Our recommendation: Springboro voters should say 'yes' the first time to school levies

Just Watching wrote:

<quoted text>
Hardly a status quo proponent, more a reality based one. The current funding methodology moves money from "wealthy" districts like ours and transfers it to districts with a economically challenged tax base. We in Springboro, in essence, help fund less fortunate schools. When the state takes our money and shuffles it elsewhere, we are the ones left in the lurch. Like it or not that is the way it is.
Our challenge is to find ways in which to do more with less. Husband our resources so they stretch further. Bringing back high school bussing mid year was not a good move. Everyone had their transportation issues worked out for the year and there was no pressing demand for its restoration and subsequent costs. Just because you have money today does not mean you are required to spend it today.
The new board is seeing what becomes of their "Children First Budgeting" program brings. It begins with a zero base and works up to see what a teacher needs to run her classroom. These are the aggregated by each principal for each school before going forth to a final aggregation in the business office. These are not wish list, nor are they the same add 10% to what you spent last year
budget. Let's wait and see what initiatives this bring forth.

What are you talking about in your reference to "wish list?"

And aren't your "complaints" about high school busing being restore, simply because the SEA can no longer hold parents hostage over things like busing?

Typical response from SEA maney-acts: It is ok for our school district to provide bare "minimum state requirement" by cutting busing; just so that parents can be held hostage over things like busing next time the SEA brings a new levy request to our elected officials on the school board for "rubber stamping."

Wish Lists are typically everything under the sun that you saw and thought looked cool. We hope to be more grounded in adult based reality and begin with what is actually required to teach a child first.

My point on the bussing is that by January everyone's transportation issues had been resolved. There was no pressing reason to reinstate that extra cost.

I agree whole heartedly that the school districts actions to force levy votes by painfully inconveniencing as many people as possible was an incredibly stupid way to go.

We are, however, faced with the reality of a declining tax base given the recent reductions in the value of our homes. That translates to fewer dollars available for our school system. The only saving grace is that we have new homes coming on line that will offset that somewhat. This is a two edge sword because we will also add new students into the system to be taught.

One key component of the conversation no one likes to address is the cost of maintaining these structures once they are built. No one budgets to put money away each year for a leaky roof, bad HVAC unit, an aging bus fleet, computers that are outdated, etc. Just like a house, these must all be maintained each year to prevent catastrophic financial costs when they fail.

The teacher's contract comes up next year. They will undoubtably be clamoring for more of this that or the other thing. The union seems particularly tone deaf to the economic climate that both surrounds and sustains them. These competing interests of infrastructure and teachers must be balanced within our existing resources.

I am afraid the community just does not have it to give, regardless of how Ms. Babb would like us to prioritize the union's needs over our family's needs.

Just Watching wrote:

Wish Lists are typically everything under the sun that you saw and thought looked cool. We hope to be more grounded in adult based reality and begin with what is actually required to teach a child first.
My point on the bussing is that by January everyone's transportation issues had been resolved. There was no pressing reason to reinstate that extra cost.
I agree whole heartedly that the school districts actions to force levy votes by painfully inconveniencing as many people as possible was an incredibly stupid way to go.
We are, however, faced with the reality of a declining tax base given the recent reductions in the value of our homes. That translates to fewer dollars available for our school system. The only saving grace is that we have new homes coming on line that will offset that somewhat. This is a two edge sword because we will also add new students into the system to be taught.
One key component of the conversation no one likes to address is the cost of maintaining these structures once they are built. No one budgets to put money away each year for a leaky roof, bad HVAC unit, an aging bus fleet, computers that are outdated, etc. Just like a house, these must all be maintained each year to prevent catastrophic financial costs when they fail.
The teacher's contract comes up next year. They will undoubtably be clamoring for more of this that or the other thing. The union seems particularly tone deaf to the economic climate that both surrounds and sustains them. These competing interests of infrastructure and teachers must be balanced within our existing resources.
I am afraid the community just does not have it to give, regardless of how Ms. Babb would like us to prioritize the union's needs over our family's needs.

Question: Would you define these recent supplemental personnel requests as being among our school districts “wish list?

