LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: loveland tigers

  • Roberta Paolo addressed the Board regarding the failed levy

    Roberta Paolo addressed the Board regarding the failed levy

    Loveland, Ohio – On November 19, before a packed, stand on the furniture in the back for a better view, house, Roberta Paolo took to the open forum microphone to express views on the recently failed levy that was on the November 5 ballot. Many in the community know Paolo as “Granny” as she was the founder of Granny’s Garden School within the Loveland schools. The Board asked voters to approve issuing bonds for $118,515,000 and a combined operating and bond levy of 16.78-mill. The levy was rejected by voters 78-22 per-cent.

    The Board is currently considering placing another levy on the ballot in March of 2020. They say they will need to submit ballot language for a potential operating levy on the March ballot no later than December 18, requiring a first resolution to be passed at the December 10 board meeting.

    Paolo’s comments were during the regular business meeting of the Board where residents are allowed to sit in front of a microphone for 3 minutes to talk to the Board, the Administration, and the other audience members about anything relating to the operation of the District.

    There was another meeting that night following the business meeting. It was facilitated by Jeffrey Stec, the Director of Citizens for Civic Renewal. The District hired Citizens for Civic Renewal to conduct this public meeting.

    The District has published a PowerPoint presentation, notes by the facilitator, and comments received in writing from community members at the 2nd meeting. An unedited Board video from the input session can be found here.

    Te next meeting of the Board will be on November 26 at 6 PM in the LMS/LIS Media Center. (View the Agenda) Among agenda items is a “Recommended Action” by the Superintendent to cancel the contract with Allerton Hill Consulting. Another item is a resolution put forth by the Treasurer to participate in Ohio Open Checkbook. The Board is also expected to appoint an Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee. You can read the proposal below.*
    Other Meetings:
    • Tuesday, December 3, 6 PM (special meeting)
    • Tuesday, December 10, 6 PM (work session)
    • Tuesday, December 17, 6 PM (special meeting)

     

    *Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee

    This ad hoc advisory committee has been established for the purpose of helping the Board of Education to determine whether a March ballot issue is feasible or not.  The committee will work with the Board while the meeting is in session which will allow for interaction between committee members and board members.

    On 11/26, the committee will be invited to join the meeting after the board has concluded regular business outlined on the agenda.   On 12/3, the full board meeting time will likely be given to the work of the committee.

    Should the work result in a determination that a March ballot language is feasible, we must meet election timelines.  The determination of millage for a ballot issue in March 2020 must be approved in a formal resolution of necessity by the Board of Education on 12/10/19. Seven days later (12/17) the Board must approve a resolution to proceed.  The resolutions must be given to the Board of Elections by 12/18/19.

    Should the work result in a determination that March is not feasible, the Board and community will focus on a November 2020 operating levy.

    Following the 12/3/19 meeting, this committee will be dissolved having served its intended objective.  However, should the format be successful we will develop a system to continue the work and identify a way to give more people an opportunity to participate if they wish.

    ————————————–


  • Ellen Mershon addressed the Board regarding the failed levy

    Ellen Mershon addressed the Board regarding the failed levy

    Loveland, Ohio – On November 19, before a packed, stand on the furniture in the back for a better view, house, Ellen Mershon took to the open forum microphone to express views on the recently failed levy that was on the November 5 ballot. The Board asked voters to approve issuing bonds for $118,515,000 and a combined operating and bond levy of 16.78-mill. The levy was rejected by voters 78-22 per-cent.

    The Board is currently considering placing another levy on the ballot in March of 2020. They say they will need to submit ballot language for a potential operating levy on the March ballot no later than December 18, requiring a first resolution to be passed at the December 10 board meeting.

    Mershon’s comments were during the regular business meeting of the Board where residents are allowed to sit in front of a microphone for 3 minutes to talk to the Board, the Administration, and the other audience members about anything relating to the operation of the District.

    There was another meeting that night following the business meeting. It was facilitated by Jeffrey Stec, the Director of Citizens for Civic Renewal. The District hired Citizens for Civic Renewal to conduct this public meeting.

