1. “CITIZENS FOR ASHLAND CITY SCHOOLS” Co-chairs: Dennis Miller, Regional President, National City Bank National City Bank Bob Hill, Community Member Bob Hill, Community Member Honorary Co-chair: Mayor William Strine Treasurer: Tim Rowsey

2. “Citizens for Ashland City Schools” Theme of Campaign: “Education Matters”

3. graduate lifelong learners THE MISSION OF THE ASHLAND CITY SCHOOLS is to graduate lifelong learners, who are responsible citizens capable of functioning in and contributing to an ever- changing global society, by committing to comprehensive educational programs designed to meet the unique needs of students and presented in an innovative and supportive instructional environment.

4. ASHLAND CITY SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION MISSION STATEMENT The Mission of the Ashland City Schools Board of Education is to work together promote quality education to promote quality education and provide visionary leadership in partnership with the community. Goal 1. Improve communication with community (internal & external). Goal 2. Be more efficient and effective as a team. 9/25/02

5. ASHLAND CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AIMS High Student Achievement Safe School Environment Efficient and Effective Operations May 2000 M

6. State Report Card Rankings (Based on 22 Indicators) 20 indicators are based on student achievement (proficiency scores) 1 indicator is based on attendance 1 indicator is based on the graduation rate Excellent (21-22) Effective (17-20) Continuous Improvement (11-16) Academic Watch (7-10) Academic Emergency (0-6)

8. 2003 Report Card information became available in August 2003 Similar district information –Ashland City Schools is compared to 20 similar districts as determined by the State. –These districts are listed from Most to Least similar by the State.

9. (State Designated Similar Districts) Sorted by: Most to Least Similarity Rank District County Performance Index ScorePerformance (0 – 120 pts.) 2001-2002 # of State Indicators Met Out of 22 2002-2003 # of State Indicators Met Out of 22 Adequate Yearly Progress** 0 Ashland 87.6 16 15 Met 1 New Philadelphia Tuscarawas 88.22115Not Met 2 Tiffin Seneca 92.01519Met 3 Dover Tuscarawas 94.72021Met 4 Greenville Darke 83.814 Not Met 5 Vermilion Erie 88.415 Met 6 Mount Vernon Knox 85.11612Not Met 7 Northeastern Clark 88.71516Met 8 Marietta Washington 82.9159Not Met 9 Field Local Portage 88.22016Not Met 10 Perry Local Stark 92.12118Not Met

10. (State Designated Similar Districts) Sorted by: Most to Least Similarity Rank District County Performance Index ScorePerformance (0 – 120 pts.) 2001-2002 # of State Indicators Met Out of 22 2002-2003 # of State Indicators Met Out of 22 Adequate Yearly Progress** 0Ashland 87.6 16 15 Met 11 Bryan City Williams 87.51615Met 12Bellevue Huron 87.41614Not Met 13Norwalk Huron 79.71110Not Met 14Madison Richland 81.21011Not Met 15 Shelby City Richland 85.11513Met 16Van Wert 85.615 Not Met 17 North Ridgeville Lorain 86.01814Not Met 18 Sidney City Shelby 79.41211Not Met 19Southwest Hamilton 89.21514Met 20Edgewood Butler 91.917 Not Met

11. (State Designated Similar Districts) Sorted by: Most to Least Similarity Rank District County Performance Index ScorePerformance (0 – 120 pts.) 2001-2002 # of State Indicators Met Out of 22 2002-2003 # of State Indicators Met Out of 22 Adequate Yearly Progress** 0Ashland 87.6 16 15 Met Other Nearby Districts that are Similar Bucyrus Crawford 76.2148 Not Met Galion Crawford 80.910 Not Met Willard Huron 77.31211Not Met Mansfield Richland 66.475Not Met Orrville Wayne 90.71816Not Met Loudonville Ashland 81.11715Met Wooster Wayne 91.71415Not Met West Holmes Holmes 81.31913Not Met

13. IMPROVING COMMUNICATION (STRATEGIES USED) Ashland City Schools Website Visit: http://www.ashland-city.k12.oh.us School TV Channel – Channel 72 Arrow Informer – publication by high school students (monthly insert in Ashland Times-Gazette) Community E-mail list Small Group Discussions Town Meeting

14. Summary Summary Small Group Discussions 447 Small Group Discussions were held from the end of January through May 12 th with discussions focused on: 1. Facilities 2. School Funding3. Communication 1. Facilities 2. School Funding3. Communication Others Topics: CCurriculum/Programs, Economic Development, Community partnerships, Capital campaign

15. MAY 13 TH TOWN MEETING Over 500 in attendance 55 table groups of 8 to 10 per table

16. Point of Discussion at Town Meeting Are you willing to maintain our current programs and services? Yes? No? (If no, what programs and services should be eliminated?) 55 tables groups (8-10 per table) reported out at the end of the evening. 51 table groups said they wanted to maintain our current programs and services.

