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Lakota school members to be available before board meetings

If you are having trouble getting in touch with a school board member, Lakota Local Schools is taking a new approach to combat that problem.

Joan Powell, the school board president, announced this week that beginning with the next regularly scheduled school board meeting, on Feb. 28, all board members have committed to be available to the community for 15 minutes before the meeting starts.

“There are already two times during the meeting when people can come to the podium and address the board,” Powell said. “That won’t change. But I know sometimes people are uncomfortable doing that, or prefer a more informal exchange with the board members. This will provide them with that opportunity.”

Since September the district has been holding “Community Conversations” throughout West Chester and Liberty townships, meeting with residents in living rooms, coffee shops, churches and other locations. Typically, the Lakota Board of Education is represented at these “conversations.”

• Community has open conversation about Lakota’s present and future

The next school board meeting is at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28, at the district’s central office at 5572 Princeton Road, in Liberty Township.

For more information on how to host or where to attend a “conversation,” visit lakotaonline.com for details.

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

Tags: Tags: Ben Dibble, Joan Powell, Julie Shaffer, Lakota East, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota school board, Lakota West, Lynda O'Connor, Ray Murray, Ron Spurlock, school board meeting, school levy

By Adam Kiefaber and Michael D. Clark

Newly appointed Lakota school board president Joan Powell announced on Monday night that she wouldn’t be running for her seat this fall. She is one of Greater Cincinnati’s longest tenured board members.

“This will be my last year on the board,” Powell said during the regularly scheduled school board meeting.

“16 years is enough. A friend of mine (Sandy Wheatley), who served on the board for 12 years, told me you will know when it is time … I just knew that it was time.”

The 16-year board veteran first took office in 1998 and her tenure on the board coincided with Lakota’s booming student population that has seen the Butler County district become the second largest in Southwest Ohio and the eighth largest in the state.

“She has been able to see the evolution of changes that have occurred in education,” said Karen Mantia, Lakota superintendent. “She also has a grasp of where it is going, so that past experience really guides her to see what the future will look like and we will miss that.”

Powell’s leadership has often been credited for some of Lakota’s many successes, but on occasion she has also been the center of controversy. Most recently, Powell in 2011 publicly criticized fellow board members for not working together and impeding the board’s effectiveness.

During Powell’s stint on the board, Lakota rose both in size and academic prominence, becoming the largest district in Ohio to consistently earn the state department of education’s highest academic rating.

“It has been incredible amount of time. Lakota has doubled in size since I first started on the board. There have been so many changes,” said Powell, 61, who is a realtor with Huff Realty in West Chester, also has two grandchildren and two children.

“I have worked with four different superintendents. I can’t think of how many governors. Lakota has seen a lot of change and I hope Lakota can remain so successful because I really do believe that it holds a valuable place in this community.”

The 17,300-student district has not seen voters pass a new operating levy since 2005 and saw three school tax issues rejected at the ballot in the last two years. The district has cut more than $36 million in personnel and programs in recent years and is anticipated to go back to the voters for a new school tax later this year.

Two other board members, whose terms are up after the year, Ray Murray and Ben Dibble said they were both planning to run for their seats.

Both Murray and Dibble began serving on the board in January of 2010.

The remaining board members Lynda O’Connor and Julie Shaffer were most recently elected in the fall of 2011 and began four-year terms in January of 2012.

Shaffer is currently serving her first term on the school board, while O’Connor is serving her second four-year term.

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

Tags: Tags: Ben Dibble, Joan Powell, Julie Shaffer, Lakota East, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota school board, Lakota West, Lynda O'Connor, Ray Murray, Ron Spurlock, school board meeting, school levy

Robb Vogelmann, who was named the principal at Liberty Junior in 2009, was approved by the Lakota Board of Education as the school district's new assistant superintendent June 25, 2012. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

The Lakota Board of Education approved at its regularly scheduled meeting Monday the hiring of a new assistant superintendent and a new open enrollment policy, which allows children of Lakota employees who don’t live in the school district to attend Lakota schools.

Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia recommended Robb Vogelmann, who was named principal at Liberty Junior School three years ago, for the district’s open assistant superintendent position.

The board then unanimously approved Vogelmann, who will be Lakota’s only assistant superintendent after Ron Spurlock and Lon Stettler announced their retirements in December.

“The demands of the position will be challenging,” Mantia said. “But Mr. Vogelmann is perfected suited for this difficult role.

“He has a perfect handle on trends in education, a solid understanding of what it takes to run a great school and cares deeply about this community.”

