Marlington board celebrates student achievements, tracks absenteeism decline

The September Marlington Board of Education meeting was held Sept. 11, only 11 days after the start of the 2025-26 school year. Superintendent Dan Swisher said he wanted to continue to follow the “Every Minute, Every Moment, Every Memory” motto this year.

The first item was celebration. Marlington recognized students who participated in the Stark County Fair with multiple projects, as shown in a two-minute video. The band was also celebrated for performing at the Stark County Fair Band Show. The band held its camp this summer where it developed two to five shows that will be performed for various functions, including football games.

Another highlight was the ribbon cutting for the Culinary Arts Program and its Jetway Café, made possible by a grant with the help of Ranae Kaley and in partnership with Alliance and Salem. This is the 15th career tech program in the Marlington schools.

Swisher then addressed secure data center information. The first item was chronic absenteeism, defined as anything over 10%. If a student is out for any reason, the student is considered absent. Rates dropped from 26% in 2022 to 14% in 2025. By school, Lexington went from 12% to 11%; Marlboro from 12% to 7%; Washington from 13% to 11%; the middle school from 21% to 14%; and the high school from 34% to 19%. Swisher said miscoding was an issue in the high school data. The district plans to continue working to improve these numbers.

Enrollment numbers remain fairly stable. Swisher said this is partly due to controlling open enrollment. Open enrollment does not bring in more money to the district, and the district does not want to hire more teachers for added students without added funding.

Treasurer Bob Foss reported the 2024 audit had been completed, and work is underway on 2025 information.

Swisher reiterated his climate and culture chart, saying: “We will continue to celebrate individual, building and district achievements. We will communicate our vision and mission. We will embrace Marlington’s rituals and traditions. We will encourage collaboration, communication and innovation with our staff. We will set high expectations for our students and provide them with the tools, resources and support to meet those expectations. We will continue a culture of shared leadership.”

Plans include a new Marlington Post newsletter for October and November and several community meetings:

• Marlboro Christian Church — Sept. 30, 6 p.m.

• Minister’s Breakfast, Marlington Middle School — Oct. 9, 9 a.m.

• First Christian Church — Oct. 22, 6 p.m.

• Township trustee meetings in Lexington, Marlboro and Washington as scheduling allows

The board approved several personnel items, all financial subjects and an out-of-state field trip for the high school volleyball team.

In Ohio School Boards Association news, Cathy Krupko read a letter from Tom Hosler, who became CEO on Sept. 1 after serving 18 years with Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools. The board also named Straggat Media Network and The Hartville News to the Media Honor Roll.

A recent visit to the newly repaved high school parking lot found students painting their spots. Quinn Cernansky and her mother, Kim, painted a track-themed spot reflecting Quinn’s participation in long jump, triple jump, the 4x200 relay and the 4x400 relay. Their chosen phrase: “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”

Quinn is the sister of Colin Cernansky, a standout Marlington track athlete now competing at Ohio State. Their father is a math teacher at Marlington Middle School and coaches eighth grade football, JV boys basketball and high school track.

Because of a state requirement to shift from a five-year financial plan to a three-year plan due in November, a work session is scheduled for Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. at the DLZ in Marlington High School. The next regular board meeting will be Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. at the same location.