[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6469230,"mediaKeyId","5781042-06ec04b9ae2429322bbc4450a6549610","parentId",5781042,"title","Board honors athletic boosters and Coach Blaine Pitts after 500th coaching victory; donations accepted","audioSeconds",452,"startMs",139000,"endMs",591000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781042-06ec04b9ae2429322bbc4450a6549610&start=139&end=591","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781042-06ec04b9ae2429322bbc4450a6549610/thumbnail_139000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6469230/Ohio/Board-honors-athletic-boosters-and-Coach-Blaine-Pitts-after-500th-coaching-victory-donations-accepted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469230-12c1bd8a9377111be752a79d4fd84d53/orig.mp4?Expires=1775217429&Signature=gzHiqgzZHWTdNkmXBHGr82u7BQK4VweYG2NLk-u0~2eEks15BgwWnIS1urbqy2V85L0HWVNpNKQcU6tZxOtMRpV-mvrSMu~3YbJKR2aptgUvwomQd6P-6WwQKeoSzuU96aaqKulk6W~pm-W2btjMSB-fn429qQMENS50w0gyHY4-DS4pXSufCxoKyi6vMtBNMMLamlHXrp~LCpUPj4TEja8m5~U5u0t7oxtL0EQOOybO89U5aJH8IiJehyyhBGmHwEr3i5~y34MY5n~bn1C1c~GGhhv0yUxt0BUrLLiwiTmI94SI3ai5hllAAub-~GMF1ZYgUo-Q~KbVRtEoqcj0HQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marion City","date","2025-09-16T15:34:39Z","article","At its Sept. 15 meeting the Marion City Schools Board of Education presented a certificate of appreciation to the Marion City Schools Athletic Boosters and adopted a proclamation recognizing Coach Blaine Pitts after he reached his 500th career coaching win on Aug. 21.

Superintendent Brian Murphy read the certificate and recommended the board formally recognize the athletic boosters for longstanding financial and volunteer support. Murphy noted the boosters have contributed “well into the millions” over many years to support school programs and athletics. Marsha (identified in the meeting as the boosters’ president) was present to receive the recognition.

Murphy also recommended and the board adopted a proclamation honoring Coach Blaine Pitts for his 500th career coaching victory, recorded in the meeting materials as occurring on Aug. 21, 2025, after a 3–2 win over Ontario. Board members and former players spoke in praise of Pitts’s leadership and the program’s impact on student athletes; one speaker noted several former Marion players compete at the collegiate level.

The board also approved a list of donations submitted in the consent agenda. Donations included $6,754 to Harding’s athletic department from Inspire Brands (through Buffalo Wild Wings); multiple $50 gift‑card donations for Convocation Day; contributions of equipment and apparel from the boosters; and in‑kind gifts such as three 3D printers valued at $300 each for McKinley, Taft and Harrison.

Board members discussed display and recognition of a banner honoring Coach Pitts’s milestone; members noted the boosters had presented banners and other items during celebrations and discussed returning the banner to display at the tennis courts or other public area.

The recognition and acceptance of donations were approved by recorded roll call during the consent agenda and superintendent’s report.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marion City Schools Board of Education Meeting 9/15/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Marion City Schools Board presented a certificate to the district athletic boosters and approved a proclamation recognizing Coach Blaine Pitts for his 500th career coaching victory. The board also accepted multiple donations to athletic programs.","taxTitle","Marion City Schools, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",60273,"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},6469235,"Harding High reveals restored Warren G. Harding portrait; restoration cost $1,900, presenter says",1349,1426000,2775000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781042-06ec04b9ae2429322bbc4450a6549610&start=1426&end=2775","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781042-06ec04b9ae2429322bbc4450a6549610/thumbnail_1426000.jpg","/articles/6469235/Ohio/Harding-High-reveals-restored-Warren-G-Harding-portrait-restoration-cost-1900-presenter-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469235-7a420fe49ffcfb6c369b3c6348db6cd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775217430&Signature=I9AFx3BCBfT5cjPj0QrfFUovU58MDxGvMqCwNkJIBd8Xp21dMbsTaNqtDwlqnEyO4P60qae5AyImi8udIl7SQaF6vj6g-66bGznR0bZo4wmmuukTVnQbBJ-ePSgqSrXAn62uTXKS9TrZkh6xqHpmr42W~ZcOyxON-gX7TYW9Sri4FT3kEbMnvJf5EEqEph6-PxhI8De0gehVahJRd0K-ctNgyq3n5szOYMzjBjDpIyP5RhIoRSiSB2k96SPfVE~KTNjvMjqprhj1Y3nbJQF6Xzn1ZXStmkFrLlDsoqQI8tEzFSil4asOb91drqio1QvTXX8dnWO5-1-XT7vGte2OwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brett McCreery, a Marion educator and local historian, unveiled a restored portrait of President Warren G. Harding at the Sept. 15 Marion City Schools Board of Education meeting and described how the painting came into the high school’s possession.