ONE H head boys track coach-
TWO JH Asst Boys Track Coaches-
ONE JH Asst. Girls Track Coach-
ONE JH Asst. Girls Track Coach –
ONE HS Head Varsity Baseball Coach-
ONE HS Varsity Asst. Baseball Coach-
ONE HS Varsity Asst. Baseball Coach –
ONE HS Head JV Baseball Coach-
ONE Asst. JV Baseball Coach-
ONE HS Head Freshman Baseball Coach-
ONE Varsity Head Softball Coach-
ONE HS High JV Softball Coach-
TWO HS Asst. Softball Coaches (1/2 each)–
ONE HS Varsity Head Boys Tennis Coach-
ONE HS Asst. Boys Tennis Coach-
TWO HS Asst. Girls Track Coach-
ONE HS Varsity Head Boys Track Coach
TWO HS Asst. Boys Track Coach

I also meant to add beside the school district enjoying fewer tax dollars from our declining real estate values, the home owner is the one who takes the real hit in regards to dollars lost. So while the district may lose $100 the homeowner is down nearly $7000 in real wealth.

Just something for the teachers to consider while bemoaning the lack of willingness by taxpayers to give more.

Boroman54 wrote:

George owes the taxpayers at least 10 years of parking lot duty for allowing it (transportation director ???)- we don't need no child left behind because the majority of our kids are back there. these "extra" classes are not going to get a job for them. How many voters have seen kids at wendys/MacD who can't even give change??? MOO
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With repeated upper administration turnover, George pushed too much onto his own plate and as a result, his health suffered. NKLB was George W. Bush's single biggest failure and it needs to be permanently dumped into the circular file - yesterday.
Pay close attention to who is making change at fast food restaurants, etc. Many of these people no doubt have procreated and produced children of their own. The beat rolls on...

Just Watching wrote:

Wish Lists are typically everything under the sun that you saw and thought looked cool. We hope to be more grounded in adult based reality and begin with what is actually required to teach a child first.
My point on the bussing is that by January everyone's transportation issues had been resolved. There was no pressing reason to reinstate that extra cost.
I agree whole heartedly that the school districts actions to force levy votes by painfully inconveniencing as many people as possible was an incredibly stupid way to go.
We are, however, faced with the reality of a declining tax base given the recent reductions in the value of our homes. That translates to fewer dollars available for our school system. The only saving grace is that we have new homes coming on line that will offset that somewhat. This is a two edge sword because we will also add new students into the system to be taught.
One key component of the conversation no one likes to address is the cost of maintaining these structures once they are built. No one budgets to put money away each year for a leaky roof, bad HVAC unit, an aging bus fleet, computers that are outdated, etc. Just like a house, these must all be maintained each year to prevent catastrophic financial costs when they fail.
The teacher's contract comes up next year. They will undoubtably be clamoring for more of this that or the other thing. The union seems particularly tone deaf to the economic climate that both surrounds and sustains them. These competing interests of infrastructure and teachers must be balanced within our existing resources.
I am afraid the community just does not have it to give, regardless of how Ms. Babb would like us to prioritize the union's needs over our family's needs.

My own opinion—you are missing the point on the transportation issues.

Our former union majority school board caved in to union demands that the board "vote" financial pain on our Springboro parents by discriminating against a targeted group of high school students that would be deprived of our school tax dollars paying for high school transportation.

Our community drama queen and her ladies in waiting were squaking the loudest that busing should be cut to “bare state minimum” in favor of using school tax dollars to increase Springboro Education Association members salaries and benefits.

Now that high school busing is back (and many parents agree that we will not allow our kids to be discriminated against in this “preference to union” with our school tax dollars, again)

my own opinion - Our new board should CHANGE board policy and disallow students driving to the high school; because now the school district charges taxpayers to bus highwhich is a good use oour money; BUT now Mr. Malone wants taxpayers to pick up the high administrative costs of hiring TWO high school teacher aides to RELIEVE our overworked teachers of their “duties” such as “policing” the student drivers in the school parking lot.

Our former pro-union majority school board ignored the schools by-laws and policies and rubber stamped helter skelter supplemental contracts and hiring teacher aides without regard to services provided to Springboro families vs cost to taxpaying homeowners.
Springboro families and taxpaying homeowners are fortunate to have a new board with expertise in financial management of our school tax dollars and our new board members will NOT allow our emotional drama queens to cloud the board's sound financial management of our school budget.

