When the time came recently to reassess its relationship with students, Loveland City Schools looked no further than the familiar adage, “It takes a village.”
There, it found support from neighbors in concept and direction, ultimately leading to a stronger community for everyone.
“If you have a community pulling for the district’s success, staff members who feel valued and supported, and families who know their children are being taken care of at school, you can’t lose,” says Mike Broadwater, Loveland City Schools Superintendent.
And, with that, the school’s new strategic vision was born.
After all, Mike points out, Loveland schools belongs to the community. “We’re here for students and families … and doing it all with the support of our community,” he says. “Getting people together to talk about the future they want for Loveland students has been a great way to remind everyone that we all have very similar hopes and dreams for our students.”
It wasn’t long after seeking community feedback that hundreds of survey responses made their way to district offices, and a number of community input sessions were attended by dozens of individuals. Then, when a call was put out for volunteers, nearly 130 people responded. “We put them all on the team,” Mike happily reports. “It was great to have that many students, families, community members and staff in the room together … all having student-focused conversations.”
Two big themes came out of this strategic vision work: Career Pathways and Community Partnerships.
It’s crucial that students understand the numerous pathways to success, Mike points out—which can take place through college enrollment, pursuing a skilled trade, military service or immediate employment. “To create those opportunities to grow job skills, you need partnerships with local businesses and community members. We already partner with local companies and government agencies on apprenticeships, internships and career opportunities,” he says, stressing that those programs will be now supported even more than before.
Mike also identified four areas of importance for Loveland City Schools’ new strategic vision: Student Success, Collaborative Culture, Community Engagement, and Facilities/Finance.
“Student success is the core business—academic excellence and career readiness,” he explains. “Collaborative culture means ensuring students are resilient, have problem-solving skills, and everyone feels like a valued member of our community.”
“Community engagement is about making sure we keep our community informed and involved—people want to know what is happening and how they can volunteer or attend events. And everything comes down to fiscal responsibility … we have to be responsible with every dollar we spend and ensure our community understands our financial needs and decision-making.”
Transparency and communication, of course, go hand-in-hand.
“When people can read in clear terms what the district is working toward, it’s easier for them to give you their support,” Mike finishes. “And the success of any district comes down to the support of your community, staff and the families you serve.”
Portrait of a Tiger: Thoughts from Loveland’s New Superintendent
With more than 35 years experience in the world of education, Mike knows the importance of creating valuable relationships and learning from others. The award-winning educator has a proven record of success both on the field and in the classroom—and he’s excited to launch this new strategic vision for student success.
When did you first become an educator?
Back in 1987, I was teaching high school math and computer science, while also coaching varsity football and basketball, at North Royalton High School in Cleveland. I loved math and science, and I liked athletics. I enjoy working with kids and being a leader—it just made sense.
Achievements you’re most proud of?
I just really enjoy teaching, and I’m proud of my ability to relate to kids. In fact, I’m still in touch with a number of my former students—that’s why you do it, to build relationships. While I’ve helped a lot of kids, they’ve helped me even more … to develop as a person.
A strong school system is so important for a community because …
I think it’s a symbiotic relationship—you have to be supportive of each other. When you’re supporting kids, that will always reflect on a community, as it should. If you go to Loveland High School on any given day, you’ll see a lot of activities going on, and that’s the community. It’s an awesome community, and they really support us well.