McCreery said the portrait was painted by P.W. Muncy in November 1921 and that Marion’s canvas is likely the original, signed copy. He summarized archival research showing two versions existed: an original and a copy. He said the copy is on display at the Harding Presidential site; Marion’s painting had been in the high school collection since a 1958 gift and had shown significant damage when McCreery removed it from display in 2022.

McCreery described contacting the Ohio History Connection and connecting with restorer David Terry, who performed the conservation work. McCreery told the board the painting’s frame appears to date from 1958 and showed photographs of cracking, paint loss and a torn canvas before restoration.

The restorationist, David Terry (introduced in McCreery’s remarks), patched and cleaned the canvas, and McCreery said Terry estimated the work should preserve the portrait for another century. McCreery told the board that although the board had approved up to $5,000 for the project, the final cost was $1,900.

Board President Weidling and other members praised McCreery and Mr. Terry; members discussed where the restored portrait should be displayed for safety and public access. McCreery recommended the portrait be placed behind the main office desk; Weidling accepted the recommendation on the record.

McCreery also proposed the high school be a stop for Marion’s 250th anniversary programming in January 2026 so visitors can see the portrait and hear its provenance.

No contract action was required at the meeting; administrators said the finance committee had previously discussed the estimate and authorized funding for restoration.","A portrait of President Warren G. Harding that had been in the high school collection was restored and unveiled at the Sept. 15 Marion City Schools Board meeting. Presenter Brett McCreery traced the painting’s provenance and said the restoration cost $1,900, under the $5,000 the board had initially authorized.",{"_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},6469240,"Board approves contracts, purchases and personnel items in consent and new‑business votes",616,3983000,4599000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781042-06ec04b9ae2429322bbc4450a6549610&start=3983&end=4599","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781042-06ec04b9ae2429322bbc4450a6549610/thumbnail_3983000.jpg","/articles/6469240/Ohio/Board-approves-contracts-purchases-and-personnel-items-in-consent-and-newbusiness-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469240-c91634cac1f558404bd791c175c0f8cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775217430&Signature=O8xE~PFFvmwA3EDZZPdCRyzCpKfU~IPMDuGf5fd30mti0lNYsuM7elHAHHktDVdziKz2yxXy~SGg9n-Q66Ogh5rMc7OkvLiVMKC5VHp8edq~~bK4FQ-UOh1uHwifPZTY0nJWtfLuKv-ZHZujHWrmetdo7hDNUVQ7ZabPE0PYwdEXYTUWo4NGKvJI8J8N6vi4T7ede0V9t0NfRBVOlCMzhpcmSEy0~QvR~aogFZS-X5WJnrBMCvv0NjitNK7JcrxsR1FlTQN12PTBtriEgimhLArY9A4Sm3UMjF70b-oPj5YIWIkYigZEpBKKf5WfcUhnrJ2gvaosi6Zl~cDOeaNIAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion City Schools Board of Education voted Sept. 15 on a package of contracts, purchases, donations and personnel items described in the meeting’s consent calendar and new‑business agenda.

Key approvals included a $500,000 transfer from the general fund to the permanent improvement fund, multiple no‑cost service agreements for student supports, purchases of a robotic field‑painting machine and two wrestling mats, and assorted personnel actions and hiring items. The board approved the consent agenda covering personnel, routine contracts and donations by recorded roll call.

Notable items approved by the board:
- Transfer of $500,000 from the general fund to the permanent improvement fund (motion approved by recorded roll call).
- Agreement renewals and memoranda: Village Network Inc. (behavioral health services), OhioHealth (grief‑support services) and IC Ohio (comprehensive vision exams and glasses for students) — all approved.
- Purchase authorization for a Tiny Mobile Robots field‑painting machine, total cost $34,710 (approved). The board discussed expected time savings, more accurate field lines and long‑term cost recovery.
- Purchase of two Resolite wrestling mats, total about $34,000; the athletic boosters are funding and will reimburse the district for one mat (approved).
- Donations: a series of school donations were accepted, including $6,754 to Harding athletics from Inspire Brands/Buffalo Wild Wings and other in‑kind and cash gifts listed in the consent materials (approved).
- Personnel and employment items on the consent calendar, substitute hiring and a memorandum of understanding with the Marion Education Association to correct contract text (all approved). One roll call shows a single abstention: the substitute hiring vote included an abstention by Board member Ratliff and passed with other members voting yes.
- A resolution declaring transportation “impractical” for a set of private‑school students (payment in lieu of transportation) was approved; the board referenced Ohio Revised Code procedures while discussing per‑student payment amounts.

