News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area
Without fear or favor
Since 2004
Loveland, Ohio – Come and Support the Loveland Women’s Hoops teams tonight as they take on the undefeated West Clermont Wolves. Bring your canned goods for the LIFE Pantry.
The Varsity Tigers are 3-3, 5-2. The Wolves are 4-0, 6-0.
JV game is at 5:30 PM and Varsity at 7 PM.
@TigerSpiritClu1 is giving 1 concession coupon if you bring 2 canned goods! (Limit to 2 coupons per person) #OurWay
BY: SUSAN TEBBEN – Ohio Capital Journal
The Ohio Senate passed an overhaul of the state Department of Education and Board of Education on Wednesday with heavy criticism for what bill supporters say has been years of dysfunction.
The measure passed 22-7, and now moves on for House consideration.
Senate President Matt Huffman came down from the dais just to support the measure, which renames the education department to include a workforce element and pares down the roles of the state board of education. It was just passed out of committee the day before, against objections from education advocates.
Huffman called out the Ohio Department of Education for what he called a lack of accountability.
“Most of us don’t have contact with the people at the Ohio Department of Education, and there’s a good reason for that: They don’t work for us, they work for the state Board of Education,” Huffman said in a Wednesday floor speech.
In particular, Huffman said there is a certain “malevolence” within the education department when it comes to school choice and EdChoice private school voucher program processes.
He believes that discord won’t happen if the department leadership is moved within the executive branch’s purview.
“If this is a cabinet-level position, under the governor … there is going to be a response to this body and the members of the House, the elected representatives of the people,” Huffman said. “Because governors have an incentive to respond to the legislature.”
Democrats stood in opposition not to changes to the state’s education system, but how the changes are being made.
State Sen. Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, a member of the Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee from which the bill originated, said school governance has been debated “almost the whole time that I’ve been a member of the General Assembly.”
Is change needed? He says yes.
“I believe we need to review and revise our education governance structure, but we need an intensive and extensive review, giving all stakeholders adequate opportunity to consider proposals and to give input,” Sykes told his fellow Senate members.
Responding to criticism that the bill is happening too fast for a proper review, state Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, said the bill was crafted over “months” and attempts to make changes have happened multiple times over the years, including the institution of academic distress commissions. Many of the problems, such as decreases in reading comprehension test scores and a lack of an official state superintendent for public instruction, have been years in the making.
Without immediate action, students will continue to lose learning time and Ohio’s workforce will not be prepared for the new opportunities coming from places like Intel.
“If kids aren’t literate, they’re not going to be able to do those jobs,” Brenner said.
Two Republicans, state Sens. Kristina Roegner and Niraj Antani, voted against the measure, but did not make comments during the session.
State Representatives will need to move fast to get the measure passed by the end of the year, which also marks the end of the 134th General Assembly. If it doesn’t pass, the effort starts over at the beginning of the year.
House Speaker Bob Cupp said he has yet to look at the bill or discuss it with House colleagues, according to Huffman.
“We talked generally about it and I expressed the fact that I’m in favor of it and Governor (Mike) DeWine expressed that also,” Huffman said after the Senate vote.
The Senate president said he does think there is support for it already in the House, but if it doesn’t pass, that won’t spell the end of the matter.
“I’d like to move that this year and if, for whatever reason, that doesn’t happen in the House, it’ll be coming right back in February,” Huffman said after the Senate vote.
After the vote, groups on either side of the education debate spoke out on the measure.
Public school education coalition Honesty for Ohio Education panned the fast-tracked vote.
“Instead of collaborating with policymakers, the Department of Education, educators, administrators, and communities to build a sustainable solution that would address these very complicated issues, lawmakers are prioritizing a solution that creates more problems than it solves,” said coalition director Cynthia Peeples.
The Buckeye Institute, a think tank that supported the bill in committee, said passage of the bill was an opportunity for Ohio.
“By reforming the State Board of Education and the Ohio Department of Education, Senate Bill 178 will better align education with the needs of employers and help overcome historic learning loss in the wake of the pandemic,” said Greg Lawson, research fellow for the institute.
A spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Education declined to comment on the statements made Wednesday in the Senate or on the bill itself.
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District has announced a special board meeting for this Saturday morning at 8 AM.
There will be no Public Participation at this meeting.
If you don’t automatically see the Board Doc, click on the “Download” link to view the full agenda.
