Are You Ready For Election Day? Avon, Avon Lake Election Guide

Information on the May 7 Election.

ALHS Grad: Prepared for Life and College

MacKenzie Bates now attending Carnegie Mellon.

Since graduating from ALHS last June, I have been attending Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh to study Computer Science (CS) & Art. CMU is widely ranked as being one of the top 3 CS schools in the world, so it isn’t easy to get into, but I made it in because of the education I received from K to 12 in Avon Lake City Schools. CMU’s Art School is also well-known (Andy Warhol graduated from it) and the art education I gained through ALCS‘ wide-offering of art-related courses greatly inspired my passion for art and vastly improved my artistic talents. While at ALHS, I took several AP courses and took courses through LCCC. With these courses I was able to receive enough college credit that I started at CMU as a sophomore! CMU is …

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Avon Releases Exterior Drawings of New Middle School

What do you think?

Avon School District released exterior drawings for the proposed middle school expected to be ready for the 2015-16 school year. In February, the district rolled out an initial floor plan of what the proposed  160,000-sq-ft. building, expected to cost $32 million, would contain. This month, prelimiary drawings were released. Superintendent Mike Laub said progress was being made but noted it was still early. "At this point we continue to work with our architect to make adjustments, but we are very happy with the progress," Laub said. "I am excited for our students and staff. This school will provide the space needed for our 6-8 students while reliving the overcrowding that is happening at the Heritage campus. It really is the solution we …

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Avon-Avon Lake Election Guide for May 7, 2013

The candidates, voting information and issues that will affect Avon, Avon Lake and Lorain County.

As we look ahead to May 7 election, Avon-Avon Lake remains devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race.

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Murray Ridge Replacement Levy Will Support Murray Ridge Center

Levy represents a $12 increase annually, per $100,000 valuation.

Avon and Avon Lake voters will see several issues on the May 7 Primary ballot including Issue 1, is a 5-year replacement 1.6875 mill levy for Murray Ridge Center. Passage will support mentally retarded and developmental disabled children and adults in Lorain County. This levy currently accounts for approximately one fourth of the agency’s revenue. More than one fourth of the programs of Murray Ridge Center will be impacted if the levy fails, since failure will affect federal funds received. Approval of the levy will cost approximately $12 more per year per $100,000 of home valuation. In March 2008, voters overwhelmingly supported the initial five-year levy that cost approximately $34 per $100,000 home valuation. The Lorain County Board of …

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45 Classrooms, 12 Labs in Proposed 160,000-sq-ft. Middle School

Superintendent Mike Laub discusses new school plans at public forum.

Avon Superintendent of Schools Mike Laub unveiled the initial floor plan for the new Avon Middle School expected to be finished for the 2015-16 school year. Voters approved a levy to finance the school last November. Laub made the presentation at an open meeting Feb. 20 in the current middle school cafeteria.   The 160,000-sq-ft. building that will cost $32 million, will house sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students. The building will be constructed on a 46-acre property the district already owns on Long Road. The elongated building’s main entrance is next to administrative offices. After entering through a main door, individuals will move into a 6,500-sq-ft. two-story cafeteria. “This is the floor plan, the design part of the process,” …

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Avon Lake Hikes Pay-to-Participate 50%, Implements Music Fees

District mulled doubling fees, opts for 50% increase

The Avon Lake Board of Education, looking to improve its revenue stream, will be increasing pay to participate for the 2014 fiscal year by 50 percent. The board also approved a measure to initiate vocal and instrumental co-curricular fees. The new rates for pay-to-participate extracurricular activities, including sports, are $300 for the first student at the high school with a $400 family cap and $150 at the middle school, with a $200 family cap. The board had considered, and rejected, a 100 percent increase. Currently, the fees are $200 at the high school ($350 cap) and $100 at the middle school ($150 cap). It will generate $59,000 in additional revenue the first year. Fees have been charged in Avon Lake since back-to-back levy failures …

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Jim Brady

1:09 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Come on man....relax a little.   more ›

Avon Lake School Levy Defeated

Personnel will be cut, superintendent says.

A 5-year, 9.04-mill Emergency Levy for the Avon Lake school district failed Nov. 6, losing 6519 to 5815. “It was a good race,” Avon Lake Superintendent of Schools Bob Scott said. “We knew it was a large number and we tried to get our story out as much as we could. “Well go back to the drawing board tomorrow.” Scott said the district will begin making decisions on when to come back to the voters. “The deficit is not going away,” Scott said. The district has another, separate levy coming up in May 2013. Next for the district is determining where cuts will need to be made. “We’re going know fairly quickly what the dollar amount is we have to cut,” Scott said. “It will be personnel. That’s what we have to work on, that’s a process. “The …

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Steve83

2:44 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012

Terska - If you look a the data - the difference is cost goes back 11 years - longer than the current boom. Avon Lake also had expansion in the last decade with all of the new subdivisions/homes including re-opening Troy and expanding the other school buildings and high school. It would be interesting to see the difference in teacher demographics (years experience) between the two.   more ›

Letter: Senior Citizens Can't Afford School Levy

Have a response? Add it to the comments section or send a Letter to the Editor to Lori.Switaj@patch.com

To the Editor: If this (Avon Lake School) levy passes, 40 percent of all seniors living in their homes will find it impossible to pay the extra dollar amount on their property tax. At least 40 percent or more of seniors have lived in Avon Lake at least 30 years and have supported levies up to this point. Recommendations: 1)  Cut programs, cut salaries for all administrative staff; cut busing    * Cut 2 sport programs:  It costs the swim team $7,426.00 to rent an indoor pool.   * It costs the hockey team $7,697.00 to rent ice time. 2) Cut the following salaries:     Superintendent $117,500.00     Treasurer $87,000.00     High School Principal $116,125     Eliminate two Asst. principals for H.S.     1. $83,635.00-Asst. principal     2. $76,…

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