In the photo above Liam Hamill (2nd from left) is with his family for a Senior Day photo. Liam Hamill will be competing in the State Championship for Wrestling
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland High School Athletics has yet again seen several Tiger teams reach their peak as the Winter Sports season comes to an end! Loveland’s Athletic Director, Brian Conaster, made the announcement Monday that Liam Hamill will be competing in the State Championship for Wrestling and the Women’s Indoor Track Team will be competing in the National Championship.
Senior Liam Hamill wrestled his heart out on Saturday lending him the opportunity to advance to the State Championship Tournament which will take place in Columbus on Friday, March 13th through Sunday, March 15th. Liam finished at the top of the 170 weight class in the ECC with 34 wins, 9 losses, and 23 pins. Check out these photos from over the weekend of Hamill pre and post-victory!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9cNpkvgREj/
Congratulations to our 170 Liam Hamill….he is heading to OHSAA State Tournament. Go Tigers! pic.twitter.com/3ChApy63Ga
Loveland’s Women’s Indoor Track Team also made some noise this weekend at the State Tournament placing 13th as a team! Several Lady Tigers competed at the chance to make it to the National Tournament, which will be held in Harlem, New York beginning on Friday, March 13th. Individually Kaitlyn Andrews competed in the 60m dash and the 200m dash, Miya Brines competed in the 60m hurdles and the long jump, Sarah Hallock competed in the 400m dash, Emmy Sager competed in the 3200m run, Megan Korniak competed in the high jump, and Sophia Horrigan competed in the pole vault. The Tigers also competed in the 4x200m relay, which included Miya Brines, Kaitlyn Andrews, Reagan Brunett, and Sarah Hallock, the 4x400m relay, which consisted of Ellie Carr, Ava Westfall, Chloe Smeller, and Sarah Hallock, and the 4x800m relay, which included Ellie Carr, Jessie Gibbins, Sarah Madix, and Ansley Richards.
After competing like Tigers over the weekend Miya Brines advanced to Nationals in the 60m hurdles and the 4x800m relay team advanced as well! Brines will be racing on Saturday, March 14th while the 4x800m relay squad will compete on Friday, March 13th. Check out the podium shot that was captured of our Lady Tigers on Sunday!
Conaster was so proud of the Tigers that advanced to the State and National Tournaments that he decided to host a send-off parade at LHS on Wednesday, March 11th, at 2 pm. Conaster reminded teachers to, “Please have your class step into the hallway, outside of your classroom, for the send-off parade. Our student-athletes, their coaches and the drumline will come to every floor starting at 2:00 pm. Please have your class, out in the hallway, to cheer them on! We appreciate your support for these athletes!”
The following students will get the privilege to be in the send-off parade:
Liam Hamill
Sarah Hallock
Megan Korniak
Nadia Trombley
Kaitlyn Andrews
Miya Brines
Makaela Feldman
Chloe Smeller
Regan Brunett
Ellie Carr
Jessie Gibbons
Sarah Madix
Ansley Richards
Emmy Sager
Sophia Horrigan
Ryan Hetzel
To check both the Tigers’ progress and the results as they compete in the State and National Tournaments this weekend you can visit www.ohsaa.org. GO TIGERS!!
Loveland, Ohio – It was a packed gym Saturday afternoon at Princeton High School filled with many spirited fans rooting on Loveland’s Women’s Basketball Team as they pushed to win their first District Championship. Although the Lady Tigers didn’t pull off the win, the game itself was still both competitive and exciting!
The Lady Tigers took on Mount Notre Dame, who were not only ranked number 1 in Ohio’s Division 1 High School Women’s basketball poll they were also ranked #3 in the nation by MaxPreps, as well as being both undefeated and the reigning Ohio Champs!
Loveland began the 1st quarter focused on shutting down MND’s top scorers and creating opportunities for Jillian Hayes inside the paint. The Tigers managed to achieve their first-quarter goals ending the quarter with a 19-17 lead, a field goal percentage of 40 percent, and they kept MND’s top scorers to single digits.
