The state of the school is something you often hear public school leadership talk about - the condition of the facilities, the initiatives implemented in the classroom, the budget decisions that need to be addressed, and the past, present and future of the district.
In addition, for Liberty-Benton, the future of our facilities looks clearer thanks to the support our residents showed at the ballot this past May. I am grateful for the opportunity our community has given us to address our facility needs that provides our students with the exceptional instruction they receive every day. We are continuing to work with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) to get that important work started as soon as possible.
In the present moment, we can continue to direct the majority of our budget - 68 percent - to the classroom, where we can make the biggest impact on the experience we provide to our students and staff. This year, we have implemented a few new initiatives and programs that I am excited about - additional course offerings at the high school, expanded gifted services at the elementary, increased nursing services across the district, and increased security in all buildings just to name a few of the positive changes this school year. We want our students to have opportunities to individualize their experience while also providing them with the greatest sense of well-being, safety and protection we can offer.
Moreover, that protection extends to our community. As a school district we want to protect our community’s investment in the schools and maintain the great quality of education and experience our students receive. My goal as the superintendent is to ensure that happens, and this school year I am doing so by beginning the process of addressing our facility needs, supporting our staff to my fullest capacity, continuing open and transparent communications with district stakeholders, and maintaining a mindset of carefully stretching our precious resources as far as possible.
In addition, district resources are precious...and limited. On November 5, Liberty-Benton will be on the ballot for our income tax renewal levy that, if passed, would continue to help fund the day-to-day operations of our schools, such as wages and benefits, technology, utilities, classroom supplies, equipment, as well as maintenance and repair of school property not covered by the bond issue that was approved in May. If passed, this would be the third renewal of this request originally passed in 1994. This 0.75% income tax is the same that was approved by the voters in 1994.
I know that your resources are precious as well, which is why I think it’s critical to emphasize that there are no new taxes with this renewal. This renewal is absolutely necessary to continue the excellent experience we provide at Liberty-Benton.
Mark Kowalski
Superintendent
Liberty-Benton Local Schools