    The District has published a PowerPoint presentation, notes by the facilitator, and comments received in writing from community members at the 2nd meeting. An unedited Board video from the input session can be found here.

    Te next meeting of the Board will be on November 26 at 6 PM in the LMS/LIS Media Center. (View the Agenda) Among agenda items is a “Recommended Action” by the Superintendent to cancel the contract with Allerton Hill Consulting. Another item is a resolution put forth by the Treasurer to participate in Ohio Open Checkbook. The Board is also expected to appoint an Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee. You can read the proposal below.*
    Other Meetings:
    • Tuesday, December 3, 6 PM (special meeting)
    • Tuesday, December 10, 6 PM (work session)
    • Tuesday, December 17, 6 PM (special meeting)

     

    *Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee

    This ad hoc advisory committee has been established for the purpose of helping the Board of Education to determine whether a March ballot issue is feasible or not.  The committee will work with the Board while the meeting is in session which will allow for interaction between committee members and board members.

    On 11/26, the committee will be invited to join the meeting after the board has concluded regular business outlined on the agenda.   On 12/3, the full board meeting time will likely be given to the work of the committee.

    Should the work result in a determination that a March ballot language is feasible, we must meet election timelines.  The determination of millage for a ballot issue in March 2020 must be approved in a formal resolution of necessity by the Board of Education on 12/10/19. Seven days later (12/17) the Board must approve a resolution to proceed.  The resolutions must be given to the Board of Elections by 12/18/19.

    Should the work result in a determination that March is not feasible, the Board and community will focus on a November 2020 operating levy.

    Following the 12/3/19 meeting, this committee will be dissolved having served its intended objective.  However, should the format be successful we will develop a system to continue the work and identify a way to give more people an opportunity to participate if they wish.

    ————————————–
  • [Video] What are Loveland High School students grateful for?

    [Video] What are Loveland High School students grateful for?

    Loveland Magazine Columnist, Mihaela Manova

    by Mihaela Manova

    Loveland, Ohio – It’s that time of year where we sit down with our families, consume too much turkey, and curate a mental list for what we are thankful for. It begins with your mom, your dad, even your grandma who lives in Florida, and the list goes on…

    While some bask in this holiday’s traditions, others cannot wait for the Christmas preparations that will soon follow. In Loveland High school, students are “wrapping” up their studies to finally enjoy their long-awaited five-day break. To celebrate I went through the hallways to ask them the season’s most popular question “What are you grateful for?” but there was a catch; they cannot say, family or friends. Despite this difficulty, it opened up the hearts and minds of seventeen students, who shared with us what they appreciated around them in their lives.

    With answers from Megan Atkins, Dahlia Kressler, Livia McClellan, Eli Metzger, Noelle Cotter, Kathleen Tepe, Courtney Kunysz, Madeline Killon, Samantha James, Erin Dickman, Ethan Libby, Marisa Kelley, Ryan Smith, and Mitchell McMannis, we began the time for expressing our gratitude and sentiments to each other.

  • Janet Lane addressed the Board regarding the failed levy

    Janet Lane addressed the Board regarding the failed levy

    Loveland, Ohio – On November 19, before a packed, stand on the furniture in the back for a better view, house, Janet Lane took to the open forum microphone to express views on the recently failed levy that was on the November 5 ballot. The Board asked voters to approve issuing bonds for $118,515,000 and a combined operating and bond levy of 16.78-mill. The levy was rejected by voters 78-22 per-cent.

    The Board is currently considering placing another levy on the ballot in March of 2020. They say they will need to submit ballot language for a potential operating levy on the March ballot no later than December 18, requiring a first resolution to be passed at the December 10 board meeting.

    Lane’s comments were during the regular business meeting of the Board where residents are allowed to sit in front of a microphone for 3 minutes to talk to the Board, the Administration, and the other audience members about anything relating to the operation of the District.

    There was another meeting that night following the business meeting. It was facilitated by Jeffrey Stec, the Director of Citizens for Civic Renewal. The District hired Citizens for Civic Renewal to conduct this public meeting.

