I am proud to announce that for the first time in the history of our district we have earned the rating of “Excellent with Distinction” from the Ohio Department of Education.  This is the highest rating that a district can earn.  This designation would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the entire community:  parents, students, board of education, and the entire Clinton-Massie staff.  Also for the first time, all three schools have earned the rating of “Excellent” from the Ohio Department of Education.  This is the highest rating that a school can earn.  While this honor was earned last year by both the middle and high schools, it is the first time that the elementary school has earned this rating.  ODE bases it’s rating on the academic success, attendance, dropout rates and graduation rates of the schools and district.  Clinton-Massie is the only one in Region 14 to meet all 26 standards measured by the state.

While working to provide a first-class education to our students, the district has also gone through some organizational changes.  In order to be good stewards of taxpayer money, we have re-organized the staff, cut some positions, added one position, and eliminated several contracts.  This reorganization has saved the district approximately $1,000,000.  We have also reduced the bond retirement millage from 8.81 mills in 2008 to our current rate of 3.25 mills.  Beginning January of 2012, the bond retirement rate will be 2.25 mills.  I know that the Clinton-Massie Board of Education is constantly looking at ways to provide quality services to our community while giving our taxpayers the biggest bang for their buck.  I doubt that many (if any) other school districts have increased student achievement while cutting approximately 7% of its budget.

Finally, I invite you to come and visit our schools.  We are proud of our students, staff and facilities.  We promise to work hard to meet the needs of every individual student as we work toward continuously improving the education offered by the Clinton-Massie Local School District.  Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 Mike Sander