[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6059882,"mediaKeyId","3293497-8ab3a694425cede2bd939f36ac58c2ec","parentId",3293497,"title","Bus driver and resident asks Kenston to add pickleball courts for community use","audioSeconds",269,"startMs",8047000,"endMs",8316000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293497-8ab3a694425cede2bd939f36ac58c2ec&start=8047&end=8316","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293497-8ab3a694425cede2bd939f36ac58c2ec/thumbnail_8047000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6059882/Ohio/Bus-driver-and-resident-asks-Kenston-to-add-pickleball-courts-for-community-use","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059882-a5b4d20b78e680cba538822270687dca/orig.mp4?Expires=1775389718&Signature=iyBvCesYV9J88NKELfakgRDjolRJSNoTOBtM-0mBvy6zofxDRC2N0tS-WZWtmr-f9UunMPtB57v-icKFGY5mEPc9FB7ZjeXuIjFWKeyIuZNrcui1F1E5FfNEAVhVLdQwkbQDqLHG5QaTU45uKzgYmIiA7Ofed2MWQ9kVDOKVmyM2nkHVs59VygsxRZJ6wKUmsoOpMPMLHa-EGEmvKg8xakTSSQevLEJooyMOFqvxEAxsEPZiRoDOaYIM8r6c0-FVYbmgRh8BhECF5VBEC7ctYG5yrGtKiSANZJhBpiDQl9Dg14Vrz6McsJDG14qEWyq5zXlC4yNfUw-g5DH6-Zq86w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kenston Local School District","date","2025-05-13T13:30:16Z","article","Sue D’Amico, a Kenston school bus driver and resident of Snyder Road, told the board on May 12 that the district should consider converting existing tennis courts or otherwise adding pickleball courts for community use.

“Every community that I go into has pickleball courts and a lot of them at the schools on their tennis courts,” D’Amico said. She told the board pickleball is growing across age groups and noted the sport’s value for older adults, high school students and community recreation. D’Amico said other municipalities restrict court access or charge for indoor play but that outdoor school courts could offer accessible options for residents.

D’Amico suggested the district’s maintenance staff could handle line‑striping or repainting and that the district should consider formal access for residents. She also said some township plans are exploring courts at community parks and urged the district to offer shared facilities that make use of existing assets.

No board action was taken on the comment; the speaker asked the board to consider the request and to prioritize community access when maintaining or repurposing outdoor courts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kenston Board of Education Regular Board Meeting - 5/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sue D’Amico, a Kenston school bus driver and resident, urged the board to convert or add community‑accessible pickleball courts at school facilities, saying other nearby communities have courts on school tennis courts and that courts would benefit older residents and students.","taxTitle","Kenston Local, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",49812,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6059887,"Kenston Alumni Association reports 2,500‑member database, fundraising needs and plans for employment network",760,2476000,3236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293497-8ab3a694425cede2bd939f36ac58c2ec&start=2476&end=3236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293497-8ab3a694425cede2bd939f36ac58c2ec/thumbnail_2476000.jpg","/articles/6059887/Ohio/Kenston-Alumni-Association-reports-2500member-database-fundraising-needs-and-plans-for-employment-network","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059887-2d8faaf58ebaf572dc18712b11b47911/orig.mp4?Expires=1775389718&Signature=NiOsWr-CO7YAX6qndRKq0ML8I6L2E2pLylvQZfV-wNr6VeiDGLh6vyLntWt4ebsB2Offfo6mwT9l1DOXcYLhIkrlEJjTaeMk8Q7dCr313K-7O42CZHy3swOHdLJw5v6JBCeyty4TPaa1l149dOfk9BlI5x9~nFFy7GZ4wumyPTEqx7Bq6GuHpVoexbkFAo5PFOtddN8bl-w1GG0GsUe8p2gJh~r7g~OcqFJDS7JJ8MpZZSLObDZW5sRGEXPvaASpQPt3Dr7~kNOsm9MvAvsfQjrVNp1Wumo6XZXp2moxJeR-hy6KjOdPaJwDV0dNTqtvzZHSGATI~W2PWKkvP3sjuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Drew Tewksbury, president of the Kenston Alumni Association, briefed the board on May 12 about the group's activities and near‑term goals, including a push to create an alumni employment and internship network and sustain operations financially.

