Week of October 31, 2010

More than inconvenience
To the editor: Because of reduced revenues to the State of Ohio and in order to balance its budget, financial distributions to libraries were reduced 18.59 percent from 2008 to 2009 and another 9 percent reduction is anticipated for 2010. This has caused our libraries to reduce the hours they are open and forced them to cut salaries and benefits for employees. Other parts of libraries’ budgets and services have also needed to be reduced.
 
These reductions in services are more than an inconvenience. They undermine the education of our children and youth as well as decrease information accessibility for adults.
 
To help compensate for these reductions in state funding, the Elmore and Genoa libraries (which operate jointly) have placed a 1.1 mill levy on the November ballot. assage of this levy will not only fully restore services at both of our libraries to previous levels, but it will also help establish a firmer financial foundation should further cuts be made in state funding. It will also enable the libraries to continue to institute new services that are beneficial to our communities.
 
Some of my best experiences as a grandparent have been to take my grandchildren to the library to get books to read to them. Our libraries deserve our support.

John Bock
Elmore

Animal benefactor
To the editor: Too all the animal lovers out there reading this, Kenny Hetrick could use our help at this time. I appreciate all animals, but am not young enough or rich enough to help Kenny.
 
I would certainly be able to donate some cash toward the work he has to have done at his zoo on Route 20. A dollar or two or what ever you can afford would help him. If a fund could be set up at a local bank for the updates he needs by the USDA to keep these wonderful animals alive, and with the help of some good volunteers, this work could be accomplished in a short time.
 
Kenny is a wonderful person who does a great service for these animals. When and if you visit his little zoo, he only asks for a small donation, but you can visit even if you don't give a dime.
 
Kenny works part time for the village of Walbridge as a police officer. All the kids love and respect him. He has a wave whenever he goes by.
 
I have never organized a fundraiser, but if someone can do this, we would be one of the first to give the first $100 to benefit the wonderful beasts that Kenny takes such good care of.

Shirley and Robert Kingsley
Walbridge

The same group?
To the editor: Leave it to the Democratic Party to take a wholesome father and son activity and pervert it. This is the same group that derides the Boy Scouts for their “God and country” relationship.

Rufus Wallace
Millbury

Misplaced blame
To the editor: At an open forum meeting on the Oregon City Schools’ upcoming emergency levy on Sept. 30, the district superintendent, Dr. Michael Zalar, stated that state test scores at one of its elementary schools are lower because of the high percentage of special needs students at that school.

Rather than blame these students for the school district’s failure to perform well on standardized tests, it is the responsibility of the school administration and board of education to properly educate these students, who are the very individuals who need our help the most.          
 
In 2001, Congress enacted the No Child Left Behind Act, requiring public schools to bring all students to proficiency by the 2013-2014 school year. Under the act, the schools are required to report by subgroup (i.e., ethnicity, disability/special needs, low-income individuals and those with English as a second language). If the school does not educate any subgroup, it will have failed to meet the No Child Left Behind standard.
 
This standard was purposefully drafted in this manner in an attempt to make public schools accountable for all students, including those traditionally at risk for academic failure, such as those with “special needs.” Many people criticize the No Child Left Behind Act, but the comments by Dr. Zalar show why we need these types of laws in order to make sure that children of all abilities receive an excellent education. Children with special needs should not be blamed for a school district’s inability to educate them to make them successful in the 21st century.

Tida Wasch
Northwood

Not too much to pay
To the editor: I am a longtime resident and homeowner in Walbridge and I am writing to express my full support of the proposed Wood County District Public Library levy.
 
The Wood County District Public Library has lost $800,000 in state funding and consequently has had to reduce its budget drastically and has had to cut hours down from 107 per week to 82. In addition, staff has been reduced by 25 employees since 2007, while giving those still employed more duties with no increase in wages since 2008. This has adversely impacted their ability to serve their communities.
 
Libraries offer many resources that are otherwise unavailable to many in our communities. For example, books, of course, but also movies, newspapers and magazines. Remember parents, libraries also provide reference materials for students working on papers and projects.
 
In Walbridge, we have two book clubs that meet at the library on the second Monday of the month at 1 p.m. for all literature and for mystery novels on the fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. These clubs provide a social outlet for anyone interested in reading.
 
The levy will cost approximately $24.50 per year for a home with a $100,000 market value. I don’t believe that is too much to pay for such a valuable resource.
Mary K. (Kathy) Raglow
Walbridge

Singing praises
To the editor: Do you know what makes me excited? Listening to my second-grader retell how her teacher creatively presented a math topic, singing and dancing included.
 
