HAMILTON — When President Bush visits Hamilton Schools Tuesday, he will see a district that is improving its academic performance even as it launches a 10-year, $158 million plan to rebuild many of its schools.

        The changes in Hamilton Schools will be in the spotlight because the president is coming here to sign a $26.5 billion education reform bill championed by U.S. Rep. John Boehner, R-West Chester.

        “We were able to do in two years what they (Ohio Department of Education) expected to take eight years,” said Barbara Fuerbacher, the district's assis tant superintendent for instruction.

        In the midst of plant closings and an exodus of jobs from this Butler County city, the school district is undertaking a sweeping facilities upgrade.

        School officials say the district has met 15 of 27 state academic standards, putting the Hamilton Schools into the continuous improvement category. Details are expected today when the Ohio Department of Education releases its 2002 Report Card for all Ohio districts.

        When state report cards were first issued two years ago, the Hamilton district met only eight standards and was ranked in the academic emergency category, the state's lowest ranking. Last year, only one of Ohio's 21 urban districts reached the continuous improvement category.

        Some say the improvements in school performance will have longer-term economic benefits for the city.

        “I really think the positive upgrades to the school and making better grades will bring industry back to the city,” said longtime Hamilton High Booster president and incoming school board member Anna Harvey.

        The federal education bill shifts the focus of aid to public schools with large numbers of poor students. Schools will be required to adopt plans to close the achievement gaps between low-income and middle-class students, and between white and minority students. The measure also mandates annual exams in reading and math for all students in grades 3-8.

        Mr. Boehner held a national town meeting last March in Hamilton to get input on the bill before it went to Congress for consideration.

        In the last three years, Hamilton has lost 3,000 jobs as Ohio Casualty moved its corporate offices, Mercy Hospital Hamilton closed its doors, Mosler closed and International Paper slashed jobs.

        The district, Butler County's second largest, has lost an average of 80-100 students per year over the last decade.

        The president's visit is tangible acknowledgement of the Hamilton schools' turnaround despite adversity, school officials say.

        “This is a thrill for our community,” said Dr. Glenn Stitsinger, incoming board president. “The rebirth of Hamilton will come about because of the schools.”

        To improve test scores, school leaders took a hard look at thecurriculum. Besides a continuous improvement plan for the district, each building now has a plan and so do individual teachers.

        “When those tests first came out we were told (by state officials) we may get into academic watch, but we'd never make continuous improvement,” said Tom Alf, assistant superintendent for human resources. “We've proved them wrong. Our teachers have worked really hard.”

        In the past two years, 4,000 teachers and administrators have attended courses or seminars. Most of those courses were held in a former Ohio Casualty building that the district bought to use for administrative offices and a training center.

        Four instructional specialists also help teachers in each of the proficiency areas: math, social studies, science and language arts.

        Students can take courses and help sessions on proficiency tests before, during and after school. Elementary students can attend free summer school courses.

        The district has begun all-day kindergarten and a literacy program. A mentoring program for new teachers is in its third year.

        The high school offers 27 honors or advanced placement courses, along with a full vocational program.

        “We have an alignment that tells our teachers what is expected and it's a total focus on education,” Ms. Fuerbacher said. “We give them in-service (training) and the freedom to teach in the manner most comfortable to them after providing them with different methods of instruction. We have a vision that we can and will succeed.”

        Last March, the board approved a facilities plan that replaces its 13 elementary schools and the kindergarten center with nine new schools. It also calls for closing George Washington Junior High, building a separate freshman school, and converting Wilson and Garfield junior high schools for use only by seventh and eighth graders.

        The school building the president will visit hasn't been announced yet, but local officials expect to get details today.

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