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Home > Blogs > Middletown School News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > June

June 2009

First person expresses interest in school board

By Meagan Engle | Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 01:02 PM

The first person has pulled petitions for the open seats on the Middletown Board of Education.

Voters will pick two seats on the Middletown board, which are currently held by Marcia Andrew and Greg Tyus.

Adam Gibbs was the first person to pull petitions.

Gibbs and others have until August 20 to get the needed signatures and file with the Butler County Board of Elections.

Gibbs, a 2007 Middletown High School graduate, has been attending recent board meetings and gathering support for his campaign, which will have a slogan of “Safe Schools, Quality Staff, Better Programs.”

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Price interviewing today in Newark

By Meagan Engle | Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 11:02 AM

Middletown City Schools Superintendent Steve Price has applied to be Newark City Schools’ next superintendent.

Price was one of 29 people to apply for the job, according to the Ohio School Boards Association, which is running the search.

He is one of six people who are being interviewed for the position. He will interview today, June 30, according to the OSBA.

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Middletown principal takes new job

By Meagan Engle | Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 10:00 AM

Amanda Elementary School Principal Beth Prince has accepted a job with another school district.

Prince has been approved as an assistant principal at Fairfield Intermediate School effective July 1.

The school board there gave her a two-year contract for $84,000 annually. She was paid $73,500 in her job at Middletown.

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School considers grant writer/spokesperson

By Meagan Engle | Monday, June 29, 2009, 01:27 PM

Madison Local Schools is considering hiring a person to do grant writing and public relations for the district.

School board President Tim Young said the board heard a presentation on that type of position from Edgewood spokesman John Thomas at a recent board meeting.

Young said no board members spoke against creating such a job.

“I think it would be great,” Young said. “I think it’s exciting because I see a big connection piece.”

Young said Superintendent Tom York said the position would more than pay for itself through grants that are obtained.

News of the presentation caused some confusion in the Trenton and Madison communities, as people wondered whether Madison was looking to hire Thomas himself - which Young said they have no intention of doing.

Thomas said he sometimes makes presentations on his job to other school boards and has no intention of leaving Edgewood.

“No, I have no plans to go to Madison,” he said. “They’re a great district and I’ve got nothing against them, but I’m happier than you-know-what at Edgewood.”

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Summit Academy needs board members

By Meagan Engle | Monday, June 29, 2009, 12:21 PM

Summit Academy in Middletown is looking for a few people interested in schools that serve students with special needs to serve on its local school board.

The charter school, located on Marshall Road and Central Avenue, serves students with Asperger’s Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, High-Functioning Autism and related disorders.

Summit Academy’s school board members will meet three times a year. Additional meetings may be called for emergencies.

They will oversee regular business of the school, like spending.

The school will provide training.

Anyone interested should send a resume and statement of interest to Info@summitacademies.org or Summit academy, 175 Montrose West Ave., Copley, Ohio 44321.

You can also call 330-670-8470.

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43 percent of students say they feel safe in school

By Meagan Engle | Friday, June 26, 2009, 02:11 PM

In this Sunday’s Journal, you can read a story about Middletown’s discipline and safety committee.

The committee was first formed by the school board with community members, with teachers later negotiating spots with the group.

From that group’s recommendations, Middletown will be focusing on improving climate next year.

Every year, Middletown does a climate survey with students.

For the 2008-09 school year, 46 percent of students reported students are violent; 52 percent reported students threaten to hurt others and 43 percent said they feel safe in school.

Read the report’s summary after the jump…

The purpose of this School Climate study was to continue investigating Middletown students’ attitudes regarding the climate of their school and their perceived level o f connectedness to school.

This study was fIrst conducted in the fall of 2005 and then replicated in the fall of 2006 and the fall of 2007. A report on the findings of those studies were completed and discussed in the previous years. Students attending Vail, Verity, Middletown High School, Middletown High School Success Academy and Central Academy served as the participants of the study this year.

