OSCHIGHLIGHTS
QuarterlyeNewsletterhighlightingOSCMemberAchievements
AdigitalmagazineoftheOhioSchoolsCouncil;HighlightingandCelebratingProfessionalStaff, Innovative&BestPracticesandStudentAchievement.Wehopeyouenjoythemagazine.Share storiesaboutyourProfessionalStaff,Innovative&BestPracticesandStudentAchievement bycontactingLeahNemethatlnemeth@osconline.org.
TableofContents
pg. 2
pg. 4
pg. 6
pg. 8
WickliffeCitySchools’SuperintendentJosephSpicciaNamed 2024OhioSuperintendentoftheYear:AdvocatesforStudent SuccessStatewide
RecognizedforExcellence:IndependenceLocalSchoolsAssistant SuperintendentTomDreiling,NamedOASBO2024Business OperationsDirectoroftheYear
BereaCitySchools’HeadCustodianMelvinMartinHonored withOASBO’s2024SchoolFacilitySupportStaffAward
ClearviewLocalSchools,GilesBrown’sHands-OnLeadershipEarns HimtheOASBO2024TransportationDirectoroftheYearAward
pg. 10 pg. 11
pg. 12 pg. 14
OhioSchoolsCouncilReachesMilestone:300Members
OhioSchoolsCouncilSupportsAdministrativeRetreats foraStrongSchoolYearStart
ParmaCitySchoolsLeadstheWaywiththeOSCFarm-to-School ProgramandtheCuyahogaCounty‘FeedOurFuture’Program
OSCOutreachandSupportallowsBedfordSchoolstoImplement theClevelandFoodBankSummerNutritionProgramandtheOSC FarmtoSchoolProgram
WestGeaugaLocalSchoolsAStudent-CenteredApproach
OSCHIGHLIGHTS:PATHWAYSTOSUCCESS HappyThanksgiving!
pg. 16 pg. 20
CELEBRATINGPROFESSIONALSTAFF
Featuredstory....
WICKLIFFECITYSCHOOLS’SUPERINTENDENT
JOSEPHSPICCIANAMED2024OHIOSUPERINTENDENTOF THEYEAR:ADVOCATESFORSTUDENTSUCCESSSTATEWIDE
JosephSpiccia,Superintendentof WickliffeCitySchools,hasbeennamedthe2024Ohio SuperintendentoftheYearbytheBuckeyeAssociation ofSchoolAdministrators(BASA) Thisprestigioushonor recognizesSpiccia's47yearsineducationandhis steadfastbeliefthateverystudent,everywhere notjust inhisdistrict deservesaccesstothetoolsand resourcesneededtosucceed
“Thisisn’tjustaboutWickliffe,”Spicciaexplained “Every student,ineveryplace,shouldhavetheopportunityto succeed Weoweittoourcommunitiesandouryoung peopletomakesuretheyhavethesupporttheyneed tothrive”(Continuedonnextpage)
CELEBRATINGPROFESSIONALSTAFF
CONTINUED:WICKLIFFECITYSCHOOLS’SUPERINTENDENTJOSEPHSPICCIANAMED
WhileSpiccia’sleadershiphasgreatlyimpactedtheWickliffecommunity,hisbroadervisionistoinspire districtsacrossthestatetoprovidethesamelevelofsupporttotheirstudents.“Whatwedoishelppeople, andnoonedoesanythingbythemselves,”hesaid.“Myjobistoworkwithmyteamtoshowthemhowit’s possible.Together,wehelpothersprioritizeandachieve,andwebelieveeverystudentdeservesthesame chance,nomatterwheretheyare.”
OneofSpiccia’sproudestachievementsisthecreationoftheFamilyResourceCenter,whichhehopes canserveasamodelforotherdistrictsthroughoutOhio.Recognizingthat52%ofWicklifferesidentsare economicallydisadvantaged,Spiccialedtheinitiativesixyearsagotoprovidefamilieswithessential services,including:
Communityhealthcare
Astudent-ledfoodandclothingpantry
Mentalandsocialservices
Athleticphysicals
Annualtaxservicesandsupport
QU
Todate,theFamilyResourceCenterhasservedover8,000communitymembers.Spicciabelievesthe center’ssuccessisproofthatsuchamodelcouldbereplicatedinotherdistrictsfacingsimilarchallenges. “Everycommunityshouldhavearesourcelikethis,”Spicciasaid.“Familiesneedaccesstobasicneedslike healthcare,food,andmentalhealthservices,andIhopedistrictsacrossthestatecanseehowimpactful thisconcepthasbeenforWickliffeandmakeitarealityintheirowncommunities.”
