Springboro Board Meeting last night...

There was not much to really report from last night's Board Meeting.  It was mild to say the least compared to the previous few.  Good for new interim superintendent, Gene Lolli.  The evening had a few key speakers to discuss some important teacher issues that the District is faced with.  First, Patricia Winland a Special Needs teacher from Dennis Elementary East discussed that she had been teaching with the district four years ago.  She states, "I was excited and honored to be a teacher but now embarrassed and disappointed."  Winland described that each year she has to pay $1,000 out of her pocket for supplies above the $200 allowance provided by the district.  She noted that the time and cost has been well worth the results she sees in the classroom.  But the lack of support, recognition, and finances to sustain such results needs to improve.

Winland left the podium asking that the Board and District answer three questions.  First, What is in the best interest of our children.  Second, What can we do to make our community proud?  Finally, How much more of a beating can our teachers and staff members take?

Next to the podium was retiring teacher, Nancy Miller.  Miller has taught for 18 years in the District.  She has taught 2nd and 3rd grades in Jonathan Wright, Clearcreek, and finally moved to Five Points.  She begged the Board and District to acknowledge teachers not just a group but individually.  To be partners in education.  At the close of the meeting, Kelly Kohls, Board Member, thanked Miller for her years of teaching.

The meeting went on with normal business and the Treasurer Report came up in the agenda to discuss a levy possibility.  Tim Dettwiller discussed that if Springboro was to move to put a levy on the ballot they would need to begin taking steps to meet the July 23rd deadline to present to the Auditor and then submit the ballot to the Board of Elections by August 4th.  The initial and potential proposed 5 year forecast is around 9.5 Mil.  This would be an Emergency Operating Levy ballot.  Dettwiller also discussed the Board could discuss other levy options and also discuss and propose a new forecast.  Mike Kruse, Board Member, spoke about the fact he believed that the four on the board could not make this decision that it should be left to the community to decide.  He also stated that they have made nearly 6 million dollar in cuts and he did not know what else they could cut.  Kelly Kohls, discussed that they have a lot of work to do this summer and they need to pound out the issues to the assumptions that the City of Springboro has about the levy.  Donald Miller asked that they take a hard look at the five year plan and make sure it is fiscally responsible and then put it in the hands of the voters to decide.  Scott Anderson wrapped up comments stating he agreed with taking a hard look at the five year plan and put the facts out to the community in a way that everyone can understand.  He stated, "It clearly needs to be laid out to public where that money will be spent over the five years."

Of course, the fact is the community is divided see the last levy's results to prove that, it seems the board is a bit divided on bringing a levy to the community, and the survey that we posted yesterday (see survey results by clicking here) reveals the same.  Springboro is still a community divided.  It will be interesting to see this play out over the next few months before the July deadline.  We will keep you up to date with information pertaining to the possibility of a new levy come November 3, 2010.