District Newsletter: 11/21/2025

World Sanfilippo Awareness Day

Wearing Purple for Oliver!

The Maryland Elementary faculty and staff joined together on Monday afternoon to celebrate Oliver on World Sanfilippo Awareness Day. Everyone who meets the 4th grader falls in love with his bright smile and loving nature, which is why there are so many broad smiles within the photo below.

Sanfillipo Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that primarily affects children. World Sanfillipo Awareness Day is on each Nov. 16th and was created to support families, honor their resiliency, and help educate others about the disease.

Oliver’s sister and his parents, Jennifer and Brian, joined the staff to celebrate Oliver!

Board of Education Hears Presentations regarding District Community Survey and Phase I of Facilities Upgrades

Yesterday evening’s special meeting of the Bexley Board of Education focused on the district’s facilities and the intensive facilities-planning work that has taken place over the past two years.

“We are now at the point in our facilities planning process when it will be determined whether to move forward with a Phase I project to upgrade our school facilities,” said Superintendent Dr. Jason Fine. “The purpose of this meeting is to help provide the Board of Education with information needed to inform some really important upcoming decisions.”

Community Survey Data Presentation

The first presentation to the Board was by Paul Fallon, whose company Fallon Research and Communication conducted a confidential public opinion survey of Bexley residents about the District Facilities Plan from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4. Dr. Fine said the purpose of the survey was to ensure the school district is developing priorities that align with community values.

Mr. Fallon presented highlights from the survey’s data analysis. Much of the data showed the breakdown of respondents who are school parents/guardians, future school parents/guardians, and non-parents.

To begin his analysis presentation, Mr. Fallon said 74% of respondents said they are satisfied with Bexley Schools and 86% of respondents agreed that “everyone benefits from being in the Bexley City School District because it is one of the primary reasons for stable property values and a good reputation as a strong community.”

Mr. Fallon’s presentation continued with a breakdown of respondents’ opinions on the need for new or upgraded facilities. You are encouraged to watch Mr. Fallon’s presentation. His presentation slides and survey reports are linked below. The video is available on the district’s YouTube Channel beginning at 20:08 of the meeting video. See also Survey Study Report; Survey Cross Tabs; and Verbatim Responses.

Combined Facilities/Finance Committee Recommendations

Two longtime community members, Larry Helman and Ted Cahill, made a presentation to the Board that culminated in a recommendation to move forward with the development of a Phase I of facilities upgrades.

Their presentation was representative of the work of nearly 50 Bexley residents and staff members who make up a combined committee from the district’s Finance Advisory Council and Facilities Advisory Committee.

Before Mr. Cahill presented the combined committee’s Phase I recommendation to the Board, Mr. Helman focused on the history of how Bexley school buildings have been utilized and expanded over the past 100 years.

“We’ve gotten 100 years out of (the Cassingham) campus,” Mr. Helman said. “We will not get a second 100 years unless we figure out how to deal with moving and a redevelopment for that campus over time.” He went on to say, “We need to create sites and create options, and have a clear understanding of the steps we need to take to make that campus viable going into the next 100 years.”

You are encouraged to watch Mr. Helman’s and Mr. Cahill’s presentation to the Board and view the presentation slides online. The video is available on the district’s YouTube Channel beginning at 1:00:52 of the meeting video.

Phase I Scope

as Recommended by the Combined Facilities Committee

• Construction of a New Middle School, Rebuilding of the Stadium Bleachers, and Turfed Fields at Montrose and Maryland Elementary Schools in order to increase outdoor access to students and community year-round

• Estimated Cost: ~$113 Million

• Recommended Financing of Phase I: Hybrid of Personal Income Tax and Property Tax

*ESTIMATES equal 1.5 mills of property tax ($21.4M) and 0.5% income tax ($92M)

*Please note that these estimates may change. The district must verify these estimates with county and state agencies. 

• Committee’s Recommended Timing of a Possible Ballot Issue: May 2026** (See note below)

Next Steps

• School Treasurer/CFO Kyle Smith will convene the district’s Finance Advisory Council in the near future to help determine the needed funding, as well as what the hybrid funding mechanisms would total.
• **Dr. Fine stated during yesterday’s meeting that he is leaning toward recommending a possible ballot issue in the November 2026 election and anticipates making a timing recommendation to the Board during the December regular Board meeting.
• Should the Board accept Dr. Fine’s recommendation regarding timing on Dec. 10th, then the final recommendations on the scope, cost, and type of financing will be made in early 2026.

Mark Your Calendar!

Bexley’s Next Champion Chat Is Dec. 11

Annual Test of Text-Messaging System Is Monday

Bexley Schools will conduct our annual test of our text-messaging system this Monday, Nov. 24. A systemwide text message to all parents/guardians and staff members, will begin sending at 3 p.m. from School Messenger, our mass communication system. All communication should come from the texting number 67587.

You do not need to reply or do anything after receiving the test message. However, if you do not receive the message by the evening of Monday, Nov. 24, then please send an email to info@bexley.us.

