Local Leaders - Educating for the Future Recap

🧭 Local Leaders Recap: Educating for the Future

October 15, 2025

Licking County Chamber of Commerce – Local Leaders Series
Four outstanding superintendents joined the Chamber’s Local Leaders program to share how their districts are preparing students for the demands of tomorrow’s workforce. The panel included:

• Dr. Trevor Thomas, Heath City Schools
• Jeff Brown, Granville Exempted Village School District
• Scott Beery, Licking Valley Local Schools
• Dave Lewis, Newark City Schools

 
🎓 District Highlights:

Heath City Schools
Heath is focused on teaching students to read and comprehend - the foundation of all future learning. The district leads the entire state in literacy specialization, with 16 teachers holding Dyslexia Level 1 or 2 certification, requiring 50–100 hours of literacy coursework plus 100 hours of practicum. These educators are transforming reading instruction and student confidence. Heath also partners with C-TEC to offer business, engineering, and robotics programs.

Licking Valley Local Schools
Licking Valley emphasizes structured reading instruction in grades K–2 and transitions to “reading to learn” in grade 3 on. They’ve expanded opportunities for students not pursuing college by connecting them with hands-on training and co-op programs through local partners such as Golf Works, Huston Plumbing, and the Licking County Engineer’s Office. Their investment in a new onsite learning center and additional College Credit Plus (CCP) courses has increased enrollment by 30%.

Granville Exempted Village Schools
Granville’s hallmark is its K–12 project management curriculum, which gives every student experience in problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability. Their “Portrait of a Graduate” framework defines the essential skills needed to thrive in life beyond high school. A new WOW class helps middle school students identify interests and passions that connect with academic goals.

Newark City Schools
Newark employs a full-time Workforce Development Coordinator at its Career Center, focused on student exposure to real-world careers through business tours, internships, and job fairs. The district also offers a satellite IT program through C-TEC and is launching an STNA program next year. Newark’s Alternative Academy provides additional support for students who learn best in a different environment, and partnerships with Licking Memorial Health Systems and Robertson Construction help students gain job readiness skills.
 
🏭 Business Partnerships Are Key
All four superintendents stressed the importance of collaboration with local industry. Businesses can strengthen the workforce pipeline by:

• Hosting teacher tours or externships
• Offering student internships and job shadowing
• Volunteering in classrooms and mentoring students
• Supporting Junior Achievement’s local programming

⚠️ Legislative Watch: House Bill 186
Dr. Thomas also highlighted concerns about Ohio House Bill 186, which could significantly impact district funding. The bill proposes a property tax reduction for districts at or near the 20-mill floor. While it may offer short-term relief to property owners, it would also limit revenue growth for schools, forcing districts to use reserve funds or eventually reduce staff and student programs to balance budgets.
Such measures risk undermining the very programs that prepare students for the future - from literacy support to technical training - and emphasize the need for ongoing dialogue between education, business, and policy leaders.
 
💡 Local Leaders Takeaway
Licking County’s schools are shaping students who are adaptable, skilled, and workforce-ready but their success depends on shared investment from both the private sector and policymakers.