Central office reports: preschool expansion, growing English-learner staff, Title IX training and technology upgrades highlighted

District administrators told the Tallmadge Board of Education on Aug. 20 that the 2025-26 school year opened strongly and that several operational updates are underway, including expansion of preschool services, growth in English-learner staffing, planned Title IX training and technology and safety upgrades.

Central office staff reported the district added a third preschool classroom at the David Bacon site; the program runs Monday through Thursday in half-day sessions with AM and PM classes. Administrators said the integrated preschool model can enroll both students with disabilities and peer models; staff discussed capacity planning and state inspection steps that preceded program start-up.

On English-learner services, administrators said the district now employs four full-time English-learner teachers. "We now have 4 full time teachers," a central-office speaker said, adding that one position was filled internally from the world language department after a retirement. Administrators described ongoing work to support families and noted the district's increasing diversity.

Administrators said their consolidated federal grants package (Title I, Title III and special education funding) received final approval after delays in state and federal processing. They also announced plans for Title IX training with district legal counsel to update administrators on nondiscrimination and harassment requirements, including athletic equity provisions.

The district plans to convert its special-services documentation system after the first quarter; staff used a product name in the meeting but the transcript contains inconsistent spellings. Administrators said the migration will occur in October and that the new system will be used for documentation of students with disabilities, 504 plans and gifted plans. The transcript record of the system name is inconsistent; district staff said details and timing would be shared as the rollout progresses.

Technology and safety updates included a radio-system upgrade funded in part by an Attorney General grant of roughly $40,000 to replace aging analog radios with a digital system to improve interbuilding and fleet coverage. Staff also highlighted a district focus on cybersecurity and data protection for the coming year.

Athletics and extracurriculars: administrators reported a busy start for fall sports and facilities. The Lowry Family Strength Center and weight-room work were praised; girls soccer numbers prompted the addition of a JV girls team, and other sports were reported to be off to an encouraging start. Administrators also said the Cleveland Browns are sponsoring pilot female flag-football teams for spring and had committed to covering costs such as uniforms and coaches for the program's first year; the district is "interested," administrators said, and more details are expected.

Administrators thanked staff, custodians and volunteers for their work getting the year started and noted a coming open house on Sept. 9 for families to learn about a voter-approved levy placed on the ballot. The board was also introduced to several guests during the meeting, including Cynthia Curtin, newly appointed judge at Stowe Municipal Court, and River Kale, outreach representative for U.S. Rep. David Joyce.

The board did not take formal votes on the operational reports themselves, but several of the updates include follow-up tasks (technology migration, training sessions, grant administration) that staff said they will complete before the next board meeting.