District Newsletter: 08/27/2026

Reminder!

Monday, Sept. 7 - Labor Day; No Classes, District Closed

Board of Education Addresses Pressing Issues During Yesterday’s Special Meeting

Resolution Authorizing Urgent Remedy to Maryland Elementary Water Intrusion

In the first of three timely business matters during yesterday's special Board meeting at City Hall, Superintendent Dr. Katie Nowak asked the Board to approve a resolution allowing the district to proceed as quickly as possible to address and remedy the frequent water intrusion and flooding at Maryland Elementary School.

Dr. Nowak shared photos and short video clips during the meeting to show how serious last Thursday’s flooding was in the school, which intruded upon 3rd-grade classrooms, the art room, music room, cafeteria and kitchen, and the staff lounge. In addition, while the water intrusion was limited to the lower level, the water backup in the drains affected the function of toilets and sinks in the upper levels of the school also.

The approved Board resolution declares the Maryland water intrusion “to be a matter of urgent necessity and is also declared to be essential for the protection of school property, personnel, students, and visitors” and authorizes the superintendent and treasurer to take immediate steps to facilitate all necessary work.

The Board-approved resolution allows the district to spend up to $950,000 on the project. A cost higher than that would need additional Board action. 

With the Board’s approval last night, the district will move quickly to contract with The Kleingers Groups, a local civil engineering firm, to assess the property in order to determine the reason for the water intrusion.

After the cause is determined and a recommendation on how to proceed to fix the issue is received, the district will work to solicit bids for construction and commence with the work. The timeline for completing this work is dependent upon the cause of the problem and the work needed.

The superintendent also shared, “Maryland faculty and staff have dealt with water intrusion for too long. Our teachers have lost classroom materials due to flooding before and, unfortunately, they lost materials again in last week’s flooding. They, and our students, deserve our prompt attention to this issue.”

Resolution Permitting the District’s General Fund to Be Reimbursed if Bond Proceeds Become Available in the Future

The second resolution that Dr. Nowak presented and asked the Board to approve would allow the district’s General Fund to be reimbursed if future bond proceeds become available to fund the schools’ facilities Phase I.

“This resolution is a practical and sensible request since the cost of this water intrusion work at Maryland was included in the capital expenditures cost bucket of our Phase I plan,” Dr. Nowak said. “Authorizing reimbursement would allow us to recoup funds and deposit the money back into our General Fund, which is our primary source of funding for teaching and learning and day-to-day operations.”

Dr. Nowak also pointed out the following regarding the Maryland water intrusion fix and the reimbursement of funds to the district’s General Fund:

“We are able to address this serious flooding situation at Maryland now, rather than wait to see if we get voter approval to make capital improvements, because of our district’s strong cash balance and wise fiscal policy. Our General Fund is able to withstand this considerable cash outlay today, but that may not always be possible.”

Additionally, she shared:

“With $24 million dollars in vital improvements, fixes, and upgrades needed throughout all of our buildings, our district’s responsible fiscal stewardship will not be enough to address our failing boilers, windows, and more without making sacrifices elsewhere or going back to voters sooner than we would like to request additional funding.”

Superintendent Asks Board to Approve Removal of Synthetic Turf from Phase I Plan

In the final matter of business during yesterday’s Board meeting, Dr. Nowak asked the Board to approve a revision to the Phase I plan of facilities upgrades by removing synthetic turf as an option on Maryland and Montrose Elementary fields when the district moves to upgrade the surface and play spaces at both schools. Funding this Phase I plan will be on the ballot on Nov. 3 for Bexley voters to consider.

“My intent as I began my tenure as superintendent this summer was to listen and to learn, to better understand our community’s concerns and priorities,” Dr. Nowak told the Board. “It has become clear that lingering and unresolved concerns about synthetic turf remain among our families and residents.” 

She also acknowledged that she believes the recommendation to add synthetic turf to both Maryland and Montrose playground fields was made with the best intentions, to improve our students’ access to play during recess and outdoor time and to support our student-athletes. 

Dr. Nowak stated, “I cannot, though, disregard the apprehension this part of Phase I has caused our school community. Therefore, tonight, I ask you to reconsider the surface improvement part of Phase I. I am not asking you to remove surface improvements at Maryland and Montrose as part of Phase I – it’s clear that upgrades are needed. Rather, I formally ask you to remove the synthetic turf play space option at both schools.”