17. School Funding Methods 1.Operating – 1.Operating – day to day operations (includes salaries, wages, & benefits) 2.Permanent Improvement Funds – repairs & upkeep of existing facilities, vehicle/equipment repairs & replacement 3.Bond Issue – new buildings, capital improvements, additions, etc. Both levies on the November ballot are Operating levies.

18. School Funding 9.8 Mill Operating Levy – first passed in 1994, renewed in 1998 (effective millage is currently about 6 mills) 9.8 Mill renewal levy is on the November ballot as a continuous levy This levy means NO NEW TAXES to you.

19. Fiscal Year 2002 - 2003

21. Ashland City School District Operating Revenue & Expenditures Key Assumptions for Future Projections: Renewal of 9.8 Mill Operating Levy (about $3 million per year)10% Annual Increase in Health Insurance Premiums No Change in School Funding StructureEdison/Taft Lease Purchase Payments end in Fiscal Year 2010 Steady Enrollment 3% Annual Base Raises 10/31/2002

22. SUPPORT STAFF Year Number of Staff 94 – 95123 95 – 96125 96 – 97118 97 – 98119 98 – 99 118 99 – 00121 00 – 01124 01 – 02124 02 – 03 120 03 – 04 120

23. TEACHING STAFF Year Number of Staff 94 – 95 262 95 – 96 262 96 – 97 266 97 – 98 264 98 – 99 258 99 – 00 260 00 – 01 256 01 – 02 253 02 – 03 253 03 – 04 253

24. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF YEAR NUMBER OF STAFF 98 – 99 20 99 – 0018 00 – 01 21 01 - 02 19 02 – 03 17 03 – 04 18

25. Board of Education / Superintendents 14 Different Board of Education Members since 1990 4 Different Superintendents since 1990

26. EXPENDITURES PER PUPIL INSTRUCTION Fiscal YearAshland CityState Avg. 2000 $4,060 (60.7%) $3,942 2001 $4,118 (60.4%) $4,221 2002 $4,477 (60.8%) $4,467

27. EXPENDITURES PER PUPIL ADMINISTRATION Fiscal YearAshland CityState Avg. 2000 $718 $838 2001 $771 $877 2002 $835 $963

28. EXPENDITURES PER PUPIL ANNUAL Fiscal YearAshland CityState Avg. 2000 $6,695 $7,057 2001 $6,822 $7,602 2002 $7,361 $8,081

29. Ohio Cardinal Conference Schools

30. Point of Discussion at Town Meeting Additional monies are needed by the 2004 – 2005 school year in order to maintain current programs and services. Participants were asked to give their opinion as to the timeline for these new monies.

31. 48 tables 5 tables picked this option. picked this option.

32. Proficiency test scores have improved dramatically over the past few years! The NEW Report Card indicator has Ashland growing from 82.3 to 87.6 over the past 3 years! 2003 graduates…184 out of 301 earned scholarships! 2003 graduates…94% graduation rate! Student attendance…95%! Alternative School graduation rate … has been steadily growing with a record 29 students graduating in 2003! Ashland City Schools…Proud of what we’ve done! Look at our kids…competing with the best! “EDUCATION MATTERS!”

33. First rate musical productions…over 40 years! Elementary results in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics… have shown significant gains in the last 5 years! Mock trial...Regional competitors annually…State qualifier the last two years! Jazz Band … widely recognized around the State as High Performers in State competitions! Choir…receives a 1 rating (Superior) at the State level competitions year in and year out! Athletics … won the OHC All-Sports award 13 out of 15 years! Ashland City Schools…Proud of what we’ve done! Look at our kids…competing with the best! “EDUCATION MATTERS!”

34. Advanced Placement programs … 5 times the participation over 5 years and a success rate significantly better than State and National averages! Drama … outstanding Plays and Performances have become a regular part of the Ashland School Year! FFA … many Regional, State, and National Team competitions have been won! Ashland City Schools…Proud of what we’ve done! Look at our kids…competing with the best! “EDUCATION MATTERS!”

35. Four National certified Teachers…Deb McNaull, Denee Schlotterer, Karen Swinehart (Retired), Rich Wasowski 98% certified in area of instruction (above State average)! Lifelong Learning… for everyone associated with Ashland City Schools! 66% of our teachers and administrators have a Masters Degree or beyond! An Exceptional mentoring program for our Entry Year Teachers! Average Staff experience…17 years (above State average)! Regularly meeting OSHA and Safety requirements! Ashland City Schools…Proud of what we’ve done! Look at our teachers, administrators, and support staff…leaving no child behind! “EDUCATION MATTERS!”

36. Quality schools…sure sign of a quality community! Ashland City Schools…Awarded a Level 2 Distinction from Ohio Award for Excellence! 1/3 of staff attended district supported Quality Practices training…three straight summers! Ashland City Schools…Proud of what we’ve done! Look at our community growing… “EDUCATION MATTERS!”

37. District has been operating for 9 years without any new local levies! Fiscally responsible…  District has been operating for 9 years without any new local levies! Ashland City Schools…Proud of what we’ve done! “EDUCATION MATTERS!”

38. Thank You! “Citizens for Ashland City Schools” “Education Matters” VOTE ‘YES’ NOV. 4 TH