The Finance + Facilities for the Future Plan: A
Unique Financial Opportunity that Includes a ‘No Tax Increase’ Levy The Quality Profile Issue
In December, the Bay Village Board of Education unanimously voted to place a Permanent Improvement (PI) Levy on the ballot for this coming May's primary election. If approved, the new, no tax increase Permanent Improvement Levy will generate funds for building improvements, technology, textbooks and transportation. The proposed Permanent Improvement Levy will serve as the foundation for the district’s Finance + Facilities for the Future Plan, a post-Facilities Audit initiative created by the community-led Facilities Advisory Committee.
Meeting, that the district’s five school buildings need improvements and upgrades to extend their lifespans, and to improve safety and security.
Q: How will the Finance + Facilities for the Future Plan be funded?
A: The Finance + Facilities for the Future Plan presents a unique financial opportunity for Bay Village Schools to combine funds from the 2000 Bay Middle School Bond and the 2012 Construction Bond to permanently generate approximately $2.9 million annually, at no additional cost to residents. As these bonds are paid off, the proposed Permanent Improvement Levy will take their place. If approved, taxes currently collected for these bonds continue, keeping the tax rate stable. These funds will be redirected to ongoing capital improvements and updates across the district, as outlined in the Finance + Facilities for the Future Plan.
We sat down with Superintendent Scot Prebles and Treasurer Meghan Rohde to find out more about the proposed Permanent Improvement Levy, the Finance + Facilities for the Future Plan and what this means for Bay Village residents.
Q: Let’s start with the Finance + Facilities for the Future Plan... What’s this plan all about?
A: The Proposed Permanent Improvement Levy serves as the foundation for the district’s Finance + Facilities for the Future Plan. This plan was created as a result of a year-long Strategic Plan discussion that included a review of district finances and a facility audit conducted by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC). Assistant Superintendent Aaron Ereditario enlisted Bay Village residents to serve on a Facilities Advisory Committee, which recommended during the November State of the District Board
The goals of the Finance + Facilities of the Future Plan are to: 1) Decrease stress on the district’s general fund to create long-term financial stability; 2) Push out the 2022 operating levy cycle until at least 2027; 3) Create annual capital investment sustainability; and 4) Generate funds to pay for Bay Village Schools’ Finance + Facilities for the Future Plan.
The district also plans to pay off the 2012 Construction Bond early, saving approximately $790,000 in interest payments.
Q: What are some of the school building improvements and upgrades that will happen?
A: If approved, approximately $27 million in renovations will be made to all five academic buildings, including safety, security and ADA updates; enhancements to educational spaces to improve student learning opportunities; and capital improvements to extend building lifespans. (Please see page 5 for specific improvements at each building.)
Q: Didn’t Bay Village Schools pass a levy in November of 2022?
A: Yes. Thanks to our residents, Bay Village Schools passed a 7.2 mill Operating Levy in November of 2022. Operating Levy funds are used for the day-to-day operations of the district, including personnel, benefits, utilities and supplies. This is different from the proposed Permanent Improvement Levy, which will be used for building improvements, technology, textbooks and
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Supt. Scot Prebles and Treas. Meghan Rohde address the community at the November Board Meeting.
ACHIEVING AT THE STATE, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL LEVELS
2025 National Merit Student Announced
Bay Village Schools is proud to announce that Bay High School Senior Jacob Dwyer has been recognized in the 2025 National Merit® Scholarship Program, an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships. Jacob has been named a National Merit Semifinalist. Students are identified based on their 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) scores, which means Jacob’s score puts him in the top 1% of the 1.5 million students who took the test.
State Champs! Congratulations to the Bay High School GIRLS SOCCER team and coaches for winning the 2024 DIII OHSAA Girls Soccer Tournament on November 9th at Historic Crew Stadium.
Team Members: Abigail Feiszli, Alex Linsenmeyer, Aley Fetterman, Anna Weingart, Avery Schriner, Bea Ullom, Bella Pirinelli, Caitlin Petz, Dani Coffman, Emery Aschenbrener, Eva Julian, Grace Manoloff, Issi Bruno, Kendra Vidmar, Lacey Gilmore, Lizzie Fetterman, Maddy Jalovec, Madelyn Lee, Makayla Florez, Maya Holmes, Norah Trefz, Olivia Ruma, Riley Mitchell, Ruby Render, Tessa Knapp. Girls Soccer Coaches: Scott Simpson, Tony Passalacqua, Liv Doick, Haylee Duffy, Dan Coffman
Congratulations also goes to the BOYS CROSS COUNTRY team and coaches, with the team placing 8th at the State Cross Country meet.