Prior to being principal at Liberty Junior, Vogelmann served as an assistant principal at Lakota East High School since 2002. Prior to that, he was a math teacher at Liberty Junior since 1997.

“I am very grateful to be part of the dynamic leadership of this district,” said Vogelmann, who will earn a base salary $116,000. “I just hope to continue to work hard and keep the tradition of Lakota and the badge of honor that it carries with its name of quality education.

“To be able to represent the district as a whole and be one of the leaders is the biggest accomplishment of my career at this point.”

The decision to fill only one of the assistant superintendent positions was made shortly after voters rejected the third proposed Lakota school tax levy in two years. As a result, the school district has been forced to cut $35 million from its operating budget during the past three school years.

The school board has decided to not seek another levy this November.

Meanwhile, also at Monday’s meeting, the board approved an open enrollment policy.

Lakota officials claim that the district has not had the capacity to accept students who live outside the district because population growth had been so steep for so long.

However, just this past year, enrollment dropped 3 percent as 500 fewer students enrolled into Lakota schools compared to the 2010-2011 school year.

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

Tags: Tags: Karen Manita, Karen Mantia, Lakota, Lakota assistant superintendent Robb Vogelmann, Lakota Board of Education, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota reductions, Lakota school board, Lakota school levy, Lakota Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia, Lakota West, Liberty Junior, Liberty Junior Robb Vogelmann, Liberty Junior School, Robb Vogelmann, Ron Spurlock, Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, superintendent Karen Mantia

The Lakota school district, which is expected to cut $9 million from next school year’s operating budget, announced the retirement of three senior administrators during its public school board meeting Monday.

Among the nine retirements and resignations announced Monday, were the retirements of assistant superintendents Ron Spurlock and Lon Stettler, as well as Lakota West High School Principal Richard Hamilton.

While the assistant superintendents retirements will be effective Dec. 30, both Spurlock and Stettler will temporarily serve as consultants and help the school district as it analyzes what reductions need to be made by the spring.

One reduction was made evident during Monday’s meeting when Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia announced that only one of the two assistant superintendent positions would be filled.

In addition to that eliminated position, the school district will save $49,700 through July 2012 due to the assistant superintendents retirements. Both Spurlock and Stettler’s consultant fees will be paid by the Butler County Educational Services Center.

“All three of these leaders have made tremendous contributions to Lakota,” Mantia said. “We’re fortunate that all three have agreed to share their valuable expertise awhile longer.”

Once his retirement is effective, Stettler will remain for 18 months as a consultant overseeing student achievement and program development.

Spurlock, on the other hand, will work closely with Manita’s day-to-day operations as her special assistant for 100 days after his retirement.

“It is going to save the district some money and give them the support they need to get through this transitional time,” Spurlock said.

“I have lived in Lakota and worked in Lakota for the past 23 years, so this is where my heart is. I am excited that I will be able to work for Lakota a little bit longer and hopefully help them pull through this difficult situation.” (more…)

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

Tags: Tags: Butler County election 2011, cuts, election 2011, Karen Manita, Karen Mantia, Lakota, Lakota community newsletter, Lakota cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia, Lakota West principal Richard Hamilton, Ohio election 2011, reductions, Richard Hamilton, Ron Spurlock, school board, school levy, Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, superintendent Karen Mantia

Two weeks after telling the school board that she won’t rush her decision on what cuts will be made, Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia is expected to make some personnel recommendations at tonight’s public meeting in Liberty Township.

Among the recommendations, are the retirements of Lakota West High School Principal Richard Hamilton (effective July 2012), Assistant Superintendent Ron Spurlock (effective Dec. 30, 2011) and Assistant Superintendent Lon Stettler (effective Dec. 30, 2011).

Spurlock (photo) served as Lakota’s interim superintendent from Feb. 1 through July 31 this year and was heavily involved in last May’s new teacher contract (three years and includes a freeze on step/longevity increases as well as health care concessions) and the district’s $10.2 million in cuts for the 2011-2012 school year.

It is unclear if these recommendations will affect the $9 million in reductions that Mantia says is necessary by next school year.

After Lakota saw its 4.75-mill tax levy fail (roughly 54 percent against and 46 percent for), Manita introduced the “$9 million question” at a board of education work session Nov. 21.

The $9 million in cuts will allow Lakota to avoid its spending deficit in 2013, but does not take away the need for additional revenue, according Lakota Treasurer Jenni Logan.

Those cuts are expected to be carried out in the spring.

