[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6062358,"mediaKeyId","3278668-ba4a22e3ec852f161a7d8ab26ca49aa0","parentId",3278668,"title","Board places $2.02 million library levy renewal on November ballot","audioSeconds",310,"startMs",4613000,"endMs",4923000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3278668-ba4a22e3ec852f161a7d8ab26ca49aa0&start=4613&end=4923","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3278668-ba4a22e3ec852f161a7d8ab26ca49aa0/thumbnail_4613000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6062358/Ohio/Board-places-202-million-library-levy-renewal-on-November-ballot","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062358-10796455dfd4b16e1c00c1bf24ae633c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093844&Signature=a6ZEq~GupjYgf39MfqQNWQzbq93PS27M8HqrHjeWVnKP2N2jOFon4h-f6IfK9pdcgLB~fn8NuMqdbYR89~9ifYxKugZFang4xySabdB1DEXph7omowkFgXw-jUAHpAvqNZAd4NWuineWdBU-9GxRJlh9WwYlkm3UixMZChMvNLMFqNquMMkdmpJ~9ZZmLdayoefgkRWAwVPGUCqBZ1AYFPDL3DvCMAP3kds1CSmz4CF7cupzaqviGbDXDMwg-lKxnHBRHguDcz3juz53gSVMD6nBjuGed9S-IAvT4BAbIFoUq4nStze4nZDLLeXnzWNlX-3dNprFdS7iS1T-Okp~Cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Willoughby-Eastlake City ","date","2025-05-13T11:44:41Z","article","The Willoughby‑Eastlake City Schools Board of Education on May 12 approved a resolution allowing the Willoughby‑area public library to place a $2.02‑million renewal levy on the November ballot. The motion was approved 5–0.

Eric Linderman, director of the Willoughby public library, told the board the renewal is not new millage but a renewal of an existing levy originally passed in February 2018. \"It's a $2.02 mil renewal levy. It was originally passed in 02/2018, and it's just a renewal levy. No new millage,\" Linderman said. He said the levy constitutes \"about 42% of our general fund\" along with another 1‑mill levy and state public library fund receipts.

Linderman highlighted recent increases in library usage and programming: system‑wide children's program attendance rose to 18,478 in the 2023–24 reporting year (up 31% year‑over‑year); summer‑reading participants numbered 2,256 (up 31%); and teen program attendance was 2,968 (up 67%). He said the library has shifted emphasis from building collections to programming, naming children's literacy and teen services as priorities.

The board approved the library's request to place the renewal on the ballot as part of the district's agenda. Library leaders said they will continue outreach to explain the levy to voters ahead of the November election.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","REGULAR BOARD MEETING - May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Willoughby‑Eastlake board approved a resolution to place a $2.02‑million library levy renewal on the November ballot. Library leaders described program growth and said the levy funds about 42% of the library’s general fund.","taxTitle","Willoughby-Eastlake City, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",38404,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6062362,"Resident urges district to use House Bill 8 to protect — not out — LGBTQ students",187,2016000,2203000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3278668-ba4a22e3ec852f161a7d8ab26ca49aa0&start=2016&end=2203","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3278668-ba4a22e3ec852f161a7d8ab26ca49aa0/thumbnail_2016000.jpg","/articles/6062362/Ohio/Resident-urges-district-to-use-House-Bill-8-to-protect-not-out-LGBTQ-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062362-98987b0bf3397c3bc2701f53d4c2c835/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093844&Signature=XecSjKJCXr5rMlCp2c-IqVA6ueiRlnfH9DjCCmmubcE8l09XUdkOI5z-Ngm0usIK4qdmNV2U8UgjU5ZwVmlAM7VajWD~N-PqYDJ6SYGcPDLyqgZj3C9qJQzq-wViTOOgMqnbksrowxQ4cCxw~M1J9Jpc-ANwKSoND6y76Lcv~~EUcwvQ5brEbSw8qbEJk6joWA1~cAT51-8zrDZa3LOlEEGSuf17xkon3jUUlRPu0U-88cZiQ9R5Wtlwc93GSBFMpwCIspMoVUTxkMkpUR7MvGLlLd8htATQHNj47KlmSJaYxgQXW1f0u1nrb9M4aA8D1S-IM-~ZS5hne-FTfmZ6HA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Daniel (Dan) Mullen of Eastlake addressed the board during the public‑comment period, asking the district to interpret and implement House Bill 8 in a way that protects gay and transgender students and maintains trust between students and school staff.

\"I believe that House Bill 8 has the potential to create a threatening environment for gay and transgender students as well as their teachers and counselors,\" Mullen said, adding that school personnel \"need to build trust and maintain trust with students in order for academic and social learning to happen.\" He described how supportive teachers in his own high‑school years provided crucial, confidential support and warned against policies that could force staff to \"out\" students without their consent.

