Hello Worthington! Here's your recap of what happened at April 27, 2026's 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.
Worthington Schools' first AI policy gets a first reading
The board held a first reading of Policy 7540.09, the district's first formal artificial intelligence policy, and will vote on adoption at the May 11 meeting. State law requires the policy be in place by July 1. Vice President Stephanie Harless, who leads the policy committee, walked the board through the proposed language. Several board members credited Assistant Superintendent Angie Adrean and her team for years of groundwork, including engagement with the curriculum liaison council, students, and principals, that put the district ahead of compliance.
Three property-tax updates from Treasurer Cusick
Treasurer TJ Cusick used his April 27 report to walk through three property-tax developments: a delayed county settlement that may not arrive until mid-June, a triennial reappraisal projecting Worthington property values up about 9% (with tax rates expected to fall in step), and a statewide ballot petition to eliminate property taxes that has reached roughly three-quarters of its signature goal ahead of a July 1 deadline. Cusick said eliminating property taxes would either shift the burden to another tax (most likely income tax) or force significant cuts to local services.
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In Other News
For Worthington Hills and Worthington Estates families
- April 22 hail damaged both school roofs. Worthington Hills Elementary and Worthington Estates Elementary roofs took extensive small-puncture damage, averaging two dozen holes per 100 square feet, in the April 22 hail event. Maintenance crews and ServPro are working around the clock to patch the punctures and have staged dehumidifiers and fans inside both buildings ahead of forecast rain. The district is partnering with its insurance representatives and engineers to evaluate longer-term repairs. Superintendent Trent Bowers asked families and staff for patience and flexibility as the district adjusts to keep classrooms operating through the May 21 last day of school. Building principals will share updates if any classrooms need to be temporarily relocated.
Recognitions
- Slate Hill Elementary named OAESA Hall of Fame School, one of ten schools statewide. Slate Hill and Suzanne Palmer, the district's Coordinator of Gifted Services, will both be recognized at the May 11 board meeting and at the OAESA statewide conference in June. Palmer was also named OAESA's Outstanding Central Office Administrator of Ohio. Superintendent Trent Bowers walks through the application process, the March 26 site visit, and the April 8 phone call from OAESA in his blog post, Hall of Fame School – Slate Hill Elementary.
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Personnel
The board approved or moved forward four leadership appointments:
- Jen Hinderer, incoming leader of Phoenix Middle School and Worthington Academy.
- Missy Grimmett, next principal of Sutter Park Preschool.
- April Walsh, new Coordinator of Special Education.
- Aquarius Hopkins, new principal of Worthington Hills Elementary School.
Policy first readings ahead of May 11 votes
Beyond the AI policy, the board held first readings on a package of compliance and housekeeping policy updates — covering NIL for student athletes, kindergarten/first-grade entrance requirements, grading and the Ohio Governor's Merit Scholarship, cash-reserve and budget-preparation language, purchasing thresholds under House Bill 96, district credit-card and travel-rewards rules, continuity of organizational operations, and food service under House Bill 10. Most return on May 11 for second readings and adoption votes; we'll cover what actually passed in the next recap.
District operations
- High-impact summer programs at record enrollment. More than 600 students are registered for targeted intervention and enrichment boost programs, and more than 850 students are signed up for the Summer Enrichment Academy. The district is debuting a kindergarten bridge program for new learners this year.
- Share tables now district-wide. After spring break, all elementary schools formally implemented share tables, where students can leave still-packaged items they don't want (applesauce, cheese sticks, fruit) for other students who need additional food. The change reduces both food waste and the stigma of asking for extras.
- 2027–28 school calendar approved. The board approved the 2027–28 calendar that had its first reading at the April 13 meeting.
- Worthington Park Elementary easement accepted. The board accepted an easement from New Cedar Trace LLC for the land where the school's sign currently sits, putting the sign on district property and clearing the way for a required hot-box installation.
Around the community
Crawford Hoying presented its West Wilson Bridge Road redevelopment plan at the Worthington Partnership annual meeting, attended by several board members and the treasurer. The plan was previously covered by Civic Pulse
WEF eighth-grade professional days continue at Kilbourne Middle School this week, with the Worthington Education Foundation expanding the program from its KMS pilot to additional middle schools.
Upcoming dates
- Monday, May 11, 6:30 p.m. Next Board of Education meeting at the Worthington Education Center. Agenda includes the second reading and adoption vote on the AI policy and policy package, recognition of Slate Hill Elementary and Suzanne Palmer, and the draft FY2027 budget presentation.
- Monday, June 8, 6:30 p.m. Regular board meeting at the Worthington Education Center.
- Wednesday, July 1. Deadline for the petition to place the property-tax-elimination amendment on the statewide ballot. Also the state deadline for the district's AI, continuity-of-operations, and food-service policies to be adopted.
Thanks for reading this summary of the Board of Education meeting, you can watch the original full video here