The Loveland Board of Education will conduct a special meeting on Thursday, December 10th, 2022, at 8:00 AM in the Board of Education Offices at 757 South Lebanon Rd, Loveland, Ohio 45140, for the purpose of considering the following agenda items: Action Items Request to file Modified Tax Budget – Action Board 2023 Calendar – Potential Action after discussion Discussion Items District Finances Board Officers and Administrative Committees Board Appointees to Loveland City Committees Board Meeting Processes, Recordings and Minutes By-Laws The agenda is active on BoardDocs - https://go.boarddocs.com/oh/love/Board.nsf/vpublic?open Pursuant to Board Policy 0169.1, there will be no Public Participation at this Special Meeting.
Loveland, Ohio – Tigers Incorporated, Loveland Spirit Club, and Jarvis Global Investments have launched the second annual “3’s For LIFE” Fundraiser.
This community outreach program will take place from December 3rd to February 2nd benefiting the Loveland LIFE Food Pantry. Jarvis Global Investments will donate twelve canned goods to the LIFE Food Pantry for every three-point shot made at Loveland High School’s Men’s and Women’s home basketball games.
The two Tigers Inc. students on the lead, Elly Steinbrunner and Brady Steiner, have secured a five hundred dollar donation from Meijer which will also be given to the LIFE Food Pantry.
Throughout the fundraiser, donation boxes will be set up at Loveland Biggby Coffee (732 Middleton Way), to collect food donations from community members.
If you’d like to help the cause you can donate canned food items, or venmo @Tigers-Inc and donate monetarily! All donations will go directly to the food pantry in the form of canned goods.
To stay up to date with the progress of the fundraiser visit Loveland Spirit Club on instagram @lovelandspiritclub or twitter @TigerSpiritClu1.”
Loveland School Treasurer Rob Giuffre – Photo Provided
Loveland, Ohio – Andrew Setters the Loveland City School District Director of Communication and Community Engagement sent this message to Loveland Magazine saying, “I’ve included the Superintendent’s Message from our December Community Newsletter below. It has a pretty clear message about the district’s five-year forecast and the financial decision-making that will need to take place in the months ahead.”
Setters added, “We’ve gotten good feedback on this, and I thought it might be of interest to your readers.”
Superintendent’s Message Loveland Tiger Community, Treasurer Rob Giuffre presented the five-year forecast during our Board of Education Meeting on November 15. You can view it under “important documents” on the Treasurer’s webpage by following this link. Watch the discussion around the Five Year Forecast at the two hours and thirty-five-minute mark of the Board Meeting recording by following this link. The Five Year Forecast is a tool to allow school districts and communities to plan for future needs by looking at our projected financial situation over the next five years. It’s a lengthy document, but the most relevant information is on page three. It shows that we are in deficit spending for the current fiscal year by $3.7 million and projects a $3.8 million deficit in the following fiscal year. Deficit spending means the district is spending more money than we receive from local, state, and federal tax revenue. The district is making up that deficit by using our cash reserves. Because we only get tax revenue deposits twice a year, those cash reserves are necessary to pay bills, payroll, and other expenses. There are two paths ahead - a reduction in expenses or an increase in revenue. Salaries and benefits make up 86% of our costs, so a reduction in expenses means a decrease in staff positions. Because the district already implemented staff reductions in 2020, it will be difficult to make additional cuts without impacting educational opportunities for students. Increasing revenue means asking voters for additional funding through a levy. Loveland City School District receives very little state funding compared to other districts around Ohio, and we do not expect the situation to improve. The state funding model is expected to eliminate more funding for suburban districts like Loveland in the future. The district’s financial situation cannot wait for help from state lawmakers who have been unable to fix the unconstitutional school funding system for decades. In the weeks ahead, the Treasurer and I will look at options to present to the Board of Education as they consider which path to take. If you have any questions, please contact me: broadwmi@lovelandschools.org Go Tigers! Mike Broadwater Superintendent Loveland City Schools
Loveland, Ohio – Applications for the 2023-24 LECC Preschool program will be available beginning today, December 5 at Preschool Application 2023-24 / Home (lovelandschools.org).
Applications are due no later than January 13, 2023, and should be turned in directly to Penny Dippold at the Loveland Early Childhood Center.
The completed application can be mailed (6740 Loveland-Miamiville Rd., Loveland, Ohio 45140), faxed (513-677-7960), or emailed to dippolpe@lovelandschools.org.
Parents will be notified if their child is selected for the program by early February 2023.
