Investment in schools is an investment in community

Dear Bay Village Residents,

My wife, Kathleen, and I moved to Bay Village in 2001. For us, it was an easy decision to make Bay our home. Bay Village was considered a great place to live and raise a family. There were beautiful parks, friendly neighbors, strong churches, outstanding organizations, dedicated leaders, and at the heart of it all was the great education system. Almost 10 years later, I can proudly say we made the right choice and the community attributes that influenced our move are as strong as ever.  

Kathleen and I now have three children, with two currently attending Normandy Elementary. It is of the utmost importance to us that our children receive the best possible education available. This fall, the Board of Education has voted to place a 6.9 mill operating levy on the ballot. The proposed levy will ensure that Bay’s proven track record of excellence in and out of the classroom will continue and all of our children will be well-prepared for their academic and professional careers. 

In tough economic times, we are fortunate to have an administration that keeps school expenditures low (ranked 27th out of 31 Cuyahoga County school districts for spending per pupil and teacher salaries are at or below the Cuyahoga County average). However, because of our incredible teachers and staff, Bay Schools are still able to continue an excellent record of high achievement.  

Our schools maintain a high ranking for graduation, test scores, awards, sports and club achievement, and always rank among the best in the county and state of Ohio. Newsweek magazine consistently includes Bay High School as one of the best high schools in America, our schools have been included on the prestigious Best Music Education Communities in America since 2003, and Cleveland Magazine always ranks Bay Village schools in the top 15 school districts in NE Ohio suburban school districts. 

We all understand that this levy means an increase in taxes. However, we cannot look at it as an expense but instead as an investment. The strength of our schools absolutely gives us a competitive advantage over other Northeast Ohio communities and helps maintain and increase our property values. Let’s keep our community great and desirable to not only all potential newcomers but for all of us that already call it home.  

Invest in your home, invest in your community, and invest in our children by voting YES to the proposed operating levy this fall. “Continue the Excellence” in our Bay Village Schools. Our great community and our children deserve nothing less. 

Thank you for your support, 

Scott Best

Levy Chair, Citizens for Bay Schools

www.citizensforbay.com

citizensforbay@gmail.com

Read More on Letters to the Editor
Volume 2, Issue 18, Posted 4:06 PM, 09.02.2010