Switzerland of Ohio, The time is Now! ***** visit: switzerlandbond.com *****

[MedTechFL]

The various villages of Monroe county have never been able to see beyond the identities of their individual communities and do what's best to ensure their children obtain a quality education. It's more important for them to watch their local high school athletic teams than to consider funding a science laboratory or a music studio that would enrich the lives of students who don't routinely toss a football or swing a bat. Children who have higher aspirations than working at Ormet are doomed.

[H1Badger]

The sad thing is that even the new buildings about to be constructed will most likely be in yet another shambles 20 years from now what with no funding to be set aside for appropiate upkeep & maintenance. Even with brand new buildings it is going to be expensive just to keep regular annual repairs on track. So, do not just expect that a new building will be the answer as new buildings need expensive & regular repai & maintenance. Please, take care of them - if they are ever built.

[Luigi100ism]

I am getting a new school

[RiverPilot65]

Unfortunately not all of the schools are getting the kind treatment...the Riverfront is getting the shaft once again, i never understood why you would mess up and not help the excelling school in your district as well as mess up where the most school funding comes from....ay yai yai, good job Switzerland of Ohio! Way to not deliver on what was promised!

[DisturbedParadise]

4:27

i go up and down those stairs everyday

[armybaby86]

i went to monroe central back in 05

[x06xsilveradox]

im a new student to monroe central. this school or trailers are hporrible to my old school which is bedford. my cousin will be the first class to graduate the new highschool in woodsfield.

[axk619]

I Go To Powhatan And I'm Glad The Levy Passed ,My School Looks Like S@!t

[LarryLKelly]

Great job on this video.

[muttsburguse]

Congradulations to Monroe County! You did the right thing. Now that the Brewhaw is over and the votes are in, my hope is that there will be a well deserved sense of pride in "every" community. It took all of you to bring it this far and I am proud of you for taking the chance NOW.

[GraySkiesBlueRain]

this vid made me cry...i am so glad that we are gettin new schools...thanks to all who voted for it.

[ohdiver91]

I am so proud of all the communities within the Switzerland of Ohio School District. We all came together to make this happen and we've shown the whole state that our priorities are in the right place.

Thanks to everyone who helped, put up a sign, endorsed the issue, and got out to vote "For".

Our generations can now leave something behind besides a legacy of failure and indifference to our kids and communities. This is awesome!!

[ttobyesac]

I second that !

[15beckett15]

all you people who is going 2 vote no needs 2 look at us, students, in the eyes and say we are not worth a new school and if u can do that there is something wrong with u!!

[ohdiver91]

I agree! Shame on anyone who can't find it in their heart to do the right thing and give our kids and communities a better future. Also, in a selfish way, this project will help everyone in the long run.

[ohdiver91]

Oh, and by referring to "politician" in my last post, I certainly don't mean Jennifer Garrison. Just wanted to mention that before THAT word is misconstrued. Jennifer Garrison is the reason that the school Levy/Bond is even possible, and she has done a great job pushing for our area's interests.

[ttobyesac]

from the marietta times

may 2, 2009

Worst in the state

The Ohio School Facilities Commission has ranked Switzerland of Ohio first on the "exceptional needs" list, Garrison said.

"It means that the district has the worst school buildings in the state - of 612 school districts," she said. "Monroe Central High School has nothing but trailers."

[lad9930]

Thanks for the info. Found and read the entire article. .

[ttobyesac]

Ohio School Facilities Commission

Telephone (614) 466-6290

[lad9930]

Well I did bother to look. And as I was always told if you can't find or are not sure then "ASK". As for not believing, I never once stated I did not believe the conditions of the schools. I stated I was interested in where to find this information that has been posted. As for my fake interest, well then you had better get your FACTS straight. My youngest child goes to these schools and my grandchildren. So don't go making assumptions about my" fake" interests in the facts.

[ohdiver91]

Apologize for my comments...they were not directed to anyone in particular, but I can see how you could feel they were. I applaud anyone for getting the facts and being interested. As far a "list", or ranking, I guess I don't care where some politician ranks our schools...the video kind of speaks for itself, and regardless of some ranking, we need new schools. If you are truly interested, then I wasn't talking to you. Again, sorry if my comments were taken personally.

[lad9930]

Thanks, this is what I was wanting to know. Was not 100% sure.

[ttobyesac]

your welcome, hoping for a yes vote from you may 5th.

