Kings Treasurer, Mike Morrow explains how the home home revaluation in Warren County will affect Kings taxpayers. Home values will go up on average 27.2% but property values will only increase on average 4-5%.

Warren County continues to prosper and with that prosperity comes an increase in the value of your home. 

County Auditor Matt Nolan recently stated that home values in Warren County will go up on average 27.2% during the 2024 property revaluation. 

This does not mean that your property taxes are increasing by 27.2%. All of Kings voted operating levies do not increase collections due to your home value increasing, thus your taxes increase little compared to the appreciation of your property. This also means that Kings sees little operating revenue growth.

Auditor Nolan also stated that your property taxes will increase 4-5% on average in Kings due to the 27.2% home value increase.

Our community also approved a bond levy to build a new high school, an addition to Columbia Intermediate, and other district-wide improvements in March 2024 that will start being collected in 2025. 

The District’s financing team has worked collaboratively with Auditor Nolan to validate the district’s commitment to phase in the bond levy collections to reduce the burden on our community. The community will pay $123 per year for every $100,000 of home value in addition to existing bond levies to pay for the new bond levy beginning in 2025.

Please reach out to Kings Treasurer, Mike Morrow, with any questions. His email address is mmorrow@kingslocal.net.

Three Kings High School students have been named Semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program based on their performance last on the 2024 PreliminarySAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

Congratulations to Derek Harris, Matthew McMahon, and Lucas Webster who now have the opportunity to compete for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.

More than 16,000 Semifinalists have been named to the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. More than 15,000 of the over 16,000 Semifinalists are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and they will be notified of this designation in February 2025. 

These academically talented high school seniors can continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next Spring.

Derek is the son of Paul and Heather Harris. He plans to study Chemical Engineering at either Purdue University, Ohio State University, or the University of Michigan. He has a weighted GPA of 4.63. In high school, Derek is a member of the KHS Swim Team, Chamber Orchestra, and the National Spanish Honor Society. He has been a member of Boy Scouts for 8 years and works as a lifeguard.

Matthew has a weighted GPA of 4.48. He plans to study Engineering at either Ohio State University, Purdue University, or the University of Notre Dame. While in high school he has participated on the KHS Swim Team, Jazz Band, Math Team, National Honor Society, and Spanish National Honor Society. He works as a lifeguard and in his free time, he enjoys horseback riding. Matthew is the son of Edward and Mary McMahon.

Lucas is the son of Lyle and Jennifer Webster. With a weighted GPA of 4.57, he plans to study Computer Science at either Georgia Tech, the University of Alabama, Ohio State University, the University of Michigan, or the University of Illinois. During high school, Lucas has been a member of the KHS Soccer Team, Math Team, National Honor Society, and Spanish National Honor Society. Away from school, he enjoys playing the piano and works at TPC Riversbend Golf Course.

Congratulations to Derek, Lucas, and Matthew!

Pictured above L-R: Derek Harris, Lucas Webster, and Matthew McMahon.

If you are a Kings parent and would like to receive emergency text messages please text the word YES to code 67587. You will receive a confirmation text from School Messenger.

Kings will also host a virtual Parent Information Session on Erin's Law on Monday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Ohio’s 134th General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 288 which updated the prescribed curriculum for health education, adding requirements related to child sexual abuse prevention. 

Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, school districts in Ohio were required to provide developmentally appropriate instruction in child sexual abuse prevention to students in grades kindergarten through six. 

Kings is partnering with the Warren County Child Advocacy Center to meet this state requirement. The Advocacy Center, in partnership with the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, will implement their comprehensive, evidence-based prevention program called MBF Child SafetyMatters® to our students. The goal of the Program is to help keep your child safe.

The program empowers children to spot and respond to bullying, cyberbullying, child abuse, and digital safety dangers. It teaches that adults are responsible for their safety but there are things they can do to help adults keep them safe. The Program is based on the latest research and has been reviewed and endorsed by national experts.