    The District has published a PowerPoint presentation, notes by the facilitator, and comments received in writing from community members at the 2nd meeting. An unedited Board video from the input session can be found here.

    Te next meeting of the Board will be on November 26 at 6 PM in the LMS/LIS Media Center. (View the Agenda) Among agenda items is a “Recommended Action” by the Superintendent to cancel the contract with Allerton Hill Consulting. Another item is a resolution put forth by the Treasurer to participate in Ohio Open Checkbook. The Board is also expected to appoint an Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee. You can read the proposal below.*
    Other Meetings:
    • Tuesday, December 3, 6 PM (special meeting)
    • Tuesday, December 10, 6 PM (work session)
    • Tuesday, December 17, 6 PM (special meeting)

     

    *Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee

    This ad hoc advisory committee has been established for the purpose of helping the Board of Education to determine whether a March ballot issue is feasible or not.  The committee will work with the Board while the meeting is in session which will allow for interaction between committee members and board members.

    On 11/26, the committee will be invited to join the meeting after the board has concluded regular business outlined on the agenda.   On 12/3, the full board meeting time will likely be given to the work of the committee.

    Should the work result in a determination that a March ballot language is feasible, we must meet election timelines.  The determination of millage for a ballot issue in March 2020 must be approved in a formal resolution of necessity by the Board of Education on 12/10/19. Seven days later (12/17) the Board must approve a resolution to proceed.  The resolutions must be given to the Board of Elections by 12/18/19.

    Should the work result in a determination that March is not feasible, the Board and community will focus on a November 2020 operating levy.

    Following the 12/3/19 meeting, this committee will be dissolved having served its intended objective.  However, should the format be successful we will develop a system to continue the work and identify a way to give more people an opportunity to participate if they wish.

    ————————————–

  • Dale Friemoth addresses Board of Education about failed levy

    Dale Friemoth addresses Board of Education about failed levy

    Loveland, Ohio – On November 19, before a packed, stand on the furniture in the back for a better view, house, Dale Friemoth took to the open forum microphone to express views on the recently failed levy that was on the November 5 ballot. The Board asked voters to approve issuing bonds for $118,515,000 and a combined operating and bond levy of 16.78-mill. The levy was rejected by voters 78-22 per-cent.

    The Board is currently considering placing another levy on the ballot in March of 2020. They say they will need to submit ballot language for a potential operating levy on the March ballot no later than December 18, requiring a first resolution to be passed at the December 10 board meeting.

    Friemoth’s comments were during the regular business meeting of the Board where residents are allowed to sit in front of a microphone for 3 minutes to talk to the Board, the Administration, and the other audience members about anything relating to the operation of the District.

    There was another meeting that night following the business meeting. It was facilitated by Jeffrey Stec, the Director of Citizens for Civic Renewal. The District hired Citizens for Civic Renewal to conduct this public meeting.

    The District has published a PowerPoint presentation, notes by the facilitator, and comments received in writing from community members at the 2nd meeting. An unedited Board video from the input session can be found here.

    Te next meeting of the Board will be on November 26 at 6 PM in the LMS/LIS Media Center. (View the Agenda) Among agenda items is a “Recommended Action” by the Superintendent to cancel the contract with Allerton Hill Consulting. Another item is a resolution put forth by the Treasurer to participate in Ohio Open Checkbook. The Board is also expected to appoint an Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee. You can read the proposal below.*
    Other Meetings:
    • Tuesday, December 3, 6 PM (special meeting)
    • Tuesday, December 10, 6 PM (work session)
    • Tuesday, December 17, 6 PM (special meeting)

     

    *Ad Hoc, Short Term Advisory Committee

    This ad hoc advisory committee has been established for the purpose of helping the Board of Education to determine whether a March ballot issue is feasible or not.  The committee will work with the Board while the meeting is in session which will allow for interaction between committee members and board members.

    On 11/26, the committee will be invited to join the meeting after the board has concluded regular business outlined on the agenda.   On 12/3, the full board meeting time will likely be given to the work of the committee.

