11/13/08 - Promising Outlook for the Hilliard City School District

Getting any school issue approved by voters in an unpredictable economy is difficult, and the odds going in to this months election were even at best.  Yet there were a number of things that likely help improve Hilliard area voters perceptions, with a decidedly positive result (and perhaps surprisingly so) when all the ballots were cast.

The resolution of the teachers union contract was as significant as it gets, at least in my opinion.  The key issue involved, participation in health insurance costs to the district, dates back to the last contract negotiations I participated in, back in 1998.  At that time the board stressed that, essentially, it was only a matter of time until the staff across the district became responsible for more of the direct health insurance costs to the districtnot unlike what my fellow board members and their neighbors in the public sector had already begun to face in their jobs.

Also important was the overall voter turnout, prompted by clear choices across the political tickets, along with visible physical improvements throughout the Hilliard area, and the simple fact that the population and makeup of the community continue to adjust.  And of course it never hurts when the local high school sports teams are still in the playoffsno matter what your demographic.

And then theres Hilliard School Districts boost to an Excellent With Distinction rating from the state, the highest a district can achieve.  You can take a look at Hilliards 2007-08 Local Report Card online at http://www.ode.state.oh.us/reportcardfiles/2007-2008/DIST/047019.pdf .  Hilliard City School District successfully met 30 out of 31 total indicators, with an overall performance index score of 10.1.  Those achievements are high enough to bring an Excellent rating, but districts must also measure up to Adequate Yearly Progress for various student subgroupsa newer rating area that can pose problems for schools as population shifts become more pronounced. 

An even newer Growth Calculation factor in the rating equation takes a longer-range view into consideration as well, allowing districts a more comprehensive evaluation of how theyve actually progressed in addressing needs of different demographics and needs. 

As Superintendent Dale McVey noted, "We have worked extremely hard to ensure that we are meeting the learning needs of our student subgroups and have demonstrated sustained
improvement over the past several years. This current rating information
recognizes that we are being highly successful with these students."  Another new calculation on the report card this year is value added.

If youre a newer resident of the district, you might not be aware that Hilliard actually has a very long history of success with bond and levy issues, dating most pointedly back to the 1990s when the real boom took hold.with lots of thanks to a stable yet progressive staff and administration, along with a distinct lack of any real politics among various school boards.  When we first moved to Hilliard in 1988, I recall the student population being approximately 4,000.  Through the subsequent years and about a four-fold increase in total students, things just essentially kept getting better.  And this was despite the bumps and bruises brought by many new school buildings and the necessary redistricting. 

And whats it all mean for pocketbooks and the real estate market?  The Hilliard Areas overall good news during the past couple of challenging decades has kept home values reasonable and stableno wild swings due to levy failures, for example.  Ultimately, people still move to an area because of the schools.  And whether or not you have children in the district, you benefit financiallybut keep in mind its always a more farsighted sort of gain.  And thats whats made Hilliard one of central Ohios best places to live for many, many years.

2008, Doug Parker, ikarensell Enterprises Inc.

11/13/08 - Improvements and Upgrades at Hide-A-Way Hills (HAH)

As HAH prepares to celebrate its 50^th anniversary in a couple of years, its no surprise that various things around the The Hills need some attention to prepare for the upcoming decades.  And as a member owned-and-operated community, its important to note and recognize the volunteer efforts that help ensure infrastructure and amenities for the future.

While HAH maintains its own maintenance staff, which does a great ongoing job, its the work of the member committees that has made tremendous differences through the years.  Right upfront youll see the recent evidence.  2008 saw major work done on the dams at Lakes Deerfoot and Arrowhead, and then theres that inviting new playground right inside the front security gate.  The dams project was completed by an outside contractor, along with help from the maintenance staff, and the playground was planned and completed by the Parents Committee and the Adopt-An-Area Committee.with all time donated.

The volunteers had already put a whole new face on the front buildings, including the gatehouse and mailhouse, and also have made major improvements to the landscaping and sign that offer a renewed welcome to members and guests.  Various materials and equipment for the projects were donated by members, by the way.

Youll also find major changes at the lodge, including a major makeover of the lower level great room (following 2007s re-do of the restaurant upstairs).  The Adopt-An-Area folks are now finishing exterior work, including re-staining of the exterior and reworking of the lodge entry.  And again, other members have stepped up with donations of materials to complete the picture. Upcoming work will involve re-dos of the parking lot lighting and parking.

And wait, theres more.with ongoing work to provide a refreshing new look at the North Park common area, including additional canoe storage racks.

When prospective members and guests ask about the club membership fee (currently about $3,500) and ongoing monthly assessments (currently $137.22), these are the sorts of things that show just where the money goes.  Most of the new member fee supports the amenities improvement process (with requests from the amenities fund made directly by the various member committees), and its more than hard to imagine a community association anywhere maintaining the amenities HAH offers for a monthly assessment of less than $150. 

2008, Doug Parker, ikarensell Enterprises Inc, doug@ikarensell.com