11.03 Hornet Headlines |

Can you believe we are almost at the end of 2023? The holidays are right around the corner, and before we know it we will be gathering together to share traditions with our friends and family.

Keeping our families up-to-date on everything happening throughout our district is our number-one priority. As we get ready to enter 2024, our leadership team wants to provide you with information about multiple different initiatives and plans we have in the works. As we move into the next era of Licking Heights, we are doing all we can to make these next steps as simple, seamless, and stress-free as possible for you. Please know that the well-being of you and your student is at the core of everything we do.

1. Redistricting for the 2024-2025 School Year:

As we work towards the completion of the new elementary school, we will undergo a redistricting process for our elementary students and families to equitably and adequately balance student enrollment at each school. We recognize that redistricting can be a challenging and emotional process, but rest assured that we are committed to making this transition as seamless as possible. You as families will be kept in the loop with each step of the redistricting process.

We have enlisted the help of Cooperative Strategies, an education planning organization specializing in rapidly growing districts, to help us redistrict in a way that makes the most sense for our students and families. Cooperative Strategies are the experts trusted by Olentangy Schools, one of the state's fastest growing districts, for redistricting, enrollment projection, and planning.

2. Temporary Use of North Elementary for the 2024-2025 School Year:

The new elementary school is currently on track for completion by October 15, 2024–two months after the start of school in August. Rather than let this building sit empty throughout the entire 2024-2025 school year, we have created a plan to utilize it as soon as we can. This will be a much more efficient use of our taxpayers’ dollars.

The students assigned to the new school will begin their school year temporarily located in North Elementary. South, West, and North (and ultimately the new elementary school) will all become K through 4 buildings. Once the new school is ready for move-in, the students and staff members at North will relocate to the new building.

Our preschool program continues to grow, and more space is required than what students have at Central Intermediate. After the students and staff at North move to the new elementary in October 2024, we will move the Licking Heights preschool program into the former North Elementary building along with the District Office team.

All students and families involved in this process, from PreK to 4th grade, will have ample time and notice to properly prepare.

3. 2024-2025 Assignments for Elementary Principals:

We are pleased to announce the following individuals will serve as the elementary school leaders for the 2024-2025 school year:

• Mr. Kurt Scheiderer will be leading the new elementary as Principal

• Mr. Brian Wikinson will be leading South Elementary as Principal

• Mrs. Brandi Wade will be leading the Preschool program as Principal

• Mrs. Michelle Copeland and Mrs. Colleen Wildenhaus will continue their leadership of West Elementary

If you have any questions or concerns, we invite you to please reach out to the District Office. Our team is right here with you in this journey, and our goal is for every student and family to feel supported and at peace during these transitions.

We are regularly updating our Hard Hat Hornet Hub on the district website with photos and information about the opening of our new facilities. We invite you to visit this section of the website to follow along with our building projects and see updates from month to month. Click the button below.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kevin S. Miller, Superintendent