Traditionally, students with disabilities struggle to find com-munity employment after high school and remain in school long after their peers have graduated,

Almond said. “The future can be scary for

parents of children with develop-mental disabilities because it is often difficult for those with dis-abilities to transition to life after

school. Their future is unknown, so parents tend to stay with what is known.” Almond said.

In Ohio, students with

Building bridges to employment

FOCUS ON MAINTENANCE | Page 2 SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL | Page 3 AROUND OLENTANGY | Page 4

Inside

See ENERGY, Page 2

See JOBS, Page 2

SPRING 2014

District initiative is saving more than just energyn District-wide conservation effort has saved $125K in first 5 months

Did you know that every computer left on overnight costs approximately $43 per year in unnecessary electricity costs?

Olentangy Local School employees received that eye-opening message along with dozens of other conservation and energy-saving tips this year. The information is part of Olentangy’s new energy conser-vation initiative.

Launched last September, the program aims to reduce the district’s overall energy use and save taxpayers thousands of dollars in the process. It’s been a success on both fronts.

Thanks to Olentangy’s Energy Conservation Initiative, the district has saved more than $125,000 in energy costs — elec-tric, natural gas and water — this school year alone.

In addition to sending out useful, weekly energy-saving tips that district employees have been putting into practice, the program has involved the installation of more efficient and alternative energy devices.

For example, one of the many summer 2013 projects included the installation of solar panels to

A unique new program within the Olentangy Local Schools is giv-ing students like Nanette Kamba something they haven’t had before — the chance to gain on-the-job experience while in high school.

Kamba is among a select group of students with developmental disabilities participating in the Olentangy Employment Initiative. The grant-funded program launched this year provides stu-dents with valuable opportunities to improve their work and social skills. The program is a private-public col-laboration between Olentangy Local Schools, the Tri-Rivers Educational Computer Association (TRECA), ViaQuest Employment Services and business partners in Powell.

Students enrolled in the program are matched up with participat-ing Powell businesses that provide internships. The students work at the businesses twice a week during normal school hours, gaining skills that support lifelong employment potential.

As simple as it sounds, the pro-gram is filling a critical need, said Wes Almond of ViaQuest, a service provider for those with disabili-ties and a partner in Olentangy’s Employment Initiative.

Olentangy Orange High School student Nanette Kamba prepares a styling station while working as an intern at b/rose beauty bar in Powell. Her internship was made possible by the new Olentangy Employment Initiative for students with disabilities.

New phase brings focus on maintenance needs

After more than two decades of rapid growth, the

Olentangy community has become accustomed to building new schools. Now, however, we’re entering new territory.

For the first time in more than 20 years, Olentangy has a five-year forecast that does not call for constructing new facilities. That’s not to say we’re no longer growing.

We are. In fact, we’re still the fastest-growing school dis-trict in the state. But we’re not growing at the same incredible pace that required Olentangy to add 23 build-ings in 20 years.

Instead of focusing on building new schools, we’re entering a new phase, one that brings its own set of challenges. The critical task will be maintaining our existing facilities.

Olentangy currently maintains 2.8 million square feet of buildings,

not to mention the district’s various athletic venues and parking lots. The district is responsible for maintaining millions of dollars worth of district facilities and equip-ment — from roofs and floors to buses and asphalt.

The Olentangy Board of Education in December reviewed a 20-year perma-nent improvement projec-tion report. The report provides an assessment of the district’s facilities and grounds in order to give some perspective to the

ongoing costs of maintain-ing the district over the next 20 years.

Historically, bond issues that also paid to construct new school buildings have funded Olentangy’s ongo-ing maintenance needs. Now that those needs do not include a new school building, there is no dedi-cated funding source for the district’s maintenance budget. Instead, we’re stretching our existing revenues to maintain our facilities. However, as our

buildings, buses and as-phalt continue to age, those existing funds will eventu-ally no longer be able to cover our maintenance expenses.

As we continue to review our permanent improvement needs and challenges, know that we are committed to extending the life cycle of our equip-ment and facilities through preventative maintenance and responsible use.

Over the last 20 years the district has spent a

great deal of time and energy building facilities to accommodate the growth in the district. Now the district will need to spend the same time and energy on maintaining our current facilities while managing future growth.

To review the district’s Permanent Improvement Cost Projections yourself, visit www.olentangy.k12.oh.us/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/20-year-plan-power-point.pdf.

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disabilities can remain in school until they are 22 years old; that often means parents keep their child in school and defer their diplomas up to their 22nd birthday.

“With the Olentangy Employment Initiative, it is reassuring for parents to know their child is in a safe environment while also learning job skills,” Almond said.

At 19, Kamba is a perfect example of the program’s benefits. Instead of spend-ing another year in school, she’s building a bridge to potential future employ-ment as an intern at b/rose beauty bar, a hair salon in downtown Powell.

“I am so happy I get to do this. I’m learning a lot about styling hair and it has made me realize this is what I want to do,” said Kamba. Her duties at b/rose include preparing

styling stations for custom-ers, assisting the stylists, and general cleaning chores.

“My mom likes that I’m doing this, too. She knows it’s the kind of stuff that interests me,” she said.

ViaQuest is also work-ing collaboratively with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities to ensure Nanette is able to continue postsecondary education and training in the beauty field after high school.

Students like Nanette aren’t the only benefactors. There are obvious benefits for participating business partners, too.

“Nanette helps keep our stylists on track, set up stations, and after only a few days on the job, she was doing things on her own initiative,” said Paige Elizabeth, studio coordina-tor at b/rose.

