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Lake County School Financing District Renewal Levy Information - Renewal Levy not a Tax Increase
October 10, 2024—Concord Twp, OH—The Lake County School Financing District Renewal Levy will appear on the November 5, 2024, General Election ballot. This is a renewal levy, not a tax increase.

The Lake County Financing District comprises the Madison, Painesville City, Perry, and
Riverside Local School Districts and the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve is the taxing authority that collects and distributes the funds based on the agreed formula. The member districts created the financing district in 1990 to levy taxes to provide specific educational programs and services for districts that are part of the financing district. The funds are used for personnel, materials, supplies, and transportation for instruction in language arts, social studies, mathematics, fine and practical arts, health and physical education, science, and business education.

This is a five-year renewal of a 4.9-mill levy initially approved in 1990 and renewed in 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. The current effective rate for residential taxpayers is approximately 1.93 mills, costing a residential taxpayer roughly $59.02 per year per year per $100,000 of valuation.

The Lake County School Financing District Renewal Levy FAQ document is listed under News and Updates.


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Leading and Learning

Leading and Learning

The Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve (ESCWR), Lake Geauga Computer Association, and the State Support Team of Region 4 (SST4) provides high-quality, personalized services to inspire and support student growth and staff development to educational communities in our region and across Ohio. The ESCWR supports educators of all experience levels, from new educators to aspiring instructional leaders,  as they effectively bring their expertise to the classroom. Consultants coach educators using organizational principles designed to help all students learn, while also allowing for individual variations based on student learning. Understanding that classroom instruction should be tied to Ohio's Learning Standards, Ohio's Academic Content Standards - Extended guides all curriculum work, including shaping approaches to teaching and learning strategies that help students learn the curriculum and develop independent learning skills.

View our fliers for additional information: 

Contact our curriculum team at [email protected] with any questions. 

Gifted Services

For member districts, the ESC of the Western Reserve provides leadership, consultation, and support for the design, implementation, evaluation, and coordination of district gifted and talented services and programs through a Gifted Coordinator. Our mission is to promote and support districts in providing a continuum of high-quality services for gifted and talented students throughout their K-12 educational experience.

WE WILL PROVIDE THIS SUPPORT THROUGH THE FOLLOWING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:

  • Review and revision of policy and procedures for gifted identification and service

  • Program development and service options based on district-gifted population and need

  • Collaboration with school staff concerning student acceleration and testing procedures

  • Assistance with EMIS data reporting and Gifted Self-Reports for ODE

  • Provide curriculum support to teachers through best practices for gifted learners, including strategies to differentiate instruction

  • Facilitate professional development that addresses the unique needs of the district

  • Serve as liaison between the state and the school district in regard to policies and legislation

  • Conduct program evaluation and needs analysis for instructional planning

  • Assistance with the development of Written Education Plans for gifted students

  • Communicate to teachers, parents, and administration the needs and rights of gifted students

  • Consult with teachers, parents, and administration about gifted education

View our Gifted Coordinator Consulting Services flier for additional information. Contact Mrs. Alison Ciferno, Gifted Coordinator at [email protected] with any questions. 

Literacy/ ELA Consulting Services

The ELA/Literacy team of the ESCWR supports high-quality literacy development for students, educators, and leaders in the region. Literacy consultants are available to plan and facilitate professional development, training, curriculum/materials review and selection, intervention planning, and MTSS implementation.   ESCWR  literacy consultants can lead professional book studies, District and teacher-based team meetings, and data collection and review work, such as The Reading Tiered Fidelity Inventory.  The ELA/Literacy coaches offer monthly professional learning networks that allow area educators to learn from experts from across the region. The ESCWR ELA/Literacy consultants are highly trained in structured literacy and prepared to support districts as they meet the needs of all readers and fulfill the requirements of Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee, dyslexia support laws, state-approved ELA HQIM adoption and implementation,  and Science of Reading professional development. Consultants are trained to facilitate Ohio’s Introduction to Dyslexia courses, Science of Reading courses, and Pathways to Literacy Improvement for Literacy Leaders (both elementary and secondary pathways).  Consultation, coaching, instructional modeling, and document and template creation are also available.  Support for any ELA/literacy needs can be customized and delivered virtually, onsite, or in our facility. 

