Little Miami students may go to Kings Local School District

KINGS MILLS, Ohio - The Ohio State Board of Education made a 12-7 vote Tuesday approving the transfer of the Miami Bluffs property from Little Miami School District to the Kings Local School District. The board took this action despite the hearing officer not wanting this to happen.

However, this would cost the district as it works to get out of fiscal emergency and state control of its finances.

Linda Lindholm has lived in Miami Bluffs for nine years. She said she is happy to see the state make a decision on the property transfer.

"I think if we get moved to Kings we get the best of two worlds," she said. "We will see property values increase and see the neighborhood finished out."

However, Little Miami Schools Superintendent Greg Power said he is very concerned for his district if Miami Bluffs becomes part of Kings Local Schools.

"We felt like it would do some serious financial damage to our district if we lose that property in the form of $1.5 million in tax revenue," he said.

About 550 properties in the neighborhood would be transferred. Those properties include about 70 to 100 children.

The superintendent is not sure whether the school board will go for the transfer, or appeal the state's vote.

"They have taken the position all along in opposition to transfer of territory, and we are still in fiscal emergency," he said.

"We just moved here," one parent said. "I'm still learning about everything. It's actually closer to Kings. My kids would spend less time on a school bus than they are now."

While Linda Lindholm signed a petition last fall along with her neighbors to get the transfer going, she said she is satisfied either way.

"I have granddaughters in this district and I have seven grandkids in Kings School District," she said. "I can make comparisons but don't think the kids got a bad education here at all."

Once Little Miami is formally notified of the state board's vote to transfer Miami Bluffs, it has 15 days to appeal this decision or 30 days to pass the resolution and approve the transfer.

Little Miami School District's school board will discuss their concerns during their board meeting Tuesday night.