Superintendent Andrea Blevins presented a $9.6 million spending-reduction plan to close Fairwood Elementary, consolidate the freshman campus into Hamilton High, outsource preschool to Butler County ESC and shift nursing to an LPN model, aiming to avert a projected $10.12 million 2026–27 deficit driven by state funding and property-tax changes.
Finance staff told the Hamilton City School Board that property-tax legislation signed in December will reduce district revenue by roughly $3.3 million per year (up to $3.9 million with a county homestead piggyback) starting in fiscal 2028, driven by CPI caps and retroactive credits tied to the 2023 revaluation.
Superintendent Blevins outlined a plan to cut about $9.7 million for 2026–27 by closing one elementary, outsourcing preschool and nursing services to Butler County ESC, relocating Wilson Middle School to the vacant freshman campus and moving the Miami School into the Wilson facility; a RIF/recall list will be presented Feb. 24.
The Hamilton City School Board unanimously approved the human-resources agenda (personnel changes), the consent agenda (agreements, field trips, MOUs and special-education placements) and the finance agenda, and set the next meeting for Feb. 10 with a RIF/recall list scheduled Feb. 24.
At its Jan. 8 organizational meeting, the Hamilton City School District Board of Education elected Shaquila Matthews as president and Ashley Hopkins as vice president, approved the 2026 meeting schedule, a $10,000 FY2027 service fund, a $250 OSBA legal assistance fee, continued Bricker Graton as counsel, and approved the FY2027 tax budget.
The Hamilton City Board unanimously authorized Superintendent Andrea Blevins and Treasurer to develop a deficit-reduction plan for the 2026–27 school year; board members referenced roughly $9 million in potential cuts and said a plan will be brought back for review in January.
The Hamilton City Board unanimously approved a lease to rent an empty classroom to Butler County ESC for a Head Start classroom beginning January 2026; the district will receive $1,200 per month and the ESC will operate the classroom.
At its Dec. 11 meeting the Hamilton City Board of Education approved personnel and consent items, finance reports, a 30‑year TIF and 15‑year CRA for a two‑hotel development at MLK and High Street, and set a Dec. 19 special meeting for administrators to present a deficit‑reduction plan.
Superintendent Andrea Blevins told the school board that recent state funding changes and enrollment shifts produced a roughly $5 million shortfall this year that could compound in coming years. She recommended a one‑time round of reductions to drive the deficit to zero and asked the board to authorize a plan at a Dec. 19 special meeting.
The Dec. 11 board meeting featured community events and program updates: a floor dedication honoring coach Tim Reed, the introduction of 'Arrow,' the district's first certified therapy dog, presentations on a pre‑apprenticeship program, and recognition of teacher supply grants and foundation support.
