The Drakkar: Winter 2025

LABRAE LOCAL SCHOOLS

THE DRAKKAR WINTER 2025

PAINTING WITH A PURPOSE

Congratulations to LaBrae Local Schools for winning the 2025 ODOT District 4 Paintthe-Plow contest! LaBrae’s plow received over 800 likes, crowning the Vikings as champions! LaBrae High School student Truly Jacobs, shown above, designed and painted the plow that is now being used by ODOT to clear the highways and byways. while sending motorists a big safety reminder. Read more on page 8.

INSIDE Retirements ..................... 2-3 LaBrae Day ...................... 4-6 NHS Induction 2025......... 7 LaBrae Pantry................... 9 LaBrae HOF...................... 11

A DISNEY LITERATURE ADVENTURE Fills the LaBrae Complex for Title I Family Night See page 9.

LaBrae Educators Retiring

Lisa Aldridge

Tina Toumazos

Mrs. Aldridge is a LaBrae graduate and is completing her 28th year as a LaBrae teacher. Prior to LaBrae, Lisa was a teacher for four years at TCTC.

Ms. Toumazos is a LaBrae graduate and is completing her 29th year as a LaBrae teacher. Prior to LaBrae, Ms. Toumazos taught for four years at P.V. Local Schools.

Melanie Wolke

Martin Kelly

Mrs. Wolke is a LaBrae graudate and is completing her 32nd year as a LaBrae teacher. Prior to LaBrae, Ms. Wolke taught at Warren City Schools.

Mr. Kelly is completing his 17th year as an administrator at LaBrae. Prior to assuming the duties as L.I.S. principal, Mr. Kelly served 14 years as the M.S. principal.

Once A Viking, Always A Viking 2

LaBrae Staff Retiring

Teresa Frederick

Debbie Lynch

Mrs. Frederick is a LaBrae graduate and lifelong community member. She is a Title 1 Aide at Bascom Elementary and is completing her 30th year of service. Prior to her current role, Mrs. Frederick was the Bascom library aide.

Mrs. Lynch is currently the head custodian at the LaBrae Complex and is completing her 29th year at LaBrae. She has been a custodian since 2001. Mrs. Lynch started as a bus driver at LaBrae in 1997.

Cheryl Anderson

Mrs. Anderson is an afternoon custodian at LaBrae Intermediate School and is completing her 20th year of service to LaBrae. Prior to becoming a custodian, Cheryl served LaBrae as a bus driver.

Once A Viking, Always A Viking 3

L LaBrae Day 2025!

LaBrae students and staff gathered in the LaBrae High School gymnasium October 9th for the annual district-wide pep rally celebrating Viking Nation.

The band played and the cheerleaders cheered as students from kindergarten through 12th grade danced, stomped their feet, shouted and called out “LaBrae Vikings!”

Senior students highlighted academics, sports, band, STEM, clubs, kindness, and Viking character. Here are some highlights:

4

LV LaBrae Day 2025!

5

V A Viking Way of Life!

Nearly two dozen LaBrae alumni were recognized at LaBrae Day 2025 as former students who have returned to their home school district to teach, lead, guide and coach, proving that the mantra “Once A Viking Always A Viking” rings true for so many at LaBrae Local Schools! The list of graduates now employed at LaBrae also includes clerical, maintenance and support staff. Go Vikings!

The Class of 2038!

6

LaBrae High School NHS Induction

The National Honor Society inducted 18 new members, shown above, at its ceremony on Thursday, December 18, 2025, in the LaBrae Complex Auditorium.

The National Honor Society has four pillars - Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character - representing core values that members must embody through academic excellence, voluntary community/school contributions, effective guidance of others, and high standards of honesty, reliability, and integrity. These principles guide induction and ongoing membership, encouraging students to be lifelong learners and positive contributors to their communities.

Keynote Speaker Marc Booker, Class of ‘82

The new members of the LaBrae NHS are, seniors Sophia Bellomo, Lilly Briggs, Landon Brunstetter, Caylee Fitzpatrick, Caleigh Fortune, and Jessica Gentry; and juniors Kyndra Chabek, Jordyn Genova, Lillian Guesman, Cayman Haynie, Madelynn Hurst, Nate Huscroft, Christian Kerber, Riley Lutz, Riley Rowe, Angel Scruggs, Brielle Stout, and Megan Young.

