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News & Events Auditor Places the Little Miami Local School District in Fiscal Watch
Auditor of State Mary Taylor placed the Little Miami Local School District in "Fiscal Watch" on Thursday, March 11, moving it one step closer to state takeover. The declaration was made because the district is projecting a deficit that could climb to as much as $10 million.
"Little Miami Local School officials face some tough financial decisions in the weeks and months ahead," Ms. Taylor said.
The district has already implemented extensive cuts over the last several years, totaling approximately $7 million. However, a decline in state funding has meant troubling times for the growing district.
"Little Miami is gaining attention around the state," said Superintendent Dan Bennett. "We are an excellently-rated, growing district, but we aren't surviving financially. We are an anomaly, and we've gotten the attention of the Governor and State Superintendent."
The Auditor of State's office completed a performance audit for the district in November 2009, offering recommendations on improved efficiencies and an estimated cost savings of $399,500, which represents about 1.3 percent of the entire district budget.
According to the audit, "Overall, LMLSD is a high functioning District operating with solid management practices. Administrators have exhibited prudent fiscal and operational decision-making in managing its projected General Fund deficit. Prior to, and during, this performance audit, the Board of Education and District administrators were proactive in making difficult decisions to deeply reduce overall expenditures and lessen future operating deficits."
"We are interested in decreasing costs, especially those outside the classroom, but reducing expenses by nearly $400,000 won't eliminate a multi-million dollar deficit," Treasurer Shaun Bevan explained.
The Ohio Department of Education initially placed the Little Miami Local School District in "Fiscal Caution" on November 14, 2009 following the results of a five-year financial forecast.
Since the declaration placing the district in "Fiscal Watch," Little Miami officials must submit a financial recovery plan outlining steps they will take to eliminate the deficit. An acceptable plan for the Auditor of State must show a balanced budget and cannot include revenue from anticipated levies.
LM TO OUTLINE PLANS FOR 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR
The Little Miami Board of Education and Administration have been hard at work preparing for the district's impending placement into "fiscal emergency." After meeting with representatives from the Ohio Department of Education, they are working to develop a plan regarding academic offerings, school day structure, extracurricular activities and staff.
"We know the state commission will have the final say on the future direction of the district. However, having a plan in place will help the commission in the decision-making process," explained Superintendent Dan Bennett.
The district plans to outline its plan at the March 23 board meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. in the Little Miami High School media center. Until then, the administration will continue to work with planning teams to make recommendations to the board.
"There is a lot of anxiety about the unknowns within the district and in the community as we head into next school year in Œfiscal emergency,'" said Mr. Bennett. "Our goal is to get information out as quickly as possible."
BOARD MEETINGS The regular March meeting of the Little Miami Local School District Board of Education has been moved to Tuesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. in the Little Miami High School media center. LM BOARD TO BE RECOGNIZED
The Little Miami Local School District Board of Education will be recognized by the southwest region Ohio School Boards Association for reaching the "Gold Level" as an Effective School Board by meeting at least 23 of 26 criteria. The purpose of this award is to provide a vehicle or framework for self-examination and to analyze the steps taken to become a highly effective model board for the district's success.
INVENTION COMING TO LITTLE MIAMI In partnership with Invent Now Kids, the Little Miami School District is once again, pleased to offer the nationally-acclaimed Camp Invention program at Little Miami High School to children entering grades one through six.
This exciting summer day experience immerses children in imaginative play that reinforces and supplements school-year learning through inquiry-based activities in science, technology, engineering and math. Each day of the program week, children rotate through five integrated modules that require creative thinking to solve real-world challenges. Working together, children learn vital 21st century life skills such as problem-solving and teamwork through hands-on learning — all disguised as fun!
Children will be challenged to rebuild a virtual world and act as entrepreneurs as they establish a new marketplace in the "Hatched" module, explore alternative energy to power their robotic creatures in the "Power'd" module, and discover surprising mathematical connections between soap bubbles and lightning bolts in the "SMArt: Science, Math & Art" module. The program also will feature the "I Can Invent" module, where younger children will take apart discarded household appliances and create fantasy inventions, while older children will use the pieces and parts to build Rube Goldberg machines. Also featured will be the "Global Games" module, where children will explore ancient cultures and sports like lacrosse and soccer from civilizations around the world. Local educators will facilitate the program modules. This renowned program features a low staff-to-child ratio, with one staff member for every eight children.
This exciting week of activities will occur June 21-25 at Little Miami High School, when Debra Davidson will return to direct the Camp Invention INNOVATE program. This fabulous camp program is open to all area age eligible students. You do not have to attend Little Miami schools to register for this camp.
The registration fee includes a Camp Invention T-shirt. Register before March 31st or with a friend to receive $25 off the base price of $210. Availability is limited, so visit or call 800.968.4332 to reserve your child's spot today! For questions or donations, please contact Debra Davidson at or 513-899-3449.
After former Director of Curriculum and Instruction Bill Sears accepted a position as interim superintendent for Loveland Schools, Little Miami decided not to fill his vacancy. However, the Warren County Educational Service Center has offered free curriculum services to the district for the remainder of the school year. "This no-cost opportunity will allow us to keep focus on our K-12 curriculum initiatives," said Superintendent Dan Bennett. "The district's financial distress can certainly jeopardize the quality of education for our students, and we appreciate the WCESC's efforts to help us continue our tradition of excellence." Mr. Larry Hook began his new position at Little Miami on March 1. He will be assisting with curriculum and instruction, gifted services, English as a Second Language services and credit flex and dual credit planning. He will also work with principals on data collection, short cycle assessments and the value-added initiative through the Battelle for Kids grant; with the building level instructional collaborative teams; and with the media specialist for library planning. Mr. Hook previously served as the Assistant Superintendent for Springboro and as a teacher, coach and principal in the Milford district.
Mr. Hook, who has recently accepted the position of Superintendent for Carlisle Local Schools, will provide curriculum services through June before taking his post in Carlisle July 1. KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Little Miami Local Schools is preparing for kindergarten registration for the 2010-2011 school year. Packets are now available. Registration will be held at the following times, all at the Salem Elementary Kindergarten Building:
Packets may be picked up between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Salem Township Elementary Kindergarten Building, 605 Welch Road, Morrow, OH 45152. We strongly encourage families to complete the registration of their kindergarten students on one of the above dates to assist in the proper placement of all students. For more information, please contact Nancy Journeay at (513) 899-5116.
BUY YOUR LITTLE MIAMI HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK TODAY!
Don't forget to purchase a LMHS yearbook for your student. Buy the yearbook online at http://www.yearbookforever.com. Yearbooks are only $61.00 and your chance to buy ends March 27th.
If you have questions, please email advisor Erin Davis at edavis at littlemiamischools dot com.
MOBILE DENTISTS COMING TO LM The Mobile Dentists and Smile Program is returning to Salem Township Primary and the Kindergarten Village March 23, 2010. This program brings on site preventative care services right to the school, including an exam, cleaning, fluoride treatment, x-rays, and sealants. Signing up your children to see the Mobile Dentist is an easy and convenient way to get necessary preventative dental care.
Every child in the household may be seen by the dentist between the ages of 2-17 years old.
SPECIAL AUDIT CONFIRMS LM PROVIDES EXCELLENCE WITH VALUE
A special performance audit recently released by the state indicates Little Miami Local Schools is operating very efficiently.
"The results of the audit are bittersweet," said Superintendent Dan Bennett. "They confirm what we already knew — this district is providing excellence with value. At the same time, however, they also indicate there are not many areas left for the district to cut."
According to State Auditor Mary Taylor, "the performance audit contains recommendations which identify the potential for cost savings and efficiency improvements. The performance audit also provides an independent assessment of LMLSD's financial situation and a framework for its financial recovery plan."
The report was performed by the Auditor of State's office at no cost to the district due to its dire financial situation. The report compares Little Miami to similar districts and to state minimums, finding that LM already is approaching state minimums and compares favorably to other districts in finances, human resources, transportation and facilities.
According to the audit, "Overall, LMLSD is a high functioning District operating with solid management practices. Administrators have exhibited prudent fiscal and operational decision-making in managing its projected General Fund deficit. Prior to, and during, this performance audit, the Board of Education and District administrators were proactive in making difficult decisions to deeply reduce overall expenditures and lessen future operating deficits." Auditors did identify an estimated cost savings of $399,500 by cutting 1 additional custodial position, lowering retirement contributions for exempted staff, reviewing services provided by the Warren County Educational Resource Center, reviewing energy conservation practices, reducing the fleet by two buses and increasing routes times and ridership capacity. "We will carefully evaluate how to implement the state audit's recommendations," said Treasurer Shaun Bevan. "We are interested in decreasing costs, but reducing expenses by nearly $400,000 won't eliminate a multi-million dollar deficit." Please click here to review the full report.
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LITTLE MIAMI RECEIVES FREE CURRICULUM SERVICES