The Cambridge City School District Board of Education approved a recommendation of Superintendent Dan Coffman to hire Michelle Johnston as the next principal at the Cambridge Intermediate School during the April Board of Education meeting Tuesday night.
Michelle JohnstonJohnston has served as the assistant principal at the Middle School since January 28, 2025, and now returns to the Intermediate School as the principal.
Johnston, a 22-year educator has worked in the Cambridge School District since 2007 when she was an 8th grade English-Language Arts teacher. In 2018, she moved to technology teacher and became the STEM teacher at the Intermediate School in 2021. She has also worked in the 21st Century Learning Center After School program serving as site coordinator for five years.
This school year, she started as the Academic Support Specialist at the Middle School and transitioned to the assistant principal role under Jennifer Lorenz who succeeded Heath Hayes upon his retirement.
Johnston earned her bachelor’s in education from Calvin University in 2002 and her Master of Arts in Education from Muskingum University in 2009. She recently earned a Post Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership from Salem University.
“We have made a lot of changes in our administrative team this school year,” Coffman said. “It can be challenging at times, but when you have long-time, dedicated and experienced educators in the district who want to move into leadership roles with more responsibilities, it makes those decisions easier.
“Michelle has demonstrated the ability and desire to be a leader in our district,” Coffman continued. “For the second time this school year, I have recommended her for positions with increased levels of responsibility. I have no doubt that she will continue to be an asset to our school district in her newest role.”
Cambridge High School Band Director Zachary Krnach spoke to board members about a potential band trip to Disney World, According the Krnach, the proposal is for a spring trip to the Happiest Place on Earth from May 19 to May 23, 2026.
During the trip, band members would have the opportunity to participate in a workshop led by a Disney teaching artist where students will sharpen sight reading skills, develop rehearsal techniques and explore the mindset needed for musical excellence. The workshop ends with a professional recording of the band’s performance paired with scenes from a classic Disney animated film. Students would also perform in a parade or at a Disney venue during the trip.
The trip includes stops at Epcot, Animal Kingdom, the Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios.
Board members also heard from Dr. Micah Covert from Washington State College of Ohio about a new partnership between Washington State and Cambridge High School that will provide Cambridge students with additional educational opportunities.
While many Cambridge students currently take College Credit Plus (CCP) classes, the partnership with Washington State will provide options for students to take college classes while physically remaining in the High School building.
Through the partnership, a plan for several pathways has already been created with students taking college level courses beginning their freshman year in high school. A student in one of these pathways could potentially earn an associate degree at the same time they earn their high school diploma.
Proposed pathways include education and social work, as well as an associate of science and a liberal arts pathway.
The partnership with Washington State will also include technical training through the school’s InCert Yourself program. Called InCert Fridays at WSC, students will go to the Washington State campus on Fridays to utilize its state-of-the-art labs and equipment to get the hands-on experience and training necessary to earn in-demand industry certification.
Some of the offerings include cyber security, HVAC, advanced manufacturing, or industrial welding and maintenance.
During the meeting, the board approved the graduating class of 2025 of Cambridge High School contingent upon student completion of the requirements of graduation. Those students include:
David August Acton III
Alysha Beth, Allen
Andrew Steven Allen
Reese Elisabeth Antill
Faith Elizabeth Antus
Hannah Grace Armbruster
Luke Joseph Armbruster
Coen Joshua Baker
Alicia Courtney Banal
Naria Jane Banks
Celes Anise Barber
