[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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",[32,75],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6492818,"mediaKeyId","5811944-a406a2c837391060282fe592ccf02ae8","parentId",5811944,"title","Ashland board receives 4‑star state report card, reviews policy revisions and approves consent items","audioSeconds",464,"startMs",824000,"endMs",1288000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811944-a406a2c837391060282fe592ccf02ae8&start=824&end=1288","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811944-a406a2c837391060282fe592ccf02ae8/thumbnail_824000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6492818/Ashland-City/School-Districts/Ohio/Ashland-board-receives-4star-state-report-card-reviews-policy-revisions-and-approves-consent-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6492818-af985fc42886c44480e7f67e153eb032/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182438&Signature=I7XsrvCTQAsnojRh4kdktxG39AEcQF7jcEK5cIB-NuKyzj5GeRD9R-nrfqe~aYPhjJBPASCq2lpakg9thBULDi6REVY~4Gq9P9ZNZPnIq-Vwj6UDu1Jhd3riVhd9NjVr6acQyNLkx4MUXEL8V2zyZOG9OuLEM0IiCJ8efE7MCiOAmTrpLx15sDoqETWMb3vD9niR-hOp5JxI-8YTkqJM27hkoabwnxNEaP~ERKO6YdPAgcwy9O5lSimFjNsM7GFDo7XHZdberzZaAyT7-BWQ2geM9UlPMgbzkU1wMVHJsknJLO8FiJFIjC~q7drMzh1F~tfU8w-qgyKVbRdqVtAz3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ashland City","date","2025-09-22T20:31:18Z","article","The Ashland City School District Board of Education on Sept. 22 heard a superintendent’s report that included recognition of students and staff of the month, a rise to four out of five stars on the district state report card and several policy updates intended to align district policy with state law.

Superintendent Parramore led recognition of student- and staff-of-the-month honorees from Reagan Elementary, Edison, Taft Intermediate, Ashland Middle School and Ashland High School. Parramore told the board the district’s state report card improved to four stars out of five, citing gains in career-technical education, attendance and growth for students with disabilities.

The superintendent also reviewed several policy revisions as a first reading or update to mirror state requirements and recent legislation. Items flagged for revision or replacement included nondiscrimination definitions (policy 2266), extracurricular participation for homeschooled and community-school students (policy 2430.02), interscholastic athletics (policy 2431), attendance and excused absences for driver’s education (policy 5200), religious release time (policy 5223), withdrawal from school (policy 5130), academic acceleration (policy 5410), credit card/audit language (policy 6109), digital content and accessibility (policy 7540.02), continuity of operations (policy 8300), information security and student‑data protections (policies 8305 and 8400 / Senate Bill 29 references), definitions for student abuse and neglect (policy 8462), and transportation for nonroutine trips (policy 8606). Parramore said many edits are “clean up” language to align district documents with current state law and the upcoming biennium budget (House Bill 96).

The board also considered a revised personal communication devices policy (policy 5136) that would restrict students’ use of cell phones and similar devices during instructional time, including lunch and transitions, with exceptions for emergencies and medical needs. Parramore said the revisions mirror recent state guidance about instructional time.

Financial and operational items approved
- The treasurer’s consent calendar, described as routine and enacted in one motion, was approved by roll call (5–0). The treasurer’s report included an expenditure for a school-based therapist tied to the district’s liaison program; board members said those liaison positions were supported in part by mental health and recovery board funding.
- The superintendent’s consent calendar, also enacted in one motion, was approved (roll call recorded as carried).
- The board approved updates to the 2025–26 student handbook, including habitual truancy/chronically absent procedures and a 72‑hour threshold tied to interventions (motion carried 5–0).

Board members highlighted local events and fundraising. Parramore noted the district was a pacesetter organization for the United Way of Ashland County and reported the district had raised more than $19,000. The board also reminded the public that homecoming kickoff is Friday at 7 p.m. at Community Stadium and that the district’s PI renewal levy would appear on the Nov. 4 ballot; Parramore said the levy is “no new money” to taxpayers and is intended for upkeep of buildings and systems.

Votes at a glance
- Approve agenda as amended — outcome: approved (tally recorded 5 yes, 0 no). Motion and second not specified in the transcript; roll call recorded.
- Treasurer’s consent calendar — outcome: approved (tally recorded 5 yes, 0 no). Mover: Mrs. Mowery. Seconder: Mr. Hart.
- Superintendent’s consent calendar — outcome: approved (roll call recorded as carried). Mover: Mrs. Deppert. Seconder: Mr. Summers.
- Update 2025–26 student handbook (including truancy/absenteeism edits) — outcome: approved (tally recorded 5 yes, 0 no). Mover: Mr. Summers. Seconder: Mr. Hart.
- Motion to adjourn — outcome: approved. Mover: Mrs. Deppert. Seconder: Mr. Summers.