[ttobyesac]

The Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) offers the poorest school districts the opportunity to build new schools first, but it also maintains an exceptional needs list which allows districts to build early when buildings are in poor condition. Switzerland of Ohio has topped that list for the last two years.

[lad9930]

It was stated that " in regard to our buildings, our school district ranks LAST in the state of Ohio." Where can a person find this information? The only thing I can find is that schools are ranked based on their place on the states equity list. This means according to the OSFC we are 306 of 612 for FY 09. But I can't find how our buildings rank in comparsion to other Ohio schools.

[MrBob50]

Why vote Yes? Showing tiles that have been that way since 1976 at RHS! A furnace that was suppose to be replaced years back on a past levy. All you have done is prove once again that lies upon lies have been made in the past - and we are suppose to believe that this levy alone will help? Wrong. I know we will have a total of 3 levies so don't bluff everyone. Rebuilding levy - then maintenance levy (we see those results from the past ones) and then a teacher pay-raise levy.

[ohdiver91]

Why don't you go around to the schools and see for yourself...bet you haven't. From your comments, it is obvious you have no idea what you are talking about. What lies? Be specific. The schools are old and falling apart. How is that a lie? Our kids deserve better. How is that a lie? This is not a "rebuilding levy." Its a BOND issue, with a LEVY. The Bond is for construction, the Levy is for one half a mil set aside for future maintenance. It already there! Get your facts straight!

[ohdiver91]

Please contact the Board of Elections. The ballot language is very simple.  You will be voting on one issue with two parts. One is a Bond, the other is a Levy. I wish I could draw you a picture, but apparently that would not work in your case anyway if you think the video does not show problems that go way beyond issues of maintenance. How do you "maintain" structural problems like a wall pulling away from a foundation? Ever seen the Master Plan? Go stick your head back in the sand, MrBob.

[ohdiver91]

The Bond portion of the May 5th ballot calls for millage of 7.69 towards construction of the new schools. The Levy portion is .50 set aside for maintenance. Maintenance is not janitorial; rather, repair/replacement of "big" items, like the roof, furnace, etc..These items will be guaranteed and under warranty on the new buildings for years. Thus, the money from the levy will not be needed for a long time. As for pay raises, the current initiative has nothing to do with that. Get Facts!

[rcqbp]

From your friends in Vermont - We are saddened to see the condition of the schools your children spend their days in. Since your local funds won't do it, take your action to your Congressmen and Senators and demand a response with a plan. Good Luck and God Bless!

[muttsburguse]

But over the years living in several school systems nothing has changes. There will still be waste, but there will always be need. Even though we have been assessed over $40,000 above the value of our property (a form of theft) I will still vote for the schools. There is a great amount of talent in the children here and one thing is very evident, they are not spoiled by over accommodation. I remember how good it felt in a new school, as long as you can afford to keep the doors open. Good luck !

[ohdiver91]

You need to appeal your assessment! That makes no sense.  Your comments are right on point. Realize that statistically speaking, in regard to our buildings, our school district ranks LAST in the state of Ohio. I am a 1987 graduate of Woodsfield High School, which is the same building my parents and grandparents graduated from. Our kids deserve better. Go senior citizens!

[muttsburguse]

I am a 1969 graduate of Perry Local Schools. My senior year we ran out of operating funds and closed our doors Nov 1,1968. Several factories paid their taxes early so we could reopen 6 weeks later. We went to school every saturday for the rest of the school year to graduate the end of June 69. Did our levy pass that year? Yup, and when school opened that fall they had carpeting,air, a rubber gym floor that had to removed 3 years later because it was dangerous. Were they still in trouble? Yup.tbc

[muttsburguse]

We moved to MC 10 years ago when my husband retired. I brought with me a belief that school levies are important to our future. My mother always said "a single household could never afford the cost to educate it's children" someone helped pay for her education, my education,my childrens educations, As a senior adult it is still my job to educate current and future children. It's never been easy for school systems to keep up and I will post an example in my next post...tbc

[ohdiver91]

The labor agreement guarantees that at least half the jobs will go to local workers. That is where the focus should be: New SCHOOLS and JOBS. Yes, they must be in or join a union. They don't have to retain union membership after the project is completed. The only "sad" thing is the degree to which some people will go to find fault or interject some "sinister" agenda where there is none. You have the right to be anti-union, but don't use our kids future as a "vehicle" to advance your own agenda.

[runrgrll]

The sad part about the school construction is that the school board just voted on a union-only Project Labor Agreement so only union construction companies can work on all the projects. That shuts out the more than 80% of workers that don't work for a union firm! It also drives up the construction costs about 20% because they've shut out most of the competition. That is bullshit. And, they didn't ask any of us taxpayers about what we thought before they voted on this behind closed doors.

