Carrollton school board reviews improved report card ratings and advances construction projects

Carrollton Exempted Village School District discussed the report card and other business at its Oct. 14 meeting.

Superintendent Dave Davis reviewed the district’s 2024–25 Ohio School Report Card results, noting the district’s overall rating improved from 3.5 to 4 stars. The high school increased from 4.0 to 4.5 stars, the middle school earned a 4-star rating in its first year of evaluation and the elementary school maintained a 2.5-star rating. He explained in previous years, the middle school was included with the high school.

Carrollton ranked third among nearby districts in achievement. Davis plans a detailed report on these results at the Nov. 4 meeting.

Board member Rose Seck commented on the challenges of ongoing changes to state testing, which make consistent improvement difficult.

“I don’t believe the state report card captures everything happening in our classrooms or across our schools,” Davis said. “While we strive for five stars because that’s the system we’re held to, it doesn’t truly reflect all the great work our staff and students are doing every day.”

In an unrelated matter, Davis reported the district is moving forward with its bus garage project and the upcoming property auction. He announced that C. Tucker Cope & Associates has been selected as the Construction Manager at Risk for the new bus garage. Davis said the firm gave an excellent interview and that the district’s architect is excited to collaborate with them.

The board also approved Cordogan Clark & Associates — the firm that merged with Lesko Architects, Carrollton’s longtime architectural partner — to serve as the architects for the project. Davis and board members agreed Tucker Cope’s proposal and presentation were strong, with competitive pricing and relevant experience.

Davis also announced the auction for the former school property on Second and Third streets will be held Dec. 9 during the regular board meeting. Cronenbaugh Auction and Realty will handle the auction.

That meeting will take place in the lobby of the Bell-Herron Gymnasium, following the same format used when the district sold the old TLC building. This allows the auction and board approval to occur in one session for efficiency and public transparency.

In other business, the board: 

— SET the CPDC stipend at a rate of $1,000. 

— ESTABLISHED a new financial account, No. 200-975B, to allocate and track funds specifically designated for the Youth 2 Youth program. 

— APPROVED updating the certificated administrative benefit schedule for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, to reflect the same level of benefits approved for the certified teaching staff in the CEA contract for the same period. Positions include high school principal, middle school principal, elementary principal, director of special services, assistant principals for all levels, athletic director and school psychologist. 

— APPROVED the following overnight field trip request: CHS girls golf, destination Zanesville, departing Sept. 21, 2025, and returning Sept. 22, 2025. 

— ACCEPTED the following resignation: Lisa Turner, teacher, retirement effective Aug. 1, 2026. 

— APPROVED the following substitutes for the 2025–26 fiscal year, pending proper documentation: Jennifer Pitrman, classified, effective Sept. 23, 2025; Jami E. Powell, classified, effective Oct. 15, 2025; Peggy S. Arthurs, certificated, effective Oct. 15, 2025; Tobias W. Barnhart, certificated, effective Sept. 29, 2025; Monica R. Cramer, certificated, effective Oct. 9, 2025; Ella Kendrick, certificated, effective Oct. 15, 2025; and Kelli J. Sandefur, certificated, effective Oct. 15, 2025. 

— APPROVED the following supplemental contracts for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Proper documentation has been verified and is on file:

At CMS: Kevin K. Owens, wrestling – head coach; Richard H. Amos, wrestling – assistant coach; Amanda R. Mace, basketball – girls grade 7; Cameron D. Clapper, basketball – boys grade 7; and Rodney A. Wood, basketball – girls grade 8.

At CHS: Joseph A. McGee, wrestling – boys varsity head coach; Kenneth W. Pasiuk, wrestling – boys varsity assistant coach; Robert Wilson IV, wrestling – boys varsity assistant coach; Noah M. Mendez, wrestling – boys varsity assistant coach; Lionel S. Woods, wrestling – girls varsity head coach; Ashlynn N. Knotts, wrestling – girls varsity assistant coach; Michael D. Aukerman III, basketball – boys varsity head coach; Andrew Collins, basketball – boys varsity assistant coach; John M. Browning, basketball – boys reserve head coach; Jannai M. Shields, basketball – boys freshman head coach; Mikayla L. Poole, basketball – girls varsity head coach; Kyle A. Poole, basketball – girls varsity assistant coach; Jodie L. Poole, basketball – girls reserve head coach; Wendy L. Russell, bowling – girls varsity head coach; Joseph B. Phillis, bowling – boys varsity head coach; and Harry T. Thompson, bowling – boys reserve head coach.

— HEARD board member Jamie Matoszkia’s list of upcoming events, including the CHS Marching Band Concert on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.; the Community Halloween Party on Monday, Oct. 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at CHS; the CHS Choir Concert on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.; the Band Craft Show on Saturday, Nov. 1 (time not listed); the Powder Puff Football Game on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m.; the National Honor Society Induction on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.; the Veterans Day Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 8 a.m.; and the CHS musical, Hadestown, on Friday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 15.

—HELD an executive session to consider employment and discipline at 5:44 p.m. with respect to a public employee or official.

The next board meeting will take place Nov. 4, moved up a week due to a conference, followed by the Dec. 9 meeting and property auction.