Caring A.W. Community Comes Together For Local Child In Need
To the Editor:
We are so proud to live here. This past week we attended a fund-raiser for a family in the Anthony Wayne school district. It was truly heartwarming to see a great and caring community come together in the time of need for a child and his family.
A simple spaghetti dinner with raffles and T-shirts emblazoned with the name of the child denoting the wearer as part of his team. Tears could come easily as you learn of this family’s plight. But the most wonderful of all was seeing all the people come to a school cafeteria on a Friday night with their families and friends in support.
You see, we all do need to be a part of a community, and to be a part of this we need to support our schools as they, teachers and residents along with students show that we can all do something for one another. I write this in support of the family and our whole school district and its residents. Approximately $16,000 was raised.
Norm Witzler
Waterville
Teaching Offers Rewards Beyond Money
To the Editor:
In response to J.E. “Jerry” Meyer’s diatribe on teachers and education, I will not rant and rave rhetoric or fling figures around the way he did; I will simply speak from the heart.
I chose a profession 35 years ago that I knew would be, in turn, challenging and rewarding. I knew that I would work long hours and that I would need a few months off every summer to regroup, recoup and recover from the year. I knew, J.E., that I would not be wealthy; I would never live in a $400,00 home in a neighborhood upward of $600,00 houses. Take a survey, J.E.: there are few teachers living in your neighborhood.
When I first started, I believed I would teach my little lessons on making inferences and drawing conclusions. I had no idea I would also be counseling kids with serious issues, tutoring children after school without pay, or running an after-school intramural program three nights a week while trying to raise my two daughters.
My father taught tirelessly for 40 years; he retired with a pension of $23,000. He subbed until he was almost 80, J.E. He never complained because he loved what he did. My mother taught first-graders for 20 years, taught them the precious skill of reading and gave them the foundation for the rest of their lives. My brother and sister also teach; all three of us work two jobs, sometimes three, to make ends meet so we can send our kids to college in hopes that they will give back to the community as we have chosen to do. We don’t have stock portfolios or summer homes. We work and attend graduate school during the summer – on our own dime, by the way.
J.E., come in and do my job for one day and I guarantee – guarantee – you will offer me twice what I make or more. You couldn’t do it, J.E. On your best day, you couldn’t do what most teachers do every day. Many people applaud me when I tell them I teach 12-year-olds, almost 30 of them, in a small room. I do it because I love it; it is in my blood.
J.E., my parents both died recently; they didn’t leave us one penny, but guess what, we are the richest people I know: we teach.
In regard to your verbal attack on Jason Apgar, I will have you know that this young man has two small children, babies, with serious, life-threatening illnesses. He still finds the time and effort to care deeply about his students and his fellow teachers.
You should be ashamed, J.E.
Karen McCreery
Maumee
Beekley Commended For Influence And Leadership
To the Editor:
Area Realtors are well aware of the critical relationship that exists between stable economic growth and quality public education. Most often, it is the strength of the school system that clinches a family’s decision of where to purchase their next home. My colleagues and I want to recognize and congratulate one of this area’s most outspoken advocates for public education upon her retirement as superintendent of Springfield Local Schools.
Dr. Cynthia Beekley’s influence and educational leadership did not stop at Springfield’s borders – rather, it helped redefine our expectations for all area school districts. Her legacy will last a long time – and we wish her well!
Jack & Michelle Amlin
Amlin and Associates
Springfield Township
Taxpayers Provide Generous Compensation For Anthony Wayne School District Employees
To the Editor:
In The Mirror’s March 20 edition appeared a letter from Jason Apgar referencing financial matters in the Anthony Wayne school district.
In the last paragraph, he stated, “teachers have been doing a lot with a little.” It is uncertain what his point was as there was no further elaboration.
It would be my opinion that the taxpayers in the Anthony Wayne district have provided substantially. The taxpayers have provided wonderful facilities. With further growth, they will no doubt be requested to provide even more.
The taxpayers are currently funding a generous wage and benefit package for its employees. The teachers are paid very well. Twelve teachers receive a base pay in excess of $75,000. Another 25 fall in the $70,000 to $75,000 category. Nineteen more are in the $65,000 to $70,000 range. Twenty-six more are between $60,000 to $65,000. Those are wages paid for working nine months, or three-quarters of a year.
Newer teachers to the district have continually received pay increases ranging from 5.5 percent to 7 percent annually. In what other segment of the economy has that been occurring?
The board of education also contributes 14 percent of that pay into those individuals’ retirement account. The board also pays a medical, dental and vision benefit for the staff. For a family plan, the annual cost is over $11,200. A single plan costs the board $4,700.
Combined wages and benefits for the top third of their staff range from $80,000 to $100,000 for those on a family plan for working that three-quarters of a year.
Taxpayers are also providing the teachers a very liberal sick leave benefit. Boards are required to award 1.25 days per month, or a total of 15 days per year. Since teachers only work three-quarters of a year, they receive 3.75 days gratis per year.
It has been indicated that perhaps 14 staff members will be retiring after this school year. If they have met the requirements for severance pay (based on accumulated sick leave) that staff could be taking up to an additional $30,000 each as they go out the door. How will that benefit the classroom?
Not to pick on teachers alone, most school administrators are overpaid on a grander scale. In many cases their retirement share is paid by the board, plus all the insurance benefits, annuities are provided, even vehicles for travel. In Washington Local, as reported recently, a stipend was paid to the former superintendent – it was referenced as “undetermined” because no one was aware why the payment was made annually.