[ohdiver91]

Where do you get your numbers from? 100% of the workers will be union members. Locally, there are few independent contractors who have the means to take on such a large project. Frontier HS was all non-union and they had numerous problems with quality control, which had to be remedied later. Those problems added significantly to the overall costs. The scarcity of local projects has forced unions to take on the smaller projects that historically would have gone to local contractors. Think!

[gargiesgal]

I am voting yes. I don't want my child to go to school in this kind of stuff. It is fairly discusting!

[onujohnnydem]

(1) As a grad from MCHS I really hope that this thing passes this time. No one really understands how limited Monroe Countys schools are. When I came to college I was miles behind other students for example ppl that have actually been in a chemistry lab. Looking at the plans, it looks like there is something for everyone w/o interfering w/ the rivalries (b/c that is the most important thing to consider ---sarcasm). Good job on the video

[onujohnnydem]

(2) Its nice to finally be able to show my friends what a school of trailers looks like b/c they could never wrap their heads around the idea. Surprisingly there aren't that many pictures of Monroe County schools on the internet...I wonder why?

Again good job. I'll vote yes. New buildings will provide the opportunities that the teachers need to prepare the students to be at the same level as other HS grads across the state.

[muddin789]

i go to this school and we do need a new one vote yes

[ohdiver91]

This video is great. I have read most of the comments posted. Some people need to get their facts straight before writing things that are based only upon rumor.

[ttobyesac]

It seems some people are failing to grasp the big picture. This is not just about our schools, this is about our communities. These schools are cornerstones to each and every community. Without these cornerstones, the community falters. Invest a little now, and reap the rewards in the future.

[ttobyesac]

To obtain the future jobs we need, and to retain the ones we already have, this is a first step. This is also a step in retaining the residents of our communities, that choose to go elsewhere, due to the condition of our schools.

[ttobyesac]

This is a monumental cross-roads for our area. Either embrace the future and flourish, or grasp on to the past and languish. This decision rest squarely on all of our shoulders. At least think it over, get the facts, and make an educated vote. As the cornerstone says on old WHS, "The Youth Our Hope". They knew it then, let's show we still now it NOW.

[15beckett15]

i go 2 school at beallsville we really need this so everyone needs 2 vote yes cuze this is are and your chance 4 us 2 get a new school

[bloodhawkisawesome]

Hey Cole!

[godzilla3h]

beckett ageerd same here we all need a new school lets hope we do

[vanessarcraig]

I didn't read all of the comments on this video, but I went to WES and MCHS. The teachers were WONDERFUL and did EVERYTHING that they could to give us a fair education, but the fact is, no matter how much they invested and tried, they weren't provided the equipment and technology to give us an equitable education to those who have newer facilities and equipment. Every class that graduates without the opportunity to have technology starts at a deficit in today's job market. That's not fair.

[BloodBoughtinc]

Awesome job on the video guys! I knew the schools were bad, but never thought they were in this bad of shape. I have heard some people say that having school in trailers isn't bad since it is the teacher that makes the difference. To a point this is right, it is the teacher that makes the most difference, but you cannot run a whole school out of modular classrooms. Maybe having a class or 2 in one of these, but not all classes all the time.

Hard to believe the state hasn't stepped in yet...

[corgitoy]

Knowing the board, it'll wind up being a total cluster you know what, like the new schools in Union Local and Martins Ferry, where they've had to lay off employees, since they didn't allow enough money to operate the new schools.

Not to mention that getting 60+% from the State is chump change-UL and Ferry got about 80% IIRC.

And we in Powhatan are still waiting for the Elementary School that we were promised that was to be built by 72' if we consolidated with Switzerland Of Ohio

[ttobyesac]

those operating cost are built into the levy, we did learn from other districts who have faced these issues.

[ttobyesac]

with all due respect, i don't know what happened in 72', i was still not born. but, at this time and this moment that decision rest squarely on your shoulders. embrace a new school now, or choose to stay with something that needed replaced 37 years ago. it's your choice, what about "NOW"

[DemocratWasHere]

I'm voting YES!

[ScrewWoodsfield1]

If River is only getting a renovation, Woodsfield high school should be renovated too instead of building a brand new school for mc.

River is also getting a raw deal in that they lose their baseball field.

[oh1top]

River will get a NEW baseball field. The community at River did not want a new high school. They would have lost both gyms and a new school would have been about half the size.