Just Asking wrote:

<quoted text>
Question: Would you define these recent supplemental personnel requests as being among our school districts “wish list?
ONE H head boys track coach-
TWO JH Asst Boys Track Coaches-
ONE JH Asst. Girls Track Coach-
ONE JH Asst. Girls Track Coach –
ONE HS Head Varsity Baseball Coach-
ONE HS Varsity Asst. Baseball Coach-
ONE HS Varsity Asst. Baseball Coach –
ONE HS Head JV Baseball Coach-
ONE Asst. JV Baseball Coach-
ONE HS Head Freshman Baseball Coach-
ONE Varsity Head Softball Coach-
ONE HS High JV Softball Coach-
TWO HS Asst. Softball Coaches (1/2 each)–
ONE HS Varsity Head Boys Tennis Coach-
ONE HS Asst. Boys Tennis Coach-
TWO HS Asst. Girls Track Coach-
ONE HS Varsity Head Boys Track Coach
TWO HS Asst. Boys Track Coach

Does anybody remember the public board meeting (during the TV broadcast days) when one parent questioned if pay to play fees went to a fund of its own; and so that parents could know exactly how much student participation cost and if parents could be overcharged?

Do pay to play costs cover all sports supplemental contracts?

Just Watching wrote:

Wish Lists are typically everything under the sun that you saw and thought looked cool. We hope to be more grounded in adult based reality and begin with what is actually required to teach a child first.
My point on the bussing is that by January everyone's transportation issues had been resolved. There was no pressing reason to reinstate that extra cost.
I agree whole heartedly that the school districts actions to force levy votes by painfully inconveniencing as many people as possible was an incredibly stupid way to go.
We are, however, faced with the reality of a declining tax base given the recent reductions in the value of our homes. That translates to fewer dollars available for our school system. The only saving grace is that we have new homes coming on line that will offset that somewhat. This is a two edge sword because we will also add new students into the system to be taught.
One key component of the conversation no one likes to address is the cost of maintaining these structures once they are built. No one budgets to put money away each year for a leaky roof, bad HVAC unit, an aging bus fleet, computers that are outdated, etc. Just like a house, these must all be maintained each year to prevent catastrophic financial costs when they fail.
The teacher's contract comes up next year. They will undoubtably be clamoring for more of this that or the other thing. The union seems particularly tone deaf to the economic climate that both surrounds and sustains them. These competing interests of infrastructure and teachers must be balanced within our existing resources.
I am afraid the community just does not have it to give, regardless of how Ms. Babb would like us to prioritize the union's needs over our family's needs.

My own opinion—you are missing the point on the transportation issues. Our former union majority school board caved in to union demands that the board vote financial pain on our Springboro parents by discriminating against a targeted group of high school students that would be deprived of our school tax dollars paying for high school transportation. Our community drama queen and her ladies in waiting were squawking the loudest that busing should be cut to “bare state minimum” in favor of using school tax dollars to increase school employee salaries and benefits.

Now that high school busing is back (and many parents agree that we will not allow our kids to be discriminated against in this “preference to union” way again)

Our new board should CHANGE board policy and disallow students driving to the high school; because now the school district charges taxpayers to bus high school students; BUT now wants taxpayers to pick up the high administrative costs of hiring TWO high school teacher aides to RELIEVE our overworked teachers of their “duties” such as “policing” the student drivers in the school parking lot. There are no conditions in the school by laws and policies regarding students being allowed to drive to school that require taxpayers to pick up the tab for “policing the parking lot.” Why in the world can’t the school leaders co-operate with
City /township public safety officers to direct traffic going in and out of our public schools parking lot?

Our former union majority school board ignored the schools by-laws and policies and rubber stamped helter skelter supplemental contracts and hiring teacher aides without regard to services provided vs. cost.
Springboro families and taxpaying homeowners are fortunate to have a new board with expertise in financial management of our school tax dollars and are not going to allow our emotional drama queens to cloud their good judgment.

I find it quite interesting that NO ONE is mentioning the COST of education and the lack of money when the Teachers have a standing Contract?? But when the time will come that the contract again the "lack of monies" cheer squads will be out in force. Much like the China/US econ situation where China has a money hold on the US and the US can talk with China about meeting the needs of both countries. When China's home ecomonics become more home situation (chinese middle/upper class are definited and growing), the US won't have any leverage. the BOE should bring issues to the table now before the "we need more money" cost cutting should be done now and education of Kids pushed to the front MOO

Boroman54 wrote:

I find it quite interesting that NO ONE is mentioning the COST of education and the lack of money when the Teachers have a standing Contract?? But when the time will come that the contract again the "lack of monies" cheer squads will be out in force. Much like the China/US econ situation where China has a money hold on the US and the US can talk with China about meeting the needs of both countries. When China's home ecomonics become more home situation (chinese middle/upper class are definited and growing), the US won't have any leverage. the BOE should bring issues to the table now before the "we need more money" cost cutting should be done now and education of Kids pushed to the front MOO

Boroman54, do not worry, the two new boys on the board will take care of this and all the other money problems in no time, and we will have a school system with a much reduced school budget.