Spiccia'sleadershipalsoextendstothedistrict’sCollegeandCareerProgram,aunique10-yearplanthat beginsinthethirdgradeandhelpsstudentsexploreandplanfortheirfuture.Thisprogramoffersearly careerplanning,jobsitevisits,andopportunitiestohearfromprofessionalswithdiversecareerpaths, includingnon-traditionalrolessuchascasinopitbossesandprofessionalclowns.
“Weallowstudentstoplantheirfuturewhilealsoshowingthemhowit’spossible,”Spicciasaid.“It’snot abouttellingeverystudenttheyneedtogotocollege;it’saboutshowingthemthattherearemanypaths tosuccess.Doyouwanttobeinschooluntilyou're60,ordoyouwanttobuildacareer?”
ThoughdeeplyrootedintheWickliffecommunity,Spiccia'svisionforequitableaccesstoresourcesand opportunitiesissomethinghehopeswillspreadacrossthestate.“Thisisateameffort,”hesaid.“Butit’s notjustmyteaminWickliffe—it’severyeducatorandeverycommunityworkingtogethertogiveevery studentthetoolstheyneedtothrive.Ihopetheworkwe’vedonehereinspiresothersacrossOhio.”
CELEBRATINGPROFESSIONALSTAFF
RECOGNIZEDFOREXCELLENCE:INDEPENDENCELOCALSCHOOLSASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTTOMDREILING,NAMEDOASBO2024BUSINESSOPERATIONS DIRECTOROFTHEYEAR
TomDreiling,assistantsuperintendentof IndependenceLocalSchools,hasrecentlybeennamed theOhioAssociationofSchoolBusinessOfficials' (OASBO)BusinessOperationsManageroftheYear.This honorrecognizesDreiling'sexceptionalleadership,his commitmenttofosteringgrowth,andhiseffortsto createmeaningfulcollaborationsthatenhancethe schoolenvironment.
Inarecentinterview,Dreilingsharedhisphilosophyon leadership,emphasizingtheimportanceofcontinual personalgrowthandservantleadership "Youcan't serveifyou'renotgrowing,"Dreilingsaid,explainingthat aleadermustconstantlystrivetoimproveinorderto bettersupporttheirteam Hisbeliefinthisprincipleis reflectedinhisencouragementforstafftoalwaysgive theirbest,urgingthemtobring"thebestisallyou've got"totheirworkeveryday
Dreiling’scareerineducationbeganasanassistant principal,wherehegainedadeepunderstandingof leadership Hebelievesleadershipinvolvesmastering bothtask-orientedandsoftskills,likecommunication andempathy,whichareessentialtobuildingstrong, cohesiveteams ForDreiling,leadershipisnotan inherenttrait,butaskillthatcanbedevelopedover time "Leadersarenotborn,"hestated,emphasizingthat anyonecangrowintoaleadershiprolewiththeright supportandtraining
(Continuedonnextpage)
CELEBRATINGPROFESSIONALSTAFF
CONTINUED:RECOGNIZEDFOREXCELLENCE:INDEPENDENCELOCALSCHOOLSASSISTANT
OneofthecoretenetsofDreiling’sleadershipstyleistheuseof inquiry Ratherthandirectingstaffwithstrictanswers,hechooses to"leadthroughquestions,"fosteringcollaborationandinviting otherstotakeownershipoftheirwork Thisapproachhasbeen particularlyeffectiveingrowingindividualswhomaynothavehad accesstoleadershiptraining "Growingpeoplewhodon'tget trainingisessential,"heremarked,underscoringhispassionfor liftingupothersandsharingknowledge
Dreilingalsohighlightedtheimportanceofvisioninleadership, whichheseesascrucialtonavigatingthecomplexchallengesthat ariseinschooloperations Hisopen-doorpolicyandwillingnessto shareideashaveearnedhimareputationasavisionaryleader committedtobuildingastrong,innovativeteam "Visioniskey,"he said,notingthatforward-thinkingleadershipiswhatdrivesreal progress
HisworkwiththeOhioSchoolsCouncilisatestamenttothis
DreilinghaspartneredwithOSConanannualCustodialDayevent, whichbringstogethermaintenanceandcustodialstafffromall overNortheastOhiotoexchangebestpractices,collaborate,and feelsupportedintheirroles "TheCustodialDayeventhasbeena game-changer,"Dreilingshared "It’simportantforeveryonetofeel likethey’repartofsomethingbigger,andthiseventhelpscustodial teamsrealizetheimpacttheyhaveontheoverallsuccessofour schools"Theevent,whichhasdrawnincreasingparticipationeach year,reflectsDreiling’sbeliefinthevalueofsharingideasand fosteringasenseofcommunityamongallstaffmembers, includingthosewhooftenworkbehindthescenes
AsDreilingcontinueshisleadershipjourney,hisfocusremains clear:developingothers,fosteringcollaboration,andbuildinga visionforlong-termsuccess.HisrecognitionbyOASBOisafitting tributetohiswork,whichhasimpactednotonlyIndependence LocalSchoolsbuttheentireNortheastOhioregion.