The Application:
Wednesday, August 16, 2023 – First Day for Students with Last Names A-L
Thursday, August 17, 2023 – First Day for Students with Last Names M-Z
Monday, September 4, 2023 – No School – Labor Day
Thursday, October 12, 2023 – Last Day of the First Quarter
Friday, October 13, 2023 – No School – Inservice Day
Monday, October 16, 2023 – No School – Inservice Day
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 – No School PK-4 – Election Day
Friday, November 10, 2023 – No School – Veterans Day (observed)
Monday, November 20, 2023 – No School – Fall Break Begins
Monday, November 27, 2023 – Students Return – Fall Break Ends
Thursday, December 21, 2023 – Last Day of the Second Quarter
Friday, December 22, 2023 – No School – Winter Break Begins
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 – Students Return – Winter Break Ends
Monday, January 15, 2024 – No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, February 19, 2024 – No School – Presidents Day
Thursday, March 7, 2024 – Last Day of the Third Quarter
Friday, March 8, 2024 – No School – Inservice Day
Monday, March 25, 2024 – No School – Spring Break Begins
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 – Students Return to School – Spring Break Ends
Thursday, May 23, 2024 – Last Day of School /Last Day of the Fourth Quarter
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District Board of Education is seeking a person to be appointed to the City of Loveland Planning and Zoning Commission. The successful candidate would serve as a City of Loveland Planning and Zoning Commission member, attend necessary meetings, and communicate with the Board of Education.
Those interested in serving must be a resident of the City of Loveland for at least one year before their appointment to the Commission. Candidates should submit a resume and a brief narrative explaining why they would like to serve.
Documents can be submitted via email to treasurer@lovelandschools.org or delivered to the Board of Education offices during regular business hours. All documents should be received by noon on Wednesday, December 14, 2022.
SECTION 9.03 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.
There shall be a City Planning and Zoning Commission consisting of five (5) members.
One (1) member shall be a member of Council, to be selected by Council. One (1) member shall
be selected by the Board of Education who may or may not be a member of the Board. Council
shall select three (3) members who are not Council members. Members of the Commission shall
be residents of the City for at least one year prior to their appointment. If the Board of Education
and/or the Council shall fail in these appointed duties, for a period of forty-five (45) days, after a
vacancy occurs, the Mayor shall make such appointments. The terms of office of a Commission
member, who is also a member of Council shall be concurrent. The remaining four (4) members
shall be appointed to staggered and overlapping terms of three (3) years each. Any incumbents, as
of this Charter’s adoption, shall serve out their respective unexpired terms.
(Amended 11-6-01)
SECTION 9.03a POWERS AND DUTIES OF PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION.
The Commission shall act as the City’s platting commission and shall provide for planning
and regulations covering the platting of all lands controlled by the City and may require an official
map of such territories to be made. The Commission shall carry out the City planning functions,
which includes preparing a master plan, to be updated a minimum of every ten (10) years, and
investigate, and make such reports and recommendations relating to planning and zoning, and the
physical development of the City; and shall have all the powers granted to and shall perform all
the duties imposed on planning commissions by Ohio law, and such other powers and duties as
established by Council by ordinance. Meetings of the Commission shall be held as needed but not
less than every two (2) months.
(Amended 11-6-01)
1109.03 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.
(a) The Planning and Zoning Commission shall have the following responsibilities and powers as they relate to this Zoning Code:
(1) Initiate advisable official zoning, district map changes, or changes in the text of the Zoning Code where same will promote the best interest of the public in general through recommendation to the City Council.
(2) Review all proposed amendments to the text of this Zoning Code and the official zoning district map and make recommendations to the City Council.
(3) Review all Special Planning District applications and make recommendations to the City Council as provided in this Zoning Code.
(4) Review all conditional uses as identified in the respective zoning districts according to provisions and criteria stated in this Zoning Code.
(5) Carry on a continuous review of the effectiveness and appropriateness of this Zoning Code and recommend such changes or amendments as it feels would be appropriate.
(6) Review and act on site plans pursuant to Section 1111.09.
(b) The Planning and Zoning Commission shall also have the responsibilities as set forth in the City Charter.
“What you’re going to see in the lame duck session is going to be a tornado from hell.”
– Former state Sen. and now State School Board Member, Teresa Fedor, D-Toledo.
Former state Sen. Teresa Fedor got out of the Statehouse before the last vestiges of democratic governance were flattened by a power-hungry party on steroids.
She knew a cyclone of destructive GOP legislation, super-charged by an unstoppable Republican juggernaut in the General Assembly, would be devastating. It is already bearing down fast on voting rights, citizen ballot initiatives, transgender protections, and Ohio women.
But as Fedor bid a bittersweet farewell to a 22-year legislative career after being elected to the State Board of Education, Republican colleagues sent her a parting gift of disrespect.
Barely a week after Fedor and two other Democratic candidates won seats on the state school board, ousting incumbent GOP extremists on the ballot, Republicans in the Ohio Senate quickly moved to gut board members’ educational oversight responsibilities to almost nothing.
It was an audacious power grab by Republican lawmakers to wrest authority from the state education board on the heels of an election in which voters spoke about what they wanted for their children in education.
“We’re essentially removing most of the education duties out of the control of the state school board and putting them in the governor’s office,” declared Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, as he unilaterally moved to nullify a democratic election.
With the super-super Republican majorities Huffman deviously engineered through lawless gerrymandering, he can drop any pretense of honoring the will of the people. Voters don’t matter. Hoarding power does. Sharing power with state board of education members who defeated Republican-backed anti-trans, anti-vax, anti-CRT, anti-anti-racism resolution clowns was nixed even before new members were sworn in.
Huffman’s plan is to ram through a bill in the next few weeks that removes all the board’s decision-making on educational matters, from curriculum and textbooks to academic development and planning, and gives that consequential stewardship to a political appointee who answers to the governor who answers to Huffman. See how it works?
Senate Bill 178 shrinks the influence of the Ohio Board of Education to a handful of administrative issues outside the classroom. Sponsor state Sen. Bill Reinke, R-Tiffin, stressed the need “for systemic change at the state level (after the Nov. 8 election) to our education system to ensure accountability to taxpayers and for our kids.”
Fedor rolled her eyes.
“They’ve been beating that drum for over 30 years. ‘Public schools are failing. We need accountability.’ And where are we on public education? They (Ohio Republicans) have been in control the whole time, except for four years under Strickland. If there’s a failure, it’s a failure on their part,” she said.
“This is the 25th year of an unconstitutional school funding formula in the state. Republicans failed to the provide equitable and adequate education for the common schools in Ohio for 25 years. They set up a failed charter school system (remember ECOT?) in which tax dollars go into a black hole never to be seen again. They expanded vouchers, the privatization of our public dollars, a bigger black hole. Legally taxpayers don’t have a right to see how that tax money is being spent.”
Fedor is outraged that Huffman and Co. are subverting the voice of Ohio voters with Senate Bill 178.
“This just shifts power from the people to an unaccountable cabinet member in the executive branch,” she fumed. “Republicans are creating another level of bureaucracy away from the public” to steamroll their goal of privatizing public institutions without transparency or accountability.
The incoming state school board member is resigned to what comes next. The Republican storm whipping through the legislature will weaken the Ohio State Board of Education by giving its power to the governor.
“They’ll have their hearing, maybe two,”Fedor explained. “They may get interested parties into a room and say how can we tweak this so you’ll accept it even if you don’t like it and we can say we worked with you.”
“They’ll put the language into a substitute bill that no one will see until the last minute before it gets voted on or fold it into a lame duck Christmas tree bill and say they did the public bidding and boast about it. But everyone will know it was a sham. That’s what abuse of power will do.”
After over two decades in the legislative trenches, Fedor recognizes ruthless.
“Ohio Republicans have been waiting in the wings to roll out their extreme agenda because now they have unlimited power in the legislature. Senate Bill 178 cues up the budget debate. If it becomes law, Republicans are then going to pour money into their bureaucratic schemes to privatize public institutions — including the most important one to secure democracy, public education. The select few will benefit but 90% of our children will be left behind.”
Fedor, who spent 17 years in the classroom, conceded, “I have no power other than my voice and experience and heart.”
But she is a formidable force in her own right and will fight to be heard over the tornado from hell roaring through the lame duck.
“I am never going to give up,” promised the state school board member under siege. “You have to have hope. There’s no other choice.”
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – On Monday, December 5 you can join our Tiger Nation in celebrating the life and legacy of Women’s Basketball Head Coach Darnell Parker. His daughters have established a scholarship in their father’s name to award to a deserving Loveland High School athlete.
The Varsity Game is at 7:30 PM and the JV game is at 6 PM. Sometime around 7, between the JV and Varsity games is when Darnell’s family will be called down to mid-court.
Will you wear orange and black spirit wear? Will you wear your Coach Parker tee? Will you come and compete in the half-court throwdown? Will you buy enough split-the-pot tickets to win the split?
The split-the-pot raffle, the half-court shot tickets, and cookies will be sold throughout the JV and Varsity games. The half court competition and split the pot winner will be announced at half-time of the Varsity game.
Darnell had more fun than anyone could imagine playing collegiate basketball and earning his bachelor’s degree. A student earning this scholarship will be continually inspired by Coach Darnell Parker to push through adversity to accomplish their dreams. If you are interested in applying for this scholarship, information will be available in Spring 2023 to apply. If you would like to contribute to the Darnell Parker Memorial Athletic Scholarship, click here. Donations may also be venmo’d to @Dana-Parker-41 or checks made payable to S3C, Inc. may be mailed to 6187 Cardington Place, West Chester, OH 45069.
See ya at the LHS gym vs ECC rival Lebanon High School. This is the “home opener” for the Tigers.