Team Members: Spencer Grace, Michael Hanselman, Liam Jager, Sasha Jones, Peyton Myers, Kieran Ripley and Connor Spellman. Alternates: Brennen Lyons, Stephen Murphy. Boys Cross Country Coaches: Jack Hautz, George Curran
BOYS GOLF also had a great showing, competing at the State Golf Tournament for the first time in Bay High School history! The team finished in 11th place. Team Members: Jack Chalmers, Trevor Ormsby, Travis Ropelewski, Ben Shuster, Ian Williams. Golf Coaches: Rick Manderine, Ryan Haley
The GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY team also sent two runners to the State Meet, coming in 37th and 38th place as individuals. Team Members: Erin Belveal, Brooklyn Marriott. Girls Cross Country Coaches: Scott Snyder, EJ Gorman, Alyse Arko, Heather Ransom
Fall Athlete State Standouts
Congratulations to the following Bay High School fall student-athletes, honored with State recognitions. Tessa Knapp, Soccer, Ohio Ms. Soccer, DIII Player of the Year, First Team All-Ohio; Emery Aschenbrener, Soccer, First Team All-Ohio; Liam Albright, Football, Second Team All-Ohio; Rocco Ereditario, Football, Third Team All-Ohio; Connor Spellman, Cross Country, All-Ohio Runner; and Kieran Ripley, Cross Country, All-Ohio Runner.
Bay High Junior Picked for All-State Jazz Ensemble
Bay High School
Junior Keller Shea was named to the OMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble on Tenor Saxophone. He is one of only two tenor saxophonists in the entire state who was chosen from a panel of educators listening to blind auditions. Keller will perform at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) Conference in Cleveland this February.
Nearly 100 Students Inducted into NHS
Membership in National Honor Society (NHS) is one of the highest honors bestowed upon a high school student, recognizing outstanding performance in both the classroom and in the community. The Bay High School Chapter of NHS tapped 98 students for membership during its 85th Annual Induction Ceremony in November. These students represent the four pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character.
Bay Village Schools Recognized for PBIS Excellence
State Support Team Region 3 (SST3) recently recognized the Bay Village City School District for its exceptional work with PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) for the 2023-24 school year. For the first time, each of the district’s five buildings participated in and received an award. SST3 is part of Ohio's MultiTiered Statewide System of Supports, and serves districts in Cuyahoga County.
Congratulations to the Glenview Center for Child Care and Learning, Bay Middle School and Bay High School for all receiving the Bronze Award in their first year participating; to Westerly Elementary for receiving the Silver Award in its second year; and to Normandy Elementary for earning the Gold Award for the second year in a row after three years in the program.
Tessa Knapp
BAY MIDDLE SCHOOL
BAY HIGH SCHOOL
Bay High School earned Silver recognition on the 2024 AP School Honor Roll. Of the three components, BHS received Silver in College Culture, Gold in College Credit and Platinum in College Optimization. Platinum is the highest rating that can be received. Six BHS students participated in the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections’ Future of Democracy program (pictured), including intense training and then serving as poll workers in the recent election.
Bay High Key Club was busy before winter break, hosting its annual Holiday Lights bus tour with Knickerbocker residents, donating 80 toys to the Salvation Army Angel Tree and partnering with the Kiwanis Club for the annual Christmas tree sale. BHS will begin fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society this month.
In November, nearly 700 BMS students raked more than 120 lawns as part of the school's 30year-old Great Rake-out event (pictured). This service project was possible because of the 200 teacher and parent volunteers who chaperoned the students as they raked the lawns of senior citizens and other Bay residents needing extra assistance. Right before Winter Break, the school held a canned food drive for a local food pantry.
The Girls and Boys Cross Country teams went to the Middle School State Meet this fall. The Girls team clinched another State Championship (back-to-back the last two years), and the Boys team placed 8th. Congratulations, BMS Cross Country runners and coaches. Eighth-graders are gearing up for the annual Washington, D.C. trip that will hit the road in late May for an educational field trip to our nation’s Capital.
WESTERLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
In September, Westerly held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new outdoor book path, Weston’s Walk and Read (pictured). This literary path fosters a love of reading and promotes active learning. A winter-themed book has recently been installed. Westerly STEMFest continued this fall with the help of the Bay High Science & Robotics Club, who demonstrated experiments to get third- and fourth-graders thinking about their own projects, including demonstrations on tooth enamel, fruit batteries and melting points.
In November, Westerly honored veterans with its annual Honor Wall called “Our STARS in the Fight for Freedom,” and held the school’s first-ever all-school assembly to honor student relatives and local residents who are veterans.