CELEBRATINGPROFESSIONALSTAFF
BEREACITYSCHOOLS’HEADCUSTODIANMELVINMARTINHONOREDWITH OASBO’S2024SCHOOLFACILITYSUPPORTSTAFFAWARD
Inrecognitionofhisdecades-longdedicationto creatingasafeandwelcomingenvironmentfor studentsandstaff,MelvinMartin,HeadCustodianat BereaCitySchools,hasbeennamedtherecipientof theOhioAssociationofSchoolBusinessOfficials (OASBO)2024SchoolFacilitySupportStaffAwardforthe Northeastregion.Theaward,whichacknowledgesthe criticalcontributionsofOhio’sschoolfacilitysupport staff,honorsindividualswhogoaboveandbeyondto ensurethecleanliness,safety,andfunctionalityof schoolspacesacrossthestate.
MartinhasbeenwithBereaCitySchoolsfornearly30 years,duringwhichtimehehasbecomearespected leaderandrolemodelwithinthedistrict.Knownforhis unwaveringcommitmenttohisrole,Martinemphasizes adiplomaticandresponsibleapproachtohiswork, leadinghisteambysettingahighstandardofwork ethicandfairness.
“Melvinalwaysgoesaboveandbeyondwhatisaskedof himandisanunbelievableexampleofwhata custodianshouldbe,”saidMichaelDraves,Assistant SuperintendentofBereaCitySchools.“Heisalways lookingtoservethelargermissionofourschooldistrict, providingaworld-classexperienceforourstudents.He understandsthataclean,safeenvironmentisakey partofthismission.Melvinissuchagoodperson,who hasdevotedhislifetoensuringourkidsandcommunity canbeproudoftheirbuildingsandwillbesafewhen theyarethere.HemakesBMHSandBCSDbetterevery dayheisthere!”
(Continuedonnextpage)
CELEBRATINGPROFESSIONALSTAFF
ForMartin,hisroleasheadcustodianismorethanjustajob it’sanopportunitytopositivelyimpactthe livesofstudents,staff,andcommunitymemberswhowalkthroughthedoorsofBereaCitySchools. Reflectingonhisapproach,Martinshared,“Itrytofindthegoodineveryone,”aguidingprinciplethat hasshapedhisrelationshipswithcolleaguesandstudentsalike.
Overtheyears,Martinhascultivatedareputationforbeingafairandunderstandingleader.Asagood listener,heensureshisteammembersfeelsupported,appreciated,andempoweredtodotheirbest. Hissteady,thoughtfulleadershiphascreatedacultureofmutualrespect,andhishardworkbehindthe sceneshasallowedthedistrict’sstudentstolearnandgrowinacomfortableandinvitingenvironment.
TheSchoolFacilitySupportStaffAwardfromOASBOrecognizesstaffmemberslikeMartin,whomaintain thethousandsofschoolbuildingsthatserveOhio’syouth.Facility,maintenance,andcustodialteams playafoundationalroleinschooldistrictoperations,ensuringthatbuildingsarenotonlycleanandsafe butalsospaceswherestudentsandstafffeelwelcomedandreadytosucceed.
