Looking for people opinions on Clinton Massie Schools, Little Miami, and Lebanon...... (Warren: appointed)

[ohiosgreat]

just wondering what peoples opinions are on Clinton Massie, Little Miami, and Lebanon Schools....
what is the general perception of each....
Thanks in advance......

[kjbrill]

Clinton Massie is a very rural school district, but has managed to maintain a high standard of education for many years. Can't find fault with their operation.

Lebanon Schools are also umpteen years old. Their ranking varies but I do not feel that is their ultimate aim. Of course they want to be considered good schools. But they also want to be considered good stewards of the publics money. I feel they have done an above average job at both.

Little Miami - now that gives you pause. Little Miami School District for many years had only one signiricant contributor the village of Morrow Ohio. The village had a population of 1,200 in the 2010 census, a nice sleepy place.

But suddenly developers found they could buy land cheap between the Little Miami River and the 3-C highway (northern Montgomerfy Rd). They put nice, but compacted 2-story homes on postage stamp lots and sold them like popcorn. Why? Why not, lower priced, brand new, in a brand new subdivision. What is there not to like? So there is a building explosion bringing a population explosion. And since most of them are young families, a kid explosion. And what historical school district, which at one time was all rural, are they in ? Little Miami.

Little Miami is overwhelmed and goes into Ohio state Fiscal Emergency status. What did they do wrong? Nothing other then being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

They have been gradually crawling out of this quagmire, but it has been a long road to hoe. I am reasonably sure due to the school situation home values have dropped. But so what else is new? In the area where I live in the past 5 years home values have dropped and average of 12%

[Ohiogirl81]

I can't add much to what Mr. Brill has said. Clinton-Massie has few frills but is solid. Lebanon has had its growing pains in the past, fancying itself to be the Indian Hill of Warren County, but seems to have settled down in the past decade or so and gotten down to the business of educating kids.

Little Miami used to be a decent school district, but had fallen on hard times, to put it mildly. The district will recover from a decade of receivership and lack of taxpayer support, but it will take a long time.

[Ohioan58]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Lebanon has had its growing pains in the past, fancying itself to be the Indian Hill of Warren County,

Sorry, I know I'm ripping this statement out of context. I couldn't help myself!

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by Ohioan58

Sorry, I know I'm ripping this statement out of context. I couldn't help myself!

Amusing, isn't it? LOL

[kjbrill]

Lebanon was the power seat of Warren County for such a long time until upstart Mason had the nerve to come along and pass them in population. There were historical fixtures like the Golden Lamb, and a downtown which looked like it came out of the 19th century, which it did. There was a spate of newer developments but nothing large until more recently along Ohio 48 going to I-71.

I had a cousin who was career military and upon retirement bought a big old house near downtown Lebanon and remodeled it into a B&B. He had achieved sufficient military rank retirement income was not a problem. The B&B was mainly a personal desire to refurbish an old house, he loved working on it.

I recognized Lebanon getting a little grouchy when Mason passed their political clout, its called votes, but can't say they ever envisioned themselves as Indian Hill. The political center of Warren County, yes, but Indian Hill no.

For the first number of years we lived here the Country Side YMCA in Lebanon was a fabulous facility. I don't remember who was instrumental in getting the facility built, but it was great. There was a word of caution, the outdoor pool. It was very nice but filled with well water on the property. It was Cold, and even in the middle of August your lips would turn blue after about 1/2 hour in it. I am not sure they filtered the water, just pumped in fresh from the wells. At that point in time Mason had nothing, so the YMCA was a beacon to my family. We lived on the east side of Mason, close to I-71, so it was a direct shoot up I-71 to Ohio 48 and the YMCA. The wife and kids were there constantly. Obviously with time things change. Can't remember the last time I was at the Y. But the building still looks good and I would be sorely disappointed to hear it has fallen into disrepair.

[Briolat21]

No worries KJ -- The Ralph Stolle (?) YMCA is still doing quite well. I believe the astronaut (the one that recently passed away) assisted with the initial creation of the YMCA (or at least that was lore I heard when there were the writeups on his death and his influence in Lebanon).

The YMCA is actually doing so well it has spread out - it now has a couple of secodary/partner facilities. I thought one was in Mason (something with physical therapy perhaps?) and then the other is with Otterbein at their new campus facility.

I also laughed at Lebanon as the Indian Hill of anything... however, there's no doubt that the original townies have a lot of pride in being the county seat - and as KJ points out -- accepted that level of clout in County affairs as their rightful due until Mason's population surpassed them.

I would imagine many of them still look down their nose at Mason.

From the OPs perspective - Lebanon Schools have consistently gotten high rankings in the 5 years I've lived there. Additionally, its millages have passed and the board is very cost conscious with their money. It consistently ranks as having one of the lowest costs/student in the state -- which helps it pass millages when necessary because the voters trust that the money is being spent wisely.

[kjbrill]

Just another comment on Lebanon. Once the racino at Ohio 63 and I-75 is completed, scheduled to open this December, the Lebanon Raceway will be shut down. I am sure there is an agreement to hold no more horse racing there, even during the county fair.

There will be a project to redevelop the county fairgrounds. The county will have about 6 million dollars to go towards this effort.

Interested people with ideas can submit them at the following website
www.co.warren.oh.us/Fairgrounds

Currently the state and the racino operators are arguing about the capacity of the grandstand at the new track. Ohio wants to use these racinos to rejuvenate horse racing in the state. The gambling interests could care less about horse racing, it is the casino they are after. Submit your two cents to your state representative.