Battle Of The Marching Bands At Trotwood HS April 24

The third annual Trotwood Battle of the Bands Extravaganza is this Saturday April 24 2:30pm in the Trotwood High School Gym. Five bands from as far as Tennessee and Michigan will be featured next to the Trotwood Madison Marching Rams.

Hosts for the day are Trotwood alumni and University of Dayton basketball standout Chris Wright and popular high school teacher Philizia “Fee” Robinson. There will even be a dunking exhibition between bands.

The competing bands are Shea HS in Cleveland, Detroit Academy, Kirby HS in Memphis, Columbus East and Trotwood Madison. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door and $6 for students. For more information contact band parent Brenda Murphy at 750-5812.

Do We Need Countywide School Districts In Ohio?

By Bruce Kettelle

For ten years I have been screaming why do we have 17 school districts in Montgomery County Ohio? It is not because I think we need more districts, it is because I think 17 is way too many. In fact I am begging for someone, anyone, in Columbus to listen to my plea for just one district to cover the entire county.

And not just for Montgomery. Ohio has 614 school districts. If they are combined we could have just 88, one for each county in the state.

There are good reasons to take a closer look at this proposal including cost savings and better education opportunities for everyone.

Cost savings will come from transportation and administrative budgets. No longer will there be 17 accounts payable departments, 17 payroll departments, or 17 superintendents. Bus transportation decisions will be able to include routes that cross the old boundary lines and provide streamlining that will reduce busses, drivers, and maintenance costs.

Schools will be able to work together to provide more advanced programs and new subjects that were not warranted by the smaller demand of the lesser districts.

We're not talking about closing schools or even changing exiting attendance zones. As one big district there will still be all the same elementary, middle and high schools with their own identities and sports rivalries.

Ohio is late to the game on district consolidations. Since 1950 there were 83,641 school districts in the US, regions and states have been trending towards fewer and larger districts. By 1980 there were just 15, 986.

Countywide school districts are already in place in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Other states have combined districts in different ways. And recent studies show that average achievement scores are higher in larger districts.

Under a countywide system there would be one countywide millage rate for property taxes. The one rate system would be less confusing for homeowners shopping for a house and help provide a more level playing field for economic development specialists trying to attract new business. The distribution of those revenues would also help districts respond to the state Supreme Court ruling concerning the current unconstitutional funding formula.

Another benefit statewide is to provide a first introduction of the effectiveness of regional government to Ohioans grappling with combining other services. In Montgomery we are trying a countywide emergency dispatch system and leaders are dialoguing about other combined services.

Countywide school districts will work for Ohio. Will you be an advocate for them?

Three Trotwood City Levies Pass, Schools Rejected Again

By Bruce Kettelle

Several Trotwood precincts were late being counted Tuesday delaying the outcomes of several close races. With the last precinct tabulated at 12:30 AM Wednesday both the Trotwood EMS and Fire issues were approved, one street levy passes and the incumbent city council members were re-elected to new four-year terms.

"We have to be very excited that they won," said fire chief Gene Lutz as he watched levy results roll in at the firehouse on Little Richmond Rd. "We can continue to provide this level of service and replace outdated equipment." The EMS renewal levy is passing with 66.4% of the vote. The fire equipment additional levy was much closer with 51.1% of the vote.

The Trotwood street department will have some new money for next year. Voters gave 51.6% approval to funding for street maintenance including additional salt supplies for snow and ice control in the winter. But the request to fund other expenses including leaf pick up only attracted a 39.7% approval leaving this category unfunded for next year.

"We worked very hard for this," said public works director Thomas Odenigbo. "It must be what the residents want and I'll live with it." Supporters of the street levy were gathered at the community center in Sycamore Woods.

A complication in the ballot language for the second street levy left some voters confused. One unidentified voter in ward three said he thought the wording was so vague that it sounded like a general fund levy. He said he voted no and thought others might have mistakenly done the same.

