Ohio / School Districts / Olentangy Local
At its Jan. 8 organizational meeting, the Olentangy Local School District Board elected Brandon Lester as board president and Doctor Elizabeth Janelle Wallach as vice president. Both officers were sworn in and will serve in leadership for 2026.
Ohio / School Districts / Olentangy Local
Superintendent reported that House Bill 114 standardizes kindergarten eligibility across Ohio; for the 2026–27 school year students must be 5 by Aug. 20. Kindergarten registration opens Jan. 12 and the district estimates roughly 46 children could be affected based on last year’s enrollment window.
Ohio / School Districts / Olentangy Local
The Olentangy board approved multiple financial consent items including ACFR/PAFR submissions and the FY26 budget documents. The board also approved contracts for an owner's representative, testing services, and a temporary easement with Delaware County (compensation a little over $2,500) to facilitate roadway widening near Berlin High School.
Ohio / School Districts / Olentangy Local
Students from Berlin High School presented a district pilot of restorative practices, demonstrating an OFN (Observation–Feeling–Need) mediation protocol, a stand-up/sit-down empathy activity, and plans to expand training and professional development across Olentangy schools.
Ohio / School Districts / Olentangy Local
District curriculum staff recommended buying the Vista 'Cheminz' French program after a pilot in which most French teachers favored the product; the purchase would provide teacher class sets and digital access now and begin a three-year contract for 2026–27.
Ohio / School Districts / Olentangy Local
Administrators told the board they plan a ground lease with Delco Water Company to place a water tower at the Elementary 18 site (one acre exchange), a pre-annexation agreement with the City of Delaware to secure water/sanitary service for High School 5, a $1.9 million amendment to Fanning Howie for construction services, and a wetland mitigation purchase to offset about 1.8 acres of on-site disturbance.
Ohio / School Districts / Olentangy Local
Treasurer reviewed a five-year capital plan tied to the recently passed bond and asked the board to approve a $15 million six-month bond anticipation note, a resolution to issue $235 million in bonds for new school construction and other projects, and a refunding resolution up to $67,290,000 (expected to refund about $30 million) to save approximately $3.4 million in gross principal payments.
Ohio / School Districts / Olentangy Local
Student ambassadors and school staff from Scioto Ridge, Orange Middle and Berlin High described student-led Veterans Day breakfasts, honor walks, fundraisers and partnerships that honored veterans and raised money for veteran organizations.
Ohio / School Districts / Olentangy Local
District pupil services leaders detailed preschool capacity, MTSS implementation, a new Frog Street Pre-K curriculum, STRONG special-education training, and expanded EL professional learning, saying the work supports roughly 6,400 students who face documented learning barriers.
Ohio / School Districts / Olentangy Local
The board approved FY26 policy updates and a slate of consent items including October financials, revised appropriations for capital work tied to upcoming construction, personnel actions (including recommended administrative hires and retirements), and then convened an executive session under Ohio Revised Code sections 121.22(G)(3) and (G)(8).