OXFORD — Fifteen-year-old Lindsay Meck is hoping she won't have to go to Miami University again next year to take Latin.

        The Talawanda High School sophomore would rather take the course at her high school with peers than at the university with older students. But if the Talawanda Board of Education decides not to reinstate the program next year, Lindsay may have no choice.

        Latin language instruction was discontinued this year after a second defeat of a ballot issue in March. Last month, on the third try, voters approved a 6.5-mill operating levy that will bring the district about $2.86 million annually with collections beginning next month.

        “I'm kind of nervous about going to the university,” Lindsay said Wednesday. “I've been working through (the work the university gave me), but it's kind of tough.”

        The board of education is studying recommendations from Superintendent Susan Cobb to reinstate about half of the $600,000 in cuts — effective with the 2001-02 school year — made after the March defeat of the levy. Included is the recommendation to re- instate one section of Latin III for the 2001-02 school year and then drop it. The board is expected to vote on the plan Dec. 18.

        Last year there were 55 students enrolled in Latin at Talawanda, Lindsay said. Of those, very few opted to enroll at Miami University through the Post Secondary Option program.

        For many, the university requirements, which included a grade point average of 3.5 and taking College Board exams, couldn't be met quickly enough, parents said.

        Plans to offer an after-school program or distance learning fell through, leaving many parents with few options other than Miami.

        Board President Bill Vollmer said no decisions have been made on any of the recommendations presented to board members earlier this week.

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