Tewksbury said the association maintains more than 2,500 alumni records, conducts an annual all‑class reunion, supports a Carrie Friedman scholarship fund and operates an alumni museum and archive at Gardner School with yearbooks, uniforms and historical photographs. He said the association established a legacy recognition at commencement and manages two alumni halls of fame, and that it helps coordinate class reunions and tours of district facilities.

Looking ahead, Tewksbury said the association is prioritizing leadership succession, creating an alumni employment network for internships and job connections, and securing funding to sustain activities. He said the association’s checking account balance was about $2,200 and asked the board and community for ideas to expand support.

Board members responded positively to the networking goal and thanked the alumni association for its work with graduates and community engagement.","Drew Tewksbury, president of the Kenston Alumni Association, told the board the group now maintains a 2,500‑record alumni database, runs a school archive at Gardner School, and is developing an alumni employment and internship network while seeking sustainable funding.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6059892,"Kenston honors dozens of retirees, student and staff awards and launches ‘Rise Up’ staff recognition",3301,683000,3984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293497-8ab3a694425cede2bd939f36ac58c2ec&start=683&end=3984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293497-8ab3a694425cede2bd939f36ac58c2ec/thumbnail_683000.jpg","/articles/6059892/Ohio/Kenston-honors-dozens-of-retirees-student-and-staff-awards-and-launches-Rise-Up-staff-recognition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059892-30079b4b3e3bf7989b834925bd6431da/orig.mp4?Expires=1775389718&Signature=oERa6dEn7WEt~P83B7YRMZa1P5f15Hx~MGrsAJp8EWz9k5ITW9EvV~nwIdUpL52nbgA2uCc~rojKcTVQInzyv-CCLhzqtzVOxltR6Xc7uqXQUTyqMz1uCTNknBGOVQy6rQIeFA4By9WYYoI4SjYzv7eh0rBt4z7V19kO4IOgXHWFNJSAzdLvzlhSDRmupXd5RkwoqW0ZTwBrhxhFBnj4bFVglVFpM5vnmHoPHYSfVBcN-Cg0-fNUbH7MSkJTMD8F8mwEax5FovQuO7dRJEwX50T4kOp2BSOKdiPUekIYm3Rbv0gBkuP0nZZKukscza~dKiwHZ7YCWg7B~WIEZWqfDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kenston Board of Education spent a large portion of its May 12 meeting recognizing retirees across the district, honoring staff and student achievements, and accepting a student‑created award for non‑instructional personnel.

Superintendent Dr. Willingham introduced a slate of retirees from administration, transportation, maintenance and nutrition services, and described the evening as “a very special night” to honor long service. Retirements cited included Anita Dwyer (22 years), Karen Visich (32 years in Kenston payroll; 37 years total in payroll), Rob Beck (40 years at Kenston, 50 years total), Stan Redd (48 years), several nutrition‑services staff who began between 1997–1999, and teachers and support staff with decades of service. Speakers repeatedly noted the cumulative experience leaving the district and the community impact of long careers.

Mark Jones, associate executive director of the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators, presented a Hall of Fame recognition to Timmons Elementary for instructional leadership, culture and student engagement. “Timmons Elementary is a thriving school community where a unified mission is evident in every aspect of the building,” Jones read from the visiting team’s evaluation.

The board also recognized student accomplishments in the arts and entrepreneurship. Two seniors received Scholastic Art Awards (silver and gold key distinctions), and third‑grader Olive Hanson won the Young Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge with a short product pitch she presented at the meeting.

A new student‑initiated staff recognition, the “Rise Up Award,” was presented by senior William Eisner to Rebecca Taylor, an administrative assistant at the high school, who was cited by nominators as someone who “runs this school on a day‑to‑day basis” and “does it all with a smile.” Eisner framed the award with a quote he attributed to Queen Elizabeth II: “a life lived in service is not a sacrifice, but an honor.”