A 2-page, 55-item survey developed b y Dr. Keith King assessed students’ perceived school connectedness and attitudes toward their school ‘s climate. Students were distributed the survey in their classroom settings. In the spring o f 2009, the School Climate survey was again distributed to Middletown students.

Data was collected as a means to continue monitoring students’ perceptions regarding school climate. Similar to data from the previous three years, results indicated that most Middletown students felt that their school climate was fairly positive on most indicators.

Concerning the adults in their school, most students felt that adults in their school treated them fairly, encouraged them to do well, respected them, were friendly to them, and expected them to do well. Half (51 %) felt that adults at their school cared about them (compared to 46% in 2007-2008) while one-third (38%) felt that adults at their school made them feel important (29% in 2007 -2008).

Nearly half (46%) felt that adults at their school try to understand them (compared to 41 % in 2007-2008). Equivalent to last year, a total of 54% reported that there is an adult at their school who they could go to if they had a problem.

Similarly, 54% reported that they felt like they fIt in at their school.

Two-thirds (65%) did not know that their school had a student assistance program, compared to 71 % in 2007-2008. Regarding student behaviors, 62% felt that students are rude to one another (compared to 63% in 2007-2008), while 14% felt students are kind to one another (compared to 10% in 2007-2008).

Thirteen percent reported that other students bully t hem (compared to 12% in 2007-2008), whereas 7% reported t hat they bully other students (compared to 7% in 2007- 2008).

Regarding perceived violence, 46% reported that students are violent (compared to 45% in 2007-2008), whereas 52% reported that students threaten to hurt others (compared to 51 % in 2007-2008).

Regarding perceived safety, 43% of students reported feeling safe in school (compared to 39% in 2007-2008).

Similar to the fInding from the previous surveys, the majority of students reported that there were several opportunities to become involved in extracurricular activities at school. Such activities help to build positive connections among students and help in preventing student violence and substance use.

A table illustrating the reported school climate differences among 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 is provided on the following pages. In addition, complete frequency distributions for each item in the 2008-2009 report are provided. Analyses were also conducted to determine whether perceived school climate differed based on school, sex, grade, and race. These results are also displayed in this report.

Such fIndings should be benefIcial in determining areas of improvement and areas needing further attention. School climate and students’ perceived connectedness to the school has been shown in several research studies to be a leading protective factor against students’ involvement in alcohol use, tobacco use, marijuana use, violence, suicide, and early sexual behavior.

Thus, strategies to increase positive connections among students and their school should be explored.

In addition, since many students in this study reported that they were not aware of their school’s student assistance program additional steps should be taken to further promote such resources.

In so doing, students can receive the help that they need. Regarding violence prevention, perceived safety and positive school climate, some improvements have been noted. Steps should continue be taken to ensure that all students feel safe and secure within their school environment.

Continued attention to violence and bullying prevention is warranted.

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Advisory group issues concerns on college plan

By Meagan Engle | Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 02:33 PM

A citizen advisory group at Miami University Middletown has asked the university to make no final decisions on the longterm plan for the regional campuses without more discussion and analysis.

The advisory committee issued a response earlier this month to recommendations for the campuses in Middletown and Hamilton and the Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester Twp.

(You can read the regional campus report online here by clicking on the PDF link at the top of the page)

The group listed their concerns to having one administrator, listing locations on diplomas and the idea that Oxford’s reputation might be diluted by the campuses.

“The decision that will be made regarding these issues will likely have the greatest impact on the regional campuses since the university made the decision to open the regional campuses,” their memo reads. “Thus, these decisions should not be made quickly or with incomplete information.”

Though there are no plans for a public debate like the one that will be held on Hamilton’s campus next week, the Middletown advisory committee has expressed their desire for more discussion after the recommendations are developed further.

Read their whole report after the jump

The Miami University Middletown Campus Citizen Advisory Committee (“MCAC”) has been requested by the University President’s Office to respond to the Report of the Regional Campus Committee. At the outset, the MCAC would like to thank the Regional Campus Committee (“RCC”) for its hard work and analysis of current regional campus issues. It is apparent that the RCC has spent significant time analyzing and considering these important issues.

