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Audience members look over the agenda for the Lakota Board of Education meeting at Lakota East High School March 12, 2012. At that meeting, the school board approved about $10.5 million in cuts for next school year. Photo taken by Amanda Davidson.

Michael D. Clark reports

Lakota school parent Tanya Jolliffe watched with growing anxiety as the Lakota school board mulled over historically deep budget cuts in recent months.

She was there Monday evening when the latest blow was delivered to Lakota after the board approved $10.5 million in cuts for next school year.

Tanya Jolliffe’s son Aaron Jolliffee, a sophomore at Lakota East, will have to take online classes this summer to allow him to still take elective classes for the high school in the fall. After massive cuts were made to the budget March 12, the school day will be cut from 7 classes to six. Photo provided by The Enquirer.

Lakota’s 18,000 students have already seen more than $25 million in previous personnel and program cuts in recent years, including dozens of teacher layoffs and elimination of busing for thousands of students this school year.

In August, Ohio’s seventh-largest school system – and the state’s biggest academically top-rated district – will be further whittled by another 141 school jobs lost, shorter school days and less time for arts, music and physical education, among other takeaways.

Toss in three school tax levy defeats in the last two years – six of seven ballot loses since 2004 – and Jolliffe and other Lakota parents wonder if they are watching a slow-motion car wreck for a once-proud school system.

“I’m worried about Lakota’s future and our community’s future,” says Joliffe from her West Chester Township home.

“I’ve been to all five school board meetings about these cuts and my heart breaks for the kids. A strong school system is the basis for a strong community but we have a lot of lessons to learn and we’re not learning them fast enough,” she says.

Fellow Lakota school parent Lisa Babcock decided last year to send some of her children to private schools due to previous budget cuts.

Now she is pondering the future of her other two children.

“I have the private school application at home now. I know things are going to get worse,” Babcock says. “The mood in the school community is frustration.” (more…)

Posted in: Board of Education, Levy news, News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Lakota, Lakota athletic cuts, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota elementary cuts, Lakota high school cuts, Lakota junior high cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota West

Michael D. Clark reports

When Lakota students start next school year, they will see fewer teachers, staff specialists and have fewer course options, thanks to about $10.5 million in sweeping budget cuts approved Monday night by the district’s school board.

The Lakota board voted to accept some of the deepest budget reductions in the 18,000-student district’s 55-year history. The district is running out of money after voters have rejected three tax hikes in two years.

The board votes brings an end to a rare string of public discussions on hundreds of details in the five budget-cutting plans – pre-school, kindergarten and elementary, junior and senior high, athletics and district-wide operations – brought to the board in the last two months by Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia.

“It saddens all of us that we have to face these issues,” Mantia told an audience of more than 200 residents and school employees in Lakota East High School’s auditorium, “but we are not the federal government, and we can not spend more money than we bring in.” she said.

The cuts in Ohio’s seventh-largest school system will include 141 teaching, classroom specialist, school nurse and school staff positions, and nine school and central office administrators. Also downsized is the amount of time students will have for arts, music and physical education activities; class periods for high school students; and the number of graduation credits required, from 21 to 20.

Lakota officials simultaneously introduced a new core curricular program designed to help meet tougher pending state standards. Officials have contented that the reduced times in arts, music and gym classes will allow for more instruction in core subjects.

Longtime Lakota parent Lisa Babcock criticized the board for shrinking the learning options for her children. She has already taken some of her kids out of Lakota for private schools and may soon remove all her children due to this latest round of budget cuts.

“I know things are going to get worse,” said Babcock.

The board voted on each reduction proposal separately, and the closet margin was a 3-2 vote, with members Julie Shaffer and Joan Powell opposing the out-sourcing of Lakota’s pre-school program to Butler County’s Head Start program.

Details on the budget reduction plans can be found at www.lakotaonline.com/budget.

Lakota officials said the $10.5 million in reductions for 2012-13 will balloon to nearly $11 million due to increased payments for unemployment compensation and severance pay.

Lakota’s annual operating budget is $154 million. The district faces a projected budget shortfall of $14.1 million in 2015.

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Tags: Tags: Lakota, Lakota athletic cuts, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota elementary cuts, Lakota high school cuts, Lakota junior high cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota West

9:27 p.m. - Signing off, meeting is wrapping up. Michael D. Clark of The Cincinnati Enquirer is also here. He will be posting his story later and can be seen in tomorrow’s paper. WestChesterBuzz.com will share that story once it is available.

9:25 p.m. - The cuts came in at very quick pace tonight, once the voting began. Information on all reduction proposals can be seen at www.lakotaonline.com/budget.

