Superintendent's Message
by Ron Donatone
Dear Parents and Friends,
Welcome to another school year at Ledgemont Local Schools. We are here to bring the children of Thompson and Montville Townships a first class, 21st century, public school education. Thank you for supporting our school income tax this past May. This tax will begin in January of 2011 and should enable the school district to maintain a balanced operating budget for the next 5 to 6 years. With the passage of this tax, we are able to dedicate some funds for permanent improvements to the high school and elementary school. Our desire is to protect your investment in these buildings. The most noticeable improvements at the elementary school are a repaired front sidewalk, window replacements around the front doors, and new ceiling tiles in the entrances and cafeteria areas. We also are in the process of replacing the 30+ year old oil fired boiler with two high efficiency gas boilers. The high school is having several classroom windows replaced and new ceiling tile in the cafeteria area. We have applied and been accepted into the Exceptional Need Program of the Ohio School Facilities Commission with the hope of getting a new high school and sharing the cost with the State of Ohio. Representatives of the OSFC will be attending our September board of education meeting to discuss the plan. I encourage you to attend this public meeting.
The last income tax for the Ledgemont Local School District expired in 2008. As I stated previously, the new tax begins in 2011. Because of the gap in collection, it will be necessary for the school district to ask the Ohio Department of Education for an advance of our foundation payments. Otherwise, we will run out of operating money this fall. In short, we have a temporary cash flow problem. In order to advance funds the State must declare the school district to be in “fiscal emergency”. Please do not panic when you hear this because it will only be a temporary condition. The good news is that the income tax has passed and will begin to provide necessary funding in the very near future.
We look forward to serving you this school year. We thank you for entrusting us with your most valuable possession . . . your children. We take our responsibility for their growth and care very seriously.
Sincerely,
Ronald J. Donatone
Superintendent