What to do? My first suggestion would be for the teachers association that is represented by Mr. Apgar to approach the board of education expressing that they are truly blessed and would like to extend their current contract for a period of years with no increase in their salary schedule.
J.E. “Jerry” Meyer
Maumee
Whitehouse EMS Personnel Thanked For Service
To the Editor:
I want to thank and commend the members of the Whitehouse EMS unit for their professionalism and expertise as well as their caring mix of humor, compassion and sense of urgency in the many emergency runs they have made to my house over the past 10 years.
Most people never have a reason to use this most important service, and many of us have a tendency to take these wonderful people for granted. We have a phenomenal EMS system in Lucas Couty and they all deserve our thanks and gratitude.
Please include these people in your thoughts and prayers. They are truly our angels here on Earth.
Candy Flaggert
Whitehouse
Compromise And Respect Needed In Waterville
To the Editor:
I have been following The Mirror’s articles and letters to the editor regarding the committee appointments by the new Waterville mayor and council. While some may wonder why an “outsider” is commenting on this, I am a former Waterville resident and now live in a community, Providence Township, where we have no government committees that allow citizen involvement.
On March 20, The Mirror published a letter to the editor from Phyllis Hyder. Ms. Hyder is a longtime active member of her community who is to be commended for her service, and I can feel the bond she has to her community. She wrote, “Eliminating the experienced former and replacing with inexperienced new is not a rational strategy and is not practiced by any business, military or even local governmental agency anywhere in the civilized world.”
Yet when America elects a new president, he picks new cabinet members. When a new governor is elected, staff members change. This practice trickles down to the local levels. These changes occur when voters choose to replace incumbents.
Members of the Waterville community who have served for years are to be commended. New people who wish to learn and help should be welcomed. All of these people, on both sides, are willing to volunteer their personal time to help their community. All of these people, the sitting committee members and new applicants, are to be praised for stepping up to help.
Recently The Mirror ran a story on Les Disher, Waterville trustee, nominated by Phyllis Hyder for the Jefferson Award. He was applauded for his new ideas and willingness to work together for the goal of a better community. Mr. Disher did this as a newly elected Waterville trustee, proving that a new perspective can benefit the community. Where would you be had Mr. Disher’s ideas been shut down because of lack of experience? Ms. Hyder’s idea that “all nominees should pass a reasonable test of qualifications for committee placement” should be rejected.
When this committee appointment fiasco began back in January, one of the council members stated opposition to a senior citizen who applied to serve on the historical committee. The reason given was that she was too old and had little to offer. I think that candidates should be considered a good fit for the committees they apply for. I would agree that perhaps a teenager or young adult may not have much to offer to a historical committee, but an area senior may have priceless knowledge to offer. Seniors wanting to be involved and sacrificing personal time as volunteers should not be chastised or berated.
I totally agree with Ms. Hyder when she wrote, “Success in any endeavor comes from a balance of fresh ideas and experience.” With a balance of experienced members and the addition of some new faces, “fresh ideas” could abound.
In regard to her statement that “the most basic tenet of effective leadership – to surround yourself with the best and brightest and they will make you look good,” how do we know that some of the new people won’t contribute some of those bright ideas? Is it too great a risk to give new people a chance? Isn’t the purpose of the committees to make the community better, not to make the mayor or council “look good?”
Ms. Hyder refers to a letter in the March 6 edition of The Mirror in which the writer defended the mayor and charged a majority of the council members with pettiness and childish behavior. As an observer, I will say that it is reminiscent of a grade school playground battle. If you voted for or supported him, we don’t like you. The resulting division in the village will not bring positive results, and the negative publicity can only do harm. The bickering and division on both sides will only serve to briefly satisfy someone’s needs to lash out, and in the long run will only cause more ill feelings and a division within the village. The council and mayor need to work together, compromise and respect each other. Closed minds on either side of this controversy will only deter them from their responsibilities.
Christine Seles
Whitehouse
Schools Are The Cornerstone Of Community
To the Editor:
Reading Bob Walters’ letter in the March 22 issue moved me to write and share my thoughts on the recently defeated Anthony Wayne school levy. Bob’s words were right on! Bob and I put our kids through AW schools at about the same time. We are not AW employees, our kids are out of school and I am not an AW grad.
My husband and I moved to Waterville in 1985, deciding on AW schools over Sylvania or Perrysburg, even though those school systems were a little higher regarded at the time. We decided that we liked the small town, rural atmosphere better than the suburban sprawl of the other two districts and we knew AW was a “good” district. Boy, did we find a diamond in the rough! We watched the AW school district grow into the premier district in Northwest Ohio.
AW offers so many services to meet the needs of all students: special needs, learning disabilities, counseling services, reading tutors, math tutors, registered nurses, speech and hearing, psychologists, summer school, remediation services, etc., the list could go on. AW offers so many excellent opportunities for all students: gifted programs, clubs and activities, movie nights, carnivals and festivals, renowned band and music programs, amazing art classes, more sports at more levels than most schools, and lots more.
As I look back I realize that my own children only touched the surface of the services and opportunities at AW schools. But AW serves a very vast array of students and meets all of their needs and that’s what makes a truly excellent school district. I ask you: What could possibly be more important than strong families and strong communities? A strong local school system is at the heart of it all. The schools are the cornerstone of any community and also serve as a safety net when needed.
