New technology, new facilities, and new visions all part of new school year

“We always seem to have a good start to the school year. This year was exceptional,” exclaimed Bob Hamm, Dover City Schools superintendent. “Our maintenance and custodial service worked very hard this summer, as did teachers and administrators. After a day or two, it was like we had never left. Those kinds of things don’t just happen. It is a result of a lot of hardworking people. We are off to a great start, and looking for an outstanding school year.

“In the curriculum area, we have purchased new materials for our language departments, grades 9-12,” said Hamm. Technology continues to be updated in the district. “We’ve added 35 pieces of SmartBoard technology across the district. They are in all of our buildings. We have also hired about half a dozen new staff members, and think they will be an excellent addition to our school staff.”

Overall, Hamm is pleased with the new year. “Getting off to a good start is a good indication of the school year. We have a lot of things to be encouraged about. We were rated excellent (by the state of Ohio) again this year, and now have been for three consecutive years. That is the first time we’ve been able to accomplish that. We have many things to be excited about, and a lot of things to be proud of.”

The Strasburg-Franklin Local School District definitely has a new twist this year, as grades K-12 are now all housed in one new building. “We are very, very excited because we anticipated a lot of glitches because of our new school. But everyone has pitched in, technical people, teachers, everyone, and we are going full-bore ahead. The cooperation from the staff has been wonderful, and the students have been doing well,” said Gene Feucht, district superintendent, noting that other changes are making a difference, too. “Having air conditioning means that our students and staff aren’t worn out from the high temperatures at the end of the day,” he stated. “We also have all day kindergarten for the first time. We have a dual enrollment class with Kent State University Tuscarawas online, where students can earn high school and college credit at the same time, and we have a Chinese language class, which is brand new.

“One lady on our staff said this is her best start in 30-something years. When she told me that, I thought, we will take this to the bank.”

While not breaking in a new building, New Philadelphia City Schools have launched a comprehensive new outlook for the district.

“We developed a new mission and vision statements, and a set of core values last spring to be implemented this school year,” announced Superintendent Bob Alsept. “The big part is living it, so we started by making it visible. It is posted near the entrance of every school, and is in every classroom. Every employee received a plastic business card with all three printed on them. Communicating that to the students will be something we do throughout the year. Each board meeting begins with the mission statement being read, to make sure we make decisions that are aligned with that mission statement. Our job is to make sure it is not just lip service.”

Core values of responsibility, respect, commitment, achievement, excellence, accountability, and honesty were chosen after a great deal of community input.

“We are going to work intently with our hiring process, so that we hire people who demonstrate what is important in our district. Every student coming through the door is different, but we are going to do everything we can to make sure they meet their potential.”

New Philadelphia’s facility improvements include restroom renovations, a roofing project at the high school, and the installation of 48 new security cameras at the middle school-high school complex.

“It is so neat getting the kids back in the building,” stated Alsept. “When you see them there, all bright and shiny and smiling, it makes you want to make a difference for them.”