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School Board The Lima school board is made up of five members, who are elected by the public to four-year terms. The board meets at least once a month, and often twice a month. The public is welcome at meetings. The board believes that community participation in the district is vital in meeting our mission and in maintaining mutual confidence, respect and excellent working relationships. Together we can improve the quality of education for our students. Your help and comments are always appreciated. BOARD MEMBERS President Grant Sullivan - gsullivan@spartan.limacityschools.org Vice President Saul Allen, Jr. - sallen4@spartan.limacityschools.org Alice Donahue - adonahue@spartan.limacityschools.org Sandra Monfort - smonfort@spartan.limacityschools.org Heather Rutz - hrutz@spartan.limacityschools.org Angela Fronzaglia, Student Representative To get in touch with a board member, please email or call 419-996-3405. The board meets at 6 p.m. at South Science and Technology Magnet School. Below are the future scheduled meetings. Monday, March 9 Monday, April 13 Monday, May 4 Monday, May 18 Monday, June 29 Monday, July 13 Monday, August 10 Monday, August 24 Monday, September 14 Monday, October 12 Monday, November 9 Monday, December 14 Public Participation Meeting & Policies Meeting Archive

SCHOOLS The Lima City Schools is made up of: Four Neighborhood Elementary Schools, Two Middle Schools, Two Kindergarten through Eighth-Grade Magnet Programs, and a Comprehensive High School. School Finder LIMA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1 Spartan Way. Telephone: 419-996-3000 Learn More WEST 7-8 MIDDLE SCHOOL 503 N. Cable Road Telephone: 419-996-3150 Learn More NORTH 5-6 MIDDLE SCHOOL 1135 N. West St. Telephone: 419-996-3100 Learn More LIBERTY ARTS MAGNET PROGRAM 338 W. Kibby St. Telephone: 419-996-3320 Learn More SOUTH SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY MAGNET PROGRAM 755 St. Johns Ave. Telephone: 419-996-3190 Learn More FREEDOM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 575 S. Calumet Ave. Telephone: 419-996-3380 Learn More HERITAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 816 College Ave. Telephone: 419-996-3390 Learn More INDEPENDENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 615 Tremont Ave. Telephone: 419-996-3330 Learn More UNITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 925 E. Third St. Telephone: 419-996-3300 Learn More LIMA SENIOR ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL 755 St. John’s Ave. Telephone: 419-996-3777 Learn More

LIMA SENIOR Alternative School Lima Senior’s Alternative School is housed in the South Science and Technology Magnet School, 755 St. John’s Ave. School Highlights The program offers the same coursework/curriculum as on the main Lima Senior campus but in a smaller setting. The school is a positive alternative for a student who doesn’t thrive well or wants to be in a traditional school with larger class sizes. The school allows for more individualized one-on-one attention from teachers and other staff. The school is perfect for a student who wants to be successful, but needs that smaller environment and extra push. Alternative School students can still participate in athletics, other after-school activities, and Career Tech programs at Lima Senior High School. They also graduate with their Lima Senior class. Students do not have to first attend the Lima Senior main campus to enroll in the Alternative School. Students do have to enroll through Lima Senior. For information on the Alternative School, please call 419-996-3777. Principal Matthew Quatman

About Us The Lima City Schools represents the largest preschool through 12th-grade public school system in Allen County and the region, serving a diverse population of about 4,000 students. Since 1856, the district has been dedicated to its mission to "create a climate in which every student learns." Continue Reading Mission & Belief Statements School Board Human Resources Department Contacts Staff Search Financials Food Services Safety and Security Ohio Department of Education & Workforce School Improvement Plan Wellness Policy Student Wellness & Success Fund Plan Title IX Title I Message from Superintendent Welcome to the Lima City Schools! I am so excited and grateful to begin my work here as superintendent of this wonderful school district. We enter this school year with renewed purpose and bold vision. Our district’s mission remains clear: to educate, empower, and inspire every child, every day. We vow to create a climate in which every student learns. As I made my decision to accept the position of Superintendent, one thing stood out -- the Spartan Pride. This is Spartan territory, that is for sure, and I am excited to be a part of it. Continue Reading School Board The Lima school board is made up of five members, who are elected by the public to four-year terms. The board meets at least once a month, and often twice a month. The public is welcome at meetings. Upcoming Lima School Bo ard Meetings March 4: 6 p.m . at South Science a nd Technology Magnet (Organizational meeting followed by regular meeting). More Information Join Our Team Current Openings District Newsletter Read Now Department Contacts Learn More Staff Search Learn More