Once they cut out the unneeded school programs and fluff, then reduce the over paid staff costs we will never have to worry about passing a levy again.

Crossley - as any good hunter knows when you have a good shot take it. So far there has been no movement even with the "kids" members of the BOE. the "wait" for the better shot is not needed here. meetings and discussions should start now while we have the time to brain storm the problem and act in a well ordered manner unlike the past "EMERGENCY LEVY" mind set most of the discussions so far have been "Nominate / 2nded / all those yah? all those Nah motion passes. "thoses whom fail to plan - Plan to Fail" get on with the movement.

Crossley wrote:

<quoted text>
Boroman54, do not worry, the two new boys on the board will take care of this and all the other money problems in no time, and we will have a school system with a much reduced school budget.
Once they cut out the unneeded school programs and fluff, then reduce the over paid staff costs we will never have to worry about passing a levy again.

Crossley, there are worries that you are focused on an agenda of mean spirited ridicule toward Springboro's newly elected School Board representatives. There are worries, BUT even though we all just 'love ya' ever so much) there will always be disagreements with those who allow their emotions to cloud the truth about what's really going in in our school district with our school tax dollars. ruth is: "Our two new school board representatives are doing what's right for our schools and community and restoring lost confidence."

Crossley, there are worries that you are focused on an agenda of mean spirited ridicule toward Springboro's newly elected School Board representatives. There are worries BUT (even though we all just 'love ya' ever so much) there will always be disagreements with those who allow their emotions to cloud the truth about what's really going on in our school district with our school tax dollars. It's time to get serious about what's happening in the "board" room.
BIGGER truth is: NOT TO WORRY:
"Our two new school board representatives are doing what's right for our schools and community and restoring lost confidence."

Boroman54 wrote:

Crossley - as any good hunter knows when you have a good shot take it. So far there has been no movement even with the "kids" members of the BOE. the "wait" for the better shot is not needed here. meetings and discussions should start now while we have the time to brain storm the problem and act in a well ordered manner unlike the past "EMERGENCY LEVY" mind set most of the discussions so far have been "Nominate / 2nded / all those yah? all those Nah motion passes. "thoses whom fail to plan - Plan to Fail" get on with the movement.

Good Morning Mr. Boroman 54 – It appears that your comments/opinions have some credibility on this discussion blog; but it also appears that you continue to “question” or “wonder” about what the board is doing for us now.

Truth is, the school board’s hard work for all Springboro families and taxpaying homeowners is more transparent than ever before; and information is available on the Board of Education website so that all community members can be better informed of “what’s happening now.”

All community members can better inform ourselves of the board’s business meetings/work sessions/discussions that have been “on-going” since the new board members took office on January 1, 2012 (with the exception of Executive board business.) All community members can go the Springboro City/Community Schools website and follow the Board of Education pages that show us the schedule of meetings and agenda items that our Board of Education is currently working on, diligently “doing the right thing for our schools and community.”

Springboro citizens are fortunate to have the financial expertise and administrative skills that our new board members bring to the table while working with all board members,on behalf of all Springboro families and taxpaying homeowners. Our two new representatives are up to the task; and they will get the job done right (even though it means working long hours tirelessly for us and volunteering their time that they could be relaxing with family).

As you review on their website, the meeting schedule of the Board of Education/Board Committee Meetings, please keep in mind that board members only get paid for the regularly scheduled meetings and special called meetings. In addition to regular and special called business meetings, did you know that currently, our board committee members are volunteering long hours of their time conducting public business meetings with our school district leaders? And did you know that all committees report to the full board (and the community) at the regularly scheduled board of education meetings.

Did you know that during each one of these public meetings, our school board president offers a limited scheduled time for public participation; so that Springboro families and taxpaying homeowners can have our concerns/questions considered, in addition to the school board considering the school districts concerns/questions? With the new board being this transparent, is there any reason for citizens to “wander” around on this blog “wondering” about “what’s happening in the board room and “what’s in it for me?” Let’s remember the words of an old proverb:“Wise ones build up their own houses; while foolish ones seek to tear down.”

It seems anything will do in order to keep this blog afloat. Apparently we have dozens of school geniuses here that know how to run the school and its finances. Why is it there are so few that run for office, eh? Arm chair generals is what they are. Oh, and I am sure they have dozens of excuses why they can't get involved.

