School Board To Decide On Levy With State Funding Uncertainty Looming

Twinsburg school officials are still uncertain about a seemingly large boost in state aid in the next year's budget.

The Twinsburg Board of Education has to make a tough decision in the next few weeks on whether they should proceed with a levy on the May ballot. The school board is seeking residents' opinions on what it should do. A public forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at R.B. Chamberlin Middle School to discuss questions surrounding state education funding and the local levy decision. Earlier this month, Gov. John Kasich released his education funding proposal, which supposedly would give Twinsburg Schools a whopping $2.8 million more in 2013, or a 104 percent increase in state funding. Right now, district officials have too many questions and are leery of trusting the numbers. Kasich's proposal is destined to change as the state legislature …

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Superintendent: I'm Not Ashamed We Lost 'Distinction' Tag

Twinsburg school officials sounded off on the recent ratings from the Ohio Department of Education.

Despite losing the tag of "Distinction," Twinsburg school officials are still happy about the district's performance on the state report cards. "We were disappointed about losing that tag, but we have to celebrate the fact that our students have done extremely well," Superintendent Kathryn Powers said at Wednesday's school board meeting. Preliminary data was released Wednesday by the Ohio Department of Education ranking each school district in the state.  Twinsburg was rated "Excellent," for the 2012-13 school year, ending its streak of four-straight years of "Excellent With Distinction." "I’m shocked and amazed that we can perform to the high level that we are and yet because of how it’s calculated, we lose our tag of 'distinction,'" …

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Names in the News

Names in the News: Superintendent Kathryn Powers

Nearing her one-year anniversary as the superintendent in Twinsburg, Patch asked Kathryn Powers about her experience and the future

Her name is Kathryn Powers. Nearly a year ago she was chosen as the new superintendent for the Twinsburg City School District. Since then she has had the task of making some tough decisions, including navigating through $3.2 million in cuts and changes to the district. So how was her first year? Twinsburg Patch caught up with Powers to discuss her experience so far and what she sees in the future. Twinsburg Patch: What do you love about the community of Twinsburg? Kathryn Powers: I have had the great fortune of being a resident of Twinsburg since 1997.  Twinsburg is a wonderful place to live!  As an educator, I want to live in a community that embraces families and supports its school district.  I also want to live in a community that …

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Twinsburg Happy With School's Education; Needs More Communication

Recent data from community surveys about the Twinsburg schools provided new insight to district administrators and the school board

The community has spoken and while it's happy with the quality of education in Twinsburg, more transparency and communication is a must. The Impact Group, a marketing firm in Hudson, revealed data from phone and online surveys and community forums asking parents' thoughts on the Twinsburg school district. In total, 767 people took either the phone or online survey and 24 people participated in the focus groups. Superintendent Kathryn Powers said this information is vital as the schools move forward. "It's very helpful on several fronts," said Powers. "With the operational change plans coming this year, we wanted to be on the money with what the community was saying about it." One thing the survey revealed is that the community believes the…

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Beth Hatch

11:39 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012

We are happy to report that the Twinsburg Public Library is working closely with Twinsburg Schools. We are working on ways to communicate better and develop ways to offer our services and materials to the students with the school's cooperation. It is a smart way for the schools to have access to materials and resources without added burden to the budget. We are proud of our Tigers!   more ›

Superintendent: November Levy Risky But Right Thing To Do

The Twinsburg School Board will vote on putting a 4.9 mill levy on the ballot in November on Thursday

Twinsburg Schools' Superintendent Kathryn Powers isn't crazy about putting a new levy on the ballot during a presidential election, but administrators felt it was necessary. “It’s risky, but we think it’s the right thing to do,” Powers said. When the school board meets on Thursday, it will vote on sending a 4.9 mill levy to the ballot this November. Treasurer Martin Aho said with a 4.9 mill levy the owner of a $100,000 home would pay $150.06 annually. That would generate $3.8 million for the district each year. In 2016 the district's ending cash balance would be approximately $550,000. Earlier this month Aho's five-year forecast predicted the district would be in the red $12.8 million by 2016. “It’s not going to be a giant bank account, …

