The Drakkar: December 2022

LABRAE LOCAL SCHOOLS

THE DRAKKAR DECEMBER 2022

Apprentice in the Making

LaBrae High School students Dustin Postlethwait, above left, and Ashton Laughlin, above right, are among a group of their peers attending the Trumbull County Educational Extension Pre-Apprenticeship Carpentry program.

The students are gaining hands-on experience they can use to pursue work opportunities and possibly an apprenticeship within the trades industry. Below, LaBrae students in the pre-apprenticeship program helped make an instrument rack for the music department at Lordstown Local Schools. (Cont'd on page 3.)

ALSO INSIDE Retirements ............... 3 STEAM ....................... 5 Student Standouts...... 6 Financials ................ 11

LABRAE MARCHING PRIDE GETS NEW EQUIPMENT This summer the Diles Foundation held its charity golf outing at Riverview Golf Course and they designated the LaBrae Marching Band as one of the beneficiaries of their fundraising efforts. The event was a huge success and it resulted in a donation of $18,000 to the LaBrae Band Boosters.

Between the generosity of the Diles Foundation, donations from the band boosters, and contributions from the LaBrae Board of Education, the school district purchased over $33,000 worth of equipment for the marching band. In total, six new sousaphones with hard cases, performance cymbals, and three marching bass drums will make their debut next August when LaBrae hosts the initial Trumbull County Band Night. The District thanks the Diles Foundation and the LaBrae Band Boosters for their efforts and generosity in support of our students.

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The Diles Foundation Check Presentation

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Once A Viking Always A Viking D'Orio and Daniels each retire with 24 years of service to the LaBrae community.

The LaBrae Board of Education recognized and honored retiring Assistant to the Treasurer Debbie D'Orio, standing in the center of the top picture, and longtime mechanic Russell "Shorty" Daniels, standing in the center of the bottom picture, at the board's December 12th meeting. They are each retiring after 24 years of exemplary service to the LaBrae community. Shown in each picture are also, from left to right, board members Tim Gibson, VicePresident, Russell Sewell, President, Bradley Gamlin, and Karen Ancell.

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'Hands-On Preparation' So far this year, LaBrae High School students Dustin Postlethwait, Ashton Laughlin, and Charles Faler have created or assisted in making a step stool, tote box, bird house, coat rack, keychain holder and an instrument rack for the music department at Lordstown High School.

The projects are all products of the skills they are acquiring through the Trumbull County Educational Service Center's Education Extension at Lordstown Elementary School. The TCESC began offering the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council (OSAC) recognized pre-apprenticeship program during the fall semester of the 2022-2023 school year. "(This program) is helping me better my skills when it comes to carpentry and working on projects, but it's also helping me build my math skills without me even realizing it at the time, kind of effortlessly," said Postlewait, who hopes to pursue a carpentry apprenticeship. "It really is multi-encompassing."

The program is being funded by an Innovative Workforce Incentive Program (IWIP) grant through the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation and the Ohio Department of Education. It is a state-approved graduation pathway. Students who complete the program will attain several industry-recognized certifications and qualify for the Ohio Carpenter’s Apprenticeship program, which pairs apprentices with employers in the Mahoning Valley and statewide. The program also gives students opportunities to network with area employers.

"It's giving me the hands-on preparation and experience I need either for a job or an apprenticeship," Laughlin said. "I'm learning a lot and enjoying what I'm learning and doing. It's a win-win for me no matter what."

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STEAMing Ahead

LaBrae students' projects spotlighted at Trumbull County ESC Showcase

Six LaBrae Local Schools students were among more than four dozens of their peers across Trumbull County who participated in the Trumbull County Educational Service Center's Annual STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Showcase held December 6th and 7th.

The showcase featured art displays, a student made putt-putt course, robots, drones, performing arts, and much more.

The two-day event featured work from students across 17 Trumbull County School Districts.

The projects focused on the seven different pathways that the TCESC's STEAM program offers students, including Aviation and Drones, Coding and Robotics, Design Challenges, Engineering, Mixed Media Art, Performance Art, and Traditional Art. The STEAM program is held at Lordstown High School the first semester of each school year.

The LaBrae students who attended this year's STEAM program and participated in the showcase are John Bustard, grade 5, Molly Beck and Bryce Haynie, grade 6, Kaydence Church, Mason Lutz and Robert Stevens, grade 7.

