Eagle eNews for October 2019
Board of Education currently discussing future of facilities - next work session November 4, 6 p.m.

The Board of Education is currently discussing the future of Milford's facilities by reviewing community feedback, examining estimated construction costs, and assessing the feasibility of placing a bond issue on the March 2020 ballot.

The Board will meet on Monday, November 4 for a Work Session at 6:00 p.m. at the District Administrative Offices, 1099 State Route 131. The public is invited to attend.

At the Work Session the Board will:

  • Review the recommendations made by the Community Advisory Team. The CAT recommended that the Board keep the total facility construction cost to less than $72.5 million and to include: 

  • Building a new junior high for grades 6-8 designed with grade levels in separate areas.

  • Include space for programs that are currently housed in modulars located next to the junior high.

  • Integrate the Preschool program into two elementary school buildings.

  • Site safety at the junior high and high school campus which includes updated traffic flow and parking.

  • The CAT also asked the Board to consider adding to the plan the construction of an auditorium, HVAC and roof needs at the high school, upgrades and visitor bleachers at the stadium, and to consider what to do with the athletic buildings that would be displaced by the construction of a new junior high building. 

  • Review cost estimates for the project. The Board will have two estimates to compare/contrast from two separate, independent construction estimator companies.

  • Review the results from the phone survey conducted in October to gauge community support for a tax increase to pay for facilities, and pair those results with comments received during the community feedback sessions held this past summer as well as an informal survey conducted online in September.

  • Review the tax increase projections and project budgets, to determine a possible millage amount to place on the ballot for March 2020.

The deadlines to file the paperwork with the local and state Board of Elections in order to be be on the ballot in March 2020 is late November and early December. The Board expects to continue their discussion and finalize their decision at their regularly scheduled meeting which takes place Thursday, November 14, 2019 beginning at 7:00 p.m.

For more information on the Board's process in deciding the future of facilities, click here.
Veteran's Day Programs around the District - including two special areas to be dedicated

This Veteran's Day, Milford Schools will dedicate two special areas to honor those who have served: one at the high school and one at the District's Administrative Office. Special activities are planned at all of our elementary school buildings and the junior high, as well.

On Monday, November 11, Milford High School will dedicate an Honor Wall to all graduates who served in the United States Military. All veterans or active duty members of the military who attended Milford Schools, as well as community members, are invited to attend the ceremony. Please arrive by 10 a.m.; the ceremony begins promptly at 10:10 a.m. RSVP by emailing Social Studies teacher Greg Rose: [email protected], or click here .

Then on Thursday, November 14, the Board of Education will dedicate the Veterans Wall of Honor during their meeting, which begins at 7:00 p.m. All veterans and active duty members of the military and their family members are invited to attend; RSVPs are not required. The Wall of Honor, located at the District's Administrative Office, this year pays tribute to seven Vietnam War veterans, all Milford alumni, who died during battle or as the result of the War: Daniel Feck, Gerald Hill, Rodney Huddleston, Dennis Johnson, Roger Lay, Clifford Leffler, and Louis Speidel.
Suessification of Romeo & Juliet - Nov. 1 & 2

Seussification of Romeo and Juliet opens THIS WEEKEND at Milford High School!

A whimsical reinvention of Shakespeare's tragic love story, complete with rhymed couplets, creative wordplay, and hilarious props and sound effect, similar to something Dr. Seuss might have come up with if he ever had his way with the script.

Shows are November 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. It will be general seating. No online ticket sales for this production. The show will run less than an hour and is completely kid friendly.
Boyd E. Smith named Blue Ribbon School

Boyd E. Smith Elementary now joins the prestigious ranks of 362 schools nationwide as being named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education! The school was nominated by the Ohio Department of Education and is only one of 14 public and non-public schools in the state to receive the honor this year. Milford is unique in that we now have two Blue Ribbon Schools as Charles L. Seipelt Elementary received the designation in 2014.

"This is an incredible honor for the Milford School District and Boyd E. Smith Elementary School," said Nancy House, Superintendent. "Principal Doug Savage and the entire staff have created an exceptional learning environment for students, one that is challenging, innovative, and joyful."

The coveted National Blue Ribbon School recognition affirms the hard work of educators, families, and community in creating a safe and a welcoming environment where students master challenging and engaging content. The program honors elementary and secondary schools that have made significant progress in closing achievement gaps. 

“The staff of Boyd E. Smith are grateful and humbled to be named one of the Nation’s Blue Ribbon honorees.
We strive to bring our best to every student every day, and our unified purpose is centered on students realizing a successful and impactful future. We are proud to represent Milford Exempted Village School District in this exemplary recognition," said Doug Savage, Principal.

Staff has been invited to an awards ceremony taking place November 14 and 15 in Washington, D.C.
Boyd Teacher Receives National Honors

Congratulations to Lisa Holt-Taylor, third grade science and social studies teacher at Boyd E. Smith Elementary School, for winning the President's Excellence Award in Science! The Presidential Excellence Awards in Science, Mathematics and Engineering are the highest award given by the U.S. Government to kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers. Mrs. Holt-Taylor travelled to Washington, D.C. last week to accept the award and to attend professional development workshops on an all-expense paid trip provided by the U.S. Department of Education. 

"The Presidential Award is an incredible honor and a validation of how important our role is in educating our youth. Reflecting on my educational opportunities, I realize how fortunate I am to live in a country with endless possibilities, where education is both valued and respected. As citizens, we are lucky to have the freedom to ask questions, seek answers, develop problem solving skills, and create unique solutions. Thank you for this honor," she said.

Mrs. Holt-Taylor has been an educator for 16 years. She has taught third grade science and social studies at Boyd E. Smith for the past seven years. She taught second grade previously and also worked as a school counselor. She seeks to develop her students' passion for science through hands-on learning. Her participation in professional development in Belize, Guyana, Galapagos, the Great Barrier Reef, and Alaska helps her incorporate science inquiry, engineering, and global awareness into lessons that spark student curiosity. To prepare students for a world of technology, Mrs. Holt-Taylor integrates engineering in her instruction, and she began a LEGO Club at her school. 

She has been published in the National Science Teachers Association's Science and Children, and presented at their conference. She gave a travel series talk on the Galapagos and spoke at a teacher workshop on science inquiry. She earned a B.S. in nursing from Eastern Kentucky University, a M.Ed. and school counseling certification from Xavier University, a M.A.T. in biological sciences from Miami University, and will complete a Distinguished STEM Leadership certification through NASA in 2019. She is certified in elementary education, first through eighth grade, and school counseling, K-12. Past awards include Educator of the Year from Hixson Inc. and Clermont County Soil and Water.
School Delay & Closing Guidelines

W inter weather is upon us and with it comes the possibility of school closings and delays due to natural elements, hazardous road conditions, or power outages. Student, parent, and staff safety is the most important consideration when inclement weather calls are made. 

How are delay and closing notifications made? Parents are notified by the SchoolMessenger notification program - by text, phone call, and/or email. If your phone number or email address has changed, be sure to let your child's school know. Click here for contact information for each building

Closings and delays are also communicated on television, radio, the district website, the district's Facebook page and the district's Twitter feed .

If a notice is not posted in those locations, school is on as scheduled.

Community Swim Hours for September

Milford High School is hosting family/adult swim sessions in November. MEVSD residents can swim for free. Check out the calendar for open swim dates:


A waiver of liability must be signed by all swimmers and by a parent or legal guardian for participants under the age of 18. Any participant under the age of 16 must have a parent or legal guardian present to swim.

Contact Lois Leavens if you have any questions at (513) 576-2208 or email her.
Help the Public Library with their Strategic Plan

T he Clermont County Public Library is asking for help with a community survey in preparation for writing a new strategic plan. Click here to access the survey . The information gathered through the survey will be used to improve services and programs at the Library. The survey closes December 14.
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