In the interest of brevity, while the MCAC agrees with many of the recommendations of the RCC, it would like to highlight the areas in which the MCAC disagrees with the Regional Campus Report.

First, the MCAC does not believe that the University’s reputation will be diluted because of the regional campuses’ obligations to address local needs. There are many reasons that students choose to attend regional campuses. Several have little to do with students’ academic ability. Some students attend regional campuses because they are non-traditional students who work during the normal school day. These students often do not have time to commute to Oxford several times a week after a long work day. Other students attend regional campuses for financial reasons. This does not necessarily mean that they cannot afford to attend the Oxford campus. Rather, they may not have the financial resources to travel to and from Oxford on a daily basis. For example, a student from Warren County can easily commute to Middletown for class, but cannot afford the time or expense necessary to commute over an hour to Oxford (one way). Further, these students may not be able to afford additional childcare expenses while they commute and attend class. Many have other financial limitations that do not relate directly to tuition payments. Finally, for a variety of reasons, some students who have excellent academic ability upon graduating from high school may not be sufficiently equipped with particular skills or experiences that are necessary to succeed in a traditional college environment. After spending time at the regional campuses, however, these same students are able to excel at the Oxford campus. It has been shown time and time again that students who originate from the regional campuses often transfer to the Oxford campus and excel. The Middletown campus has compiled high-quality assessment data that substantiates this conclusion and would welcome the opportunity to share this information. Moreover, after these students graduate from Miami, they also excel in the workforce and enhance the reputation of the University as a whole. Accordingly, the MCAC believes that any concern that the University’s reputation will be diluted by local students who attend regional campuses is misplaced.
This first concern is directly related to the MCAC’s second major concern, which is the designation of a campus on the diploma or associated with the degree of a student who originates from or graduates from a regional campus. All students who graduate from Miami University should enjoy all the benefits of the University’s strong reputation. Students who originate from or complete a degree at a regional campus should not be faced with the obligation to explain their degree designation when they apply for a job. The MCAC understands that this concern initially appears to be inconsistent with its position that regional campuses will not dilute the University’s reputation. It is not inconsistent. Rather, it simply addresses the concern that potential employers may have a mistaken perception that the quality of teaching at a regional campus is different from the quality of teaching at the Oxford campus. Based upon the successes of regional campus students, the MCAC is confident that the quality of teaching and learning at regional campuses is not different. As mentioned above, the Middletown campus has data to support this conclusion. To the extent that some on the Oxford campus believe that the quality is different, the MCAC believes this perception will change as more Oxford professors teach students at the regional campuses. To this point, the MCAC applauds the RCC recommendation to permit, and perhaps require, Oxford professors to teach at regional campuses.

The RCC’s recommendation to encourage professors to travel between campuses further supports the argument that degrees and diplomas should have no designation. Put simply, if students graduate from a program after taking many of the same classes from the same professors, there should be no difference in the degree the students earn. As one MCAC member stated:

A degree from Miami should be a degree from Miami. Whether obtained in Middletown, Hamilton or Oxford, or in combination, it should have the same name and value. If not, we are punishing the non-traditional and traditional students who choose to attend the regional campuses. Are the requirements different? They should not be. Is the quality of education lower or is the coursework less demanding? It should not be. Miami University needs to be an entity. The branch campuses are nothing more than an extension where students can obtain the same opportunities in a more convenient setting.

For these reasons, the MCAC believes the University should maintain its current practice of not placing an official campus designation on diplomas or degrees.

Third, the MCAC is concerned about the recommendation to eliminate the Dean level position at the regional campuses. History has shown that having an “Associate Dean” rather than a “Dean” as the leader of the regional campuses would significantly reduce the perception that the regional campuses are an important part of the University. It would diminish the regional campus in the eyes of the faculty, the students, and the communities in which the regional campuses reside. For these reasons, the MCAC recommends that the regional campuses maintain the presence of a Dean on each campus.