Monday’s meeting will take place at the school district’s central office, 5572 Princeton Road in Liberty Township, at 7 p.m.

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

Tags: Tags: Butler County election 2011, cuts, election 2011, Karen Manita, Karen Mantia, Lakota, Lakota community newsletter, Lakota cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia, Lakota West principal Richard Hamilton, Ohio election 2011, reductions, Richard Hamilton, Ron Spurlock, school board, school levy, Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, superintendent Karen Mantia

Earlier this week, the Lakota Board of Education approved a three-year “management agreement” to turn over operation of WLHS-FM (89.9) to nostalgia station WMKV-FM (89.3) at Maple Knoll Village in Springdale, after 33 years, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Kiesewetter.

Below is a portion of Kiesewetter’s story:

The Lakota East High School radio station adviser is among the 78 staffers losing jobs due to a $10-million budget deficit, says Ron Spurlock, interim superintendent.

A year ago, Hamilton schools sold WHSS-FM (89.5) to the Catholic Sacred Heart Radio (Am 740) for $156,000, and stopped teaching broadcasting arts.

But this deal is different. Both sides are calling it a “win win” for Lakota and WMKV-FM, and that makes sense to me after hearing what they say:

Radio will be part of a new digital media class to be taught at Lakota East High School by Butler Tech. The high school plans to replace the broadcasting station with an internet radio, and a radio club. (I must note that when Hamilton pulled the plug on its station a year ago, instructor Dave Spurrier noted that kids today could post something on the internet seen/heard by the whole world, as opposed to being a radio station heard only in Hamilton/Fairfield.)

WMKV-FM staffers will help Lakota East set up the internet station, and will speak to the Lakota radio club when asked, and offer internships at the Sprindale station for kids who want to learn more about radio.

Lakota will retain the broadcast license. The situation will be re-evaluated near when the three-year deal expires. “If things change down the road, we could bring the station back in the future,” Spurlock says.

WMKV-FM will pay Lakota $15,000 over three years to expand its reach.

For the entire story, visit John Kiesewetter’s TV & Media Blog on Cincinnati.com.

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

Tags: Tags: 89.3, 89.9, cuts, Lakota Board of Education, Lakota East, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota West, Maple Knoll Village, reductions, Ron Spurlock, WLHS, WMKV

Cincinnati Enquirer education reporter Michael D. Clark recently wrote a story that highlighted the numerous decisions that the Lakota school district has had to make since it experienced two failed tax levies in 2010.

In the first sixth months of 2011, Lakota Local Schools has cut $10.2 million from its budget, eliminated busing for more than 9,000 students, renegotiated a labor pact that includes a comprehensive pay freeze, implemented a new treasurer and searched for and eventually hired a new superintendent.

“I’ve never seen this school district go through so much in a year,” Lakota interim superintendent Ron Spurlock told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “But I’m encouraged because when I’m out in the schools I see morale increasing. We aren’t out of the woods yet but I feel we are moving forward.”

Clark’s story discusses the changes to the school district, the possibility of a another proposed tax levy in November and quotes from school board members Joan Powell and Lynda O’Conner.

For more on the story, visit Cincinnati.com’s post “Lakota schools still weathering storms.”

Furthermore, the Lakota Board of Education will meet this Monday, June 27, at 7 p.m. at the Lakota Central Office for its regularly scheduled board meeting. The meeting’s agenda can be found at www.lakotaonline.com. The central office is located at 5572 Princeton Road in Liberty Township.

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

Tags: Tags: Joan Powell, Lakota Board of Education, Lakota Local Schools, Lynda O'Conner, Ron Spurlock, school levy

During a special session this afternoon, June 16, the Lakota Board of Education officially announced Karen Mantia as the school district’s new superintendent. She will start her new job Aug. 1.

“Lakota’s reputation is statewide and I want to make sure the district prospers and continues that high quality reputation,” Mantia – the former superintendent at Hamilton County’s Sycamore Schools – told the Lakota school board during a special public meeting.

>>>PHOTOS OF LAKOTA’S NEW SUPERINTENDENT<<<

Cincinnati.com education reporter Michael D. Clark was the meeting:

She replaces Lakota Interim Superintendent Ron Spurlock, who took over after Mike Taylor retired in January from holding the office since 2006.

The board agreed to a five-year contract and Mantia’s annual salary will be $165,000.

Member Ben Dibble, who oversaw the board’s search, said Mantia is “analytic and bases her decisions on data.”

“She will shine a flashlight into every corner of our district and we need that,” said Dibble.

