A preliminary tally showed that teachers voted 56 to 49 against joining the Ohio Education Association, Superintendent Steve Kramer said.

Organizers had said the attempt last week was not spurred by salary issues, but because some teachers wanted the security of a permanent contract.

"We're pleased, and we're obviously going to continue to work together and provide the best education for Madeira students," Kramer said.

The OEA represents teachers in most school districts across the state.

Johnny Appleseed to tout breakfast

MOUNT AUBURN - Johnny Appleseed will pay a visit to Taft Elementary School, 270 Southern Ave., at 8:30 a.m. Thursday to announce a new partnership between the Hunger Alliance and the Ohio Fruit and Vegetable Growers to promote the school breakfast program.

Cincinnati Public Schools, in partnership with Hunger Alliance and others, has expanded its breakfast program to ensure that more students start their day with a healthy breakfast, which helps them learn better.

High school bands compete Saturday

HAMILTON - Several Southwest Ohio schools will compete Saturday in the 28th annual Band-O-Rama sponsored by Hamilton High School.

The competition begins at 6 p.m. in Schwarm Stadium at Hamilton High School, 1165 Eaton Ave. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for students or senior citizens.

Besides Hamilton, the high school bands competing include Finneytown, Peebles, McNicholas, Elder, Talawanda and Ross. Information: 887-4816, ext. 4031.

Presidential-election issues focus of forum

INDIAN HILL - Cincinnati Country Day School will host a political forum at 10:30 a.m. Monday with a debate between Cincinnati City Councilman David Pepper, a 1989 graduate of the school, and Leslie Ghiz, a Republican running to take Pat DeWine's spot on Cincinnati City Council.

The forum will be held in the John Whitman Keeler Theater at the school, 6905 Given Road, and will center on the major political issues in the coming presidential election. The school's student newspaper, The Scroll, is sponsoring the event.

Information: call 561-7298 or visit the school's Web site: www.countryday.net.

Meetings to discuss school financing

GREEN TWP. - School financing at the state and local level will be discussed during a series of public meetings in the Oak Hills Local Schools.

The first of the two-hour "Choosing Financial Stability" meetings will begin at 7 p.m. today at Springmyer Elementary School, 4179 Ebenezer Road. The financial status of the Oak Hills Schools also will be discussed.

Other meetings will be held at the same time at the following schools: Wednesday, J.F. Dulles Elementary; Thursday, C.O. Harrison Elementary; Sept. 28, Delshire and Oakdale elementary schools; Sept. 29, Rapid Run, Delhi and Bridgetown middle schools.

St. John the Baptist alumni to gather

COLERAIN TWP. - St. John the Baptist School will hold its third annual all-class alumni reunion on Sunday at the school, 5375 Dry Ridge Road.

The reunion will begin immediately after the 11 a.m. Mass in the Parish Center, and will go until 4 p.m. All St. John's alumni are invited to attend. Tours will be given and refreshments served.

Information/reservation: 699-6970.

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Karen Andrew, Sue Kiesewetter, Sheila McLaughlin contributed.

E-mail Clermont County and Hamilton County school news to ckranz@enquirer.com; Cincinnati Public and charter school news to jmrozowski@enquirer.com.