By 1808Delaware
At the Olentangy Schools Board of Education meeting last week, Board President Brandon Lester encouraged community members to stay informed about state budget decisions, particularly those affecting school funding. He emphasized how the Fair School Funding Plan and potential levy decisions could impact the district.
Board member Lizett Schreiber reported that the Facilities Committee conducted an extensive tour of Shanahan Middle School to assess maintenance needs and explore future renovation possibilities.
Treasurer Mr. Jenkins provided a financial update, detailing how changes in state funding calculations and property re-evaluations could shift more of the district’s financial burden onto local taxpayers. He urged community members to advocate for legislative changes to ensure fair funding for public schools.
Middle School ELA Presentation and Summer School Programming
A team of middle school educators shared insights from their participation in the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) annual convention. Teachers Scott Dills, Betsy Addy, Jennifer Ebersole, and Media Specialist Melissa Chan presented on:
- Fiction as Social Commentary – A unit where students analyzed dystopian novels and connected themes to real-world issues through research papers.
- Dialogic Talk as Caring Thinking – Encouraging deeper understanding and empathy through classroom discussions.
- Makerspace Environments – Hands-on, interactive learning stations funded through an Olentangy Education Foundation (OEF) grant.
Additionally, district leaders outlined summer school programs for 2025. These include a virtual Summer School option for grades 7-12, the Summer Enrichment Experience (SEE) for grades 1-12, and specialized programs such as English Learner (EL) support and Extended School Year (ESY) services for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
Communications Survey and Superintendent’s Update
Chief Communications Officer Krista Davis shared results from the district’s first-ever communications survey, which received 2,300 parent responses. Key takeaways included a need for clearer messaging, streamlined updates, and more engagement opportunities. The district plans to improve staff communication training, audit existing platforms, and recruit new members for the Communications Committee.
Superintendent Todd Meyer announced a new community outreach series focusing on how tax dollars support student learning. He highlighted that 74.6% of per-pupil expenditures go directly to classroom instruction—one of the highest rates in Ohio.
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 20, at 6:30 PM. More details, including the full 2025 meeting schedule, are available on the district website.
Source: Olentangy Local Schools; Image by günter from Pixabay
