It’s hard to believe that the 2021-2022 school year has come to an end! Over the past couple of weeks, we have celebrated important milestones for our students who are moving on to their next step - whether it’s middle school, high school, college, career or the military. We’re so proud of each and every one of our students at every grade level.
We were incredibly excited to celebrate a very special group of students — the Class of 2022 — as they joined the ranks of Golden Bear alumni at the 98th annual Upper Arlington High School commencement on May 29. The approximately 490 members of the Class of 2022 have so much to be proud of during their time here. Among them, there are nine National Merit Finalists and 16 Commended Scholars, and nearly 100 members of the prestigious Cum Laude Society. There are accomplished artists who have won state and regional awards, athletes who have competed at the highest level, and individuals who have explored their passions through the performing arts and extracurricular activities like mock and moot trial, Science Olympiad and robotics.
We’re still hearing from the Class of 2022 on their plans following graduation, but what we know right now is that they will be attending 112 colleges and universities across the country. Five very special graduates have committed to serving our country in the military and ROTC programs, and we also have students who are making other plans, whether it’s a gap year, career or another path. We wish all of our graduates well on their next step in life!
Financial updates
As I have shared, the Board of Education has spent time this spring reviewing the district’s future financial needs and the anticipated impacts on our finances — historic inflation, enrollment growth, and the decision to delay an operating levy for two years as a result of the pandemic and the economic situation. At their regularly scheduled meeting on May 24, the board planned to consider potential operating levy scenarios for the November 2022 ballot.
You may recall that it has been nearly five years since we last went to voters. After delaying a request for an operating levy the past two years, we have creatively stretched our financial resources by reducing our budget reserve; seeking out approximately $4.6 million in cost reductions; and utilizing COVID-related funding available to school districts.
Even with these steps, expenditures are already outpacing revenue. This is a typical levy cycle for a suburban Ohio school district, and it’s why districts like Upper Arlington usually go back to voters every three years to request new operating funding.
As of the submission of this column, the May 24 meeting had not yet been held. You can visit www.uaschools.org for an update from the meeting.
Listen Learn Lead process
More than two months ago, the Board of Education launched the Listen Learn Lead community engagement process to help our schools and our community be the best they can be. Since then, we have totaled approximately 1,800 touchpoints — through community and student roundtable discussions and an online community survey. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts!
The next step will be a report to the Board of Education at their June meeting. Based on the findings, the Board of Education will determine any action steps to take. The report will be posted at www.uaschools.org/ListenLearnLead.aspx following the meeting.
Paul Imhoff, Ed.D., is superintendent of Upper Arlington Schools. You can follow him on Twitter @imhoffpaul.