NORMANDY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Normandy second-graders have the opportunity to participate in the Kids Who Care Club that meets after school. The group of about 15 students, moderated by Anne Hart and Gabrielle Scholla, recently visited the Knickerbocker senior living community to sing to and play games with the residents. This club also collected Halloween candy for alumni serving in the military and made cards (pictured) for veterans in local hospitals.
Normandy received Gold Level Recognition for its implementation of schoolwide PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) for the second year in a row by State Support Team Region 3 and the Ohio PBIS Network.
Kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 school year is underway, and this spring, the school will gear up for the 12th anniversary of One School One Book.
GLENVIEW CENTER for Child Care & Learning
Last spring, the Glenview Center for Child Care & Learning received the state of Ohio’s highest possible Five-Star rating from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Schools that earn a five-star rating go above and beyond required licensing standards. With increased opportunities for family engagement – with events such as Trunk or Treat and Jingle Jam (pictured) – Glenview continues to emphasize the importance of family involvement in children's earliest years. Glenview helps lay the foundation for early learning and development, and build skills that are important for success in school and in life.
Registration for half-day Preschool at Glenview is now open for the 2025-26 school year. Please contact Glenview Director Alexa Davey for more information. Peer Models must be 3 by June 1, 2025.
Superintendent’s Choice Award Showcases Student Artwork
Supt. Scot Prebles has turned a corner of the Board of Education office into an art gallery, featuring artwork chosen for the Superintendent's Choice Art Award. Supt. Prebles initiated the award during his inaugural year in the district, and continues the newer tradition by selecting four pieces of art from the K-12 buildings that were featured in the Fall District Art Show. The artwork is displayed outside his office until new pieces are selected in the fall of 2025. Congratulations to the following students and their teachers:
Normandy Artist: Avery Prendes, 2nd grade
Title: Shells
Medium: Oil pastel
Teacher: Jama Jennings
Background: American artist Georgia O’Keeffe inspired students to look up close to nature. Students practiced drawing shells, leaves and flowers. Then students chose to focus on a few objects, drawing them big, and coloring realistically with oil paste.
Bay Middle Artist: Isabella Bruno, 8th grade
Title: Wandering Throgh the Atmosphere • Medium: Yarn
Teacher: Wendy Fortunato
Background: Students studied the Precisionism Art Movement that celebrated the new industrial landscape through a style that emphasizes visual order, clarity and precision. Compositions were often cropped to focus on a particular area. Isabella created a hot air balloon floating over a stylized landscape using the unique material of yarn. The beauty of this piece is the use of colors and composition to transport us while looking like a painting due to the texture of the yarn.
Bay Awarded A Rating by Niche.com
Bay Village Schools received an overall A rating by Niche.com, and was ranked #9 for Best School Districts in the Cleveland area and #6 for Best School Districts in Cuyahoga County. The district also received an A rating or higher in the following categories: Academics, Administration, College Prep, Food and Teachers. Speaking of teachers, Bay Village Schools was named #5 for districts with the Best Teachers in the Cleveland area, and #4 in Cuyahoga County.
Westerly Artist: Maxfield Krueger, 4th grade
Title: Lucky Elephant
Medium: Crayon and watercolor
Teacher: Debra Sanson
Background: Students centered their artistic creations around the theme “Good Vibes” last school year, and each project was based on celebrating positivity for themselves and the world. Maxfield’s gray elephant is decorated with flowers and stars, with the trunk raised up for good luck.
Bay Middle Artist: Sawyer Kerns, 7th grade
Title: Nike Cardboard Shoe • Medium: Cardboard
Teacher: Greg Leininger
Background: This project was a mix of STEM and art. Students had to use geometry and mathematical precision to create their sculpture. The pieces were shapes that had to be planned in two dimensions, with folds and scoring to create the three dimensional forms. Students chose what they wanted to create. Sawyer’s use of details, such as individual stitches, tactile texture and accurate proportions make this piece stand out.
Bay Village Schools is proud to announce that three schools have been recognized as top schools in the state by U.S. News & World Report.
• Westerly is #7 in Northeast Ohio and #24 in Ohio.
• BMS is #9 in Northeast Ohio and #19 in Ohio.
• BHS is #6 in Northeast Ohio and #24 in Ohio.
Editor’s Note: Normandy was not rated.
THE FINANCE + FACILITIES FOR THE FUTURE PLAN
The plan involves renovations to all five of the district’s school buildings, including safety, security and ADA updates; capital improvements to extend building lifespans; and enhancements to educational spaces to improve learning opportunities. Here are just a few of these upgrades.