Mullen told the board that HB 8 \"simply mandates that a policy is created and implemented\" and noted that, unlike a different bill he referenced, HB 8 does not carry penalties for following the reporting guidelines. He urged the district to \"create a policy of inclusion that maintains trust among students and school personnel.\"

The board did not take action on the public comment during the meeting. Public comment is the formal avenue for community input; absent a specific agenda item, the board may later place related policy questions on a future agenda for consideration.","During public comment at the May 12 meeting, resident Daniel Mullen urged the Willoughby‑Eastlake board to craft a reporting policy under House Bill 8 that preserves student trust and avoids involuntary disclosure of sexual orientation or gender identity.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6062368,"District outlines community survey results and steering‑committee updates; expands curriculum and career pathways",1021,665000,1686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3278668-ba4a22e3ec852f161a7d8ab26ca49aa0&start=665&end=1686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3278668-ba4a22e3ec852f161a7d8ab26ca49aa0/thumbnail_665000.jpg","/articles/6062368/Ohio/District-outlines-community-survey-results-and-steeringcommittee-updates-expands-curriculum-and-career-pathways","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062368-aef945a4ba7e2b81c67b9fd273c3969b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093844&Signature=oBBziAWrAuchmMS7Bic5x1N9l~Ag2t5VR0-Kz19u8SoB3Z5ZnR7cxCbGbyWnzpXqwLRoDoPxmbKu1VkaB6gHhTkWc5eGNb5AWg1A3ZJNajuep4nn0K-RXj13RXKbUp85-yfYFtTvi5Ipn9EXObNtlivXlWw30TQGRIlfA0uhbI9GcdLitXdOh8g78VH4aF2nyGF1r~~cRrYlqs50-4rOzwCJJK4q~TvmcsNFCBN1PncyUNoaSmtQZSeMCbaVxJEldP64jv9IE9aoxFjzdhsqw-n6TMKoPy9tfaL2ooAKpst-CTJ8~dj8ZY8TIvrGyIvWycjcVuOwOKDLVfP0OefHkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Ward briefed the board on a district community survey and the work of multiple steering committees, describing the survey as a baseline for ongoing outreach and planning.

Dr. Ward said 402 respondents took the survey and that 66% of respondents did not have children enrolled in district schools. Among findings cited by the superintendent: roughly 52% of respondents said they were satisfied with district performance; about 54% gave a positive rating for overall quality of education; 80% supported restricting cell‑phone use during the school day; and about 63% agreed the district should have a plan to upgrade or renovate facilities. \"We completed our first community survey,\" Dr. Ward said, calling the results a \"snapshot\" the district will use to guide future outreach and planning.

The superintendent and staff reported several programmatic developments from steering committees and schools: implementation of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) K–12; STEAM across elementary schools; a middle‑school teaming model; expanded flex‑learning models at the high schools; a planned cybersecurity pathway available at both high schools in the coming year; work‑based experiences and a high school career capstone; and a district MTSS (Multi‑Tiered System of Supports) steering committee. The administration said the district will begin aligning K–8 literacy with the CKLA curriculum expansion into sixth grade, pending the board's action elsewhere on the agenda.

Special education supervisor Nikki Myers also presented an award recognizing an outstanding special educator; that presentation was informational and ceremonial.

Board members discussed survey frequency and possible targeted surveys (for parents, for example) to refine outreach and measure changes over time. The district emphasized the steering‑committee structure as the vehicle for converting the survey and stakeholder input into specific initiatives and measurable outcomes.","Superintendent Dr. Ward presented results from the district's first community survey (402 respondents) and summarized steering‑committee recommendations and program rollouts, including PLCs K–12, STEAM expansion, a cybersecurity pathway for high schools, and plans to expand CKLA literacy into middle school.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6062375,"Board adopts May five‑year forecast and funds initial phase of 20‑year capital plan",1430,3068000,4498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3278668-ba4a22e3ec852f161a7d8ab26ca49aa0&start=3068&end=4498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3278668-ba4a22e3ec852f161a7d8ab26ca49aa0/thumbnail_3068000.jpg","/articles/6062375/Ohio/Board-adopts-May-fiveyear-forecast-and-funds-initial-phase-of-20year-capital-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062375-22c10a3cc20a822ee3f00f320b469850/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093844&Signature=kTBLNpkyXJhSqkh2IPUw7v3PYZ-Eezu77X6jZoSBDMW0CqT7Lolu~Tq3dTBlbRdxqQ4FSa4Yrp0iVWVyOiA~yAo5WMYshreRrjxiTz7xWXZnjSJ5ox9M9-tppBmOpx1k9KXGZIdmlbYXNe3raOkNFV7wqGX6ySWr8H~DE2h9Fz1Eedzvk8OKRQSglxLJVVOkAvaR43NpU~2bgrh~YN1euMcREdAszIQInd7YT5Fvwjn5e0yMy2NJxkSOBtGOEEDWzSmJsVEZqkBRsEeDQ0Hq7geO6AlvSGBaRMFhItiSqU0WL4e8zHptstP5jv~W060uluAVztV7goaT92Wb6Z9aeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Willoughby‑Eastlake City Schools Board of Education on May 12 adopted its May five‑year forecast and approved a one‑time transfer to fund the initial phase of a board‑approved 20‑year capital plan. The five‑year forecast passed by a 5–0 roll‑call vote.