Our text notification system needs to be tested every school year. If you have received text messages in previous years, you will likely only receive one test message by text. If you are new to receiving these alerts or if your number has changed in PowerSchool, then you will receive an additional text message saying you are now registered.

Text messaging will only be used to announce delays, cancellations, alerts, or important event information. You can send the message “STOP” to 67587 at any time if you wish to opt out of the text-messaging service.

Bexley Schools Celebrate American Veterans

It is common throughout our schools to honor to recognize the courage and honor of America’s veterans every November. Four of our schools held special assemblies last week welcoming family members, and the veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces among them, to poignant programs recognizing their service.

With the schools’ choirs and entire grades singing sometimes rousing and always meaningful songs, the student bodies of entire schools gathered and participated in the celebration of veterans.

Montrose Elementary

Cassingham Elementary

Maryland  Elementary

Montrose Elementary

Middle School

Cassingham Elementary

Cassingham Elementary

Maryland Elementary

Middle School

First Champion Chat Features High School Student Perspective

Many thanks to the six high school students and two local experts who provided valuable insight and perspective into the use of social media and other digital content during Wednesday evening’s first Champion Chat. Nearly 30 people attended the event in the high school library.

The program, which was led by Bexley Technology Director Brad Pettit, focused on the student voice. The students shared both their screen habits and personal perspective on social media, screentime, social interactions, online safety, and finding help.

Local neurologist Dr. Ana Adeli and licensed counselor Libby Steele, who both have students in Bexley Schools, asked the students thoughtful questions and also shared their professional viewpoints on how to encourage healthy digital habits.

The participating students were Annmarie Carleton, Bella Delisio, Ari Feinberg, Cameron Fischer, Ruth Gravelle, and Indio Silva.

Pictured, from left: Cameron Fischer, Bella Delisio, Ari Feinberg, AnnMarie Carleton, Indio Silva, and Ruth Gravelle

DIGITAL WELLNESS

A Conversation Starter for Your Thanksgiving Break

By Brad Pettit, Director of Technology

While your family is spending time together over the break, there likely will be an opportunity to connect on a topic that’s part of all our lives: our online world.

Just like we talk about how to be a good friend or a kind person face-to-face, it’s important to talk about what that looks like online.

We’ve crafted a short activity to help start that conversation. The goal is simply to listen, share, and discuss.

Step 1: Get the Conversation Started

Find a time to chat (maybe on a car ride, while cooking, or after dinner). You don’t need to ask all these questions. Just pick one that feels right for your family.

• What are some ways our family can make a positive impact and spread kindness online?
• What should someone do if they see a friend, or even a stranger, being treated unkindly online?
• Since it’s easy to misunderstand a text or post, how can we be clearer in our digital communication or check in with someone if we’re not sure what they mean?

Step 2: Listen and Share

The most important part of this chat is listening. Give your student space to share their own experiences and perspectives. You might be surprised by their insights!

This is also a great time for parents and guardians to share their own thoughts. The goal isn’t to have all the “right” answers, but to explore the topic together as a family.

Step 3: Talk About “What's Next”

To wrap up your conversation, try to answer this question together:

“What is one small thing we can do as a family to make our online world a little bit better?”

This could be as simple as:

• “We’ll think before we post.”
• “We’ll be an ‘upstander’ – someone who helps – when we see unkindness.”

World Kindness Day

Notes of Appreciation Fill High School Entry

In celebration of World Kindness Day, all Bexley High School students took part in a simple task of appreciation. Last Thursday during second-period classes, faculty and staff members took a few minutes at the beginning of class to ask students to write messages of gratitude.

Students were given a copy of a small flag banner and asked to write a brief thank you to a teacher, staff member, or fellow student. Staff members also took part.

The banner notes were collected and combined into large banners of appreciation and displayed near the high school entrance. More than 700 banner messages were collected.

This simple act of Demonstrating Kindness shows the appreciation our students and staff have for one another.

BE A CHAMPION

Middle School Staff Member Recognized as ‘Champion’

Pictured: Superintendent Dr. Jason Fine, Stephanie Holiday, and Middle School Principal Jerome Price.

This week we celebrate the Champion recognition of Bexley Middle School staff member Stephanie Holiday!

Mrs. Holiday was recognized by a colleague for Well-being, one of the district’s seven core values. Calling her a “dedicated educator” supporting BMS students, her nomination stated that she works tirelessly to meet the needs of each student.

Way to BE Mrs. Holiday!

Important Dates

Tonight! Nov. 21 (Fri.) - Elf Jr. The Musical, Grades 4-12, 7 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

Nov. 22 (Sat.) - Elf Jr. The Musical, Grades 4-12, 2 p.m. AND 7 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

Nov. 23 (Sun.) - High School National Honor Society Ceremony, 2 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

Nov. 24 (Mon.) - Middle School One-Act Play Auditions, 3:30 p.m., Dargusch Theatre

Nov. 26 (Wed.) – No Classes for Students; Teacher Conference Comp Day

Nov. 27-28 (Thurs.-Fri.) – Thanksgiving Break; No Classes, District Closed

Dec. 1 (Mon.) – Classes Resume