Treasurer’s Update
Our longstanding commitment to financial transparency has always been at the forefront of our district’s decision-making processes. As I’ve shared before, through careful financial stewardship, Mariemont City Schools has been able to stretch the 2018 levy two years beyond its anticipated lifespan (2021). This was possible by leveraging federal dollars, securing grants, and meticulous budget management. Our efforts have consistently aimed at ensuring every taxpayer dollar is maximized for the benefit of our students.
In the last few months, homeowners and residents in our community have recently received their 2023 Hamilton County Auditor’s reappraisal notice. This process is fully done every 6 years and partially updated every 3 years in Ohio. While increases in property values are certainly good news for those looking to sell property here, others are wondering what that means for their taxes.
The key fact here: Our revenues at Mariemont Schools do not increase at the same rate as inflation or property valuations. Please read the story on the next page for a comprehensive review of what is and what is not happening as a result of the valuation.
This comes at the same time that our district is projecting shortfalls in our financial forecasts for the 2024-2025 school year. School funding is complex and often confusing, and it places an overreliance on local revenue streams. To plan for how we will sustain excellence in Mariemont this year, we will engage as a community in discussions on the most appropriate steps forward – additional investments or making changes in our budget allocations.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing unmatched educational experiences that are truly distinct and unique to our students while being responsible stewards of our community’s resources.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Tom Golinar Treasurer, CFO
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How to Read Your Property Valuation Notice
Property Values Are Increasing!
Historic rises in property values have been assessed by Hamilton County Auditor and in counties across Ohio. While this is great news for those looking to sell their homes in our district, it leaves many wondering, “Are my taxes also going up by 15-25 percent, and does this mean that the local school district receives some kind of financial windfall from this process? The answer to both questions is no.
Are My Taxes Increasing?
If they are, it will not be at the same rate as your property value increase. As Scott Wartman from the Cincinnati Enquirer explained in a recent article, “Ohio law fixes many of the voted tax levies to bring in a set amount of money, meaning tax rates go down as home values get higher. For instance, the Hamilton County Zoo levy is set to bring in $7 million each year for animal care. The revenue it brings in doesn’t go up with additional home value.” A school levy is no different.
House Bill 920 (HB 920), enacted in 1976, actually prohibits school districts from collecting inflationary increases on voted millage as property values increase. Instead, this bill redistributes the amount each resident pays of the community’s voted tax by finding the community’s average property valuation increase. For example, if a property’s value increased more than the community average, that resident’s share of the voted taxes owed will increase. If a property’s value increased less than the community average, that resident’s voted taxes owed will decrease. But again, at the end of the day, the school district collects the same amount of voted dollars as it did before the most recent tax value update.
* estimated increase, numbers will be finalized in December 2023
Will Mariemont City Schools Receive An Increase?
A small portion of the tax rate called “inside millage” is not affected by HB 920 and does generate a small amount of additional revenue with inflation. Mariemont City Schools collects about 5.85 mills of inside millage, the rest is divided between the township and the county. Estimates show the increase in this property valuation cycle will likely amount to about $350,000 (or about 1.3% of the district’s annual revenue). The Hamilton County Auditor’s Office will provide updated tax estimates to residents and the district by the end of 2023 and begin collections in January 2024. Although every dollar counts, the inside millage that grows generates a much smaller amount of revenue for the school district compared to the voted millage that HB 920 limits.
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A District of Distinction
At Mariemont City Schools, our excellence is unmatched as we continually lead in academics, student experience and wellness.
Our commitment to excellence has positioned us for success on state and Advanced Placement test results and to routinely earn local and national recognition for our academic achievement.
But at MCSD, it’s not just about rigorous academics; it’s about working tirelessly to ensure every student is confident, prepared, healthy and on the path to success.
Throughout the school year, you will find many examples of the Distinctly Mariemont programs and practices across the district’s website, publications and social media platforms. Be sure to follow along and discover what sets Mariemont City Schools apart from the rest.
What makes us Distinctly Mariemont?
It’s a collection of the:
profound impact our students and staff have on each other and our community,
pivotal moments that happen in our schools and programs, exceptional experiences our students and staff have access to, and successful trajectory our alumni are on for life.
Simply put, the Mariemont experience stands alone.
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Meet Principal Pfeffenberger!
On July 20, 2023, Aaron Pfeffenberger was announced as the new principal of Mariemont Junior High School. Pfeffenberger, who has spent the last two years serving as the Dean of Students at Mariemont Elementary School, has over a decade of educational experience at both the primary and secondary levels.
As the Dean of Students at Mariemont Elementary, Pfeffenberger oversaw many of the school building’s initiatives, effectively evaluated teachers, led the special education team, oversaw academic student progress and adapted and changed the building master schedule.
Prior to joining the Mariemont City School District, he spent eight years at Madeira Middle School as an eighth grade science teacher and head baseball coach. Pfeffenberger was a four-year baseball student athlete at the University of Dayton where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Childhood Education with a concentration in math and science. In 2018, he earned a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership from Xavier University and completed the Principal Licensure Program.
“I am honored and humbled to serve as Principal at Mariemont Junior High School and am grateful to Mr. Estepp and the Board of Education for entrusting me with this amazing opportunity,” said Pfeffenberger. “Over the course of my tenure at Mariemont City Schools, I have had the pleasure to witness the amazing characteristics that make this school district such a special place. I look forward to working with the students, staff and families to create a positive experience for the students at MJHS.”