Sure, our taxes went up, partly due to levies and partly due to increased housing values, but it was worth it. As Bob said, our school taxes give us a great return on our money. As citizens of a “local” school district, it is up to us whether it is a great school system or not. And if you are worried about your property values (I know my house value has decreased), this is one thing that we can control. For most of us the levy would have cost us the equivalent of two, three or maybe four tanks of gas. And look how quickly the gas would be gone, but the value of a good educational system will pay dividends for years.
My children were very well served by the education they received at AW. They had excellent teachers, great opportunities, made wonderful friends, learned many life lessons, and were well prepared for college and the world of work and citizenship, but it’s not about my kids. It’s about community, the future and all of our children. Not voting for a school levy because you don’t have kids in school or your kids don’t need all those services is like not having a fire department because your house isn’t on fire or only paying for the roads you use. It takes a lot of money to run the best school district in Northwest Ohio and I’m happy (and proud) to say I pay my part!
Ann Huber
Waterville
School Taxes Have Positive, Direct Effect On Local Communities
To the Editor:
It is a sad day in the Anthony Wayne community. On Tuesday, March 4, our voting community turned down the schools’ levy request in a misdirected attempt to show their “taxation frustration.” No other tax that we pay more positively affects the immediate community. Local taxes basically pay for current services we use while our sales taxes are shared across the county and state. Federal taxes? They just trickle back to us. But, school taxes make an immediate and long-lasting impact on our community. These monies stay right here where we work and live. This is not a tax we should have voted down!
Before the election many in the community talked about “sending a message” to the school administration. Well, that was accomplished! The message goes something like this:
1.) We do not want to invest in future generations even though previous generations were willing to invest in us, and
2.) We no longer desire or need “quality education,” instead we ask for “cheaper education.”
Many of us are very fortunate that previous generations did not take the stance so many in the community took on Tuesday. Those generations also experienced “taxation frustration” but they fully realized that a quality, up-to-date educational system brings greater quality of life within the community by producing young men and women who can make the community and the world a better place. I think our generation proved this theory correct and now, hopefully, we will find it in our hearts to give this and all future generations in the Anthony Wayne area the same opportunity.
Bob Walters
Whitehouse
Conservation Of Water Is A Matter Of Global Importance
To the Editor:
In 1995, Ismail Serageldin, vice president of the World Bank, made a much-quoted prediction about the nature of future wars: “If the wars of this century were fought over oil, the wars of the next century will be fought over water.”
Surprisingly, many of the signs point in favor of Serageldin’s argument. Across the world, stories of water shortages in countries such as Canada, China, India, Israel, Mexico and even the United States are making headlines in major newspapers, magazines and news channels. In April 2001, for example, The New York Times featured a front-page story stating in bold letters, “For Texas Now, Water, Not Oil, Is Liquid Gold.”
Although Serageldin’s predictions as to the nature of future wars certainly ring true, we must not forget to look at the present. We must ask ourselves, what can we do now, at the local level, to prevent such future wars from occurring? The answer is simple: water conservation.
According to a U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine report, the average adult male requires a daily water intake of 3.7 liters, or about one gallon. Despite these sparse requirements, the average American adult uses 140-170 gallons daily.
The importance of the disparity between these two statistics is most clearly shown in the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who are not able to obtain these basic water needs. Day after day, countless people die of thirst, and countless more from water-borne diseases. This often occurs because local peoples are forced to drink from polluted, unsanitary water sources. Rivers polluted with fecal matter and other contaminants serve as the only available water source for many people across the world, yet we in the United States continue to allow ourselves to carelessly waste water.
We are a people blessed with prosperity, and it’s about time we started to conserve our vast wealth of natural resources. What is required now is a water conservation movement at the national level that stresses the conservation of the world’s most valuable resource – water. Donations directed toward constructing wells and waste management plants will provide near-limitless aid to peoples suffering from water-borne disease and significantly reduce future illnesses. Now is the time we must act. It’s your world. It’s your children’s world. Conserve it.
Austin Dupont
Modern Global Perspective Class
Anthony Wayne High School
Providing Quality Education Becomes More Difficult With Financial Cuts
To the Editor:
I would just like to say a few words regarding the failure of the Anthony Wayne school levy on March 4. I am a social studies teacher at Anthony Wayne High School and am also a co-president of the Anthony Wayne teachers’ union. I represent 256 teachers, guidance counselors, nurses and teacher aides. I have had the distinct privilege of teaching all seven years of my career here at Anthony Wayne.
I, like many of my colleagues, experienced a number of emotions when I read that our levy had failed by over 700 votes. First I was shocked, then confused, then angry and upset.
However, as I’ve had time to reflect on our district’s situation, my anger has transformed to sadness. I am saddened because I see on the horizon a bleak future for our school district. I see the possible deterioration of what I consider to be one of the top school districts in the state of Ohio. I see a school district that, when I entered it seven years ago, offered unlimited educational possibilities for teachers and students who were willing to take the initiative to go after them, transform into a district of financial roadblocks and motivational pitfalls. This is what troubles me as I reflect upon our future.
To superintendent Dr. John Granger and treasurer Kerri Johnson, I would like to say thank you. I thank you for your perseverance, despite the unforeseen challenges you inherited when entering our district. I thank you for working hand in hand with the teachers’ association, rather than against it. And I thank you for your continuing efforts to bring us out of our difficult financial situation.
