Sylvania Schools presents year‑3 strategic plan update covering instruction, student wellness, career readiness and facilities

Sylvania Schools administrators presented a year‑three progress report on the district strategic plan at the June 9, 2025 Board of Education meeting, outlining accomplishments and next steps across instruction, student wellness, career readiness, culture and facilities.

The report, delivered by district leaders and cabinet members, summarized work on curriculum mapping and alignment, a multiyear MTSS (multi‑tiered system of supports) rollout, expansions in personalized and gifted programming, mental‑health screening at the high school level, and partnerships to expand career‑technical pathways such as fire and EMT training.

The presentation said district teams completed curriculum maps for elementary and secondary content areas and held regular department‑chair meetings to monitor implementation and needs. Administrators tied curriculum updates to data‑driven instruction and the district’s science‑of‑reading initiatives, and said they are continuing high‑dosage tutoring and rollout of I‑Ready and IXL tools for personalized instruction. Presenters said prior commitments, such as broad MTSS implementation and Promethean board replacements, are multiyear efforts: the district plans to purchase roughly 40 Promethean boards over the summer and estimated about 300 classrooms still need replacement.

Career readiness was raised as a programmatic priority. The presentation described ongoing talks with Sylvania Township and local health partners to broaden options for students who choose medical and emergency services pathways. The district said it is exploring adding fire and EMT coursework as a branch from existing medical‑tech classes and discussing surgical‑tech opportunities with Mercy; officials described a new training facility being planned by local partners where juniors and seniors could receive Fire 1, Fire 2 and EMT instruction and later pursue paramedic certification through partner institutions.

On social, emotional and mental health, district staff said teams met repeatedly this year and used grant funding from the Stronger Connections grant to contract with University of Toledo psychologist Dr. Wood for expertise. The high schools conducted surveillance screeners for freshmen (non‑identifiable, used for building‑level planning) and full screeners for sophomores (which produce identifiable results). Presenters said surveillance results have generally been low—“under 12” flagged at both high schools for the surveillance screener—and described a tiered response process: an internal response team (administrators, counselors, school psychologists and social workers) connects with students who identify an immediate need within 24 hours and applies tiered follow‑up based on screening scores. Board members asked about parent notification thresholds; staff said parent contact depends on screening thresholds and case context and is not automatic for every elevated score.

The presentation also reviewed staff wellness work and job‑description clarifications. District leaders said preliminary job descriptions for counselors and school psychologists have been drafted and that next steps will be coordinated with upper administration and, if needed, addressed in negotiations.

District leaders described communication and culture initiatives such as a monthly digital digest from Superintendent Dr. Motley, a key‑communicator network, expanded onboarding for classified employees, a teacher advisory group called the employee forum, and a custodial recognition program that program leaders said has received national attention in a facilities management magazine.

Facilities updates were presented as part of a newly completed master facilities plan that, according to district staff, prioritizes upgrades to existing buildings rather than new construction because the district is land‑locked. The board heard about completed athletic upgrades at Northview and Southview (new bleachers, tracks, concession stand, ticket booths), an LED lighting conversion in gyms and other large spaces to reduce energy costs, and recent roofing work at several elementary buildings. The facilities team said internal staff have received HVAC and electrical training that reduced outside contractor use to a single HVAC call this year; the district also plans to resume a 10‑year schedule for parking lot paving and sealing and expects to complete Hillview and Highland projects this year.

Treasurer Adam said the district will pursue greater financial transparency, including a web‑based financial dashboard and an annual financial town hall, and noted recent bond refinancing improved the district’s credit picture. He also said the district will continue to seek grant funds and other outside revenue sources to support programming without using general fund dollars.

Presenters identified legislative and cost‑risk factors that could affect implementation. The district said it is complying with Ohio House Bill 250 (which required cell‑phone policy updates by July 1) by maintaining existing cell‑phone procedures at each level while the board’s committees continue work on digital citizenship. Officials also reported awareness of House Bill 158, which at the time of the meeting was on the governor’s desk and would impose a broad ban on cell‑phone use in schools if signed; district staff said implementation details and potential costs (the district estimated a roughly $100,000 cost if bags or similar systems were required for every student) would require further planning and could represent an unfunded mandate.

No formal board action was taken on the strategic plan update itself; the presentation was received and will be followed by administrative work and future reporting to the board. Staff listed next steps including finalizing the graduation‑status report for families and counselors by August, continuing MTSS and curriculum alignment work, pursuing the career pathway partnerships, and tracking legislative developments that could require policy changes.

"The strategic plan continues to be our guiding light as we move forward," Superintendent Dr. Motley said in closing.