MelvinMartin’sawardisatestamenttohisnearlythreedecadesofdedication,histhoughtfulandfair leadership,andhisenduringimpactonBereaCitySchools.Hishardworkensuresthatstudentshavea safeplacetolearnandgrow amissionheembraceswithprideandpurpose.
CELEBRATINGPROFESSIONALSTAFF
CLEARVIEWLOCALSCHOOLS,GILESBROWN’SHANDS-ON LEADERSHIPEARNSHIMTHEOASBO2024
TRANSPORTATIONDIRECTOROFTHEYEARAWARD
GilesBrown,TransportationDirectorat ClearviewLocalSchools,hasbeenrecognizedasthe 2024TransportationDirectoroftheYearbytheOhio AssociationofSchoolBusinessOfficials(OASBO) This prestigiousawardreflectshisdedication,leadership, andtirelessworktoensurethedistrict’stransportation needsaremetdespitesignificantchallenges,including anationwidebusdrivershortage
ClearviewLocalSchools,oneoftheOhioSchools Council’smostactivemembers,hasbenefitedgreatly fromitsinvolvementwithOSC'sprograms,allowing Gilesandhisteamtonavigatethecomplexitiesof transportationwithease “OSCdoeseverything,”says Giles “Ifitwasn’tforthem,Iwouldnotbeabletogeton thatbusforfourhourseachday”
Giles’srolegoesbeyonddirecting;heembodiesthe spiritof“allhandsondeck”Forthepastdecade,hehas managedeveryaspectofClearview'stransportation system,fromoverseeingroutestomaintainingthefleet of12busesthattransport671K-8students Hisdaily scheduleisgrueling,startingat5am andfinishingat5 pm Inadditiontohisadministrativeduties,Giles spendsfourhoursadaydrivingroutesandservesas oneofthreepart-timemechanics,oftenhandling repairshimself “It’shardtobethebossifyou’venever donethejob,”hesays,illustratinghishands-on approach
(Continuedonnextpage)
CELEBRATINGPROFESSIONALSTAFF
CONTINUED:CLEARVIEWLOCALSCHOOLS,GILESBROWN’SHANDS-ONLEADERSHIP
Clearview’stransportationdepartmenthasgrownunderGiles’s leadership,withanewbusgaragebuiltin2020,improved operationalefficiency,andhisfavoritepartofthejob connecting withthekindergartenstudentshetransportsdaily.He’sknownfor keepingthe“bestcandy”togivetotheyoungriders,asmallbut meaningfulwayhebuildsrapportwiththechildreninhiscare.
ThroughitspartnershipwithOSC,Clearviewhasaccesstoawide arrayofservices,frompre-bidschoolbusestodiscountedrouting softwarelikeTransfinder.ThissupporthasenabledGilesto implement3-5contingencyplanstoensureoperationsrun smoothly,evenwhenfacedwithdrivershortagesorsudden absences.
TheOSC’sTransportationSupervisorsNetworkhasbeen particularlyvaluabletoGiles,allowinghimtoconnectwithpeers andgaininsightsdespitethedemandingnatureofhisrole.“Ifthe OSCnetworkmeetingsweren’theldvirtually,Iwouldn’tbeableto attend wejusthavetoomuchgoingonhere.It’ssogreatthatI cantuneinfromanywhere,”henotes.
Gilescreditshisdriversastheheartoftheoperation:“Wehavethe bestdriversontheroad,”hesays.AndwiththehelpoftheOhio SchoolsCouncil,he’sbeenabletocreatearobusttransportation systemthatkeepsClearviewLocalSchoolsmovingforward.
OHIOSCHOOLSCOUNCILREACHESMILESTONE:300MEMBERS
TheOhioSchoolsCouncilisproudtoannounceasignificant milestoneinits35-yearhistory welcomingits300thmember! Thisachievementhighlightsthegrowingvalueandimpactthat OSCofferstoeducationalinstitutionsacrossOhio.
ALegacyofCollaborationandSupport
Foundedin1986,theOhioSchoolsCouncilbeganasasmallgroup ofdistrictscomingtogethertoleveragecollectivepurchasing power.Today,OSChasbecomeastatewideleader,servingurban, suburban,andruraldistrictsalike.Ourmissionhasalwaysbeento providesharedresources,expertguidance,andinnovative programstohelpschooldistrictsstretchtaxpayerdollarsand enhancethequalityofeducation.
