Talawanda Middle sees boost in state report card

The Talawanda School District Board of Education received an update on Talawanda Middle School’s (TMS) most recent report card from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce during its most recent meeting on March 19.

In October 2025, Talawanda Schools received four out of five stars overall on its state report card for the 2024-25 academic year, with school-reported data like testing scores and graduation rates being used to measure effectiveness. 

On the previous state report card for TMS for the 2023-24 academic year, the school received a four-out-of-five-star rating, using test scores, student growth and gap-closing in individual education as metrics.

For its 2024-2025 state report card, TMS received four and a half out of five stars, reflecting a boost in students’ test performance and the school’s ability to close gaps in students’ education – a category for which it received a perfect five stars.

The school also saw boosts in student growth in English language arts scores, and more students at TMS are now categorized as being “proficient,” “accomplished” or “advanced” in terms of test scores than in previous years, according to data provided during the board meeting.

“That’s exciting to look at,” Stephanie Aerni, director of teaching and learning, told the board, “for the students to know that all the effort that the staff puts in at Talawanda Middle School – the interventions, the time spent, the mental health supports, everything that we are doing here collectively as a middle school – is making improvements for our students, and that’s what we need.”

“It’s not about the test scores, it’s what they reflect – that our students are actually making tremendous growth,” Aerni said.

Other business

In other business, Jason Merz was approved to return as the principal of Kramer Elementary School for a five-year contract beginning July 1.

Merz was placed on paid leave following a “complaint of inappropriate conduct” in May 2025, according to previous reporting by the Oxford Free Press.

A subsequent investigation into the administrator showed he “did not engage in any inappropriate or unprofessional conduct,” according to a letter from Superintendent Edward Theroux to the Talawanda community dated Feb. 26.

“We are confident that Principal Merz is able to return because a thorough investigation and review has been completed by several impartial parties who have no affiliation with the District,” according to the letter.

Gregg Pettit has been serving as interim principal of Kramer, and Kathy Wagonfield was approved to substitute as needed.

The school district also updated the age at which students need to be to enroll in kindergarten. If parents want to enroll their child in kindergarten for the next school year, 2026-27, their child must turn 5 by Aug. 19.

The board also agreed to enter a memorandum of understanding with the Cincinnati State Technical and Community College for College Credit Plus (CCP) classes during the 2026-27 academic year.

Students at Talawanda High School (THS) who are admitted into CCP courses through Cincinnati State will be concurrently enrolled in the college and THS and earn college credit. Students may take these courses either online or in person, according to the memorandum, or by an appropriately-credentialed faculty member at THS if available.

According to an update given by THS principal Scott Davie during a board meeting in December 2025, over the past five years, Talawanda Schools has increased the number of in-house CCP courses, and 1,500 college credits are being earned at THS this academic year alone.

The board approved a property tax budget for Fiscal Year 2027, beginning July 1, in which the district expects to collect $31,398,000. 

This includes $25,046,000 as the estimated amount of collections for the general fund during FY27. Treasurer Shaunna Tafelski told the Oxford Free Press in an email, the school district usually accounts for around 96.5% of collections, as property owners may not pay their taxes, and this total does not include funding losses which may result from the passing of Ohio House Bill 186.

The total also includes a bond retirement fund of $4,042,000, which is earmarked for paying off annual debt payments for the Talawanda High School and Bogan Elementary School buildings. 

The other $2,310,000 is designated for the permanent improvement fund, which is restricted to items with a lifespan of five years minimum, including building repairs. This fund is also being used to pay off debt related to the construction of Kramer and Marshall elementary schools, according to Tafelski.

The board also approved a competitive bid advertisement for new playground equipment at TMS using donation and grant funding.

Board member Dawn King also shared during the March 19 meeting that THS senior Nolan Hodgson was recognized as a National Merit Scholarship finalist. Students enter the National Merit Scholarship competition by taking the Pre-SAT (PSAT) or National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) during their junior year. Hodgson will be joining the list of THS’s seven finalists in the past seven years.

King also noted 17 Talawanda students have been approved to receive their state Future Farmers of America degree on May 1 – the largest group in the program’s history to receive the award.

The complete agenda for the March 19 meeting is available at talawanda.org under “board of education.” The board will meet again on April 16 at 7 p.m. in the THS auditorium.