ASHLAND — Teachers and staff of Ashland City Schools rallied Wednesday morning ahead of the district’s first day of school, which is set for Aug. 23.
The early-morning rally coincided with the district-wide professional development day that stretched into Aug. 17 and a work day on Aug. 18.
Orientation for grades six and nine is set for Aug. 22.
Ashland High School’s band and its cheerleader “sweeties” led the hundreds of teachers and staff in familiar tunes like “Hang on Sloopy” and the school’s alma mater at the high school’s auditorium.
“It’s an honor to serve alongside with you all,” said Steve Paramore, the district’s newly-minted superintendent.
Celebrating 100 years
Paramore highlighted the fact that the school’s Arrow Band has been around 100 years, a feat the school plans on celebrating at its homecoming football game on Sept. 22 by inviting alumni to join performances that evening.
He said the high school graduated 105 seniors in 2024 and had 24 faculty members. The band’s uniforms were sewed by the school’s sewing club, he said.
Paramore recognized 1941 AHS graduate Joe Denbow, who attended Wednesday’s gathering, ahead of the former educator’s 100th birthday coming up in a couple weeks.
“I hope you all get there, 105, 110. Just keep eating the school lunches. And don’t party too hard in the off season,” he said to a laughing crowd.
Despite Paramore’s jocular tone, the superintendent underscored the staff’s “immeasurable value” by sharing the district’s 11 core values. Some of which included being “a great teammate,” “celebrate success” and “be honest.”
Paramore had the core values printed on posters and distributed to each teacher.
“Hang it where you want it, but live it,” he said.
The district hired 32 new employees going into the 2023-24 school year. Each were introduced by their respective leaders and welcomed by applause on Wednesday morning.
One of those leaders was Doug Shipper, the district’s transportation director. He touted the fact the transportation department hired five new drivers this year, a feat that puts them at full staff.
Board president John Teevan encouraged the audience to use their words tactfully.
“Your words matter,” he said.
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller recorded a video to present to the audience of teachers and staff.
“On behalf of the nearly 25,000 men and women and families who call our community home, I just want to say a big thank you for all the work that you have done, that your are doing and that you will do throughout this school year to help impact the future of our community,” he said.
District at a glance
- Enrollment = 3,200, which represents a slight decrease from last year’s 3,300.
- Number of teachers = 200, with around 100 support staff.
- Construction: The board approved the building of a new, $358,800 maintenance structure in July. Other than small maintenance work, there are no major construction projects within school buildings, said Zack Truax, an Ashland City Schools board member.
- First home football game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Aug. 18 against River Valley.