The Experience Official Newsmagazine of Mariemont City Schools
SUMMER 2018
FINANCIAL UPDATE Page 3
MARIEMONT AWARDS Page 5
Tradition.
Community.
SENIOR ACTIVITIES Page 6-7
Innovation.
A Year of Excellence for Mariemont City Schools By Superintendent Steven Estepp
update
superintendent’s
It is hard to believe that another school year has already come and gone, but when I look back over the last 10 months, I am filled with pride over the incredible things we accomplished in Mariemont City Schools. This school year saw some incredible achievements in the classroom. Once again, the Mariemont City School District was one of the best on multiple state and national measures. We had groups of students recognized at the highest levels with students being named National Merit Scholars, top business students, published authors, state-winning athletes and scholastic art achievement winners. Additionally, we had a record number of Cappie nominations from our high school drama department. It seems no matter where you look, our students’ knowledge and skills were on full display. Our students also showcased their giving spirit again this school year. Students at Terrace Park Elementary raised over $700 for Puerto Rico hurricane victims while Mariemont High School students collected items to donate to the Bethany House during the holidays. Students at Mariemont Junior High School helped a classmate attend the annual Washington, D.C. eighth grade class trip by donating proceeds from a student-run concession stand. And Mariemont Elementary took a stand in sustainability this year, organizing a recycling club and participating in No Waste Wednesdays. The district also finalized its Mariemont High School Master Facility Plan with the Board of Education voting on the scope and budget of the project during its May meeting. You will read more about this in the coming pages, but I wanted to take a moment to thank the people who dedicated their time and expertise to the high school facility work. Hundreds of our community members served on a facility team, attended a community forum or school chat, participated in our third-party survey or submitted questions and feedback along the way. This facility plan is a reflection of over two years of work with our community, staff and students, and I could not be more thankful to all who helped in one way or another. I am confident that the Master Facility Plan meets the needs of our students and staff along with the wishes of our community and is going to allow Mariemont City Schools to maintain its excellence well into the future. I wish you all a safe and happy summer. We’ll see you back in August!
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Five-Year Forecast Shows Strong Fiscal Management Cuts necessary if November ballot issue isn’t approved by voters By Treasurer/CEO Tom Golinar
While this is good news, the forecast also clearly shows that continuing down this path is not possible without additional support from residents or significant cuts. The district has been open and transparent with residents about the serious mechanical and infrastructure needs at the high school. If these issues are not addressed, then the district must plan for at least $1 million per year in ongoing maintenance costs just to keep basic systems in good working order at the high school. Since the only current source of funding the district has to pay for these costs are day-to-day operating dollars, then the only option available is to cut staffing and programs or to seek additional support from taxpayers. While no one wants to see taxes increase, the district also understands our community’s expectations for not just good, but excellent schools. Our residents have made it clear over and over again that they expect excellence in our classrooms and that they want a great return on their investment in terms of home values. Communities that have great schools have strong property values, and we have repeatedly demonstrated this. Mariemont City Schools wants to maintain this excellence for our students and community.
treasurer’s
The May 2018 forecast for Mariemont City Schools shows two important points. First, the district has done an excellent job managing the funds from the 2014-operating levy. Those funds were predicted to last only three years to pay for things such as teachers, utilities and supplies. Yet despite losing significant dollars from the state, we were able to stretch those funds an additional year. This was not an easy path and we thank our staff for their support in our efforts to act in a responsible manner with taxpayer resources.
update
Twice each school year, all districts in Ohio are required to report to the state an update on their financial standing. This report is called a Five-Year Forecast. It looks at historical, current and future projections of the district’s finances. The goal is to identify possible financial challenges so the district’s leadership can address those challenges in a timely manner.
This is why the board has taken the necessary steps to place a combined 2.5-mill operating and a 5.75-mill permanent improvement issue on the November 6, 2018 ballot. The operating request is the lowest millage amount in the district’s history and is expected to meet the day-to-day operating needs in the district for the next four years. The permanent improvement funds will address the renovations at the high school as well as provide security enhancements and other ongoing maintenance needs at the other schools in the district. More information about this decision is available on the district’s website. Should you have questions, please feel free to reach out. We want all community members to understand what this issue is and why it is being requested.
Summer 2018
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Board Votes to Maintain Excellence and Avoid Significant Cuts
The Mariemont City Schools Board of Education took multiple steps to address the facility and financial needs of the district for the next four years during their May meeting. The unanimous votes bring an end to a two-year community process and put a plan in place to avoid nearly $2 million dollars in budget cuts over the next few years. “We have discussed with and listened to our residents for the past two years regarding how to best address the financial and building needs in our district,” noted Superintendent Steven Estepp. “The board’s actions put this community solution in the hands of voters to help maintain the excellence that exists in our schools.” During the meeting, the board heard a financial presentation regarding the Five-Year Forecast from Treasurer Tom Golinar. Thanks to strong fiscal management, the district was able to stretch the 2014 levy an additional year while also keeping average budget growth at two percent. The forecast also showed that the district will have to implement significant cuts in the budget if the $1 million per year repair costs to fix failing mechanical systems at Mariemont High School are not addressed. “We have stretched our funds as far as possible,” noted Golinar. “However the reality is that without additional revenue we will have to make significant cuts in order to meet the basic needs in front of us. These are cuts that will jeopardize the excellent programming and staffing that currently exists in our schools.” The board also unanimously approved the Master Facility Plan for Mariemont High School. The Community Facility Team as well as the Community Finance Committee made a recommendation as to the vision and budget for the project in April. Since that recommendation, the district’s architectural, construction management and owners representative firms have all meticulously gone over the plans to develop a final scope and budget aligned to the vision and recommendation of the community teams.
To address both the facility and financial issues in the district, the board unanimously voted to request a combined 2.5-mill operating and a 5.75-mill permanent improvement issue on the November 6, 2018 ballot. The operating request is the lowest millage amount in the district’s history and is expected to meet the day-to-day operating needs in the district for the next four years. These funds cover expenses such as teachers, utilities and supplies. The permanent improvement funds would generate an estimated $43 million dollars to address the renovations at the high school as well as provide security enhancements and other ongoing maintenance needs at the other schools in the district. “The district is facing serious needs,” said Estepp. “We have engaged with our community and looked at multiple options to address these needs. Now the decision is up to voters as we look to create a more stable and secure future on both the operational and facility sides of our schools.”
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Mariemont City Schools Award of Excellence This prestigious award was developed to recognize and honor excellent employees in Mariemont City Schools. Since its inception in 2014 we have had extraordinary recipients of the Award of Excellence, including Linda Lee, Gene Stigall, Amanda McHugh and Luke Wiseman. Students, parents, community members and staff members were invited to nominate a Mariemont City School District employee for the Award of Excellence. All employees were eligible and we had 36 nominees. Congratulations to all of these extraordinary people for making such an impact on the lives of our students. On April 16, it was announced that Ms. Jessica Long, a high school biology teacher, was the 2018 recipient of the Mariemont City Schools Award of Excellence. Ms. Long has taken the district by storm since she started as a split science teacher at Mariemont Junior High School and Mariemont High School in 2015. This school year she took over the role as biology teacher at MHS where she has had a positive impact on students, parents and fellow staff members alike. “We had an overwhelming number of nominations for the Award of Excellence this year and Jessica Long continued to rise above the rest” said superintendent Steven Estepp. “After reading the thoughtful nominations that were written on behalf of her, it was very clear the impact that she has on so many people in Mariemont City Schools.”