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Schools Will Take Twinsburg's 'Temperature' Using Phone Survey

After spring break the school district will ask residents to take a survey over the phone

As the changes to the Twinsburg City School District continue, the administration wants to get more feedback from the community. A community phone poll is being developed -- launching the week of April 16 -- to provide feedback on residents' satisfaction with the district's performance, especially regarding the recent $3.2 million changes. "We are curious to hear what the community thinks of the value of education and we want to be able to respond to concerns that are being raised," Superintendent Kathryn Powers said of the "temperature check". District officials will use voter registration records to contact 320 residents, -- chosen at random -- to take the survey, which should take 15 minutes to complete. An online survey will be posted …

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District Cuts Will Affect 58 Positions for Next Year

The final details of the district's operational changes plan will be made at the April 18 school board meeting

The Twinsburg City School District will bring the final round of cuts and changes to the April 18 school board meeting, saving the toughest changes for last. The school board will vote on the employee cuts, affecting 58 positions for the 2012-13 school year. This is the final part of the districts effort to reduce costs and add fees of $3.2 million for next year. Superintendent Kathryn Powers said the administration has informed all of the employees who will be affected by the partial or complete cutting of their positions. Some of the certified and classified postions will be dealt with through attrition. On March 21 Powers said that 13 classified employees, including teachers, will be cut. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our …

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Twinsburg Schools Moving Professional Training to Online Format

The school board will vote Wednesday to do professional development programs in house, which should save the district money

The Twinsburg City School District is hoping to save some money by training its teachers and staff through an online program, starting in the 2012-13 school year. Superintendent Kathryn Powers said the school board will vote Wednesday on an agreement with Works International to provide professional development and training for employees through an online service. The contract would last through the 2014-15 school year at $5,600 a year for the first two years. Powers didn't have the exact amount of savings for the district on-hand, but said it would cut down on many of the costs involved in staff training. "We now can provide the training online without paying consultants or sending them out to miss work," Powers said. She said the district…

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Superintendent: 13 People Affected by Certified Staff Cuts

School officials are talking to teachers and other certified staff this week to notify those who will lose their jobs

In the 2012-13 school year, the Twinsburg City School District will be without 13 certified staff members in order to meet the $3.2 million goal in cuts and new revenue. Superintendent Kathryn Powers said school officials started meeting with teachers and staff affected by the "full out reduction" on Thursday. They will continue meeting with small groups of affected teachers outside of school hours through Friday. Powers could not give specifics on the positions because the meetings are still going on. Two weeks ago, Powers said the district would cut 20 certified staff members (or full-time equivalents), and 20 full-time equivalents for classified staff, meaning more than 20 positions could be cut to include part-time workers. The rest of…

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Low Kindergarten Numbers Could Mean Cuts Next Year

Superintendent Kathryn Powers said the district is down 70 students for next school year

With two more dates for parents to register for kindergarten left, Superintendent Kathryn Powers hopes the numbers increase. As of now 2012-13 enrollment is down by 70 students, according to Powers. "We're hoping we can get people in to register," she said. Parents can register their child on March 8 and March 13 from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Wilcox Primary School. Children must be five by Aug. 1. After those dates, Powers said the district will have to reconsider the numbers, possibly making staff cuts. While the district has decided to continue hosting all day, every day kindergarten, current enrollment is at 319 students, holding 12 classes with 27 students in a class. Powers said if the enrollment stays where it is, they may have to cut …

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Mitch Cooper

1:18 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012

Dave, they are not part of what was announced last night. If cuts need to be made, they would be additional. The district is still waiting to see what happens before deciding how to proceed with this specific situation. Thanks.   more ›