Superintendent Hamberg praises graduates and athletes, notes storm-damaged Emerson tree

Superintendent Hamberg addressed the school board and community to recognize recent student and staff accomplishments and to update the district on facilities and the academic calendar. "I too would like to congratulate Nicole for all the awards," Hamberg said, and she thanked Katie Johnson for her leadership and advocacy during a difficult funding period for public education.

Hamberg told the board the district celebrated three graduation ceremonies at Westerville Central, Westerville North and Westerville South, thanking senior class advisors, building administrators and office staff for organizing the events. "I would also like to thank our community for three wonderful graduation ceremonies," she said, and called the ceremonies an opportunity to celebrate graduates she had come to know in recent years.

She highlighted student athletic accomplishments, reporting that several track athletes placed at state championships and that the Westerville Central softball team were runners-up; the superintendent said the district will arrange recognition visits for those athletes.

Hamberg also reported damage to a longstanding tree at Emerson: "we lost one of our huge legacy historic trees outside Emerson," she said, explaining a storm and internal rot prompted removal for safety. She asked the community to expect a noticeably different appearance around Emerson and clarified the decision was safety-driven.

Concluding her remarks, Hamberg said district staff are spending the summer on planning and professional learning in preparation for the coming school year and confirmed the planned start date of August 18. The board did not take formal action during the superintendent's comments.