Treasurer Mr. Charnello presented the forecast and told the board the district had collected \"92.45% of our expected revenue\" through April and that the one‑time transfer was intended to \"get this plan off the ground.\" He said the transfer causes the district to deficit‑spend this fiscal year but that, under current assumptions, the district's cash balance remains positive through fiscal 2029. \"This year we would finish with 73 days of cash on hand. Our cash balance policy requires 90 days of cash,\" Mr. Charnello said.

Board discussion emphasized the risks posed by pending state legislation, including references to House Bill 96 (the state budget) and multiple proposed property‑tax bills. The treasurer warned that changes to state funding and local property tax rules could materially alter the forecast. He noted that the district relies heavily on local revenue (about 77% of general fund revenues) and that state funding per pupil is substantially below district cost of education in Willoughby‑Eastlake.

The transfer to begin the capital plan was approved as part of the district's consent calendar and will be applied to short‑term capital needs identified in the newly adopted facilities plan; board members said some of the funds may be available to, for example, reacquire district buses currently leased.

As part of the consent calendar, the board approved a suspension of the district cash‑balance policy for fiscal 2025 to allow the one‑time transfer; the suspension also carried as part of the consent calendar vote (5–0). The district said it will revisit the policy and its cash‑balance position after state budget actions are finalized and when the November forecast is prepared.

The treasurer stressed the forecast is a management tool and will be updated in November after the state budget is finalized.","Willoughby‑Eastlake City Schools adopted its May 2025 five‑year forecast and approved a one‑time transfer to start a board‑approved 20‑year capital plan. The board also approved related consent items that suspend the district cash‑balance policy for fiscal 2025. Voting was unanimous, 5–0.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6062378,"Board approves five‑year contract for Superintendent Ward",432,2676000,3108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3278668-ba4a22e3ec852f161a7d8ab26ca49aa0&start=2676&end=3108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3278668-ba4a22e3ec852f161a7d8ab26ca49aa0/thumbnail_2676000.jpg","/articles/6062378/Ohio/Board-approves-fiveyear-contract-for-Superintendent-Ward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062378-ce4df2c51064a337d7ccaa0c0592eacc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093844&Signature=fIrutM6S9vRBG6tfHmxpcaBctVCUTfOCdalWqvMi2QfAkdzj8riyVfLQUHFF1yl8v5zQKA6tqos8l8erhBLcy7VtlBiJBjnV93OSAG-1~JzbvKilYmXPrLwUc0DallJmglbzgKEQf7BEUe4hSqdm4IpXhNp6yf3w4Jgxat~U-7OpJ8Cg~N4uDYTed4XwHWBR~CGFALIUZRWNWMtJbxy-zxKFlThLOqw-rVaP9iOZxrUTH9ZmQZOQQ199BXmS-4Gc~4QPqW4mtxeWOdL1q7~rnVRkh6eq6l8egRUE0adjhWnmniuX2i05fUJ~lWsbH7Gpek~B~ghn0qG5u~BCV-oqzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Willoughby‑Eastlake City Schools Board of Education voted 5–0 on May 12 to approve a five‑year contract for Dr. Ward, the district superintendent, covering 2026 through 2031.

Board members said the extension is intended to preserve leadership continuity as the district implements a multi‑year strategic plan. \"This board ... believe[s] that Dr. Ward has done an exceptional job, and we feel that this contract is not only good for him, but also our taxpayers,\" a board member said during discussion.

The motion to approve the contract was moved and seconded on the record and later passed by roll call (Miss Baer: yes; Miss Miller: yes; Miss Verdi: yes; Miss Schatzman: yes; Miss Spencer: yes). The board noted the action falls within timelines referenced under the Ohio Revised Code for superintendent contract discussions.

During the public discussion before the vote, multiple board members praised Ward's engagement in schools and his efforts to increase transparency and community outreach. After the vote, Dr. Ward thanked the board and said he was \"grateful to serve our community\" and called the role \"the professional honor of my life.\"

No changes to contract terms beyond the five‑year timeframe were described on the public record at the meeting. The board did not discuss salary specifics in open session beyond confirming the contract had been negotiated over several months and reviewed under applicable Ohio law.

The approval establishes continuity for district leadership as the board and administration pursue the 20‑year facilities plan and the multi‑year academic priorities described elsewhere on the agenda.","The Willoughby‑Eastlake City Schools Board of Education on May 12 approved a five‑year contract for Superintendent Dr. Ward covering fiscal years 2026–2031, citing leadership continuity and progress under his tenure. The vote was 5–0.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board places $2.02 million library levy renewal on November ballot

Resident urges district to use House Bill 8 to protect — not out — LGBTQ students

District outlines community survey results and steering‑committee updates; expands curriculum and career pathways

Board adopts May five‑year forecast and funds initial phase of 20‑year capital plan

Board approves five‑year contract for Superintendent Ward