This inaugural issue of Bexley Schools' Embracing Equity newsletter highlights the important work done every day in our schools to live our mission of Learning with Curiosity, Demonstrate Kindness, and Embrace Equity.
UPDATE Bexley City Schools | Fall 2024
Dear Bexley Community: Fall is here, and the start of the new year comes with excitement and renewed energy as our students and staff continue to pursue our mission to Learn with Curiosity, Demonstrate Kindness, and Embrace Equity. I remain grateful for the overwhelming support our schools receive from our local community. From the Bexley Education Foundation’s generosity to families who partner with staff for their child’s education to neighbors who take the safety of our students seriously as they walk through the community, Bexley Schools is better because of our community’s commitment to our young people. Thank you. During the 2024-2025 school year, the district will continue to pursue the goals and objectives outlined in the community-inspired Strategic Plan. An update on our goals and objectives was presented in May and included in our last newsletter. To continue the work aligned with the mission and Strategic Plan, Bexley City Schools’ Board of Education has placed an incremental operating levy on the November 5 ballot. This is the district’s first levy request since 2019, and, if passed, it will fund the district’s day-to-day operations. If the issue fails, the district must make significant operational reductions to balance the budget, which is required by state law. Also included in this newsletter are fantastic stories of our students and staff, an invitation to join ongoing facility discussions, and dates to mark on your calendar to see our students perform and to learn more about our district’s finances. I look forward to another year of growth, progress, and student success! Go Lions!
IN THIS ISSUE 2024-2025 is Off to a Great Start!
Operating Levy Facts and Figures
Staff Recognized on National Level
First Equity Newsletter Published
You’re Invited! Bexley Schools Finance Review October 15 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Bexley Public Library
Dr. Jason Fine Superintendent
November 5 Incremental Operating Levy
Bexley Schools has placed Issue 36 on the November 5 ballot requesting a five- year incremental property tax levy to fund the district’s ongoing operating expenses. In September, the Board of Education adopted a Financial Statement of Facts proactively outlining the two outcomes–what will occur if the levy passes and if it fails. What’s an Incremental Levy? An incremental levy is phased in gradually to reduce the immediate impact on taxpayers. Additional tax dollars are collected as the district expects to need them instead of upfront as a traditional levy would provide. The chart to the right shows the proposed levy’s yearly cost to residents. Why now? School districts in Ohio are required to maintain a positive cash balance. Additionally, Bexley Schools has a 70-day cash reserve policy to maintain fiscal stability. As a result of these requirements, as well as the district’s five-year forecast that predicts a deficit, the Board of Education placed the incremental operating levy on the ballot. If you have questions, residents are encouraged to attend the District Finance Review meeting on October 15 or contact treasurer Kyle Smith directly.
November 5 Incremental Operating Levy: Cost to Residents 2025 5 MILLS • $175 PER $100K 2026 +2.5 MILLS • $88 PER $100K 2027 +2.5 MILLS • $88 PER $100K 2028 +2.5 MILLS • $88 PER $100K 2029 +2.5 MILLS • $88 PER $100K
Continuation of current programs and services offered at Bexley Schools What happens if the levy passes?
What happens if the levy fails?
Budget cuts will begin in the 2025-2026 school year.
Cuts of at least $4 million and upward of $7 million would be required due to the projected deficit of continuing current staffing of programs and services. This could amount to a loss of between 30 and 60 staff.
Alignment to the community- informed Strategic Plan goals and objectives
$4 million
$7 million
Stable funding for five years with the incremental structure
73% of Bexley Schools’ budget is staff, so any cuts would likely significantly impact staffing levels and student services.
Funding will not be used for major renovations or updates to facilities
Read the levy Statement of Facts.
DID YOU KNOW?
DISTRICTS DO NOT RECEIVE ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TAX REVENUE, outside minimal increases on inside millage, unless voters pass new levies, even if property values increase.
BEXLEY SPENDS MORE ON INSTRUCTIONAL, STAFF, AND PUPIL SUPPORT than the state average and about the same or less as a percentage of expenditures on administrative costs and facility operations.
School districts must maintain a POSITIVE CASH BALANCE and end each year in the black.
Bexley School year Off to a Great Start!
Bexley Middle School Community circle conversations focused on students connecting and discussing the school’s expectations for safety, respect, responsibility, and kindness. With a campfire theme, students also engaged in icebreakers and enjoyed snacks in smaller grade-level groups led by their study hall teachers.
Bexley High School The new Upperclassmen Mentorship Program connects senior leaders with incoming freshmen to create a welcoming environment and a supportive culture. This student-led initiative is funded by the Bexley Education Foundation and started the year by welcoming freshmen to their new school during an assembly.
Cassingham ElementarY
Maryland Elementary
Montrose Elementary A special ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the long-awaited unveiling of new playground shade structures and a community garden, funded through Bexley Education Foundation donations and the efforts of the Montrose PTO Shade Committee. Photo by DerksWorks Photography.
Returning to the district as Principal, David Schottner kicked off the year by hosting a new student welcome breakfast and leading a schoolwide Cub Gathering focused on following the Cub Code: being Safe, Respectful, Responsible, and Kind. On “normal days,” students and staff find him roaming the halls with his desk on wheels!
Hundreds of family members, students and staff enjoyed the first Breakfast Buddies event of the school year, sponsored by the Maryland PTO. They enjoyed pancakes, smiles, and seeing our strong and connected community on display!
Special Report: What Makes Bexley Teachers Great Kendal, Mia, and Henry (Class of 2025) ask Bexley students across the district about their teachers and what makes them great, and the answers are sure to make you smile!
Staff Learn with CURIOSITY At Bexley Schools, staff excellence is woven into our mission to Learn with Curiosity, Demonstrate Kindness and Embrace Equity. Bexley educators have recently made a splash on national stages sharing their expertise and experiences focused on fostering student growth and cultivating a safe and engaging culture for all students. Bexley Middle School’s Dr. Justin Dennen, a Social Studies teacher, and Jerome Price, Assistant Principal, both made their mark on the national stage this summer. Dr. Dennen presented his thesis research on restorative justice practices at the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice. His work mirrors the district’s commitment to creating inclusive learning environments where each student can thrive. Mr. Price also shined a spotlight on BMS’s efforts through his engaging presentation on student-centered leadership and strategies for energizing school culture at the Jostens Renaissance Global Conference. Bexley’s leadership in educational innovation extends to technology as well. Brad Pettit, Director of Technology, presented at the National Consortium for School Networking Conference, where he addressed the future of generative AI and the importance of protecting student data privacy—a topic that grows more critical each day. Amy Blosser, Director of Choirs, has also consistently given back to the education community by sharing her expertise in choral teaching at three regional conferences hosted by the American Choral Directors Association last year. Bexley Schools’ staff continue to lead the way and ensure our students benefit from the latest ideas and practices through their curiosity and commitment to equity. Their work is a testament to our district’s dedication to excellence and continuous growth.
Check out the 2023-2024 Quality Profile Each year, Bexley Schools shares a Quality Profile publication to capture the highlights and progress of the previous school year. This is one outlet the district utilizes to measure its growth and efforts to meet its goals in culture, teaching and learning, and facilities.
Letter from the Board President It is an honor to begin another school year as a school board member at Bexley Schools and witness the energy and enthusiasm of our community, students, and staff. I am proud of our incredibly curious, kind, and dedicated staff members who prioritize the growth of our students and continue to be recognized as leaders in education. We are grateful to celebrate 40 years of generosity from the Bexley Education Foundation. This fall, the BEF’s support for our district includes improvements at the Montrose Elementary playground and garden and the launch of the BHS mentorship program. Thank you, BEF! We continue to focus on the goals outlined in our Strategic Plan to Champion Our Future relating to teaching and learning, culture, and facilities. Our progress is possible in large part because of our community’s participation. Thank you to everyone who has engaged so far; there will be more opportunities this fall. I hope you will review the board-adopted Financial Statement of Facts referenced on the financial page of this newsletter. The Statement provides basic facts and information about Issue 36, the district’s incremental operating levy, which will be on the ballot on November 5. We seek to provide our community with clear and transparent information, as the outcome of the vote on Issue 36 will have a significant impact on our district’s operations. Our Board remains committed to being accessible and transparent. Please reach out with any questions about our efforts to champion our shared future.