The Trotwood-Madison City Schools will be waking up today to the failure of their second levy attempt. They are trying to raise additional operating funds for the first time since the early 1990s. Even though the district reduced the request this year only 41% of the voters agreed with yesterday's 7.5-mill attempt.

Last years 9.06-mill levy received a slightly higher percentage at 44.6. During that 2008 Presidential election 71% of Trotwood’s voters turned out to the polls.

School supporters gathered at the former Moto Photo headquarters lamented that this will mean cuts in the 2010-2011 budget. "The board will have to make cuts in academics, extracurricular, and bussing," said assistant superintendent Rexanne Wagner. "They will feel the cuts."

Three school board members were reelected to four-year terms. Deborah Daniels, Teena Davis and Denise Moore ran unopposed.

There was competition for three of the four city council seats. Rap Hankins narrowly retained his seat in a heated race from newcomer Janice Chinn. Chinn centered her campaign on the failure of city council to raise objections over the new Greyhound Bus terminal opening last month on Shiloh Springs Rd. Hankins pulled 807 votes to Chinn's 774 in the Ward 2 race.

Joyce Sutton Cameron (Ward 1) and Mary McDonald (Ward 4) easily kept their council seats with 61% and 62% affirmations. Cameron received 1,103 votes to Mattie Clay's 703. McDonald captured 545 votes to J.D. Williams II's 333.

Ron Vaughn ran unopposed in Ward 3.

Trotwood's turnout was a little heavier than usual off-year elections. A total of 6,103 voters came to the polls, a 33% turnout. The highest turnout is Ward 3 with 36% and the lowest is Ward 4 with 29%.

Trotwood Voter Turnout Higher Than Expected

Trotwood voters poured out to the polls today in larger numbers than expected. By 3pm most polls acknowledged a 25% turnout. A Late day surge boosted that number and two locations exceeded 50%.

Voters were inspired by different issues. Some said they were there because of one of the state issues. Others indicated they were motivated by specific county and local levies on the ballot as the most important reason for coming out.

At issue in Trotwood are three city council seats, two fire levies, two street levies, and the Trotwood Madison school levy. Totally Trotwood will post the final Trotwood results later tonight.

Five T-M Grads Are Back As Teachers

By Bruce Kettelle

Five Trotwood-Madison City Schools graduates are back at their hometown school for the first day of classes today. This time they are going to school as teachers.

Among the newly hired teachers introduced at Friday’s district wide 2009 opening day convocation for staff were the five alumni returning to their alma mater.

DelMaria Watts ’94 (Ohio State) is teaching science at the middle school. Marnika Buchanan ’02 (Kentucky State) is teaching 5th grade at Madison Park Elementary. Latasha Van Kleek ’01 (Central State) is also at Madison Park teaching 2nd graders. Ryan Vance ’04 (Central State) and Brittany A. Nalls (Harris) ’01 (Wright State) are both at the Early Learning Center.

This isn’t the first time T-M graduates have returned to teach here but it may be the largest number starting in the same year.

All the teachers will have their work cut out for them as they embark to help improve the district’s State Report Card. Assistant Superintendent Rexann Wagner gave the staff a preview of the new report card due to be released by the state this month.

Wagner said the district maintained a rating of Continuous Improvement despite some proficiency scores declining slightly. “This is not good, we cannot continue on this path,” she said. “We must do better, our students are counting on us.”

Wagner introduced a new resource for the teachers this year. District teachers and staff prepared the homemade primer of teaching concepts. It is a compilation of many techniques to help improve learning from many current sources. Wagner said it shows that “our staff collectively has answers.”

They have a lot of work to do to advance the district’s state rating. The new report card will show the district met 11 of 30 indicators. She said the district has not met adequate yearly progress for many years.

The good news is that most students are meeting the proficiency scores. Wagner stressed that the district needs to do better to assist those students that are close to achieving these goals.

What doesn’t show up in the state’s report is the successes students have after graduation. A record 67% of T-M’s class of 2009 made plans to continue their education after high school. Sixty-two of the 188 graduating seniors were offered scholarships totaling over $3,000,000.