In the 2nd quarter, the Tigers kicked up their defense allowing MND to score only 7 points. Although MND beat Loveland 7-6 in the 2nd quarter, the Lady Tigers capitalized on their free throws, going 6 for 6. Senior Jillian Hayes led the Tigers at the half in points with 8 followed by Freshman Josie Early who tallied up 6 points. Junior Tess Broermann contributed heavily adding on 4 points, 4 assists, and 1 steal. Senior Kate Garry was the top rebounder at the half with 3 and collected 2 assists.
After the half, both Loveland and MND turned up the heat! The 3rd quarter seemed to be all about the fast break as most of Loveland’s baskets were either scored on a fast break or a v-cut pass to the basket. With 5:33 left on the clock in the 3rd quarter, the Lady Tigers led by 7 points. MND mirrored Loveland’s effort going 42 percent from the 3 point line and 82 percent from the free-throw line. MND outscored Loveland in the 3rd quarter 18-13, but the score did not reflect Loveland’s tenacity as they not only hustled for every loose ball they also capitalized on the defensive end.
Going into the 4th quarter the Loveland Tigers had everything to gain and nothing to lose. Loveland pushed until the very last second of the game but unfortunately did not collect the District title. MND outscored the Tigers 19-10 in the 4th quarter making the final score of the game 61-48.
Loveland fans at the game and at home all agreed that although the Tigers did not win it was still an exciting game and such an honor to see such a great group of women compete. The top performer for Loveland was Jillian Hayes who put up 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Following close behind Hayes was Josie Early who collected 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block. The ECC champs ended their season with an impressive 22-4 record.
Emotions ran high as Loveland lined up to receive their District runner-up medals after the game ended. ECC Coach of the Year Coach Darnell Parker and Loveland’s Athletic Director Brian Conaster handed out the school history-changing medals with a smile and a huge hug to each Lady Tiger. After medals were handed out many of the Lady Tigers ran up to their friends and families to express to them how much they appreciated their support throughout the season. It’s safe to say that the season this particular Loveland High School Women’s Basketball Team had will go down as the best season ever in LHS Women’s Basketball history.
Loveland Magazine would like to congratulate the LHS Women’s Basketball Team and the LHS Athletic Department for having such an incredible year! We could not be more proud of everything everyone on the team and staff accomplished. We are truly touched to have had the opportunity to cover such a great basketball program! We wish the women moving on to the play at the college level the best of luck and of course those that still have a couple more years to play for Coach Parker we can’t wait to see what next year brings. GO TIGERS! #OURWAY!
Nonprofit started by two Loveland students receives Library of Congress State Literacy Award
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland nonprofit Adopt A Bookhas been announced a winner of the 2020 State Literacy Award by the Library of Congress. The award is bestowed upon 10 organizations across the country that, “tirelessly work to mitigate illiteracy throughout communities and the world.” Organizations are awarded grant money for, “Exemplary, innovative and easily replicable longstanding initiatives toward this goal.”
Started by current Loveland High School Juniors Hannah and Alexander Laman, Adopt A Book regularly provides books for preschool programs, Cincinnati Public Schools, home-based programming, health clinics, and even schools abroad to encourage children to read. To date, Adopt A Book has donated over 165,000 books to more than 100 organizations, schools and programs that serve children in need.
“I am very honored and it means a lot to me to be recognized by the largest library in the world for my efforts in making sure as many kids as possible have access to books,” said Alex Laman upon receiving notification about the award.
His sister Hannah agrees: “This award means a lot to me because we were one of 10 recipients from all across the country, so to see that we stood out among many applicants is very meaningful. It is great to not only be recognized for our efforts, but to also be recognized by the Library of Congress, and to think that we have made a large enough impact on the community to be chosen is great.”
Alex and Hannah Laman with their parents Brent and Angela at “Fall Feast” on Thanksgiving Day 2019. Fall Feast is a Give Back Cincinnati program which makes a difference in the lives of neighbors throughout the community, especially the less fortunate, by offering the opportunity for people to unite and share a Thanksgiving meal, receive health checks, haircuts, coats – and books. More than 2,000 books by Adopt A Book found new homes at the event last November.This photo was taken when ten-year-old twins Alex and Hannah Laman’s “Little Library” was first planted right on the Loveland Bike Trail at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Harrison Avenue. (Loveland Magazine File Photo)
Impacting the community is exactly what Adopt A Book has encouraged many others to do. It all started in 2011, when Hannah and Alex as third-graders at Loveland Elementary School decided to “start a business” that would donate reading material after hearing about an elementary school in the Cincinnati area that didn’t have library books or even textbooks for their students. To share their own love of reading, they turned the idea into an incorporated nonprofit with the help of their parents. For Hannah and Alex, the model is quite simple: they involve other students, teachers, churches and charities, and have reached out to numerous businesses in the area for donations over the years. They run book drives and have expanded their efforts to include fundraising for things like bookshelves, furniture for personal reading spaces, and to create “reading buddies” programs for young children.
The “Little Library” that Hannah and Alex Laman planted is located along the Loveland Bike Trail in Historic Downtown Loveland. (Loveland Magazine File Photo)
Adopt A Book was nominated for the State Literacy Award by the Ohio Center for the Book as the one Ohio nonprofit that best exemplifies outstanding and innovative contributions to promoting literacy and reading in the local communities. The Library of Congress is expected to announce all winners of the Literacy Awards later in the year and Hannah and Alex will be presented the award of $2,225 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of literacy and reading at a formal ceremony.
As such successful ambassadors of reading, what are Alex and Hannah’s own favorite reads?
For Hannah, it’s IT by Stephen King, mystery novels, and any books by John Green.
Alex’s favorites include Science Magazine and he reads anything from reference books, Science Fiction and Classics to books on history.
“I always have something on my nightstand, floor or desk,” he said.
Loveland Magazine is one of the 400 news outlets worldwide, with a combined audience of over 2 billion people “Covering Climate Now”, a global journalism…
Lynnette Viox (center), here with College Study Skills and Financial Literacy students from Loveland High School, will be attending the 2020 Next Gen Changemaker Summit in San Francisco in March
Loveland, Ohio – “I am very honored and excited to represent Loveland at the summit and to further my professional development as we continue to advance the Business Department’s curriculum at Loveland High School,” said Lynnette Viox. “There is a strong interest in and demand for business courses among our students and this will benefit them as our program evolves.”
Some 90 educators from 28 states across the country will gather in San Francisco for the third annual Next Gen Changemaker Summit in March. Viox, an applied technology and business teacher at Loveland High School (LHS) is one of six representatives from Ohio that will attend the conference.
Participants at the Changemaker Summit are identified as educators who are working to achieve the Gold Standard in personal finance education in their schools and districts.
According to Next Gen’s “Mission:2030”, schools achieving the Gold Standard ensure that all students take at least a semester-long personal finance class prior to graduation as part of the belief that all students deserve a financial education that will allow them to thrive in their personal lives beyond high school.
“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to host such a talented and passionate group of educators for our third Annual Changemaker Summit,” said Tim Ranzetta, co-founder of Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF). “While 90% of students and parents believe that personal finance should be taught in high school, only 16% currently get it. This inspiring group of changemakers will close that gap.”
Summit participants will have the opportunity to collaborate and will be provided new resources and ideas on how to engage students in their classes. Teacher-led sessions and panels will showcase the progress of increasing access to personal finance education nationwide and how to support teachers in the advocacy for this type of curriculum in their communities.
Viox, who in addition to her teaching position at Loveland High School also serves as first vice-chair of the Loveland City School District’s Business Advisory Council, worked in business for 10 years prior to becoming a teacher. She has served as a coordinator for the Clermont County Mentor Program, as a member of the district’s “Innovation X” team and as the co-founder and co-leader of the LHS Link Crew, among others.
