| This is an historical study of the Winton Woods City School District. The District began as the Greenhills Rural School when the Roosevelt administration constructed Greenhills, in northern Hamilton County in southwestern Ohio, as part of the greenbelt project. After World War II, the government sold the undeveloped land, at which time Forest Park was developed and the district became the Greenhill-Forest Park District. The district experienced rapid growth, followed by a decline in enrollment. Throughout this period the district faced many challenges faced by other districts, including overcrowding, school prayer, racial integration, declining enrollment, changing economic demographics, and funding issues. Greenhills was an all white community when it was established in 1938 because of limitations on who could apply for residence stipulated by the federal government. This was probably due to opposition from surrounding communities who opposed the construction of the greenbelt town. When Forest Park was developed communities were becoming more integrated and the community emerged as an integrated community. According to the 2000 Census, Forest Park was 56.26% African American and 36.7% White, (population 19,463) while Greenhills was 2.7% African American and 93.7% White (population 4,103). The difficulties the district faced, the community's reaction, and the solutions to the problems are presented. Today the district faces challenges because of changing economic demographics from a middle class community to one with approximately 30% of families of students receiving Aid to Dependent Children. It is hoped this study will be beneficial to other school districts that face similar problems. |