[needsausername09]

im voting no

[2130958]

When they closed Midway we didn't have a say in that. I think that some of the schools in the district just need to be shut down and consolidated. It is time for SOLSD needs new schools and this is our opportunity. I know that if I had kids I would never put them through this school district. It is the biggest piece of crap I have ever seen. Something also needs to be done about the teachers who retire and then get rehired. No wonder graduates can't get a teaching job here. It is because we have

[2130958]

many teachers who retire and then come back. This needs to be put to a stop. Also, we need to get rid of the teachers who don't do crap, like many of the ones I had at Sardis and River. The district has no control over that though bc of the union. We need the new schools now and this is another chance that will prolly get passed up, but just keep in mind what our school system could be like in the future with the new schools. Everyone is worried about the taxes. We are already going to get

[2130958]

heavily taxed by our new idiot president so why not get taxed a little more and get NEW SCHOOLS!!

[oh1top]

Totally agree with you on that!

[oh1top]

I went to both schools also. I thought they were both excellent. I went to college and got a degree. Sometimes it's what you put into it.

[oh1top]

Have you seen some of the young subs? Poorly dressed and NO CONTROL!!!!!  Retired teachers have experience and you can't beat that!!! Our colleges are graduating anyone these days. I have witnessed some young subs being in and out of my child's school. Do they have a dress code?

[2130958]

schools for their employees to send their kids. So this area will be dead forever if something is not done. I think someone had mentioned waiting and letting the state come in and pay for it. Well since every is usually worried about sports, I doubt that you would like that too much bc they would prolly consolidate the whole district since we have low numbers in our schools and they keep getting lower. Actually I think this would be better anyways bc we could have awesome facilities.

[2130958]

Switzerland of Ohio Local schools has needed new schools for the longest time. We have had many opportunities to get new schools over the last couple of years. I just graduated last summer and I can remember in 8th grade when there was a levy on the ballot for new schools and there were teachers putting down the levy in the schools Thats ridiculous because we are in need of schools. This is a great opportunity being offered. The only way business will move into the area is if we have good

[oh1top]

Yeah ! Teachers putting the levy down should be addressed by their building principal.

[corgitoy]

Also, whatever happened to all the money that

North American Coal brought into the district

between 1968 and 1984? Besides being lied

to about getting a new Elementary school by

1972, Swiss Hills was built almost as an afterthought.

[ttobyesac]

incoherent ramble

[corgitoy]

So, where's the elementary school that

was promised to Powhatan when it was

consolidated into Switzerland Of Ohio?

IIRC, it was supposed to be built in 1972.

[ttobyesac]

Live in the past, or embrace the present and future. Powhatan k-8 52,849 SF 11.4m

[7955018]

I have no doubt that Switz. schools are pathetic & in need ,What has the district proposed 2 be done with the failing children?We can blame some of the prob. they have in achieving their potential on lack of equip.& services, but lets not forget that this needs to be a FULL package , I'd bite the bullet & pay the tax (even though I bus my child to private shool &pay tuition d/t this) IF there were crack down on teach. not doing their job, THEN the students actually benefit from these improv.

[unmdec]

...As much as I would like to see stalls with doors/walls, working water fountains, blah blah blah....no one would be able to afford itI know many families that are struggling to get by as it is! I'm sure we'll make it until the state steps in. At least we have schools...we should be more worried about the lack of good books and the staff (for those who still go to school and know what I'm talking about). So as a student I would vote no. We can wait.

[ttobyesac]

For those who have been ill-informed. GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT!!!!

project cost are as follows: river hs (complete renovation) 11.6m, hannibal/sardis k-8 11.5m, powhatan 11.4m, beallsville k-12 15.5m, skyview k-8 9.2m, woodsfield k-8 13.9m, monroe central hs 10.5m.

[ttobyesac]

River High School

Total Renovation:

Total Face Lift

Complete HVAC Renovation, Electricial Updates, Wiring For Technology, Cafeteria Renovations, Window And Door Replacement, Science Labs, Furniture, Administrative Complex, Handicap Accessibility, New Parking Areas, Bus Drop-Off Areas, Roof And Plumbing, General Finishes, Interior And Emergency Lighting, Security System And Fire Alarm, Site Work And Sewage System, Technology Updates, Updated Media Center

[yowhatsupgirl9]

The school board will give it all to MC

[RiverPilotGrad07]

As much as we need new schools, I hate to say that it probably won't pass. The people in this county are alrady struggling to pay their property taxes as they are, some not even paying them at all. Do the school board members and the state believe that we can actually afford the taxes for new buildings?? If it doesnt pass this time, the state will take over surely. If thats the case, it looks like we will be going down the same road as Tyler Cons. Vote it down, and we get one centralized school.

[RiverPilot65]

Look, i graduated from river recently myself. It is a great school with a great sense of self-pride. We are extremely important to the community. Yet, when it comes to district decisions, we are the ones up the creek without a paddle. I will vote for this issue, but only out of desperation. As i become a teacher, i see the importance of something being done. However, we must be smart and effective, cause we only get one shot. i dont think this is either.

[malonemaniac08]

as someone who jus graduated from river a year ago i feel like we were underappreciated because the riverfront ppl always got the short end of the stick ... the part about the lack of cooling systems ... thats all true cuz i remember after school started i wouldnt doubt that the rooms got close to 100 degrees ... i think i remember on one occasion they did ... at least in mr. metzgers room ... whoever made this video did an awesome job capturing what we went thru ... im voting yes on this issue

[RiverPilot65]

great job with the video. Something does need to be done. However, as usual, River gets screwed! we get "innovations". Woo Hoo! Something needs tobe done, but make sure you read up on this before you vote YES.....

[jacey0625]

Yea you get renovated!!! At least you have a building, a gym, a library. Monroe Central kids are going to school in modular building due to no choice of their own. They also have to travel 30 minutes to a different school just to practice basketball and for games.....try that for a while. It gets old really fast and they've been doing this since 1994!!!!!!!!!!!

[2130958]

River doens't need an entire new school. Renovations will be just fine. I also graduated from there a year ago. The building would be made smaller if there was to be a new building built because the building now is to big for the amount of students that go there. So in the long run if this area every picks back up what would we do. We would have a smaller hs and no where for people to go. I don't think that we are getting the short end of the stick. We will be getting 2 new schools on the front

[2130958]

and a renovation of River. The other schools in the district are worse off than we are. Beallsville is practically falling over the hill and MC is in trailers. Come on I don't think that you can say we are getting the short end of the stick. All it boils down to is rivalry, like it always has. No one would vote for earlier levies that had schools consolidating and the riverfront thinks they are getting screwed and MC and Bville think they are getting screwed. It will never end unless we grow up

[oh1top]

I like reading from people that know what they are talking about. Good for you!

[jojosmama03]

Awesome job done by the students that made this video!

[jared8614]

Good job accurately showing the condition of the schools. I wish there was a way to get this message out to most of the people in the county. This May is a historic time for Monroe County, and the people there need to realize it. These changes arent going to happen over night, but neither did the slow deterioration of those buildings. This is something that EVERYONE must pull together on. I heard the President of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce speak, and he said that the eyes of Ohio are on US!

[wordrush]

You did an amazing job on this video. Thank you!

Now for my opinion. I hold out zero hope for the voting majority in that district. They have chance after chance to do something about the state of these schools. I mean, as someone that went to Monroe Central I feel like I was lucky. At least the trailers were air conditioned and structurally sound.

Unfortunately, that is enough for the voters of Switzerland of Ohio. What seems like the majority consider these schools perfectly fine.

[jacey0625]

The people that consider these schools perfectly fine, I bet haven't stepped foot in any one of them!!! You have to be on crack to think these schools are structurally sound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ttobyesac]

The students that made this video did do a good job. Just imagine if they where equiped with real computer labs, science labs, and all the other things they need and deserve. It"s time we step up to the plate, and stop undercuting our children and ourselves.

[2130958]

I also hold no hope for the passing of this levy bc like you said we have had many opportunities in the past and no one cared about the students then, why are they going to now? It is really frustrating. I remember in 8th grade we had a long term sub that was talking down the levy in the classroom. Her and I got into it and then I got sent to the office for trying to stand up for the students.

[oh1top]

Let's not give up hope this might be the time!!!! That sub. should never be in a classroom again. Subs are to be supportive of enriching children's lives.

[2130958]

You know the crazy thing about that situation. That sub now works for the district.

[taylorswiftFAN2014]

wow!

im glad you posted this.

the roof has holes in it at my school and EVERY time it rains.....the roof leaks!

[jacey0625]

This video speaks the truth!!!! It's a shame that our children have to go to such facilities to get their education. Hopefully people will get out and vote yes May 5th not only for the kids but for the future of our community!!!! LET THEM KNOW YOU CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!