7

LaBrae Senior Earns A Top 5 Spot in the 2025 Twenty Under 20 Awards Program LaBrae High School senior Liam Fiest was recognized as one of the Top 5 finalists honored at the 2025 Twenty Under 20 banquet on December 4th. He received $125 to donate to his charity of choice.

The program, sponsored by the Tribune Chronicle, AVI Foodsystems and Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley, recognizes 20 young people from T r u m b u l l County for their leadership, academic achievement and extracurricular activities. Fiest was n o m i n a t e d for the recognition by our high school counselor Linda Nogales.

Liam is ranked 1st in his class. He is a member of the National Honor Society, helping to clean out a school courtyard, assisting with the NHS food pantry, which collected food items for families at Thanksgiving. He has helped in recent summers with the Camp Invention at Bascom; , achievements are exceptional, ranking first in his class. She said Fiest is also president of the senior class. “Liam’s extracurricular and service involvement further illustrates his dedication to personal growth and community betterment….His teachers and advisors consistently highlight his perseverance, teamwork and ability to lead by example — qualities that have earned him numerous accomplishments,” Nogales said.

Senior Liam Fiest discusses leadership at the 2025 LaBrae Day to encourage younger students.

ODOT’s Paint the Plow Contest From Page 1

“Plowing the Way to Safety” is the message LaBrae High School student Truly Jacobs is sending out to motorists this winter. Truly cane up with the theme and design for one of the plows ODOT is using to clear the snowy highways and byways across the region. She also painted the plow as part of ODOT’s annual Paint the Plow Contest.

This year, LaBrae came in first place with more than 800 votes.

Each year, ODOT delivers snowplows to several area schools for students to paint. The Paint the Plow program allows local schools and non-profit organizations to paint an ODOT snowplow blade with messages of snow and ice safety, state, school, or community pride, or patriotism, according to ODOT’s website.

8

LaBrae Title 1 Family Night A Magical Night of Reading at LaBrae!

By Mrs. DeArmitt On September 23, 2025, the LaBrae Cafeteria was transformed into a Disney dream come true! Filled with music, color, and excitement, the Title I Reading Departments from Bascom and LaBrae Intermediate hosted their Disney-themed Family Literacy Night.

Over 110 students and their families came out to enjoy the evening, traveling through Disney-inspired literacy stations that made reading and writing come alive. Each stop gave families the chance to work together, practice reading skills, and, most importantly, have fun while learning.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing Title I teams from Bascom and LIS, along with teachers, staff, and the middle and high school student volunteers who jumped in to help make the night so special.

To wrap up the evening, Principal Mrs. Kowach, dressed as Elsa, shared information about LaBrae’s Title I Services and the support they offer families.

The night ended perfectly with a big Disney singalong led by student volunteers—because no Disney night is complete without a little music and magic!

It was truly a wonderful evening filled with reading, laughter, and community spirit. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event one to remember!

9

LaBrae Viking Pantry & Care Closet: Meeting Needs, Strengthening Our Community

By Mrs. Amy Frederick The LaBrae Viking Pantry & Care Closet continues to make a meaningful impact on students and families across the district. With three fully operating locations—one at Bascom Elementary, one at the Intermediate School, and one serving the Middle School/High School—the pantry network ensures consistent access to essential items for students of all ages. Each pantry is stocked with clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, and food items, reducing barriers that can interfere with a student’s ability to learn, feel confident, and stay healthy. Staff members, families, and community partners work together to ensure the pantries remain well-supplied and welcoming.

Growing Community Impact From the start of the 2025–2026 school year, the Viking Pantry & Care Closet has experienced a steady increase in requests— reflecting both community need and the trust families place in our schools. Between September and November alone, the pantries served 1,928 individual students and families.