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Fifth-grader Johnny Bustard, grade 5, above with Mrs. Sabo, left, and Ms. Cimmento, and Bryce Haynie, grade 6, below were among six LaBrae Local Schools students to participate in the TCESC STEAM Showcase at Lordstown High School.

Student Standouts LaBrae Senior Mariah Leskovac Named Top 5 Twenty Under 20 Recipient LaBrae High School graduating senior Mariah Leskovac, was named a 2022 Twenty Under 20 Award Winner as a Top 5 Recipient! She was recognized at the Tribune's annual awards dinner on December 6th.

The program, in its 10th year, recognizes leadership, volunteerism and academic achievement and is sponsored by the Tribune Chronicle, Warren OH and co-sponsored by Akron Children's Hospital Mahoning Valley and Kent State University Trumbull.

Winter Driving Tips Focus of SMASH Meeting LaBrae High School SMASH students, from left, Kennedy Sanderson, Rylee McDonough, Kaden Lippert and Dale Khlem received winter driving tips recently at a SMASH meeting at the Trumbull County ESC. Kennedy Sanderson, left, won some deicer for her car after placing in the Top4 during a challenge at a SMASH meeting held recently at the Trumbull County ESC.

LaBrae High School students Christian Haught and Allison McCune were recognized for their high scores on “The Americanism and Government Program” test sponsored by the American Legion Post #699. They are shown in the picture at left with Post Commander Mr. Charles Allen.

#GOVIKINGS 6

LaBrae Prep Bowl Teams The LaBrae High School Prep Bowl team, which is advised by Mr. DizMuzio, is off to a great start this winter. The team of Fiona Nicholas, Sam Watkins, Brett Marsh, Savannah Taiclet and Kira Thornton competed in Salem December 17th, defeating Springfield to claim the championship for LaBrae.

The team of Jack Dietlbach, Eric Heeter, Dale Khlem, Luke Marsh, and Zach Nyitrai finished second at the December 3rd Trumbull Career & Technical Center challenge, and finished 3rd out of 18 teams at the Salem tourney, falling short to Springfield.

Meanwhile, LaBrae Middle School's 6th-8th grade Prep Bowl teams competed against 16 other school teams on December 3rd at TCTC. After three morning rounds, all four teams were seeded into the afternoon tournament bracket. Out of 20 teams, they received the following seeds: LaBrae A- 8th graders and Sophia Balzer- 2nd seed LaBrae B- 7th graders- 4th seed LaBrae C- 6th graders- 5th seed LaBrae D- 6th graders- 6th seed The 6th-grade teams had never seeded that high before, considering they were competing against 7th and 8th graders.

The 7th-grade team finished 3rd overall while the LaBrae A team took down Lakeview in the championship round to win the tournament.

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Starting Strong

BASCOM WELCOMES VISION TO LEARN Vision To Learn was on site December 15th at Bascom Elementary School, testing students and fitting them for glasses at no charge.

LaBrae Local Schools partnered with Vision to Learn this year, and the organization screened all students in grades K-12.

This program is made possible through the generosity of The Beutner Family Foundation, with the support of: The Polena Trust & Mercy Health Foundation

Cafaro Foundation Leonard Fisher Family Erzurum-Sarac Family Foundation J. Ford Crandall Foundation Akron Children's Hospital Eye Care Associates

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Bascom Collects Over 1,300 Food Items!

Food Drive held to help families in need

Bascom Elementary School collected more than 1,300 food items in November to help families in need. The collection was part of a food drive contest. Mrs. Cunningham's preschool class and Mrs. Kish's 2ndgrade class collected the most items and received an ice cream treat.

Also, Trumbull Correctional Institution collected food items that were donated in memory of former Bascom school teacher Pam Engle.

Collected were two huge boxes of a variety of foods that will be distributed to LaBrae students and their families. The food drive was organized by the Leavittsburg facility's Jeanette Franklin, shown above with Bascom secretary Melanie Reese.

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LaBrae High School NHS Induction

New NHS Inductees L-R: Emily Sewell, Zanna Keller, Jessica Morris, Savannah Taiclet, Kira Thorton, Alyssa Chaney, Madison Bates, Fiona Nicholas, Gillian Kohn, Baylor Sampson, Krish Patel.