The meeting record shows each item was approved by a roll call that recorded board members present. The agenda materials and roll calls were used to confirm approvals; there were no failed motions on the items brought forward during the consent and new‑business portions of the agenda.","At its Sept. 15 meeting the Marion City Schools Board of Education approved a slate of contracts, purchases, donations and personnel items, including a $500,000 transfer to the permanent improvement fund and agreements with mental‑health and student‑support vendors.",{"_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},6469242,"Marion City Schools rises to 3-star district on state report card, superintendent says",457,951000,1408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781042-06ec04b9ae2429322bbc4450a6549610&start=951&end=1408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781042-06ec04b9ae2429322bbc4450a6549610/thumbnail_951000.jpg","/articles/6469242/Ohio/Marion-City-Schools-rises-to-3-star-district-on-state-report-card-superintendent-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469242-5715b75beb65dee089a87b49194e0417/orig.mp4?Expires=1775217430&Signature=kJ3CaKqQPJo~rNwovZdhOwC315otuotGu~c1Y4srczmngpaxl08LO6nW9gSWQT201Z8ienu3jlrUBAWa-UDVp7lf~HTEQ2wGO~IDnn5QGnwsR99V8RGEVa4FxxRRm1HhvVTewbnFukRBOXwyb8k-oimnXlyKC8WB3kJ60uE9THuidiw3LsqiwHdOfKvm~xNgwVMMkF2F9AAt6TrwwhJ53v2bYl7qHFxzfR~Gd-fnJjUUhu3c4rUg9uLIYjSbxj4THmkwT~AoRo1tIELKOQkYdbIfVH8PTp5s35vXp-RTS2R8gYshRB~73Kd7k57B6zuztps1iDy45gAd5TD9ARmEbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marion City Schools reported a jump to a three‑star district on the Ohio Department of Education report card, Superintendent Brian Murphy told the Marion City Schools Board of Education during its Sept. 15 meeting at Harding High School.

Murphy said the district improved by 3.5 percentage points in achievement and gained four performance‑index points compared with the previous year. He said the district moved from 2.5 stars to 3 stars overall, and that progress and gap‑closing measures also rose from two stars to three. Murphy said the district’s gap‑closing score rose from 26.6% to 37.5%.

The superintendent gave school‑level details: four schools increased their star ratings year over year. Grant, Pan White, and George Washington moved from 2.5 to 3 stars; Garfield rose from 2 to 2.5; Harding remained at 3 stars; Taft, McKinley and other schools largely remained at their prior levels, he said.

Murphy described early‑literacy improvement as a notable gain: the K–3 literacy rating moved from 1 star to 2 stars, third‑grade reading proficiency increased about 1%, and promotion to fourth grade improved to 100% for the measured cohort. He said the district’s four‑year graduation rate grew by 1.1 percentage points and that the five‑year rate declined slightly.

Murphy also noted that the state issued stars for college, career, workforce and military readiness for the first time; Marion received two stars in that new category. He said that state funding calculations will be updated in October and that the district expects to track shifts when new formulas begin to apply.

Board members and administrators framed the results as evidence of recent reforms and adaptive work by staff. Murphy credited district teachers, leaders and partners for “making adjustments on the fly” and said the district will build on the gains.

Looking ahead, Murphy and other board members said they expect continued focus on literacy and college‑and‑career readiness measures and acknowledged some areas remain below the district’s aspirations.

The superintendent’s remarks were delivered as part of the superintendent’s report; no formal board action was required for the report card itself.","Superintendent Brian Murphy told the Marion City Schools Board of Education on Sept. 15 that the district improved across multiple categories on the state report card, moving from 2.5 to 3 stars and recording gains in achievement, progress and gap closing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board honors athletic boosters and Coach Blaine Pitts after 500th coaching victory; donations accepted

Harding High reveals restored Warren G. Harding portrait; restoration cost $1,900, presenter says

Board approves contracts, purchases and personnel items in consent and new‑business votes

Marion City Schools rises to 3-star district on state report card, superintendent says