Withtheadditionofits300thmember,theOSCcontinuestofoster collaborationamongschooldistricts,allowingmemberstoaccess awiderangeofservices,includingenergyprograms,cooperative purchasing,transportationservices,androbustpre-bidsolutions.
Thebenefitsgobeyondcostsavings,offeringdistrictsdynamic networking,grantopportunities,exclusivevendorpartnerships, andaccesstopre-bid,discounted,andcompliantprogramsand services.
CELEBRATINGINNOVATIVE&BESTPRACTICES
OHIOSCHOOLSCOUNCILSUPPORTSADMINISTRATIVERETREATS FORASTRONGSCHOOLYEARSTART
Thispastsummer,theOhioSchoolsCouncilactivelyparticipated indozensofAdministrativeRetreats,providingcriticalsupportto schooldistrictsacrossOhioastheypreparedforthe2024-2025 schoolyear.ThroughoutearlyAugust,OSCrepresentativesmet withhundredsofschooladministrators,deliveringvaluable insights,resources,andpracticalsolutionstohelpdistrictslaunch successfullyintothenewacademicyear.Theretreats,designedto fostercollaborationandequipschoolleadershipteamswiththe toolstheyneed,sawenthusiasticparticipationfromdistrict superintendents,businessdirectors,principals,andotherkey personnel.
TheOSCfocusedonaddressingbothimmediateneedsandlongtermstrategies,includingcost-savinginitiatives,vendor partnerships,andprogrammingdesignedtoenhanceoperational efficiencyinschools.Highlightingnewprogramsandpartnerships, OSCsharedupdatesontheirexpandedservices,including cybersecuritytraining,schoolequipmentauctions,andpre-bid servicesforcriticalinfrastructureneedssuchaswindowanddoor solutions.
TheOSCalsodiscussedongoinginitiativessuchasnetworking meetings,whichhavegrownintoapowerfulplatformfordistrict leaderstoexchangebestpracticesontopicsrangingfrom compliancetothelatestlegislativeupdates.Byofferingtailored adviceandemphasizingtheimportanceofcollaboration,the OSC’spresenceattheseretreatsensuredthatschoolleaders enteredthenewschoolyearequippedtotackletheirchallenges head-on.Ourinvolvementreflectsourongoingcommitmentto supportingOhio’sdistrictsandfosteringacultureofshared successacrossthestate.WiththecollectiveeffortoftheOSCand Ohio’seducationalleaders,thisyear’sAdministrativeRetreats havesetthestageforaproductiveandprosperousschoolyear.
CELEBRATINGINNOVATIVE&BESTPRACTICES
PARMACITYSCHOOLSLEADSTHEWAYWITHTHEOSCFARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAMANDTHECUYAHOGACOUNTY‘FEEDOURFUTURE’PROGRAM
ParmaCitySchoolshasbeenastandoutparticipantin theOhioSchoolsCouncil'sFarmtoSchoolBidProgram, whichispartoftheFeedOurFutureinitiative.The partnership,backedbytheCuyahogaCountyBoardof Health,aimstoconnectschools,homes,and communitiesbypromotinglocalfoodsourcingand educatingstudentsabouthealthyeatinghabits
Duringthe2023-24schoolyear,ParmaCitySchools madesignificantstrideswiththeprogram Thedistrict spent$218,295onlocalfoodpurchases,including apples,lettuce,andpizzadough itstopthreeitems In total,Parmasourced175,192poundsoflocalfood, markinganimpressive35%increaseinlocalfood procurementsincethe2021-22schoolyear
Thisgrowthreflectsthedistrict'scommitmentto providingfresh,nutritiousmealstoitsstudentswhile supportinglocalfarms EmilyGladish,ParmaCity Schools'FoodServiceSupervisor,attributesmuchofthis successtothesupportfromtheOhioSchoolsCouncil "Theprogramandvendorvarietythisyearhavebeen excellent,"shesaid,emphasizinghowtheOSCsimplifies theprocessbyhandlingthefoodbidsandcompliance aspects,whichallowsdistrictstofocusonchoosing vendorsthatmeettheirspecificneeds
(Continuedonnextpage)
Oneoftheprogram'shighlightsthisyearwasauniquetastetestingeventwherestudentssampledfivevarietiesofwatermelon, includingsangria,yellowdial,andred-seededtypes "Itwassofun watchingthestudentseatyellowwatermelon,"Gladishshared, underscoringhowthesehands-onexperienceshelpeducate studentsaboutlocalfoodinanengagingway
Witha43%increaseinspendingacrossallOSCfarm-to-school vendorsoverthelastyear,it'sclearthatschoolslikeParmaCityare embracingtheFeedOurFutureprogramtoenrichtheirfood services Gladishoffersadviceforotherdistrictsinterestedin joining:"Startsmall Lookatthevarietyofbidsavailable,pickone thingoronevendor,andgrowfromthere"
ParmaCitySchools’achievementshighlighthowthepartnership betweenschoolsandlocalfoodvendorscancreateahealthier, moresustainablefutureforstudentsandcommunitiesalike
JenniferDickson,fueledbypassionandpartnership,isa trailblazerinBedfordSchools’FoodService.
