XACC Endorses the Xenia Community School's Issue 28 **UPDATED**

"Today's Students - Tomorrow's Workforce." The motto of the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce Partners in Education committee is simply stated, but holds real world importance. Our children will become the workforce of tomorrow, providing the goods and services we use.

The better we prepare our students, the easier it will be for them to find well-paying jobs and excel in the workplace. Recognizing this link, dozens of business partners have given their time and resource to helping improve the education of our children. In return, our students have given hundreds of hours of their time to making Xenia a better community, through countless volunteer projects and by sharing their talents and spreading the joy of the arts.

This November, our community has an opportunity to solidify that partnership between our schools and our community, an opportunity that will help both our students and the community as a whole.

Issue 28 is a NEW proposal---no new high school, no new middle schools, no school site on US 42 S and no Under One Roof.  The Xenia Board of Education listened to the voters and heard the need for new grade schools only.  Issue 28 is less than half the millage at 3.2 mills with all but 0.5 mills deferred or delayed for collection until 2013.

Issue 28 will build five new grade schools to replace our current seven crumbling schools.

But this levy is about more than just supporting our students. It is about an investment into the community that will help attract new and better paying jobs now, as well as into the future.

No business can operate without people. Whether it is a manufacturer, a service based industry or high-tech companies, all need people to fill vital roles. Numerous surveys of corporate executives have shown workforce talent and availability are the largest factors in deciding where to expand or locate. The community’s school system is one of the first places they look to determine whether or not there will be people with the skills they need.

Likewise, as employees moving to an area with a business decide where to live, schools are often a determining factor. The Base Realignment and Closure process (BRAC) will be hundreds of people, both military and civilian, to our region. It also brings many new companies and employment opportunities, especially ones in high-tech and research related fields.

Test scores and graduation rates are important. However businesses are also looking to see that schools have the facilities and equipment that will allow them to thrive and understand the technology employed in today’s working environment.

Over the past decade, our teachers and students have worked hard to improve test scores and other key benchmarks. Those efforts have resulted in Xenia Community Schools being recognized as a District of Excellence. Our students and teachers are continuing those efforts, but are often hindered by facilities not suited to today’s learning needs.

Our school facilities lack much of the basic infrastructure needed in today’s learning environment to ensure long-term success. Several of our elementary school buildings have insufficient electrical systems to handle the load of more than two or three computers. In 2009, our students are expected to understand the world of technology and computers in order to find jobs after graduation.

Change is always difficult, and transforming our school system is a major change, particularly in our current economic environment. However investing in our schools now will provide economic benefit, by helping to attract new businesses and employment opportunities in the short term, and providing long-term stability.

The Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce endorses Issue 28, and asks for your continued support of Xenia Community Schools.

UPDATES:

Xenia Community Schools (XCS) has announced the final five locations for the proposed new grade schools that would be built with the passage of Issue 28 and funding from the State of Ohio. The new grade schools would be built on the current sites of Tecumseh Elementary School, Shawnee Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, Cox Elementary School and between Arrowood Elementary School and Warner Middle School.

XCS Supt. Jeffrey K. Lewis, Ed.D., says the Xenia Board of Education responded to the concerns of Spring Hill Elementary School families before finalizing the plan.

We wanted to make every effort to make sure that we made the right decision for the long term when selecting the final grade school location. A site analysis with soil testing was performed by Patriot Engineering and Environmental, Inc. with a final recommendation by Fanning Howey. The Spring Hill site was not the best suited for rebuilding a new elementary school, he adds.  The areas high water table from underground springs and limited land at Spring Hill combined to make the Arrowood/Warner location the better site.

Spring Hill Elementary School Principal Tracy Weissmann appreciates the affection families have for their school. "With any change, there can be trepidation. But this change should not be feared. A new building, not on the current Spring Hill site, will quickly become home for all students, parents and teachers. It will become a center of community activity as well", says Weissmann. "But just as Spring Hill has been home to many wonderful families for years, the new building will do the same. And with it will come many wonderful memories for our Spring Hill families." Weissmann added.

XCSs Issue 28 will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.  For more information, visit www.xenia.k12.oh.us, Facebook site at Xenia Community Schools or call (937)-376-2961.

Xenia City Council Endorses Issue 28 and the Need for New Grade School Buildings

The Xenia City Council has officially endorsed Issue 28---the bond issue on the Nov. 3 ballot that will build five new elementary schools in Xenia with 46 percent of the cost provided by the State of Ohio.

The Council approved the school building project issue at their Oct. 8 meeting.

“It’s both exciting and rewarding to see the community understands the value of a strong school district with up-to-date buildings for all of our residents,” says Xenia Community Schools Supt. Jeffrey K. Lewis, Ed.D.  “A vital school district that can compete with neighboring school districts can attract new residents, new businesses and provide a boost to our community’s sense of pride.”