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Jeffrey Stec, who is the executive director of Citizens for Civic Renewal, was hired to facilitate Lakota’s Community Conversations to help find out what the community wants from its school district. Photo taken during a conversation session Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012 at Lakota West High School. Photo by Adam Kiefaber.

Roughly 40 parent council members of the state’s seventh-largest school district met at Lakota West High School Wednesday to talk about concerns with the type of education their children currently receive and will receive in the future at Lakota schools.

The discussion was part of Lakota’s new “Community Conversation” program, which began in late September and involves various community members hosting forums to help inform the school district on how to better serve its students.

“The goal is reach out into the community, to get to hear from people we often don’t get to see,” Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia said. “If you have an interest in the school district or in the growth of the community … we invite you to either host a conversation or be a part of it.”

So far there have been five sessions, which have included mainly parents of students in the school district. However, there will be some different perspectives shared this month when Cornerstone Church (Oct. 15), Chesterwood Village (Oct. 24) and the West Chester Chamber Alliance (Oct. 24) will host conversations.

“The more we can invite diversity to the table to give their opinions, their thoughts, their ideas, suggestions and constructive criticism will only help us plan and better understand what we can do as a school system to help our community,” Mantia said.

On Wednesday, the parents, who participated in the latest conversation, were not shy to share their constructive criticism and voiced their concern about many topics including attending to individual student needs, teachers instructing students to tests instead of encouraging creativity, students not getting classes they signed up for, lack of transportation to school and the community’s overall perception of Lakota.

Many of the concerns have been affected by the district’s inability to pass a school levy. Three straight failed tax levies in the last two years have led to roughly $35 million in cuts, including just more than $10 million in reductions for the 2012-2013 school year.

Those cuts and teacher layoffs have led to fewer electives, larger class sizes, high participation fees and little to no transportation for many of its students. Due to those cuts, some parents in the group admitted that they are looking for alternative education options for their students. Others are afraid the community believes the school district is performing “better than ever” even after the cutbacks.

Despite the small sample size, Citizens for Civic Renewal executive director Jeffrey Stec, whose group is being paid $40,000 by the school district to facilitate the conversations, says that the lack of individualizing education because of testing has been discussed in some form at each conversation.

“Every group has said that since we have to do these state-mandated tests, the kids at the top still get their AP courses and the kids at the bottom get what they need, but the kids in the middle are not really getting an education that is tailored to their strengths,” Stec said. “That topic has come across in a different way in each session, very strongly.”

As part of the program, Stec documents the positives, negatives and concerns from community members and provides feedback to the Lakota Board of Education, which typically has a few representatives at each meeting. However, those representatives are there just to listen.

“I feel the most important thing I think is just the energy level that people have to be heard and to express themselves,” Stec said. “People just want to be able to talk and know that someone is listening and they don’t want to be lectured to … there is just a lot of energy. You can tell people think it is important.”

The school district is strongly encouraging its community members from all different perspectives to host conversations. There is no time table to when the conversations will end, but the plan is continue these talks for a long period.

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, News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Citizens for Civic Renewal, Citizens for Civic Renewal’s executive director Jeffrey Stec, Jeff Stec, Jeffrey Stec, Lakota Community Conversation, Lakota community engagement, Lakota levy, Lakota school board, Lakota school levy, NoLakota Levy, school levy

One of the state’s largest school districts is seeking the opinion of its community members on how to better run its school system as it confronts a changing landscape in education.

The new “Lakota Listens” program, which is a series of conversations being hosted in public venues around the community, began in late September and will continue throughout October.

“We are taking these conversations very seriously. Overcoming the unique challenges of education today starts with listening to and learning from our community,” Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia said.

Mantia introduced the program, also called “Community Conversation,” to the Lakota Board of Education this past summer. In July, the board approved a $40,000 contract with Citizens for Civic Renewal to help facilitate the discussions.

Each discussion begins with the question, “What do our kids need to succeed in life?”

“There is no levy on the ballot in November, so this isn’t about a levy,” Mantia said. “It’s about deepening the relationship with our residents, finding common ground on our core values around education and tackling our challenges head on as a community.”

