Author: Tanner Atha

Brian Perry graduated from Hilliard Darby High School in 2011. But since 2020, he’s seen the district through a different lens: from a seat at the Board of Education table. 

After graduating high school with honors and a lengthy list of other accolades, from All Ohio scholar athlete to class president and Panther Ambassador to choir section leader and holding numerous roles in the theater program, Brian attended Capital University where he earned a bachelor’s in political science. During his freshman year — at the ripe age of 18 — he ran for the Hilliard City Schools Board of Education for the first time. Despite receiving a no vote, he returned to the ballot at 22. Again, the votes didn’t fall in his favor, but he was determined to share his perspective and give back to the community that had given him so much. 

“I have a more recent perspective having just graduated in 2011, and my dad was a teacher, so I’ve been around education most of my life,” he said.   

He studied abroad in Scotland in 2014, then enrolled in law school in 2015, also at Capital University, and his third time running was the charm. He was elected in November of 2019 and officially sworn in in January of 2020.  

Today, he works as a labor and employment attorney for a Hilliard law firm, and is grateful for not only how much he has learned in his time on the board but also what he’s been able to contribute.

Brian credits his success to his educational journey and the opportunities he had while a student at Hilliard. He said he was taught by several great teachers, who were in turn supported by phenomenal administrators.

“They taught me self-reliance, how to think critically, and how to apply state standards to real life. I also learned soft skills that have served me well in my career as there are often grey areas in the law,” he said. 

Some of the teachers and coaches that stand out the most for Brian include Coach Fethers, who taught him the importance of a strong work ethic, Richard Chute, who has served as a mentor for the past several years, Amy Messick, who sparked his love for government and the legal system, and Kristi Stewart, his English teacher who also inspired his love of theater. 

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2024-2025 Income Eligibility Guidelines

Hilliard City Schools is announcing the 2024-2025 school year Free/Reduced Lunch Benefit guidelines for students unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. The State of Ohio Budget for school year 2024-2025 includes funding to cover the cost of reduced meals for breakfast and lunch. This provision allows schools to provide no cost meals to reduced price meal eligible students.

The Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines will be used to determine eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is at or below the federal guidelines are eligible for free and reduced-price meals. 

To apply for free and reduced-price benefits, households will need to complete an application. This can be done either online https://frapps.horizonsolana.com/hilc04 or complete a printed application and return it to the school. Copies can be printed from the Hilliard City School website or are available in the office in each school. A complete application is required. Households which currently receive Special Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP, formally known as food stamps) or Ohio Works First (OWF) funds for a child must provide the child’s name, the SNAP or OWF case number and signature of an adult household member on the application. Households that do not receive SNAP or OWF funds must provide the names of all household members, the last four digits of the Social Security Number of the adult signing the application or state “none” if the adult does not have a Social Security Number, the amount and source of income received by each household member (state the monthly income) and the signature of an adult household member.  If any of this information is missing, the school cannot process the application.

FREE HEALTH CARE: Families with children eligible for school meals may be eligible for free health care coverage through Medicaid and/or Ohio’s Healthy Start & Healthy Families programs. These programs include coverage for doctor visits, immunizations, physicals, prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, substance abuse and more. Please call 1-800-324-8680 for more information or to request an application. Information can also be found on the web at http://jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/familychild.stm. Anyone who has an Ohio Medicaid card is already receiving these services.

The information provided on the application is confidential and will only be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program official. To discourage the possibility of misrepresentation, the application forms contain a statement above the space for signature certifying that all information furnished is true and correct.

Applications are being made in connection with the receipt of federal funds. Schools or other officials may check the information on the application at any time during the school year. Deliberate misrepresentation of information may subject the applicant to prosecution under applicable state and federal laws.

Households will be notified of the approval or denial of benefits.

Foster children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the household’s income. If a family has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for such meals or milk for them, contact the school for more information. Under the provision of the policy, Mark Dudgeon, Chief Operating Officer, will review applications and determine eligibility.

If a parent or guardian disagrees with the decision on the application or the result of verification, the decision may be discussed with the determining official on an informal basis. If a formal appeal is desired, the household has the right to a fair hearing. A fair hearing can be requested either orally or in writing from:

Mike McDonough, Assistant Superintendent

2140 Atlas Street, Columbus, OH 43228

Households may apply for benefits any time during the school year.  If a household is not currently eligible and if the household size increases or income decreases because of unemployment or other reasons, the family should contact the school to file a new application.  Such changes may make the children of the family eligible for free or reduced-price benefits if the family income meets the eligibility guidelines.

 Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
   U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. email:
   program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Amanda Schaeffer, a middle school art teacher at Hilliard City Schools’ Innovative Learning Hub, Hilliard, Ohio has been selected Regional State Board District 7 Teacher of the Year.

Schaeffer holds a Master of Arts plus fifteen in Arts Management from The Ohio State University, a Master of Education in Teacher Leadership from Ashland University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kent State University.

Schaeffer is passionate about using art to create better thinkers, knowers, and doers. For 16 years, she has taught students how to use art and advocacy to feel connected and empowered in their own community. She is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Innovative Environmental Educators, a Martha Holden Jennings/Fund for Teachers Fellow, and currently serves as the State Director of the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition.

