Here are the latest updates from the Milford Board of Education meeting held on September 19. During this meeting, the Board addressed upcoming events, discussed important fiscal management recommendations, and reviewed enhancements to our curriculum and facilities. To view the agenda, please click here. Below is a summary of the key points from the meeting.
Arts and Upcoming Events:
Little Shop of Horrors: Tickets are available now for this production on November 1 and 2.
Hadestown with Live Orchestra: Experience a live orchestral performance of Hadestown. Stay tuned for ticket details, coming in the second weekend of December!
Art Fair: Milford’s choir and visual arts students will showcase their work at the Art Fair in Old Milford next Saturday.
High School Band Competition: Join us in cheering on our high school band as they kick off their first competition of the season this Saturday at Simon Kenton.
Blink Parade Participation: Milford High School has the incredible honor of being the only school in the area invited to participate in the Blink Parade on Thursday, October 17!
Band Boosters and Donations:
MEVSD is thrilled to announce a generous donation from Milford Band Boosters to create paved pathways to the new band practice facility. A huge thank you to all contributors!
Thanks to our supportive community, Band Boosters has donated over $90,000 since May 2023!
Treasurer’s Business:
The treasurer's report has been postponed until next month, as key information will be included in the Superintendent's Update. Notable approved contracts include:
Hamilton County Cooperative: $6,400
Frog Street: $44,089.82
Nexus Therapy: $50,000 paid for by expanding opportunities for a grant designated to Milford Academy
Insurance Update: SWOOSH insurance rates remain favorable at 4.4%.
Curriculum Updates:
Preschool Curriculum Adoption: Mr. Daniels introduced the new “Frog Street” preschool curriculum, fully funded by state support, featuring components in reading and math.
Middle School Updates:
The new trusses have been successfully installed at the middle school.
Superintendent’s Recommendations:
Recommended Cuts if Earned Income Tax Fails:
Grade Band Schools
36 Impacted Staff Members
$2.5 Million in Savings
Reduce busing to state minimum
2 mile walk radius No HS busing No HS parochial busing
$1M in savings
Increase in Pay to Play Fees
District covered $2M in pay-to-play fees in order to keep costs at a minimum impact to families in 2023
Total Collected was $200,000 with 1800 student participants
Other Cuts for Board Consideration:
Remove non-state mandated courses at the High School
4 Teachers and 2 Aides Impacted 2 Art, AP Seminar/Research, AP Computer Science, College and Career Readiness Counselor, MHS In-School Suspension Monitor, MHS Hall Monitor
$310,000 in Savings
Remove non-state mandated courses at the Junior High School/ Milford Middle
5 Teacher positions impacted STEM Elective, Goggle Up, Spanish, French, Financial Literacy
$350,000 in savings
Remaining Positions suggested for cut back in January 1
Director Fine Arts, 1 Assistant Athletic Director, 1 Mental Health Interventionist, 6 Elementary TOAs, 7 Reset Aides, 5 Media Aides
$1.2M in savings
Elimination of Elementary Art, Music and PE as it is not mandated by the state
18 teachers impacted
$1.3M in savings
Spieser reiterated that these cuts would only occur if the Earned Income Tax fails, stressing the need for its passage to ensure financial stability.
The Board decided to postpone voting until the October meeting.
HR and Policy Updates:
All HR items were approved.
Changes to the Elementary Handbook were approved to allow more flexibility for school parties throughout the year.
Upcoming enhancements to middle school facilities were approved.
Both the MBA and Easement Agreement were approved.
Community Concerns and Safety:
Superintendent Spieser emphasized the importance of discussing the gravity of threats with students, reminding everyone to foster open conversations about safety. He assured continued close collaboration with local law enforcement, including Miami Township PD and Milford PD, to maintain a secure environment.
Spieser also reiterated that any threats made by students, including those posted on social media, carry serious consequences. These actions will be addressed in accordance with both the Student Code of Conduct and legal repercussions enforced by local police departments.
Upcoming Meetings:
A special meeting is scheduled for October 4 to discuss the treasurer search and potential hiring.
The next regular meeting will be on October 17 at 6 PM.