In addition, if the University determines that maintaining a Dean on each campus is not feasible, the MCAC recommends that the person who is chosen to lead the regional campuses (currently referred to as a “Regional Campus Administrator”) not be associated with any of the current regional campuses. For example, if the Regional Campus Administrator has historically been associated with the Middletown campus, the MCAC is concerned that those associated with the other regional campuses may not believe that their interests are fairly considered. Similarly, the person holding the Regional Campus Administrator position may, intentionally or unintentionally, favor his or her home campus. It is important that all regional campuses have the opportunity for input and fair representation in all decisions impacting the regional campuses. It is also important that the Regional Campus Administrator has time to make routine campus-specific decisions in a timely manner. This is a concern that exists in the current structure, which often limits Middletown campus leaders from operating the campus in an efficient manner.

Fourth, the MCAC would like to direct attention to a statement in the Regional Campus Report that it finds particularly troubling. On page 8 of the report, the RCC states:

Administrators and faculty in Oxford are reluctant to oversee and administer degree programs that they have no interest in … and which will bring no income to the Oxford campus.

By facilitating this process, the University has made clear the importance of supporting and developing its regional campuses. By implication, the University believes that the development of its regional campuses will support the interests of the University’s main campus and the University as a whole. For this to be successful, it is important that personal interests take a backseat to the interests of the University. The MCAC requests that the University not embrace beliefs that might impede the progress of these important goals.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the MCAC believes that the Regional Campus Report leaves many questions unanswered. This is not intended to imply that the Regional Campus Committee has produced a substandard analysis. The MCAC believes that the Regional Campus Committee has done an excellent job in its initial review. At the same time, however, the decisions that will be made regarding these issues will likely have the greatest impact on the regional campuses since the University made the decision to open the regional campuses. Thus, these decisions should not be made quickly or with incomplete information. For these reasons, the MCAC respectfully requests the University to make preliminary decisions based upon the Regional Campus Report, develop them more fully, and then provide the regional campuses with an opportunity to provide input on these better developed ideas. It is important to the MCAC that the University makes decisions that can be re-evaluated and analyzed further before final decisions are made.

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Beavercreek picks finalists

By Meagan Engle | Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 03:48 PM

Here’s some news from my friend Chris Magan in Greene County…..

Beavercreek has narrowed its search for superintendent to two Warren County administrators.

Mark North, superintendent of Lebanon City Schools, and Larry Hook,assistant superintendent in Springboro Community Schools, were picked as finalists from a pool of 11 applicants, said Richard Eckhardt, board president.

Middletown City Schools Superintendent Steve Price was also considered for the post.

Beavercreek hopes to make a decision by June 30.

Richard Eckhardt, school board president, said both candidates to replace Morrison have first-hand knowledge of the difficulties facing Ohio school districts. “I think they are both well qualified and carry a lot of experience,” Eckhardt said.

“They understand Ohio school funding and the challenges area schools face.”

Board members are expected to make an offer to their top choice in coming days and announce their decision after a contract is signed

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Four-year land transfer case comes to an end

By Meagan Engle | Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 08:15 AM

The Middletown Board of Education has decided to end its pursuit of a land transfer request.

The board has spent four years in a legal battle with Franklin City Schools over 1,600 acres of land just east of Interstate 75.

Middletown could have filed for a hearing before the Ohio Supreme Court, though the court has discretion over which cases it takes.

The transfer request was originally denied by the Ohio State Board of Education. The decision was upheld by the Franklin County Common Pleas Court and 10th District Court of Appeals.

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Board accepting interim applicants

By Meagan Engle | Monday, June 22, 2009, 09:27 PM

The Middletown Board of Education is accepting resumes, references and letters of interest for an interim superindent to the attention of school board President Greg Tyus at 1515 Girard Ave.

Board members agreed they will need an interim leader to serve while a search for a permanent superintendent is conducted after hearing from search consultants.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. July 6 to review all applications and further discuss the selection of a consulting firm.