Wilson Reading Services
The Wilson Reading Specialist supports literacy development focused on implementing the Wilson Reading Program. The consultant is available to support and coach staff who have completed the Wilson Reading three-day introductory course or have recently become Wilson Level One certified. The Wilson Reading Specialist is highly trained in the Wilson Reading System, the Science of Reading, and Structured Literacy and is prepared to support teachers and districts in meeting the needs of students in Tier 2 or Tier 3 of the MTSS process or those identified as having dyslexia or other reading disabilities. 

Consultation, coaching, instructional modeling, student assessment, and collaboration with MTSS and IEP teams are available.  Support for any Wilson Reading needs can be customized and delivered either onsite or in our facility. 

View our fliers for additional information. 

Contact Dr. Beth Walsh-Moorman, Literacy Consultant, at [email protected] or Dr. Kelly Moran, Director of Instructional Programs, at [email protected] with any questions. 

ELL/TESOL Services

The ESC of the Western Reserve offers a wide range of English Language Learner support for district needs in the region. ESCWR TESOL consultants can provide one-on-one and group coaching, planning and facilitation of professional development to implement English Language Proficiency standards and research-based instructional practices, intervention planning, and curriculum/materials review and selection. Highly trained consultants can support TESOL and content-area teachers with the implementation of the SIOP model and other instructional models as well as collaborate with MTSS and Special Education teams to meet the needs of all ELL students. Consultants are also able to work with districts to coordinate EL services including identification and state assessment of English Language Learners, meeting Title III requirements, and aligning programming to meet Federal and State mandates.

View the ELL/TESOL Consulting Services flier for additional information. Contact Ms. Deborah Nanney at [email protected] with any questions.

Math Consulting Services

The ESC of the Western Reserve offers a wide range of math support for district needs in the region. ESCWR math consultants are able to provide one-on-one and group coaching, planning, and facilitation of professional development to implement standards and research-based instructional practices, intervention planning, and curriculum/materials review and selection. Highly trained math consultants are able to support district leaders with state initiatives, such as the High School Math Pathways, Algebra II Equivalent Courses, and High-Quality Instructional Materials. Math consultants host a monthly virtual Professional Development opportunity, and six in-person Professional Learning Network events in collaboration with other regional ESCs, and can customize support for any math needs. 


View our Math Specialist Consulting Services flier for additional information. Contact Mr. Frank Carraher, Math Coach, at [email protected] with any questions.

Personalized Learning Services

The Ohio Personalized Learning Network supports educators in preparing each child for future success through the implementation and expansion of personalized learning practices. The Personalized Learning Specialist at the ESCWR works with other personalized learning specialists and KnowledgeWorks to connect educators, schools, and districts to a continuum of grant-funded professional learning supports focused on helping local communities expand systems and approaches that center the individual needs of every learner. These supports include but are not limited to, participation in cohorts, online learning modules, in-person on-site professional development, meeting facilitation, coaching, collaborative planning, and consulting. 

View our Personalized Learning Specialist Consulting Services flier for additional information. Contact Mr. Jake Miller, Personalized Learning Specialist, at [email protected] with any questions.

Instructional Technology/STEAM Services

Our Instructional Technology/STEAM Consulting Services are dedicated to supporting educators with seamlessly integrating technology into daily classroom practices. We provide instructional technology and STEAM education support and professional development, pivotal in enhancing educators' skills, fostering a culture of technological proficiency, and promoting excellence in STEAM education across your district. We are committed to empowering educators and students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the digital age. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your district's instructional technology and STEAM education goals.

View our Instructional Technology STEAM Consulting Services flier for additional information. Contact Mr. Paul Hagan, STEAM Integration Specialist, at [email protected] or Mr. Glenn Bailey, STEAM Integration Specialist, at [email protected]  with any questions.

Resident Educator Summative Assessment

How can I be a better educator tomorrow than I was today?

The Ohio Resident Educator Program is a two-year initiative developed to assist beginning teachers with mentoring and professional development as they begin their educational careers. Its goal is to improve teacher retention and enhance teacher quality which will result in improved student achievement. The ESCWR  offers a series of professional development sessions for the Resident Educator designed to support beginning teachers with opportunities to practice, refine and gain a deeper understanding of the art and science of teaching in a professional learning community. 


View our Resident Educator Summative Assessment (RESA) Coordinator Consulting Services flier. Contact Mrs. Mary Balmford, Project Administrator, at [email protected] with any questions.