OneofJennifer'smostrecentachievementsisherrole intheClevelandFoodBank’sSummerNutritionProgram. WhentheOhioSchoolsCouncilsoughtparticipantsfor theprogramlastsummer,Jenniferwasquicktostepup Bedfordservedaremarkable3,166mealstochildren duringtheprogram,anachievementthathighlightsher unwaveringdedicationtoensuringnochildgoes hungry,evenwhenschoolisout
Jennifer'sleadershiphasalsobeeninstrumentalin Bedford’sFarm-to-Schoolprogram,whichshe launchednearlysevenyearsagowiththesupportof theOhioSchoolsCouncil “OSChasbeenanincredible partner,”shesays “Theirgeneralfoodbidsandlocal freshfarm-to-schoolbidssaveustimeandmoney, whichIcaninvestbackintomyteam”Theprogram connectsstudentswithlocalfarmers,introducingthem tofreshproduceandallowingthemtolearnfirsthand aboutwheretheirfoodcomesfrom
IntheBedfordCitySchoolDistrict,JenniferDicksonis morethanafoodservicedirector;she’sapioneer transformingschoolcafeteriasintocreativehubsthat engagestudentsandnourishtheminwaysthatextend farbeyondastandardlunchtray Herpassionforfresh, healthyfoodandinnovativeapproachestoschool nutritionhasearnedherareputationasaleaderand strongpartneroftheOhioSchoolsCouncil,leveraging theirresourcestobringhervisionaryideastolife
(Continuedonnextpage) OSCOUTREACHANDSUPPORTALLOWSBEDFORDSCHOOLSTOIMPLEMENTTHECLEVELAND
Jennifer'sdedicationtopushingboundariesisevidentineveryfacetofherwork She’sconstantly experimentingwithnewmenuitems,offeringarotatingarrayofstudentfavoritesandhealth-conscious options Herstudent-ledtastetestingsessionshavebecomeastapleinBedfordSchools,wherestudents notonlytastebutvoteonwhatwillbecomepartoftheircafeterialineup Thislevelofengagementhas fosteredaconnectionbetweenthestudentsandtheirfood,empoweringthemtomakechoicesand enjoytheirmeals.
AkeyelementofJennifer’ssuccessishercommitmenttograntsthatsupportK-12foodserviceprograms. Hertirelesspursuitoftheseopportunitiesisreflectedinthegrowmachinescarefullyscatteredthroughout thehighschool,producingfreshgreensforstudents'meals.“It’snotjustaboutfeedingstudents;it’sabout educatingthemonthepoweroffresh,healthyfood,”Jenniferexplains.
Jennifer’spassionextendsbeyondfood,resonatingwithherstaffthroughheruniqueleadershipstyle. Inspiredbyherloveofbees,whichshebelievesareessentialtothebalanceofnature,shewearsa necklacewithabeependantandgiftedherentireschoolnutritionstaffthesamesymbol."Iremindthem to'beethemselves,'”Jennifershares,“becauseeveryonebringssomethinguniquetoourteam."She supportsandeducatesherstaff,notingthataccesstotheOSCFoodServiceProgramallowsherto dedicatemoretimetotraining.“I’mthefastestonetocutawatermelon,butnoteveryoneis,soIgetto showthem,”shelaughs.JenniferDickson'spartnershipwiththeOhioSchoolsCouncilandher forward-thinkingapproachtofoodservicehavemadeherastandoutleaderinBedfordSchools.