There’s no set timeline on how long the interim will need to serve while the search is conducted.

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School board hears from three consultants

By Meagan Engle | Monday, June 22, 2009, 07:28 PM

The Middletown Board of Education is hearing from three consultants tonight.

They’re in an executive session over pending litigation right now, and will be coming out in about half an hour to hear from the last consultant.

They’ve hear from the Ohio School Boards Association and Boston-based Carney, Sandow and Associates. They still need to her from Ray and Associates.

The woman from the OSBA (which Middletown is a part of) said they are great because the whole search is done from the board’s perspective… The OSBA is concerned about board needs.

The guy from Carney said they have an extensive database of candidates and he doesn’t let candidates talk in hypotheticals during the interviews, but requires examples.

With those questions, he said someone shows whether they can communicate well with the example: “When you ask someone what time it is, you don’t need them to tell you how to make a watch.”

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School plans changes to recess

By Meagan Engle | Thursday, June 18, 2009, 10:49 AM

Middletown’s wellness committee is planning some changes to school recess in the coming years.

The goal for the 2010-11 school year is to hold recess before lunch so students are not rushing through their meal to get outside, the group told the school board Monday.

The goal for the 2011-12 school year is to no longer use recess as a reward or punishment.

The recommendation for the upcoming school year is to have only healthy snacks in the classroom and for incentives.

What do you think? Do you send a healthy snack instead of cupcakes or cookies for class parties?

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Board approves library cuts

By Meagan Engle | Monday, June 15, 2009, 11:15 PM

The Middletown Board of Education unanimously approved the elimination of seven library manager positions, with comments that they regret the cut of library services.

“It seems like a drastic move to me,” said board Vice President Katie McNeil. “I’m a real advocate of library services.”

McNeil thanked the library managers, three of who where in the audience, for their service and said she hopes that in the face of this cut, there will be an opportunity for parents or community members to fill the void by volunteering.

Still, McNeil asked the district to evaluate the impact of the cuts and give a report in the spring.

“It’s a concern that I hope the staff will continue to evaluate and address where we need to be in the future,” she said.

“It pains me to cut hours of the staffing in our libraries,” board member Marcia Andrew.

On this agenda tonight, it’s the only cut we’re looking at, but it’s one of a series of cuts,” she said. “We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t feel we needed.”

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Community members speak at school meeting

By Meagan Engle | Monday, June 15, 2009, 10:59 PM

A few members of the Middletown community spoke at the school board meeting Monday night.

You can read about comments regarding John Sauter’s e-mail in tomorrow’s paper and online, but here’s Jim Ewers’ comment that didn’t make it in the story…

Retiring Miami administrator Jim Ewers asked the board to continue equity work.

“It is my hope that as you move forward with either an interim superintendent or a new superintendent, that the board endorses and embraces diversity,” Ewers said.

“We cannot shy away from race and inclusion and the impact that that has on student learning,” Ewers said.

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School adds position with stimulus money

By Meagan Engle | Monday, June 15, 2009, 09:38 PM

Here’s a tidbit from the board meeting:

Middletown will add a new position with stimulus money.

The district will get a psychologist, with the understanding the position is only funded for two years.

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Board split on online agenda program

By Meagan Engle | Monday, June 15, 2009, 09:20 PM

I’m coming in on the third hour of the Middletown Board of Education meeting, so here’s an update on the BoardDocs program, which I wrote about a few posts back:

Members of the Middletown Board of Education were split in support of a program that would allow the district to keeps its agenda and other documents online.

The service could cut costs of printing and assembling packets for the school board, but the service does cost $9,600 annually, which could ultimately result in a cost of $12, according to conservative estimates done by the board’s technology committee.

“If we don’t have hard numbers to justice installing this, then I’m going to have a hard time supporting it,” said board member Chris Fiora.

Board Vice President Katie McNeil has been using the program for six years as a member of the board for Butler Tech.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “Our meetings go much quicker, I handle no paper work at a meeting.”