    Should the work result in a determination that a March ballot language is feasible, we must meet election timelines.  The determination of millage for a ballot issue in March 2020 must be approved in a formal resolution of necessity by the Board of Education on 12/10/19. Seven days later (12/17) the Board must approve a resolution to proceed.  The resolutions must be given to the Board of Elections by 12/18/19.

    Should the work result in a determination that March is not feasible, the Board and community will focus on a November 2020 operating levy.

    Following the 12/3/19 meeting, this committee will be dissolved having served its intended objective.  However, should the format be successful we will develop a system to continue the work and identify a way to give more people an opportunity to participate if they wish.

    ————————————–

  • LHS Tiger and Loveland Native Giovanni Ricci on John Mackey Award Watch List

    LHS Tiger and Loveland Native Giovanni Ricci on John Mackey Award Watch List

    In 2013 Gio Ricci catches a pass for a touchdown late in the 4th quarter against the Zanesville Blue Devils. The Tiger win sent them to the State Championship. (Loveland Magazine File Photo by David Burig)

    by Cassie Mattia

    New York, N.Y. – A talented LHS graduate joined the ranks of 8 semi-finalists for the 2019 John Mackey Award. The candidates are as follows: Harrison Bryant (SR, Florida Atlantic), Hunter Bryant (JR, Washington), Brycen Hopkins (SR, Purdue), Brevin Jordan (SO, Miami), Charlie Kolar (SO, Iowa St), Albert Okwuegbunam (JR, Missouri), Colby Parkinson (JR, Stanford) and Giovanni Ricci (SR, Western Michigan and Loveland High School). The 8 semi-finalists were selected by the John Mackey Award Selection Committee through confidential balloting. The recipient will be announced on December 11th and presented live December 12th at The Home Depot Red Carpet Show at 6 PM ET on ESPNU.

    The Western Michigan Football program recently spoke about Ricci’s impressive sports resume.

    Among tight ends nationally, Ricci enters this week tied for the lead in receiving touchdowns with eight, tied for third in receptions with 45 and third in receiving yards with 611.
     
    A native of Loveland, Ohio, Ricci ranks third within the Mid-American Conference in third-down receptions (15) and third in catches resulting in a first down (29). Ricci’s team-high 611 receiving yards are the third most in the MAC.
     
    In 43 career games as a Bronco, Ricci has totaled 92 receptions for 1,083 yards and 11 touchdowns.  His 2019 season has been highlighted by a career-high 105 receiving yards on eight catches at Syracuse and two-touchdown performances against Monmouth in the season opener and at Ohio last week. Ricci has topped the 50-yard receiving plateau six times in 11 games this fall.

    Read the 411 on Bronco, Ricci

    About the John Mackey Award

    NFL Hall of Fame member John Mackey is considered to be one of the best that has ever played the tight end position. A tight end by whom all others are measured, Mackey was a role model on and off the field as demonstrated by his Super Bowl Championship, his commitment to the community and his place in history as the first President of the NFLPA.

    The John Mackey Award was first presented in 2000 and since has recognized seventeen NFL alumni. Some of the previous recipients include two-time Super Bowl Champion Daniel Graham (‘01), 2006 Super Bowl Champion Dallas Clark (‘02), Kellen Winslow II (‘03), two-time Super Bowl Champion Heath Miller (‘04), Marcedes Lewis (‘05) of the Green Bay Packers, 2008 Super Bowl Champion Matt Spaeth (‘06), Fred Davis (‘07), Chase Coffman (‘08), D.J. Williams (‘10), Dwayne Allen (’11), Tyler Eifert (’12) of the Cincinnati Bengals, Austin Seferian-Jenkins (’13), Nick O’Leary (’14), Hunter Henry (’15) of the Los Angeles Chargers, Jake Butt (‘16) of the Denver Broncos, Mark Andrews (’17) of the Baltimore Ravens and 2018 John Mackey Award recipient T.J. Hockenson of the Detroit Lions.

    The John Mackey Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating back to 1935. If you would like to learn more about the NCFAA visit NCFAA.org.