Bexley Schools Publishes First Equity Newsletter
This new digital publication is a reflection of the district’s ongoing commitment to Embracing Equity. Its addition comes after years of hard work, reflection, and dialogue that have shaped the district’s journey toward creating a more equitable educational environment for each student. Recognizing the work is ongoing, articles seek to inform and educate the community about the programs inside Bexley Schools. The inaugural issue features articles from Dr. Jason Fine, superintendent, Dr. Stephen Lewis, leader of diversity, equity and inclusion, and One Bexley. Residents can also find links and resources to organizations engaging in the work of equity in education. To read the publication, visit bexleyschools.org. Cassady Avenue Project Moves Forward In mid-September, Bexley Schools signed a purchase agreement for 28.36 acres at 935 N. Cassady Ave., north of Bexley, to develop an outdoor campus for learning and sports. This land is over twice the size of the current Cassingham Complex. It would allow the district to address family and student concerns about access to fields and outdoor activities and expand academic buildings. If the purchase is completed, the land would not be paid for from operating funds, and the levy funding, if approved on November 5, would not pay for it. Half of the cost would come from 2016 Permanent Improvement (PI) levy savings, with the other half funded by a tax anticipation note (TAN). It’s important to understand that operating funds cannot pay for land development and, likewise, permanent improvement (PI) funds cannot pay for operations. Learn more about the project at bexleyschools.org.
Sincerely,
Victoria Powers Board President
From left to right: Joanne Pickrell (Vice President), Mike Carter, Victoria Powers (President), Patrick King, and Dr. Jonathan Baker. Where We Champion Our Future Facility Planning Conversations Continue
November 12 | 7:00-8:30 p.m. November 13 | 9:00-10:30 a.m. Location: Bexley Public Library Auditorium
Bexley Schools will host two more feedback opportunities for residents to weigh in on the district’s facility plan to upgrade buildings. Join one of the upcoming conversions this fall.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Future changes to Bexley school facilities are not related to the November 2024 levy. Bexley voters will consider the ballot issue on November 5, 2024, for school operations only (i.e., staff salaries, benefits, student programs and services, etc.).
Bexley City Schools 348 South Cassingham Road Bexley, OH 43209
U.S. POSTAGE PAID BEXLEY, OH PERMIT #1170
Phone: (614) 231-7611 | Fax: (614) 231-8448 bexleyschools.org
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calendar of events
Performance dates may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, visit bexleyschools.org
october
november
december
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No School for Students and Teachers Regular Board of Education Meeting BHS Fall Choral Concert District Finance Review Meeting BMS and BHS Fall Orchestra Concert No School for Students BMS and BHS Marching Band Concert No School for Students
No School for Students and Teachers Election Day, No School for Students Regular Board of Education Meeting Facility Planning Community Session (PM) Facility Planning Community Session (AM) No School for Students and Teachers Thanksgiving Break, District Closed
BHS Vocal Ensemble at Bexley Tree Lighting BMS and BHS Winter Orchestra Concert Regular Board of Education Meeting BHS Winter Choral Concert BMS Band and Jazz Band Concert BHS Vocal Ensemble Performance
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13 15 16 18 24 25
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Jan. 7 23- Jan. 3
Winter Break, No School for Students and Staff
29 26- 27
BHS Vocal Ensemble Cabaret
First day of Classes Post-Winter Break
BHS Fall Jazz Concert
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