Opinion from a Loveland Schools parent

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

LOVELAND, OH (February 12, 2025) – My family moved to Loveland 5 years ago. Coming from out of state to a new area with no family or friends, we were looking for a strong community with good schools and a small town feel.

Since moving to Loveland, I’ve tried to get involved with as many opportunities as possible to learn more about the schools. I’ve attended town halls, watched Board of Education meetings online, joined the Strategic Vision Team and this year I am participating in the Community Advisory Team (CAT). As a parent of two boys in high school, this type of involvement helps me feel connected with the schools as well as stay up to date with what’s going on.

So far, this year’s CAT has offered community members a chance to hear more in depth explanations from staff and administrators about a variety of topics, have meaningful discussions, and provide feedback. 

We’ve been able to learn more about the gifted and ELL services offered, the mental health services supporting our students, and the fantastic ratings achieved on the most recent state report card for the district. In addition, the treasurer provided us with a deeper explanation of some of the nuances to the district’s finances.

During the dialogue that followed each of these presentations, I felt as though our voices were valued and heard. We had the opportunity to ask direct questions for clarification and deeper understanding. The mental health services discussions helped to highlight some of the reasons for the change to a later start time for the high school next year. The most current state report card reinforced the high-quality education the district offers. Finally, at the finance meeting we were asked for ideas to further engage and share information with the community in a meaningful and accessible way. Seemingly as a direct response, the district initiated a new YouTube series to share bite-sized financial explanations from our treasurer so the community can readily access them for clarification.

I feel the administrators in the Loveland City School District value input from the local residents. They continue to look for ways to engage with citizens and allow for constructive discourse. It’s a testament to their commitment to providing a high quality education while being accountable to the surrounding community. Today, I am so thankful for the education and experiences my kids have gained through the Loveland Schools and proud to call such a wonderful community home.

Sincerely,

Sharon A Shepherd