The board voted to accept the commendations; Board Member Jim Henry moved the motion to accept the list of commendations and Dennis Berganski seconded. The roll call vote recorded all present voting yes.

Clarifying detail: presenters said roughly 400 combined years of service were represented among retirees; the Hall of Fame award for Timmons is part of a selective state program administered by OAESA; the Rise Up Award was developed by a senior student, distributed following a staff survey and nomination process.","At its May 12 meeting the Kenston Board recognized more than 400 combined years of service from retirees across departments, presented school awards including a Hall of Fame nod for Timmons Elementary, and accepted the student‑created Rise Up Award honoring high‑impact non‑instructional staff member Rebecca Taylor.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6059897,"Kenston to put grades 4–7 on a unified middle school bell schedule; district planning bus routes",210,5672000,5882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293497-8ab3a694425cede2bd939f36ac58c2ec&start=5672&end=5882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293497-8ab3a694425cede2bd939f36ac58c2ec/thumbnail_5672000.jpg","/articles/6059897/Ohio/Kenston-to-put-grades-47-on-a-unified-middle-school-bell-schedule-district-planning-bus-routes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059897-100d1f2545793cd6d8739f1dea64f545/orig.mp4?Expires=1775389718&Signature=l1IbJoLZUk~3DYrHNa0depjbzDSpPNJNahm-gmyhJIZ6tAev9JvHuD2wwR~~csSHKomySoykVZ-KWc3WaVzcOgrwm-CKO-xfmkzd4gQOyiQMlI8aU5RLU96e1dupOciSi95MrWMk7NSfFLxUOgISaw7dJaNcUlOgrXsETSltIye2Lid8fRb~vWYN4xer8hQkTDBCiJ1yDQ70ChfmcyID6NhlsscTHYh23cLOAW9O5LGN8WLV7wLMhLF1wTknM3Qd4RDhjAvjugaiLR-GQrfKAUYsXfNGFQPdjGUU-SJQ5efwmL-1BV8rDn4rJCqkRaVhZ3Vwy88BkBIPqr6opDkN6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kenston Board of Education heard on May 12 that the district will move grades 4 through 7 to a single bell schedule at the middle school next school year, a change administrators said will reduce hallway congestion and free principals to spend more time in classrooms.

“We’re gonna be at the earlier time…4 through 7 will all be on the same bell schedule,” Superintendent Dr. Willingham said, describing the plan developed with principals and transportation staff. He said the change replaces two separate arrival and dismissal times that had limited instructional access.

Dr. Willingham said the district and transportation director have worked on route design to address parent concerns about younger students sharing buses with older students. “We wanted to make sure that we weren’t having fourth graders riding with seniors,” he said, noting the logistics required separate routes in some cases and coordination with the transportation office.

Chris Elner, the district’s director of transportation, confirmed the department has sufficient drivers for the planned routing and that staff are finalizing stop and route details. The administration said communications with families will be distributed later in the week and that principals will continue to refine schedules to reduce hallway transitions and preserve instructional time.

The board did not take a formal vote on bell times at the meeting; the change was presented as an administrative plan to be implemented before the 2025–26 school year. Administrators said convocation is scheduled for Aug. 12 and that final schedules will be communicated this summer.