CALENDAR & EVENTS 2025-2026 District Calendar 2026-2027 District Calendar

History Dating back to 1856, the Lima City Schools has a very rich history filled with interesting and important stories. Each day, we continue to build on that history and the place we hold in our community. 1856-1899 1900-1949 1950-1989 1990-Present 1856-1899 The Beginning Before public schools were a part of Lima, many children were educated at home. Some affluent families sent their children to schools in the east. Others attended subscription schools, where parents paid the teacher according to the number of subjects their child took. In a typical 13-week term, a teacher earned $3 for each student taking reading, spelling, writing and arithmetic. Schoolmasters such as John Ward taught about 25 students in Lima’s old log courthouse in 1832. By 1852, the demand for schools was growing. The Lima Academy flourished as a private school until 1856. In 1853 the Ohio Legislature passed an act for “the better regulations of schools in cities and towns.” In the spring of 1856, a local election was held to adopt the state legislature’s proposed organization of public schools. With its local passage, public schools – Lima Union Schools – began in September 1856. First Public School Classes Lima’s first public school classes were held in the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church (now Trinity United Methodist Church) at the corner of Market and West streets. In 1858, the first Lima school building cost $20,000. The three-story, 12-room building, later called the West Building, stood on the square of High, North, Pierce and McDonel streets. In 1860, a four-year high school course was adopted. The first Lima High School commencement was held on June 3, 1864 and district enrollment reached more than 500. East Building By 1871, the school system had grown too large for one building and the East Building was built on North Pine Street for $46,000. The three-story brick building had 14 rooms, an assembly room, and offices for the principal and superintendent. The high school was held on the upper floors and elementary grades on the lower floor. With the discovery of oil in the 1880s, Lima grew rapidly. People came from all over. For the Lima Union Schools, it meant more students and the need for more buildings. Enrollment reached 1800, with 30 or more on the faculty. Building Boom Lincoln School at Vine and Elizabeth streets was the third public school building built in 1882. It was an eight-room brick building. In 1888, Irving School was added at Grand Avenue and North Elizabeth Streets and 1890 saw the completion of Lowell and Washington Elementary Schools, on West Spring Street and South Pine Street, respectively. The four-room Whittier School was built on Reese Avenue in 1891 and expanded to six rooms in 1905. Longfellow School was built at the corner of Shawnee and Market Streets in 1892. In 1897, Emerson School was built on North Jefferson Street and Solar Avenue School, Richardson School and McKinley School followed at the turn of the century. The four-room Whittier School was built on Reese Avenue in 1891 and expanded to six rooms in 1905. Tornado Destroys East Building On September 24, 1898, a tornado destroyed the East Building on North Pine Street. Historical accounts recall the damage: “A tornado mushroomed through the sky and struck the East Building. The two thousand pound bell hurled through three floors into the basement. If the storm had occurred on a school day, 300 children would have been crushed. The building was demolished beyond repair.” After that, high school classes were held in the Holland Building on the southeast corner of Main and High Streets. Elementary classes were held wherever room was available until Garfield School was built at the former East Building site in 1899. 1900-1949 Lima High School At the turn of the century a new high school was needed and controversy brewed over where to locate it. The Board of Education decided to locate the high school between McDonel and Pierce streets with the building facing High Street. Lima High School, later to become known as Central High School, took 182 days to complete. The building opened in 1905 and cost $75,000. Today the Federal Building occupies that site. Franklin Elementary School occupied the North Street portion of the Central High School site although the schools were not joined for another 20 plus years. Horace Mann School at Jameson and Rice Avenues was originally The Lima College. In 1908 the Lima City Board of Education purchased it to use as an elementary school. South High School The population in Lima continued to grow. Lima High School was overcrowded and residents in the south part of Lima wanted a high school nearby for their children. In 1917, the South High School building cost $247,000 to construct. Architect Thomas McLaughlin dedesigned South High School and other Lima landmarks including the Hughes-Russell