Monthly Service Totals: September: 450 individuals served October: 639 individuals served November: 839 individuals served As needs grow, so does LaBrae’s commitment to supporting the whole child. The Viking Pantry & Care Closet remains a vital resource that embodies our district’s mission: meeting needs, removing barriers, and building stronger futures for every Viking.

BY THE NUMBERS September: 450 individuals served October: 639 individuals served November: 839 individuals served

Donations are always needed and greatly appreciated.

Please drop off items at the LaBrae High School Office.

10

LaBrae Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Inductees

James Mitchell

Julianna Politsky

Paul Paridon

James G. Mitchell, LaBrae High School Class of 1972, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in architecture from Kent State University. He dedicated 40 years to M+A Architects (now MA Design) in Columbus after joining the firm in 1981.

He became a major contributor in its growth, becoming second-in-command in 2000, leading marketing and operational efforts when he was appointed partner, executive vice president and principal architect.

Under his leadership, and in collaboration with his partners, the firm grew to a 120-person powerhouse by the time he retired in 2020. Jim holds Emeritus status with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is certified by the State of Ohio as a Chief Building Official and Master Plans Examiner. Jim and his wife, Leslie, established the James G. and Leslie A. Mitchell CAED (College of Architecture & Environmental Design) Scholarship in 2022 that is available to a graduating student in Trumbull County who wishes to enter the Kent State College of Architecture & Environmental Design.

Jim is an active member in COCOA (the Central Ohio Code Officials Association) and an active member and president of The Holy Cross Orthodox Church. He continues to offer consulting services.

Julianna Politsky, a 1997 graduate of LaBrae High School now living in Los Angeles, Calif., is co-owner of Redbird Entertainment. While at LaBrae, she was involved in numerous clubs and activities, serving as Class of ‘97 vice president; a member of the Letterman, Yearbook, Beta, Spanish and Mock Trial clubs; and a member of the cheerleading squad and high school band. She graduated from Kent State University in 2002 with marketing and psychology degrees.

She worked in fashion and real estate, but deep down was a cinephile and fascinated with the film industry. She moved to Hollywood to pursue her passion and start her entertainment career at a Hollywood Talent agency, She beat out hundreds of candidates for a position with Legendary Entertainment, staying 10 years with the company and helping to build its first production department. She worked on 25+ films in production, finance and VFX with budgets ranging from $5 million to $200 million. In 2016, she began hosting events in Los Angeles, New York City and London for Women in Entertainment to combat a lack of representation. She has executive produced the Sundance premiered, Independent - Spirit Award nominated “La Leyenda Negra,” and co-produced Gotham-winning, Independent Spirit- and NAACP Image Award - nominated “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain” that both aired on HBO.

Paul Paridon retired from LaBrae Local Schools after teaching within the district for 36 years – 33 of which he also coached. He taught 6th grade at Bascom for two years before moving to the junior high school where he taught for 34 years. A graduate of Akron University with a B.S. in education, he was voted "Outstanding Man of the Year" by the LaBrae Football Boosters in 1986 for untiring dedication and service to the sports programs of LaBrae High School. He served 19 years as assistant football coach; 18 years as assistant basketball coach; one year as assistant baseball coach; one year as track coach; and continued coaching for many more years. Paul also worked at the Leavittsburg Festival, often seen in the "dunk tank". After retiring from varsity football, he stayed on at the fields filming the games. He then served as head coach for the 7th- & 8th- grade football and basketball teams for two years.

Prior to his time at LaBrae, he taught 5th grade for five years at St. Stephens in Niles and served as a football coach. He was also active in his church community as a member of the choir, a reader of Holy Scripture, a minister of the Eucharist and a festival booth captain and co-chairman, and was a Knight of Columbus.

Class of 1972

For more about the LaBrae Schools’ Hall of Fame, visit

LaBrae Schools’ Hall of Fame

Class of 1997

11

Teacher/Coach

LABRAE FINANCIALS Treasurer Brad Panak

LaBrae Revenues v. Expenditures Trend

In November, LaBrae Locals Schools submitted its financial five-year forecast to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. The District is forecasted to be on stable financial footing for the next three years. Since 2020, employee retirements and COVID-19 federal funding helped the District reduce personnel and benefit costs. Also, Ohio increased funding to public schools by making further financial commitments to increasing funding under the new Fair School Funding formula. However, the formula is still not funded at 100% in fiscal year 2026, and it is uncertain if Ohio lawmakers are committed to fully funding public education.

