Board approves outsourcing preschool to Butler County ESC and passes staffing‑related agenda tied to deficit plan
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Summary
The board approved a Butler County Educational Service Center contract to operate Fairwood Elementary preschool beginning August and accepted HR items tied to a reduction‑in‑force list; the superintendent said outsourcing the preschool will save about $1.3 million.
The Hamilton City School Board on Feb. 10 approved a contract with the Butler County Educational Service Center to operate preschool at Fairwood Elementary beginning in August, a move Superintendent Andrea Blevins said will save the district approximately $1,300,000. The motion passed by roll call after a board discussion and second.
The outsourcing vote was part of a larger business and human‑resources agenda that included certified staff reductions tied to the district’s deficit‑reduction efforts. Blevins told the board the reductions list is substantially smaller than an earlier draft of 153 positions because vacancies and retirements have allowed the administration to recall or avoid some cuts; she said recalled staff will be listed on future agendas as ‘‘recall and rescind’’ items as they are rehired.
Blevins also said the district has already collaborated with Butler County ESC to rehire several nurses and expects more recalls as vacancies arise, helping to retain service continuity while reducing general‑fund payroll obligations. She emphasized the district’s intent to preserve quality while achieving necessary savings: ‘‘we are committed to trying to recall and employ as many of them as possible, through this transition,’’ she told the board.
Other business approved in the same set of agenda items included a NIL policy update (approved with one board member dissent) and an OHSAA resolution to preserve athletic participation eligibility for students in grades 7–12. The board approved the consent agenda and finance items; Dr. Ashley Hopkins abstained from one consent vote due to an affiliation with the Upward Bound program.
What was authorized and the vote record: the Butler County ESC preschool contract was adopted by roll call (unanimous yes as recorded); personnel actions and the consent agenda were approved by roll call with one recorded abstention. The superintendent said many of the cost‑saving measures are designed to reduce general‑fund pressure while shifting some expenses to permanent‑improvement or third‑party arrangements.
Next steps: the administration will continue to post recalls on future agendas and present any additional adjustments in routine HR and finance reports.