  • Telling us that our children are not safe was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me

    Telling us that our children are not safe was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me

    Not only did Allerton Hill’s tactics divide this community with the “stick to the message at all costs” and scare tactics, but telling us that our children are not safe was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me.

    by Anna Bunker

    You have awakened our sleepy little community to the fact that we can no longer trust the judgment of the Loveland Board of Education to represent our community in matters relating to the Loveland City School District. When you were elected, we gave you our trust to act in the best interest of our community and a few weeks ago the polls stated you have have not.

    This is the outline of Anna Bunker’s speech to the Board of Education during the Hearing of the Public portion of the meeting on November 19

    As a group, you have lost my trust in your ability to recognize what the community needs. We shouldn’t need to be sold the idea of 3 new buildings, 110 acres of land, security upgrades, etc… If the Superintendent and Board of Education spent the same amount of time educating the community before they voted on adopting the plan as they did to promote it during the election, I think we would be having a much different conversation today.

    The fact is you knew this was a big ask and tried to hide the overall costs in the fine print. You conducted a survey before you voted on putting this on the ballot and the survey told you that 90% of the people surveyed had no or little idea about the Building Tiger Nation plan. In that same survey, you were told that 50% of the people believed Loveland already had high taxes.

    And even with this information, you approved the plan and put it on the ballot anyway.

    Speaking of communications, the fact that you felt the need to hire Allerton Hill with a price tag of $133,000 to sell this levy to the community has to be one of the biggest mistakes you made. This is not Washington DC or New York City, this is Loveland, Ohio, a caring and trusting community that takes care of one another.

    Not only did Allerton Hill’s tactics divide this community with the “stick to the message at all costs” and scare tactics, but telling us that our children are not safe was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me.

    This was just a scare tactic because the truth is our Tiger community is safe.

    How dare you tell our community and surrounding communities that our schools are not safe!

    Are there improvements that can be made, of course.

    Are there changes you would like to implement, of course.

    But our schools are safe.

    This was just a scare tactic because the truth is our Tiger community is safe. We have amazing administrators, teachers, staff, and safety officers that in an emergency will do their best to keep our children safe. There will always be some new theory or strategy on school safety, but it doesn’t mean our kids are not safe.

    I believe you are all good people acting with good intentions. But I also believe somewhere along the road things went sideways and you may have forgotten why you initially ran for this position.

    Fool me once, shame you, Fool me twice, shame on me.

    What am I going to do? I am going to keep our Political Action Committee up and running to ensure two things:

    1) A seat on the Board of Education will never be unopposed again.

    2) I will do my best to keep myself informed and continue to keep the Loveland community informed, so they are never blindsided again.

    You have not only lost my trust in your ability to represent our community’s needs, but you have also lost my vote.

  • In their own words: LHS head coaches share about the Fall season

    In their own words: LHS head coaches share about the Fall season

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – The Tigers’ 2019 Fall Sports Season marked one of the most successful Fall Sports Seasons in school history with 5 ECC Champions, 4 ECC Coaches of the Year and 2 ECC Athletes of the Year. With all of these accolades, this puts the Loveland Tigers in the number one spot in running for the All-Sports Trophy.

    At the Fall Sports Awards ceremony on Wednesday, November 13 Athletic Director, Brian Conatser was sure to give praise to both the coaches and athletes for their designated seasons as he shared what each coach had written with the near-capacity crowd in the high school gym.

    Coaches Highlights of the Fall Season – “Told through their own words…”

    Cheer Team    Accolades by Coach Emily Christman

    Our cheer team had a fun, spirited, and successful season that all started at our annual summer camp. All three teams took home awards in the cheer, chant, band dance, and Game Day competition categories. We also had nine athletes selected for the honor of UCA All- American (Shelby Cline, Hannah Powers, Amy Keyser, Emma Scott, Caroline Staley, Courtney Keyser, Ellie Steinbrunner, and Anya Winfield. In addition to these awards, the entire program took home the coveted “Top Banana!” Although the name sounds silly, the award is given to the team or program who demonstrated exceptional skill, spirit, leadership, and enthusiasm throughout the entire 3-day camp.

