Doug Young was voted to serve as West Clermont School Board President for the next term. Jo Ann Beamer was voted as Vice-President. Both votes were split decisions. For the complete story, please go to Cincinnati.com.
The school board meets at the Union Township Civic Center, 4350 Aicholtz Road, at 7 p.m. The meetings are held the second and fourth Mondays of each month.
In an effort to reduce costs, West Clermont School District will replace the 27 year Assistant Superintendent, Mary Ellen Steele-Pierce, who is retiring at the end of 2012, with a new position, Human Resource Director.
According to West Clermont’s Superintendent Gary Brooks, an interim HR director will be hired for the first of the year and will cover about 100 days, while the job description can be finalized sometime this March or April. A permanent full-time person for the position will most likely be hired in August of 2013. The full story can be found on Cincinnati.com.
Ohio Opportunity has released information about each Ohio School District that has a levy on the ballot this November. We have 3 schools with levies on the ballot: Milford, West Clermont and Western Brown. Check out the link at the Ohio Liberty Coalition. Information that you need to know before you vote in November. The truth is in the numbers.
Today is typically the first day of school here in West Clermont. New clothes and supplies are purchased, lunches are packed. There is an excitement in the air; another year of learning. Well, this is still the case at my home, even though my 12-year-old has made the decision to be homeschooled.
At first, it seemed like a tough decision for her, as we talked about what days would be like away from the regimented schedules at the public school. Actually, I first introduced the idea of homeschooling two years ago at the end of her 5th grade year. I told her to keep a tally of the hours that she was actually learning something in school. This meant without interruption from other classmates such as students being corrected for talking or not paying attention or people coming in and out of the classroom gathering supplies that they had forgotten when changing classes. (As a former substitute teacher, one knows the time for instruction is quite slim when you weed out such happenings.) She was amazed at the time she had instruction without interruption. Many days, she spent helping other students who were behind in class. Yes, this adds character and tolerance, but she needed to be challenged.
And so after having made a ‘pros and cons’ list, she could only come up with one negative. And it is a biggie…not being with friends. We have solved this issue by signing her up to play Rec volleyball and volleyball. Plus, having sleepovers on the weekends will help her feel connected to these all-important relationships.
My main reason for making this decision was due to our school district’s financial mess. During the 2011-12 school year, the 8 elementary schools in our district had no Art, Music, Gym or Library. Busing was only for those who lived over 2 miles from their school. Play to play was enacted for the high school, whether it be sports or any extra-circular activity. Not to mention, many wonderful teachers were cut. (Administration cuts, not so much.) I know that if the 7.9 mils levy on the ballot this November doesn’t pass, 3-5 mils will again be cut from the budget. After another Assistant Principle was hired, I knew that this administration was not moving in the best direction. And if more cuts were made, they have to be at the middle school. I don’t want her to have less opportunity. I want more.
With the homeschool program we have chosen, we will be able to infuse her daily subjects with Faith Formation, fieldtrips, and other travel. We have joined the Cincinnati Museum Center and have signed up for classes. We just saw the Pompeii exhibit, which was absolutely wonderful. We are all excited for the coming year and what our freedom of learning will bring to all of us.
The West Clermont Local School District Report is in. It deserves a look, so grab a cup of joe and enjoy!
It’s official. On July 16th, the West Clermont School Board voted to place a 7.9 mils levy on the November ballot. The vote was 4-1. It seems like business as usual for the district, including the hiring of another assistant superintendent, which adds to the already ‘top heavy administration.’ In the meantime, it looks like in September, the students at the elementary level will still go without gym, library, art and music. We will continue to lose good teachers. Frankly, I am quite baffled. How many times to you read the same book and expect the ending to change?
And so it goes, if and when the levy doesn’t pass, we will again see the finger wagging because “we don’t care for the kids.” I don’t know about you, but I am ready to throw the book out and find a new one!
Save Clermont Schools is conducting a survey about the School District located in Clermont County. I have seen how the cuts made to West Clermont Schools have hurt this district, but it is my opinion, that until real transparency is achieved, we will continue on a downward spiral. Please take the time to complete the survey. Questions for the survey were submitted by folks who follow the saveclermontschools blog. Deadline for the survey is August 8th. It is high time that our voices be heard.
Save Clermont Schools, a blog that keeps people informed about the schools throughout Clermont County has some interest facts about the hiring practices in the West Clermont School District. Links are given providing facts including the Ohio Ethics Commission bulletin from May 12,2012 on Nepotism, which gives instruction about hiring family members. I strongly suggest you read on..
Posted in Education, West Clermont Schools
Tagged Nepotism, West Clermont School Board, West Clermont Schools
Todd Majestic, a math teacher from Glen Este High School, has been put on Adminstrative leave pending an investigation by the Union Township Police Department. Complaints were made by former students about some messages sent via My Space back in 2005-2006. To date, no charges have be filed.
I know that I spent 21 years at home raising my 5 children, but give me credit for a little common sense. In the past years, West Clermont Schools have made millions in cuts, including music, art, library and gym at every elementary school. Teachers have been let go. Bus service is limited to those living outside of a 2 mile radius of the school attended, with no high school service at all. Plus, they are supposed to be on the brink of fiscal watch, yet the board just approved the hiring of another Assistant Superintendent, 4-1. I am baffled beyond belief and I am not alone in my sentiment. Bob Jones is also puzzled. Maybe you will be too. Read on…
Clermont Tea Party Keeping Up with Clermont County Schools Ohio Liberty Coalition Frederick Douglass Republicans Thomas Sowell Ohio Media Trackers Opportunity Ohio Heritage Foundation Clermont County Republican Party News
Union Township Precinct 'D' 