To the people who spent countless hours volunteering their time (and in many cases, money) on our levy campaign, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. It is humbling to see the passion and dedication of our teachers, staff members and community members as they work to support our district.
To the 4,753 individuals who voted for our levy, I thank you for your vote.
To the 5,481 people who voted against our levy, I truly want you to know that I am not angry or upset with you. I may be disappointed, but I am not upset. I understand that many of you are on fixed incomes. I know that times are tougher on most of us today than they were a year or two ago. I understand that many of you are upset with decisions that have been made by our school district, whether they are financial or personnel-related. I also understand that many of you actually do in fact support Anthony Wayne, but just can’t bring yourself to vote for a tax increase because your budgets are tightening in the wake of high gas prices and a shaky economy.
What pains me, and what troubles me to no end, is that regardless of all of these issues, the end result will nevertheless be the same. And that end result is the disintegration of our school district as we know it today.
Finally, to our school board, parents and community members, I want to make a point that in light of the cuts that have been made, and with the cuts that are sure to come in the future, our ability as teachers to provide the level of education that our district is accustomed to will be increasingly more difficult. I can say without a doubt that we as teachers will continue to do our jobs, and will continue to do our best to provide a quality education to the children of this district.
Teachers have been doing a lot with a little since the dawn of public education, and Anthony Wayne teachers are no different. Levy or no levy, funding or no funding, sports or no sports, band or no band, bussing or no bussing, 15 kids in a classroom or 40 kids in a classroom, we will continue to come to work and teach our kids. All of that being said, however, I am fearful that if funding continues to dissolve, our ability as teachers to provide the same standard of education that this district has come to expect will become increasingly more difficult.
Jason Apgar
Co-President
Anthony Wayne Education Association
History and Government Teacher
Committee Appointments Should Be Based On Qualifications, Not Politics
To the Editor:
I wish to respond to the letter published in your March 6 issue from a resident speaking in defense of our new Waterville mayor. The writer has charged a majority of the council members with pettiness and childish behavior for their attempt to prevent the mayor’s committee appointments. However, investigation beyond that which is superficially observed through passively watching televised council proceedings reveals a different perspective.
Eliminating all but a majority of experienced committee members, the mayor’s plan is not only rash, but dangerous. Success in any endeavor comes from a balance of fresh ideas and experience. Eliminating the experienced former and replacing with inexperienced new is not a rational strategy and is not practiced by any business, military or even local governmental agency anywhere in the civilized world.
Furthermore, all nominees should pass a reasonable test of qualifications for committee placement. The test should not be based on who gave the most support to one’s campaign, or who is one’s best friend, but rather who is the most qualified. Likewise, removing a former member of a committee should not be based on whose election sign was placed in that member’s yard during the last campaign.
In addition to appointing committee members based on their qualifications to serve on any particular committee, the motives of the prospective member or the motives of the mayor appointing him should be scrutinized. If the motive of the mayor and/or his appointee is to sabotage a committee or commission whose purpose or mission runs contrary to their own agenda, then logic dictates that this is a rash and destructive appointment, and be assured this very scenario is happening.
Finally, you may ask, what difference does it really make who sits on any given committee? It matters a great deal. No mayor or council member can possibly be versed or experienced in every area of local government. It would be even rarer to have such an elected individual with the interest, much less the time, to become versed before their vote is cast. This was the rationale for establishing commissions and advisory committees to council in the first place, a practice followed by every other community in America as well.
Our young mayor is not proving himself to be thus far ineffectual because he is young, but because he acts irrationally and shuns advice from even his former mentors. What great ego to assume you know everything there is to know about local government and can, therefore, be cavalier about your appointments because you don’t need their counsel anyway. What great folly to ignore the most basic tenet of effective leadership – to surround yourself with the best and the brightest and they will make you look good.
My appreciation and support goes to those council members who use critical thinking and logic in their deliberations and are challenging this mayor in instances when he demonstrates a lack thereof. Their job is not to pamper and accommodate an irrational fledgling politician on a learning curve, but to effectively lead this village. When, as a village, you have been honored by last December’s issue of Business Week Magazine as “Ninth Best Place in the Nation to Raise a Family,” immediately taking the community in a “new direction” should be logically questioned in the full light of day.
Phyllis Hyder
Waterville
Waterville Mayor Deserves The Chance
To Succeed Or Fail On His Own Merit
To the Editor:
As a lifetime resident of the village of Waterville, I would like to respectfully request that several of the members of village council start to work with our new mayor, Derek Merrin. The best way in which they could do this would be for them to stop blocking Mr. Merrin’s appointments; it’s not only petty (and one council member, in particular, stands out here), but it’s becoming increasingly childish, as well.
From what I can assess – from reading various news articles and watching council meetings on my local cable’s public access channel – they seem to want to punish Mr. Merrin for winning the election. May I remind council (some of whom I also gave my vote) that not only did Mr. Merrin win by a substantial number of votes (given the size of our community, and the fact that other candidates, for various offices in the past, have won – and lost – by just a handful of votes), but that those of us who supported him did so not because we necessarily disliked the former administration, but because we were attracted to Mr. Merrin’s youth and enthusiasm, and gambled that he might bring a wealth of new ideas and direction(s) to our community.
Whether you are comfortable with him or not, Mr. Merrin is obviously an intelligent and talented young man. He is also not a novice, as he was elected to village council in 2005 and has been, by all accounts, a fairly effective council member. I’m sensing that some council members desire to “get even” with Mr. Merrin because he is so young and wants to take our community in new directions. However, the simple fact is this: Mr. Merrin is our new mayor. It is possible that he might fail. But he was fairly elected, and deserves the chance to succeed. Please stop impeding him.
