Video clips below
Educating school-aged children often nowadays goes far beyond language arts, science and math skills and increasingly involves also addressing fundamental needs such as mental health, nutrition or hygienic challenges, area superintendents agreed Tuesday, Oct. 22, during an open forum at the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center.
The forum was part of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Impact discussion series, bringing together superintendents from across the area to discuss modern education challenges.
Ryan Hyde of Calvary Christian; Scott Mann of Riverside; Rob Underwood of Indian Lake; Brad Hall of Bellefontaine; John Scheu of Benjamin Logan, Kraig Hissong of West Liberty-Salem, and Rick Smith of Ohio Hi-Point participated in the event. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including technology in the classroom and the growing need for mental health and behavioral interventions for students.
Hyde pointed out how technology became more prevalent in classrooms over the last decade, with a focus on integrating it into education. However, many school administrators are now reconsidering how much access students should have to devices during the school day.
The superintendents noted that restrictions on cell phone use in schools have been overall met with positive responses from parents and staff. Bellefontaine Superintendent Brad Hall said his district issued 11 notices to parents and guardians about their new cell phone policy, underscoring how deeply connected students are to their devices.
Behavioral and mental health concerns are also on the rise, with many superintendents reporting a notable increase in issues among students.
“In all my years in education, I’ve never seen students entering school with as many behavioral issues as today,” Scheu said. Hall added that many kindergarten-aged students are not ready for school, either academically or behaviorally.
In response to these challenges, districts have expanded support services. Mann shared that Riverside has ramped up mental health outreach, pointing out that most districts now employing counselors to help address student needs. However, the demand is so high that each administrator expressed the need for additional professionals, he said.
Poverty rates in the Riverside school district have increased sharply in recent years, Mann said. Part of the school’s response is to extend services to the general public whenever possible, he said. For example, a health clinic initiative brought into the school has also been made available to the public to help prevent residents there to have to drive so far out of town for certain services.
Hall also spoke about Bellefontaine’s Pre-K program, which helps prepare children for school, while Hissong highlighted West Liberty-Salem’s intervention programs that tailor learning to individual student needs.
Other initiatives discussed included Ohio Hi-Point’s free lunch program for students, Riverside’s on-campus washing machines to support families in need, and driver’s education programs at both Indian Lake and Riverside, which help upperclassmen gain essential skills. Underwood explained how juniors and seniors without a driver’s license face barriers to both education and employment opportunities.
These initiatives reflect a holistic approach to education, with administrators emphasizing the importance of addressing all aspects of student well-being, as well as to be a community resource wherever possible.
The superintendents agreed that their goal is to equip local students for success, whether it be through academic support, mental health services, and preparing them for adulthood and the workforce.
The superintendents also touched on opportunities for high school students to earn college credits through programs like College Credit Plus. Both Scheu and Hissong spoke to the importance of such initiatives in meeting the needs of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
The forum closed with a shared purpose among the administrators. Underwood expressed gratitude for the community’s support, especially from neighboring districts, following the March 14 tornado that impacted Indian Lake.
The superintendents agreed that despite the many challenges, their commitment to providing quality education has never been stronger.
The chamber’s next Legislative Impact meeting with a countywide fire and EMS panel is slated for 8 a.m. Nov. 12 at the Mary Rutan Health Community Center, 1134 N. Main St., Bellefontaine.
Scheduled to speak at the event are fire chiefs Brian Wilson, Bellefontaine; Mark Gibson, Indian Joint Fire District; Darin Leach, West Liberty; and Luann Davis, Tri-Valley.
Video clips with introductory remarks from the superintendents are below.