Schaeffer has created messaging and strategies for inspired student and community participation in government, managed public planning efforts, and developed collaborative, innovative programming that connects people. She is a visionary thinker and a talented communicator. Ms. Schaeffer is a national leader in the fields of arts education, community development, and entrepreneurship. She is at the forefront of connecting professionals, student artists and creatives to their communities in new ways that truly raise the value of art and better the world through advocacy and creativity.

Ohio Teacher of the Year Program. Since its inception in 1964, the Ohio Teacher of the Year program annually identifies exceptional teachers statewide celebrating their effective work in and outside the classroom. The mission of the program is to provide opportunities for professional learning to exemplary teachers as leaders and advocates for public education. Selected teachers move through two levels of recognition: (1) the State Board District Teacher of the Year as a regional recognition and (2) the Ohio Teacher of the Year as the state-level recognition.

Nolan Rogner Will Travel to Washington, D.C. for Prestigious Journalism Conference

Nolan Rogner, a student at Hilliard Darby High School (Hilliard, OH, US), has been selected to represent Hilliard, OH as a National Youth Correspondent to the 2024 Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University.

Rogner joins a select group of students from all over the country for an intensive study of journalism and media. Rogner was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in journalism and media studies. National Youth Correspondents participate in hands-on, experiential learning through decision-making simulations that challenge them to solve problems and explore the creative, practical, and ethical tensions inherent in journalism and media. The experiential portion of the program is complemented by speakers who are well-known leaders in the media community. Presenters include prominent journalists, CEOs of major media outlets, researchers, and recent college graduates successfully entering the field. Past speakers have included Hoda Kotb from NBC, Brian Lamb from C-SPAN, Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Carol Guzy, and Susan Goldberg from National Geographic.

With distinguished faculty, guest speakers, and direct access to elite D.C. practitioners, the Washington Journalism and Media Conference offers aspiring journalists and student leaders an unparalleled experience. The week long program, held at George Mason University’s state-of-the-art campus, will encourage and inspire young leaders from across the country who desire a unique experience focused on successful careers in this dynamic industry.

About George Mason University

George Mason University is setting the gold standard for the modern, public university. Its dynamic culture and innovative academic programs prepare Mason’s hard-working students for 21st century careers. Its commitment to teaching excellence combines with cutting-edge research that enriches the academic experience and is changing the world. Mason is affordable, yet offers high value. Ideally located in the National Capital region, students enjoy terrific cultural experiences and access to the most sought-after internships and employers in the country.

About the 2024 Washington Journalism and Media Conference

The Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) is a unique student leadership conference designed to develop and encourage future leaders in the changing face of media in the 21st century. The Advisory Board includes CEOs of media outlets, distinguished journalists, renowned authors, and university faculty.

Bridging Art and Mindfulness

Heather Allen has been an art teacher for the past 13 years, the last six of which have been with Hilliard City Schools. According to Ms. Allen, the best part of her job is sparking curiosity in her students.

“Most students won’t grow up to be artists, but art is in everything we do and see, from the clothes we wear to the cars we drive to the furniture we sit on,” she said. “I enjoy being able to help them discover art and see that their creativity can be applied no matter the field they go into.”

Her favorite project to start the year with is contour drawing. This requires students to do a blind drawing, which puts everyone on a level playing field in terms of their artistic ability. She said most sixth graders are very self-conscious about entering a new school and starting new routines.

She said, “These projects aren’t supposed to look good. It increases their belief in themselves and I love being able to support that creation process.”

Another fun practice she’s incorporated into her classroom: mindful meditation Fridays. She began encouraging her students to be more mindful after the pandemic, which she recalls as a time of looking within ourselves. 

“I want the art room to be a safe space where students can be themselves and not worry about what happened earlier in the day or about what someone may have said to them,” said Ms. Allen. 

She has found that it really calms students and that they often approach her on Friday mornings telling her they can’t wait until art class and mindful meditation time.

Ms. Allen feels fortunate to work in a community like Hilliard. She said no matter where she goes, she runs into students or parents and they are all amazing people. Additionally, she feels supported by her co-workers and administrators. 

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“Having the option to go to Tolles Career & Technical Center; to find my own path and do what I wanted to do, made all the difference,” said Sean Morrill of the Hilliard City Schools experience. 

Morrill, a 2014 graduate of Davidson High School, has taken the restaurant industry by storm. After graduating high school, he earned a degree in Food Business Management and Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Just as he did in his time at Tolles, where he competed in cooking competitions at the local, state and national levels, he took advantage of every opportunity presented to him at the Culinary Institute. This led to his being awarded the Founders Management Award and the Craig Claiborne Communications Award.   

After college, he went to work for J. Alexander’s, a contemporary American restaurant known for its wood-fired cuisine. With nearly 50 restaurants in 16 states, Morrill had the chance to work at the restaurant’s Lexington, Kentucky, and Cincinnati and Columbus locations before he decided to branch out. His next move took him to Boston, Massachusetts, where he served as the General Manager of Banyan Bar + Refuge, a Pan-Asian small plates restaurant in the city’s south end. And, effective in January of this year, he was promoted to Director of Operations for The Gallows Group where he oversees the general managers and executive chefs for the company’s four restaurants and their multiple locations.  

“Not everyone’s academic or career path is going to take them to college. While at Hilliard, I felt supported in my decision to go in a different direction, especially by Liz Hummel, my family and consumer science teacher,” he said. 

Morrill also said the district does a good job of helping students who attend Tolles feel connected to their home school. 

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