On December 15th, LaBrae High School Inducted 11 new members into LaBrae's Louise Clark Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS). New inductees were honored in a day ceremony in front of their family and honored guests. Current NHS officers and inductees presented the new honorees in a ceremony recognizing their scholastic and individual accomplishments. Elements of their biographies correlating to the pillars of the NHS were highlighted during the ceremony.

The purpose of the National Honor Society is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of America's high schools. National Honor Society membership has been the true mark of student achievement for over 100 years, but it goes far beyond a report card. By empowering, championing, and recognizing well-rounded students, NHS provides a valuesbased framework to elevate a culture of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Congratulations to our newest members of the NHS!

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Vouchers At the Center of Ohio Budget Debate in 2023 Over the last 20 plus years, Ohio's school voucher program has gradually expanded with each passing state budget. What started out in the 1990's as a pilot program designed to help impoverished families trapped in poor performing districts has gradually morphed over time to an ever expanding program that has ballooned to a taxpayer funded expense of $350 million during the last school year. Over the last three budget cycles, the Ohio General Assembly has significantly expanded eligibility criteria and has demonstrated a clear intent in H.B. 290 to make educational vouchers universal for all Ohio students regardless of residency or family income levels. H.B. 290, commonly referred to as the Backpack Bill, is all but guaranteed to be reintroduced when the budget making process begins in the General Assembly in February. Should universal vouchers become law, all private school students currently not eligible for a voucher would qualify to receive one. It is estimated to cost Ohio taxpayers an additional $1 billion per year to fund those students currently in private schools and not eligible for vouchers. School funding experts question if such a move is affordable as it creates a sizeable rebate/refund program for families that are already paying their tuition expenses out of their own pocket.

Legislative leaders espouse the notion that "the money should follow the child", which under this premise, would mean Ohio taxpayers are responsible for funding three types of school systems, their local public schools, Ohio charter schools, and private schools. Such a system creates many questions that Ohio citizens should ponder earnestly.

For example, should the money follow the child? Will private schools be subject to the same levels of accountability as local public schools? Should Ohio taxpayers fund the private education for families with financial means? If the State diverts hundreds of millions of dollars to private schools via vouchers, what might be the impact on local public schools? What might be the impact on local property taxes? Will private schools be required to accept all students using a voucher? Does Ohio allow such a transfer of taxpayer funds for other public goods such as parks, police, and fire? These questions are just a sampling of important considerations in the voucher debate.

Last year, an ever growing list of Ohio public schools initiated a lawsuit against the State of Ohio over the unconstitutionality of the voucher program. Simply, the belief is that Vouchers Hurt Ohio, that the State voucher program is unconstitutional, and Ohio should not be subsidizing private education. State supreme courts in West Virgina and Kentucky in 2022 ruled their state voucher programs unconstitutional. LaBrae is a participating district in the Vouchers Hurt Ohio lawsuit. The Board of Education believes that our participation is an important step to protecting public education and protecting Ohio taxpayers. You can learn more about the Vouchers Hurt Ohio effort by clicking on the picture below which will redirect you to their website. The unceasing growth of the voucher program has created scrutiny, and in light of an unwilling legislature to curb the growth of vouchers, the only avenue for clarity on the legality of the program is through the courts, thus the Voucher Hurt Ohio suit against the State.

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LABRAE FINANCIALS Treasurer Brad Panak

LaBrae Revenues v. Expenditures Trend

LaBrae Locals Schools recently completed the required Ohio financial five-year forecast for fiscal year 2023, which began on July 1, 2022. The District is forecasted to be in stable financial standing for the next two fiscal years. Per the forecast, LaBrae is expected to have a surplus on June 30th of $743,199. In fiscal year 2024, LaBrae will have expended almost all of the federal Covid-19 relief dollars which were used to reduce personnel and benefits costs in FY2023 and prior. Subsequently, the general fund will reassume additional personnel expenses in fiscal year 2024, and the fund is expected to experience a slight deficit of $47,843 for the year.

2023 brings a new Ohio biennial budget cycle that is full of uncertainty, which makes forecasting confidently beyond two years difficult. Ohio is expected to stay committed to the Fair School Funding Plan, but the budget cycle will determine how significantly Ohio ramps up the gradual phase-in of the new plan. Despite the uncertainty, the District will continue to monitor expenditures throughout the forecasted years, and continue to implement cost savings measures accordingly.

