School Board Meeting Highlights Achievements and Community Engagement

The latest school board meeting was filled with excitement as students, teachers, and community members gathered to celebrate achievements and discuss programs that continue to strengthen the district’s schools.

Warren County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Ballenger kicked off the meeting by welcoming attendees and expressing enthusiasm for the evening’s presentations. “It’s wonderful seeing everyone here tonight,” he said. “We have some great presentations ahead, and I’m excited to share what our schools and teams have been working on.”

A.S. Rhodes Elementary in the Spotlight

Principal Lori Layman, representing A.S. Rhodes Elementary, took the podium to highlight the school’s progress. Despite being the smallest elementary school in the county, with 265 students, A.S. Rhodes continues to grow and thrive. The school maintains a full-time counselor, P.E. teacher, and librarian, and it shares several educators with other schools, ensuring students receive well-rounded support.

Principal Lori Layman, representing A.S. Rhodes Elementary, took the podium to highlight the school’s progress.

One of the standout programs at A.S. Rhodes is its student support system, which includes reading intervention. Without access to Title I reading teachers, the school relies on a student support coach and an instructional assistant to provide intensive daily reading remediation for 62 students. “This support is critical for our students,” Layman said. “We’ve seen great success with programs like Lexia, which has helped over 100 students advance a full grade level in reading.”

In addition to academic initiatives, A.S. Rhodes offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including a walking and running club, a disc golf club, and an Early Act Club focused on community service. The Early Act Club recently organized a fundraiser that raised over $700 for a local veterans’ organization, demonstrating the students’ commitment to making a difference in their community.

Skyline High School’s Historic Championship Win

Skyline High School celebrated a major achievement: its wrestling team secured the school’s first-ever state championship. Coach Simons’s team has consistently placed in the top five over the past six seasons, making this victory even more meaningful.

Skyline High School Wrestling Teams win first-ever state championship.

“We’ve come close before—finishing second, finishing third—but finally pulling it off means a lot,” Coach Simons said. “This team believed in our culture, effort, and each other, and they made history.”

Several individual wrestlers also placed at the state level, including three who earned championship titles. The program’s success was attributed to the dedication of the athletes and coaches and the community’s strong support.

Early Act Clubs Teaching Service Above Self

A highlight of the meeting was the discussion on the Early Act Clubs, which have been implemented in all county elementary schools, making the district one of the few in the nation with such a program. Sponsored by the Rotary Club, these clubs teach young students the importance of service and leadership.

Projects range from creating hygiene care packages for shelters to organizing fundraising events for local and global causes. “We want students to understand that service isn’t just something you see—it’s something you do,” said one Early Act advisor.

The initiative also includes installing Peace Poles at various schools, inscribed with “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages spoken by students. The goal is to foster a sense of unity and inclusion.

Recognizing Attendance Excellence

Attendance awards were also presented, recognizing schools with the highest attendance rates and most improvement. A.S. Rhodes took home the elementary school award with an impressive 94.76% attendance rate. Warren County Middle School earned the secondary school award at 91.79%, and Skyline Middle School was named the most improved with a 91.7% rate.

Dr. Ballenger emphasized the importance of attendance: “Students need to be in the classroom to learn, and we’re proud to see schools finding creative ways to keep students engaged and motivated to come to school.”

As the presentations wrapped up, pride and community spirit were evident. From academic achievements to championship victories and community service projects, the schools are not only educating students but also shaping future leaders.

Click here to watch the Warren County School Board Meeting of March 5, 2025.

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