But the primary benefit, McNeil said, is the communication with the community.

The board took no action in regard to the program at their meeting Monday, June 15, but will be considering the costs and benefits.

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Former Creekview principal reassigned

By Meagan Engle | Monday, June 15, 2009, 01:36 PM

Former Creekview Elementary School Principal Derrick Bobbitt is being assigned to another position in the district.

Bobbitt will be an assistant principal at Vail Middle School, according to Lisa Lowery, Middletown’s human resources director.

The school board recently approved Adrienne Martin, assistant principal of Verity Middle School, to be principal of Creekview.

Bobbitt was operating a vehicle under the influence in May, and the district said at the time employees typically are not disciplined for OVI charges happening off school property and outside school time.

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Two from Fenwick perform at Lebanon Community Concert

By Meagan Engle | Friday, June 12, 2009, 04:47 PM

A student and faculty member of Bishop Fenwick High School will take part this weekend in Lebanon.

Senior Tony Habib and Sr. Donny Bryant will participate in the concert, which starts at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at the Lebanon Community Concert at the Lebanon Presbyterian Church, 123 N. East St.

Habib will be play the Prelude with his own composition “Love and Happiness.” Bryant will give a short talk on joy.

The concert is free and open to the public.

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School board could keep agenda online

By Meagan Engle | Friday, June 12, 2009, 01:54 PM

The Middletown Board of Education will hear a presentation Monday, June 15, on a program called BoardDocs.

A quick look around boardocs.com and I can tell you the program would allow the board to build its agenda online through a Web site accessible to the public.

The site can also have policy related to things the board will consider and relating documents while keeping sensitive information kept private by law from being viewed by the public.

Butler Tech uses the program. Check it out for yourself here.

More to come after the meeting Monday or if I hear back today from the district. Let me know what questions you have about the program.

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Discussion on superintendent search open

By Meagan Engle | Thursday, June 11, 2009, 11:28 AM

A special meeting the board set to discuss the search for a superintendent will be open to the public, despite first notice that it would be private.

The board will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, June 22, to hear proposals from two consultants.

The board will hear from the Ohio School Boards Association and a Boston-based firm, Carney, Sandoe & Associates.

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School expresses interest in Roosevelt building

By Meagan Engle | Thursday, June 11, 2009, 09:49 AM

Summit Academy has expressed interest in using the vacant Roosevelt building for its Middletown school.

The charter school, now located at Marshall Road and Central Avenue, serves students with Asperger’s Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, High-Functioning Autism and related disorders, according to its Web site.

Jim Winkleman said the Roosevelt building would allow the school, which now serves about 90 students, room to grow.

“We would love to be able to use it,” Winkleman said. “It gives us the space we need.”

The Middletown Board of Education has been holding off on demolishing the Roosevelt building while a community group does a study on its reuse.

The board has not yet set a date to discuss the building again, though board members did comment to each other in recent e-mails that it is time to make a decision on the building.

What do you think?

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Children vandalize Roosevelt school

By Meagan Engle | Thursday, June 11, 2009, 09:46 AM

Update: Two boys ages 11 and 7 apparently vandalized the Roosevelt building.

According to a police report, the boys were found inside the school. They were not charged. Police found a fire extinguisher had been set off in a hallway.

A school employee later found paint had been poured onto the floor and splattered on the walls of classrooms in the basement and curse words had been written on the wall in one of the offices on the first floor.

There has been a break in at the vacant Roosevelt school building on Central Avenue.

Police responded to the building at 7:47 p.m. June 10.

Middletown City Schools business manager Milt Thompson said there was minimal damages and the district will be checking the building to see if anything was stolen today.

More info on this when the police report is ready.

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Board to vote on eliminating library positions

By Meagan Engle | Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 02:15 PM

The Middletown Board of Education will vote on eliminating seven library manager positions at their meeting Monday, June 15.

The board gave the direction to cut no less than $500,000 from the budget for the 2009-10 school year.