9:23 p.m. - Let’s add it all up – cuts of $3.5 million to administration, district-wide personnel and supplementals, $390,000 in cuts to athletics, $2.7 million in cuts to high school, $1.6 million in cuts to junior high, $1.5 million in cuts to K-6 and $1.2 in cost savings to preschool. That is a total of $10,890,000 in cost savings. However, only $73,000 of the athletic cuts will count against the general fund – so that final number is really around $10.5 million.

9:17 p.m. - The school board just approved to make $3.5 million in cuts to administration, district-wide personnel and supplementals.

9:14 p.m. - The school board approved to cut $73,000 of the $500,000 given to high school athletics from the general fund. But before doing so, the board amended the second option. It decided not to use the cuts suggested in the second option – which includes offering chess and academic as clubs and not sports, eliminating gymnastics and boys volleyball, as well as reducing the athletic maintenance budget. As of right now, it is unknown how the board will cut $73,000 from its athletics fund.

9:09 p.m. - The school board approved the first option to cuts to athletics. The costs cover the shortfall from cuts to athletics last year. It does not impact the general fund. Right now, the district gives $500,000 towards high school athletics. The second option calls for $73,000 of that amount to be cut.

9:06 p.m. - To review, part 1 was to make the school day 34 minutes shorter, part 2 was the change to a six-bell schedule, part 3 is to change graduation requirements from 21 credits to 20 credits, part 4 is to authorize the superintendent to proceed with the physical education waiver for grades 9-12 per Ohio Department of Education guidelines, part 5 is the minimum reduction of certified/licensed staff – 42.8 FTEs.

9:03 p.m. - Lakota approved the first part of the high school cuts by way of a 4-to-1 vote. O’Connor was the only member who voted against it. Parts 2, 3 and 5 were passed by the same vote. While, all members agreed with part 4.

9:00 p.m. - School board vice president Julie Shaffer is getting emotional about the high school cuts. She said that $2.1 million of the $2.7 in cuts is from the shorter schedule and change to a six-bell schedule.

8:58 p.m. - School board member Lynda O’Connor had a prepared speech and voiced her concern – saying that the high school cuts will have the most impact of all the budget cuts. O’Connor said that she doesn’t want to leave $2.7 million on the table, but cannot support this budget proposal.

8:55 p.m. - High school cuts are up. The board has a budget proposal that includes $2.7 million in cuts. Those cuts include a shorter day with starting time from 7:30 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. and ending time from 2:39 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. (more…)

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Tags: Tags: Lakota, Lakota athletic cuts, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota elementary cuts, Lakota high school cuts, Lakota junior high cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota West

School board members of the Lakota school district are scheduled to vote Monday on budget reduction proposals, which include more than $11 million in cuts, at a 7 p.m. meeting at Lakota East High School.

The board will decide whether to approve proposals that include $1.9 million in cuts to K-6, $4.3 in reductions to high schools and junior highs, a preschool merger that could save the district $1.2 million, $321,000 in cuts to the athletic budget and $3.5 million in cuts focused on administration, district-wide personnel and supplementals.

Throughout the process of determining cuts, Lakota officials have said that they needed to cut $9 million to its $154 million operating budget for next school year. Furthermore, according to the district’s five-year forecast, if the cuts are not made the district will face a projected budget shortfall of $14.1 million in 2015.

According to Michael D. Clark of The Cincinnati Enquirer, Lakota has already downsized more than $25 million from its operating budget in recent years, including dozens of teaching jobs, busing for thousands of students, many student programs while raising student fees.

Roughly $10.2 million of those cuts, which included busing, came last year.

During the reduction proposal process in 2011, school officials had aimed to cut roughly $12.2 million by the 2011-2012 school year. An April scheduled vote on that proposal was tabled until late May, when the school officials trimmed the amount of cuts to $10.2 million.

Information on all current reduction proposals can be seen at www.lakotaonline.com/budget.

WestChesterBuzz.com will blog live from tonight’s meeting at 7 p.m.

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Tags: Tags: Lakota, Lakota athletic cuts, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota elementary cuts, Lakota high school cuts, Lakota junior high cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota West

Michael D. Clark reports:

A series of high stakes budget-cut meetings continued Thursday evening as Lakota officials mulled sweeping budget changes of nearly $11 million for next school year.

The Lakota school board hastily called the previously unscheduled meeting because it needed further discussions on some of the deepest proposed budget reductions in Lakota’s 55-year history.

With more than 150 school jobs on the chopping block – and wide-ranging changes in student programs and services – school board members’ talks ranged from the macro to the micro on specifics of the detailed series of reduction proposals made in recent weeks.

But the overall impact on school families and staffers was not loss on district officials.

