Welcome!
Welcome to the informational web site of Tallmadge PRIDE. This is the site where you will find accurate and reliable information about the school district’s needs, school funding and levy campaigns. Get the real facts. Find out how you can help.
The results are in…..
Issue 6 – Tallmadge CSD
Proposed Tax Levy, Cur. Exp., Renew, 7.5 Mills, 5 Yrs.
(Vote For Not More Than ) 1
(WITH 19 OF 19 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
FOR THE TAX LEVY . . . . . . . . 2,137 62.12
AGAINST THE TAX LEVY. . . . . . . 1,303 37.88
Issue 7 – Tallmadge CSD
Proposed Tax Levy, Perm. Impr., Renew, 1.25 Mills, 5 Yrs
(Vote For Not More Than ) 1
(WITH 19 OF 19 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
FOR THE TAX LEVY . . . . . . . . 2,135 61.97
AGAINST THE TAX LEVY. . . . . . . 1,310 38.03
Treasurer Urges Support of Issues 6 & 7
As treasurer of the district you would expect me to state the need for the renewal levies on the May 3rd ballot. That being said, allow me to express how important these funds are to the ongoing operations of the district.
Please remember that the operating levy dollars have been part of the district’s operating budget for the past 10 years (35 years for the permanent improvement levy). The district has counted on these dollars each year to provide services to the students of this district in order to achieve/maintain an excellent rated school district. As you know the governor has made drastic cuts to the state’s budget for the next two years to close an $8 billion dollar shortfall. Tallmadge Schools share of those cuts over the next two years is $2.9 million. Though the amounts were more severe than expected, we anticipated reductions in state funding and have planned accordingly. And, although it will not be easy, with changes that we have made we believe we can continue to operate in an efficient and effective manner. However, if the district were to lose the $3 million dollars generated annually from the renewal of the operating levy, on top of the cuts that we know are coming from the state; to say that the negative impact would be devastating would be an understatement.
In all of my years as a school district treasurer, these are by far the most challenging times for education. The citizens of Tallmadge need to be commended in that, in difficult times you have always stepped up for the students of this district. I urge you to continue that support on behalf of every student of Tallmadge City Schools. Jeff Hostetler, Treasurer
Today on “Voices of Tallmadge”
Voices of Tallmadge
Below are links to the complete Voices of Tallmadge series. Check out what the Voices of Tallmadge are saying about the quality of education in the Tallmadge City Schools and the importance of passing the two upcoming renewal levies.
Lisa DiSabato-Moore, Tallmadge graduate, Parent
Emily Harrington, Tallmadge teacher
Angela Wiebrecht, Tallmadge High School senior
Betta Deblasio, Tallmadge Middle School 8th grader
John Lenzo, Tallmadge teacher
Christine Cipa, Tallmadge City Schools BoE, Parent
Jill Beaumont, Tallmadge teacher
Jennifer Justice-Carter, Tallmadge City Schools graduate, Parent
Jamie Bezbatchenko, Tallmadge teacher
Justin Christopher, Tallmadge teacher
Joseph Siesel, Tallmadge Middle School 8th grader
Rob Kearns, Principal, Tallmadge Middle School
Joni and David Peters, Parents
Joey Marfy, Tallmadge Middle School 8th grader
Courtney Davis, Principal, Overdale Elementary
Cordt and Zach Skraba, Tallmadge High School sophomores
Nina Spitale, Tallmadge Middle School 8th grader
Keith Bee, Parent, Tallmadge teacher
Joe Vassalotti, Teacher, Head Football Coach
Dennis Loughry, Tallmadge City Services Director
Julie Headrick, Tallmadge graduate, parent, current teacher
Valorie Prulhiere, President, Tallmadge Board of Education
Full Circle of Voices Speak Out
Tallmadge voices….. young students, parents of current and past students, teachers, administrators are all talking about the “excellent” schools we have here in Tallmadge. Issues 6 & 7, which will NOT increase your taxes, provided the perfect opportunity to speak out. Please take a few minutes to see what your friends, family and neighbors have to say as the video goes “full circle.” (Special thanks to BOE member Tim Bryan for directing and producing this piece)
District Receives Clean Audit from State… AGAIN
Congratulations to Jeff Hostetler, Treasurer, and his staff for receiving another “clean” state audit. Hostetler noted that this audit added to a history of pristine audits dating back to 1995. Highlights included: 1) no material definciencies, 2) compliance in all financial statements, 3) no significant deficiencies in major federal programs and 4) the designation of Tallmadge City Schools as a “low-risk” auditee because of the long history of strong fiscal management/reporting. “I think this demonstrates that we are serioius about being responsible caretakers of the taxpayers’ dollars.”
For more information about the district’s finances or school funding, contact Jeff Hostetler at the MEC, 330.633.3291, or be email at hostetler.jeff@tallmadgek12.oh.us.
Christine Cipa Appointed to BOE
The BOE appointed Christine Cipa to fill the seat vacated by Dennis Loughry. The appointment is effective immediately and will expire December 31, 2011. Chris is a parent with 2 childeren in Tallmadge schools and a long time community volunteer. She and her husband own a small local business.
BOE Application Deadline Approaches
Tallmadge residents interested in applying for the open Board seat have until 4pm on January 18, 2011 to submit a letter of interest. Letters should be addressed to Valorie Prulhiere, Board President, and be delivered to the MEC by the deadline. The appointment will be for the duration of the term, which expires at the end of this year. The seat will be on the November 2011 ballot. For more information, contact Valorie at 330.338.2511.
2011 BOE organizational meeting
In its organizational meeting the Board elected officers for 2011, accepted a letter of resignation from Dennis Loughry and determined the deadline for applications from individuals seeking appointment to the Board. Valorie Prulhiere will serve as President. Rick Kellar will serve as Vice President. Individuals who are interested in seeking appointment to the Board for the 1 year unexpired term should send (or hand deliver) a letter of interest to Valorie Prulhiere, President, Tallmadge Board of Education at the MEC. Letters must be received by 4:00 PM on Tuesday, 01-18-10. The Board plans to complete the selection process by 02-03-10. The term for this position expires December 2011.
Dennis Loughry Resigns
2011 will mark beginnings and endings for long time Board member Dennis Loughry. After serving on the Board more than a decade, Dennis has been appointed the Service Director for Tallmadge. Dennis came onto the Board during a time of discord within the city and with Board colleague Larry Bagnoli, was instrumental as a healing energy within the community. Dennis’ tenure saw an adoption of the philosophy that Tallmadge City Schools could, and would, become the best that it could be, was realized through hiring outstanding educators (Dennis estimates that ~50% of the current staff were hired during his tenure), increased academic rigors with the institution of weighted grades and AP curriculum. The achievement of “Excellence” by the state for 5 consecutive years was a highlight of achievement during this time. Thank you Dennis!
Hello again…..
Yes, it’s been a while…. The chaos of life caught up with me and this site fell of the radar screen. Well it’s a new year and after an extended period of quiet, the blog is back. Much has happened in the last 10 months. The Class of 2010 graduated and many of those young people have already completed a semester of college. Young families have experienced the trepidation and excitement of the first day of kindergarten. And within the last week, a long time Board member has resigned. One thing hasn’t changed though…. school funding continues to be a grave concern for public schools. I hope you will put the PRIDE site back on your frequently checked websites and pass the info along to your friends and neighbors. 2011 will hold both opportunities and challenges for the schools. Don’t stand on the sidelines…..
Looking forward to hearing from you…
Valorie