Timothy Riddle
Waterville
School Board President Deserves
A Failing Grade For Comments
To the Editor:
I am writing in response to Stephanie Piechowiak’s February 7 letter to the editor. I am not certain of the specific job description of her position as the Maumee board of education president, but if any part of the job description requires her to fairly represent the entire school system, I give her letter a grade of an F-.
I was extremely stunned and dismayed by her decision to deliberately and specifically identify and criticize only one party of the recent teacher contract negotiations. A school system is comprised of multiple components, such as citizens, district staff, administrators, teachers and students. Likewise, a school district’s budget is voluminous and multifaceted. I certainly support fiscal responsibility. But I do not understand why Ms. Piechowiak chose to only identify and criticize the salary increase for teachers, and blame the teachers’ salaries for the need for a levy. Is not the district’s budget comprised of numerous items, such as the cost of buildings, utilities and property; transportation; the salaries and benefits of staff, teachers and administrators? Why were not all these, and other expenses discussed? Why were only the teachers’ salaries singled out?
Why is Ms. Piechowiak so critical of the salary of our teachers? Are not our teachers deserving of fair and equitable compensation for their work and dedication? Did I miss some new headlines regarding sub-standard results provided by the teachers? Are not they the same teachers who have prepared Maumee students for their many successes, such as a high graduation rate, noteworthy Ohio achievement test results and many other accomplishments? Are not they the same teachers who contribute their time and expertise to provide numerous essential and character-building extracurricular activities to Maumee students?
Why is Ms. Piechowiak so intent on giving the least possible amount of gratitude and compensation to those who are directly responsible for the formal education of our most precious gifts, our children? Teachers are committed to instructing, inspiring and shaping our children, their students. Such a noble and vital profession deserves nothing less than the highest praise and compensation. It is worth noting that even though the school board president does not acknowledge the worth of Maumee teachers, students certainly recognize the exceptional dedication of their teachers. This recognition was exemplified by the support students gave their teachers during the contract negotiations.
I can only conclude that the one-sided, critical opinion of Ms. Piechowiak must indicate the manner in which she negotiated the teacher contract. Her involvement with the negotiations must have been as slanted and deceptive as her article, with minimal support and appreciation for teachers. Are not our children and their education worth retaining, compensating and attracting the best teachers available? Is giving the teachers paltry, “garage-sale” salaries the manner in which Maumee supports, retains and attracts highly qualified and dedicated teachers? As we expect Maumee teacher to give their best, they deserve and should receive our best.
To paraphrase Ms. Piechowiak, do I agree with her opinions and conclusion? No. Do I think that our teachers and our community deserve a more supportive and appreciative school board president? Yes.
Ms. Piechowiak, if you are reading this letter, among those who deserve your gratitude, are teachers.
Al Woods
Maumee
Maumee High School After-Prom Committee Seeks Donations
To the Editor:
On behalf of the Maumee High School After-Prom Committee, we are again asking for donations to help defray the cost of the after-prom. The event will be held at the University of Toledo Recreation Center on Saturday, May 10. This event enables 400-plus students to enjoy a safe and fun evening after the prom in an adult-supervised, alcohol- and drug-free environment.
Most of us are frequently approached from worthy organizations for donations, but we feel this annual activity is vitally important to our students. Your donation will help pay for activities, food, beverages and prizes. Our costs are always rising, so please consider a generous donation. In the past, in addition to monetary donations we have received movie passes, restaurant and gas gift cards, cameras, televisions and other items for prizes.
For further information, please call Michelle VanDromme at (419) 893-2294.
Thank you and let’s show our students that we as a community continue to support them!
MHS After Prom Committee
Maumee
School System, Property Values, Economy At Stake On March 4
To the Editor:
My family and I moved into the Anthony Wayne school district eight years ago. We had the opportunity to live anywhere in the Toledo area. We have five children, and chose the Monclova area because of its excellent school system. Smaller class sizes, intervention programs and excellent teachers are what keep our schools performing at such a high level.
If this levy on March 4 does not pass, many of these things that make our schools so great are threatened. We have already felt the cuts in transportation, the changes in the kindergarten schedule and some increased class sizes.
Excellent schools lead to a strong community. Families want to move to an area that has a better school system. This promotes higher property values and stimulates the local economy.
We have one of the highest ranked school systems in the state of Ohio. We need to keep it this way! Please vote yes for the levy on March 4. Do it for our schools. Do it for our community. Most importantly, do it for our kids!
Dr. Thomas Dalagiannis
Monclova
Levy Passage Would Create Huge Surplus For Anthony Wayne Schools
To the Editor:
On March 4, the residents of the Anthony Wayne school district will need to determine if they wish to have their school operating taxes doubled. This is being marketed, on the ballot, as “Providing for the Emergency Requirements of the School District.” If this is an emergency, it is only because the administration and the board of education refused to put a replacement levy on the ballot. They had the opportunity to put a replacement levy on the ballot, then identify what they felt was an emergency, or additional monies needed to operate the school district as a separate levy. Instead, they decided to put on a levy that would double our operating taxes, and give them nothing to operate if it failed.
Based on their own numbers, on their “frequently asked questions” documentation regarding the levy, they will end this year with a surplus of $1.09 million. If they had just put up the replacement levy (the $3 million that we are currently paying) and it passed, at the end of the following years, they would have:
• 2009 – $1.67 million surplus
• 2010 – $284,065 surplus
• 2011 – $1.83 million shortfall
This is with just the passage of a replacement levy. We are already aware of the estimating abilities of the administration, in that we went from predictions of a multi-million dollar shortfall at the end of 2008, only to find out that there will be a surplus of over $1 million at the end of the year. If the levy passes, as it is currently proposed, we will be putting an extra $3 million in their hands that they don’t need to operate the district for at least a couple of years. We know if they (just like any other “governmental” administration) have the money in their hands, they will find a way to spend it. Personally, I would rather have this excess money in our pockets, rather than theirs, until it is truly needed.
If the administration feels they have an “emergency” situation, they should propose a levy that is to be a short-term fix of one to three years. If the situation is viewed as a longer-term “emergency,” then it indicates there is a serious management deficiency. The problem with defining this as “Providing for the Emergency Requirements of the School District” is that this will sustain our “emergency” forever, as this will be identified as a “replacement levy” every time it comes up on the ballot in the future.
There have already been resignations, retirements and terminations that will reduce the future costs for years to come, that are not in their numbers. Superintendent John Granger has already announced that he “is aware of several” future retirements of older staff members, who based on past practices, will be replaced with less experienced, less costly staff, that are not in their numbers. As he announced last year, the district saved $2.3 million via attrition. The number will likely not be so high this year, but a number of our most experienced (and most expensive) teachers will be retiring this year, and many others within the duration of this levy. That is reality, but cannot be placed in their projections until they become fact.
It amazes me how the district was able to work with the current $3 million operating revenue for the 2008 school year, and have a $1 million carryover, while they are predicting that the $3 million that would be generated with passage of a replacement levy would not be enough to operate the district for the 2009 school year.
The administration will have options to put a levy or levies on one or more ballots between now and November, and still not impact the 2009 school year. Maybe next time they can get it right, and come up with a reasonable levy structure that will allow us to support our school district without creating the huge surpluses that will occur if the current levy is passed.
Larry Gardner
Waterville
Levy Failure Would Be Detrimental To Anthony Wayne School District
To the Editor:
I am a proud graduate of Anthony Wayne High School, Class of 1966. I have been an educator (classroom teacher and elementary principal) for 28 years. The Anthony Wayne Schools played a large part of my academic and professional successes, moral development and work ethic. When I was in high school, we were sometimes teased as the “hicks from the sticks” or the “corn field” school. When I went away to college, though, I had all the skills necessary to compete with students from all over the region. Why? It was because we had excellent instructional opportunities then as we do now. Over the years, Anthony Wayne lost the stigma it once had. It is now and has been in the top ranking of school districts in Northwest Ohio, along with Ottawa Hills, Perrysburg and Sylvania. Anthony Wayne has maintained its excellent rating for the fifth year in a row while maintaining the lowest cost per pupil, compared to many surrounding districts. That is an outstanding accomplishment!
Anthony Wayne has run fewer levies than many surrounding school districts. The costs associated with any operating budget, whether in schools or business, are the most expensive part of the budget. It goes without saying that costs and operating expenses usually increase every year. The AW administration’s numbers are based on two state audits. It was the state auditors’ reports that came up first, with a deficit, then with a surplus. It is easily understandable that the loss of 33 jobs through attrition saved the school district a lot of money. It is unfortunate that individuals with hidden agendas work to derail the efforts of those who work hard to be fiscally responsible and to make a difference for children. The fact is, if this renewal levy failed, it would be extremely detrimental to the school district. Programs and services would be reduced or lost. Your tax increase on a $100,000 house will be measured as an increase of $99.00 per year or 27 cents per day! Isn’t that worth maintaining the pride in this wonderful school system?
I have always believed that a community is known by the schools it keeps! Let’s keep the excellent reputation Anthony Wayne has rightly earned. I, as many others, firmly believe we need to “fix” the state funding formula. It is frustrating waiting for that fix. But until that time comes, we need to support our schools and the students who now proudly attend. Someone did it for me, and now it is my turn as a taxpayer to pay it back and hopefully forward, for our children and grandchildren.
Holly (Richard) Schmidbauer
Monclova
Leave Personal Differences Aside And Consider Our Kids’ Future
To the Editor:
I could not let this opportunity go by without expressing our support of Dr. Granger and the upcoming levy. I know that change is very hard and that it is often met with resistance. However, the mean-spirited comments and efforts that have been directed toward him during this time are ridiculous.
We moved here from the Washington, D.C., area about three years ago and we are well aware of the competition our children face when leaving Anthony Wayne High School and the northwestern Ohio area. Not all of our children will want to stay in this area upon graduating from high school. And we need to make sure that they are prepared for wherever they choose to further their education: whether it’s BGSU, OSU, UM or Harvard. So, if anyone has children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, I would hope that they would want them to have the best education possible so that they can compete with children that are being educated in other parts of the country. None of us wants them to get to college and not be able to compete with their peers and do well.
Let’s just do the right thing for the kids and leave all of our bitter personal opinions and differences at the door. Our kids deserve the best that’s available to them. Let’s make sure they get it.
Vote yes for the levy on March 4.
Debbie Porter
Monclova Township
AW School Levy Is An Investment In The Community’s Future
To the Editor:
As a parent of two Anthony Wayne students and an educator of many more, I would like to emphasize how important it is that we pass the emergency operating levy for our school on March 4.
