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.).
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