mansion - part of the West Market Street Golden Block in the late 1800s and now home to the YWCA - Memorial Hall, and Lima Stadium between North Street and Bellefontaine Avenue. McLaughlin was a Lima Schools and Columbia graduate. Cross Town Rivalries The Central High School building expanded in 1917 with the addition of an administration building, auditorium and gymnasium. This expansion connected Central to the Franklin Elementary building. Six years later, building programs started again. In 1923, Jefferson and Roosevelt Schools were built and in 1924 construction started on a new Faurot School. The first Faurot School was an eight-room mansion acquired from the Baxter family, relatives of Lima millionaire Benjamin Faurot. With two high schools, cross-town rivalries were sure to happen. The first South/Central football game was played in Lima Stadium on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1936. Lima Stadium was dedicated that day and recently has undergone many improvements. Lima Stadium was built through the Work Progress Administration with the Board of Education paying 55 percent and the federal government the remainder. The total cost of the construction was $63,855.13. In March 2002, Lima Stadium was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. A renovation project began in 2014, followed by the school board voting to change its name to Spartan Stadium. It was an effort to continue the momentum of a renewed Spartan pride and spirit. Major Building Project Begins Education continued to grow and improve in Lima and the district’s construction phase began again with Superintendent Gordon Humbert. In 1947, Lima residents approved a $3 million bond issue to replace seven schools with six new ones. Lincoln, Irving, Horace Mann, Lowell, and Emerson Schools were replaced. Washington and McKinley Schools were combined into one new building. Dedications Lincoln, Lowell and Irving were dedicated in 1950, the rest of the schools in 1951. Located on Calumet Avenue, Washington-McKinley was the largest of the six new elementary schools. Next on the agenda—the construction of Lima Senior High School. For 10 years, the Board of Education studied the idea of combining Central and South High Schools’ students. The recommendation was to build on the 10-acre tract of land off of Pierce Street, land already owned by the schools. 1950-1989 Original Lima Senior High School In 1951, voters went to the polls to decide the fate of a $3.5 million high school. The levy narrowly passed. Some residents requested a recount of 13 controversial precincts, but because all precincts would have had to be recounted, the judge ruled no recount. The South Tigers and the Central Dragons were soon to become the Lima Senior Spartans. Lima Senior High School opened in 1955 featuring 63 classrooms, a gym seating 4,200, an auditorium seating 1,100 and a cafeteria seating 600. It cost $3,466,250 to construct and dedication ceremonies were held in August 1955. Lima’s school enrollment continued to grow. In 1955 there were 14 elementary buildings and South and Central had become junior high schools. Combined with the new Lima Senior High School, total enrollment in the district was 9,275 students. Another elementary school was needed on Lima’s west side. Westwood Elementary School on Cable Road opened in 1960. It was the first new building under the Pay-As-You-Go-Plan approved by voters in 1957. Central Fire In 1962, Edison Elementary School, joined to South Junior High, was dedicated. Whittier and Irving Schools added new additions in 1963. That same year, an educational center was built on Calumet Avenue at a cost of $150,000, relocating the superintendent’s office from Central Junior High. By 1965, the district had reached enrollment of almost 11,000 students. That school year also marked a change in leadership and Dr. Earl McGovern became the new superintendent. Dr. McGovern was in office a short time when on February 27, 1966, Central burned. The cafeteria and 31 classrooms were destroyed. Seventy-two fire fighters battled the 1.4 million dollar blaze for seven hours. Volunteers carried school records and other salvageable goods from the building. The blaze has been known as the fire that “changed Lima.” The district decided not to rebuild Central, but rather built two new junior high schools four years later. New Junior High Schools Immediately after the fire, Lima Senior went on triple sessions to accommodate all of the students. Some students attended school at 6 a.m., others at night. The Board needed to act. In November 1966, voters approved a levy to build three new schools and construct additions at four others. Faurot, Lowell, Jefferson, and Roosevelt added new additions. Whittier’s original building was demolished and the 1963 addition was connected to a new addition. Two new junior high schools were built—Lima West Junior High School at College and Hazel Avenues in 1968, and Lima North Junior High School at O’Connor and West Streets in 1969. Each building cost about $1.3 million to construct. Building construction started again in 1971. The state approved matching funds for a $1.4 million vocational wing at Lima Senior. Over the next 25 years, some of the school buildings saw remodeling and Lima Stadium underwent renovations including a new all weather track. 