Little Miami approves temporary bus stop for Goddard School outside district; one board member dissents

The Little Miami School Board voted to add a bus stop to serve the Goddard School at 59 Vista Ridge Drive in South Lebanon, a location outside the district’s boundaries, after discussing costs and precedent concerns.

Superintendent briefed the board on operational details and costs. The district estimated a daily added fuel and labor cost of about $36.85 for four buses combined, producing a remainder-of-year estimate of approximately $3,500; the superintendent said Goddard School agreed to reimburse about $3,500. The proposed stop addresses a relocation of the Goddard program after its prior in-district location moved.

Several board members raised procedural and policy concerns. One member, Mister Wallace, argued that permitting out-of-district stops risks setting a precedent that could stress bus-driver availability and cause cancellations of athletic events; he recommended consistency with policy that prioritizes in-district service. Another member noted that district-distributed flyers had mistakenly suggested transport to Goddard, which contributed to the decision to address the issue now.

After discussion the board moved to approve the new stop for the remainder of the 2025–26 school year (as presented); the motion passed on a roll-call vote with one dissent (Mister Wallace). The superintendent clarified the stop would be in place only through the end of the current school year unless further action is taken.

The board recorded the approval and proceeded to other agenda items.