• Main Entrance welcome center for enhanced security
• Event welcome center near Gym/Auditorium
• Air-condition Cafeteria
• Media Center renovations
• Main Entrance welcome center for enhanced security
• Fencing at bus drop-off area
• Window replacements
• Storage and organization systems
(The district’s youngest buiding)
• Traffic study and possible parking lot update
• Entire building renovation to become a one floor building for high accessibility
• Add 2 classrooms to engage the wait list
• Main Entrance welcome center for enhanced security
• Window replacements
• Storage and organization systems
To learn more about the Finance + Facilities for the Future Plan, please scan the QR code
BAY VILLAGE BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE
Electing New Board Leadership
Huntley
At the January 6th Organizational Board Meeting, the Bay Village Board of Education’s first matter of business for the 2025 calendar year was to elect new officers. Mrs. Amy Huntley was elected President and Mrs. Debbie Callihan was voted Vice President.
“We have a lot on our plate as we enter year three of the Strategic Plan. Moving forward with our Finance & Facilities for the Future Plan will be a top priority. We have a unique opportunity in 2025 to fund our facilities while being fiscally responsible to our community. We are extremely fortunate to have an outstanding team of educators, involved parents and a community that recognizes and prioritizes a strong school system for our children. I look forward to continuing these goals during my role as President,” said Mrs. Amy Huntley, newly elected President of the Board.
The district thanks Dr. Andrey Stojic for serving as President of the Board of Education in 2024. Dr. Stojic continues on as a Board Member for 2025.
2025 BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE
MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT 6:30 P.M. AT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OFFICE, 377 DOVER CENTER ROAD (UNLESS NOTED). MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
January 21
Februry 3, 18
March 4, 17, 31
April 14
May 6
May 19 (Held at Bay Middle School Library for recognition of 25 years and retirees)
June 9 (Board Retreat that begins at 8 a.m.)
June 30
July 10
August 4, 18
September 8, 22
October 6, 20
November 16 (Held at 3 p.m. at the annual OSBA Conference in Columbus)
November 24 (Held at Bay Middle School Library for the annual State of the District)
December 1, 15
January is School Board Recognition Month, and we thank our Board for its service.
Debbie Callihan
Amy
BAY HIGH SCHOOL
BAY MIDDLE SCHOOL
WESTERLY SCHOOL
NORMANDY SCHOOL
GLENVIEW CENTER
Strategic Spending 2023-2024
The graphs below showcase Bay Village Schools’ commitment to students through strategic spending. With 72.8% of the district’s expenses directed toward classroom instruction, Bay Village clearly demonstrates its focus on academic excellence. This approach places Bay Village ahead of many neighboring districts, devoting a greater share of funds directly to supporting students in the classroom rather than other operational areas.
PERCENTAGE OF EXPENSES SPENT DIRECTLY IN THE CLASSROOM
SPENDING PER PUPIL
FIVE YEAR FORECAST
In November, Bay Village Schools submitted its five-year forecast to the state of Ohio. This tool provides a snapshot of financial health and projects revenues (”money in”) and expenditures (”money out”) over the next five years, based on the most current information available.
The forecast shows an anticipated balanced budget for the current fiscal year, with revenues meeting or exceeding expenses. This stability is due in large part to the 7.2-mill operating levy approved in November 2022, which has provided critical additional funding. Projections indicate that the district will continue to operate with a balanced budget for at least the next three years, demonstrating strong financial stewardship and support for student-focused initiatives.
REVENUE COMPARED TO EXPENDITURES
CASH BALANCE
Eficiency and Savings Update
Bay Village Schools is committed to maximizing efficiency and saving money in its operations. By collaborating with other schools across the state, the district leverages greater purchasing power to secure better rates on key operational necessities, including electricity, natural gas, insurance, software and gasoline. This strategic approach delivered significant savings in fiscal year 2024, with more than $55,000 saved on natural gas and $174,000 saved on electricity alone –allowing us to redirect funds to support students and educational programs.
The graph below highlights the district’s cash balance trends and projected changes through the current levy cycle, the period between operating levies when the district relies on approved funding to cover expenses. At the beginning of a levy cycle, the district builds up its cash balance to create a reserve. This reserve is critical for managing the latter years of the cycle when deficit spending typically occurs.
In 2024, the Board of Education passed a cash balance policy that establishes both lower and upper limits for the district’s cash reserves. This policy reflects the district’s commitment to financial stewardship and ongoing analysis of cash on hand, ensuring the district doesn't overtax its residents, while maintaining sufficient funds to meet current and future operating needs. Bay Village Schools is projected to maintain a healthy cash balance through the next several years.
CASH BALANCE
2023-2024 OHIO REPORT CARD
Performance Index
Bay Village Schools Earns 5-Star Overall Rating
On September 13, 2024, the Ohio Department of Education released the 2023-24 State Report Card results for the more than 600 districts in the state. Bay Village Schools is proud to announce it received an overall 5-star rating on the report card. Five stars is the highest possible rating a district can achieve, which puts the district in the top 2% in the state. The district is ranked #5 in Northeast Ohio and #17 in the state of Ohio by its Performance Index.
Bay received a 5-star rating on four of five measured components, including Achievement, Gap Closing, Early Literacy and Graduation.
With a Performance Index Score (PIS) of 106.1, Bay Village Schools ranks in the top 2% of Ohio’s school districts The performance index represents whether student performance on state tests met established thresholds, and how well students performed on tests overall, according to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. This is based on Ohio state tests for third grade through high school.
“This is a success to be celebrated by all. We are especially proud that each of our buildings improved, and that our Early Literacy component showed significant improvement. We congratulate our students and staff.”
-- Supt. Scot Prebles
Early Literacy: 5-Star Rating and Significant Improvement
The Early Literacy Component of the State Report Card is a measure of reading improvement and proficiency for students in kindergarten through third grade. Specifically, the Improving K-3 Literacy measure calculates whether a district or building is making progress in improving literacy for struggling readers in grades kindergarten through third grade, according to district-reported benchmark assessments from one year to the next.
The fall 2022 reading diagnostics in kindergarten through second grade are the baselines for kindergarten through second grade improvement on the 2023 improving K-3 Literacy Measure
The fall 2023 reading diagnostics in third grade are the baseline for third grade improvement on the 2024 Improving K-3 Literacy Measure. If greater than 90% of the kindergarten students in the fall of 2023 are on track, the Improving K-3 Literacy Measure is not calculated and does not contribute to the Early Literacy Component.
FALL
Bay Village City School District
377 Dover Center Road
Bay Village, OH 44140
Board of Education
Amy Huntley, President
Debbie Callihan, Vice President
James Goodman
Dr. Scott Schulz
Dr. Andrey Stojic
District Office
Scot T. Prebles, Superintendent
Meghan Rohde, Treasurer
440-617-7300
www.bayk12.org
POSTAL CUSTOMER
BAY VILLAGE, OH 44140
The Finance + Facilities for the Future Plan
transportation; capital improvements with a lifespan of five or more years. If approved by voters, the new Permanent Improvement Levy will extend the current levy cycle (pushing out the date of the next operating levy on the ballot).
Q: What about the recent property assessment tax increase? Won’t the school district get more money due to that increase?
A: Even though your property value may have increased, the school district’s voted levy taxes do not increase due to House Bill 920, which prevents those taxes from rising with property values. Bay Village Schools only sees an increase in revenue from unvoted levies. Of the total increase in your property tax bill for the 2024 property reappraisal, Bay Village Schools will receive just 11%. The remaining 89% is allocated to Bay Village City Government, Cuyahoga County, Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland Metroparks, Cuyahoga County Public Library and the Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority.
Bay Village Schools is mindful about the recent property value increase, and that is another reason the district is not looking to increase your school-related tax bill.
Q: And how can you do all this without increasing my taxes?
A: Instead of allowing the 2000 and 2012 bond issues to expire, Bay Village has the unique opportunity to simply keep the tax rate stable and redirect these funds to capital improvements and
WITH BAY SCHOOLS
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updates across the district’s five academic buildings. The May 2025 Permanent Improvement Levy is new, but is no additional cost to residents.
Based on a $400,000 home, Bay Village residents are paying:
• $19.83 per month for the 2000 Bay Middle School Bond
• $16.92 per month for the 2012 Construction Bond
If approved by voters, you will continue paying this amount.
Q: Where can I learn more?
A: You can visit www.bayk12.org/page/finance-facilites-futureplan. We are also available to answer questions at 440-617-7300, and welcome the opportunity to speak with residents at upcoming coffee chats and at community meetings.
In addition, the following Board Meetings will have time on the agenda for public Q & A about the Finance + Facilities for the Future Plan and the proposed Permanent Improvement Levy. All community members are encouraged to attend.
• Tuesday, January 21, 6:30 p.m., Board of Education
• Tuesday, February 18, 6:30 p.m., Board of Education
• Monday, March 17, 6:30 p.m., Board of Education
• Monday, April 14, 6:30 p.m., Board of Education
If you have questions, ideas, or would like to subscribe to the Bay Village Schools Enewsletter, please email photos@bayk12.org .