@Good News your post(s) have confused the issue, there is little or no open discussion. My understanding of the job of the BOE was to represent the voters in all matters. getting paid for their attending meeting sounds more like a union position. As in any salary position, the job is the important issue. the Kids are number one (MOO) meeting with school leaders is part of the job. Watching the clock is not even in the business world of salary personne. Have you read the minutes of the meeting motion/2nd/yahs?/Nahs/Passed (M2YNP) now this may be the secretary's shortcomings but the minutes of prior meeting are m2ynp as well - if I wasn't at the meeting I wouldn't know anything about prior meetings My position is the BOE past and present so far have only m2ynp.As your assumption of "whats in it for me??" Nothing my kids are grown and most have left the area (because jobs left) I would like to see changes so that "our" kids are the point of reference rather than that of the union and adminstration. I am sure that the m2ynp is not the Norm in these BOE/Admin meetings. the admin/union wouldn't change their point of view over night and if the New members of BOE were true to their proclaimed "change in view" the BOE members wouldn't m2ynp a general "we had a meeting" comment as 2012 meeting's minutes state. the new BOE was tasked by their own statements NOT for ME AND/OR YOU. The Kids were/should be their view point and I personally have not seen the teachers/adminstration change in THEIR view and I was taking the NEW BOE at their word for change.

bored and yawning - why should this be boring to you?? to affect change people have to discuss the situation - this is why we have a BOE to represent us in these matters but I doubt that any of the members of the BOE and/or Admin have ESP so they require input to get the compromised view of the public. the former BOE's history shows the faulty process of Not getting the public view correctly in focus. I doubt the public view was for Dr B to call the voters on the carpet in Columbus but he and admin/BOE ok'ed by proxity(MOO) i know I didn't care to spend money on defeating a voters right. involvement takes many avenues - being the voters rep is only one way. if I was on the BOE I would encourage all opinions so that I could QBA a common view then and only then am I doing the job that I was elected to accomplish "represent the people". MOO

Boroman54 wrote:

bored and yawning - why should this be boring to you?? to affect change people have to discuss the situation - this is why we have a BOE to represent us in these matters but I doubt that any of the members of the BOE and/or Admin have ESP so they require input to get the compromised view of the public. the former BOE's history shows the faulty process of Not getting the public view correctly in focus. I doubt the public view was for Dr B to call the voters on the carpet in Columbus but he and admin/BOE ok'ed by proxity(MOO) i know I didn't care to spend money on defeating a voters right. involvement takes many avenues - being the voters rep is only one way. if I was on the BOE I would encourage all opinions so that I could QBA a common view then and only then am I doing the job that I was elected to accomplish "represent the people". MOO

So why don't you run for office, you seem to have alot of opinions...but you should know what they say about that.

“Lie to a liar, for lies are his coin; Steal from a thief, for that is easy; lay a trap for a trickster and catch him at first attempt, but beware of an honest man”

bored and yawning wrote:

<quoted text>
So why don't you run for office, you seem to have alot of opinions...but you should know what they say about that.

Boroman54 wrote:

@Good News your post(s) have confused the issue, there is little or no open discussion. My understanding of the job of the BOE was to represent the voters in all matters. getting paid for their attending meeting sounds more like a union position. As in any salary position, the job is the important issue. the Kids are number one (MOO) meeting with school leaders is part of the job. Watching the clock is not even in the business world of salary personne. Have you read the minutes of the meeting motion/2nd/yahs?/Nahs/Passed (M2YNP) now this may be the secretary's shortcomings but the minutes of prior meeting are m2ynp as well - if I wasn't at the meeting I wouldn't know anything about prior meetings My position is the BOE past and present so far have only m2ynp.As your assumption of "whats in it for me??" Nothing my kids are grown and most have left the area (because jobs left) I would like to see changes so that "our" kids are the point of reference rather than that of the union and adminstration. I am sure that the m2ynp is not the Norm in these BOE/Admin meetings. the admin/union wouldn't change their point of view over night and if the New members of BOE were true to their proclaimed "change in view" the BOE members wouldn't m2ynp a general "we had a meeting" comment as 2012 meeting's minutes state. the new BOE was tasked by their own statements NOT for ME AND/OR YOU. The Kids were/should be their view point and I personally have not seen the teachers/adminstration change in THEIR view and I was taking the NEW BOE at their word for change.

too much BS...FLUSH!