Director of Secondary Education Emily Greenwald briefed the board on graduation requirements, in-school pathways (IB, AP, EBA, STEM), dual-credit College Credit Plus with Columbus State, alternative programs (Worthington Academy, Linworth), YouScience career assessment and expanding pre-apprenticeships including a proposed 75-hour CNA program.
At its first 2026 meeting the Worthington Board of Education swore in new and returning members, elected Amber Epling Skinner as president and Stephanie Harless as vice president, approved an amended 2026 meeting calendar (moving Feb. 4 work session to 2 p.m.) and adopted routine business including grants and donations.
Jennifer, a 24‑year member of the Worthington Board of Education, said she is stepping back after guiding the district through levies, construction and program expansion, while warning that state politics have increasingly intruded on local school decisions.
The Worthington Education Foundation announced 13 grants totaling $25,041 to projects at 10 Worthington schools, funding courtyards, murals, sensory supports, classroom tools and student enrichment programs.
The board approved multiple administrative and fiscal items Dec. 8, including appropriation of $5.5 million for the building fund, a transfer to the debt service fund, authorization for the treasurer to seek advance tax payments, acceptance of donations, and approval of a personnel consent agenda.
The Worthington Board of Education on Dec. 8 recognized Jennifer Best for 24 years of service, with board members and the superintendent highlighting her role in creating programs and safety measures across the district.
At its Nov. 24 meeting the Worthington Schools Board approved minutes and personnel consent items, accepted listed donations, and voted to appoint Emma Mulvaney to the Worthington Public Library Board of Trustees for a term beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
Superintendent Dr. Trent Bowers told the board Worthington received a 2025 special-education rating of 'meets requirements,' the highest rating under state indicators, and warned a new Ohio law standardizing kindergarten admission (students must turn 5 by the first day of school) will affect local registrations.
Treasurer TJ Cusick told the board claims have driven insurance expenses to roughly 110% of revenue this year and warned that new state caps on inside millage will reduce projected revenue growth, possibly requiring a roughly half-mill replacement levy in 2028.
The Worthington Board of Education conducted a first reading Nov. 12 on multiple Neola policy updates including nondiscrimination language, breastfeeding protections and a new transportation supplement.