Eliminating the full-time, classified library jobs would mean a $200,000 savings, according to district communication specialist Debbie Alberico.

Last school year was the first time the district had a library manager in every building, Alberico said.

The classified employees have duties like maintaining circulation systems and doing yearly inventories. They assist teachers by gathering materials, as well as maintaining the records on loans.

But along with those duties, Central Academy library manager Tami Moreland said “there’s a huge relationship piece” to the job.

“It’s our job to have our students be excited about reading,” she said.

Read more about this issue, and the district’s recent action to eliminate a reading program in tomorrow’s Journal.

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School board to discuss superintendent search

By Meagan Engle | Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 10:19 AM

The other consultant Middletown will hear from is Carney, Sandoe & Associates, a Boston-based firm.

Another update: This meeting may no longer be held in an executive session, as Ohio law has specific reasons executive sessions can be held. More to come on this issue.

Update: The school board will be hearing proposals from two consultants for the search for a new superintendent. One will be the Ohio School Boards Association. Waiting to hear what the other is.

The Middletown Board of Education will meet privately to discuss going forward with a superintendent search June 22.

The board has scheduled a special executive session for 5 p.m. that day.

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No cuts expected

By Meagan Engle | Friday, June 5, 2009, 04:44 PM

Miami University Middletown doesn’t expect to experience any layoffs as the main campus looks to eliminate $5 million from the budget.

Get the details in my story here.

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Board statement on separation with superintendent

By Meagan Engle | Thursday, June 4, 2009, 09:50 AM

Middletown Board of Education Vice President read the following statement this morning at the meeting pertaining to the separation between Superintendent Steve Price and the district:

“The Middletown City School district Board of Education today accepts the resignation of Superintendent Steve Price, effective July 31, 2009. The board and Dr. Price mutually agree that it is beneficial for both parties to separate their employment relationship at this time. Therefore the board has agreed to release Dr. Price from the remaining tow years of his employment contract with the district. The district will pay Dr. Price for a portion of his accrued and unused sick leave and all accrued and unused vacation days. In addition, the district will make monthly payments to Dr. Price in lieu of base pay and health insurance until he finds another position, but in no event for more than one year.”

“When the board hired Dr. Price as superintendent seven years ago it directed him to focus on three priorities: first, raise the achievement level of all students in the district’ second, address the issue of diversity; and third, address the district facility needs. Dr. Price implemented a process to address race and equity issues in the school district which helped reduce the racial achievement gap, while raising the performance of all students. Under Price’s leadership, the community approved three consecutive tax issues, all on the first ballot. One of those tax issues was a bond levy that had failed two consecutive times before Price’s arrive. The district used the bond revenues to build six new elementary buildings and renovate two others, on time and on budget. The board appreciates Dr. Price’s year of dedication and service to the district and the Middletown community, and wishes him success as he moves on to new challenges.”

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Superintendent offers resignation

By Meagan Engle | Thursday, June 4, 2009, 09:40 AM

Middletown Superintendent Steve Price offered his resignation this morning as part of a separation agreement with the Board of Education.

The board approved the separation with a 4-0 vote. Board President Greg Tyus was absent on a mission trip.

Price’s last day will be July 31.

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School board plans special meeting

By Meagan Engle | Wednesday, June 3, 2009, 01:28 PM

The Middletown Board of Education has set a special meeting for 7:30 a.m. Thursday, June 4.

The notice says: “The Board will meet in executive session to discuss personnel issues and to consider the employment of a public employee. Board action may follow.”

When contacted, board Vice President Katie McNeil said “I don’t know what will happen there” and board member Chris Fiora said “I don’t know what’s going to go until it goes on.” Other members of the board could not immediately be reached for comment. The board has the right to meet privately to discuss personnel issues.

Board President Greg Tyus is leaving today for a mission trip and will be out of town for this meeting.

The meeting will take place in the administration building at 1515 Girard Avenue.

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Update on cost of land transfer

By Meagan Engle | Wednesday, June 3, 2009, 10:23 AM

Yesterday, I told you that Middletown lost its appeal of the decision to deny the transfer of 1,600 acres of land into its district.

This morning, I received the updated amount Middletown has spent on legal fees since its first made the request in 2005.

That cost is: $180,869 as of April.

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Retirement party planned

By Meagan Engle | Wednesday, June 3, 2009, 09:28 AM

A retirement reception is planned for Catherine Mulligan, principal of Bishop Fenwick High School.

The reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 8.

Mulligan has been a teacher and administrator at Fenwick for 29 years. She will retire June 30.

Anyone not able to attend who would like to express sentiments, please send an e-mail by Monday, June 15 to bturvy@bfhs.schoolone.com or mail to Bishop Fenwick High School/IA Office, 4855 State Route 122, Franklin, OH 45005.

Please call 513-727-1500 for more information.

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Board president expresses opinion on article

By Meagan Engle | Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 07:34 PM

School board President Greg Tyus asked for a close up from TV Middletown during the school board meeting Monday, June 1, to express his displeasure with those who, as he said, choose not to embrace the hard work of the community.

Tyus said he was troubled by the article that appeared in the Middletown Journal on Sunday, May 31, about the number of arrests of students at Middletown’s high school and middle schools.

“The article gives the illusion, and it’s out of context, that there’s nothing being done,” Tyus said.

He said he hopes one day our newspapers will put articles in context.

“We stand as the board to say we’re not happy with it but we are working,” he said.

Tyus pointed to work of the discipline committee - a group that was formed in the negotiation of the teachers’ master contract.

The discipline committee worked for nine months and recently identified their top concern and the district’s top priority as the low attendance rate of economically disadvantaged students.

The central office is currently working up a report on how to tackle that goal. Tyus did ask that the committee continue meeting after he learned they were not planning to continue after they finished identifying that goal.

Board member John Sauter spoke after Tyus to say the district needs to do extra work to improve the perception and reality of the issue.

“We have a long ways to go yet in the district and we as a board will be working on that,” he said.

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Women speak in support of equity work

By Meagan Engle | Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 06:33 PM

Four women spoke in support of Middletown City Schools’ equity program during the board meeting Monday, June 1.

The woman praised the district for their work so far and asked that the program continue.

“We know we yet have a long way to go,” said Dora Bronston, vice president of Creekview PTO and president of Middletown’s NAACP.

“I think Middletown City Schools has probably been the most progressive school system in the area on this issue,” said Jackie Phillips, who works in Middletown’s city health department.

Phillips said the district must continue the work even if there is push back.

“If we can’t be bold and get beyond our sensitivities … and go beyond what we deem comfortable, then what does that say about us,” she said.

“Do you really want to do this hard work in Middletown,” she said. “If we don’t, we need to stop playing around and stop wasting money and time.”

Phillips added, “I think it’s good work and I think at the end of the day we will all be better people.”

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Creekview gets new principal

By Meagan Engle | Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 02:19 PM

The Middletown Board of Education approved a new principal for Creekview Elementary School effective of July 1.

Adrienne Martin, assistant principal of Verity Middle School, was approved by the board at their June 1 meeting for a two year contract.

The future assignment of Derrick Bobbitt, who has been principal for the last year, has not yet been determined, said district human resources director Lisa Lowery.

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Court rules no error in land transfer case

By Meagan Engle | Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 10:29 AM

Middletown City Schools has lost its appeal of a decision to deny the transfer of 1,600 acres of land from Franklin City Schools.

The 10th District Court of Appeals has overruled Middletown’s claim that a lower court was wrong when it upheld the decision by the Ohio State Board of Education to deny the transfer.

“Middletown asks us to reweigh the factors and find that the transfer will serve ‘the present and ultimate good of the pupils concerned,’” the decision from the appeals court reads.

“It is for the State Board, not this court, to weigh the facts and arguments and determine what will serve ‘the present and ultimate good of the pupils concern,’” the decision continues.

“Middletown’s assignment of error is not well-taken,” the decision states.

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