President Sofie Ameloot welcomed everyone to the Centerville Rotary Club and led reciting of the Pledge. Brian Hayes provided the prayer

 

Today’s Quote: Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud. Maya Angelou  -  American poet and civil rights activist

 

Thanks to today’s greeter, Bill Menker

Today’s guests: Gina Smith’s dad, Ed Werner; Adam Manning’s guest Ernie Haven who is with Media Suites.

 

 

Jon shared that on August 1, the Board of Education approved a resolution to be on the November 5 ballot for a 3.9 mill operating levy.  The levy is needed to preserve current educational programming.

 

This levy for operating expenses. Day to day operations, supplies & materials, curriculum materials, taking care of the bus fleet, maintenance crews, paper, copiers, and more.

 

After the two failed levies, the District cut $3.5 million including 48 fewer staff at the start of this school year. They started this school year with 17 teachers plus 31 support staff positions unfilled. They continue to make reductions over time, not just when multiple levies fail. They are always looking at staffing. Prior to last November, they had already eliminated 17 positions.

 

This proposed levy will cost $11.40/month for each $100,000 in home value.

 

 

Community Forums were established on Sept 10, Sept 24 & Oct 10. Jon and treasurer, Laura Sauber present information and the community has an opportunity to ask questions. Jon encouraged all to come out, get factual info, ask questions.

 

 

Elks Connect is a more casual conversation with the community. This is similar to a coffee chat with the Superintendent.  The ELKS connect is an informal meeting to engage with community members throughout Centerville and Washington Township. If you know of a group/organization where Jon could speak, let him know. He’ll come to meet in the neighborhoods, too. He spoke to the Co-Eds parents last night and will talk with Wee Elks parents later this month.

 

The School District typically goes back to voters every 4-5 years, as the majority of their funding comes from levies.

 

If the levy fails in November, they will have to make additional reductions. There will be no opportunity for new money until 2026. They have to maintain core classroom instruction and meet state minimums. Any additional cuts made will be a reduction in services.

 

Potential reductions include:

Jon said he gets asked what Administrative cuts they have made? And the answer is, “None.” They already have a lean operation. There is one principal for each elementary school  & middle school. The high school is like 3 schools and each has a principal. They don’t have Assistant Principals anywhere in the district to cut. Most other districts do.

 

On average, our administrators handle 100 more kids per admin than other districts. Seven administrators will be eligible to retire after this school year. Jon said they would like to be able to hire extra help to be able to train for a smooth transition when retirements occur.

 

Parents will have to provide transportation. The State of Ohio requires transporting students K-8, but not High School. Our current walk zones are 1 mile, but the state requirement is 2 miles.

 

 

Parents pay for the Voyager program, but there are hidden costs, building expenses, overhead to keep buildings open, insurance, etc. Closing the program will allow them to close buildings at 8 pm or earlier to save on utilities. May have to move all outside groups to the high school. Still researching all possibilities.

 

 

Contracted services will be re-evaluated and reduced. May have to cut one School Resource Officer, which is not something they want to do.

 

 

Jon said this list is not meant as a threat, but this is the reality of what they will have to do if the levy fails a third time. The specifics won’t be decided until later, as they want the staff to focus on their jobs throughout the school year.. The core value of the School District is providing excellent education within the building.

 

Jon shared that he talks to a lot of High School seniors and many say, “if it wasn’t for this club, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

 

Tom Henderson shared he lives near Stingley Elementary, his wife  is a CHS grad, their two boys are CHS grads, and two grandkids are now in Centerville City Schools. He is dedicated to this community and the school district’s success.

 

Tom and Jesse Lightle are co-chairs of the levy campaign.

The first kickoff meeting was a huge success.

 

 

Tom reminded that you can’t use public money to campaign, so the committee relies on donations to get the information out to voters. Jon can only provide facts about the levy, but Tom and the committee are able to ask people to vote for the levy.

 

He said they mostly need opportunities for engagement with neighbors and community groups.

 

Most times, when you ask why families move into a community, it’s for the quality schools. When making reductions, the district tries to stay away from the core purpose. With these proposed reductions, we are getting really close to state standards (minimums).

 

Our community is excellent, we have excellent parks, excellent libraries, excellent schools. Tom asked, “Are we ready to be a community of less than excellence?”

 

Tom encouraged all to have conversations with your neighbors, making personal contacts and share how important it is to pass this issue.

 

 

Q - Is Pancake Day in jeopardy? Jon said they are still working through what reductions will be needed. Specifics will be developed once levy outcome is known.

 

Jon explained changes in state funding - in the late 90’s school funding in the state was ruled unconstitutional. A new plan was put in place but CCS is considered a high wealth district so we don’t receive all of the new plan benefit.

 

Over the last 15 years, levy/state funding has remained flat while costs increased. Levies provide over 77% of the School District revenue.

 

Tom says legislators aren’t going to change. They have no interest in making a change in the school funding issue.

 

Q - What do we do to get people out to vote?

Tom shared the 40/40/20 rule for levies: 40% will vote yes, 40% will vote no, 20% are on the fence. It’s important to get accurate information to that 20%.

 

Ask yourselves, What is good for our community? What do we want for the common good of our community? What do we need to have so it’s a good community in which to raise a family?

 

Jon noted that in 2023, more than 14,000 people voted yes in the election. In the last issue, total number of voters was less than that number. Some people think, “It will pass, so I don’t need to vote.” That is not true - everyone needs to get out to vote.

 

Q - Don’t property tax reevaluations bring in more money? No.  Once voted in, the amount received stays the same throughout the life of the levy. (HB 920) During reevaluations, some properties go up, some go down, but the amount paid for the levy remains the same. Check out the FAQ on the School District’s website.

 

There is lots of info available to share on social media. Search for

Citizens Committee for Centerville Schools.

 

Homestead Exemption provides a discount on taxes for certain individuals who can meet the requirements.

 

If Schools are devalued, everything goes down in the community, including your property values.

 

The levy committee is planning to take Selfies with kids/parents at school events, so they can share their stories.

 

For more information and to get involved, visit www.centerville.k12.oh.us/levy or one of these sites:

 

 

 

 

Since we took the entire meeting on this important issue, President Ameloot sent the following announcements after the meeting.

 

Other business: