Traffic Light Near Shupe School Upgraded: Thank You Mayor Taylor!
June 28, 2011
Over the course of the last few years, I’ve received several complaints from Amherst residents regarding the traffic light at the intersection of Elyria Road and Ann Street (which is the common exit from Shupe Elementary School, jutting off of Shupe Avenue). The residents told me that this light frequently stayed red and stopped traffic on Elyria Road for prolonged periods of time, even when school was not in session.
The intersection of Elyria Road, Ann Street & East Street.
I brought this issue to the attention of Mayor David Taylor, the Safety Service Director and the Amherst Ohio Police Department. I’m very excited to report that Mayor Taylor has informed me that the City just finished installing “loop detectors” on this traffic light, and that the system will go online sometime this week. That means that traffic flow will automatically be detected at this intersection, and the light will no longer stay red for prolonged periods of time if it is not needed.
Additionally, Mayor Taylor let me know that additional equipment for updating a new school crossing system at this intersection is ready, and it will be installed later this summer.
I’d like to thank Mayor Taylor for listening to the residents and taking action to upgrade the traffic lights at this intersection. I appreciate the fact that he personally contacted some of the residents whose names I brought to him, got their input, and fixed the problem quickly.
Is there a problem in your neighborhood that you would like to bring to the attention of the City of Amherst? If so, I hope you will contact me anytime using the contact form on this website, or by calling my cell phone at (440) 506-0449. I’m glad to help!
Letter From Amherst Ohio School District Superintendent Steve Sayers
June 23, 2011
The following is a letter from Amherst School District Superintendent Steven Sayers to members of the community. Although Amherst City Council is not directly involved in the school system (the Amherst School Board members are your elected officials who govern school district operations), I’m happy to share school district information like this letter with my constituents. Please contact Steve Sayers at the email address below if you have any questions or comments about the following letter.
Key Communicators Bulletin
District Acts to Reduce Short and Long Term Operating Expenses
June 22, 2011
Hi Everyone,
I hope your summer is going well so far.
I wanted to take a moment and update you on some actions the District is taking to address the decline in local and state school funding. Looking ahead, our expenses are expected to exceed our revenue by approximately $2 million for 2012-2013. We have already cut $1.7 million in expenses. These cuts will mean an increase in elementary class sizes and a narrowing of our overall curriculum options. There are other steps still being considered to reduce expenses.
At our board meeting on June 20, 2011, the Treasurer and I were authorized to conduct a feasibility study regarding the possibility of consolidating school buildings within our district. We will be conducting the study over the next several months and presenting a report to the Board in November 2011. Please know that a decision on whether or not to consolidate has not yet been made. The study will provide us with the data needed to make a decision.
The rationale for exploring consolidation is simple, the District is experiencing declining enrollment. For example, this year we graduated about 340 students, yet we are projecting only 240 students in first grade. Kindergarten numbers are expected to be around 200 for next year. As you can see with decreasing student population, operating five versus six buildings may be a viable way to operate more efficiently as a district.
Later this summer, the Ohio School Facility Commission will determine how much funding (if any) and when it may be available to provide for new construction of school facilities in Amherst. In addition, the feasibility study mentioned above will provide us with more information regarding operating and building needs as we plan for the future. Furthermore, Senate Bill 5 will most likely be on the November ballot. Its outcome will provide information needed for long term planning. Therefore, with all the uncertainty, I want you to know that we have no plans to place a levy on the November 2011 ballot.
Finally, I would like you to know that our employees – teachers, support staff and administrators have shown a real commitment to helping the District save funds by agreeing to a contract extension that will freeze base salaries and step movement for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years. Employees will also be contributing more toward the health insurance premium as of 7/1/11. These changes will save the District $2.5 million over the next five years. Public education is a team sport. Everyone, employees and residents, play a role in keeping Amherst Schools a strong and a worthy representation of our community.
In spite of our challenges, I remain optimistic about our future and as always, please feel free to call or email anytime.
Thanks and have a great summer!!
Steve Sayers
Superintendent, Amherst School District
steve_sayers@amherstk12.org
Cc: Amherst Board of Education!