The Troy City Schools have seen many achievements and face a number of challenges, Superintendent Eric Herman said during a State of the Schools presentation April 17.

This was the 16^th year for the public presentation done in conjunction with the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce.

Herman said the district is fortunate to have an excellent staff and strong community support. The largest in Miami County, the district has 500 employees and 4,600 students.

“Our goal, as I have stated in the past, is to offer an excellent education while taking care of our students,” Herman said.

The district’s buildings, though well maintained, are aging with Van Cleve School this year observing its centennial year, he said. Concord school is not far behind at 95 years and Heywood at 82 years. The district’s newest building – the Junior High School - is 40 years old.

Among district achievements have been the Pop Rocks Jump Rope Team, which presented its jump rope routines to audiences across the state and beyond; the Junior High Archery Team, which qualified for national competition; the annual student art exhibit at Troy Hayner Cultural Center; the high school band’s 13^th consecutive superior rating; and sports achievements.

School security upgrades continue with a new security communication system with direct ties to local police, extended training by police and limited access to buildings, among others. The district now has three school resource officers from the Troy Police Department: Brandon Fellers, Jeff Waite and Nic Freisthler.

The district will introduce a new program, Rachel’s Challenge, thanks to the support of the UVMC Foundation, continues its participation in the Race to the Top education improvements program and saw Concord Elementary School host Chinese educators and Urbana University professors.

District challenges include the familiar issue of funding along with educational changes and maintaining current technology.

Herman said the district’s staff has contributed greatly to the district funding by agreeing to a three-year wage freeze, saving millions of dollars. The district's five-year forecast projects a positive cash balance through 2017.

The educational challenges include the new teacher evaluation system, new testing, the third grade reading guarantee and conversion of the required school year from a number of days to a number of hours.

“We are in good shape academically and financially presently.  Our staff is doing an excellent job with the new operating standards. As with all schools we are not sure right now of the educational climate as some things still need to be decided at the state level. We are concerned what the future might bring us just like all the rest of the schools in Ohio,” Herman said after the presentation.

“Troy City Schools are very fortunate to have the strong community support and fantastic relationships that we enjoy with a variety of different groups- city, local colleges and universities, for example. Troy City Schools continues to be a good place to go to school and a good place to work,” he said.

More information on the Troy City Schools is available at www.Troy.K12.oh.us. The district also is on Facebook.