By 1808Delaware
Last week’s Olentangy Local Schools Board of Education meeting highlighted ongoing challenges tied to rapid growth within the district.
Board President Brandon Lester emphasized the district’s commitment to addressing this growth and noted that recent regional school levy requests reflect similar pressures across Central Ohio. To gauge public sentiment and guide future decisions, the district partnered with Fallon Research for a community survey. Survey findings revealed that, while most residents appreciate Delaware County’s quality of life, they also express heightened concern over the district’s rapid growth and its long-term impact on educational quality.
Paul Fallon of Fallon Research detailed results from a survey conducted in early October among 1,223 adult residents. Findings showed that while 71% of respondents are satisfied with local quality of life, there is awareness that the district’s growth may soon strain resources. As growth accelerates, Fallon emphasized the importance of public communication on the timeline for building new schools, as the district works to maintain the high-quality educational standards the community values.
Pupil Services Department Update
A comprehensive update from Olentangy’s Pupil Services Department outlined the district’s ongoing support for diverse student needs, including English Language (EL) learners and students in special education programs. The district currently serves 1,659 EL students with a favorable ratio of 31 students per EL specialist, supporting high proficiency rates on state assessments. Additionally, Olentangy’s preschool program for children with IEPs continues to grow, currently serving 687 students and projecting a significant increase by May 2025.
For students with disabilities, 12.8% of the district’s K-12 population receives support through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), while 2.26% require services in Specialized Learning Centers. State performance indicators show that Olentangy students with disabilities outperformed expectations in both English Language Arts and mathematics.
Academic Excellence Recognized in AP School Honor Roll
Superintendent Todd Meyer announced a milestone achievement for Olentangy’s four high schools, each of which earned a place on the 2024 AP School Honor Roll. Olentangy, Liberty, and Berlin High Schools attained gold status, while Orange High School was awarded silver. The honor roll recognition celebrates schools that prioritize college readiness through Advanced Placement offerings, underscoring Olentangy’s commitment to fostering a college-going culture.
In observance of Veterans Day, district schools are preparing special events and displays to honor veterans, including school assemblies, breakfasts, and educational displays that celebrate the contributions of those who have served.
Fiscal Responsibility and Tax Relief
Treasurer Ryan Jenkins introduced a new resolution to reduce the district’s millage tax rate by an additional quarter mill, marking a continued effort to align tax collection with debt service payments. Over the past two years, Olentangy has reduced the tax rate for its bond retirement fund by 1.5 mills, saving homeowners an estimated $230 annually on a $500,000 home. These reductions reflect the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, only collecting what is needed to cover essential costs.
Jenkins also presented Olentangy’s achievements in cost-saving initiatives, which have resulted in nearly $32 million in savings over the past four years. Comparing district spending to peer districts, preliminary CUPP data revealed that Olentangy ranks among the top districts in Ohio for instructional spending, with a high performance index despite relatively low per-pupil expenditures.
Advocacy for State Funding Adjustments
In light of state funding challenges, Jenkins stressed the importance of revisiting Ohio’s Fair School Funding Formula. He recommended several legislative adjustments to ensure fair funding, including increasing the state’s share of educational expenses to reduce the burden on local taxpayers. He urged state legislators to continue adjusting the base cost of education and to fully implement the phased funding formula, underscoring the need for equitable support to sustain Olentangy’s growing community.
Looking Ahead
The Olentangy Board of Education will convene its next regular meeting on Thursday, December 12, at 6:30 PM at Olentangy Orange High School. Meeting details and records can be accessed via the district’s Board Meeting Records webpage.
Source: Olentangy Local Schools; Image by krzysztof-m from Pixabay
