Lebanon City Schools Ohio

Barbara A. Bonnell, 64

EAST LIVERPOOL - Barbara A. Bonnell, 64, of Broadview Circle, East Liverpool, died at Cleveland Clinic on Thursday, July 14, 2011, following complications from surgery. She was born in East Liverpool on March 31, 1947, and was the daughter of the late Glenn W. and Mabel V. (McComas) Hall.

She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Gary D. Bonnell as well as many loving friends.

Barbara graduated from East Liverpool High School as an honor student in 1965 and was a member of the First Church of Christ Disciples where she was the pianist. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education Degree with a major in Elementary Education in1969 and her Master of Arts Degree with specialization in Science and Social Studies in 1974, both from The Ohio State University. From 1971 to 1994, she did Post-graduate Coursework, and completed 80 semester hours in Administration/Supervision, Gifted Education, Elementary Education and Marine Sciences.

From August 1970 to June 1973, she was an Elementary Teacher and from August 1974 to June 1975 she was a Teacher of the Gifted Extended Learning Program in the Orange Unified School District in Orange, Calif. From August 1976 to June 1980 Barb worked as a Teacher of the Gifted in Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 in East Petersburg, Pa.

From August 1980 to 1998, she was Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Students at the Jefferson County Educational Service Center in Steubenville where she diligently worked to incorporate Gifted Education into the Ohio Valley. During this time, she was also instrumental in starting and maintaining Gifted Programs throughout the area. She developed and directed Jefferson County Academic League and Tournament which involved a minimum of eight high schools; Co-developed regional spelling bees involving five school districts and the Herald Star newspaper; assisted with development and planning of the Odyssey of the Mind competition in Jefferson County and was a member of the Governing Board for Region 11.

In August 1998 through December 2003, she was the Director of Special Programs for the East Liverpool City Schools. During her tenure as Special Programs Director, total grant dollars increased from $1.8 million to approximately $4 million. Annual on-site reviews conducted by the state, found all programs in total compliance with state and federal guidelines.

From 2004 until the present, Barbara has been the Gifted Coordinator for the Licking County Education Service Center where she organized the High School Academic Competition and organized the Licking County Quiz Bowl Tournament. She was a strong advocate for Gifted Children. Serving as Gifted Coordinator for Central Ohio she was instrumental in organizing the high school mentorship luncheon. During this time, Barbara served the school districts of Licking Heights, Licking Valley and Northridge.

Lebanon voters face school tax levy in fall

LEBANON — Lebanon City Schools will return to the ballot in November with a new 5-year tax proposal to raise $3 million annually for the district.

School board members voted 4-0 in favor of the estimated 3.8-mill levy as recommended by the administration. Board member Ryan Patterson was absent from the meeting. The property tax would cost homeowners approximately $116 per $100,000 of home value annually for five years, officials said.

The levy is one of two options for the district, said Superintendent Mark North. Either get $3 million of new revenue approved or slash the budget by that amount.

North outlined the cuts that would likely be made if voters defeat the ballot measure:

• No busing for the high school or within two miles of a school building;

• Cut approximately 100 staff positions — 31 in transportation, 28 classified and 41 certified positions; and

• Increase sports participation fees to $500 at the high school, $350 at the junior high.

North said he expects some in the community will perceive the proposed cuts are “a threat,” but reiterated that the $3 million budget gap is a reality.

“We believe the administrative team has respectfully responded to the results from the 8.2-mill levy request in May by substantially reducing the amount requested by approximately 54 percent,” North said. “We also believe that we must give our community another opportunity to support a levy request ... We believe reducing the budget any more will have a considerable negative impact on the services necessary to maintain a successful school system.”

Voters defeated the May proposal by a 12 percent margin. In November 2010, voters approved renewing a 3-year, $4.2 million operating levy that was originally passed in 2005. Additional revenue is needed in part to make up for local tax revenue reductions and state funding cuts, according to Treasurer Eric Sotzing.

Board President Esther Larson said the levy is needed and it’s the board’s responsibility “to provide a quality education.”

“Those people (teachers and bus drivers) have an effect on the whole student’s education,” she said. “It will be very difficult to run a district with 5,400 children and make these drastic cuts. I hope the community takes a hard look at what is needed to support students.”

Board member Donna Davis-Norris referred to Lebanon’s troubled neighbor Little Miami schools, where students have “lost years” because of budget cuts.

Cincinnati Magazine

Cincinnati Magazine

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Mdr's School Directory 2001-2002

Governments of Ohio 2004