“Plus she always has a big smile on her face,” she added.

In addition to b/rose, Powell businesses that

have partnered with the Olentangy Employment Initiative so far include Local Roots and the Mean Bean Coffee Shop.

Olentangy administra-tors plan to expand the program next year and will be tracking the success of the student interns.

The Olentangy Employment Initiative is partially funded through a grant administered by TRECA. The funds help to lease a community room in Powell where Olentangy and ViaQuest employees work with qualified stu-dents to prepare them for their internships.

“The program is about complete community integration, which is key because everyone has the right to live and work in their own community,” said Olentangy Intervention Specialists Rita Treese.

“Some people just need a little extra support, which is just what this program provides,” she said.

heat water for the east end of Shanahan Middle School. The solar panels reduced the district’s reli-ance on natural gas for heating water.

Another project in-volved the installation of electricity-monitoring meters in all elementary schools. Similar meters are already in use at the middle and high schools. The district is using data provided by these meters to correct systemic is-sues as well as evaluate electricity usage in other buildings.

Other examples of energy-saving steps in-clude switching to more efficient LED lights in certain areas and refining heating and air condi-tioning schedules

As successful as the program has been, Olentangy’s conservation

efforts are just beginning. In April, an Olentangy Conservation Team was established con-sisting of at least one

representative from each of the district’s school buildings and depart-ments. Going forward, these representatives will take an active role in the district-wide energy ini-tiative by serving as the point person for ongo-ing energy saving efforts in their buildings and departments.

“The Energy Conservation Initiative is just one more ex-ample of the many ways Olentangy is constantly working to be a good steward of your tax dol-lars,” said Olentangy Superintendent Wade Lucas, Ed.D.

For more examples of these cost-reduction mea-sures, visit the district website’s Cost-Reduction and Efficiencies page at www.olentangy.k12.oh.us/administrative-departments/treasurer/cost-reduction-efforts/.

JOBS,FROM PAGE 1

ENERGY,FROM PAGE 1

Stacy Dunbar9298 Auburn CourtPowell, Ohio 43065(740) 657-4093stacy_dunbar@olsd.us

Dave King5027 Lakeview DrivePowell, Ohio 43065(740) 657-4094dave_king@olsd.us

Kevin O’Brien3366 Westbrook PlaceLewis Center, Ohio 43035(740) 657-4090kevin_o’brien@olsd.us

Julie Wagner Feasel7636 Holderman StreetLewis Center, Ohio 43035(740) 657-4091julie_wagner-feasel@olsd.us

Adam White3579 Hidden Cove CircleLewis Center, Ohio 43035(740) 657-4092adam_white@olsd.us

OLENTANGY BOARD OF EDUCATION

AVERAGE SAVINGS PER MONTHThe Olentangy Local School District saved on average…

$19,734per month on electricity

$3,637per month on gas

$562per month on water

over the first five months of Olentangy’s Energy Conservation Initiative

O L E N T A N G Y 3

Spring Arts Festival 2014AND THE WINNERS ARE...

Olentangy High School:• Best of Show:

Marissa Schneider• Outstanding Senior:

Elizabeth Wetterstroem

• Drawing: 1st - Doha Hussein

• Painting: 1st - Erika Helmlinger

• Computer/Digital: 1st - Sadie Baumker

Liberty High School:• Outstanding Student:

Chelsea Smith• Photography:

1st - Kristina Kurpita• Jewelry:

1st - Autumn Lowder• Computer Graphics:

1st - Ryan Rabinowitz• Sculpture:

1st - Chelsea Smith• Ceramics:

1st - Dan Rhinehart• Drawing:

1st - Abby Counts• Painting:

1st - Sofia Rosi

Orange High School:• Best of Show:

Suejee Lee• Outstanding Senior:

Suejee Lee• Principal’s Choice:

Kiahna Tucker• Drawing:

1st - Amanda Ba• Painting/

Printmaking: 1st - Amanda Ba

• Photography : 1st - Megan Domke

• Digital Imaging: 1st - Nathan Ihlenfield

• Three-Dimensional: 1st - Hannah Brown

• Computer Graphics: 1st - Courtney Clapper

• Ceramics: 1st- Yao Yao Mo

Student artists from across the Olentangy school district showcased their creative talents during the 2014 Spring Arts Festival on April 27. The festival,

held at all three district high schools, featured hundreds of artworks in a wide variety of media — from drawings to computer-aided designs — made by students at every grade level.

The festival also featured various musical perfor-mances as well as art demonstrations, cookie decorating, poetry readings, and the sale of art and baked goods. The annual event offers a unique glimpse at the scope and sequence of the district’s impressive arts program.

4 O L E N T A N G Y

HISTORY COMES ALIVE » Second-grade students at Oak Creek Elementary School recently chose a historical figure to study and created a costume and monologue to represent how that person contributed to society. They then posed as wax museum figures of their chosen person during the school’s Night at the Wax Museum event.

MUSICAL TALENTS »

The Alum Creek

Elementary School Choir

performs during the

March 13 Olentangy

Board of Education

meeting.

POWERFUL REMINDER » Olentangy High School students look on as firefighters, sheriff deputies and paramedics demonstrate a mock crash as part of Prom Awareness Week. The event, involving the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department, Orange and Berlin Township fire departments, and Life Flight, served as a powerful reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

PHILANTHROPY LESSON » Students in Liberty High School’s DECA program donated more than $17, 650 to the American Heart Association and Honor Flight Columbus this year. The funds were raised through various marketing events organized by the students.