ANDERSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The Forest Hills School Board discussed the district's financial situation at Wednesday's meeting after reports of a proposal to consolidate Turpin and Anderson High Schools.
Forest Hills is considering selling Anderson High School. The proposed plan by Cincinnati design firm Elevar would essentially merge Anderson and Turpin into one school on the site of the current Turpin High School and Mercer Elementary School. Elementary school students would then be moved to other schools throughout the district.
The current school board cited financial problems caused by the previous school board as the reason behind the proposal to consolidate the schools.
In a letter to parents, the district said discussions on the proposal should not be expected in Wednesday's meeting because the district is still doing "research." Still, many brought up their concerns during the public comment portion of the meeting.
"If there is going to be a decision to consolidate, we certainly need substantial input and to hear the voices of the community because there are other options, consolidation is not the only way," community member Jennie Arnold said.
Nearly 20 parents and community members spoke during the public comment period, with many, like Arnold, speaking out against the possible consolidation. Some suggested solutions, like putting a levy on the ballot or voting to revoke resolutions that have caused lawsuits, like the "Culture of Kindness" resolution, which bans assignments where students would have to consider their race, socioeconomic class, religion, gender identity or sexuality.
When the board spoke about the possible consolidation, they sought to clear up misinformation. Both Dr. Leslie Rasmussen and Bob Bibb said they're still vetting information before it's formally put on the agenda.
Katie Stewart said she's not in favor of consolidation and said, "I think it's pretty clear that we're looking at a levy next year."
After the meeting, many community members still felt the board was lacking transparency.
"I expected the financial report and none of it was surprising — it's things the community has known about for months," said Kimberly Oltoff, an Advocate FHSD member.
Advocate FHSD is an organization that advocates for transparency in the school district.
Forest Hills superintendent Larry Hook sent a letter to families in the district on Wednesday and included a YouTube video where he describes the current financial state of the district. A lot of his presentation to the board was similar to the video, with some added details.
"I got a pretty good handle on where we are currently and I'll be honest with you, I think you've got maybe two months to make a decision," he said.
That decision would be about putting a levy on the ballot.
"The cost to educate students and operate this district is outpacing the revenues coming in. That simply is another way of saying we are in deficit spending," Hook said. "There's no sugarcoating it. We are facing some significant challenges and difficult choices. That's why every possible option is on the table."
In a message sent to families in the district, BOE president Linda Hausfeld said "the administration team (is) diligently working to research and analyze every aspect of this option before it can be presented to the community and to the board of education."
She also reiterated that no decisions have been made, nor will be made, prior to hearing staff and community feedback.
Hausfeld claims that "the primary focus during this process will be to provide students with the best education opportunities possible for both now and into the future.
Read Linda Hausfeld's full letter to Forest Hills families and community members regarding the proposal:
Advocate FHSD said they are concerned that discussions with developers have moved beyond "simply listening."
"The public deserves to know. The community deserves to have the opportunity to ask the questions that they want to see asked and answered ultimately, unfortunately, that’s not the way this has been handled, and I think it’s really fomented distrust in the community," Kalonick said.
Both Turpin and Anderson have a combined student population of more than 2,300 students.
RELATED
Forest Hills parents, students protest ban on anti-racism, critical race theory teachings
'They have made this political': Students, parents protest Forest Hills BOE's vote against Diversity Day
Lawsuit argues Forest Hills school board vote to require masks violated Open Meetings Act
