The Canal Winchester Local School District on Monday reviewed mid-plan progress for its CW Promise, outlining course expansions, safety training and measures to track progress across schools.

Superintendent (name not specified) told the board the plan — developed from the district’s "Your Schools, Your Voice" survey — sets targets to focus staff time and resources. "The plan was developed based on feedback from the annual 'Your Schools, Your Voice' survey," the superintendent said during the presentation.

Among the classroom changes, district leaders reported a districtwide college-and-career readiness audit produced new offerings: a senior-only teaching-professions course, equipment operation and production, marketing and business development tied to a print shop, and three school-based pre-apprenticeships. Presenters said a TechCRED grant paid to get a teacher licensed in drone certification, which began as a club this year and is planned as a class next year so students can earn the UAS (visual line-of-sight) certification.

The board also heard that Canal Winchester will host an on-site CCP psychology course in partnership with Columbus State and will expand credentialing opportunities for special-education and ESE teachers. "We also are currently partnering with Columbus State and having a CCP psych class on-site this year," a district presenter said.

On safety, staff described the district’s adoption of the 'Handle with Care' notification process and a shift to Marcus training — a de-escalation-based curriculum — while retaining CPI restraint training for certified staff. A training lead summarized the difference: "CPI is much more restraint focused. Marcus is much more of a de-escalation and verbal de-escalation," the presenter said, adding Marcus is intended to reduce the need for holds.

District officials outlined a three-year Omni Alert pilot now in operation, routine after-action reviews of drills, monthly vulnerability assessments with SROs and first responders, and an initiative to mentor students through first-responder partnerships and simulated driving experiences with Fairfield County.

The superintendent said each CW Promise tactic includes a measurement tool and school-level metrics tied to surveys and completion benchmarks to assess whether goals are being met. Board members pressed for clarity on assessment tools and timelines; the superintendent said committees will refine measures and that the next survey opened Nov. 17 with continued committee work planned for 2026.

The board thanked presenters and asked for follow-up material on assessment measures and the planned timeline for bringing the drone class and other CTE pathways into the regular schedule.