Message From The Superintendent - November 2023

Greetings! 

We hope everyone is doing well! Here are the updates.     

The Portage DD Levy number is issue #29. We have a renewal levy on the ballot on November 7, 2023. The renewal levy combines a 2.0 mil (5-year term) and a 0.9 mil levy (10-year term). If the renewal passes, it will be for a 10-year term. There will be no new taxes from this renewal levy. The last time we asked for additional money was in 2004. This levy will allow us to continue to do great things for the individuals, families, school districts, providers, staff, and the Portage County community.

The information above is not intended to promote the passage of the ballot issue.

We had numerous events take place in October. October 9 Collen Brown, Alicia Hall, and Maria Catanese presented to the Portage County District Library staff on inclusivity and sensory issues for people with developmental disabilities. They also brought a few individuals with them to assist with the training. Thank you to Colleen, Maria, Alicia, Michelle Dolensky, and the individuals who made this a success.  

October 26 was the National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognition event and Fashion show. Tiffany Jones did a great job orchestrating the event with lots of help from the CPR, SSA, Children's Services, IT, and Maintenance departments. Thank you to all!

On October 27, we had Portage DD's annual Trunk or Treat at the Happy Day Services building. We look forward to this event every year. We have a fantastic group of staff that volunteer their time and talents each year to make this bigger and better each time. Kudos to all the volunteers (All departments of Portage DD) and, most importantly, Tim Torch, who is the driving force behind the scenes to make this a special event. Thank you, all!

We wanted to shout out the Special Olympic athletes and coaches. Thanks also to Colleen Brown and Eric Larsen. Portage County Board of DD competed at the 2023 Special Olympics Ohio Fall State Flag Football Tournament in Geneva at the end of October. The Kent Rough Riders brought a bronze medal and the Portage Thunder a silver medal home to Portage County.  Congrats Everyone!

Believe in People! 

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

Sincerely,

John Vennetti