Cuts in recent years totaling roughly $35 million – including just more than $10 million in reductions for the 2012-2013 school year – have provided many challenges for the school district.

Teachers layoffs, which have led to fewer electives and larger class sizes, have been a direct result of three failed tax levies in two years.

When the board decided to not go through with another levy this summer, its members voiced their concern about the uncertainty of the state budget and on not knowing what type of levy the community would support.

The board also showed interest in becoming more engaged with its community.

The new “Community Conversation” program, which are held by various community groups who volunteer to host sessions, could help the district become more engaged.

Currently, there are six “Community Conversations” scheduled in October. This week, the Parent Council will host a conversation Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Lakota West High School and then on Thursday LEADS, Parents of Gifted Students, will host another session from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Lakota Central Office.

Other scheduled conversations include Oct. 15 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Church, Oct. 18 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Chesterwood Village, Oct. 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance office and Oct. 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lakota Central Office.

To host a “Community Conversation,” visit Lakotaonline.com for details.

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

Tags: Tags: Citizens for Civic Renewal, Citizens for Civic Renewal’s executive director Jeffrey Stec, Jeff Stec, Jeffrey Stec, Lakota Community Conversation, Lakota community engagement, Lakota levy, Lakota school board, Lakota school levy, NoLakota Levy, school levy

The Lakota Board of Education approved a $40,000 contract Monday with Citizens for Civic Renewal for a program called “Community Conversation” that will focus on community engagement.

The subject of community engagement was also brought up when the school board decided not to place a tax levy on the ballot this year during a meeting in June.

“We need more direction from our community on where it thinks our school district should be heading and what level of service it’s willing to fund,” board president Ben Dibble said in a statement during the June meeting when the tax levy was discussed.

At Monday’s school board meeting, Citizens for Civic Renewal’s executive director Jeffrey Stec made a presentation to the school board.

“Ultimately, after building the structure and creating a sense of partnership between the community and the district, we are looking at finding some common ground about the direction of education in this community and how the community supports that direction,” Stec said during the presentation.

“We are going to go to the community, so there won’t be meetings that will always be called to the school district or to the schools. It is going to be community members and community networks hosting conversations with each other where the school district is part of that conversation like any other attendee.”

Stec and his organization will be working with Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia on the structure of the “Community Conversation.” Mantia, however, was not in attendance at Monday’s school board meeting due to a death in the family.

The board approved the program despite not having two of its five members in attendance. The contract begins July 17, 2012 and ends July 31, 2013.

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

Tags: Tags: Ben Dibble, Citizens for Civic Renewal, Citizens for Civic Renewal’s executive director Jeffrey Stec, Jeff Stec, Jeffrey Stec, Lakota Community Conversation, Lakota community engagement, Lakota levy, Lakota school board, Lakota school levy, NoLakota Levy, school levy

The Lakota Board of Education concluded Monday night at its regular scheduled meeting that it would not place a tax levy on the November ballot. All five of the school board members, the treasurer and Lakota’s superintendent agreed it wasn’t the right time to ask voters to approve a tax hike.

As previously reported by The Cincinnati Enquirer, the consensus of the board was to not ask for a tax levy without knowing the correct level of local funding needed through a new tax levy.

Lakota officials commented that they needed to know more about the state’s budget and more on what type of levy the community would support.

“We need more direction from our community on where it thinks our school district should be heading and what level of service it’s willing to fund,” board president Ben Dibble said in a statement Monday night.

After his statement, Dibble asked if any other board members wanted to direct Lakota Treasurer Jenni Logan to prepare a resolution to place a levy on the ballot. Not one school board made the request.

Furthermore, Dibble said that the decision to not place a levy on the ballot doesn’t mean the school district won’t ask voters to pass one in the future.

He also said, the board will need to “evaluate what impact” the latest $10.5 million in cuts will have on students this upcoming school year. Those cuts include 141 teaching, classroom aide and staff positions, as well as the loss of some elective classes.

In the past two years, voters have rejected three straight tax levies proposed by Lakota. Those levy failures have resulted in roughly $35 million in cuts during the past three school years.

