Sycamore Community Schools students return to class Thursday, Aug. 13, and families in Montgomery, Blue Ash and Sycamore Township need to check their child's last name before marking the calendar.

The district is using a staggered two-day start for the 2026-2027 school year, according to FOX19:

Thursday, Aug. 13: Pre-K, grades 1-6 (last names A-K), grades 7, 9, and 12, and all new high school students.

Friday, Aug. 14: Pre-K, grades 1-6 (last names L-Z), grade 8, and all grades 9-12.

Ninth and 12th graders report both days. By Monday, Aug. 17, all students Pre-K through 12th grade are expected to attend together, according to the district's published calendar. The school year spans 180 instructional days.

New faces in the front office

Blue Ash Elementary families will see a new principal greeting students at the door. Danielle Gray, who spent more than 27 years in education and most recently served as assistant principal at Maple Dale Elementary, takes over the building. The board approved her appointment at its Wednesday, July 8 meeting, as we reported July 21.

Former Blue Ash Elementary Principal Natalie Jimenez moves into a new district-level role as Director of Curriculum and Instruction for grades K-6. Angela Faulhaber joins as Director of Curriculum and Instruction for grades 7-12, and Taryn Barker is the new Director of Special Education for grades 7-12.

Levy vote ahead on Nov. 3

The school year's biggest financial question lands on the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election ballot: a 6.95-mill tax levy combining roughly 5.0 mills for operations and 1.95 mills for permanent improvements. The board voted unanimously to place the levy on the ballot, citing a multi-year capital shortfall driven by roofing and mechanical needs across district buildings.

The levy covers voters in Blue Ash, Montgomery, Sycamore Township, Symmes Township, Evendale and portions of Loveland. It will appear on a high-turnout ballot alongside statewide races for governor, attorney general and U.S. Senate.

Voter registration for the Nov. 3 election closes Monday, Oct. 5.