Wagner also recognized six returning teachers that were recently awarded advanced degrees. Five T-M teachers received Masters and one earned their PHD during the last 12 months.

That 70's Reunion Pictures - Trotwood Madison Pt 1

Trotwood Madison High School classes from all the 1970's held a mass reunion in July 2009. Playing on a TV show they called it 'That 70's Reunion'. What a success as the two night event attracted over 600 classmates to Grills Tavern in Stringtown on Friday night and the next night they packed the Irish Club in Dayton.

These are just a few of the pictures submitted by 70's alumnus Doug Smith.

Doug has a gyrocopter and snapped these aerial shots of Grills Tavern just before dark. We've never seen this many cars at Grills before and apparently many more arrived after these pictures were taken.

Trotwood Madison School Registration Underway

 

New students in any grade and all kindergarteners planning to attend the Trotwood-Madison City School District this year need to pre-register. The district's annual Central Registration drive is underway and students planning to attend the first day of school on August 17 must register on or before August 13th. Late arrival students may register until August 28th.

Central Registration is open every day through August 28th except August 14th when they will close for new teacher orientation. Parents and guardians may come to the central office at 444 South Broadway between 8:30 and 4:00 pm daily and until 5:00 pm on Wednesdays. There is a list of required paperwork available at the district's registration web page http://www.trotwood.k12.oh.us/registration.htm

The registrar’s office encourages families to come early to make sure your child has all the paperwork complete in time to start school. The 2009 T-M school year runs from August 17, 2009 to June 3, 2010.

Developer Wanted For Old High School

By Bruce Kettelle

Built in 1913, the last remaining building on the former high school site is heading for the wrecking claw unless an entrepreneur is found in time.

Trotwood Madison City Schools will vacate the landmark brick structure when they relocate their board offices to the former middle school next year. The board then plans to give the building the same fate as all their other vacated buildings.


The districts ambitious building construction program over the last six years has delivered a new high school, middle school, two elementary buildings and a pre-k.

But there are some in the community that would rather not see this building torn down. The Trotwood Madison Historical Society took a hard look at acquiring the building three years ago. Their analysis showed the building to be rehab-able but as a small organization they lacked the needed funding.

Since then the city has tried to identify possible takers and brought several prospects out for a tour. None of those have blossomed into a solution.

The district is willing to talk to anyone interested said assistant superintendent Rexann Wagner. “We do not want to be held responsible for another vacant building,” said Beverly explaining why they have budgeted to have it demolished.

She said the district does not have a recommendation for what the building could become, that would be up to the new owner. Presently the site is zoned residential and abuts an area zoned neighborhood business.

Former school buildings have been successfully redeveloped in other areas into apartments, condominiums and office space. Their unique architectural character has made them ongoing assets in those communities. One local success story occurred with West Milton’s high school, it is now senior apartments.

“I would like to see the building saved with an appropriate use,” said Regina Kleinhenz of the historical society. “It’s a piece of Trotwood history.”

She encouraged anyone in the community that may have contacts with any developers to let them know there is a great opportunity right here in Trotwood.

Trotwood Pre-Teen Scores in Pageant and Poetry

By Teri Barker

“I want to be a mathematics professor when I grow up,” says Teryn Barker when asked about her future career goals. “Because I like solving problems.” At just 10 years old, the A-student already has an impressive resume. An avid lover of the arts, she has performed in local productions of Charlotte’s Web, Jungle Book, Jr. High School Musical, and Stuart Little. She has also had some of her art on display at the University of Dayton, plays French horn in the band at her school, and loves to write poetry. The Trotwood, Ohio native will begin 6th grade in the fall of 2009.