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

Tags: Tags: Ben Dibble, Lakota levy, Lakota school board, Lakota school levy, NoLakota Levy, school levy

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Michael D. Clark reports

Lakota Schools’ board president told The Enquirer Thursday that residents will probably not see a tax hike on the fall ballot.

Ben Dibble, president of Lakota school board, described the prospects of new school tax hike appearing on the November ballot as “very unlikely”.

Ben Dibble. Photo provided.

Dibble stressed that he was not speaking for the rest of the five-member board that governs Greater Cincinnati’s second largest school system, but that his assessment stems largely from their comments during a recent board work session.

“We haven’t put it completely to bed yet, but I don’t feel we are ready to go on this,” said Dibble.

Two main reasons are prompting officials at the academically top-rated district to step back from their previous consideration of the last ballot available in 2012.

The state biennium budget negotiations don’t begin until early 2013, he said. Given that legislative process’ unpredictability in recent years – often leaving Lakota with significantly less state funding – it would be prudent for school officials to first learn what funding is coming, he said, and then determine the level of local funding needed through a new local tax levy.

Moreover, pending academic core standards imposed by the state will entail more – but as of yet undetermined – costs for all of Ohio’s 613 public school systems.

Lakota is the seventh largest district in Ohio and the largest school system to earn the state’s highest academic rating of “excellent with distinction.”

Due to budget cuts in recent years totaling more than $25 million, thousands of Lakota students lost busing this school year and learned in more crowded classes.

The recent slicing of another $10.5 million from the upcoming school year, including 141 teaching, classroom aides and school staffer positions – and loss of some elective classes – will mean even more changes starting in August.

Lakota Treasurer Jenni Logan said the recent elimination of $10.5 million from the district’s estimated $154 million annual operating budget has reduced the district’s projected budget shortfall to about $700,000 in 2014.

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

Tags: Tags: Ben Dibble, Lakota levy, Lakota school board, Lakota school levy, NoLakota Levy, school levy

During a focus group session at the Lakota Central Office Thursday, it was the students teaching Lakota administrators on how to better run the state’s seventh-largest school system.

The student-led focus group was the first of four sessions with Lakota officials, as the school district looks for more effective ways to educate its students.

“Students will tell you the truth and that is what we are looking for,” Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia said. “We want to make sure we are responsive school system in meeting their needs. In order to do that, we need to ask them.

“This is just the tip of the ice berg.”

After the discussions with students, Mantia said that he hopes to extend an invitation for future focus groups with teachers and eventually with the community.

Among the topics covered, during the two-hour student focus group, included what ways students learn the best, how technology plays a role in their learning, what skills do they think they need to know for their future and what changes need to be made to the school system.

Lakota West senior Melody Stewart shares her opinion during a student focus group at the Lakota Central Office May 3, 2012. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

“Anything that could help us with our studies should be allowed,” Lakota West senior Melody Stewart said. “If that means going on Facebook to get something, then we should be allowed to do that. If you abuse that privilege than it should be taken away, but for educational purposes we should be able to go online and search for what we need.”

Stewart, who played volleyball in the Lakota school system and will continue her athletic career at Northern Kentucky University, also thought that the school system should focus on having more extracurricular activities.

“If I didn’t play volleyball, I don’t think that would be as involved in the school today,” Stewart said. “I think these activities help students feel connected to the school district. I believe we should get students more involved and have more extracurricular activities so they can have that connection and feel what I felt.”

Another Lakota athlete, who still has two more years of high school before he graduates, worries about the change in the academic schedule when the high schools move to six-period days in the fall.

“Next year is going to be a lot harder because we only have six periods,” said Lakota West sophomore Malik Grove, who has played varsity football, basketball and bowling. “You still need to earn enough credits. I will still need another foreign language and a fine arts class. I only have two years left to get those in order to get into to a good college.”

Meanwhile, Stewart hopes Grove and other future graduates will receive the same education she received while at Lakota.

“When I leave, I don’t want to see the school district go down the drain. I want them to keep improving,” Stewart said. “My experience at Lakota was great. I feel that I am very prepared for the future and I want other students who come up to feel the same way.

“I really hope that this meeting will give the school district a lot of information to keep improving our studies … because I believe there are many things that we can to do, to better prepare students for college and the workforce.”

