Ashland City Schools honor fall athletes and esports; reconfiguration Q&A set for Jan. 22

Ashland City Schools recognized several athletes and the district esports program during the Jan. 6 board meeting and announced a reconfiguration and State of the Schools panel at Archer Auditorium on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, with livestreaming and informational videos for parents.

The recognitions highlighted individual accomplishments from the 2024 fall season and credited coaches, athletic staff and volunteers. Jason Goings, athletic director and assistant principal at Ashland High School, introduced senior, junior and other student honorees and summarized season statistics. Of golfer Eleni Miller, Goings said she “hammered through” difficult weather conditions at the state meet after leading the girls’ team to multiple tournament wins. He likewise introduced junior linebacker Gunnar Lacey, junior quarterback Nathan Bernhardt and senior Tyler Sauter, noting season totals and postseason selections.

Why it matters: the board used the public meeting to acknowledge student achievement and to prepare families for the district—s planned reconfiguration of school assignments and transportation. The reconfiguration session is intended to answer logistics questions from families, including drop-off, shuttle and bus options, and will be livestreamed and posted to the district YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person.

Details from the recognitions and esports presentation: - Eleni Miller was introduced as an individual state qualifier for girls golf; Goings noted she led the team in several tournaments and had top conference finishes. - Gunnar Lacey was recognized as a Division II All-Ohio first-team selection with season totals the presenter listed as 138 tackles (81 solo), nine sacks, 29 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception. - Nathan Bernhardt was introduced as a Division II All-Ohio first-team selection and the team—s leading passer and rusher; the presenter said Bernhardt totaled 5,939 career passing yards and 7,439 combined yards with 75 career touchdowns. - Tyler Sauter was introduced as a Division II All-Ohio second-team selection with defensive and special-teams statistics and as a recent Ashland University football scholarship commit.

Esports program: Ben Spieldiner, the district—s director and chief innovation officer, and coach Aaron Coffey summarized the program—s recent success. Coffey, who coaches the Super Smash Bros. team, said the premier team went undefeated and competed at the state level in the prior season and described the spring season as the district—s "sponsored" season that will permit in-person travel to regionals and state competitions. Coffey said the program gives students who "might not be athletically inclined or musically talented" an opportunity to participate and take pride in the school. He thanked the school board for initial program funding and principal support.

Reconfiguration and outreach: the district announced a public panel at Archer Auditorium on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. to explain how reconfiguration will work, including shuttle routes and drop-off procedures at Reagan and Edison, and to address parent concerns about first-time bus use. District leaders said they will produce short videos, to be posted on YouTube, showing drop-off and shuttle options and the fastest car routes for families who must drive their children. The district emphasized it will encourage use of the shuttle transportation where practical.

The board also offered a general thank-you to coaches, staff, maintenance and families for support during the fall season and for work done during a recent snow day to keep facilities safe and ready for classes.

Looking ahead: the district invited families to the Jan. 22 panel and reminded the community that the regular January board meeting will be Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the district administrative offices.