 

As an Ohio state finalist for the National American Miss Pageant, Teryn competed for the 2009 Miss Ohio Pre-Teen title during Father’s Day weekend in Columbus, Ohio. There were 138 girls between the ages of 10 and 13 vying for the coveted title. As Contestant #4, Teryn didn’t win, but as a newcomer to the pageant circuit, she did extremely well and walked away with six trophies and a monetary award. She placed as 3rd runner-up in the Spokesmodel category, a competition for which she wrote and recited a speech about things we can do to help conserve the earth’s diminishing fresh water supply. She was 1st runner-up in the Top Model Contest. In the Top Model category, the girls were required to participate in a photo shoot, where the pictures were judged on modeling technique and how well they photographed. She won other trophies for participating in optional contests and selling ads for the pageant program book.

“This was a learning experience for me, and I had a great time competing,” explains Teryn. “But I look forward to competing next year with more confidence because I’ll know what to expect.” Teryn was particularly drawn to this pageant because it is not a beauty pageant and does not have a swim suit competition. In the National American Miss Pageant, the contestants are judged on poise, self-confidence, and communication skills. “I think that every little girl should experience this type of pageant at least once in her life because it helps you feel good about yourself,” expressed Teryn. “I felt like a princess when my dad escorted me across the stage in front of all those people.”

Until the next pageant, Teryn says she will stay focused in school, enjoy performing in plays, and continue writing poetry. One of her poems will appear in the book, Free to Fly: Wisdom for the Seasons in a Woman’s Life, when it is released this year, in late August. Edited by Penda L. James, Free to Fly is a collection of poetry and prose written by and about women in various stages in life. The book, which reflects on the strength, beauty, wisdom, and perseverance of women, will be available on Amazon.com for $14.95. With her poem, Lonely, Teryn is the youngest contributor to the book.

New Sidewalk To Save $70,000

By Bruce Kettelle

A new sidewalk to connect the new Trotwood Madison High School campus to the Olde Town area will save the district $70,000 a year. The move supported by the school board will allow 160 more students to walk to school allowing the district to eliminate two busses from their fleet.

John Smith, the district’s business manager, made the recommendation after an internal study by the transportation staff. “The only section of sidewalk not complete along North Broadway is in front of the North Broadway Park,” said Smith. He said the work is estimated to cost about $36,500.

He said the work will not be completed in time for this school year which begins August 17. Beginning in the fall 2010 thirty elementary students, forty middles school students, and ninety high school students will be able to walk up to a mile to school.

Board member Vanessa Jeter Freeman asked about connecting the Broadm0or subdivision to the rear of the campus. “When we built the high school we had some parents asking for that connection.,” said Freeman.

Assistant Superintendent Rexanne Beverley said that even though some supported the Broadmoor connection some residents that live near that possible walkway are concerned about students trespassing in their yards.

Smith agreed to revisit the additional Broadmoor sidewalk and bring more information to the board at a future meeting.

Trotwood-Madison - That 70's Reunion

Trotwood-Madison - That 70's Reunion

Join Trotwood-Madison alumnae for a weekend of fun during the first T-M That 70’s Reunion! Classmates from every class between 1970-1979 are invited..

The main event is Saturday, July 11, 2009 at the Irish Club, 6555 Dog Leg Road (½ mile east of Main St./SR 48). Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
$10 per person in advance (by June 30), $15 at the door Cost includes music, cookout, and non-alcoholic beverages! Cash bar available.

Kick-off parties are also being planned for Friday night July 10 by most classes at Grill’s Tavern, Little York Tavern and the Irish Club. At this time, the classes of 75-79 will be meeting at Grill's, and the class of 74 at Little York.

For More Information E-mail: trotwoodreunion@yahoo.com or phone: 937.531.1543 Websites: www.classmates.com or www.alumniclass.com/trotwoodmadison Advanced Registration checks may be sent to: T-M 70s Class Reunion, 4511 South Rangeline Road
West Milton, OH 45383.

Free Lunch For Kids Under 18 in June

The Trotwood-Madison City Schools announces the sponsorship of the 2009 Summer Food Service Program for Children. Free meals will be made available to all children 18 years of age and under or persons over 18 who are determined by a state or local public educational agency to be mentally or physically disabled. The meals will be provided without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA –related activity should write or call immediately to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th & Independence Ave. S. W., Washington DC 20250-9410; (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD).

