January 6, 2012
A little time has passed since I was introduced to the community and I have met many of you in the process. I want to thank the Bath School Community for supporting the Permanent Improvement Levy Renewal in November. Funds from this levy will help us keep our buildings and grounds maintained over the next several years. Unfortunately, the needs of the district do not end here and we must continue to forge ahead. A great man once said: "You are either growing and moving forward, or you are moving backwards."
Bond Issue
The School Board decided in late November to place the bond issue to replace the elementary building back on the ballot on March 6, 2012. After two open community meetings, the Board determined that the majority of the community members who attended were very interested in revisiting the issue. The Board also believes that the elementary building is in the end stage of its life as a safe, effective, and efficient educational structure. They feel that replacement of the building is necessary and will only get more expensive the longer we wait. We will be conducting tours of the building along with brief informational meetings in February. We urge you to come out and see the building so you can make a well-informed decision on March 6.
My Request
As you approach your decision concerning the bond issue in March, I have three simple requests. First, I ask that you make an effort to become informed about the status of the elementary building and the financial possibilities within the Ohio School Facilities Commission program. Second, I ask that you work to filter out all of your experiences with the school that are separate from this decision. As a parent of six children, I understand all of the emotions that come into play as we work to help our children through school. Our children experience many things at school that help them grow. Often those growth experiences are painful, and we have a natural human reaction to defend our children. Sometimes, in that defense, we develop negative feelings toward the school. Similarly, we sometimes develop an attachment to a school building that causes us to want our children and grandchildren to have the same, positive experiences. We can easily think that our children will not have those positive experiences in a different building. If everyone uses these experiences and attachments to make their decisions on issues like the elementary building, we will be doing our children an injustice. I ask that you make your decision based on your evaluation of the building and the need. Third, I ask that you consider that through our nation’s history, children have been supported educationally by the entire community. When I was in school, many people who did not have children in school supported me to help me get a good education. In the United States, we have all had that advantage available to us. Please know that our school district cannot continue to be strong if we do not continue to uphold these principles. I know the members of the Bath School Community have been and will continue to be proud of their children and their schools.
Community Coffee Events
I want everyone to be aware that the invitation to hold a “coffee” event in your home is a standing one. With the upcoming elementary building bond issue on the ballot on March 6, we are more than willing to come out in the evening to meet with you and a group of your friends and neighbors to answer any questions you may have or to hear your concerns. We would very much like to hold three or four events before the election, but we need your help to schedule and host the event.
Bath Schools Community Collaborative
We will continue to grow the collaborative membership on an ongoing basis. The first Bath Schools Community Collaborative message will be going out simultaneously with the release of this newsletter. The collaborative is a communication tool that serves as the “ground level” for a decision-making process that I will utilize for some of the larger issues in the district. Updates will be sent out from my office periodically to those who choose to become part of the network. As we get closer to taking action on a particular issue, members will be encouraged to give input, and may be invited to a face-to-face discussion that will be geared toward helping the administration and Board come to a final decision concerning action on the issue. If you would like to be a member of the Bath Schools Community Collaborative, please contact my assistant, Carla Brown, by email at brownc@bathwildcats.org or by phone at 419-221-0807 option 21. The communications will mainly go out by electronic mail, but if you do not have access to an account, we will send them to you via regular mail. You simply need to call to express your interest, and make sure we have an accurate mailing address.
I have greatly enjoyed my first few months in the Bath Local School District, attending many of the school athletic, music, and other activities. I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming school events.
Sincerely,
Dale E Lewellen
Superintendent
Bath Local School District