1990-Present New Construction New school construction was not on the agenda until 1999 when Lima was among the first districts to become eligible for new school buildings through the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC). The OSFC offered to fund approximately 90 percent of the cost. In November 1999, a 4.15 mill bond issue passed with the support of 67 percent of the district’s voters. In addition to the 4.15 mill bond issue, the district’s voters also approved a .95 mill bond for the purposes of site acquisition and building an auditorium. The second bond was necessary to include an auditorium in the new high school. Through the state, funds were only available for a combination cafeteria/auditorium. With the extensive arts programs in the Lima City Schools, the second bond was proposed and supported by 62 percent of the district’s voters. Through the building project, all of the district’s buildings were renovated, converted or replaced. After many discussions with the OSFC, the final plans were to renovate Lima North Middle School, convert Lima West Middle School to an elementary school, and build four new elementary schools, two new middle schools and a new high school. New School Names In October 2001, a "Name That School" event was held. Over 200 suggestions were received and opinions on a district-wide mascot and colors were gathered. From the suggestions, the committee offered five themes with several names for each theme: Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees; Famous Ohioans; Ohio Presidents; Famous Americans and Patriotic. The recommendation included keeping the names of the middle schools and high school the same. In January 2002, the Board of Education voted to accept the Patriotic theme and named the elementary schools: Freedom Elementary School on Calumet Avenue; Heritage Elementary School on College Avenue; Independence Elementary School on Metcalf Street; Liberty Elementary School on Kibby Street; and Unity Elementary School on East Third Street. The Board also approved adding Lima to the name of each middle school. In December 2001, the Board had approved the Spartan as the mascot for all schools in the district and scarlet and grey as the colors. While the community was working on school names, people volunteered to make the school closings and openings special. Homecoming Celebration On Sunday, May 5, 2002, the Lima City Schools held a Homecoming Celebration. The schools were open in the afternoon and a short closing ceremony was held on the front lawn of South Middle School at 4:30 p.m. with music by the Lima Senior Symphonic Band. A balloon launch was held at the closing of the ceremony. Attendees launched 500 balloons, in all the colors of the district’s schools, as a way to remember the history of the district and embrace the new era. At Lima Senior, the documentary, "Recalling the Past — Shaping the Future," was shown in the auditorium and many schools made the day special for their guests with scrapbooks and photos. A commemorative booklet, featuring all of the schools in the district, was presented to guests. Over 2,000 people attended the Homecoming Celebration. Building Boom Continues On June 3, 2002, three groundbreakings were held for Lima South Middle School, Lima Senior High School and the conversion of the former West Middle School into the new Heritage Elementary School. Lima South Middle School sits on the former South High School site and incorporates architectural features of the original building. Almost 200 parcels were purchased to acquire the 38.5-acre site for the new Lima Senior just west of Lima Stadium. The site also includes the property where the East Building stood in the late 1800s. A few hundred people gathered for the Lima Senior groundbreaking that was attended by Ohio Governor Bob Taft and many local and state officials. On August 26, 2002, three new schools opened in Lima and the Lima North Middle School renovation was complete. Freedom combined students from part of Edison and Washington-McKinley Elementary Schools and Unity combined students from part of Edison and Whittier Elementary Schools. Lima South Middle School houses the middle school Science-Technology Magnet Program and all middle schools now serve grades five through eight. In December 2002, the conversion of Heritage Elementary School was completed. Heritage combined students from Horace Mann, Westwood and the elementary Arts Magnet Program. On June 3, 2003, exactly one year after the groundbreaking for Lima Senior and the anniversary of Lima’s first commencement, the last two groundbreakings of this building project were scheduled for Independence and Liberty Elementary Schools. Due to inclement weather, the groundbreakings were postponed until Friday, June 6. Independence is on the former Irving site and combines students from Irving and Emerson Elementary Schools. Liberty is on the land between the former Lincoln