She’snotonlyprovidingstudentswithnutritiousmealsbutalsoenrichingtheireducationalexperience. Throughherefforts,Jenniferisensuringthatthenextgenerationunderstandsthevalueoffreshfoodand community”andthat’ssomethingtrulyworthbuzzingabout.
WESTGEAUGALOCALSCHOOLSASTUDENT-CENTEREDAPPROACH
Reprint:BusinessViewMagazine;July2024
AnOhioSchoolDistrictExemplifyingExcellenceand Innovation
Offeringauniqueblendofruralcharmandsuburban convenience,theWestGeaugaSchoolDistrict,fondly referredtoas“WestG”,isatestamenttoeducational excellenceandcommunitypride.Servingthe picturesquecommunitiesofGeaugaCounty,this districtofapproximately2,000studentsiscontinuingto evolveandiscelebratedstatewideforitscommitment toacademicachievement,innovativeteaching methods,andcomprehensivestudentsupport.
InthewordsofSuperintendent,Dr.RichardMarkwardt, “Oneofthefirstthingsthatweemphasizeisgivingour students,andourstaff,asafe,nurturing,learning environment Andthatincorporatesalotofdifferent elements,includingphysicalsafety,emotionalsafety, theopportunitytogrow,andtheopportunitytofail And whenpeoplefail,weallowthemtotryagainandto eventuallyachievesuccess”
AsSuperintendentoftheWestGeaugaSchoolDistrict since2015,Dr Markwardtrecallstheambitiousgoalsset bytheBoarduponhisarrival “Academicallytheyfelt thatthedistrictwasunder-achievingandthey’dliketo beinthetopfivepercentageofdistrictsinthestate withinfiveyears,”herecounts “Well,Ithinkwe’vedone betterthanthat”
(Continuedonnextpage)
CELEBRATINGSTUDENTACHIEVEMENT
CONTINUED: WESTGEAUGALOCALSCHOOLSASTUDENT-CENTEREDAPPROACH
Nowhigh-performing,WestGeaugahasmadegreatstridesoverthelastdecade,toreachitsacademic potential.“We’veprobablychartedmoreacademicgainsthananyotherdistrictinthestate,”says Markwardt.Heattributesthissuccesstotheeffortsofstudents,supportfromthecommunity,anda forward-thinkingteamofteachersandleaders,boasting,
“Wehaveaprettyoutstandingstaffwhoareamenabletonewideasandwhowillincorporatethoseideas intotheirclassroom.”NotingthatalleducatorsinOhioareteachingtothesamestatestandards, Markwardtemphasizes,“It’showweteachtothosestandardsthatseparateusfrommanyotherdistricts. There’sagreatdealofemphasishereontheimportanceofinstruction,andintermsofhowwehire people,andthenhowweworkwiththosepeopletodeveloptheirskillsoncethey’rehere.”
Tomeetthediverseneedsofstudents,Dr.Markwardtsaysthedistricthadtomakesomechanges.“We’ve sortofmovedthewholecurvetotheright,inthatwe’veuppedthemiddle,”heexplains.“We’veincreased intermsofrigor,andwe’vemadeittoughertoearnanAthanwhatitwas10yearsago.Wealsohaveput inplacemanysupportsforourlowerachievingkids.”
Proactively,thedistrictusesaMulti-TieredSystemsofSupport(MTSS)model,addressingstruggling students’needsbeforetheyfacesignificantacademicsetbacks.Dr.MarkwardtmentionsAmyDavis, DirectorofPupilPersonnel,sharing,“Shewastalkingaboutoureffortsininclusionandequity.Andshe saidthemostequitablethingwecandoisensurethatallofourchildrenachieveproficiencyorabovein theiracademics.Andthat’sbecomeadrivingforceforthedistrict.”Inaddition,WestGeaugaLocal Schoolshasrevampeditsapproachtogiftededucation,makingtheefforttoengagefamiliesmore actively.
“Thesekidsalsoneedopportunitiestoexpandtheirmindsandgrowtotheircapacityandthatmaymean acceleratingorexpandingacurriculum,buttheparentswanttobeinvolvedinthat,”heasserts.
InitiativessuchasthesehavebroughtunparalleledacademicgainsforWestGeauga,asMarkwardt summarizes,“We’vedoneanexemplaryjobofprovidingadditionalservicesforallofourkids.”
