The Bellbrook‑Sugarcreek Local School District board heard a mid‑year update on its three‑year district goals and a presentation of course‑of‑study changes for 2025–26 at a meeting that followed the Sugar Creek town hall.

Why it matters: The goals and curriculum changes guide budget, staffing and professional development decisions. Teachers also described a rise in students’ social and emotional needs and heightened social‑media use, which the district said it is addressing through training and targeted interventions.

District goals and implementation updates
Administrators described five focus areas in the district’s 2023–26 plan: culture and climate, artisan/teacher development, systems and processes (implementation science), facilities and finances. Examples included classroom‑level positive‑behavior programs tied to district language, peer‑to‑peer teacher observations and “craft conversations” to deepen feedback, and a district implementation team using an evidence‑based readiness rubric (National Implementation Research Network) to measure and guide adoption of programs.

The district said building implementation teams and a central implementation team are meeting monthly to align curriculum adoptions (K–12 ELA this year) and to track adult implementation indicators — measures of whether staff are using new tools and curricula as intended.

Teachers’ comments; social and emotional trends
Several teachers who spoke during an informal staff segment reported that while most students returned to pre‑pandemic academic levels, the number and intensity of behavior, anxiety and dysregulation cases has increased. One staff member noted the “heightened use of social media” among students and said the district is continuing programs aimed at digital literacy and social‑emotional support. Julie Darling, a high‑school English teacher, noted a strong turnout for extracurriculars such as chess club and career‑oriented events.

Facilities and finances
Facilities staff reviewed a seven‑year facilities plan and a prioritized list of maintenance and capital items. Officials identified roofs and major HVAC/chiller systems as upcoming large costs and said replacement timing will factor into permanent‑improvement planning. The district reiterated that sale proceeds from any property divestment must be used for capital projects through the permanent improvement fund.

Course changes and high school offerings
Administrators presented course‑of‑study updates for 2025–26. Notable shifts include an updated introductory computer science pathway (moving toward cybersecurity and Python for some offerings), reintroduction of statistics as an Algebra II equivalent, and consolidation of certain PE courses into a sports/fitness sequence. Board and staff noted the high school’s ability to offer a broad array of vocational and advanced courses despite the district’s small size.

Personnel and operations
The board introduced a new treasurer (Amit Kontop) who began on Jan. 1; administrators said the treasurer’s office will continue to supply forecasts and support financial planning around capital needs.

Ending: Administrators said they will return in June with a year‑end update on the three‑year goals and recommended course of study approval for the board’s formal vote. Teachers and administrators asked for continued board support on resources for social‑emotional learning and implementation time for new curricula.