question maybe something does need to change.
A consequence of losing a vote by a landslide 78-22% and in so doing shattering a trust that had been working for decades is the “trust but verify” is now “verify, verify, verify”. All aspects of the LCSD are now under a microscope for review.
The child learns not to touch a hot stove once; it seems the adults must touch the hot stove twice before a lesson is learned.
I am a “Know Vote”!
Jim Hooper lives in the Loveland High School neighborhood
In January 2020, Social Security, federal and military retirees received a miserly 1.6 percent cost-of-living pension increase. In 11 years, our COLA reflects a cumulative increase of only 15.2%.
Rather than living with the financially harsh and punitive School Property Tax Levies Ohio residents have been subjected to for decades, retirees should be advised that in the State of Ohio there are two secondary income funding sources available to Ohio School Districts and voters.
I refer you to the Ohio Department of Taxation “Guide to Ohio’s School District Income Tax”. https://www.tax.ohio.gov/school_district_income.aspx
For retirees in the state of Ohio, there are two types of School District Income Taxes, one BAD, one GOOD.
The BAD Tax is a School District “traditional base tax”. The same tax retirees pay today to the state of Ohio. The BAD tax includes pension and retirement income. Today, approximately 144 Ohio School systems have implemented this voter approved tax. ORC 5748.021 allows a school district with a traditional base tax to go to the ballot to replace that tax with an earned income base tax.
The GOOD Tax is School District “earned income base tax”. On page 4 of the above mentioned Guide, it states that Earned Income Tax excludes such items as interest, dividends, capital gains and pensions. The City of Loveland utilizes this form of taxation on our retired pensions.
Today, approximately fifty-nine Ohio school systems have implemented this voter-approved tax. Earned Income taxes range from a low of one-quarter percent to a high of two percent.
Loveland voters should be aware that a school board can adopt only one School District Income base tax, not both. So earned income base tax is the solution for we retirees. ORC 5748.02 (E) prohibits a district from having school district income tax levies with both bases.
After the unsupported March 2020 Property Tax Levy is defeated, I would suggest the
Loveland City School District seriously consider, in their next proposed tax levy, a properly vetted and much lower combined school tax levy consisting of a property tax … AND … a earned income tax.
For the benefit of our many retired Loveland residents, the primary goal is to soften the financial impact on them every time our school district needs to acquire more funds to operate their many programs.
A secondary goal is to ensure the school district discusses in detail with our concerned and extremely knowledgeable residents and voters prior to the next tax levy being placed on the ballot.If a favorable response from the community is received then a combined lower property tax levy AND earned income base tax should be proposed.
Common sense indicates that Loveland School District would do well to garner residential voter endorsement, rather than opposition.
Walter D. Golladay is a resident of Loveland, Ohio
Loveland, Ohio – On Tuesday, December 17, the Loveland Board of Education voted unanimously and passed a resolution to place an operating levy of 6.95 mills on the March 2020 ballot. The decision follows a failed combined operating and permanent improvement/bond issue of 16.78 mills on the November 5, 2019 ballot. “YES” votes totaled 2,447 and “NO votes totaled 8,634.
The failed levy was for the same millage amount of new operating funds the voters will be asked to approve on March 17 – 6.95 mills. The Hamilton County Auditor estimates the new operating levy would generate $6,164,257 in the first year of additional income for the District. Collections would begin in 2021.
The cost of the combined 16.78-mill levy translated into $49 monthly per $100,000 of appraised home value. If passed last November, collections would have begun in 2020. The failed November levy included 9.83 mills to pay for issuing $118.515,000 of debt for new construction, 3.41 mills for additional permanent improvements and 6.9 mills for operating expenses.
The new levy request will be approximately $20/month ($243 annually) per $100,000 of appraised value.
The last operating levy was for 5.6 mills and it was passed in May of 2014
In a press release, the District said that there will be approximately $2.7 million of budget cuts made in conjunction with the levy. According to Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse, they will include a combination of reductions in the “instructional cycle budget” (textbooks, etc.), staff and contracted services, and others.
According to the District, if the March levy fails additional cuts would be made before the district would go back to the ballot and ask for additional operating funds in November of 2020.
Operating levies fund the school district’s day-to-day expenses, including the salary and benefits of staff, which the District says make up approximately 83 percent of operating expenditures. Loveland Schools receive about 32 percent of its budget revenue from the state. The majority of the current budget, nearly 60 percent, is generated locally – mainly through property taxes. This locally-generated source of funding is also flat due to Ohio House Bill 920, which prevents schools from collecting additional revenue as home values increase over time.
In addition to voting for a March levy, the board has discussed the intention to look into options for increasing transparency and community involvement, through community advisory groups, one of which would focus specifically on school funding issues and advocacy at the state level.
Dr. Crouse said that the facility needs that were addressed in the failed bond levies in November will be on hold for the foreseeable future. Crouse said in the release, “Our school facility needs as presented earlier this year still remain and will eventually need to be addressed.” She added that the board will not be placing any levy on the ballot for facilities in November of 2020.
The master plan that is shelved outlined a new campus at Grailville for all Pre-K through fifth-grade students. It included repairs, renovations, and additions to the Middle School/Intermediate School and High School campuses. The money would also have been used for upgraded building security at all schools with secure entrances, camera systems, and electronically-activated locks. It included upgraded and expanded science and technology laboratories for biotechnology and robotics, among others. Included in the master plan was a new auditorium/fine arts center at the high school. The current auditorium would have been repurposed as academic space. The master plan also included upgrades and enhancements to athletic facilities at both the Middle and High Schools. Architects hired by the District developed the budget for the total project ($165 M).
Also read:
Below is the Resolution that was delivered to the Hamilton County Board of Elections with the ballot language.
The District has provided this way to most accurately calculate the cost of the March levy to property owners:
How much will the levy cost home owners?
The 6.95 millage rate translates into $20.27/month ($243.25 annually) per $100,000 of appraised home value as determined by the county auditor. To understand exactly how much the district’s 6.95-mill operating levy will cost your household, you will need to know your home’s appraised (or fair market) value as determined by your county auditor. Go to your local county auditor’s website and do a real estate property search:
Hamilton County (https://wedge1.hcauditor.org/) To find the appraised value, referred to as “Market Value,” go to “Tax Distributions” in the right column.
Warren County (https://www.wcauditor.org/Property_Search/) To find the appraised value, see “Value History” in the left column. The appraised value will be listed as the “True Value.”
Please note that the assessed value, which is used by the auditor to determine your tax obligation, is 35% of the appraised or market value. A home that is appraised at $100,000 is taxed on only $35,000: $35,000 x .00695*= $243.25/annually, or 243.25÷12=$20.27/monthly*.00695 equals the millage rate of 6.95.
![[VIDEO ARCHIVE] May 28, 2020 Loveland Board of Education Business Meeting](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/sddefault.jpg)
Loveland, Ohio – LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV captured the Zoom/Youtube meeting of the Loveland School Board on Thursday because the District prohibits further viewing immediately after the end of their meetings. The public can only view their on-line meetings as they take place.
by Walter D. Golladay
![[VIDEO] December 10 School Board Meeting](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/maxresdefault-1.jpg)
