Central Ohio Matters
Central Ohio Matters is a podcast where hosts Michelle Gatchell and Ryan Rivers discuss the issues shaping Central Ohio's future. Each episode features in-depth conversations with local leaders, visionaries, and changemakers driving progress in Central Ohio. These conversations provide insights into the challenges facing our communities and the solutions being developed to move them forward.
Central Ohio Matters covers government policies, healthcare challenges, housing and business developments, transportation solutions, education, and innovation. It is your guide to understanding and engaging with the pulse of Central Ohio.
You can listen to Central Ohio Matters on WVXG 95.1 FM (Marion and Morrow Counties) and WDLR 96.7 FM, 1270 AM (Delaware, Marion, and Union Counties).
Also, find it on your favorite podcast streaming sites.
Central Ohio Matters
Inside Olentangy Local Schools: Growth, Funding, and Success with Superintendent Meyer
What happens when a school district grows from 2,000 to 24,000 students in just three decades? Superintendent Todd Meyer joins us to reveal how Olentangy Local Schools manages explosive growth while maintaining educational excellence. Topics covered include:
• 1,600 vs 16,000 per student, why making a case at the statehouse for school funding matters. "For every additional dollar we get from the state," Meyer emphasizes, "that's one less dollar we have to ask from our local taxpayers."
• District faces potential $90-100 million "clawback" of reserves needed for continued growth in the proposed budget
• Need for 5 new school buildings in the coming years to accommodate 2,000+ new students annually
• Security measures include vestibules at all entrances and school resource officers at secondary schools
• Community partnerships providing additional facilities for student activities help us achieve our educational excellence goal.
Olentangy Local Schools continues breaking records with seven state championships in just two years. From Liberty High School's football and lacrosse titles to Orange High School's back-to-back girls wrestling championships and recent boys basketball state victory, athletic excellence mirrors academic achievement. The district's robotics team just made their third appearance at the world competition, while journalism, speech and debate, and marketing programs consistently earn national recognition.
Listen to hear how the staff at Olentangy Schools is working to ensure the students' educational excellence in the future.