CAMBRIDGE, Ohio (AVC News) — The Cambridge City School District is investing in teacher training, instructional support and classroom resources as part of an effort to improve student achievement, Director of K-5 Education Jill Clay told the Board of Education during its November meeting.
Clay said the district is concentrating on strengthening literacy and mathematics through consistent classroom instruction, targeted student support and the use of student data to guide decisions.
The district has invested in high-quality instructional materials, but Clay emphasized that teachers have the greatest impact on student learning.
Professional development efforts include explicit instruction training with National Literacy Consultant Michelle Elia, Benchmark Advance training, iReady data analysis instruction for department heads and participation in the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference. A Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant is also funding professional learning, coaching and collaboration.
The district has also introduced Data Days, classroom Learning Walks and instructional coaching to help teachers evaluate student progress, respond to individual needs and improve instruction.
Clay highlighted several results and recognitions associated with the district’s efforts.
ReadOhio invited Cambridge Primary School to participate as a spotlight district, presenting on its ReadOhio coaching partnership led by Principal Kurt Ware and reading coach Robin Petrullo.
At Cambridge Intermediate School, 71.3% of third-graders tested proficient or higher in math during the spring, compared with the statewide average of 63%. The district said it was the fourth consecutive year Cambridge exceeded the state average. Additionally, 85.7% of students in third-grade teacher Lyndsey Hummel’s class tested proficient or higher.
The district also implemented a Kindergarten Boot Camp this summer through a $60,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. The program brought together preschool and kindergarten staff, and 96% of participating students finished the camp on track for reading, according to the district.
In other business, the board approved the 2026-27 Special Education Procedure Manual and authorized district administrators to begin the competitive bidding process for concrete sidewalk improvements at Cambridge High School and Cambridge Middle School.
The board also approved a resolution acknowledging receipt of notice from the city regarding a proposed enterprise zone property tax exemption and authorized the district to join the Ohio School Consortium and enter into an electric supply agreement with Direct Energy. Board members reviewed additional policy considerations expected to be addressed at a future meeting.
Personnel actions included hiring Alyssa Bartlett as a cook, Jacqueline Dille as a custodian, Jamie Pollock as a substitute cook and Audra Carpenter as Ohio Preschool Grant coordinator. Allison Wojciechowski was approved as a first-year mentor for Tayler Wolford.
The board accepted the resignations of Marc Fitzgerald and Abigail Fitzgerald and approved the retirement of Alison Hecker, a Cambridge High School custodian, effective Jan. 1, 2027.
The board also approved 16 volunteers for the 2026-27 school year: Joli Baker, Jason M. Castello, Ashley Bichard, Alicia Hinson, Raymond Duda, Kari McIntire, Jenna Evancho, Amanda Micale, Stephanie Fahner, Whitney Wetherell, Holly Huffstutler, Lane McCartney, Kari Reasoner, Jessica Seeley-Rapol, Tara Smith and Janell Williams.
For athletics, the board approved Brock Valentine as seventh-grade boys basketball coach, Christian Tetrick as freshman boys basketball coach, Emma Krise as eighth-grade girls basketball coach and Ramone Conley as seventh-grade girls basketball coach.
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Garfield Administrative Center.
Last Updated on November 11, 2026 by AVC News