In a district that prides itself on innovative practices and teaching, Jessica is a true pioneer in incorporating technology into her lessons and was even featured in a State of the Schools video to demonstrate her used of technology in the classroom. She often hosts professional development seminars with her colleagues during lunch, has received her Google certification, is a key component of the district’s Embrace Growth teams, chartered a hiking club at the high school and has a passion for poetry – somehow finding the time to write a poem a day. Ms. Long also was the district’s representative for the 2018 Celebrate Excellence Award through the Hamilton County Education Foundation. This award honors those in the public school education field who exemplify the best in their profession.
Marie Huenefeld Friend of the School Award In 2015, the Mariemont City School District launched the Marie Huenefeld Friend of the School award to recognize individuals in the community who make significant contributions to the school district with their time, service and/or expertise to create a better experience for students.
At the May Board of Education meeting, Chandra Buswell was officially recognized as the 2018 recipient of the Friend of the School award. “The Friend of the School award is designed to shine a light on a community member who goes above and beyond to better our district” said Mariemont City Schools superintendent Steven Estepp. “Chandra Buswell is someone who fits this description perfectly. Year after year she has taken on countless roles within the district to help our students and staff and her contributions have been invaluable to us.”
Fairfax and Mariemont Elementary PTOs and has taken on roles of committee chairs for the Mariemont Junior High School PTO as well. In addition to her time on several PTO boards, she has given her talents to other district support organizations, including the Arts Association and the Foundation. She has served as a Foundation trustee, helping to organize the annual FAB Affair, a large fundraiser to support the Foundation, Arts Association and the Boosters. She also has coordinated the Foundation’s scavenger hunt which is held for district families each fall. But her volunteer tasks continue over to other miscellaneous roles such as the senior boat ride coordinator, Mariemont Elementary talent show coordinator, after school extracurricular coordinator, Fairfax Elementary retirement celebration coordinator and the Flying Pig water station coordinator. She also served on the Facility Teams this past fall to assist in the development of the Mariemont High School Master Facility Plan. “She serves each and every one of these roles admirably and always has the best interest of the district at heart” said Estepp. “You get the best of Chandra in whatever she is doing.” The award was created in honor and recognition of retired Board of Education member Marie Huenefeld who received the inaugural Friend of the School award. Huenefeld was first elected to the board in November of 1987 and served through 2015. Other recipients of the Friend of the School award include Rusty Wilson in 2016 and Don Gurney in 2017.
Chandra has volunteered her time to every part of the district she has touched. She has served as the president of both
Summer 2018
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When Scholars of Today Become Amongst the many traditions of the Mariemont City School District, the final weeks of school for the senior class of Mariemont High School may be some of the most memorable of the entire school year. While finishing classes, taking finals and AP tests and preparing for life after high school, the senior class is given many chances to look back at their educational careers and look ahead to their bright futures.
Post-Secondary Celebration – May 1, 2018
One of the fondest traditions in the district is the annual Post-Secondary Celebration which is held to recognize and applaud the students’ plans after their upcoming graduation. On Tuesday, May 1, students wore t-shirts to represent their post-secondary plans and gathered with families and staff members to take pictures and celebrate all that the future may hold. According to Amanda Leszczuk, Director of College and Career Counseling, 88% of the graduating class will continue on to attend a two or four-year college while the other 12% will participate in programs such as taking a gap year or enlisting in the military. The graduating class submitted a total of 658 college applications and received acceptance letters to 117 different institutions while nearly half of the class (48%) will attend an institution out of state. Additionally, 51% of the class received a scholarship for a grand total of $7.4 million in scholarships earned by the graduating seniors.
Last Day of Classes – May 16, 2018 The seniors’ last day of class on May 16 also was filled with celebration while students began the day visiting their elementary schools, Mariemont Elementary or Terrace Park Elementary, reminiscing with parents and former teachers. The lobbies were decorated with pictures from each of the class’ years at the school and was a great way to remind the seniors of just how far they have come during the last 13 years.
