Important Message from Superintendent Paul Otten

Dear Beavercreek Families,

I want to provide some additional context about the decision made Tuesday, August 11, to cancel Open House at our elementary schools and high school buildings. I know how much families look forward to this evening, and I recognize that the cancellation was disappointing and disruptive for many of our students and families.

Severe weather moved through our area at the worst possible time. Throughout the afternoon, we closely monitored changing conditions as staff sheltered in place during tornado warnings. The later round of storms became more severe than anticipated, and forecasts indicated additional heavy rain and storms could move through our area around 5 and 6 p.m.—when Open Houses would be underway or concluding and families and staff would be traveling.

Our community knows firsthand the impact severe weather can have. We have not forgotten the devastation of the Memorial Day tornadoes in 2019, and we know storms can create very real concern for our students and families. We take those concerns seriously.

The storm also created significant issues within several of our buildings. Multiple buildings lost electricity, with one remaining without power until late Tuesday evening. Several buildings experienced flooding and leaks as the volume of rainfall overwhelmed drains and door barriers. Combined with the uncertainty surrounding the storm’s path and intensity, these were not conditions in which we felt comfortable bringing hundreds of additional students, families, and staff into our buildings.

Taking all of these factors together, I made the difficult decision to cancel Open House. Given the conditions we were experiencing and what was still forecasted, I could not justify asking families and staff to travel to and from our buildings.

We also understand how important Open House is for students to see their school, find their classroom, and feel more comfortable before the first day. Here is what I can promise you: our staff is excited and ready to welcome every one of our students into our buildings. We have worked to create opportunities for families impacted by yesterday's cancellation to still see the building, find their classroom, or walk the halls before the first day. And if your child is not able to do so before school starts, please know our staff is ready and eager to welcome them on their first day and to make sure that they have a great first day of school.

We are excited for the new school year to begin, and we thank you for your understanding and your trust as we worked through a genuinely difficult situation.

Sincerely,

Paul Otten

Superintendent

Beavercreek City School District

4029 Executive Drive

Beavercreek, Ohio 45430