CELEBRATINGSTUDENTACHIEVEMENT
AcademicAchievementandBeyond
AssistantSuperintendentDr.NancyBenincasahighlightsthedistrict’sapproachtoearlyliteracy,andtheir useoftheScienceofReadingframeworklongbeforethestateofOhiomandatedit.
“AbouteightyearsagowewereworkingwithcolleaguesthatwerewellversedintheScienceofReading, andwestudieditcollegiallyasteacherteamsandadministrators,”shedetails.“Wehavebuiltfromthe groundup,anearlyliteracyandliteracyprogram,steepedinthebeliefsystemoftheScienceofReading andwe’reveryproudofthatwork.”
Fortheolderstudents,WestGeaugaisforginginnovativepathways,blendingacademicswithreal-world careeropportunities.“Wehaveafairlylargegroupofourstudentsatthehighschooltakingcollege courseswiththeCollegeCreditPlus(CPP)programming.We’relocatedclosetoLakelandCommunity College,andwealsohavethoseclasseswithinourhighschool,wherewe’reabletoutilizesomeofour stafftoteachthem,”reportsKarenPavlat,TreasurerandCFO.
ThedistricthasalsoembracedExcelTECC,aCTEprogramthatoffersstudentscareer-focused opportunities.“Wehave25%ofourkidsthatparticipateinthisprogramming,thatisanythingfrom horticulturetocosmetology,computers,marketing,”Pavlatconveys.Theseprogramsarebolsteredby strongcommunitypartnershipswithinstitutionsliketheClevelandClinic,UniversityHospitals,andother localentities.
Situatednearamajormetropolitanarea,WestGeaugaleveragesitslocationtodevelopvaluable partnershipswithlocalbusinesses,asMarkwardtportrays,“Ontheonehand,wecanworkwithour chamberofcommerce,wecanaccessthemomandpopshopsandthelocalbusinesses,becausewe dohavesomeprettythrivingbusinessesinthearea.Butthenwealsohavefamiliesinourdistrict,whoare theCEOsofmajor,insomecases,global,enterprises.”
CELEBRATINGSTUDENTACHIEVEMENT
CONTINUED:
NavigatingChallengesandEmbracingGrowth
WestGeauga’sresiliencewasputtothetestduringthepandemic,whichcoincidedwiththeabsorptionof theneighboringNewburySchoolDistrict “Aspartofthat,wehadtoreconfigureourbuildings So,wehad toimplementanewgradelevelingsystemandmovehalfofourstafftosplitupourelementarybuildings frombeingtwoK-5buildingstoaK-2anda3-5 Itwasabigliftforthisdistrict,”Markwardtaffirms, addingthatdespitesomeinitialchallengesandadjustments,theintegrationhasbeenremarkably successful
Lookingahead,thedistrictplanstoconsolidateitsaginginfrastructurewithacentralizedcampusmodel, aninvestmentofover$100million “Weareplanningtoputthattoourresidentstovoteonabondissue, tobuildanew6-12building,andtorenovateourmiddleschoolintoaPreK-five,”describesPavlat “It’llbe abigchangeforthiscommunity,butoneofthethingsthatweareproudofisthatwehaveasmallbut mightygroup,andwecanmakethosechangeshappen”
IntermsofotherfuturegoalsDr Markwardtstates,“Ithinkweneedtokeepourfootonthegasabout academics,becausealthoughwe’vemadesignificantachievements,westillhaveroomtogrow,asI thinkanydistrictdoes Wehaveagroupherewho’sdeterminedtocontinuetoprovidethebestacademic opportunitieswecanforourkids,andourteachersaswell,sothattheycanhonetheircraftinasetting that’sconducivetolearning.”
AVibrantOutlook
WestGeaugaLocalSchoolsexemplifieswhatcanbeachievedwhenadistrictcombinesvisionary leadership,innovativeteaching,strongcommunitypartnerships,andacommitmenttoeverystudent’s success.Asitlookstothefuture,thedistrictremainsfocusedonitsmissiontoprovideahigh-quality educationthatmeetstheneedsofeverylearner.Benincasastresses.
“Ourjobisn’ttosimplyprepareourstudentstoliveinWestGeauga.Ourjobistoprepareourstudentsfor aglobaleconomy.Andthat’swhatwewanttodohere.”
PATHWAYSTOSUCCESS
QuarterlyeNewsletterhighlightingOSCMemberAchievements
