MORROW — Little Miami Schools begin classes today with a smaller staff, fewer extracurricular activities, new fees for student athletes, and other cutbacks since voters defeated a levy last spring.

        While pushing ahead with academic improvements for the fast-growing district, school officials also will be looking ahead to the November vote on a 6.9-mill operating levy.

        School Superintendent Ralph Shell said improving proficiency scores for students in the fourth and sixth grades and improving the graduation rate are key areas this year, as well as passing the levy.

        He said the board is working with the local school group “Panther Pride” to reach out to the people who either did not vote or voted against the levy. There are community meetings and mail and phone campaigns. And he is encouraging people to contact any school officials if they have specific questions about the budget or the levy.

        Mr. Shell is hopeful that the levy will pass so that many of the personnel lost to the cutbacks can be rehired and extracurriculars reinstated. It includes renewal of a $930,000 emergency levy first passed in 1992 and an additonal $1.77 million. The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home a little more than $136 a year.

        Mr. Shell said he expects a good school year despite the $1.8 million in budget cuts affecting mainly athletics, the curriculum and personnel. School buildings will be closed at 4:30 p.m., curtailing some after-school activities.

        Among cuts were seven full-time teaching positions, 12 coaching positions, and 63 supplemental contracts including teaching aides and coaching assistants. High school athletes will pay $200 per sport, with junior high players paying $185 and members of the marching band paying $135 each.

        The superintendent said teachers will be working with volunteers to make up for the loss of aides in the classroom and library.

        Despite cutbacks in the purchasing of new textbooks, the superintendent said it will not prevent teachers from working to improve the curriculum and proficiency scores.

Cents of balance, or penny-ante rule?
Ben-Mar partner accused of hiding home fixtures
Deaths pile up along I-75 in N.Ky.
Ft. Thomas schools weigh hefty tax hike
NAACP changes plans for dinner
Elementary school, college link up
Evelyn Hampton, 94, helped church lift every voice
Grand jury testimony in Twitty case starts Monday
Investors told: Think regionally
Let us know about 9-11 ceremonies in Tristate
Norwood may have to vote again on city levy
Reading voters dodge tax
Tristate A.M. Report
Area man tested for West Nile virus
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: James Levine
RADEL: Immigrant prejudice
Businessman may change guilty plea
Fairfield council OKs community center deal
High-growth Deerfield Twp. could grow some trustees
Schools tighten budget
Talawanda scales back levy, building plans
Counties must spend less on welfare-to-work
Ex-professor blames lover for child porn
GOP lawmakers working to put limits on jury awards
Hagan: No money for TV ads in gov. race
Lawmaker wants to put stop to double-dip
Mother of sunburned children released from jail
Ohio Dems split on gambling
Shroud of Turin tests are flawed, say researchers
Erlanger's new $7M library nearly ready
Robber uses ransom ruse