Dear CH-UH Community:
Hard to believe spring is here and we are already into our last quarter of the 2014-2015 school year. I’m so proud of how diligently our students, teachers and staff have been working. I beam with pride each time I observe a class or read the latest student success story on our District website. There are countless stories to tell. Our District has been busy and needs to pause, reflect and appreciate how much we as a school community are accomplishing.
We are deep into our strategic planning process that will help guide our focus and our use of precious human and financial resources over the next five years. Phase 1 of our District’s Master Facilities Plan is progressing beautifully and we are eager to celebrate with the community at the May 12 groundbreaking for the construction of our newly designed Heights High.
State testing started up again in April. Family and community support during this period is essential for our students, our teachers and our schools. I deeply appreciate everything you are all doing to ensure that our children are well-prepared and ready to succeed.
As most of you are aware, the Board of Education has officially placed a 5.9-mill operating levy on the May 5, 2015 ballot. The 5.9 mil levy will cost $17 per month per $100,000 valuation. Talking about the levy is my least favorite thing to discuss as your superintendent but the need for this levy is clear. Because of the way that Ohio funds its schools, our District must pursue additional operating funds this year, or we will face major cuts that will impact the classroom, and we would face a much larger need for operating funds next year.
The belt-tightening and cost-cutting that we have done (which also allowed us to stretch the previous levy an extra year) has been validated by a careful review from our citizen-led Lay Finance Committee, which recently reported to the Board about the District’s careful use of our community’s funds.
Here are the facts:
• In the past few years, state funding to the District has been cut by more than $2 million, property tax collections are down, and more money is being diverted to charter schools, all of which mean that school operating funds have been decreased substantially.
• Because of this decreased funding, the District recently cut more than $3 million from its budget, including reducing staff at all levels.
• All employees have agreed to only a minimal cost of living increase for the next two years, to keep costs lower.
• The District has worked hard to keep cuts from impacting the classroom, and our schools are showing consistent academic improvements. Our schools are providing innovative technology, language and college prep programs that prepare students to compete in a global economy.
• Additionally, none of the money being used to renovate the high school and middle schools can be used for operating costs like teachers and textbooks.
• If it passes, the levy will be used to support and enhance current classroom education and programs, including increasing the high school graduation rate and making sure third graders read at or above grade level.
• If the levy fails, the District will have to make significant spending cuts that will mean cutting staff, increased class sizes and the elimination of some programs.
As always, thank you for your commitment to our students, our District and our community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Talisa L. Dixon