Category: News

We are proud to announce that the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has released the 2023-24 Ohio School Report Cards, and Hilliard City Schools has much to celebrate.

Our district earned 4.5 out of 5 stars, signifying that we exceeded state standards. Even more exciting, the Hilliard City Schools was ranked #1 out of 606 public school districts in Ohio for overall value-added composite (value-added score), according to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.  This is the second year in a row that the Hilliard City Schools has been ranked #1 in the state of Ohio on this critically important measure.

The value-added score, a pivotal measure of our students’ academic growth, goes beyond mere test scores. It zeroes in on the progress each student makes over the school year despite their starting point. This underscores the unwavering commitment of our teachers and staff to ensure every student is making strides and growing academically.

The Progress Component, based entirely on value-added data, compares students’ growth to what was expected based on their previous state test performance. This approach helps ensure we’re focusing on the individual progress of every student and their readiness for future success.

I want to extend my congratulations and gratitude to our incredible staff and students for their hard work and commitment to excellence. This achievement is a testament to our shared dedication to preparing every student for success today and in the future.

Thank you for your continued support as we remain committed to being Ready for Tomorrow!

Superintendent – David Stewart

Congratulations to this month’s Embrace, Empower & Inspire Award winner, Kate Miller (Brown Elementary Principal).

“Kate handles everything with such grace and dignity. She knows the staff and students in her building and builds them up at all times. The energy, positivity, and JOY that she exudes is contagious. We know this type of leadership has such a dynamic ripple effect as it trickles down and makes our school community an amazing place!”

“Kate is so kind! She always has a smile on her face no matter what she is going through. Her ambition and strength never stops! She definitely is my role model! We love her at Brown!”

“Through example, Kate develops staff who desire to serve others in whatever way our students and coworkers need. She is understanding, yet pushes us to be our best for our students and for personal growth.”

These staff members go above and beyond the expectations of the Hilliard Way and truly make a difference in our district. If you know a staff member who goes above and beyond their way to make a difference, you can nominate them for next month’s award by clicking HERE!

Alumni Spotlight – Ben Gettinger

There are two things Ben Gettinger credits for his success today from his time at Hilliard Schools. First, being part of the lacrosse team, which he said helped him grow and mature as a human, and second, being a staff member of the school newspaper.

“Working on the school paper helped me build leadership skills and gain visibility to other people within the school,” he said. 

A 1997 graduate of Davidson High School, Gettinger earned a degree in MIS and marketing from Miami University before heading off to the Windy City. Today, he lives in Denver, Colorado, with his family, where he works in business development for Accenture, a leading global professional services company that helps businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core.  

He is thankful to have gotten his educational foundation in what he calls a “great community with a lot of caring individuals.”

Alumni Spotlight – Jared Gettinger

Jared Gettinger is a 2001 graduate of Hilliard Davidson High School. Upon graduating, he attended Miami University where he received a bachelor’s in Management Information Systems. After spending a brief period back in Columbus, he relocated to Chicago to start his career. 

Today he is the Vice President, Commercial Strategy and Growth Americas Region for LenelS2, a global leader in advanced security solutions. In his role at LenelS2, Jared focuses on business development, new customer acquisition and technology partnerships. 

Jared attributes his current success to the invaluable experience of being a part of a community like Hilliard. Reflecting on his time at Hilliard Schools, he cherishes the formation of strong friendships. Participation in various athletic teams played a pivotal role in cultivating a profound sense of teamwork and imparting leadership skills that contribute to his success today.

Jared continues to reside in Chicago with his wife, daughter, son and dog.  The family enjoys spending time together, engaging in activities such as biking and swimming in Lake Michigan. 

If you have alumni you would like to see spotlighted, click here to send us an email!

Hilliard City School District has been honored with the Meritorious Budget Award for excellence in the preparation and issuance of our budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year! This award, presented by ASBO International, recognizes our commitment to transparency, accuracy, and high standards in financial planning.

We are incredibly proud of our team for their hard work and dedication to upholding the best practices in school budgeting.

To view our certificate presented by ASBO International, click below.

ASBO Meritorious Budget Award Certificate

On August 19, Hilliard Schools, the City of Hilliard Division of Police, and the Norwich Township Fire Department will conduct an all-day safety training exercise at Bradley High School and Memorial Middle School. This training will focus on the reunification of students and parents after a major incident.

All Hilliard School staff will participate in this massive, live-action training to ensure authenticity. You will see many police and fire vehicles and personnel in the area, as their staff will also participate in the training. Please note that no one other than staff will be allowed on the Bradley and Memorial campuses during this time. There will be no students involved, nor will any sporting or extracurricular events take place.

We are grateful for our strong relationship with the City of Hilliard Division of Police and the Norwich Township Fire Department, and we appreciate your understanding and support in this matter. The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority, and your support is crucial in ensuring the success of this training. Thank you for being a part of our community’s commitment to safety.

From Student to Staff: Janelle Hartsook-Tumeo’s Everlasting Connection to Hilliard Schools

Janelle Hartsook-Tumeo takes the word dedication to a whole new level when it comes to Hilliard City Schools. A 1989 graduate of Hilliard High School (back when there was only one), she attended college and worked for a stint at Red Roof Inn corporate office upon graduating. 

Then, in 1998, she returned to her alma mater as the secretary for Transportation Services, a position she continues to hold today. She joked that her goal was to be the longest-running secretary for the department. Well, she surpassed that goal about 16 years ago! 

Her initial dream was to become a teacher so this role is a win-win. 

“I’m still connected to our kids and get to help them and give back to them, but not 1-on-1,” she said. “Hilliard is a great place to work because of the people, from administrators to teachers to bus drivers and aides.”

Clearly, her love for Hilliard City Schools runs deep. Decades deep, in fact. Her daughters have either attended Hilliard Schools or still are; her aunt and uncle were longtime teachers and coaches in the district; her siblings and nieces all attended Hilliard Schools; and she served as an Upward cheer coach for 10 years and band/color guard mom for Davidson High School for eight years. 

She said, “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat!”