    During the season, the girls on all three teams demonstrated pride and commitment to this program all season long. Led by our seniors, the girls embraced the idea of being an ambassador for their school and that being a cheerleader is about more than just cheering on the sidelines. The vision statement of our program is to: Be a good cheerleader, but a great person. And the coaches this year believe these young ladies, especially our seniors, really demonstrated that this year!

     

    Men’s Cross Country   Accolades by Coach Steve Nester

    The boys cross country team had a nice season filled with many accomplishments that hadn’t been done in the past decade or so.
    Overall season record of 116-45 and 21-7 against ECC opponents.
    Second largest roster in school history at 70 strong.
    Highest Finish at the ECC Championships while finishing as Runner-up.
    Placed Third at District Championships and posted the fastest time average in school history with all scorers running 16:59 or faster.
    Qualified for the Regional Championships for the second year in a row. The first time that this has happened in over a decade. 
    The boys finish at the Regional Championships was their highest team finish in this meet since 2007.

     

    Women’s Cross Country    Accolades by Coach Steve Nester

    The girls posted the best year of Cross Country in school history. Highlights include:

    Season Record of 154-17. They were 27-0 against ECC opponents.
    They won their first Conference Championship in school history.
    Eight girls named All ECC.
    The JV won their second straight ECC Open Championship in dominating fashion.
    Finished as the District Runner-up for only the second time ever. 2005 was the first time.
    Qualified for the Regional Championships for the second year in the row with their highest finish ever at 3rd place, fastest time average, and lowest regional point total in history.
    Defeated power program Mason for the first time this century.
    Qualified for the State Championships for only the second time in school history and the first time since 2007.
    6th best team in the state out of 175 total.
    Three girls were named Academic All Ohio – Ellie Carr, Jessie Gibbins, and Ansley Richards
    Jessie Gibbins was named All Ohio Runner

     

    Football   Accolades by Coach Andy Cruse

    Our Football program had success despite the season record. 2 players were all ECC and 1 was honorable mention. Many players 9-12 got
    valuable varsity experience to help build for the future. They threw for over 2,000 yards and 17 different players touched the ball on offense this season. The teams played with relentless efforts and represented Loveland High School the right way.

     

    Men’s Soccer   Accolades by Coach Mike Dunlap

    The Men’s soccer team finished the season 13-5. During the 16 game regular season the Tigers played 11 teams that were at one time ranked in the top 10 in either Cincinnati, Dayton or Kentucky during the 2019 season. The 13 wins also included an undefeated run through the conference. During conference play the Tigers outscored their opponents by a score of 25 to 2 on the way to
    securing another ECC championship. This is the first back to back league titles since 2009 and 2010. During the 18 game season they outscored their opponents 45-16 with 8 clean sheets (shutouts). The foundation of the ECC championship was laid down when the then #4 ranked Milford Eagles brought their undefeated team to Tiger Stadium to face the #6 ranked Tigers in mid September. The 2 teams battled for a scoreless 76 minutes before the Tigers were able to score with 3 minutes left to play and then cling to a 1-0 victory. The Tigers finished the regular season ranked #3 in the city and 15th in the state in Division 1.

     

    Women’s Soccer   Accolades by Coach Todd Kelly

    The Loveland Women’s soccer team finished the season with a 16-4 record overall and a 5-1 record in the ECC. They won the Sectional Title and District Title and battled all the way to the Elite 8 finishing as the Regional Runner-up losing to the eventual State Champion.
    The girls were ranked as high as 2nd in the city during the season. Our four senior captains, Kaitlyn Andrews, Maria Bashardoust, Georgia Early, and Claire Massey led the program to an overall record of 72-8-4 record or an average of 18 wins per season despite soccer having a 16 game schedule meaning they have more wins than what is actually scheduled and have in effect played an extra high school season.
    The 72 wins is the most for any Division I High School in Ohio over the past 4 years. They amassed an ECC record of 24-1-1- losing just one game in their 4 year career. Their 72 wins are the second most in program history over 4 years and their 8 losses are tied for the fewest in 4 years. They finish a remarkable four year run that saw go 22-1 in 2017 to win The Division I Ohio State Championship, make 3 Elite 8 Appearances with one Regional Title, 4 District Titles, 4 Sectional Titles, 3 ECC titles, and 3 City Championships finishing the year ranked #1 in the City in three of their four years. They were ranked #1 in Cincinnati for 25 of the 36 weeks there was a poll during their 4 seasons. Offensively they scored 242 goals over 4 years and were shutout just 5 times in 4 years, the fewest times over 4 years in Loveland history. Defensively, they surrendered just 39 goals or 9.75 per year despite averaging playing 21 games per year. In the 84 games played during their 4 years, they recorded 57 shutouts or almost 70% of the games they played.
    Kaitlyn Andrews was named Second-Team All-State, and Kaitlyn, Lauren Donovan, and Claire Massey were named All-SW Ohio. Kaitlyn, Maria, Georgie, and Claire have left this program better than when they entered and the coaches are extremely proud of the 2019 team for just being the best they can be.