LaBrae FY2023 Sources of Revenue

LaBrae FY2023 Categories of Expenditures

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LaBrae Reduces Taxes Again with Lower 2023 Bond Rate LaBrae Local Schools is reducing the rate of taxation in 2023 on the outstanding debt incurred when the District built the LaBrae Complex. The construction costs for building the new LaBrae Complex were acquired, as is typical with capital improvement projects of this magnitude, through the sale of bonds on the market. The original debt was refinanced in 2011 so the District could take advantage of historically low interest rates at that time. The refinancing of the debt saved the District, and subsequently, LaBrae taxpayers, $631,644.17 in interest over the remaining life of the debt.

In 2022, LaBrae Local Schools was able to compound the aforementioned interest savings by continuing the return of unused principal from the bond levy to taxpayers. The 2022 tax rate on the LaBrae bond debt was reduced from 4.4 mills to 3.8 mills of taxation. In 2023, the bond rate will be lowered further to 3.3 mills. For comparison, the 2016 tax rate on the bond debt was 5.7 mills. From 2017-2019, the tax rate stood at 5.0 mills. The bond millage was lowered to 4.5 mills in 2020. What does this mean for a property owner in our community? In 2016 at 5.7 mills, the owner of a $100,000 home would have paid $199.50 in taxes to help fund the bond obligation. With a reduction in millage to 3.3 mills in 2023, that same homeowner will see a lower tax liability of $115.50.

The District is able to return the remaining unused principal because the construction of the building project came in under budget. This unused principal will supplant tax revenue lost when lower tax rates on the bond levy are provided to LaBrae property owners. Each year LaBrae Local Schools evaluates the tax revenue from the bond levy and sets its tax rate with the Trumbull County Auditor's Office to ensure that the rate will generate enough money to make the coming year's debt payments. LaBrae Local Schools will continue to manage this revenue in an efficient and responsible manner. LaBrae will continue to annually evaluate bond revenues and adjust the rates accordingly. The last debt payment will be made in December 2024, which will mark the expiration of the bond obligations.

Should you have questions regarding the information herein, please do not hesitate to contact the Superintendent or Treasurer at 330.898.0800.

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Highlights: Title 1 Family Night LaBrae Local Schools hosted families of our elementary students on October 19th at Bascom Elementary for our annual Title One Family Night.

Our Family Night is a family engagement opportunity for students and parents to partake in fun literacy and math activities that are designed to showcase strategies for improving student literacy and math skills.

LaBrae uses federal Title I funds to fund high-quality instruction and provide resources necessary to help close learning gaps among our students.

The purpose of Title I is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education. Title I provides funds to schools to improve the achievement of the lowestachieving students – those who are failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet a State’s academic achievement standards.

Title I is funded under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It has been in existence since 1995. There are more than 51,000 schools across the U.S. that receive Title I funds.

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School + Family = Success

2023 LaBrae Board of Education Mr. Russell Sewell, Email: rusty.sewell@labrae.school Mrs. Karen Ancell Email: karen.ancell@labrae.school Mr.Bradley Gamlin Email: bradley.gamlin@labrae.school Mr. Tim Gibson, Email: tim.gibson@labrae.school Mr. Gary Morton Email: gary.morton@labrae.school

2023 Board Meetings LaBrae Board of Education meetings are scheduled for the second Monday of each month.

Typically, the lone exception is the month of November, when the Board meets on the third Monday of the month. The meeting schedule can be found on the LaBrae website.

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LaBrae Hall of Fame Dr. Broome is a 1976 graduate of LaBrae High School. Dr. Broome completed medical school at NEOUCOM, via Kent State University. Also, she earned her MBA from the University of Massachusetts.

Dr. Broome completed her Family Practice Internship and Residency at Aultman Hospital in Canton. She served as a faculty member in her residency program for three years, and then went into private practice for four years. Her medical career has spanned over 38 years in a mix of roles that were both clinical and administrative.

Dr. Rochelle Broome Distinguished Alumni

She has served as both residency faculty and residency director in Ohio and California. She has served in corporate health care in many leadership capacities working toward innovative progress in a constantly changing field. Lastly, she is committed to community service via her roles on various community boards and civic organizations where she resides.

William Marsh is a 1968 graduate of Leavittsburg High School. He earned his Bachelors degree in Aerospace Technology from Kent State University.

