At the ceremony and open house, which was attended by more than 100 educators, office holders and others, Superintendent Dan Hare said that the BCESC was formed in the early 20th century by the Ohio Legislature as the Butler County Board of Education. Its first office was in the Butler County Courthouse and was staffed by a superintendent and a part-time clerk.
“Today, we have over 300 employees, 93 who call this home,” Hare said.
The new office also has a training and conference center that can hold up to 270 people, and is available for community functions, Hare said, and gives the BCESC a higher public profile.
“We are a stealth organization,” said board of directors president Mary Pritchard. “Now we have a great big sign out front and everybody knows who we are.”
“We’re not moving for the sake of moving, but because there’s a need for what we do,” Hare said.
County Commissioner Gregory Jolivette spoke on behalf of the fledgling Center for Family Solutions, for which he serves as board president. The center will serve as a central point of contact between child victims of crime and the various agencies that provide both justice and healing.
“This center will allow families to come and tell their story once instead of suffering the trauma of telling it several different times to several different agencies,” he said. “And the agencies will have one place to come to hear the stories and find out what actions to take.”
The Center for Family Solutions will hold an open house of its own on Dec. 16, he said, after it is up and running.
Kenny Craig, president of the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, presented Hare and Pritchard with a commemorative plaque.
“All I can say is ‘Wow! We’re definitely not in Kroger’s any more,’” quipped Hamilton Mayor Pat Moeller. “I can’t think of a better use for this building than the education and protection of our children.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2188 or rjones@coxohio.com.
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