     

    Men’s Golf    Accolades by Coach David Allan

    The 2019 boys golf team had another thrilling and decorated season. In dual matches the team had a record of 10-2, going 5-1 in league play, two of those wins coming down to just 1 shot. They claimed the ECC season long title by winning the preview tournament at Glenview with a sizzling score of 302 and finished off the regular season at the ECC Championship with a 307 to claim the league title.
    Individually, Jeffrey Main, Tyler Vallee and Joe Jankowski were all named first team ECC and honorable mention All District. Tyler finished with the team’s lowest stroke average at 39.07, taking medalist honors at the ECC preview tournament.
    In the post season the Tigers advanced out of sectionals shooting a 308 at Sharon Woods on a tough, baked out and windy day, securing a birth to Districts. Unfortunately the season ended with a 6th place finish at Districts and no trip to the State tournament.
    The future is strong though, and the tradition of excellence on the course will continue. The outgoing group of senior leaders will be sorely missed, but the team will return a solid core of players next year including Tyler, Joe and Aiden Callahan. It will be great to see what these men and the team can do to represent Loveland next season and beyond.

     

    Women’s Golf    Accolades by Coach Barb Orsinelli

    In a very competitive ECC the girls golf team finished 5th in the league. We had a very young group of golfers with 2 sophomores and 7 freshman making up the JV and Varsity Teams.The lady tigers were led by Senior Allison Rountree, who earned medalist honors in 5 matches, named to 2nd team all conference, and honorable mention All City. Allsion signed today to play college golf at Ohio Northern University. Throughout the year we made big strides in our individual and team scoring. We had tremendous leadership from our seniors and look forward to seeing the development of our underclassmen next year.

     

    Women’s Tennis – Accolades by Coach Dara Hudson

    Girls tennis had an excellent year in 2019. These athletes worked hard all summer in Open Courts and clinics at Harpers and it paid off. All 3 teams competed well all year with JV A finishing the season with a 17-3 record. Varsity girls were co-champs in the ECC this year by winning the ECC tournament with all 5 courts winning medals at 1st or 2nd place. Congratulations to our Anna Svitkovich who is ECC Player of the Year!!
    Other ECC honors included 1st Team All-Conference for Anna Svitkovich in singles and 1st Team All Conference for the doubles team of Hanna Wenger and Tess Broermann. Freshman Grace Haught was voted to Second Team Doubles for Singles and Alex Hytree took the Honorable Mention award. With a 15-2 record to cap off the year, Varsity is ranked 6th in the city.
    The Greater Cincinnati Tennis Coaches Association also honored our team by voting Anna Svitkovich to First Team singles in Cincinnati and Tess Broerman and Hanna Wenger were voted to the city Honorable Mention Team. We ended the year with our doubles team of Tess and Hanna finishing 3rd in sectionals, qualifying for districts and winning the first round there. A great year for the Loveland Lady Tiger Tennis team!

