Hello Worthington! Here's your recap of what happened at the November 12th Board of Education meeting. Below are brief summaries of the most significant discussions. For those interested in the full details, we've included links to longer articles where appropriate.
Thomas Worthington's New Core Opens This Week
Thomas Worthington students will walk into a transformed building this week. The school's new central core — a two-story student commons, media center, and outdoor gathering space — opens after months of construction. The district also marked the opening of the new 10-lane natatorium, where swim, dive, and water polo teams can now practice at the same time instead of taking turns. The entire project remains under budget.
Policy Updates Under Review
The Board conducted the first reading of several policy updates, including revisions to non-discrimination protections for staff and students. The Policy Committee confirmed they will retain sexual orientation and gender identity protections in district policy. A second reading is scheduled for November 24th.
Stay connected to what's happening in Worthington, Ohio.
Community Reports: Pantry Needs Rise, Library Search Continues
Board members shared updates from across the community. Most notably, the Worthington Resource Pantry reported a sharp increase in visitors—from 200 to 271 in just over a week—following uncertainty around SNAP benefits. The Library Board has narrowed its trustee search to six candidates from 14 applicants, with a nomination expected November 18th.
In Other News
Four-Peat for Field Hockey: The Thomas Worthington High School girls field hockey team was recognized for winning their fourth consecutive state championship. Assistant Coach Humboldt accepted the honor on behalf of the team, praising the seven seniors who led the squad as "hard-working, humble, outstanding role models."
See a summary of city council's recognition of the girls field hockey team here
Teacher of the Year: Worthingway Middle School science teacher Erica Hitzhusen was named the 2025 Teacher Leader of the Year by Grow Next Gen for her work connecting students to real-world agriculture and industry.
Veterans Day: Schools across the district hosted Veterans Day events, with hundreds of community members attending to honor those who served.
Hispanic Chamber Career Fair: Treasurer TJ Cusick shared that 18 Spanish-speaking students from the AAPL program attended the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce career fair. Ben Rule from AAPL reported it was powerful for students to realize their bilingualism is a valuable asset to employers like Owens-Corning and Franklin County.
Library Trustee Search: The Worthington Library Board reviewed 14 applications for an open trustee position and is particularly seeking candidates from the Park Library or Northwest Library areas. Trustee terms have changed from seven years to four years.
Education Foundation Grants Coming: The Worthington Education Foundation will present approved teacher grants at the December 8th board meeting.
Key Upcoming Dates
- January 12, 2026: Organizational meeting at 6:00 PM followed by regular board meeting
Kindergarten Registration: Registration is now open for families with students starting kindergarten in Fall 2025. Visit the district website or stop by the Worthington Education Center for assistance.
Thanks for reading this summary of the Board of Education meeting. You can find board meeting schedules, contact information, and more on the Worthington Board of Education website or watch meeting recordings on their YouTube channel.