ThisWeek CW 11/06/2013
As Groveport Madison Local Schools officials contemplate future levy campaigns, they’re reaching out to township and city officials to bridge the communication gap they say residents have complained about.
During an Oct. 30 school board work session attended by Groveport City Council members Donna Drury and Shawn Cleary, Superintendent Bruce Hoover said a “key missing component” from the district’s failed levy in May “was a clear understanding of where the district was at and the financial condition of it and what we need to do to remedy that.
“I want to start an open dialogue with city council and the trustees. I want this to help us work together with families and our kids to strengthen our schools and develop our community,” he said.
Hoover said the district will name a liaison who will attend city and township meetings to help continue communications among the organizations.
“My fear is that we can’t afford to lose students to surrounding districts … and I don’t know how another round of cuts — where you lose all your sports and co-curriculars, not get busing back and cut staff even more — how that works for anybody,” he said. “We’ve got to work together to attract families and businesses to Groveport.”
Following the defeat of the spring levy, the district instituted a number of cost-saving measures, including staff cuts and the loss of high school busing, to overcome a $4.5-million budget shortfall.
District Treasurer Tony Swartz explained the financial difficulties the district faces with two consecutive levy failures, saying another levy request will have to be for a slightly higher amount to keep the schools from falling deeper into financial trouble.
“Last time would’ve been about $13 a month per house, so what’s it take to get out of debt, bring back high school busing and then a little bit for some type of growth?” he asked. “It’s certainly under $20 a month and I’d guess that’s less than what some families are paying to transport their kids now.”
Cleary said that even as an alumnus and longtime supporter of the schools, he believes the district has an image problem of violence and overcrowding that needs to be addressed.
Board member Nancy Gillespie said she knows people may believe the district has a problem with such things as violence and bullying, but that isn’t the reality any more.
“What hurts me is I know the facts of what’s going on, and I know it’s not like what they’re saying,” Gillespie said, adding that she hopes improved communications might help get the word out.
Hoover said the district’s discipline issues have continued to decrease, and are half the number they were last year at this time.
However, he said, overcrowding and space issues do exist.
“I have 26 full-time administrators; the average in the county is 60,” he said. “So can we make any more cuts to administration? I don’t think so, not while guaranteeing safety and meeting all of the state requirements.”
One new major requirement is an evaluation system that the district estimates will consume 40 percent of each administrator’s time.
“The state of Ohio makes the assumption that there are two administrators in each building to make this happen, but not here because we can’t afford that,” Hoover said.
Board member Charlotte Barker said she looks forward to the day when a school levy garners active support from the city and township.
“We lost the last levy by 12 votes and you know what? I have a dream of one time where our city officials take to the streets of Groveport and Madison Township to help pass a levy,” she said.