DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS
Hamilton City Schools Superintendent Anthony Orr highlighted some of the district’s recent accomplishments:
Academics
- Improved test results, with five areas receiving all-time high results (seventh grade reading and math; eighth grade reading and math, 10th grade writing)
- K-3 literacy grade of "B" was one of the top marks in the county (Fairfield and Ross received B's as well) and 20 percent above the state average
- Converting Hamilton High School's Engineering Program through Career Technical Education (CTE) to Project Lead the Way
- Project Gateway Engineering will be offered at both Garfield and Wilson middle schools
Fine arts
- Marching Band received "Excellent" rating in state competitions
- Celebrated 100 years of Strings education. Due to increasing demand, the district is adding more orchestra classes at middle schools and Hamilton Freshman School
- Rhapsody in Blue Show Choir won the Grand Champion title and People's Choice Award at state competitions
- Music and art are still offered at the elementary level when many Butler County districts have been forced to cut such programs due to budget constraints
Athletics
- District is home to some of the best sports facilities in Southwest Ohio. It hosted state basketball, wrestling and volleyball tournaments.
- Cassidy Hicks was Ohio Girls State Champion in singles tennis last school year
- A'Shon Riggins is a Hamilton High School senior who has committed to play football at Indiana University. He was also recruited by 12 other colleges.
More than 1,300 Hamilton City Schools staff and teachers gathered Thursday morning to hear new Superintendent Anthony Orr discuss his blueprint for the upcoming school year.
“Wow, this is terrifying. Not because of the 1,300 of you here, but because of the Board,” Orr said before he jokingly continued, “if things go badly, I have one board member who is an MMA fighting attorney, an Italian cop who ‘knows people,’ a retired dentist who can change my dental records, a financial planner who can change my money, and a mortician. You think PARCC is scary.”
Board president Scott Kruger and board members Steve Isgro, Glen Stitsinger, Larry Bowling and Rob Weigel were eager to see the man they hired in front of the people who make the school district run.
Hamilton’s school year begins Monday.
Orr didn’t mince words when he discussed tackling some of the challenges the district faces.
“I began reflecting on the adversity we face in Hamilton — 73 percent poverty, 17 percent of the homes run by a single mother, 6 percent run by a single father, 17 percent children with disabilities, and a growing ESL population,” he said. “As I finish the final third of my career, we have much to do together. Because as I said, this journey is not about me; it is about us.”
Bowling was recognized by Orr for his outstanding service to the school district and the community. He is retiring in December from the board. Some other unsung heroes were also discussed.
“I want us all to take a moment and thank our custodial and maintenance staff,” Orr said. “They are our unsung heroes of summer, making sure the buildings are polished and ready for learning.”
He also paid tribute to the woman he’s replacing.
“I would be remiss not to recognize that replacing an outstanding leader like Janet Baker, who served this community for 23 years as superintendent, is an honor,” he said. “She accomplished so many things during her career … even has a building named for her. At this point, I will be lucky at the end of my career to have a urinal named after me at the Board Office.”
Kruger, as the president of the Board, commented afterwards about the school district and how well it has been able to work well with city officials to develop a better community.
“On behalf of the Hamilton City School Board, I first want to thank City Council and City Manager Joshua Smith for their continued efforts in improving our community. Collectively, their progressive thinking has brought meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities to the City of Hamilton,” he said. “These efforts combined with Hamilton City School District’s commitment to preparing our students for college and career readiness are making Hamilton a wonderful place to live and raise a family.”
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