CAMBRIDGE, Ohio (AVC News) — The Cambridge CATS Club Afterschool Program has begun its ninth year, with more than 160 students currently participating across the district.
Cambridge Superintendent Dan Coffman provided an update on the program during the Cambridge City Schools Board of Education’s October meeting Thursday.
The program currently has 36 students enrolled at the Primary School, 49 at the Intermediate School and 77 in the combined Middle School and High School program. The Intermediate School program also has a waiting list of approximately 30 students.
Students receive homework assistance and a nutritious snack each day, along with extracurricular activities and clubs. Community partners, including the Guernsey County District Public Library and Deerassic Park Education Center, visit the programs each month.
Weekly activities include “Wanna Try It Wednesday,” when students prepare and taste different foods they can make at home. Clubs include fitness, crafts, games, D&D, Boys Club and ROXS.
The program is staffed by 23 teachers and seven aides across the district. Due to decreased funding in recent years, two teachers and one aide are assigned to each building each day.
Funding currently comes through 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants provided by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Previous funding from the MVHC Summer Learning and Afterschool Opportunity Grant and COVID-19 relief funds has expired.
Coffman said the district is facing funding challenges but is working to identify additional funding sources to continue the program after the current grant ends.
The board also discussed plans for students in grades three through 12 to attend the Veterans Day parade and ceremony at the Guernsey County Courthouse in downtown Cambridge.
Students will attend school Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, rather than observe Veterans Day as a day off, and will participate in Veterans Day activities. The district will instead be closed Monday, Nov. 9, in recognition of the holiday.
The board approved overnight trips for students participating in the Ohio Model United Nations conference in Columbus and the annual eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C.
In personnel matters, the board approved Olivia Perkins as a substitute secretary and Tyler Cota as Middle School Student Council adviser. The board also approved several volunteers.
The board approved the following athletic positions: Jordan Ball, head wrestling coach; Tommy Moore, assistant wrestling coach; Gavin Greer, Middle School wrestling coach; Logan McCort, head boys basketball coach; Sean Byerly and Ben VanDyne, assistant boys basketball coaches; Gary Sigman, eighth-grade boys Middle School basketball coach; Mike Birkhimer, head girls basketball coach; Justin Brown, assistant girls basketball coach; Mallory Taylor, reserve girls basketball coach; and Alexandra Sharrer, head swim coach.
Additional volunteer coaching positions approved were Steven Clinard for swimming, Darius Jones for football, Brian Moore for girls basketball, Thomas “Tank” Moore for wrestling and Hunter Williams for boys basketball.
The next Cambridge City Schools Board of Education meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Garfield Administration Center.
Last Updated on October 8, 2026 by AVC News