Students will receive (4) fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom lessons that educate and empower them to prevent, recognize, and respond appropriately to bullying, cyberbullying, all types of child abuse, digital abuse, and other digital dangers. 

A trained facilitator has recorded videos for our teachers to show in class. Parents will receive information and materials as students participate in the lessons. You will receive the schedule for when your child’s class will be participating from your child’s school building. To learn more about the program or about child safety, visit www.mbfpreventioneducation.org or download the mobile app, “Child Safety Matters,” available at no cost from the App Store or Google Play. Kings will also host a virtual Parent Information Session on the program on Monday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. That session will be recorded for those who are unable to attend. Joining instructions for the virtual presentation can be found here.

Additionally, parents can review the curriculum at the Kings Educational Center within 48 hours of submitting a written request. To do so, please contact Mary Huhn via e-mail at mhuhn@kingslocal.net to set up an in-person appointment at KEC.

If you do not want your child to participate, you will receive an opt-out form from your child’s building before the lessons begin. If opted out, a student’s “opt-out” status remains active through the 2024-2025 school year.

Back in September of 2010, the Kings High School Class of 2011 created the Community Service Club and participated in their first day of service. Our KHS Class of 2025 represented the Kings District well on Monday, September 11, as they participated in the National Day of Service. 

The entire KHS senior class spent their school day volunteering with KHS teacher chaperones around the Kings Community and the greater Cincinnati area, such as Kings school buildings, Matthew 25 Ministries, New Life Furniture Bank, SPCA Cincinnati, Cincinnati Nature Center, Rivers Crossing Church, Hamilton Township, The Grail, Testerman Park, Deep Roots Heritage Farm, Urbancrest Church, 4 Paws For Ability, Gorman Heritage Farm, Carter Park, Stepping Stones, and more.

Jon and Jess Gray from Deep Roots Heritage Farm said, "We extend our heartfelt thanks for all your hard work during your recent visit! Your efforts were invaluable, and we thoroughly enjoyed sharing our regenerative farming practices with Kings High School." They said they look forward to future collaboration.

Thank you to the Kings High School Community Service advisers, Tracy Goldie and Lynn Brant, and the KHS seniors for their service.

Check out this gallery of pictures from the day.

The Stand2Serve Organization in Warren County honors first responders who have dedicated their lives to helping and serving others with gifts of original poetry and music at their yearly Warren County 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial in Lebanon.

For the last seven years, students in Lisa King's Advance Placement U.S. Government and Politics classes at Kings High School have created poems or essays in reflection of 9/11 and how we move forward as a world.

This year, four KHS students' work were chosen to be part of the ceremony. Ben Delehanty (11), Juan Lopez Rodriguez (12) presented their poems live at the ceremony. Royce Hawkins's (11) and Greyson Hackbarth's (11) poems were selected as well but there wasn't time in the schedule to present. At a later date, all students will record their poems at the Warren County Career Center's Video Production Studios. View their work here.

This year's ceremony was attended by first responders, military officials, Warren County government officials, and members of the public.

Tonight is Military Appreciation Night at Kings. The Knights take on West Clermont at Kings Stadium at 7:00 p.m.

The Kings Athletic Department will honor Military prior to the game at 6:40 p.m. and during the National Anthem. All military and first responders will get one free admission to the game with a photo ID at the gate.

The Kings Cheerleading program is hosting its annual Military Appreciation Dinner in the Kings Junior High School Cafeteria from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. Dinner is $10 for the public, $7.50 for first responders, and FREE for Veterans. A gift basket and silent auction will take place and all donations will go to the Yellow Ribbon Support Center.

If you haven't been on the KHS/KJH campus, the Kings High School Dance Team (pictured below) hosted their annual Military Week Flag Fundraiser. Thousands of American flags are on display recognizing the brave men and women of our United States Military. A part of the proceeds also benefit the Yellow Ribbon Support Center.

Get to the Castle tonight!

Pictured above are Elissa and Jonathan Plaskon as they were looking for the flags representing the Veterans in their family.

