Ontario’s superintendent, Lisa Carmichael, is pleased with the progress Ontario schools made over the past couple years. And recently, 14 newly hired teachers joined the Ontario staff for the 2013-14 school year.
Carmichael became superintendent in August 2011. Since then, she has made it her mission to make Ontario a top school in the county. Currently, during the summer months, the main goal is to focus on building and ground projects through summer maintenance.
Also, new iPads and laptops that have been purchased for students to use in the classrooms because Ontario’s overall goal is to eventually go paperless. By going paperless, Carmichael said, “It will save us a tremendous amount of money.” This will be an ongoing process for Ontario, but they are moving in that direction. Carmichael said, “We are doing the best we can with going paperless. The board meetings are now paperless, student forms to enroll children are online, and we are working towards going paperless internally.”
Open enrollment has sky-rocketed in Ontario. The first school year open enrollment began was 2011-12. During that first year there were 118 students accepted through open enrollment. For 2012-13, the number increased to 200, and this year open enrollment is up to 265.
The growth of students has led to the addition of classes being added, which means new teachers being needed. Carmichael said, “An incredible amount of people want to come here starting in kindergarten. It’s been a tremendous growth for us.” Carmichael said, “Open enrollment is generating about $1.5 million for our district.”
Carmichael stated that the athletic program at Ontario is “solid.” When Carmichael entered her first year as superintendent, Ontario implemented “pay to participate”. This was an issue that was not popular with many parents in the community because it would cost $300 per sport. However, since then the price has been significantly reduced.
Now, it is $100 for the first sport, $50 for the second, and $25 for the third. Carmichael said, “This has helped increase our numbers from the 11-12 school year dramatically.” Carmichael wanted to listen and help parents as much as she could. She said, “I’m glad parents came to me because there were issues that our board needed to hear.”
Ontario has also implemented “Bring Your Own Device.” This has been a benefit for students and teachers. Carmichael said, “Kids can bring their own iPhones and iPads and it has been a huge success in the classrooms because we are wireless throughout the building. There is technology being used in some form in every classroom.” A concern for some parents was the access to certain web pages, but when the student is in school any harmful site is blocked.
Finally, Ontario offers dual credit through North Central State College and The University of Findlay. Classes that are offered to students include anatomy and physiology. Carmichael said, “We are hoping to make the sports medicine class into dual credit because it had tremendous success.” Ontario also pays for the student’s tuition while attending dual credit classes. Carmichael said, “We have had a lot of parents thank us for that.”