The Board agreed with Dr. Nowak's recommendation and voted to approve the removal of synthetic turf to surface improvements at Montrose and Maryland Elementaries.

(Superintendent's Slide Presented to the Board, Aug. 26, 2026)

The superintendent also concurred with Board President Joanne Pickrell’s March 2026 recommendation to convene a community committee, if the ballot issue passes, to consider improvements to the district’s activity and play spaces.

Dr. Nowak said options the committee should consider include improving and upgrading the playground spaces and play fields at Montrose, Cassingham, and Maryland Elementary schools; relocating extracurricular activities taking place on the existing varsity softball field/practice space; where new softball fields should be placed; the development of the district’s Cassady Avenue land; and possible outdoor learning environments for our students. 

“To be clear, with your approval, the prospective committee would not consider synthetic turf at Maryland or Montrose as part of its work,” she said.

Dr. Nowak’s comments also reflected on her participation in the early development of the District Facilities Plan in 2024, particularly when many school families and Bexley residents shared with the district their values and expectations for any future facility upgrades.

“Now, as the new superintendent, it is my responsibility to ensure we are respecting and incorporating those standards in this work,” she said.

Dr. Nowak ended with the following:

“I fully believe that Phase I does just that and is a necessary step we must take to continue meeting our community’s expectations and high standards for our schools.

This plan, beginning with Phase I will:

• • Provide powerful learning experiences, through intentional, flexible and adaptable spaces, and by delivering a variety of curricular and extracurricular opportunities in modern spaces
  • Foster the well-being and sense of belonging of our students, by using our spaces to meet the needs of each learner, providing inclusive and fully accessible spaces, and providing safe, secure, warm and dry environments
  • Be designed for the future and include community needs, by constructing efficient and fiscally responsible spaces that are built to last, sustainable, and resilient, for decades and generations to come.

That is what our community bestowed upon us when we began this facilities upgrade journey. That is what we are seeking to achieve today.” 

Dr. Nowak’s Full Statement to the Board | Superintendent’s Slide Presentation

Note: The audio of the Aug. 26 Special Board Meeting was not fully captured during our livestream of the event due to technical difficulties. We apologize for the inconvenience of those who watched online.

 

Check Now for Fall Activities Posted on the District’s ‘Flier Connection’

Bexley Schools’ online Flier Connection links you to community and area events and activities. Check now for the Fall events!

We encourage you to check this resource on a regular basis. It can be found under the Community tab on the district’s website, and a button is always here, at the bottom of the weekly district newsletters.

We maintain the Flier Connection on the district website as a resource for community and other events or notices. This “virtual backpack” allows us to share information from outside organizations on events, recreation sports leagues, and more.

Don't Miss This Weekend’s Class
Sign Up Your Student to Learn the City’s Laws for e-Bike & e-Scooters Riders

The City of Bexley is holding its next e-bike and e-scooter class this Sunday, Aug. 30, at 1:30 p.m. at Bexley City Hall. The class will be taught by Bexley Police officers and is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about staying safe while having fun. Sign up online for this weekend’s class now!

As a reminder, Bexley has age-appropriate laws regulating the use of e-bikes and e-scooters, including laws requiring classes and bike registration for kids under the age of 16 who wish to ride an e-bike. The City also has age restrictions for the use of e-scooters. 

Importantly, Bexley requires helmets for all kids riding all bikes/scooters and any other mobility devices used by kids on roadways.

Important Dates

Tonight! Aug. 27 (Thurs.) – Elementary School Curriculum Night, 6 p.m., Each Elementary School

Aug. 30 (Sun.) – Bexley Athletic Boosters Annual Golf Outing, 1:30 p.m. Shotgun Start, Pine Hill Golf Course, Carroll, Ohio; Register for the Outing

Sept. 2 (Wed.) – Grades 4 & 5 Play Crew Interviews, 3:15 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre;  Crew Interview Form

Sept. 3 (Thurs.) – Maryland Breakfast Buddies, 7:30 a.m., Back Playground

Sept. 3 (Thurs.) – Cassingham Elementary Picture Day

Sept. 3 (Thurs.) – Middle School Curriculum Night, 6 p.m.

Sept. 7 (Mon.) – Labor Day; No Classes, District Closed

Sept. 8 (Tues.) – Middle School PTO Meeting, 7 p.m., School Library

Sept. 8 (Tues.) – Montrose PTO Meeting, 7 p.m., School Library

Sept. 9 (Wed.) – Board of Education Regular Meeting, 6 p.m., Bexley City Hall