District administration and the LaBrae Board of Education are aware of the unpredictability of the next five years. With shrinking federal funds, the uncertainty of future Ohio funding, property tax reform, and increased inflation, General Fund expenditures are greater than revenues beginning in FY2027, as the above graph indicates. Due to the volatile nature of property values and expenditures, the forecast presented in May 2026 could look drastically different. The District will continue to monitor expenditures throughout the forecasted years and implement cost-saving measures as necessary.

Fiscal Year 2025: Estimated Revenues

Fiscal Year 2025: Estimated Expenditures

12

Replacement Permanent Improvement Millage Remains at 2.75 Mills The second year of collection of the 3.0 mill replacement permanent improvement levy, or P.I. levy, approved by voters in November of 2023 begins with the winter tax collection in February 2026. The LaBrae Board of Education voted in the January of 2025 to keep the millage reduced from the originally approved 3 mills to 2.75 mills. In the 2025 tax collection cycle, the typical property owner did experience a small tax reduction due to the Board’s initial action to reduce the millage by a .25 mills. This year, with the tax rate unchanged, property owners in February should see little to no change in property taxes associated with the LaBrae permanent improvement levy.

The LaBrae P.I. levy revenues have provided funding for a variety of minor maintenance projects throughout the district such as the Bascom drainage project in the summer of 2025, fencing repairs, and black top sealcoating to significant projects such as the Bascom roof replacement and the LaBrae band shell.

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

Ohio Passes Property Tax Reforms On November 19, 2025, the General Assembly passed five bills aimed at reducing property taxes and resulting in lower funding for local governments, especially public schools. These bills are part of the General Assembly’s efforts at property tax reform. Governor DeWine signed all five bills on December 19, 2025, making them effective in the first quarter of 2026.

House Bill 124, or H.B. 124, modifies how the Ohio Department of Taxation (DOT) and county auditors will determine property values during the six-year appraisal and triennial update process. This process, along with voters padding tax levies, drive the increase in property taxes. The changes shift some authority from Ohio’s Department of Taxation to the county auditors, thereby providing for more realistic property valuations.

H.B. 129 limits a school districts’ ability to see property tax revenue grow after the county has its reappraisal or triennial update of property values. Currently, when making the 20-mill floor calculation, certain types of levies known as fixed-sum levies are excluded. H.B. 129 requires these levies be included in the calculation. By adding in the millage from fixed-sum levies, the total district millage will take it off the 20-mill floor.

Cont’d on p. 14

13

Property Tax Reform Cont’d

In whole, this will reduce the number of districts on the floor, thus reducing the number of districts seeing substantial growth connected to being at the 20-mill floor in the future.

According to the Ohio Legislative Service Commission Fiscal Notes, school district revenue losses statewide are estimated to be approximately $162 million for tax year 2026, $223 million for tax year 2027, and $224 million for tax year 2028, as a result of this bill. LaBrae has never had a fixed-sum levy.

H.B. 186 requires county auditors, when calculating property tax increases for property owners in school districts on the floor, to provide a tax credit to property owners, limiting their tax increases to an inflationary increase as determined by the GDP. The bill provides for tax credits to be awarded to taxpayers retroactively beginning in tax years 2023 and 2024, and it uses money from the state to fill any shortfall to school districts. The bill repeals the 10% property tax rollback from non-owneroccupied residential property and redirects that money to increase the owner-occupied rollback an additional 2.8% for a total of 15.38%.

H.B. 309 permits county budget commissions (CBC’s) to control levy rates of taxing authorities in their county by allowing CBC’s to reduce the amount collected after the first year of collection from voter-approved levies. This applies not only to schools, but also to public entities like libraries, townships, and aging boards that rely on property taxes to operate.