“It’s very, very emotional,” Lakota Schools Superintendent Karen Mantia said of the process. “People are hurting and that is rightfully understandable.”

Board Vice President Julie Shaffer echoed Mantia, saying, “We are trying to put a budget puzzle together with these tough decisions.”

The board took no action, but is scheduled to vote on $10.9 million in proposed reductions during its Monday meeting at 7 p.m. at Lakota East High School.

Lakota’s annual operating budget is $154 million, but the district faces a projected budget shortfall of $14.1 million in 2015. (more…)

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Tags: Tags: Lakota, Lakota athletic cuts, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota elementary cuts, Lakota high school cuts, Lakota junior high cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota West

The Lakota Board of Education announced Wednesday that it will have a special public meeting Thursday about the administration’s budget proposals. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the Lakota Central Office building, 5572 Princeton Road in Liberty Township.

The administration presented its latest budget proposal Monday night at a school board meeting at Lakota East High School. The latest proposal focused on administration, district-wide personnel and supplementals.

Proposed reductions from that proposal included the elimination of about 50 jobs. Specific positions included central office administrators, school administrators and instructional specialists. Overall, the budget proposal would cut around $3.5 million from next school year’s budget.

It was the fifth and final budget proposal from the district, which determined that it would need to cut $9 million from its $154 million operating budget by next school year.

Like the latest budget proposal, the school board has not voted on the any of the budget proposals and will not take action until next Monday’s meeting, March 12. At that time, the board will decide whether to approval proposals that include $1.9 million in cuts to K-6, $4.3 in reductions to high schools and junior highs, a preschool merger that could save the district $1.2 million and $321,000 in cuts to the athletic budget.

Prior board meetings when budget proposals have been presented, the public has been allowed to comment before and after the presentation. Each community member is allowed three minutes to speak and is asked to state their name and address.

Community members can also submit budget questions and comments to budgetcomments@lakotaonline.com.

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Tags: Tags: Lakota, Lakota athletic cuts, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota elementary cuts, Lakota high school cuts, Lakota junior high cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool

Lakota West senior Josh Kinney runs with the football during a game against Winton Woods at Nippert Stadium Aug. 27, 2011. High school athletes pay $550 per sport, up from $300 a year ago. Junior high athletes are paying $350 per sport, compared to $200 a year ago. Fees were raised due to cuts before the 2011-2012 school year. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Michael D. Clark reports (more information from story reported earlier)

Officials from the financially struggling Lakota schools were no-shows Tuesday at an event where an anti-tax group pledged to give needy students $10,000 to help them pay for sports fees.

Leaders of NoLakota announced a donation fund they plan to distribute to the families of student athletes unable to pay participation fees and then criticized Lakota officials for not attending their press conference.

The school system is facing a nearly $11 million projected budget shortfall and considering sweeping cuts in student services and personnel for next school year.

Lakota officials said they had no knowledge of the NoLakota news conference.

“The Lakota district always appreciates support for children in our community. A week ago, a district representative asked this group to submit a proposal for its idea. We’re still waiting for it,” said Elliot Grossman, spokesman for Lakota Schools. “We learned about the news conference 24 minutes before it was to start.”

Rich Hoffman, spokesman for NoLakota, which was instrumental in helping defeat three school tax hikes in the last two years, attributed the absence of district officials to “a lack of communication on their end.”

He said his group had communications with Lakota about the formation of “Yes To Lakota Kids” program, which unveiled a website Tuesday for Lakota parents interested in applying for money to pay sports fees. Information can be found at yes-to-lakota-kids.org .

NoLakota is the first anti-school-tax group in Southwest Ohio to raise money from imembers to offset fee costs in a public school district. Lakota high school athletes pay $550 per sport, up from $300 a year ago. Those in grades seven and eight pay $350 per sport, compared to $200 a year ago.

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Tags: Tags: Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota elementary cuts, Lakota high school cuts, Lakota junior high cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota preschool cuts, Lakota preschool program, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota West, No Lakota, No Lakota levy, NoLakota, NoLakota Levy, Rich Hoffman

Michael D. Clark reports:

The last of a series of historically deep budget cut proposals could eliminate about 50 jobs from Lakota Schools’ central office and school administrative team, Lakota officials revealed to The Enquirer this afternoon.

Today’s recommended cuts among district leadership are part of a $9 million reduction package for next school year and being examined tonight by Lakota’s school board.

Under this latest proposal, Lakota would do away with one of its two assistant superintendents, two school building administrators and the dean of students at both Lakota East and Lakota West high schools.

Also proposed for elimination are: speech pathologists, social workers, adaptive physical education assistants, school psychologists, occupational therapist, physical therapy assistant, job coach, sign language interpreter and a teacher-on-special assignment.