Viox will be representing Ohio at the Changemaker Summit along with Judy Matey, (Tuslaw High School, Massillon), Katherine Blanton (Butler Tech, Fairfield Township), Mark Rairigh and Nathan Kee (Bryan Middle and High Schools, Bryan) and Molly Tyson (Lorain High School, Lorain). NGFP has underwritten the full cost of the conference for all attendees as part of its commitment to teacher professional development.
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.
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland High School (LHS) Counseling Department’s partnership with Junior Achievement is facilitating a series of presentations and Q&A opportunities for students to learn about local companies and the industries in which they operate. These Career Pathways presentations host representatives from a variety of companies who share knowledge and experience about their field, helping link the curriculum at Loveland with real-world opportunities and assisting students as they prepare for success after high school.
David Cook, senior vice president and chief human resource officer at TriHealth (Photo from TriHealth)
“David Cook, senior vice president and chief human resource officer at TriHealth, recently spoke about career paths and success in the healthcare industry,” said Drews Mitchell, LHS Career and College Counselor. “It was eye opening for students to learn about the multitude of career options within healthcare – not only traditional medical pathways, but everything from culinary to information security and marketing careers.”
Next up in the Career Pathways series was Steve Eder from Messer Construction, representing the Construction Industry, who spoke to students on February 10.
Bonnie Curtis from the Castellini Group, representing the Transportation, Supply Chain and Logistics Industry, will speak to students on March 12.
Loveland, Ohio – We wanted to let the community in on the excitement that is building as the Loveland High School Women’s Basketball team heads to the Division I District Finals tomorrow. Cassie Mattia went to the school Friday afternoon and interviewed Head Coach Darnell Parker and the team just before they were to begin their last practice before taking on Mount Notre Dame Saturday at 3 PM.
They have put themselves in the position to beat the #3 team in the nation. MND is also rated the top team in Ohio.
You will be needed as the 6th woman/man/girl/boy and that’s why we wanted you to meet the team. Both LHS and the community of Loveland encourage everyone to come out and show their support for the LHS Women’s Basketball team tomorrow as they continue to change school history!
Game time is 3 PM and it will be played at Princeton High School in what is predicted to be a jam packed gym. (MAP 100 Viking Way, Cincinnati, Ohio.)
Below is the exclusive interview with Coach Parker and the Tiger’s!
Junior Jenna Batsch (above) scored 17 on 7-9 shooting from the field. She had 5 rebounds, 3 assists. and blocked 2.
Loveland, Ohio – It will be the Loveland Tigers vs. #1 seed Mount Notre Dame Saturday, February 29 at 3 PM (at Princeton H.S.).
Mount Notre Dame defeated Edgewood 85-25 Monday night to get to the finals. MND is undefeated, ranked #1 in Ohio by MaxPreps, and has a #3 national ranking. The Tigers are the #6 seed and defeated Mason Monday night 55-41 to reach the District Finals. Loveland Tigers now 22-3 and Walnut Hills both from the ECC advanced Monday night.
A strong 22-7 1st quarter with shots coming from every part of the court was too much for Mason to overcome.
Senior Jillian Hayes led the Tigers with a game-high 20 points shooting 50% from the field. and 4-5 from the foul line. She had 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocked shots.
Junior Jenna Batsch scored 17 on 7-9 shooting from the field. She had 5 rebounds, 3 assists. and blocked 2.
Senior Kate Garry finished with 10 points, 6 coming from behind the 3-pt line, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists.
A young Tiger high-5’s Jillian Hayes before she heads into the locker room after the win.
MND is led by Sophomore 5’9″ forward K.K. Bransford who averages 20.2 points per game and scored 40 on the road against Lincoln Gahanna in October. Senior 5’6″ guard Makira Cook averages 17.6. and scored 27 against Huntington St. Joseph Academy on February 1.
Loveland’s Hayes scored 27 in a December win over Walnut Hills.
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
![[Photo Album] Tigers fall in close game vs. Mount Notre Dame](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/tigers-district-runners-up.jpg)
![[Photo Album] Tiger women vie for District title on Saturday vs #3 team in nation](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/jenna-batsch-feature.jpg)