Mr. Marsh served 20 years of active duty in the U.S. Navy. He was a Naval Aviation Officers Candidate School graduate, earned a Master's in Business Administration from Pepperdine University, and graduated from the Department of Defense Armed Forces Staff College.

Following 20 distinguished years with the Navy, Mr. Marsh served 20 years as a Navy Program Manager and Navy government support contractor who provided procurement services, engineering, and program management services.

In retirement, he has committed to being an integral community servant. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Pacific Beach Town Council, a (501(C}{3) charitable organization, for six years with four of those years serving as the PBTC Treasurer. Additionally, Marsh has participated in and helped to coordinate numerous local community charity functions, activities and facilities.

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William Marsh III Distinguished Alumni

Class of 2022 Inductees Clyde Smith is a 1966 graduate of Leavittsburg High School. He earned a Bachelors degree in Aeronautical Studies from EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University. He also earned Master's Degrees in Business Administration & Aeronautical Science.

Mr. Smith served in the U.S. Army where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He achieved the honor of being named a U.S. Army Master Aviator. While in the Army, he served as a Medical Evacuation Pilot flying UH-1 Medevac Helicopters in South Vietnam with the 283rd Medical Detachment. He later served in Germany and Panama, and was recalled to active duty for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Clyde Smith

Distinguished Alumni

He has served as an Airfield Commander, Aircraft Maintenance Commander, Test Pilot, and in the Operations, Safety, and Accident Investigation unit. Mr. Smith is a graduate of the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College. He retired with a combined 42 years of active duty and active reserve duty. He also worked for Pratt & Whitney for 22 years as a Test Engineer and Project Engineer.

He retired as a Project Manager with Belcan Corporation’s Advanced Engineering & Technology Division. He is an Adjunct Professor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona, Florida where he has been an aeronautics instructor for 25 years.

Throughout Melvin Staats’ greater-than 20 years at LeavittsburgLaBrae, he held many roles including teacher, coach, Dean of Boys, Athletic Director, and Assistant Principal. He impacted hundreds of lives contributing greatly to the LaBrae community.

In 1966, Mr. Staats became the first head coach of the reinstated Leavittsburg football program, which had not been in existence for more than 40 years. Throughout his coaching career, he received many awards and recognitions such as coach of the year nominee in 1969, 1971, and 1972. In 1971, LaBrae was Trumbull AA Co-Champs and outright Trumbull AA Conference Champions in 1972. Mr. Staats served as head coach through the 1972 season. He retired from LaBrae in 1989.

In 2006, Mr. Staats was inducted into the Trumbull County Sports Hall of Fame, and he was inducted into the Ohio High School Athletic Association's Officiating Hall of Fame in 2015 for 30-plus years as a baseball umpire. Following retirement, he became the league commissioner and referee assignor for Trumbull County allowing him to continue to serve and stay connected to interscholastic athletics.

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Mel Staats Coach, Teacher, Administrator

Class of 2022 Inductees Tony Stephens is a 1984 graduate of LaBrae High School. As a student-athlete at LaBrae, Mr. Stephens excelled at football, basketball, and baseball, earning 10 varsity letters during his high school athletic career. Mr. Stephens' excellence was most prominent on the gridiron. He earned three varsity letters playing for Coach Al Carrino during the most successful threeyear period in school history.

Mr. Stephens was first-team all-league and all-county as a junior.

As a senior, and a team captain, he led the Vikings in rushing with 817 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns. His senior success earned him all-league, all-county and all-state honors. He was also nominated for the Trumbull County Player of the Year award.

Tony Stephens Student-Athlete

Mr. Stephens' success at LaBrae earned him a Division I football scholarship at Kent State University. As a Kent State Flash, he had a successful career on the gridiron earning four varsity letters as a four year starter at outside linebacker. His 421 career tackles ranks 9th in KSU History.

Mr. Stephens graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. He served 27 years with distinction with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and currently works as a special deputy with the U.S. Marshals in the federal court system.

Read more about our LaBrae Hall of Fame Inductees Here.

Nomination forms are available online, and completed nominations for the CLASS OF 2023, DUE March 1, 2023, can be mailed to: LaBrae Locals Schools HOF Office of the Superintendent 1001 N. Leavitt Rd. Leavittsburg, Ohio 44430 Nomination applications can also be submitted electronically via email to: vikings@labrae.school.

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