To make this decision, the CBCs are given the authority to determine whether a levy is "unnecessary" or “excessive” based on fund balances, projected spending, additional revenue services, and statutory service requirements. In the case of school districts, the CBC’s are limited in that they cannot reduce a school district's rate below 20-mills unless the district requests it.

H.B. 335 empowers CBC’s to control the inside millage revenue in reappraisal years by using the GDPbased growth cap. This does not include outside or voted levies. This will reduce revenue of not only school districts but also counties and other local governments who receive a portion of this inside millage.

Those receiving inside millage can request voluntary reductions for a tax year should they believe it a prudent decision. Their inside millage in that year cannot be redistributed to other taxing entities receiving inside millage. According to the Ohio Legislative Service Commission Fiscal Notes, it is estimated that this bill will reduce revenue statewide by $120 million to $135 million in tax year 2026, $195 million to $250 million in tax year 2027, and $305 million to $378 million in tax year 2028.

While the bills will reduce the overall funding available to local governments, and in particular, school districts, the amount of funding reduction will vary. LaBrae will see the most direct impact from H.B. 186 due to its retroactive nature. In tax year 2026, LaBrae is estimated to lose $175,000 in local property tax revenue, and in tax year 2027, LaBrae is estimated to lose $352,000 in revenue.

The state reimbursing schools for lost revenue will keep LaBrae from losing revenue in tax year 2025. Tax year 2026 collections is the first year the district is impacted by the new law.

However, these are estimates, and the estimates are based on assumptions of expected values and zero delinquencies. LaBrae will monitor the implementation and effects of H.B. 186, and we will report back to our community accordingly.

14

Back on Board!

Mrs. Guesman returns to LaBrae Local Schools A familiar face has returned to LaBrae Local Schools - but she’s seated at a different desk.

Former LIS principal secretary Carrie Guesman is now at the Board of Education Office where she serves as the administrative secretary to the superintendent/EMIS coordinator. She replaces Kiley Pal, who accepted a position at the Trumbull County Educational Service Center as student services administrative assistant.

Mrs. Guesman started working at LaBrae Local Schools in August 2019 as the secretary at LIS. She left in September 2024 to run her family’s coffee trailer full time and grow that business to the point where her husband could leave his full time job and take over running the trailer. She was hired in November 2025 for her current position.

Mrs. Guesman, formerly known as Carrie Dade, is a 2001 graduate of LaBrae Local Schools.

2025-2026 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 Mrs. Julia Shutt Email: julia.shutt@labrae.school

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

The meeting schedule can be found on the LaBrae website.

15

school finance 101: did you know?

Managing school finances is vastly different from managing personal finances. At home, you can use any part of your revenue to cover any one of your expenses. However, public schools use something called a “fund accounting" system. In a fund accounting system, revenues are deposited into specific funds based on the source and the purpose of the revenue. Money in each fund can only be spent for specific purposes and must be accounted for per state and federal Department of Education and Workforce guidelines.

Schools can not borrow funds from one fund and put them in another to cover incurred expenses.

District Revenue

General Fund

Permanent Improvement Fund

Cafeteria Fund

Activity Fund

Principal Fund

Salaries & Benefits

Improving, Renovating, Maintaining, & equipping school facilities

Food Services

Athletic Department

Items for Staff & Students

Expenses & Revenues

Student Council

Capital Outlay Purchased Services Other

Staff Wages & Benefits

Class Funds Other clubs & organizations

School Funding: Key Principles

Ohio's public schools are funded with local, state, and federal dollars. Of the funding revenue received by LaBrae Local Schools, approximately 7% comes from the federal government, 24% from local property taxes, and 69% provided by the State. The state funding from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce (DEW) is calculated primarily on enrollment numbers, property values, and the economic conditions of the families that live in the district. The local funding comes from taxes collected on real property within the district. As such, the more students enrolled, the more funding the district receives from the state.

Additionally, as a district’s property values and average incomes increase, the state decreases the rate of funding, and conversely, it increases the funding rate as values and incomes decrease.

16

Merry Christmas Have A Safe & Healthy Holiday Break!

17

LaBrae Local Schools

"Home of the Vikings" labrae.school

18