Meet the new Dean of Students, Holly Zimmerman!
On August 3, 2023, Superintendent Steven Estepp announced Holly Zimmerman as the next Dean of Students at Mariemont Elementary School.
Zimmerman comes to Mariemont City Schools from the Milford Exempted Village School District where she served as a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) coach and previously spent eight years in various school districts teaching science and social studies to students in third through eighth grade.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Northern Kentucky University in 2013, completed her Masters of Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati in 2021 and currently holds a PK-12 principal license.
“I am delighted to become a member of the Mariemont community as the Dean of Students at Mariemont Elementary,” said Zimmerman. “It is truly an honor and privilege to be entrusted with this role. My dedication lies in cultivating a collaborative and supportive learning environment, where each student’s unique potential is not only acknowledged but also nurtured to its fullest extent. I look forward to building strong relationships and working closely with each teacher, student and family at Mariemont Elementary, ensuring that the educational experience of each student is nothing short of exceptional.”
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STORIES
The end of the 2022-2023 school year did not mean the end of exemplary honors and experiences for Mariemont City Schools students and staff. Below you will read about three examples of how we continued to work smart, create experience and embrace growth throughout the summer months. We are proud of these award winners, career planners and global learners for continuing to represent our district on the highest stages and showcasing the excellence that has become synonymous with MCSD all year long.
Global Learners Experience History Firsthand
Mariemont High School students experienced their history classes come to life this summer during a trip across the globe. Eighteen students and three staff members toured England, France, Belgium and Germany on the World War II and the Western Front global trip, as part of the Mariemont City Schools’ Warriors BEyond program.
D-Day and so many other crucial moments of World War II came into focus for our students when they stepped foot in the war rooms, battlefields and memorials that altered the course of history. Mariemont City Schools is proud to be able to offer these once in a lifetime experiences to our students as part of their high school education. You can see a list of upcoming 2024 trips, as well as the anticipated 2025 trips, on the district website at mariemontschools.org/MariemontTravel.
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Kevin Ferry Inducted into the Ohio Lacrosse Hall of Fame
Mariemont High School girls lacrosse head coach and MHS Latin teacher, Kevin Ferry, joined the Ohio Lacrosse Hall of Fame on June 10, 2023. He was one of seven members inducted in a ceremony held on the campus of The Ohio State University.
Ferry has recorded 175 wins through 15 seasons at the helm of the Warriors girls lacrosse program. He began his coaching tenure in 2005 and coached through 2013 before stepping away from the program for a few years. He began his second stint as the program’s head coach in 2018 and from there built the Mariemont lacrosse program into a dynasty.
Under his guidance, the Warriors are three-time state champions, winning it all in 2018, 2021 and 2022. Ferry was named the NFHS Ohio Coach of the Year in both 2018 and 2022 and has four times been named the Cincinnati Enquirer Division II Coach of the Year.
Congratulations to Coach Ferry on this incredible achievement!
Biro Represents Mariemont High School at National Youth Leadership Forum
Mariemont High School junior Isabel Biro spent a part of her summer at the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) for Advanced Medicine.
The 10-day forum at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, allows students to explore a variety of specialized medical fields through hands-on, interactive curriculum, small group activities and true-to-life medical workshops.
Child Find Policy
Mariemont City Schools’ Child Find policy requires that all children below twenty-two (22) years of age residing within the district who have a disability, regardless of the severity of their disability, and who are in need of special education and related services are identified, located and evaluated in accordance with all federal and state standards.
For children birth through age two, a disability means that a child has a behavior, cognition, communication, physical development, sensory development and/or social or emotional development deficit. For children ages three through five years of age, a disability means that a child has a documented deficit in one or more of the following areas:
Biro was recommended for the program by high school math teacher Sarah McRae. There she was exposed to a broad range of educational pathways and careers in health care as well as the skills and educational components necessary to be successful in the field.
We are proud of Isabel for embracing growth this summer and being a tremendous representative of the Mariemont Experience!
communication skills, hearing abilities, motor function, social-emotional behavior functioning or vision abilities. For school-aged students, a disability means a person having one or more conditions such as autism, developmental handicap, hearing handicap, multi-handicap, orthopedic and/or other handicap, emotional/behavioral handicap, specific learning disability, traumatic brain injury or visual handicap.
If you are aware of a child who you think may have a disability, please contact Linda Lee, Special Education Supervisor, at 513-272-7517
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UPCOMING DATES OCTOBER 4 Elementary Walk/Bike to School Day 5 Mariemont Athletic Boosters Golf Outing 6 MHS Homecoming Parade 7 MHS Homecoming Dance 9 Board of Education Meeting 10 Mariemont Arts Association Meeting 12 Fall Orchestra Concert (Gr. 7-12) 16 No School for Staff or Students 17 Mariemont Academy for Staff, No School for Students 18 Fall Chorus Concert (Gr. 7-12) 19 Parent/Teacher Conferences, All Buildings 23 Mariemont Athletic Boosters Meeting 24 MJHS Fall Sports Awards 25 MHS NHS Induction 27 End of First Quarter, Early Dismissal 27 TPE PTO Pumpkinfest 31 Elementary Halloween Parades NOVEMBER 1 MHS Parent/Teacher Conferences 2 MJHS Parent/Teacher Conferences 8 MHS College Planning Meeting for Parents of Juniors 9 Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences 9 ME Book Fair Family Night 10 TPE Veteran’s Day Program 10 ME Veteran’s Day Program www.mariemontschools.org
