What's the Buzz?
Fall 2025
Dear families and community members,
I hope this message finds you well as we begin to wrap up our first semester! This is always an exciting time of year. Fall activities have come to a close, winter events are underway, and everyone is looking forward to a much-deserved winter break. It’s been wonderful to see our students and staff working hard in the classroom and setting a strong tone for a year of growth and achievement. I’m proud to share that Monroe was once again recognized on the state report card as one of the highest-achieving school districts in both Butler County and the state of Ohio.
Beyond academics, I continue to be inspired by our students’ involvement in athletics and extracurricular activities. Watching them succeed not only in the classroom but also on the field, stage, and in clubs and organizations truly captures the spirit of our community. Their dedication and enthusiasm remind us why Monroe is such a special place.
This past summer brought exciting progress across the district. One of our key projects—the conversion of the junior high auxiliary gym into additional classroom space—is on track to be completed by the start of the second semester. This much-needed space will help ease some of our current capacity challenges and provide greater flexibility to accommodate our growth.
We’re also thrilled about the progress being made towards the construction of our new high school. Over the past several months, our architect and engineering teams have been working closely with staff and students to gather input and shape the design of the building. This planning phase will continue through the end of the calendar year, with groundbreaking anticipated in the spring, weather permitting.
At our opening day staff meeting, we kicked off the school year with the theme “Breaking Ground and Building Dreams.” This speaks to both the literal and symbolic growth happening in our district—from the construction of a new facility to the dreams and goals being formed in every classroom.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership. We have many exciting things to look forward to here in Hornet Country, and I’m excited to share this journey with all of you.
Warm regards,
— J. Robert Buskirk
Student Fees Information
As part of our fiscal responsibility initiative, Monroe annually reviews the student fee lists to minimize the financial burden on our families. This year's school fees continue to be lower than our neighboring districts. Several course fees at the high school level have been reduced and the board has agreed to waive athletic/extracurricular fees for an additional year!
Why are fees charged?
Fees help offset the costs for consumable supplies, such as workbooks, art materials, etc. Those are student specific items that cannot be reused and/or may be kept by the student. Chromebooks are issued to each student grades 5-12 at $50 per year, or $200 over the four-year life of the laptop. This is less than the current cost of a new Chromebook with a warranty, and students may keep the computer once the four-year fee is paid in full. Otherwise, the device must be returned.
How can fees be paid?
- Online - through your PaySchools Central account
- By check - at the student’s building
A link to PaySchools Central can be found on the home page of our district website under "Find It Fast" or the left menu of the Parent Resources page. This site is also used for lunch accounts.
Waivers
Student fees may be partially or fully waived if a family qualifies. The Free and Reduced Lunch Application must be completed annually to determine eligibility. An eligibility year applies only to fees assessed in the same year. An electronic form may be completed in PaySchools Central, or a printable form can be found on Monroe's Parent Resources web page. (It is recommended that families on direct certification always complete a form. The information from the state agency for direct certification can sometimes be delayed or incorrect.)
Waiver eligibility does not apply to fines or penalties, such as those resulting from damages to, or loss of equipment, etc.
Accounts and Balances
Timely payment ensures that your student remains eligible to participate in key events, including the DC trip, prom and graduation. Unpaid balances may impact access to these experiences, so we kindly ask that any outstanding fees be settled as soon as possible.
To check your balance or make a payment, please visit PaySchools Central. If you have questions regarding your student's balance, please contact your building secretary. For account or technical issues, contact PaySchools directly using the help menu on the landing page.
Thank you!
— Amy Moore
Ohio School Report Cards were recently released by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and Monroe Local Schools has earned a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which equates to “exceeds state standards.”
ODEW’s 2024-25 overall rating identifies Monroe Local Schools as one of the highest achieving school districts in Butler County. Monroe’s overall district rating places it among the top 23% of school districts in the state of Ohio.
The report card evaluates and rates Ohio school districts in six categories: Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing, Graduation, Early Literacy, and College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness. Monroe exceeds or significantly exceeds state standards in five of the six report card components.
“We are proud to share Monroe’s rating on the district’s state report card,” said Curriculum Director Jody Long. “This is a reflection of the dedication and partnership of our staff, students and families. Math scores in grades three, four and eight reached their highest levels in five years, which is an outstanding achievement for our district. While we celebrate this success, early literacy remains a key priority. Improving literacy is an ongoing process, and our schools continue to deepen their understanding of the Science of Reading. Through continued collaboration and the use of data, we are refining instruction to ensure we meet the needs of every student.”