Or when my fourth-grader is given academic opportunities beyond the structured curriculum because his teacher and principal care about him and his education.
 
Since day one, the faculty and staff at Starr Elementary have welcomed me, as a parent, to ask questions, offer opinions and assist me in mentoring my children in their academic endeavors and emotional development.
 
Coupled with an emphasis on education, character development is strongly encouraged and presented in each classroom by Mrs. Ford, a most exceptional counselor. Not only are my children gaining knowledge but they are also practicing being good citizens, becoming better problem solvers and are learning life lessons every day they interact with Starr Elementary’s faculty and staff.
 
The next time you pass one of the Oregon schools, take a moment to reflect on the amazing group of people who work extremely hard, but with evident joy, to enrich the lives of their students.
 
Our reward for supporting such excellence found in the Oregon schools may be found in the minds and spirits of our children.

Brittany Marciniak-Lowe
Oregon

Maintain quality schools
On Nov. 2, residents in the Oregon and Jerusalem Township communities face a critical issue that will impact the quality of our schools. Our Oregon schools are on the ballot for Issue 1 – a 5.9 mill five-year emergency operating levy. Operating levies fund the day-to-day operations of our schools such as teachers, textbooks, supplies and utilities.
 
Oregon schools have worked hard to keep costs low and maintain a lean budget, especially in these tough economic times. We have reduced over $7 million from our operating budget, including over 50 staff positions. Moreover, teachers, administrators and all staff have agreed to a freeze in their base pay, a step freeze and have doubled their contributions towards health care benefits. These actions have saved Oregon schools $1.3 million. In fact, our current budget is less than what we operated on in the 2005-06 school year.
 
In spite of all these cost saving measures, the district still faces a deficit for the next school year. Without additional funds with the passage of Issue 1, Oregon schools will have to make $2 million in cuts impacting the quality of our schools.
 
The Oregon Board of Education has detailed these cuts and they include: reductions in teaching positions that will increase class sizes; the reduction or elimination of high school busing; an increase in athletic participation fees; reductions in career tech programs; cuts to the all-day kindergarten program; and the acceleration of the process to close a school building and the reconfiguration of classrooms.
 
Issue 1 is critical to maintain quality schools and services our students need to succeed. Even with the passage of this issue, Oregon schools remains committed to explore ways to be as efficient as possible and good stewards of taxpayer dollars. The district will continue its initiatives to maintain a lean budget by consistently evaluating programming and staff levels to ensure efficiencies while maximizing quality schools.
 
Please help us maintain quality schools by voting for Issue 1 on Nov. 2.

Dr. Michael E. Zalar
Superintendent

Input welcome
To the editor: I couldn’t agree more with Daniel Prater’s letter to the editor entitled “Cost-cutting needed” when he wrote of the need to run Oregon City Schools as lean as possible when it comes to energy and other operational costs. In fact, we continue to look at every cost and every contract in an effort to identify and capture savings. Some recent successes are:
 
1. Renegotiated the lease with our copy machine supplier, providing the district with newer, more efficient machines at a savings of $28,000 annually.
 
2. Reduced electric rates by 42 percent from an average of .12¢ to .05¢, realizing a savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars this calendar year.
 
3. Purchased diagnostic software and trained our current bus mechanics to analyze and repair more in-house bus issues, which saved us nearly $50,000,
 
4. Reprogrammed the Clay High School lighting software, realizing a savings of over $15,000 per year.
 
5. Relamped Fassett and Eisenhower gymnasiums to provide a minimum savings of $3,100 annually; minimum savings because we have installed occupancy sensors to save even more on energy costs when no one is in the gym.
 
6. Helped to establish the Maumee Valley Operations Manager (MVOM) association, which pools the buying power from school districts from all of Northwest Ohio to secure better pricing on goods and services like paper, waste removal, ice melt, paper products, etc.
 
Additionally, we use the H.E.A.T. program to monitor and control our HVAC; to monitor and maintain differing temperatures when classes are in session or out of session or buildings are occupied or unoccupied. Plans are underway to capture even more energy savings by utilizing wind turbines and implement the Energy Star Program Mr. Prater touted as well.
 
