The superintendent of Kirtland Schools emphasizes district services

Chad Vanarnhem, superintendent of the Kirtland Schools, is proud of the students of his district.

Vanarnhem raised some of her success from the schools during his response from 2025, from test results and recognition to thousands from hours of non -profit services.

He also used the address on April 29 to share other ways of how the district and its employees worked to maintain institutions, promote a safe and safe learning environment and are responsible for tax, even if it is exposed to an uncertain state financing image.

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While a national decline in academics affected Kirtland during the Covid 19 pandemic, he said that the district now exceeds its pre-pandemic reviews for various tests.

The district received a five-star rating for its 2023-24 State Report Card, from which Vanarnhem, according to Vanarnhem, made one of two districts in Lake County to get this rating. He added that the evaluation brought it into the top 8 percent of the state districts, and it was one of 18 districts in Ohio in every area of ​​this certificate.

He said that the academic highlights of 2024 students had completed 4 students with a distinction, 23 students who had completed the Auburn Career Center, 21 students who received recognition for advanced test results, and one who received a perfect act score.

A student, Tabitha Blankenship, received a Bachelor degree from Kent State University before he was completed at the Kirtland High School.

Vanarnhem also emphasized science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics programs of the district. Art courses are available to the students in classes K-12, the band has grown since pandemic and the pieces are offered to high school and fifth graders of the district.

The district also offers coding courses that begin in kindergarten, a state-funded Python coding course for students in class 7-12 and competitive MINT focus club for middle and upper level students.

Security and well -being

The district has also focused on the security of the school, which he described as his top priority.

The physical safety efforts include the alarm that signal when doors remain open, meetings with first aiders and drills. The district also trains on life -saving skills such as the use of CPR, AEDS, adrenaline institutions and naloxone and has saved the lives of three students in the past two years.

Kirtland also focuses on the wellness of students. Vanarnhem said that the district breaks on movement breaks to support the student of the students. It offers wellness room for students and other health-related initiatives.

The district also has a variety of programs that focus on mental well -being.

An initiative that Kirtland is expanding this year is the No Screen Week. Last year, students from the Kirtland Middle School made a promise in May not to use smartphones and computers for a week, and employees also avoid using these devices in the classroom.

“Part of this no-screen week is that children can somehow see:” Hey, that affects “and then communicate with their parents.” Hey, you may want to limit the time that your children are on these devices, “said Vanarnhem.

The district plans to extend the Kirtland Elementary School not a week this year. The students of the Kirtland High School will also commit to avoid social media in the four days before the prom.

Finance

Vanarnhem said that Kirtland receives fewer state and federal financing aid than other school districts in Ohio and is working to keep the costs low, but he is concerned about proposed changes to the state's school financing guidelines.

“I also live in Kirtland, so I would like to make sure that when I am outside and talking to our neighbors, we know that we are very tax responsible with the money we have,” he said.

According to Vanarnhem, the Kirtland School District is dependent on local property taxes for 71 percent of its revenue, while the school districts in Ohio only depend on local property taxes for 41.2 percent of the financing.

The district divides part -time services to reduce the costs and he said that the last new general fund tax was passed in 2012. She also spends the fourth highest amount of money per student for the nine school districts of Lake County, which means that more money is incorporated towards lessons in the classroom.

The finances of the district could be influenced by House Bill 96, added Vanarnhem. The proposed draft law of the state budget passed the House of Representatives of Ohio on April 9 and was sent to the OHIO Senate.

He said the invoice was not followed by the previously proposed Fair School Financing Plan and Caps school district with a transfer of 30 percent. Kirtland has a 59 percent budget transmission, and he is concerned that the limit will mean that the district has no money for projects that are necessary to maintain its buildings.

The district predicted that he would lose 9.6 million dollars under the proposal in the next five years. It had expenses of more than 16 million US dollars for the 2024 financial year.

In a press release, the Republicans of the Ohio House said that the proposed budget budget increased school financing compared to previous years. They also said that the 30 percent upper limit for the transfer of unpaid cash would provide comprehensive tax relief.

Vanarnhem said that he understood the need to relieve property, but added that the proposal was “far too much, far too quickly”.

Community bonds

Vanarnhem emphasized how Kirtland schools and community organizations work together to serve schools and give the students the opportunity to serve.

He said that Kirtland Kiwanis now has groups in every age level and enables the students to take part in service projects. Students have also participated in fundraisers and community events.

The class of Kirtland 2024 brought in 5,250 hours of non -profit service, added Vanarnhem.

The district also improves its facilities, he said. These range from a newer, polystical play area to updates to color, furniture, carpets and technology in classrooms.

Last thoughts

Vanarnhem said he enjoyed seeing the students growing up.

“At the end of the day, I feel really happy to be a superintendent in Kirtland,” he said. “I live here, my two children have finished from here. I was the headmaster at first. I am really embedded in this place and I love it.

Teacher, I would start against everyone here, “added Vanarnhem. There are so many different employees, just not the teachers. There could be bus drivers, helpers, administrators and secretaries. There are so many people who make our school successful.”