Office of the Superintendent
Welcome!
Welcome to the 2008-09 school year! Our students and staff members have done an excellent job with the start of school and our first week is officially complete.
The beginning of a new school year is such a special time. Every day presents an exciting opportunity for our students. They meet new friends, study new subjects and for the more than 800 students at Olentangy Orange High School (OOHS) they are enjoying a brand new school.
Despite all these new and wonderful opportunities, one thing remains consistent at Olentangy Local Schools and that is our dedication to students. Our mission is “to facilitate maximum learning for every student” and at Olentangy we mean every student. Our teachers are focused on the curriculum and as a district we routinely set and accomplish high levels of excellence both in and outside of the classroom.
The district recently learned that we are rated “Excellent with Distinction” on the 2007-08 state report card that will be released on Tuesday, August 26. Only 12 percent of Ohio school districts are expected to receive this top rating.
In addition to our academic excellence, we are also receiving recognition for our strong fiscal management. Standard & Poor's recently increased Olentangy's credit rating to the second highest level of “AA+.” This increased rating makes it easier for the district to maintain the existing 8.72 total bond mills target for community members. Only one other school district in Ohio has a higher credit rating score than Olentangy Local Schools.
I am so excited about the start of school and looking forward to the great accomplishments our students and staff members will achieve this year. Thank you to all of our support staff members who have made our schools, buses and cafeterias safe and welcoming environments for students to learn.
Thank you also to our parents and community members. It is because of your support that we are able to offer this type of educational excellence for your children. Welcome to another exciting school year at Olentangy Local Schools!
Sincerely,
Jenny Hooie
Interim Superintendent
Olentangy Earns Highest Rating of "Excellent with Distinction" on ODE Report Card
Olentangy Local Schools earned the state's highest rating possible of "Excellent with Distinction" on the 2007-08 local report card. This is the latest category to be added to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) report card and only 12 percent of Ohio school districts are expected to achieve this honor. This is the sixth time in the past seven years that Olentangy has earned at least an Excellent rating. Read the full text here.
Update on Olentangy’s Efficiency, Cost Savings Efforts
Staffing Pattern Savings Worksheet
Report to the Board of Education – January 23, 2007
| District Central Office Staffing | Savings |
|---|---|
| Reduce additional positions budgeted over the next five (5) years | $439,193.00 |
| District Prevention Coordinator Staffing | Savings |
| Restructure program and eliminate two (2) positions | $710,621.00 |
| District EMIS / NSWC Staffing | Savings |
| Replace/restructure one (1) administrative staff position with one (1) classified staff position | $157,925.00 |
| District Clinic Staffing | Savings |
| Freeze hiring of certified nurses; full-time clinic aide in each building | $648,180.00 |
| District Pupil Services Staffing (DUESC) | Savings |
| Reduce additional positions budgeted over the next five (5) years | $2,398,880.00 |
| District Elementary Assistant Principal Staffing | Savings |
| Reduce/restructure two (2) administrative staff positions budgeted for JCES and LTES for the 2007-2008 school year | $146,646.00 |
| District Custodial Staffing | Savings |
| Reduce/restructure one (1) custodial staff position budgeted for LTES and OHMS over the next five (5) years | $209,495.00 |
| District Elementary Cafeteria / Playground Aide Staffing | Savings |
| Efficiency realized through reorganization of work among staff. | **$924,941.00 |
| District Elementary Computer Aide Staffing | Savings |
| Reduce 1.0 FTE to 0.5 FTE in each new building | $227,990.00 |
| District Elementary Library Aide Staffing | Savings |
| Reduce 0.5 FTE to 0.0 FTE in each new building | $227,990.00 |
| Certified Contracts | Savings |
| Certified Extended Service Contract Reductions | **$367.095.00 |
| Total Savings | $6,458,956.00 |
- **Updated information – August 28, 2007
- With the exception of the District Elementary Assistant Principal Staffing positions, each of the listed cost savings are projections over the next five (5) years. The Elementary Assistant Principal positions are only a one (1) year savings.
- Note: EMIS refers to the states Educational Management Information System and NSWC refers to the New Student Welcome Center