The Anthony Wayne school district has already implemented a number of cost-saving measures this past year, including: not replacing retired teachers, revising bus routes, changing the kindergarten schedule and implementing an energy savings program.
Additional cuts will be implemented; however, the reality is that the district will face an estimated $18 million deficit over the next five years according to the most recent financial forecasts.
The quality of a school district largely defines a community. We should be very proud of our schools and happy to live and raise our families in this area. We have all witnessed the problems faced by communities where the local school districts have suffered due to a lack of adequate funding. The emergency operating levy is an investment in our schools and our community. The return on this investment will be the promise of opportunity for our kids and the continued strength of our community.
Please vote yes for the emergency operating levy.
Susanne Donnal
Monclova Township
Anthony Wayne School Levy Necessary To Avoid Fiscal Emergency Status
To the Editor:
The fine education of the Anthony Wayne Schools is what many residents in the Anthony Wayne district count on as they have raised or currently raise their children. The property values in the district have continued to rise, and what was once a modest home on five acres of property in our district is now a true investment for many of us who have seen our property values increase. This is due to the demand for land in the Anthony Wayne area, which is known for its fine schools and family-oriented communities. We cannot stop the growth, but we can make sure that the value of our real estate continues to increase by supporting the Anthony Wayne school levy.
The current administration is committed to keeping the district from being placed in “fiscal emergency” by the state by placing a renewal levy on the ballot, as well as an emergency operating levy. The levy represents $3 million toward the operation of the district and is not a new tax, but rather a request to continue to pay as you do today for the schools. The new millage request of 3.25 mills is on the ballot because the state of Ohio has put the district in a category of “fiscal caution,” due to financial forecasting and other operating decisions that were made long before the current superintendent and treasurer took their posts.
In order to maintain autonomy from the state coming in and running the Anthony Wayne school district themselves, we must pass the current levy request. The new tax is $99.83 to a taxpayer who owns property valued at $100,000.
Through administrative cuts, the retirement of over 25 teachers, change to the kindergarten program and the revamping of the bus schedules, the district will end this year with approximately $1.09 million in surplus. Other than a few retirements here and there in 2008, without the passage of this levy, the five-year forecast required to be submitted to the state shows growing deficits, upwards of $5 million within the next three years. Surely the district will be on its way to “fiscal emergency” and the programs will be only a memory of what the district once was, because the state will undoubtedly only offer what is the bare minimum of education to our students.
Let’s all work together to make this happen. I urge you to vote yes on March 4 for the school levy, showing that you value your community and your schools.
Les Disher
Chair
Citizens for Anthony Wayne Schools
Further Cuts To School District’s Budget Will Hurt Kids And AW Community
To the Editor:
We’ve seen some wonderful letters to The Mirror over the last few weeks and it has warmed my heart to see how many people have pulled together because they know our school district needs us right now. These people have cited many facts, Web sites and people who can deliver answers to questions regarding this levy and our district finances so that voters can make an educated decision on March 4.
One person, however, because he is disgruntled over a personnel decision made by our administration regarding the former band director, continues to prey on the fact that people are scared of having their taxes raised. But it appears he also knows that our community won’t vote no for just a couple hundred dollars a year; so now he’s going to distort the facts so that he can get his way. I have attended every town hall meeting regarding this levy and have not seen this man at even one.
I called our superintendent in January 2007, when it was initially announced at a board meeting that we had some financial issues, and asked to meet with him. I wanted to see the financial reports so that I could determine for myself what was going on; these records are completely open to the public.
It is unfortunate that a critic who chooses to distort the facts doesn’t care about our school district or our community. His motivation is quite simple – say whatever he needs to say so that this levy is defeated. It appears he will say and do whatever necessary to hurt our superintendent – except, guess what? He’s not hurting our superintendent nearly as much as he’s hurting our children and our community. And he’s not just hurting the students who are being impacted right now, but also all the babies, toddlers and preschoolers who are going to need this school district in a few years.
Please just look at the facts. When the levy in May 2007 was narrowly defeated, our administration knew that although some unpopular decisions would have to be made, they had to cut $1.6 million from their budget to make it balance by year-end. A natural way to begin was through the attrition occurring within the district. So teachers who retired last year were not replaced. This, of course, led to larger class sizes, especially at Fallen Timbers Middle School where I currently have a sixth-grader who has 30 children in her class.
They changed the kindergarten schedule from half day, every day to every other Monday and then either Tuesday and Thursday or Wednesday and Friday. This saved a lot of money, but boy has it been tough on some of the kids! My kindergartner has really struggled on this new schedule, and although I didn’t like this decision, I do respect it.
They also saved money by changing the starting time for the Fallen Timbers kids – another decision that wasn’t extremely popular among some, but it was a decision that would make an impact financially without really hurting our kids.
That’s what I’ve noticed. The cuts made so far have definitely been felt by lots of us, but Dr. Granger and the board have at least attempted to minimize the impact felt directly by our children.
We need this levy to pass. It’s in the best interest of the children in our school district, who need our school district to be all that it can be so that they can be all who they can be – hard working, intelligent, successful individuals who are proud of where they come from. It’s in the best interest of the homeowners in the district so that the school district continues to be competitive with others in our area so that our home values are protected.