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Senior Baccalaureate – May 27, 2018 To kick off graduation day, the class of 2018 gathered at the Mariemont Bell Tower on the afternoon of May 27 for the annual Mariemont High School Baccalaureate. Historically, the ceremony is used to celebrate and recognize the achievements of the graduating class and offers a time of reflection for all the class has accomplished. Students shared their talents by performing musical and spoken word pieces and the ceremony was highlighted with a keynote speech by MHS teacher Mr. Mike Hanley.
Mariemont High School Graduation – May 27, 2018 The seniors’ final moment as Mariemont High School students occurred on the evening of May 27 when the Board of Education, superintendent Steven Estepp and principal Dr. Jim Renner presented the class with its diplomas at Kusel Stadium. The graduation ceremony included many student speakers, musical numbers and celebrations of all the class has accomplished and will continue to accomplish in the future. The Mariemont City School District was proud to send these scholars of today off to become the leaders of tomorrow. Congratulations to the Mariemont High School class of 2018!
Congratulations to all of our seniors!
Leaders of Tomorrow
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Summer 2018
Brown University Butler University Carnegie Mellon University Cincinnati State Clemson University Cleveland State University Colgate University College of William and Mary Doula Training Earlham College Employment at D.R. Landscaping Employment at Pitt-Ohio Express Florida Gulf Coast University Furman University Gap Year Hanover College Heroit-Watt University Hillsdale College Hope College Illinois Wesleyan University Ithaca College James Madison University Kent State University Live Oaks – Early Childhood Education Loyola University Chicago Manhattanville College McGill University Miami University Mount St. Joseph University Northern Kentucky University Ohio Northern University Ohio Wesleyan University Otterbein University Purdue University San Diego State University Southern Methodist University Stevenson University Taylor University The Ohio State University Trine University Tulane University University of Alabama University of California, Santa Barbara University of Cincinnati University of Cincinnati Clermont College University of Colorado Boulder University of Dayton University of Georgia University of Kentucky University of Michigan University of Minnesota Twin Cities University of Mississippi University of South Carolina University of South Florida University of Tampa University of Toledo Vassar College Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Wake Forest University West Virginia University Wheeling Jesuit University Wilmington College Wittenberg University
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31 MHS Hall of Fame Induction – 6:30 p.m., Kusel Stadium
30 MJHS Parent Info Night – 7 p.m.
29 MHS College Planning for Parents of Seniors – 7 p.m.
28 ME Parent Info Night – 6:30 p.m. (grades 1-2); 7:30 p.m. (grades 3-4)
23 ME Camp Kern Meeting – 7:30 p.m.
23 ME Parent Info Night (grades 5-6) – 6:30 p.m.
23 TPE Parent Info Night – 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.
22 First Day of School for Students
21 ME & TPE Kindergarten Supply Drop Off
20 ME & TPE Kindergarten Parent Info Night – 6:30 p.m.
20 ME School Kit Pickup – 12-2 p.m.
17 TPE Kindergarten Popsicle Night – 6:45 p.m.
16 MJHS Orientation – 9 a.m. & 12 p.m.
15 ME & TPE New Family Welcome Night (grades 1-6) – 6:30 p.m.
14 MHS Schedule Pickup and Pictures – 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
14 MHS Freshman & New Student Orientation – 9:30 a.m.
13 MHS High School 101 for Parents – 7 p.m.
13 MHS College Application Workshop – 8:45 a.m.
August
26 MJHS & MHS Sports Physicals – 7 p.m.
July
MJHS Back to School Night Out – 5:15-6:45 p.m.
Labor Day, No School
29 MHS Homecoming Dance – 9 p.m.-12 a.m.
28 Homecoming Parade – 5:30 p.m.
28 ME Walk-A-Thon
27 Pow Wow – 8 p.m., TPE Log Cabin
26 ME Picture Day
25 TPE Picture Day
24 MHS Open House – 7 p.m.
13 MHS College Financial Aid Info Program – 7 p.m.
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September
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