Cambridge Middle School principal Jennifer Lorenz and several CMS department heads talked to board members about the actions taken at the school to improve student growth during the March meeting of the Cambridge Board of Education Thursday at the Garfield Administrative Center. CMS Principal Jennifer Lorenz

“As a school, we have taken intentional steps to support the continued success of our students,” Lorenz said. “We have looked closely at specific data points that illustrate areas of improvement and identified key practices that have contributed to this progress.” 

Additionally, an effort is being made to continue to engage students in critical thinking and hands-on experiences through the expansion of the Career Tech courses offered next year, including a partnership with Mid-East Career and Technology Centers to bring an agriculture instructor to implement the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant program at the Middle School.

Department heads and teachers Kellie Spratt, math; Tag Tucker, social studies, Kasey Wharton (filling in for department head Jodi Neff), ELA and student support; Matt Green, science; and Danielle Eubanks, data; all spoke to the board about student success and what their departments are doing to continue to increase student achievement. 

“As a district, we want to prepare our students to have successful lives after graduation,” Superintendent Dan Coffman said. “Using data to inform decisions, and implementing programs that increase student achievement, are ways we can help prepare our students for a successful future.” 

Also, during the board meeting, Middle School teacher Angela Hannon brought a student who participates in the ROX program. ROX stands for Ruling Our eXperiences and is a class designed to promote the development of healthy interpersonal relationships, positive self-concept, assertiveness, leadership, and problem-solving capabilities in adolescent girls.

The ROX program at CMS is in its second year. Hannon is facilitating her third group of girls. So far, 35 sixth grade girls have completed or will soon complete the class. 

“As the father of two girls, I appreciate the mission of the ROX program,” Superintendent Coffman said. “Thanks to Mrs. Hannon for bringing the program to our Middle School and serving as a role model for our young female students.” 

The board approved recommendations for three administrators in the district beginning next school year. 

The board approved the current Intermediate School principal Laurie Goggin as a Central Office Administrator: Federal Programs beginning in July and Danielle Eubanks, the current director of data and testing, as the new Central Office Administrator: 6-12 Curriculum and Instruction beginning in July.

The board also approved Nathan Wright as the transportation supervisor. Wright is currently a bus driver and runs his own heating and cooling business. 

 In other business, the board approved the special education procedures manual, the Preschool student handbook, a memorandum of understanding with Zane State College for College Credit Plus courses; and a memorandum of understanding between Cambridge City Schools and Vision to Learn for eyeglass services for students during the 2024-2025 school year.

In other personnel matters, the board approved the unpaid leaves of absence for Nicole Thomas, Roxxanne Fritz, and Thomas Moore, the retirements of Daniel Daugherty, Rose Maria Daymut, and Jodi Neff, and the resignations of Alicia Harper, and Linda Jeffrey. 

The board approved Daniel Daugherty as a bus driver; approved a stipend for Nathan Wright to coordinate a commercial driver’s license (CDL) grant at Cambridge High School; approved Kaitlynn Hodges, Daden Kenworthy, and Amanda Guiterrez as substitute teachers; and approved Aubre Blizard as a substitute cook.

The board approved the limited teacher contracts for Mallory Taylor as a physical education teacher at Cambridge Intermediate School; Myranda Allen as Intervention Specialist at Cambridge Intermediate School; and John Logan Kasinecz as the Middle School Music and Band teacher. 

The board approved a teaching stipend for Sadie Williams and Cammie Bunting for teaching new college credit plus courses, and extended service for Lew Nicholas, and Nathan Wright. 

The board approved Tia Theodosopoulos, Jalil Carter and Hannah Peck as volunteers for the Washington D.C. trip.

In athletics, the board approved Bryson Anderson as Middle School boys’ track and field assistant coach, and Jenna Hatfield as Middle School girls’ track and field assistant coach; approved Karen Goggin as an athletic volunteer; and approved Ray Sims as an athletic support. 

The next meeting of the Board of Education will be at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Garfield Administrative Center.