The first belief, Better Together, is reinforced when we follow these behaviors: caring for and connecting with each other, taking responsibility for our roles, and leading by example. Doing so strengthens the belief that we are better together and fosters a school community built on Hornet Pride.
The second core belief is Relentless Effort. We encourage students to approach challenges with the mindset of “How can I get this done?” recognizing that a positive outlook is essential for a fulfilling life. Embracing struggle is a key part of our philosophy, as we believe that perseverance in the face of adversity defines our character. By cultivating a spirit of resilience, we equip students to face change and challenges as opportunities for growth. Those who adopt this mindset are not only able to overcome obstacles but also flourish, embodying the unbeatable spirit that defines our school community.
Our third core belief is Stand Up & Own It. Doing the right thing, even when it's difficult, defines true character. At Monroe, individuals take pride in their work by owning their actions, learning from mistakes, and striving for growth. Putting their signature on their work symbolizes responsibility and integrity. Reflection is key to personal improvement, and consistently aiming for one's best leads to becoming the best version of oneself.
To learn more or view Monroe's Culture Playbook in its entirety, please click here.
WLWT's Lindsay Stone visits Mrs. Smith's journalism class
Anchor/reporter and Monroe Class of 2014 graduate Lindsay Stone recently returned to her alma mater to share her career journey with our high school journalism students.
We’ve got spirit, yes, we do. We’ve got spirit, how ‘bout you?
Highlights from Homecoming Spirit Week 🐝
Monroe Thespian Troupe 1709 presents Our Town
Click to see more of our extraordinarily talented cast and crew in the full dress rehearsal gallery, compliments of 6S Photography.
Student/Staff of the Semester Awards Ceremony
In October we celebrated some of the incredible students and staff who make Monroe truly special at our first Student and Staff of the Semester ceremony of the school year.
The Boys Soccer Team captured their third Southwestern Buckeye League Championship in the last four years with a victory over Franklin on Oct. 7. This is the program's 12th league championship overall. The team finished the season with an overall record of 12-4-2 and a record of 9-0-1 in conference play.
Additionally, Senior Caden Gronostaj earned SWBL Player of the Year Honors and Billy Gronostaj was recognized as SWBL Coach of the Year.
Monroe's Varsity Competition Cheer Team traveled to the Ohio High School Cheerleading Coaches Association Championship in November, where they were named Best in the State Division II Game Day Build Champions. Congratulations to the team on this incredible accomplishment!
In 1961 John F. Kennedy was president, the University of Cincinnati basketball squad won a national title, Walt Disney’s “101 Dalmatians” animated movie was released and a 20-year-old Monroe resident decided to volunteer for the “chain gang” sideline crew at his former high school’s football games.
At the time, it seemed a natural idea for Tom Leeds, a 1959 graduate of the former Lemon-Monroe High School, given his already deep love of the then tiny and rural Butler County community where he was raised. And now, 64 years later, Leeds’ streak of working Monroe football game as part of the official downs marker crew continues, most recently last Friday night during the Monroe Hornets’ varsity team battle against rival Franklin High School.
Though Monroe lost 23-16, Leeds’ extraordinary streak of volunteerism reveals the 84-year-old’s winning, can-do attitude. And in the last two decades, the election of Leeds by his hometown for multiple terms on Monroe Schools’ Board of Education has seen the spry octogenarian help oversee the booming growth of his beloved school system.
It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since we launched neighborhood bridges Monroe Local Schools! In that time, our amazing community has stepped up again and again to support Monroe students and families in need by providing food, clothing, school supplies, household essentials and more. Thanks to this partnership and your support, our counselors, teachers and staff have been able to meet the essential needs of countless Hornet families. 🐝
Here’s how it works: When a student or family need arises, a school advocate posts an anonymous request on the neighborhood bridges website. Community members and local businesses can then jump in to help fulfill those needs, turning small acts of kindness into a huge impact across Monroe.
👉 Get involved today!
Subscribe to neighborhood bridges Monroe Local at neighborhoodbridges.org/community/monroelocal-oh and follow along on social media to see new needs as they’re posted.
- Facebook: Neighborhood bridges Monroe Local
- Instagram: @nbmonroelocal
Together, we can make sure every student in our community has the essentials they need to learn, grow and thrive.
For more information about neighborhood bridges Monroe Local Schools, contact us at monroelocal@neighborhoodbridges.org.