By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
brenna@thevillagereporter.com
A former longtime Bryan City Schools Board of Education member addressed the Board Monday evening, August 10, 2026, raising concerns over how elementary students were rewarded based on their state testing scores.
Emily Ebaugh, a Bryan City Schools District resident who served on the Bryan School Board for 16 years, spoke during the public participation portion of the board’s meeting.
Ebaugh said she became concerned after learning that elementary students who did not achieve certain scores on Ohio State Testing were reportedly excluded from rewards given to students who reached the target.
According to Ebaugh, those rewards included things like a bowling trip, an ice cream party, and a trip to the movie theater.
Ebaugh said she understands the importance of state testing and supports rewarding students for doing well. However, she believes test scores should not be the only thing considered.
“What bothers me a lot is when I found out that students who didn’t achieve a certain score were punished by not being allowed certain rewards,” she said in her statement.
She said the system did not take into account how hard a student worked or how much they improved. A student could improve from their previous test but still be left out if they did not reach the required score.
Ebaugh was especially concerned about students who have Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs, and may struggle academically.
“This discriminatory practice teaches students that their effort is irrelevant if they don’t measure up,” Ebaugh said.
She also claimed that the rules were not always applied the same way. Ebaugh stated one student who did not reach the required score was allowed to participate in the activities, because that student would have been the only person in their class left out.
She also questioned why students with behavior problems could receive the reward as long as their test scores were high enough. “So what is it that we’re teaching our students?” Ebaugh asked. “That effort and behavior don’t matter?”
“Effort and behavior matter and should be rewarded and celebrated as much as academic performance,” she said.
“It is my hope that you will make the necessary changes and corrections to ensure that teachers and parents feel heard and supported in their concerns,” Ebaugh said.
All five board members, Ben Camarillo, Debra Opdycke, Dustin Schlachter, Caleb Turnbull, and Lynn Wieland were present Monday. Superintendent Mark Rairigh and Treasurer Kevin Schafer were also in attendance.
Several resignations were accepted: Michelle Elkins (Educational Aide), Erica Hageman (Bus Driver), Tristen Slicker (6-12 Dish Room), and Ned Ruffer (Director of Maintenance). Cindy Daoust, third-grade teacher, was approved for retirement effective May 28, 2027
New coaches were hired for the 2026-2027 school year as follows: Brian Cummins (HS Head Track), Marchetta Caryer (HS Softball Head Coach), and Elisha Tressler (HS Girls Soccer Assistant).
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m. The next Bryan School Board meeting is scheduled for September 21, 2026, at the Mose Isaac Field House Conference Room.