What’s next
Parramore said policy revisions brought as a first reading will return for board approval at a special meeting on Oct. 13. The board also encouraged public participation in the October 8 art calendar reception and reminded residents of the Nov. 4 ballot on the PI renewal levy.

Ending
The board completed routine business, recognized district honorees and scheduled follow-up on policy updates; no additional binding policy changes beyond the approved consent items were adopted at the Sept. 22 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ashland City Schools BOE Meeting 9/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Ashland City School District Board of Education on Sept. 22 heard a superintendent’s report that included student and staff recognitions, a rise to four stars on the district state report card and multiple policy updates to align with state law.","taxTitle","Ashland City, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",54452,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6492823,"Parents urge board to limit religious promotion in schools, cite First Amendment concerns",1207,2130000,3337000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811944-a406a2c837391060282fe592ccf02ae8&start=2130&end=3337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811944-a406a2c837391060282fe592ccf02ae8/thumbnail_2130000.jpg","/articles/6492823/Ashland-City/School-Districts/Ohio/Parents-urge-board-to-limit-religious-promotion-in-schools-cite-First-Amendment-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6492823-c8d1a8b8ae5dae8a917062a84e0bcbb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182438&Signature=FfOXKlNiATG9fLZCeELTccOmhiPwxhnnrRNNFjP-nOMHdbytvd~~wKRN0lJTouxdmoHEnCwHzWfmh4Y3gJU~CwrJ5W1B3EUt1cKdUZdar6gUyAnAmestpZzwAU3KOAvfvEjVyjhEXZ6dKyxjIl7gf70ksRofto1of~aoOLbK4vGHHoPaquP8MfMq5yL04Qq39sG23HzKlUw-fKzFkyxrInni0Mhu1g2ovtQ-peATe6BeJhwofrOmkiOujE-ksdSzZNuIteRDM9n7m1Zhc~pe1gYqpba9isT0uB4XRM7aM3fpFpjdq1mNX0WD9kWyIKMoT5Nb~3cPwTm0iuWr67eHhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two Ashland parents told the Ashland City School District Board of Education on Sept. 22 that religious programming and religiously themed materials in schools risk violating the Constitution’s Establishment Clause.

“I…cherish one of the core founding principles of this country, which is the separation of church and state,” parent Alexandra Emmons told the board, saying she and other families had provided copies of letters the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent the superintendent in July and December 2024 and that she had seen “two songs…with explicitly religious lyrics” performed at a May 2025 school assembly.

Emmons said she was not arguing against private religious instruction but disputed what she described as “the overall encroachment of religion into our public school system,” and asked the board to reduce what she called “proselytization” in district schools.

In response, Superintendent Parramore said Lifewise is offered by parent choice, that “nobody is ever forced to go to Lifewise. Ever,” and that the program does not replace graded classroom time. Parramore said the district would review the concerns and, where necessary, follow up with building administrators and teachers.

Another parent, Erin Rice, who said she recently moved to Ashland and is raising children in a Christian household, said she and other parents felt “a feeling of otherness” when religious messages appear in classrooms or at school events. Rice asked the board to be mindful of inclusion so students who are not part of the community majority feel welcome.

Board members said they would verify the district is operating “within the letter of the law.” One board member emphasized that Lifewise and similar pull-out programs are offered with parent permission and are not funded by district tax dollars, and another asked parents to follow the district’s complaint protocol—raising concerns first with a teacher or building administrator so the district can investigate.

What the district said it will check
- The board and superintendent said they would review the Freedom From Religion Foundation correspondence referenced by parents and confirm whether specific practices cited in the letters comply with federal and state law.
- Superintendent Parramore and board members reiterated that the district’s Lifewise pull-out program runs only with parental permission and that the program is offered off school property by outside providers.

Context and key details
- The public comments cited letters sent by the Freedom From Religion Foundation in July and December 2024 and an assembly in May 2025 where parents said religious songs were played.
- District officials repeatedly described Lifewise as voluntary and parent-sponsored; officials said program activities are not paid for with district tax dollars.
- The board and superintendent urged parents to use the building-level complaint process for specific classroom concerns.

What happens next
Board members said they will review the cited letters and relevant state and federal guidance and follow up with the parent who spoke; the superintendent offered to follow up personally this week.

Quotes (selected)
“Regardless of my own religious background…we all have in common is that we cherish one of the core founding principles of this country, which is the separation of church and state,” Alexandra Emmons said.

“Nobody is ever forced to go to Lifewise. Ever,” Superintendent Parramore said.

Ending
The board did not take formal action on the issue during the meeting; members pledged to review the documentation parents provided and to confirm that district practices comply with applicable law. Parents were advised to use the district’s complaint process to raise specific classroom incidents so administrators can investigate.","Two Ashland parents told the Ashland City School District Board of Education on Sept. 22 that religious programming and religiously themed materials in schools risk violating the Constitution’s Establishment Clause.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ashland board receives 4‑star state report card, reviews policy revisions and approves consent items

Parents urge board to limit religious promotion in schools, cite First Amendment concerns