Meals will be provided at the site(s) listed below from June 15-July 31, 2009:

Woodland Hills/Castlebrook Apartments 5900 Macduff DriveTrotwood, Ohio 45426 837-3394 June 15 – July 31, 2009 Lunch 11:45 a.m. -12:15 p.m.

Christ Temple Apostolic Church 3241 Denlinger Road Trotwood, Ohio 45426 276-3774
June 22 - June 26, 2009 Breakfast 8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Lunch 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Deer Creek Apartments 700 Keswick Circle Trotwood, Ohio 45426 854-1555
June 15 – July 31, 2009 Lunch 11:45 a.m. -12:15 p.m.

Grace Baptist Church 142 Olive Road Dayton, Ohio 45427 268-4095
June 15 – July 31, 2009 Lunch 11:45 a.m. -12:15 p.m.

Kids Come First4 444 Lake Center Drive Trotwood, Ohio 45426 837-0560 Ms. Romon Clark
June 15 – July 31, 2009 Breakfast 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Lunch 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lord of Life Christian Fellowship 802 West Main Street Trotwood, Ohio 45426 854-967
June 15 – July 31, 2009 Lunch 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Snack 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Madison Park Elementary School 301 S Broadway Street Trotwood, Ohio 45426 854-0878 ext. 1618
June 15 -July 31, 2009 Breakfast 8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.Lunch 11:45 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Maranatha Christian Church 4501 Wolf Road Dayton, Ohio 45416 279-0913
June 15 – July 31, 2009 Breakfast 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Meadowlark Apartments 4900 Biddison Avenue Trotwood, Ohio 45426 275-2131
June 15 – July 31, 2009Lunch 11:45 p.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Olive Hill Apartments 7505 Bronson Liberty Dayton, Ohio 45418DMHA 835-5688
June 15 – July 31, 2009 Lunch 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Phillips Temple Church Summer Camp Cassandra Greenman 3620 Shiloh Springs Road Trotwood, Ohio 45426 313-7011
June 22 – June 26, 2009 Lunch 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church 5301 Olive Road Trotwood, Ohio 45426 854-8810
June 15 – July 31, 2009 Lunch 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Residence Praise Fine Arts Center 5 Stuckhardt Road Trotwood, Ohio 45426 854-3500
June 15 – July 31, 2009 Lunch 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Snack 2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Squirrel Run Apartments 4943 Bloomfield Drive Trotwood, Ohio 45426 837-3554
June 15 – July 31, 2009 Lunch 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

St. Margaret Episcopal Church 5301 Free Pike Trotwood, Ohio 45426 837-7741 Elva Carden
July 13 - July 17, 2009 Breakfast 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Lunch 11:00 – 12:00 p.m.

Summit Christian Church 4021 Denlinger RoadDayton, Ohio 45426 854-1920
June 22 – June 26, 2009 Lunch 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Summit Square Apartments 616 Summit Square Drive Dayton, Ohio 45427 262-9290
June 15 – July 31, 2009Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Trotwood High School 4440 North Union Road Trotwood, Ohio 45426 854-0878 ext. 1302
June 15 – July 31, 2009 Breakfast 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Lunch 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Trotwood Madison Middle School 4420 North Union Road Trotwood, Ohio 45426 854-0878 ext. 1978
June 15 – July 31, 2009 Breakfast 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Lunch 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Westbrooke Village Elementary 6500 Westford Road Trotwood, Ohio 45426 854-0878 ext. 1537
June 15 – July 31, 2009 Breakfast 8:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Lunch 11:45 p.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Winston Woods Apartments 1820 Winston Woods Dayton, Ohio 45415DMHA 222-4515
Lunch 11:45 a.m. -12:15 p.m.

Wolf Creek Apartments 20 Park ManorTrotwood, Ohio 45426DMHA 910-7670
June 15 – July 31, 2009 Lunch 11:45 p.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA –related activity should write or call immediately to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th & Independence Ave. S. W., Washington DC 20250-9410; (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD).