Sycamore Taxpayer

.   At the end of this month, Greg Powel will be named the 4,000-pupil district’s interim superintendent. In his seven years in the Warren County district, he’s served as high school assistant principal, director of administrative services, director of curriculum and instruction and – for about two weeks this summer – principal of Little Miami High School.
.   …Power finds the district’s tenuous position to be strangely freeing and clarifying.
.   The state has taken control of the district, a misapplied term that actually results in more confusion than clarity, but does provide relief from some state regulations and the opportunity – and obligations- to do things differently.
.   That could mean, Power says, painting one scenario, that the high school operates like a community college, with students meeting in traditional classes two days a week working online but offsite two days and having one day for onsite project-based learning.
.   That system would stretch teacher’s capacity, save on transportation and heating cost and – perhaps better fit some student’s learning styles.
.   Power believes there are other ways to serve more students, perhaps by courting home-schooling families who could use school facilities and equipment in off hours.
.   And he believes better communication – in particular, the superintendent out answering questions in the community – can lead to passage of a November 13.95-mill operating levy.
.   This coming school year, Little Miami’s spending will shrink to less than $7,000 per pupil, likely the fourth lowest of the 614 districts in the state.
.   Little Miami, alone of the group, is rated academically excellent.
Source: Still holding on to hope in beleaguered Little Miami By Krista RAMSEY The Enquirer 7/10/11 B1