Michelle Morgan-Rybicki
Monclova Township
Anthony Wayne District Students Receive An Excellent Education At A Bargain Price
To the Editor:
I am a proud graduate of the Anthony Wayne High School Class of 1981. My children are all successful graduates of Anthony Wayne (Classes of 2003, 2005 and 2007). I am also a tax-paying resident of the Anthony Wayne school district, as well as an employee of this district for over 15 years.
I am a staunch supporter of this levy and I have spoken to many others who feel the same way I do; however, I have heard some individuals plan to vote no on the emergency operating levy request simply because they are unhappy about certain decisions that have been made. In my opinion, district administration was forced to make changes due to the financial forecast. Do voters realize that a vote of no based upon these decisions will only lead to additional tough choices by the administration, resulting in further reductions or even elimination of services? Quite simply, the levy request on March 4 is the minimal amount of money necessary to continue to provide current programs.
Senior citizens who have taken advantage of Gov. Strickland’s new Homestead Exemption Act, designed to relieve their tax burden, will still be paying less taxes when the levy passes than they were paying last year. This is an advantage to area senior citizens, which will, hopefully, permit them to vote yes.
The example of a $100,000 home is often criticized when discussion takes place upon the amount of tax increase per home. Perhaps homeowners would agree that $250,000 is a more fair example? For a home valued at $250,000, the levy increase would be an additional $249.57 per year. That’s 68 cents a day!
Anthony Wayne residents should take a look at surrounding districts and realize that at Anthony Wayne, students are receiving a quality education at a bargain price. Anthony Wayne has the lowest effective millage in the area, as well as the lowest cost per pupil. Yet the Anthony Wayne district continues to receive “excellent” ratings from the Ohio Department of Education, one of the most prevalent reasons people chose to move to the district.
When you go to the polls on March 4, vote yes. Vote for the future!
Lori (Reymone) Hankins
AWHS Class of 1981
Waterville
School Board President Deserves A Failing Grade For Comments
To the Editor:
I am writing in response to Stephanie Piechowiak’s February 7 letter to the editor. I am not certain of the specific job description of her position as the Maumee board of education president, but if any part of the job description requires her to fairly represent the entire school system, I give her letter a grade of an F-.
I was extremely stunned and dismayed by her decision to deliberately and specifically identify and criticize only one party of the recent teacher contract negotiations. A school system is comprised of multiple components, such as citizens, district staff, administrators, teachers and students. Likewise, a school district’s budget is voluminous and multifaceted. I certainly support fiscal responsibility. But I do not understand why Ms. Piechowiak chose to only identify and criticize the salary increase for teachers, and blame the teachers’ salaries for the need for a levy. Is not the district’s budget comprised of numerous items, such as the cost of buildings, utilities and property; transportation; the salaries and benefits of staff, teachers and administrators? Why were not all these, and other expenses discussed? Why were only the teachers’ salaries singled out?
Why is Ms. Piechowiak so critical of the salary of our teachers? Are not our teachers deserving of fair and equitable compensation for their work and dedication? Did I miss some new headlines regarding sub-standard results provided by the teachers? Are not they the same teachers who have prepared Maumee students for their many successes, such as a high graduation rate, noteworthy Ohio achievement test results and many other accomplishments? Are not they the same teachers who contribute their time and expertise to provide numerous essential and character-building extracurricular activities to Maumee students?
Why is Ms. Piechowiak so intent on giving the least possible amount of gratitude and compensation to those who are directly responsible for the formal education of our most precious gifts, our children? Teachers are committed to instructing, inspiring and shaping our children, their students. Such a noble and vital profession deserves nothing less than the highest praise and compensation. It is worth noting that even though the school board president does not acknowledge the worth of Maumee teachers, students certainly recognize the exceptional dedication of their teachers. This recognition was exemplified by the support students gave their teachers during the contract negotiations.
I can only conclude that the one-sided, critical opinion of Ms. Piechowiak must indicate the manner in which she negotiated the teacher contract. Her involvement with the negotiations must have been as slanted and deceptive as her article, with minimal support and appreciation for teachers. Are not our children and their education worth retaining, compensating and attracting the best teachers available? Is giving the teachers paltry, “garage-sale” salaries the manner in which Maumee supports, retains and attracts highly qualified and dedicated teachers? As we expect Maumee teacher to give their best, they deserve and should receive our best.
To paraphrase Ms. Piechowiak, do I agree with her opinions and conclusion? No. Do I think that our teachers and our community deserve a more supportive and appreciative school board president? Yes.
Ms. Piechowiak, if you are reading this letter, among those who deserve your gratitude, are teachers.
Al Woods
Maumee
Maumee High School After-Prom Committee Seeks Donations
To the Editor:
On behalf of the Maumee High School After-Prom Committee, we are again asking for donations to help defray the cost of the after-prom. The event will be held at the University of Toledo Recreation Center on Saturday, May 10. This event enables 400-plus students to enjoy a safe and fun evening after the prom in an adult-supervised, alcohol- and drug-free environment.
Most of us are frequently approached from worthy organizations for donations, but we feel this annual activity is vitally important to our students. Your donation will help pay for activities, food, beverages and prizes. Our costs are always rising, so please consider a generous donation. In the past, in addition to monetary donations we have received movie passes, restaurant and gas gift cards, cameras, televisions and other items for prizes.
For further information, please call Michelle VanDromme at (419) 893-2294.
Thank you and let’s show our students that we as a community continue to support them!
MHS After Prom Committee
Maumee