We take very seriously the charge to manage taxpayer dollars prudently. The savings realized from the more efficient operation of our district as well as a sacrifice in wages and benefits by the entire staff over the last few years quite frankly have enabled us to reduce the impact of House Bill 66 and return to the voters for far less than it could have been. While there is always room for improvement, the effort is being made and results are being realized for the benefit of the taxpayers in the Oregon City School district communities.
 
I encourage all community members’ input on cost savings ideas. Please contact me with your possible solutions at 419-693-0661 x3288.

Dean Sandwisch
Director of Business Affairs, Oregon City Schools

Schools an investment
To the editor: We are proud to support Issue 1- the Oregon School Levy.
 
As the parents of a Clay High School sophomore, an Eisenhower eighth-grader and a Wynn fifth-grader, we are proud to have entrusted our children’s education to the wonderful teachers of the Oregon Schools.
 
As homeowners and an Oregon businessman, we are well aware of the ramifications of a tax increase. We don’t want to pay additional unnecessary taxes, however, the Oregon Schools have only one way to raise funds under current law, a levy request.
 
Most recent letters have raised concerns over the employees’ contracts and salaries. In order for the schools to hire and maintain excellent teachers, the district must pay competitive wages. Oregon teachers’ wages are consistent with other districts in northwest Ohio. The average teacher salary in Oregon may be slightly higher (at the present time) due to many teachers having taught in the district that are nearing retirement age. This is a cyclical development that fluctuates over time. Furthermore, the teachers have demonstrated their professionalism by volunteering to take wage and benefit concessions in order to maintain the current level of educational programming for children.
 
The school board has reduced the budget by over $7 million over the last three years and eliminated 50 teachers and/or staff. These cuts have already affected the students. Two million dollars in more cuts would adversely affect students, parents, staff and the community as a whole.
 
The potential cutbacks proposed by the board, upon a “no” vote; will negatively change everyone’s lives. The closing of an elementary school, reconfiguration of the middle schools, elimination of high school busing, increased participation fees and loss of career tech programs will result in long term consequences that are detrimental to both the schools and community.
 
Most importantly, the loss of all day-every day kindergarten will negatively impact the future performance of Oregon’s children. A child’s education is an investment in the future. Our children have benefitted greatly from the Oregon Schools. Now is the time for your support!

Scott and Lillie Winckowski, Co-Chairs
Oregon Schools Levy Campaign

Misleading
To the editor: If someone tells you that it is sunny outside with a beautiful clear sky, you might assume that it is a good day to take a walk. If the person neglects to tell you however, that the temperature is minus 20 degrees, you will not have been fully informed. This is how I found three scathing letters to the editor in last week’s edition of The Press, which dealt with the Oregon Schools’ payment of its teachers.
 
Oregon Schools has had the unique opportunity to be built by the multi-million dollar refineries which resided within its community. This industrial funding enabled our district at one time to be among the wealthiest in the state. Until recent years, residents had enjoyed the luxury of paying very little in school taxes.
 
Since 1984 however, political leaders in Columbus have allowed more of the tax burden for the school district to gradually be shifted to Oregon residents. In 2005 a major jolt occurred with the passage of House Bill 66. During these shifts, Oregon Schools have been extremely sensitive to the impact on the community, and have continually strived to keep costs down. This frugality certainly includes the manner in which the district has paid its teachers.
 
While the local community has been considerably supportive of its schools, I find it disconcerting that there are a growing number of residents who want the same high level of education for their children as in past years, but want “somebody else” to pay for it.
 
The fact is, if budget cuts have to be made by the district for the fifth consecutive year, there is no way that it cannot have a significant impact on all students. If more staff is cut, or salaries and benefits further reduced, the Oregon Schools will continue to lose many of its top educators to other districts. Significant numbers of teachers have already left, only to put students at a loss.
 
Currently, the Oregon Schools are still blessed with many talented, and well-educated professionals who make significant, positive impacts on children’s lives. I personally know people who would not even be alive today if not for the compassion and help of one of their trusted teachers. Does the local community truly believe that it will easily retain high caliber instructors at a low cost? We are talking about professionals who train long years for their jobs. We are talking about the best possible educators for your children. Are they worth it?
 
As an Oregon teacher of 28 years, I find it outright irresponsible for Mr. White, Ms. LaPointe and Ms. Berger to publicly attack Oregon teachers on the work that they do, just two weeks before the election. Why did they not attend board meetings in the past, when salaries were discussed? The figures they listed were only partially accurate, and some were just plain false. For example, it was stated that the teachers are reimbursed 50 percent of their tuition costs for getting a master’s degree. My personal cost two years ago was $40,000 and the district did not even cover $1,000. Of course, this degree was “required” by the state in order to keep my job.
 