The proposal also calls for revamping the district’s nursing services. The jobs of 11 licensed school nurses and 13 clinic aides would be eliminated

Cost savings of $3.5 million would result, said Lakota officials.

Greater Cincinnati’s second largest school system – and the seventh largest in Ohio – has seen in recent weeks a series of budget cut plans addressing different aspects of the 18,000-student district. (more…)

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Tags: Tags: Lakota, Lakota athletic cuts, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota elementary cuts, Lakota high school cuts, Lakota junior high cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota preschool cuts, Lakota preschool program, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota West

Lakota officials are expected unveil their last budget reduction proposal Monday at 7 p.m. when the Lakota Board of Education will meet in a special open session at Lakota East High School.

During Monday’s meeting, school officials will present a budget proposal focusing on administration, district-wide personnel and supplementals. It will be the fifth and final budget proposal from the district, which determined that it would need to cut $9 million from its $154 million operating budget by next school year.

• Lakota Board of Education news from WestChesterBuzz.com

In a release, Lakota describes district-wide personnel as the departments of the superintendent, treasurer, human resources, community relations, business operations, curriculum, special services and building administration. While, supplementals include payments for after-school jobs, such as club advisors and activity sponsors.

The school board has not voted on the any of the proposals and will not take action until next Monday’s meeting, March 12. At that time, the board will decide whether to approval proposals that include $1.9 million in cuts to K-6, $4.3 in reductions to high schools and junior highs, a preschool merger that could save the district $1.2 million and $321,000 in cuts to the athletic budget.

Prior board meetings when budget proposals have been presented, the public has been allowed to comment before and after the presentation. Each community member is allowed three minutes to speak and is asked to state their name and address.

Community members can also submit budget questions and comments to budgetcomments@lakotaonline.com.

For information on all presented budget proposals, visit lakotaonline.com/budget.

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Tags: Tags: Lakota, Lakota athletic cuts, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota elementary cuts, Lakota high school cuts, Lakota junior high cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota preschool cuts, Lakota preschool program, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota West

Story written for The Cincinnati Enquirer on the proposed reductions that could made to the athletic budget. To find out more information on the subject, visit WestChesterBuzz’s live blog it featured last night during the meeting.

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Participation fees for Lakota’s student athletes may not increase for the upcoming school year but the coaching staff could shrink.

Under a proposal presented Thursday by Superintendent Karen Mantia, the reduction in coaching positions would be part of a plan to reduce the district’s $2.1 million athletic budget for grades 7-12 by at least $315,000.

Administrators decided against increasing athletic fees a second consecutive year, citing decreased participation in fall and winter sports following this year’s hike in fees.

“We’re doing everything we can to hold down student participation fees,’’ Mantia said. “We know athletics and other extracurricular activities play an important role in our students’ educational experience.”

Last year there were 1,862 participants in 27 interscholastic programs, including athletic, chess and academic team, and 1,466 in seventh and eighth grade sports.

This year many teams have seen a significant decline. At the junior high level, cross country was hit particularly hard with a 46 percent drop in participation by boys and 37 percent drop in the girls program. Eighth grade football dropped 32 percent, from 168 in fall 2010 to 114 for fall 2011. Wrestling dropped from 119 participants in 2010-11 to 67 in 2011-12 – a drop of 44 percent.

At the high school level, participation drops were less dramatic, with girls’ sports losing the most participants: gymnastics lost 21 percent of participants followed by golf, 17 percent. Wrestling saw an 18 percent drop while football participation dropped from 307 to 273, or 11 percent.

High school athletes pay $550 per sport, up from $300 a year ago. Those athletes in grades seven and eight are paying $350 per sport, compared to $200 a year ago.

To keep from increasing fees, the plan calls for the elimination of two assistant varsity coaches each in football, bowling, track, cross country and academic quiz. It also transfers the duties of four junior school athletic directors to the freshman campus associate athletic directors, which eliminates four supplemental contracts.

The savings in personnel are estimated at $234,931.

Another $85,000 would be saved by reducing transportation budgets, spending fewer dollars for awards and recognitions along with spending less for contracted services such as security at games, ticket-takers, athletic management consultation fees and similar items.

Mantia’s proposal is part of the district’s efforts to look at all areas of next year’s budget for reductions as school leaders outline ways to cut $9 million from its $154 million operating budget.

Previous presentations focused on $7.4 million in cuts from the elementary, secondary and preschool programs.

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Tags: Tags: Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota elementary cuts, Lakota high school cuts, Lakota junior high cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota preschool cuts, Lakota preschool program, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota West