The Rocket Report, May 2024

A Report to the Community on the Business of Our City Schools

A School Year of Connecting with the Community

Q&A with Superintendent Scot Prebles and Treasurer Meghan Rohde

In a school year that saw the roll out of the district’s new Strategic Plan, it was hard to miss one of the five Priorities included in that plan: Community. Connecting with the community – from students and staff, to parents and residents – was part of every action plan tied to the goals within the Strategic Plan. Providing interactive, multisource communication to enhance student, staff, family and community engagement was at the core of everything the district did this school year. We sat down with Supt. Scot Prebles and Treasurer Meghan Rohde to find out more about this school year of “Connecting with the Community.”

Q. Why is the “Community” Priority so important? What about the other four Priorities in the Strategic Plan... Learning, Culture, Instruction and Accountability?

SP: All five of the Priorities in the Strategic Plan are important, but without Community, the other four Priorities are just words. If our critical audiences (students, staff, families and residents) don’t have input in or understand our plan, nothing else matters. No matter how good we think our documented Strategic Plan is, if it doesn’t reflect our stakeholders, or they don’t understand it, Bay Village Schools will not be successful. This is why we involved community members in our Strategic Plan pre-planning, throughout the process, and now why Treasurer Rohde and I continue to meet with community members to answer questions about the Strategic Plan and other district happenings; everything from new curriculum to facilities to finances. As you know, we have placed the Strategic Plan booklets in various locations around Bay – including city hall, Bay Library, coffee shops, Bay Senior Center and district buildings – and we encourage you to pick up a copy if you haven’t already.

with our residents, and the newer Superintendent’s Student Advisory Councils at Bay Middle and Bay High schools provide me with perceptual data from students. The audiences are different, but equally important, and I’m pleased to say that all have great things to say about the direction we’re headed in. We also learned a lot from those who attended our State of the District event in November. We plan on making those an annual event. Our district Wellness Team has been hosting events for our faculty and staff, which allow our administrators to learn more about this important segment of our school community. The district also has two new committees, the Parent Ambassadors Team, composed of parents representing all five of our buildings, and the Community Communications Committee, which includes empty nesters and longtime residents who no longer have students in the district. It’s been fun getting to know each of these audiences better and to see the concentric circles.

Q. What was one of the most surprising things you learned during your year of connecting with the community?

MR: Knowing the questions and concerns community members have about finances, for example, helps me prepare reports that communicate the district’s stewardship and financial decision-making processes. Our goal is to be accountable, transparent and efficient, while also increasing opportunities for us to personally and interactively engage with all community stakeholders.

Q. What are some of the ways you are connecting with the community?

MR: We scheduled five Coffee Chats this school year that were open to all Bay residents, and our next one is Friday, May 10 from 10-11 a.m. at Bay Provisions. Supt. Prebles and I also visited the Knickerbocker Apartments, and Supt. Prebles often stops by the Bay Senior Center to answer questions.

SP: The Coffee Chats and senior center visits are a great way to engage

SP: Through our engagement activities, we were reminded that 63% of our community does not have students in the district... 63%! That’s a lot of folks we need to stay connected with. It’s challenging since they aren’t inside our buildings as much as our parents, but through initiatives like our Bay Buddies reading program, Bay High Tech Club assisting our senior residents and Veterans Day celebrations, we get our grandparents and other active seniors in our buildings to interact with staff and students as much as possible. We will continue our multigenerational opportunities and our visits with the Knickerbocker and Bay Senior Center, and we will rely on that newly launched Community Communications Committee to share what this large part of our community – the empty nesters and longtime residents who raised their own children here – want to know and how they want to receive that information.

Q. Interesting... 63% is a high number. What are those senior residents telling you?

SP: I’m proud to say for the most part they think we’re doing a good job. Many raised their children here and they want the same opportunities for their grandchildren and the children who live next door to them. They love the lakefront and they feel our community is safe. They want to stay here. But they want to make sure the district is spending wisely and being good stewards of their tax dollars. Treasurer Rohde and I are both residents, so we couldn’t agree more.

2024 Merit Finalists

In October, Bay Village Schools announced that four Bay High School students were recognized in the 2024 National Merit® Scholarship Program (NMSP), including Semifinalists Faith Teutschbein and James Kelly. BHS Principal Jason Martin was notified by NMSP that Faith and James have advanced to Finalist standing in the 69th annual competition. These two academically talented high school seniors are now eligible for Merit Scholarship awards totaling more than $30 million that will be awarded this spring. They are two of only 15,000 Finalists of the more than 1.5 million NMSP entrants.

BHS has 34 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Winners

Thirty-four BHS students won 51 awards in categories such as poetry, painting, personal essay and photography in the 2024 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition. Of those awards, eight were Gold Keys, 19 were Silver Keys and 24 were Honorable Mentions.

Congratulations to 8th grader Lauren Rowe, who represented Bay Middle School in the Scholastic Awards, winning a Silver Key for her novel writing submission “Queen of Winter.”

BHS’ Team Undivided Raises nearly $73,000 for LLS

Bay High’s Team Undivided, led by Senior Kellie Keane, raised $72,930 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) of Northern Ohio in the Student Visionary of the Year campaign. Four team members were recognized for raising more than $5,000 each: Tommy Kirk, Kayla Martin, Brooke Rhea and Danny Surdy. The team raised these funds in just seven weeks, contributing to the $1,053,209 Bay High and 36 other Northeast Ohio teams raised to help fight blood cancer.

Note: Since Team Undivided raised more than $51,000, it qualifies for the Hero Award, with the opportunity to link its success to an LLS-funded mission initiative’s portfolio.

Celebrating State-qualifying Athletes

Bay High Diving had five divers (pictured) qualify for the State Diving Tournament. This is believed to be the best showing in BHS history. We celebrate Charlie Vatolin (2nd place); Bennett Bourn (14th place); Belle Dent (15th place); Erin Belveal (26th place); and Nicholas Szekely (32nd place). Charlie, Bennett and Bell were also recognized with All-Ohio honors.

BHS Wrestler Anthony Rocco was named an alternate for the State Wrestling Championships. He also broke two school records for most pins (39) and wins in a season (49).

Four BHS students represented the Rockets at the OATCCC Indoor State Track meet: Jayden Perrine, long jump (6th place); Michael Hanselman, 3200m (7th place); Connor Spellman, 3200m (8th place); and Will Dunstan, 800m. These students also earned AllOhio honors.

Faith Teutschbein

James Kelly

“January” by Olivia McIntire“Orangutan” by Avery Schriner

“Connection” by Olivia McIntire

Artwork by Anthony Rocco

BMS Power of the Pen Students Advance

The Bay Middle School Power of the Pen teams had a great showing at the recent Regional competition at Baldwin Wallace University. Highlights include a third-place finish by the eighth-grade team, a thirdplace finish by the seventh-grade team; and both teams won the coveted Sweepstakes Award for having high scores from both Districts and Regionals. Next up is the state competition later this month.

Normandy’s ‘One School One Book’ Celebrates 11 Years

Normandy School celebrated the 11th anniversary of One School One Book (OSOB) by reading "8 Class Pets + 1 Squirrel ÷ 1 Dog = Chaos" by Vivian Vande Velde, who visited Normandy in person. Principal Dan Sebring estimates that 700 students and adults participated in the school-wide book club. Events included an all-school assembly and a special OSOB Night with 300 students and parents in attendance.

Normandy thanks parent Tina Ingraham for creating the art for this initiative for the past decade. This year she passed the baton to BHS Digital Design students Olivia McIntire and Claire Foster for a fun experienceship. Thank you also to Normandy PTA, local merchants and the OSOB Committee for their support.

Destination Imagination Teams Qualify for State

In March, 15 teams from Bay competed at the Destination Imagination regional tournament in Beachwood. Teams worked hard for many months to get ready for the competition and had a very fun and successful day in Beachwood, with all but one team qualifying for the DI State Tournament. Of special note was the senior team of “Plastic Bush Gooses,” which has been competing together since seventh grade, but many were involved with DI long before that. This year they not only won first place in their division, they were also awarded the region's DiVinci Award, honoring the team that “demonstrated a creative spirit of adventurous risk.” Congratulations to all the teams and DI Moderator Leigh Ann Spratt.

Westerly Writers See Stories Come to Life

Last fall, Westerly fourth-graders participated in a writer’s workshop put on by the Magical Theatre Companyís KidsScripts program. The company chose two students’ original stories and returned to Westerly this spring to adapt and perform these two short plays. Congratulations to Kinley Blake (The Girl Who Became a Unicorn) and Alice Fanter (Mia and the Time Machine) who saw their creativity come to life, performed by real actors in front of their peers. This program encourages children to read more, write more and enjoy live theater.

Glenview Earns 5-Star Rating

The Glenview Center for Child Care & Learning recently had a visit from the Department of Children and Youth, and received a score of 65 points, which is above the minimum requirement of 56 points, to earn a 5-Star Rating. The Glenview Center is officially a 5-Star center. Congratulations to Director Alexa Davey and the entire Glenview Team for their dedication to their students, which is now recognized by the state of Ohio.

Bay Village Schools is a ‘Best Community for Music Education’

FOR THE 22ND YEAR IN A ROW, Bay Village City School District has been recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) as a Best Community for Music Education. Bay Village Schools is among just 975 districts nationwide and 56 Ohio school districts to receive this honor in 2024.

“I applaud the commitment of our music educators, who provide our students with not only a learning opportunity, but also a creative outlet to explore and express their creativity and talent,” said Supt. Scot Prebles. “I also know that without the support of our families and residents, including the Bay Music Boosters, this award would not be possible.”

BMS, BHS Music Students Represent at OMEA Events

Nearly 300 Bay High and Bay Middle music students were showcased at this year's Ohio Music Education Association's (OMEA) events, including band, orchestra and choral members. Pictured here are the eighth grade string players who represented Bay Middle School at the OMEA District 4 Middle School Honors Festival event.

Music instructors at the Bay Village City School District are: Darren Allen (Bay Middle School and Bay High School instrumental music); Mark Awad (Bay Middle School instrumental music); Dr. E. James Kotora, Jr. (Normandy Elementary School music); Allison Turnbull (Westerly Elementary School music); Devon Gess (Bay High School vocal music); Dr. Ann Gilbert (Bay Middle School instrumental music); Andrew Novak (Bay Middle School vocal music); and Carrie Singler (Bay Middle School and Bay High School instrumental music).

The NAMM Foundation recognizes the outstanding efforts put forth by the district’s teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders to ensure music is part of a well-rounded education for every child in Bay Village Schools. Bay Village Schools is proud to have earned this award annually since 2003.

BAY VILLAGE BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE

District Returns to Previous Organizational Model for 2024-25 School Year

During the March 18th Board of Education meeting, the Board voted unanimously to return to a previous organizational model that includes two assistant superintendents; a Human Resources and Operations Assistant Superintendent (Aaron Ereditario), and a Curriculum and Instruction Assistant Superintendent (Robert Hoon). This organizational model will go into effect for the 2024-25 school year.

Honoring VP Amy Huntley for 20 Years of Service

“After serving Bay Village Schools for nearly two years, I recognize the importance of these two roles for the district and the families we serve,” said Supt. Scot Prebles. “After rolling out the new strategic plan this past fall, it made sense to change the titles of these two district leaders to reflect the work they already perform. They have each gained respect from the stakeholders they serve, and most importantly, the district’s success is their top priority.”

In late March, at the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) Spring Conference, Bay Village Board of Education Vice President Amy Huntley was recognized for 20 years of service to Bay Village Schools. Congratulations, and thank you for your dedication to our learning community.

Aaron Ereditario, left, and Robert Hoon

By Meghan Rohde,

82% Personnel

The largest of the district’s expenses, 82% of the budget is invested in its personnel via salaries and benefits. The district invests largely in its personnel, which is typical across all school districts, since we are a “people business” and people are a learning community’s main resource for its students.

9% Purchased Services

The next largest expense category is for the district’s purchased services. These are expenses for services that the district can’t provide in-house. The largest purchased service expense is for district students attending outside or offsite programs, including West Shore Career-Technical programs, offsite special education facilities and the College Credit Plus program.

Purchased services also include substitute teachers, attorneys, maintenance specialists and special education service providers (physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.). Utilities, communications, professional meetings and travel are also part of this category.

4%

Supplies and Materials

This portion of the district’s budget is spent on classroom supplies, office supplies, software, Chromebooks, maintenance supplies and other building supplies.

5% Other

Other expenses include building improvements, equipment, county auditor fees, bank fees, certain debt payments, professional dues and other miscellaneous district expenses. This category also includes transfers out of the general fund to the capital projects fund. The district has made a plan to

invest in the upkeep of its buildings into the future. The funding for these projects is set aside in the capital projects fund.

In Summary

Overall across all spending categories, the majority of the districtís expenses go directly to the classroom and our students. A little over 72% of our total expenses are invested directly in students. This is a leading percentage compared to other similar school districts, which emphasizes the district’s commitment to and focus on student education, experience and resources.

Cash Balance

One of the things that school districts monitor is the amount of cash they have in the bank. Districts have to make sure they have enough money on hand to carry the district through periods of deficit spending as the end of a levy cycle approaches. On the flip side, districts need to make sure they have a plan for how the funds they have collected are used, to ensure schools are taxing residents appropriately and responsibly.

Bay Village Schools currently has a healthy amount of cash on hand (in its savings account). As Treasurer, I like to see at least three months’ worth of operating expenses in the bank. At the end of fiscal year 2023, the district had four and 3/4 months’ worth of cash in the bank. The district is at the beginning of its current levy cycle, so it is building up an appropriate amount of cash to carry it through the length of the cycle. The Board and administration are continuously looking for operating efficiencies to save money on expenses to extend the length of the levy cycle, while also fulfilling the strategic plan.

Bay Village Schools Wins Ohio Auditor of State Award

Auditor of State Keith Faber announced that Bay Village City School District received the Auditor of State Award for its clean audit reports for the fiscal year ended 2023. Less than 10% of government entities in the state receive this award. Bay Village Schools has received the Ohio Auditor of State Award nine of the last 10 years.

“We are dedicated to providing accurate, consistent and transparent financial information. Our finance

team, along with assistance from the Board and the Superintendent, worked hard to earn this award. We always strive to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Treasurer Meghan Rohde.

The Bay Village Schools Financial Team (pictured) consists of: Meghan Rohde, Treasurer; Beth Gergye, Accounts Receivable; Judi Hansen, Accounts Payable & Health Benefits; and Anne-Marie Zeuch, Payroll.

Bay Village City School District

377 Dover Center Road

Bay Village, OH 44140

Board of Education

Dr. Andrey Stojic, President

Amy Huntley, Vice President

Debbie Callihan

James Goodman

Dr. Scott Schulz

District Office

Scot T. Prebles, Superintendent

Meghan Rohde, Treasurer

440-617-7300

www.bayk12.org

Q&A with Supt. & Treasurer

continued from page 1

MR: Knowing that this part of our community is interested in cost savings and efficiency allows me to prepare onesheeters about how the district saved more than $163,000 in utility purchasing by participating in a consortium – not including the district’s conversion to LED lights, or taking advantage of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCCC) free facilities audit, which saved $80,000, or other consortium purchases that saved the district nearly $60,000. We will continue to gather interest and questions to help prepare documents that are user-friendly and informative.

Q. The school year is almost over... do you plan on continuing to connect with the community?

SP: Absolutely! Coffee Chats are a new tradition that Treasurer Rohde and I will continue, and I really enjoy visits to the Knickerbocker and Bay Senior Center. The State of the District event in November is also here to stay. The Superintendent Student Committees will start up again next school year, as will our two new community initiatives, the Parent Ambassadors Team and the Community Communications Committee.

MR: We look forward to increasing the number of opportunities for us to interact with all members of the community, and encourage you to attend an event or to suggest an idea. This is an important part of our jobs, and we really enjoy it!

POSTAL CUSTOMER

BAY VILLAGE, OH 44140

Congratulations to the cast, crew and orchestra for the spring musical Something Rotten. With more than 100 students involved, three months of rehearsals and four nearly sold-out shows, this was an incredible production directed by Luke Scattergood and his team. Something Rotten at Bay High was definitely something special.

Normandy Kindergarten Registration is open for the Class of 2037

For more information, please scan the QR code or call the school at 440-617-7350.