The 2024 Kings Homecoming Parade will be here before we know it. The ever-popular community event will take place on Friday, October 4 at at 5:30 p.m. and run from KME to KJH.

The Kings Athletic Department is seeking volunteers for parade participant check-ins. If you would be interested in volunteering, please contact Kings Athletic Director, Eric Taylor at etaylor@kingslocal.net.

Watch for next week's Knight Nation News for more on the parade!

Want to help save lives by donating blood!?! The Hoxworth Kings High School Jorge Gonzalez Memorial Blood Drive is coming up on Friday, September 27 from 10:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Donations will take place in the KJH Multi-Purpose Room - SIGN UP HERE! All donors will receive a donor gift from Hoxworth of a pair of Lounge Pants at time of donation.

Fosters-Maineville Road and Faller Road will be closed beginning Monday, September 23, 2024, for five (5) days, weather permitting. 

Fosters-Maineville Road will be closed between the addresses of 882 Fosters-Maineville Road and 903 Fosters-Maineville Road. Faller Road will be closed north of address 8054 Faller Road. The closure is for an underground utility construction, which will be completed by a contractor for the Warren County Water and Sewer Department.

The detour for the closure of Fosters-Maineville Road will utilize Old 3’C Highway, US22/SR3 and SR48.

For more information, visit http://www.wceo.us/ or contact WCEO at (513) 695-3301.

If your family is in need of assistance with meals and school fees, we encourage you to complete a Free and Reduced Meal Application by visiting https://payschoolscentral.com or pick up an application at your student's school building.

If your child received free or reduced meals last school year, you will need to reapply by Wednesday, September 25. If you don't apply by the deadline, your child will go back to pay in full status.

If you need assistance, parents will have direct access to a Help Hotline at 1-877-393-6628, where language services will be available for our ESL families. 

Any additional questions can be directed to Jennifer Arlinghaus, Food Service Director 513-398-8050 ext 10027.

Don't miss your chance to see these amazing Kings students perform in Acting Up's next show, Disney's Camp Rock: The Musical!  

This high-energy show features over 60 talented young performers from the Cincinnati area, rocking out to hits like "This Is Me," "Can't Back Down," "It's On," and "We Rock!"

Join Mitchie and her friends as they rally to save Camp Rock from the flashy new Camp Star across the lake. With a classic story of rivalry and friendship, this musical will have audiences cheering for the underdogs.

Performances are September 20-22 at Mason High School. Get your tickets at ActingUp.com.

The Kings High School Class of 2001 will hold a class reunion on Friday, December 27 at the Signature Room at Rhinegeist Brewery from 4:00 - 10:00 p.m.

RSVP by October 7. Visit the reunion website here for more information or the Class of 2001 Facebook page.

Flu and cold season is just around the corner. Check out our guidelines for keeping children home due to illness.

Board Members

Kings Board of Education (L-R): Janelle Groff, Board Member; John Skerl, Board Member; Deb Cowan, Board Member; Stacie Belfrom, President; and Peggy Phillips, Vice-President.

The Kings Board of Education meets twice a month. They hold a Work Session on the second Tuesday of the month and a Regular Meeting on the third Tuesday of the month. All meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. and are livestreamed on the Kings Youtube channel.

Visit the Board of Education page on our website for meeting dates, meeting recordings, and agendas.

If you aren't following us on our social media channels, you are missing out! Don't miss one bit of news!

Make sure to follow us on social media!

Keep in the loop on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram

In an effort to be "green," the District does not send paper flyers home. We use a platform called Peachjar that houses flyers of community programs and resources. 

Parents receive approved flyers via email, and they are posted on our digital flyerboard for easy retrieval. Any organization can distribute information to our community by creating an account!

We are looking to bolster our Kings Alumni database. Are you a Kings High School graduate or know someone who is? Please share the form with your fellow graduates. This will help our reunion committees and keep you updated on what is happening at your alma mater!

Please complete this Alumni Roundup Form.