Clarifying detail: the new schedule will align grades 4–7 on a single middle‑school bell; transportation staff said driver availability is sufficient and separate routes will be used where needed to address grade‑mix concerns.","Superintendent Dr. Willingham announced the middle school will move to a single bell schedule for grades 4–7 next school year to reduce transitions and improve instructional time; transportation director and administrators are adjusting bus routes and said driver staffing is sufficient.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6059902,"Kenston treasurer: five-year forecast shows short-term surplus after rightsizing, longer-term pressure ahead",1888,5948000,7836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293497-8ab3a694425cede2bd939f36ac58c2ec&start=5948&end=7836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293497-8ab3a694425cede2bd939f36ac58c2ec/thumbnail_5948000.jpg","/articles/6059902/Ohio/Kenston-treasurer-five-year-forecast-shows-short-term-surplus-after-rightsizing-longer-term-pressure-ahead","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059902-b6055263d6cc9fb1bc1d626213f5cfa0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775389718&Signature=FLP7S3AUWyATJ2Y2moMZdkhM3hZsNs05duuIw~2Ox1PNDBDChfqrvhJ653H5XC5TC8bCQKWc2bl0rzZsmmtO8VqxR7vlgydDgcuqAR2ze-0MeuMNFw7Ez0dgXsNmryiDAHAXzowN08e4SESfC2QO0EkRyDJPzkAnI7CYk2OLXwm~Gavy8zKI73w4f8HwRI-bpQtSTWJ2PL9zLfwIEiBaLQ5emARZIf7yHGd0jC7NriRLtrvPk0kUVsG2SgatHYMYyt3UVGgIr-qNV-dbwLqETyxt3P~HVldNJ1YPvfrwcf9xhoclJMk2BbJ15qB87ey-4VhAFnCxNXvGHk4CYe4DkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kenston Board of Education Treasurer Seth Kales told the board on May 12 that the district’s five‑year financial forecast now shows a modest surplus this year after staffing changes and other savings, but projected deficits return in later years without additional revenue.

Kales said the district expects to end the current fiscal year about $361,922 better than its prior projection and that creative staffing and attrition produced roughly $750,000 in savings. “A financial forecast is a dynamic fiscal management tool,” Kales told the board. “It’s a living document.”

The forecast focuses on the general fund and assumes negotiated base wage increases built into current contracts; it shows Kenston relying heavily on local property tax revenue (projected to increase from about 69.2% to 71.3% of general‑fund revenue by 2029). Kales said the district will not deficit‑spend this year or next, but expects expenditures to outpace revenues in 2027–29 unless further action is taken. He noted a projected modest increase in cash balance this year, then a gradual decline as inflation and other cost pressures mount.

Kales flagged uncertainty from pending state actions, specifically the version of House Bill 96 pending in the Senate and provisions tied to the Fair School Funding Plan. He also highlighted statewide enrollment declines and benefits cost volatility as risks. “There are many uncertainties with the bill,” Kales said, adding that the forecast will be updated as legislative and economic conditions change.

Board members voted to approve the financial consent items (agenda items 9.1–9.6) covering the forecast and related transactions. The motion to approve those items was made by Board Member Dennis Berganski and seconded by Board Member Jen Chapman; the roll call vote recorded all members present voting yes.

Kales said the district will continue to pursue grants, reassess third‑party contracts, and align staffing through attrition to stretch existing levy revenue. He also said the administration plans to publish the forecast assumptions and supporting detail on the district finance web page and to offer meetings for community members who want additional explanation.

The treasurer recommended using the forecast as a planning tool and acknowledged that longer‑term stability may require a future operating levy if expenditures continue to outpace revenues despite further efficiency efforts.

Clarifying detail: Kales reported an estimated $750,000 in savings produced by absorbing positions through attrition and schedule changes, producing a net projected cash increase of $361,922 for the forecast year; days cash on hand was reported at 69 in 2024 and is projected to remain above the board’s 30‑day policy through the near term. He said the house‑passed budget produced a modest increase for the district (about $35,000), but the senate version of HB 96 could change assumptions.","Treasurer Seth Kales told the Kenston Board of Education on May 12 that rightsizing and staff attrition produced roughly $361,922 in projected year‑end savings and removed deficit spending this year and next, but the five‑year forecast still projects deficits in the latter years and faces uncertainty from House Bill 96 and enrollment trends.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bus driver and resident asks Kenston to add pickleball courts for community use

Kenston Alumni Association reports 2,500‑member database, fundraising needs and plans for employment network

Kenston honors dozens of retirees, student and staff awards and launches ‘Rise Up’ staff recognition

Kenston to put grades 4–7 on a unified middle school bell schedule; district planning bus routes

Kenston treasurer: five-year forecast shows short-term surplus after rightsizing, longer-term pressure ahead