     

    Women’s volleyball – Accolades by Coach Brian Baugh

    The girls volleyball team finished the season with a record of 20-5 (12-2) and were ECC co-champions and reached the sectional finals. This is the third straight (4th overall) ECC title for the girls volleyball team. This also marks the 4th straight season the girls have reached 20 wins in a season.  
    This season featured many great wins including defeating Lakota East, Turpin, Anderson (2x), Kings (3x) and Milford. The girls volleyball team had four girls recognized on All-ECC teams, and one individual was All-District.  
    We had a few players make their way into the record books. Jillian Hayes is now second all-time in blocks, broke the school record for blocks in a match (9), and is sixth all-time for career kills and efficiency. Audrey Planner is now 6th all-time in career aces. Diana Clark is third all-time for serve receive in a season. Abbie Miller is second all-time in career assists.
    Overall it was another great season for the Lady Tigers!

    Here are photos from the Fall Sports Awards ceremony.

    You can click on the photos below to view them larger. All photos are © protected, however they can be purchased by sending an EMAIL.

  • Superintendent asks for more frequent, direct feedback

    Superintendent asks for more frequent, direct feedback

    by Dr. Amy Crouse

    After reflecting on the election results of last week, it is clear that the district needs more frequent, direct feedback and engagement from the Loveland Schools community, including parents, residents, and staff. Our Board of Education, along with the school administration, is taking the results of the failed combined levy very seriously and is asking for your guidance in determining the next steps to ensure we continue to support our goal of providing the best education for Loveland children.

    On Tuesday, November 19, we invite you to join us for a brief Board of Education business meeting and a community input/listening session that will follow. We want to hear from you, and need your honest and direct feedback.

    It is my sincere hope that we – together – will find ways to move forward for the benefit of our community as a whole.

    Dr. Amy Crouse is the Superintendent of the Loveland City School District

     

  • Restoring Trust: Recommendations for the Loveland Board of Education

    Restoring Trust: Recommendations for the Loveland Board of Education

    By Kim and Rick Donaldson

    A large portion of the Loveland community has lost faith in the Loveland board of education and school administration. This is clear from the decisive 78% to 22% defeat of the school levy and bond issue on November 5th. Further evidence is provided by the fact that the two board members running for reelection each garnered only around 50% of the vote while running unopposed, meaning that half of those who voted chose to vote for neither of them. Before putting another levy on the ballot, the board needs to take substantive actions to regain the community’s trust.

    Before putting another levy on the ballot, the board needs to take substantive actions to regain the community’s trust.

    Others in the community have recommended three actions: terminate the land purchase contract with the Grail, terminate the Allerton Hill consulting contract and implement Ohio’s open checkbook. All three are excellent ideas and we support them wholeheartedly. These three actions would demonstrate that the board is responding to the electorate and that they are committed to communicating openly, honestly and with full financial transparency. In addition, the board needs to demonstrate a commitment to providing strong, fiscally responsible governance in the future.

    We, therefore, recommend two additional actions

    The first is to implement an annual budgeting process that starts with a strict cost cap tied to taxpayers’ ability to pay. A relatively simple way to do this would be to limit the total expenditure per student, including both operating and non-operating expenditures, to a fixed percentage of the median income in the district. We recommend a limit of 20%, which according to the Ohio Department of Education data corresponds to 2013 levels, before the ramp-up that occurred over subsequent years. This would serve to ensure that school taxes do not continue to consume an ever-increasing portion of household income and restrict tax levies to levels more acceptable to voters.

    Because of its focus on cost versus benefit, this method forces much better prioritization and decision making than the typical method.

    The second action is to use a zero-based budgeting approach to allocate money within the budget cap. This is a standard budgeting method in which the budget allotted to each expense category starts at a base level of zero and moves up from that level only to the extent that is justified by its benefit. Because of its focus on cost versus benefit, this method forces much better prioritization and decision making than the typical method wherein each expense is assumed to start at the prior year’s level plus a standard annual increase. In this context, benefits would need to be defined as proven, quantifiable impacts on academic performance in order to ensure we deliver the best education our community can afford for our children.

    Taking these actions now would go a long way toward convincing the community that the Loveland board of education is actively supervising school administrators, ensuring sound management of the school system and advancing the interests of the entire community.

    After all, that is what we elected them for?

    Kim and Rick Donaldson live in the Grailville neighborhood of Miami Township