OSBA President Visits Clark-Shawnee

Clark-Shawnee welcomed Ohio Schools Board Association (OSBA) President Sally Green to campus on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Green toured buildings, visited classrooms, engaged with students and staff, and spoke with administrators about the strengths of the district and the challenges facing public education.

“It is important to me to visit schools throughout the state of Ohio,” said Green. “I want to be where the students learn and staff serve each day. That is where great things are happening. I want to know how OSBA can support the amazing work that is happening in our districts every day.”

Green began her visit at the Administrative Office learning about Clark-Shawnee’s history of academic excellence, community engagement, and the core values that define a Shawnee Brave graduate. She spoke with Superintendent Brian Kuhn, Treasurer Tom Faulkner, Assistant Superintendent Adam Billet, and Board President Ben Galbreath.

During the discussion, administrators highlighted the district’s many strengths including its outstanding staff, exceptional students, and strong community support system. They also shared a few challenges including the influx of new housing developments and the impact of state funding models.

“Clark-Shawnee Local has a lot to be proud of,” said Superintendent Kuhn. “It was an honor to have OSBA President Green spend the day with us to see firsthand the amazing things going on inside our schools.”

Shawnee Elementary welcomed Green into its classrooms to showcase the district’s newest facilities and observe the curriculum in action. She visited a third-grade classroom utilizing the new Science of Reading curriculum, an extracurricular art classroom, and a special education classroom to gain a well-rounded picture of the elementary’s academic programs. On her journey, she encouraged students to be the best version of themselves. She reminded students that they can and will do great things when they put their minds and hearts into learning and sharing kindness with others.

Her next stop was Shawnee Middle and High School where she saw recent facility updates and peeked in on the Pride of Shawnee Marching Band preparing for the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade. Next, they walked through the high school wing and stopped in a middle school World History class where Green shared a couple of travel stories and asked students about their own travel goals. She encouraged them to always challenge themselves and chase their dreams.

On their final stop, Green and Clark-Shawnee Administrators visited Springfield-Clark Career Technical Center (CTC) where they joined CTC Superintendent Michelle Patrick and Treasurer Julie Wallace.

Kuhn and Patrick highlighted school partnerships throughout the county and the many programs and opportunities that exist for Clark County students.

Superintendent Kuhn stated, “The timing could not have been better as the annual OSBA Capital Conference was held in Columbus just one week after OSBA President Green’s visit.”

During the OSBA Capital Conference, the OSBA’s Delegate Assembly approved a platform proposal submitted by the Clark-Shawnee Local Board of Education that authorizes OSBA to lobby for legislation that exempts school districts from tax abatements and incentives, like tax increment financing (TIF) and community reinvestment area (CRA). These funding models divert voted-upon revenue from schools.

“This is a challenge that continues to impact Clark-Shawnee and approval of the platform proposal is another step in our District’s advocacy for change,” said Kuhn.

With a handful of counties left, Green is close to meeting her goal of visiting at least one district in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. “We at OSBA support you,” said Green. “We value you and care about you and your students.”

In addition to her OSBA role, Green also sits on the Tuscarawas Valley Local School Board of Education where she has served since 2005.

According to their website, OSBA was founded in the 1950s with a desire to equip and educate public school district leaders. With over 700 school boards and 3,500 members, OSBA seeks to continue “leading the way as the respected voice of Ohio public education.”