Jesiah Latrell Barnett
Morrissey Theodore Barnhart
Anna Rana Bayles
Madison Marie Beadle
Brock William Bebout
Ashton Thomas Bench
Anastasia Grace Bergeson
Isabella Elaine Bertubin
Stephon Ty'Ree Blackwell
Blayne Lee Odell Bourst
Austin Lee Bozarth
Marissa Sue Dawn Britton
Deana Marie Buell
Nevaeh Elizabeth Burke
Brendan Foster Burris
Kendalynn Mary Burt
Ashlyn Hannah Bush
Zoey Ryan Caldwell
Carson Xavier Campbell
Noah Samuel Casey
Kyle Alexander Cavendish
Bella Marie Cline
Vincent Elliott Coleman
Ana Rose Cook
Rayne Marie Crum
Taylor Marie Curtin
Jenna Lynn Downerd
Isabelle Diane Edwards
Jaelyn Nicole Edwards
Kennedy Elaine Ellis
Luke Michael Elston
Nicole Noel Elston
Jacob Robert Eltringham
Claire Reant Camille Endly
Brynn Elizabeth Eubanks
Kayana Mae Fields
Sylus Paul Fisher
Alexis Elizabeth Forshey
Carter Joseph Forshey
Lara Nicole Fountain
Kurt Logan Fowler
Kaiden Sinsere Fraley
Hayden Mae Francis
Cyrus Parker Friensehner
Kellar William Frye
Jarrett William Lee Fulton
Selina Rae Garcia
Travis Blaine Garman Jr
Kiera Grace Gerdau
Cinjin Linc Gibson
Langston Hunter Goodman
Connor Michael Gray
Pablo Gutierrez IV
Kyana Jalyn Hall
Amina Navarro Harris
Addison Jane Hartley
Kiley Noel Hibbs
Kelsey Marie Hickenbottom
Isabel Denman Hiler
Rylee Michael Homko-Green
Tristen James Shae Hopkins
Kaden Ricardo Dominguez Houseman
Alani Renee Huhn
Kaydence Marie Hupp
Benjamin Ray Ingram
Emersyn Lane Jefferis
Kilee Lauren Jeffrey
James Anthony Jenkins
Braylen Michael Johnson
Mckinzie Lynn Johnston
Alea Marie Jones
DionTe' Scott Jones
Lyric Marley Kemp
Bailey Anne Kenworthy
Javin Justice-Jared King
Cashton Bo Kinnan
Gracen Rose Kinnan
Emma Le-Lovine Krise
Paige Abrielle Lagneaux
Mackenzie Aldea Landi
Madeline Grace LaPlante
Stevie Rae Ruby Lattea
Brandyn James Law
Briar James Lawrence
Kayden Ann Lee
Adrienah Marie Like
Jaylyn Jo Lincicome
Emilee Diane Elaine Lloyd
Hannah Elizabeth Long
Lucas Matthew Lopez
Jennasee Sueanna Mahley
Noah William Mahley
Rosco Evertt Mahley Jr
Brianna Lynn Masters
Isaiah Trevon Mayle
Konner Timothy West McIntire
Jeremiah James McKinney
Jaden Robert Menke
Omad Munye Mohamed
Odessa Mae Morgareidge
Clayton Cale Myers
Katelynn Dawn Myers-Bender
Isabella Jewelz Newby
Kenadie Lei Nichols
Amelia Rose Norris
Kaleb King Oldson
Mya Nicole Oliver
Job Abel Parry
Bradley Joe Pate Jr
John David Pattison III
Kamron Merle Lee Paxton
Emily Dean Payton
Madison Taylor Peters
Moriah Therese Jo Pheil
Maison David Phillips
Aleczander Leigh Porter
Emily Robin Dawn Porter
Chance Thomas Prater
Gerald Mason Pyles
Cody James Quillin
Jacob Daniel Bruce Riggs
James Aaron-Lee Riggs
Baylon James Rose
Alexis Bailey Ross
Aiden Thomas Schmidt
Niah Lea Schneider
Tina Renee Schob
Shawna Kay-Ellen Schooler
Nathan Michael Schultz
Zoey Brenae Scott
Hayden Thomas Seckel (In Memoriam)
Kayla Rachelle Segovia
Khloe Lane Seresun
Macey Dawn Starner
Ariyauna Joy Strope
Chance Matthew Totman
Kaitlynn Louise Totman
Olivia Lynn Unklesbay
Jax Robert VanDyne
Elijah Garrett Voorhies
Yehoshua James Watson
Benjamin Daniel Webb
Mason Jamar-La'Key Whatley
Kylie Renea Wheeler
Estavon Elijah Juan Williams
Trentin Seth Williams
George Timothy Travis Wilson
Rylee Peyton Wilson
In other board business, the board approved an overnight trip for the cheerleaders to Muskingum University, approved a memorandum of understanding with Washington State College of Ohio for College Credit Plus delivery, and approved the 2025-2026 Athletic Handbook.
The board approved a resolution to pay a stipend to eligible teachers in accordance with the requirements of House Bill 33 pending documentation of completing the required Science of Reading Professional Development Course.
In personnel, the board the hiring of Kara Loader as a fourth-grade teacher; approved extended workdays for Tammy Province; approved the resignations of Roxanne Fritz, Amy McClain, and Brieanna Barker; and approved the retirement of Jennifer Bruner.
The board also approved Kim Valentine as substitute coordinator, approved Dennis Wood for the HVAC stipend, approved Erika Woodford and Abigail Fitzgerald as substitute cooks, approved Shawn Hannon as a substitute aide, approved Abigail Fitzgerald as a substitute custodian, and the approved unpaid leaves of absence for Thomas Moore and Kimberly Kennedy.
The board approved Heather Leach as a volunteer and Logan McCort as an athletic support.
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Garfield Administrative Center.