The three “editorialists” in their “opinions” also failed to see how many of the currently employed teachers are now doing jobs of two, and sometimes three people. It is no surprise if the absenteeism rate has climbed in the district with the higher stress levels of those who are still working. In my opinion, one additional personal leave day is not unreasonable compensation.

Tony Zsigray
Clay High School

Great sportsmanship
To the editor: I recently attended a freshman football game at Lake High School. As the game progressed, Lake had a group of cheerleaders leading cheers for their team.
 
Lake was losing very badly but the girls cheered throughout the big score against their team. In the second half, I noticed the cheerleaders were losing their pep and enthusiasm, so I began cheering with them, hoping to revitalizing them and as a means of expressing my approval of their dedication.
 
The game finally ended and as I was walking out of the stands, two of the freshmen cheerleaders approached me and gave me a big hug and told me how much they appreciated my cheering along with them. A feeling of warmth and joy overcame me as I returned their hugs.
 
I didn’t get the girls’ names, but they know who they are and their parents can be proud of their sportsmanship and their response to my cheering with them.
 
Thanks, girls, for making a grandpa feel young again.

Chet LaBuda
Former Waite High School teacher, coach and athletic director

Bad for everyone
To the editor: I am writing this letter to implore the voters of Oregon to approve the 5.9 mill emergency school levy in November. As a taxpayer, I understand this will mean an increase in our property taxes in the short term of the next five years. Failure to approve the levy could have consequences for all citizens of Oregon, whether or not those citizens have children in school during the next five years.
 
Businesses look to locate where there is a qualified workforce in the area. Those qualified workers will be more and more educated as we move through the 21st century. These educated workers will want a great, not just good, school system to enable their children to succeed and prosper – as do we all. By now all of us in Oregon have heard the cuts in programs, services, and building closures that will accompany the levy failing to pass. I would not consider that option an indication of a great school system.
 
It is time for us to stop relying on the federal or state government to fund our children’s education. As businesses have left and laws have changed, funding from area sources have dried up also. I do not enjoy paying taxes but believe I have a responsibility to pay for what benefits me. Good roads, good police and fire departments, and a great school system attract quality homeowners and new business to this area. That in turn helps keep our property values strong.
 
If anyone has feelings that the money is not being well spent they should get involved with the school board, read the meeting minutes (they are available online to the general public), or offer suggestions to increase the value gained from the funds gathered from the public. Voting ‘No’ because of these feelings or because a voter has no children, or their children are out of school will just make our city less attractive to new business. That would be bad for all of us.

John Stoiber
Oregon

Bottom line
To the editor: Not only are people tired of more taxes, we are tax broke where do they expect us to keep coming up with more money? My pay check doesn't go up every time they want more. Social Security is on the freeze again.
 
People who rent are able to vote for something that don't even affect them, and I don't feel that's right. Why should they be able to raise my taxes, and what happens when I can't afford to pay them? Don't affect those people one way or another! The school board can't even bother to tell the people that they are getting another wind generator that will cut the electric bill by about 25 per cent or more. They tell us they have made all the cuts that they can, Who sent the levy letter out, and at what cost? Another levy that doesn't list the facts: Jerusalem Fire Levy, replacement levy means in my mind replace the one we are paying now with the same one, not add to it. Tell the people what your real intentions are. Replace the 1975 Sutphen, with what, a ladder truck that we don't need, and don't have a place to house. If a ladder truck would be needed in the Township it would only be at Maumee Bay, and Oregon would send theirs out for that. Let the park system buy one, maintain, and house it. Replace a rescue boat that hardly gets used with a RIB ( Ridged Inflatable Boat) call the Coast Guard, that is their job. What else are you planning on buying, and why can't you be specific and tell us what it is and how much it is going to cost us. These are just a couple things that we heard, what else? Spend, spend, spend... when is it going to stop? We cannot afford to keep this up, give till it hurts, and then give some more. We don't have any more to give.

Joe Mabus
Curtice

Correction: In the Oct. 18 edition of The Press, the article, “Jury Awards Thibert in lawsuit against city,” should have stated that Oregon paid $110,000 to Sgt. Kelly Thibert, $40,000 of which covered her legal fees. In the same article, it should have stated that a jury from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, awarded Thibert $25,000. The Press regrets the errors.