London schools waiting on Kasich’s plan
By Jane Beathard
Staff Writer
London City Schools Treasurer Kristine Blind will take a “wait and see” attitude toward Ohio’s new public school funding model.
Gov. John Kasich outlined the formula last week to mixed reviews from school administrators across the state.
Blind told board of education members on Tuesday the model breaks state reimbursement into a variety of smaller funds.
Together, she calculated those funds will add up to about $363,000 more for London next year than in the current fiscal year.
However, transportation and career technical reimbursements from the state were not announced. If those dollars drop, the $363,000 in new money could quickly vanish. London schools receive about $500,000 in transportation reimbursement annually, Blind said.
“London is projected to get an increase,” Blind said. “But we don’t know how transportation funding will come out.”
She anticipates the district will suffer no loss in overall state subsidies. However, she remains cautious.
“We will move forward as if we are flat funded,” Blind said.
Also on Tuesday, Superintendent Tom Ben responded to additional allegations of bullying within the schools, following the Jan. 27 suicide of fifth-grade student Hailey Petee.
Ben will host a forum on the subject at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, at Crossroads Community Church, 62 E. Second St. in London.
“The community has great concern about bullying,” Ben said. “I take it very seriously.”
Parent Melissa Davis addressed school board members on Tuesday, saying her son was the target of bullying in the middle school cafeteria. She said the room monitor failed to stop the harassment and her son was singled out for punishment while others were not.
She submitted a list of questions about the district’s policy regarding bullying and how teachers handle incidents.
Board member Martha Geib requested a copy of Davis’ questions in order to respond personally.
In other meeting action on Tuesday, school board members:
• Congratulated high school video production teacher Ben McCoy on his appointment as recreation director for the City of London. McCoy’s new job is part-time.
• Announced $20,000 in scholarships are available this year to LHS seniors from the London Community Foundation.
• Heard Ben announce Ginger Tsouskas was hired as school nurse, working in conjunction with the Madison County-London City Health District. Tsouskas starts work on Feb. 20.
• Heard Ben announce the after-school tutoring program is growing.
“I wouldn’t volunteer for this committee or any with London City Schools. ” “The people are too full of themselves”
Pot, kettle.
So the superintendent FINALLY decides it is time to address the bullying in London schools. It’s TOO LATE for that, we lost a child due to not addressing this issue a long time ago. And Martha Geib requesting a copy of the questions to respond personally???? Who is she trying to impress? These questions should be answered by an anti-bully committee and by the entire school board, not just one member who volunteered to take the assignment. This school board is a JOKE!! And let’s see, the scholarship money…. hmmmm….. we all know it will go to doctor’s kids and the suck ups in the school. This money should be allocated for students who actually NEED it. Once again, the school board members are a JOKE!
Can you document one time when the superintendent, school board or any administrator failed to address a bullying incident that they could control? I’m talking about a clear case that took place on school grounds, was not a “he said, she said” instance and was legally their responsibility. This would exclude things that are posted on social media sites outside of the school day.
As far as the scholarship commentary, most schools utilize a committee to help select selected scholarship recipients, as they understand the impact of these decisions. I am sure that the school would welcome additional insights from concerned citizens like yourself so we can avoid having alleged “undeserving” students for being recognized for their achievements. So feel free to contact the school and volunteer….I bet you won’t. It’s too easy to make anonymous, unsubstantiated claims on sites like this.
There is NO possible way I could document a bullying incident. There are enough parents in this community who have children who have been bullied, reported it to the school and nothing was done. These parents have spoke out since the loss of Hailey. I thank God I do not have a child in this total mess of a school system!! It sounds to me like you are in denial of how severe the bullying problem is. Ask Hailey’s parents – they can tell you.
As for the scholarship committee, what a joke! I wouldn’t volunteer for this committee or any with London City Schools. The people are way too fake and full of themselves for me. I do not wish to associate with these kinds of people. Yes, I do prefer to make my comments anonymous as you do also, because the last time I checked, “Actions Speak Louder” is not a name in the phone book.
The difference is that I’m not anonymously attacking people with unsubstantiated allegations. I was simply asking you to validate your claims of negligence. You can’t and want to make a straw man arguement about anonymity and all of these claims. I never said there is no bullying (guess what??? It happens everywhere). I asked you to provide a single example where a london school representative failed to respond to a substantiated instance of bullying.
To cap it all off, you make a blanket attack people on a scholarship committee, which I have no idea the composition. I doubt you know one person on it either, let alone all.
Some advice, continue posting anonymously so that your ignorance doesn’t become public knowledge.
Like many, actually most, of those that post comments on this site, facts don’t matter. They just like to wildly speculate and assume what they think they know. Almost always, their assumptions and speculations are based on incomplete and often false information. I commend your attempt to make this message board a civil, adult discussion, Actions Speak Louder, but you are fighting a losing battle, as I have been on here for months. People would rather complain than act and blame others without offering a solution. It begs the question why anyone with any sense of community pride would continue to reside here.
What facts do you have CBR? Is it an 11 year old child committing suicide wild speculation? Are the parents who have their own bullying stories assumptions? I would say not. WHAT has our school done since this incident? Let’s see, they have had a meeting and one member requested to view Melissa Davis’ list of questions regarding the bullying of her child. Wow, school board, let’s go all out and take a stand on bullying. Shameful and pathetic….. Here’s another thing for you to ponder on CBR, tell me what has LCS done to increase security since the Sandy Hook tragedy? Oh…. let’s see, NOTHING. So, look at those facts and go ahead with your community pride nonsense and waste your time supporting things that will not change. Enjoy!
well, well, well….. hit a nerve now did I? The truth is quite hurtful isn’t it Actions? I do not need to provide YOU with proof as you are nothing to me. My claim of negligence was substantiated when our community lost an 11 year old child who attended LCS. My allegations have furthermore been substantiated when NUMEROUS parents came forward with their bullying stories and no help from the school. Many parents went as far as removing their child from this ridiculous school system. Thank God they did, it may have saved that child’s life. Just because YOU think it happens everywhere doesn’t make it so. I can assure you there are schools where it is not as big of a problem as it is here in our community. For our superintendent to not make a statement or take a stand after we lost a CHILD to suicide only reinforces my point.
As for the scholarship, come on now, we all know how small town brown noser, bootlickers are. Let’s see how much ass I can kiss to get my kid the farthest. Some children do not have parents who are willing to be the apple polisher yes person that you obviously are. Call me ignorant, doesn’t hurt, you are clearly an adult bully. Just keep living in your own little bubble and think LCS is just the greatest. I beg to differ as so many others in this community do too. Don’t bother giving me any of your unwanted advice (as you call it), I call it like it is and it is — useless and moronic.
Always pointing out problems. Always offering excuses as to why you wouldn’t ever attempt to help anyone in this town yourself.
You and “Mary” (another contributor on this website) should get together. Although, you’ll both find excuses as to why you shouldn’t.
You win. Your baseless, factless and unsupported arguement has won me over. I now see the light. You were right along
Congratulations!!!
The phrase “Often wrong but never in doubt” come to mind for some reason….
apparently the truth and opinions other than your own make you condescending and antagonistic. Ignore the facts if you will, they are still there.