District Newsletter: 04/30/2026

Reminders!

Tonight! Grades 5-12 Band Concert, 7 p.m., High School Gymnasium

Tuesday, May 5 - No Classes for Students; Teacher/Staff Professional Development

Two Administrators Leaving Positions at End of School Year

Maryland Elementary Principal Rachel Niswander announced yesterday that she is stepping down as principal at the end of this school year to resume her teaching career in the district.

In addition, Director of Technology Brad Pettit will depart the district in mid-June to become the chief technology officer for META Solutions, the Metropolitan Educational Technology Association.

Rachel Niswander

Brad Pettit

Mrs. Niswander, who has served as Maryland principal for four years, told her staff and families yesterday that she is taking this step now “to focus more on my family’s needs and to return to the classroom where I find great joy in working closely with Bexley’s incredible students.” With Board approval, she will resume her continuing contract as a teacher in Bexley Schools.

Superintendent Dr. Jason Fine thanked Mrs. Niswander for her dedication, care, and leadership of Maryland and said he is excited that she will remain in the district where she will continue to positively impact our students.

As chief technology officer for Meta Solutions, Mr. Pettit will oversee Ohio’s largest Educational Information Technology Center, serving about a half million students in 180+ school districts, including Bexley. 

Mr. Pettit has served as Bexley’s technology director for the past eight years and his service to our district and support for faculty, staff, and students have been instrumental in keeping our district moving forward and providing a modern learning experience for our students.

We will begin our search for a new Maryland principal and director of technology immediately. Like all other administrative hirings we do, we welcome input and participation of family members, faculty, staff, and students in the process.

Maryland Principal - If you are interested in participating in the Maryland principal search, please complete the online form related to this position. The deadline to indicate your interest in participating in the hiring process is Wednesday, May 6.

Director of Technology - If you are interested in participating in the technology director’s search, please complete the online form related to this position. The deadline to indicate your interest in participating in the hiring process is Wednesday, May 6.

Montrose Elementary to Serve as Polling Place for Tuesday’s Primary Election

Watch for increased traffic near Montrose Elementary this coming Tuesday, May 5, when the building will be used as a Franklin County polling place during Ohio’s primary election. Voting will be from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the school gymnasium.

There will be no classes in Bexley Schools that day, with faculty and staff scheduled to take part in professional development.

Mark Your Calendars for Elementary Theater Production of the Play, ‘A Tale of Two Jacks’ 

Don’t miss the annual Grade 4-5 play to be performed May 14-16 in the Cassingham Theatre! 

A Tale of Two Jacks will open on Thursday, May 14 at 7 p.m., followed by performances on Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are available online and at the door.

The Story: Meet Jack, an overworked boy toiling away in Gooseland. Meet Jack, an ignored girl living a dull existence in Fairytalia. When a beanstalk “accident” creates a bridge between their very different homelands, they seize the opportunity to trade lives. At first, the swap gives them each a dash of what they’ve always wanted: she finds her voice in a realm full of rhyming characters, while he is finally able to chill and make friends in a realm of magic and morals. But when the leaders of these long-at-odds lands notice their citizens’ behaviors changing, someone will have to take the fall...and it won’t be Humpty Dumpty. Can the two Jacks work together to prevent a Fairy Tale vs. Nursery Rhyme battle royale and ensure a happily ever after? 

Join Us Tuesday, May 5th, 6-8 p.m.

Resource Fair & Expert Panels to Be Featured at Tuesday’s ‘What’s Next Bexley’ Event

Click Flier Image Above to Access More Event Information

8 Seniors Sign to Participate in Athletics in College

The Bexley High School library was packed with family members, teammates, coaches, and fellow students this morning when the school celebrated eight Bexley seniors who signed to participate in college athletics.

Congratulations to the following student-athletes!

Solan Coutts – Lacrosse, Ohio Wesleyan University

Luke Deister – Baseball, Cornerstone University

Kaleb Krasnow – Lacrosse, Quincy University

Everett Lynch – Cross Country & Track, John Carroll University

Eddie Merritt IV – Lacrosse, Assumption University

Evie Messmer – Lacrosse, John Carroll University

Aedan Mitchell – Basketball, Tiffin University

Taylor Smith – Volleyball, Wittenberg University

Congratulations to our student-athletes bound for college sports next year! Pictured, from left: Eddie Merritt, Everett Lynch, Kaleb Krasnow, Luke Deister, Solan Coutts, Aiden Mitchell, Taylor Smith, and Evie Messmer.

Bexley 8th Graders Enjoy Memorable Trip to Nation’s Capital

Among the highlights of last week’s annual 8th-grade trip to Washington, D.C. were visits to the city’s many beautiful memorials, the U.S. Supreme Court, Smithsonian museums, and Arlington National Cemetery.

Bexley students also met with Central Ohio Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, who offered encouraging words and answered students’ questions during a memorable visit to the United States Capitol.

Many thanks to the faculty, staff, and administrators who made this memorable trip possible for Bexley’s 8th graders!

BE A CHAMPION

Middle School Staff Member Recognized as District ‘Champion’

Congratulations to Nikki Barden, who was recently celebrated as a Champion in Bexley Schools!

Mrs. Barden, who serves as a middle school building substitute and the district’s theater technician, was recognized for Responsibility, one of the district’s seven core values.

Her nomination shared that she “seamlessly works well with our students who are navigating the highs and lows of their middle school years,” and pointed to the value of her producing the school’s daily video announcements that incorporate the “voices and ideas of our students.” Mrs. Barden also leads the school’s weekly game room opportunity, which supports students in “finding and building community during the lunch hour.” Way to BE Mrs. Barden!

Pictured: Middle School Principal Jerome Price and Nikki Barden

Important Dates

Tonight! April 30 (Thurs.) – Grades 5-12 Band Concert, 7 p.m., High School Gymnasium

April 30 (Thurs.) – Board of Education Special Meeting, 6 p.m., Bexley High School Library (No public participation at Special Meetings)

May 1 (Fri.) – 2026 Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Festival, 6-8 p.m., Bexley Public Library Parking Lot

May 1 (Fri.) – COSI Scifest - Bexley Super Science Block Party, 6-8 p.m., Capital University Front Lawn along East Main Street

May 7 (Thurs.) – Elementary School Spring Art Hop Extravaganza, 5-7 p.m., East Elementary School

May 13 (Wed.) – Board of Education Monthly Meeting, 6 p.m., Bexley City Hall

May 14 (Thurs.) – A Tale of Two Jacks, Grades 4-5 Play, 7 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

May 15 (Fri.) – A Tale of Two Jacks, Grades 4-5 Play, 7 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

May 16 (Sat.) – A Tale of Two Jacks, Grades 4-5 Play, 2 p.m. AND 7 p.m., Cassingham Theatre