Posted in: Board of Education, Events, Levy news, News, School events, Schools, Sports, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: Karen Manita, Karen Mantia, Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota East Sports, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota preschool program, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota student focus group, Lakota Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Malik Grove, Malik Grove Lakota West, Mel Stewart, reductions, Rich Hoffman, school levy, Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, superintendent Karen Mantia

Lakota officials are expected to provide an update on the school district’s budget reductions, as well as information about the possible restructuring of its athletic department at its school board meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.

In addition to those items on the agenda, Lon Stettler, former assistant superintendent, will be making a presentation about the new state education standards and Lakota’s vision for the future.

• Lakota will ask students for their input on budget cuts
• With millions in cuts, parents worry about Lakota’s future
• Lakota schools’ budget ax falls – district to cut 144 jobs

Information on all planned budget reductions can be seen at www.lakotaonline.com/budget.

The meeting will be held in the Thunderbird Room at the Lakota Central Office, 5572 Princeton Road in Liberty Township.

Posted in: Events, News, School events |

Tags: Tags: Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota West, reductions, school levy

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

Lakota West senior Zak Farmer pitches during a 9-2 loss against Mason Monday, March 26, 2012. Photo by Adam Kiefaber.

High school baseball begins – Last Monday, both Lakota West and Lakota East began the 2012 baseball season with a loss during the inaugural Reds Future High School Showcase at Prasco Park Legacy Field in Mason. Lakota West lost by the score of 9-2 against rival Mason, while Lakota East lost to Hamilton 4-2.

Scholarship created to honor student involved in fatal wreck – The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty announced last Monday that it has established a scholarship fund to honor a Lakota West student, who died after being involved in a fatal car wreck March 16. The Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a student at Lakota West High School that exhibits Stepaniak’s qualities.

Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

Lakota seeks students’ input on cuts – Cincinnati Enquirer Michael D. Clark reported that Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia is reaching out to some of those hardest hit by Lakota’s recent $10.5 million in budget cuts – students. Mantia said during Monday evening’s Lakota school board meeting that she will invite students in May to discuss in person the sweeping changes.

Jack in the Box could open in mid-July – A spokesperson with Jack in the Box said last week that it is “only a matter of days” before the company breaks ground on its first restaurant in Ohio. The location, off Tylersville Road near I-75 in West Chester, is expected to be open by mid-July. The target date of the opening could be changed to due weather.

Rogers declared winner after recount – Last week’s recount in the Butler County commission race confirmed that T.C. Rogers of West Chester Township won the Republican primary for Butler County commissioner. Rogers finished 13 votes ahead of former commissioner and State Rep. Courtney Combs. Rogers will face Democratic candidate Jodi Billerman of Liberty Township and Libertarian Daryl Olthaus of Somerville in the November election.

Lakota West pitcher Ashley Sharp pitches in a 6-2 win against Lakota East Friday, March 30, 2012. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II.

Amylin shares soar on takeover bid – Cincinnati Enquirer’s Mike Boyer reported that shares of drug-maker Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. in West Chester Township soared 54 percent Wednesday after a report that the company rejected a $3.5 billion unsolicited takeover bid from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Shares of the San Diego-based company closed at $23.77 – up $8.38 in more than 10 times normal trading – after Bloomberg News reported the company had rejected the $22-a-share offer.

Lakota West defeated Lakota East in softball – On Friday, Lakota West won its fourth straight against its school district rival. The latest coming by way of a 6-2 victory over the Thunderhawks. Last season, Lakota East was ranked No. 1 in the state for most of the spring and lost only three of its 31 games. All three losses came at the hand of the Firebirds, including one that eliminated Lakota East in the state quarterfinals.

Posted in: Board of Education, Business, Election, Government, Levy news, News, Schools, Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Amylin, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc., Butler County Board of Elections, Butler County commission race, Butler County Election 2012, Chuck Furmon, Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Courtney Combs, Ezekieal Stephaniak, Ezekieal Zeke Stepaniak, jack in the box, Jack in the Box Cincinnati, Jack in the Box midwest, Jack in the Box Ohio, Jack in the Box West Chester, Karen Manita, Karen Mantia, Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia, Lakota West, Lakota West High School, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports, Lakota West student death, Liberty Township election, Ohio election 2012, reductions, school levy, Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, superintendent Karen Mantia, T.C. Rogers, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester election, West Chester McDonalds, West Chester restaurant opening, West Chester restaurants, Zeke Stepaniak

Michael D. Clark reports

School Superintendent Karen Mantia is reaching out to some of those hardest hit by Lakota’s recent $10.5 million in budget cuts – students.

Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

Mantia said during Monday evening’s Lakota school board meeting that she will invite students in May to discuss in person the sweeping changes.

“We really feel like we owe it to our students to ask them what they think their future will be,” said Mantia.

“This will be the first round of a series of engagement meetings. We will be recruiting a cross-section of about 180 students. Then we will go out to talk to the public,” she said.

Due to cuts in recent years totaling more than $25 million, thousands of Lakota students lost busing this school year and learned in more crowded classes.

The slicing of another $10.5 million next school year, including 141 teaching, classroom aides and school staffer positions – and loss of some elective classes – will mean even more changes next school year.

Lakota voters have rejected three school tax hikes in the last two years and Moody’s Investors Service might lower the district’s bond rating, school officials said.

Mantia said Lakota is one of 10 districts among Ohio’s 613 public school systems to have a top, AAA bond rating.

But Moody’s recently contacted Lakota officials after its levy losses, she said. “They particularly hone in on districts that are losing levies,” Mantia said.

“What communities do makes an impact on what interest rate we pay,” said Mantia referring to the higher interest rates the district must pay for bonds if Lakota’s rating is lowered.

Treasurer Jenni Logan said she and Mantia made a vigorous defense of the district’s financial viability with Moody’s.“We are fighting to keep that good rating and hopefully we will get some good news.”

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

Tags: Tags: Karen Manita, Karen Mantia, Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota preschool program, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia, Lakota West, reductions, Rich Hoffman, school levy, Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, superintendent Karen Mantia

Lakota officials are expected to provide more details on what programs and what positions will be eliminated by next school year during the public portion of the Lakota Board of Education meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.

Earlier this month, the school board approved approximately $10.5 million in budget cuts to take place before the 2012-2013 school year.

According Michael D. Clark of The Cincinnati Enquirer, cuts include 141 teaching, classroom specialist, school nurse and school staff positions, and nine school and central office administrators.

Overall, the school board approved $3.5 million in cuts to its administration, $390,000 to athletics, $2.7 million to high schools, $1.6 million to junior highs, $1.5 million to K-6 and $1.2 million in cost savings to its preschool program. Only $73,000 of the athletic cuts will be saved from the school’s general fund. Most of the athletic cuts are being done to combat a shortfall experienced this year due to lower participation rates caused by last year’s hike in athletic participation fees.

The cost savings of $1.2 million to the district’s preschool program involves a merger that allows Lakota to purchase its preschool services from Butler County Educational Services. The merger will affect an estimated 288 preschool students in Lakota’s three early childhood schools and is expected to eliminate around 17 classroom jobs by the start of next school year.

• With millions in cuts, parents worry about Lakota’s future

The $1.5 million in cuts to K-6 includes the restructuring of the delivery of art, music and physical education at the elementary level (grades 1-6). Instead of students receiving instruction in each special subject (art, music and P.E.) one time each week, students will receive only one of the special subjects one time each week for 45 minutes a day.

The $1.6 million in cuts to junior highs includes the change in school day from six and a half hours to six hours and the change to six bells.

The $2.7 million cut from the high schools also includes a shorter day – moving back the current start time from 7:30 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. Dismissal will move back one minute from 2:39 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. It also lowered the number of credits needed to graduate, from 21 to 20.

The administration cuts include the elimination of about 50 jobs. Under the approved proposal, Lakota will cut one of its two assistant superintendents, two school building administrators and the dean of students at both Lakota East and Lakota West high schools.

Additional information on all budget reduction proposals can be seen at www.lakotaonline.com/budget.

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

Tags: Tags: Karen Manita, Karen Mantia, Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota preschool program, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia, Lakota West, reductions, Rich Hoffman, school levy, Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, superintendent Karen Mantia