Mantia, 59, was Pickerington’s superintendent from 2007 and prior to that held the top job at Piqua, Ohio, schools for one year.

She began her public schools’ career in 1976 at Northmont High School in Clayton, Ohio, as a teacher.

She comes from a Pickerington district that has suffered budget cuts similar to those that have hit Lakota this year. Both districts have growing enrollments but have also cut millions of dollars this year in personnel and programs. And both need new tax hikes to fund operations and avoid projected budget deficits.

“There isn’t a school district in Ohio that isn’t challenged by this economy,” she said.

First order of business once she begins work will be “spending a lot of time listening” to parents, teachers, school administrators and Lakota residents.

For the entire article, visit Cincinnati.com’s story titled “Lakota board approves new superintendent.”

Earlier this week, The Columbus Dispatch reported that Manita was leaving her position as superintendent at Pickerington Schools to take the same position at Lakota.

According to the Pickerington Board of Education website, the school district currently has an operating levy on the ballot. Voters will decide on the 5.5-mill levy Aug. 2, 2011. Ironically, Mantia may be involved in another levy if the Lakota Board of Education decides to place one on the fall ballot. The Lakota BOE is expected to discuss the levy in further detail during a work session scheduled for the end of the month.

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

Tags: Tags: Karen Mantia, Lakota Board of Education, Lakota superintendent search, Mike Taylor, photo gallery, photos, Pickerington Board of Education, Ron Spurlock, superintendent

According to the Columbus Dispatch, Karen Mantia has notified the Pickerington Board of Education that she is resigning effective Aug. 1 for personal reasons and will leave her position as superintendent at Pickerington to take the same position at Lakota.

School board member Lee Gray confirmed that Mantia notified the board of her intention to leave for another position, according to the report.

According to the Pickerington Board of Education website, the school district currently has an operating levy on the ballot. Voters will decide on the 5.5-mill levy Aug. 2, 2011. Ironically, Mantia may be involved in another levy if the Lakota Board of Education decides to place one on the fall ballot. The Lakota BOE is expected to discuss the levy in further detail during a work session scheduled for the end of the month.

In 2007, Mantia resigned after a short stint as Piqua’s superintendent to take the job in Pickerington. Prior to that, Mantia was the superintendent of Sycamore Community Schools.

If the reports are accurate, Mantia will be Lakota’s first full-time superintendent since Mike Taylor retired Jan. 31, 2011. Interim superintendent Ron Spurlock currently holds the position in the school district.

For more on the story, visit Cincinnati.com’s post “Former Sycamore supt. to run Lakota.”

(File photo of Mantia as superintendent of Sycamore Community Schools)

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

Tags: Tags: Karen Mantia, Lakota Board of Education, Lakota superintendent search, Mike Taylor, Pickerington Board of Education, Ron Spurlock, superintendent

Lakota Board of Education members continued interviewing applicants for the Butler County school system’s superintendent position Friday and will hold more interviews Saturday, according to Cincinnati.com.

Here is the rest of the report from Cincinnati.com:

The school board this week began holding executive sessions and closing meetings to the public as allowed under Ohio law for boards discussing personnel matters such as hiring a superintendent.

Ben Dibble, board member supervising the superintendent search, said the board is meeting at the Wingate Hotel, 7500 Tylers Place Blvd., West Chester Township, instead of at its Central Office in Liberty Township so “these important discussions (are) in an environment that provides privacy and will have minimal distractions.”

In December, members of the Lakota school board debated if the district should pay Hudepohl and Associates $50,000 for its search to find its replacement for Mike Taylor, who retired as the school’s district superintendent at the end of January.

School board members Joan Powell, Ben Dibble and Paul Lohr voted in favor of spending the money for the search firm, while members Ray Murray and Lynda O’Connor voted against the hiring of the firm and thought the district shouldn’t spend the money.

After Taylor’s official retirement took place, Ron Spurlock took over the position on an interim basis. Prior to his appointment, Spurlock has served as the assistant superintendent for the past four years.

For more information about Lakota’s superintendent search, visit lakotaonline.com.

(Photo: Principal and Managing Director of Hudepohl and Associates Gary Hudepohl gave a presentation updating the current status for the new Lakota superintendent to the Lakota Board of Education during board meeting in late March)

Posted in: Board of Education, News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Ben Dibble, Gary Hudepohl, Hudepohl and Associates, Joan Powell, Lakota Board of Education, Lakota East, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota superintendent search, Lakota West, Lynda O'Connor, Mike Taylor, Paul Lohr, Ray Murray, Ron Spurlock