Bethel-Tate Local School District continues to review how its schools and resources are organized to ensure long-term stability for students and the community.
Like many Ohio public school districts, Bethel-Tate has experienced declining student enrollment over time, resulting in unused space in several buildings. At the same time, the district is facing reduced funding and increasing financial pressures. In addition, recommendations from the district’s recent Performance Audit identified opportunities to better utilize school facilities.
Taken together, these factors have led the Board of Education and district leadership to explore how best to align buildings, staff, and resources with the current student population while continuing to support strong academic programs and student success.
In addition to building changes, a recent resignation is prompting administrative adjustments that will result in additional savings, helping to preserve classroom resources.
What building will my student(s) attend next year?
Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, students will attend school based on the following grade levels:
Bick Primary School: Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st grade
Hill Intermediate School: Grades 2-4
Bethel-Tate Middle School: Grades 5-8
Bethel-Tate High School: Grades 9-12 (no change)
Why is Grade 5 moving to the Middle School?
Bringing Grade 5 into the Middle School allows for:
Better alignment with middle school academic expectations
Increased access to subject-area teachers and resources
A smoother transition into middle school learning
What changes are being made to school leadership?
As part of ongoing efforts to operate efficiently, the district is making leadership adjustments for the 2026-2027 school year:
Greg Chandler, current Principal of Bick Primary School, will serve as the Principal of both Bick Primary School and Hill Intermediate School.
Current Bethel-Tate Middle School Assistant Principal Kevin Thomas will serve as the assistant principal for Bick and Hill.
These changes allow us to maintain strong leadership across our buildings while also supporting the district’s ongoing efforts to operate efficiently. For the 2026-2027 school year, estimated school hours for Bick and Hill are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. These are estimates because there is a 10-minute difference between pick up and drop off between Bick and Hill. Please note that these times are preliminary and may be adjusted slightly once transportation routes are finalized. Updated schedules will be shared with families as soon as they are confirmed.
Will class sizes increase?
Class sizes may vary slightly as a result of the building changes; however, the district will continue to follow state guidelines for student-teacher ratios and will work to maintain effective learning environments for all students.
Will transportation change?
Bus routes are expected to remain mostly the same, although some adjustments are expected based on the new building structure.
Updated transportation information will be shared with families once finalized.
Are schools being closed?
No school closures have been approved at this time. The district is reviewing how to best use its buildings to serve students efficiently.
What is happening with the Central Office and Transportation building and property?
Per the guidance of the district attorney, the Board of Education approved a contract with Towler’s Auction Services to proceed with the sale of the Central Office/Transportation building and property via auction.
Will Central Office and Transportation operations change?
As part of the district’s ongoing efforts to improve efficiency and better utilize existing space, adjustments to Central Office and Transportation operations are being implemented.
Central Office functions will be housed within Bick Primary School, and Transportation operations will return to the garage located behind the Middle School, which was previously used by the department.
Additional details will be shared as transitions are completed.
Are additional reductions expected?
At this time, no additional reductions beyond those already made through attrition are planned.
The focus remains on:
Operating efficiently
Maintaining educational programs
Supporting students and staff
The goal of these changes is to:
Maintain strong academic programs
Provide consistent learning experiences
Use resources in a way that supports long-term stability
Bethel-Tate students continue to perform well academically with the district scoring above average on the Ohio School Report Card.
Will there be more changes in the future?
The Board continues to evaluate enrollment trends and financial conditions. While this plan addresses current needs, additional long-term planning may be needed in the coming years.
How can I ask questions or share feedback?
Families and members of our community are encouraged to:
Attend Board of Education meetings
Contact the district directly
Watch for additional updates and communications
The district is committed to keeping families informed and involved as decisions are made.
We understand that change can bring questions and concerns. Our priority is to make thoughtful decisions that support students today while ensuring the long-term stability of Bethel-Tate Schools.