By 1808Delaware
Olentangy Local Schools closed its recent meeting with a mix of gratitude, momentum, and forward planning. In a district defined by growth and high expectations, the evening carried both reflection and resolve.
A Longtime Leader Steps Down
Board President Brandon Lester shared a message from fellow board member Kevin O’Brien, who has resigned after 17 years of service, including six terms as board president. Seventeen years is not a short chapter in the life of a school district. It spans graduating classes, new buildings, levy campaigns, and the quiet, steady work of governance. Fellow board members spoke candidly about O’Brien’s dedication and his role in shaping the district’s direction. Superintendent Todd Meyer echoed that sentiment, calling it an honor to have worked alongside him.
Under Ohio law, the remaining board members must fill the vacancy within 10 to 30 days of its occurrence. The process is already underway. Community members interested in serving may submit an online application by 5:00 PM on March 13, 2026. Interviews will take place the week of March 23, with an appointment expected at a special meeting on or before March 28. Whoever is selected will serve the remainder of O’Brien’s unexpired term through December 31, 2027.
For a district navigating rapid enrollment growth and major capital projects, this appointment will matter. The next board member will step directly into decisions that shape classrooms, tax policy, and community development for years to come.
A High School Student Teaching the Next Generation
One of the evening’s most compelling presentations did not come from an administrator, but from a student. Olentangy Elemencodes is an after-school coding program for fourth and fifth graders, created by Orange High School student Bianca E. She launched the program at Walnut Creek Elementary and now facilitates weekly sessions from January through April. With guidance from advisor Ms. Seitz, Bianca develops the lessons and labs herself. The program culminates in a final project, giving students hands-on experience in computer science fundamentals.
Summer Enrichment Returns
Registration for the Summer Enrichment Experience opened Sunday, March 1, through the parent PowerSchool portal. The program runs June 1 through June 11, with in-person morning and afternoon sessions available to students entering grades 1 through 12.
If you are a parent in the district, do not wait. These spots tend to move quickly. The Course Description Guide outlines offerings, and families who plan early typically get the most flexibility.
Breaking Ground on Elementary School 18
Growth remains a defining theme for Olentangy.
The groundbreaking ceremony for Elementary School 18 is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM at 2745 Bean Oller Road in Delaware. New buildings are both a response to enrollment pressure and a signal of confidence in the region’s future. Each additional school reflects long-range planning that began years earlier, often in crowded classrooms and enrollment projections discussed at meetings like this one.
Financial Adjustments and Property Matters
Treasurer Ryan Jenkins recommended approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 Amended Permanent Appropriation Resolution to align the district’s budget with updated revenue and expenditure projections. In plain terms, this is the kind of recalibration that keeps a large district financially steady.
He also recommended approval of Board of Revision resolutions related to property valuation issues affecting district revenue. These matters rarely make headlines, but they directly impact how much funding flows into classrooms.
Student Fees and Vendor Pressures
Chief Academic Officer Dr. Michelle Blackley presented updates to the 2026-27 student fee structure. Elementary fees will remain at zero. That is significant. In a time when families feel cost pressure from multiple directions, maintaining no elementary fees sends a clear message about accessibility. Some middle and high school courses may see fee increases due to vendor pricing adjustments, primarily for materials and resources. These are not arbitrary increases. They are tied to real supply costs, which districts across Ohio are grappling with.
Facilities, Annexation, and Capital Improvements
Chief Operations Officer Jeff Gordon reviewed several major action items, beginning with authorization to file an annexation petition for approximately 141.5 acres at the High School #5 site into the City of Delaware.
He also outlined a one-year agreement with Mobilease Modular Space, Inc. to add two modular classrooms at Indian Springs Elementary School. A new chiller unit from Trane U.S., Inc. will be installed at Glen Oak Elementary. Districtwide capital improvements include paving work by Sheedy Paving, Inc. and window replacement by Capitol Aluminum and Glass Corporation.
What Comes Next
The next regular Board of Education meeting will be held Tuesday, March 10 at 6:30 PM at the Olentangy Administrative Offices.
Between now and then, the board will continue moving through a leadership transition while simultaneously managing enrollment growth, capital expansion, and program development.
Image by izhar ahamed from Pixabay
