BREAKING NEWS: ART JARVIS RESIGNs FROM LOVELAND CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION

Former LCSD Board of Education President, Art Jarvis submitted his letter of resignation from the board today.

By Chuck Gibson

LOVELAND, OH (April 30,2020) – In an exclusive phone interview with Loveland Beacon early Thursday evening, April 30, Art Jarvis confirmed he submitted a letter of resignation to current LCSD Board of Education President Dr. Kathryn Lorenz earlier Thursday.

Here is an excerpt from that letter dated April 30, 2020:

Dear Dr. Lorenz and the Loveland Board of Education,

It is with great regret that I submit my resignation from the Loveland City School District Board of Education effective immediately.

Jarvis resignation was effective immediately and he did not join the Board of Education remote virtual meeting happening Thursday evening April 30.

“That’s correct, I did not appear,” said Jarvis. “I submitted my letter of resignation earlier today.”

 Lorenz read the letter into the record near the start of the meeting. All board members are now aware Jarvis submitted the letter of resignation. The timing of the letter comes less than 48 hours after the Loveland School Levy failure in the delayed Ohio Primary Tuesday, April 28. The letter does not specifically refer to the levy defeat, but the text of the letter clearly points to his concerns for the ability of the board to achieve the goal to build on past success and improve education in Loveland Schools going forward.  What reason does he give for resigning?

“Just what the letter says,” Jarvis answered. “Something has to be done to get this thing back on track. Hopefully this helps.”

It was certainly an emotional decision for Jarvis. You could hear it in his voice while we talked about it. Again, the question was about the timing following a difficult defeat of the operating levy on the ballot; a delayed and mail-in election due to COVID-19 restrictions.

 “I spent a pretty good amount of time thinking about it before and after,” Jarvis said. “This has been non-stop for, what, nine-ten months now. There’s been plenty of time for me to think about things.”

While the emotion of his decision can be heard in his voice, Jarvis says this is something that built up over time. It is not a choice he made lightly. He believes his resignation is the next necessary step to “get the train back on track” moving Loveland Schools forward for the kids.

 “I believe there are enough people out there who do not have a positive view of this board and will refuse to vote for a levy while the board remains intact as it is,” he said. “Hopefully the board can put a person on the board who has a good head on their shoulders, good business sense, and is able to bridge that gap in the community between the yes’s and the no’s.”

The Ohio School Boards Association has some guidelines for filling a school board vacancy created by circumstances like a resignation. Their guidelines state a resignation can NOT be withdrawn. Procedures for filling a vacancy can vary, but rules state when a board may act to fill the vacancy. The statute requires the board to act to fill the vacancy at its “next regular or special meeting,” which is held at least 10 days after the vacancy occurs. The board must act to fill the vacancy within 30 days.

Click here to read the Ohio School Boards Association fact sheet on filling a board vacancy

Art Jarvis has resigned “effective immediately” from his position as a member of the LCSD Board of Education on this Thursday, April 30, 2020. He says it will not stop him from caring about the kids, Loveland Schools, or the Loveland community where he resides.

“I don’t have to sit on the board to do that stuff,” said Jarvis. “I’m not riding off into the sunset. I’m not leaving the community. I can still do the things I want to do. I don’t have to be on the board to accomplish those things.”

Read on for the entire text of Art Jarvis letter of resignation submitted to the Loveland City School District Board of Education Thursday, April 30, 2020:

April 30, 2020

Dr. Kathy Lorenz

President

Loveland Board of Education

757 S. Lebanon Rd.

Loveland, OH 45140

Dear Dr. Lorenz and the Loveland Board of Education,

It is with great regret that I submit my resignation from the Loveland City School District Board of Education effective immediately.

Believing that a school district is the heart of a community, my sole hope and desire was to help an amazing community continue to build on its successes and improve on the education of our greatest asset. Unfortunately, at this time, I believe my position on the board is a deterrent to that goal, and hope that this resignation will redirect us back onto a path that provides our children with an education that allows them to excel in any endeavor they choose.

While I take great pride in the successes over the past 8 years, it is important to acknowledge the incredible people who are the real drivers of this success; our teachers, administrators, and staff.  These people have worked tirelessly to provide an atmosphere that allows the whole child to flourish. Whether it be academics, arts, or athletics our children have grown immensely in a culture of care, innovation, and respect. All of you deserve our utmost respect and gratitude.

After a period of healing, hard work, and communication, I have no doubt that this community will continue on its path of success.  As always, I have complete faith in this community.

To you and the Loveland community I wish nothing but the best.

Sincerely,

Art Jarvis