Elementary School and the original Lima Senior High School. It combines students from Faurot and Lowell Elementary Schools. In August 2004, Lima South Middle School, Lima Senior High School and Independence Elementary School opened. The new Lima Senior High School is 284,861 square feet complete with a state-of-the-art auditorium, media center and gymnasium for a cost of approximately $35,000,000. Liberty Elementary School opened in January 2005 marking the completion of the most recent building project. In the 2006-2007 school year, the Lima City School District celebrates its sesquicentennial with all new and renovated buildings. Reorganization The most recent change came just a few years ago with a district-wide reorganization. A kindergarten through eighth-grade arts magnet building opened at Liberty Elementary School and South became home to the kindergarten through eighth-grade science and technology magnet program. The district's administrative offices, now called the Dr. Earl McGovern Educational Center, was also moved to a wing at South. The former educational center was closed. The district's middle schools also saw a change. Lima North is now home to fifth and sixth-graders and West home to seventh and eighth-graders. In early 2013, the school board voted to move Lima Senior High School away from the small-schools concept, which it had been doing for 10 years. When the 2013-14 school year began, Lima Senior returned to one high school, reinvigorating the Spartan spirit and pride. That same year the district kicked off a $1.8 million renovation project of the stadium. Completed in time for the 2014-15 football season, the school board renamed it Spartan Stadium. It was an effort to continue the momentum of a growing Spartan spirit and pride.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE Services What are EL services? The EL program is an English language development program using content for the development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills for non-English proficient or English Learners (ELs). How do the students qualify for EL services? To qualify the student must have a level of English language proficiency below that of a native speaker in any of the language domains: listening, speaking, reading and writing. A student's level of English language proficiency is determined by the test results of the OELPS and OELPA State Tests. The EL service program offers the opportunity for each English Language Learner to receive individual help and instruction from a specialized educator. The Lima City Schools has an educator to work with immigrant students. Teacher Jeanette Weaver and District Bilingual Liaison Emmarie Rolon-Colon work closely with other staff to ensure that the student’s education is fair and at their level of knowledge of the language. This service also offers special accommodations and individual interventions until the student becomes proficient in English. Communication is very important in our district. We make sure that we can provide translation services if needed for parents and students. Contact information Jeanette Weaver, EL Teacher 419-996-3712 (office) 419-296-5094 (cell) jweaver@spartan.limacityschools.org Emmarie Rolon-Colon, District Bilingual Liaison 419-549-2728 eroloncolon@spartan.limacityschools.org Caroline Schutz - EL Instructor (TESOL Certified) cschutz@spartan.limacityschools.org Marc Rocher, EL Interpreter mrocher@spartan.limacityschools.org ¿Qué son los servicios EL Descripción del programa EL Parent Handbook ESL Flyer/Orientation Dates

Ohio's New Dyslexia Laws Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, the state of Ohio will add requirements for districts involving Dyslexia. It will invovle screeening all k-3 students. Informational Sheet

PATIENT CARE Technology Patient Care Technology offers students the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of health care. Students learn through classwork, hands-on simulations and actual time spent at a variety of health care settings, including nursing homes, hospitals and doctor offices. Students are eligible to receive First Aid and CPR certificates as well as their state tested Nurse Aid Certificate. Students are eligible to receive college credit for various sections at the end of the two-year program. Students develop skills in First Aid, CPR, medical terminology, nutrition, infection control, growth and development, basic health care, anatomy, EKG, catheterization, respiratory treatment and computer skills. Students are also able to be a part of Early Placement Opportunities and Home Health Aid Certificates. After completing an 80-hour nurse aid training program and spending 17 hours of clinical time in a health care facility, students may test to become a state tested nurse assistant. Students graduating from this program go on to become patient care technicians, clinical coordinators, medical office supervisors, patient care assistants and monitor technicians. It is also a great way to get a jump start on becoming a nurse or other medical professional.

WEST Middle School 503 N. Cable Road Telephone: 419-996-3150 | Fax: 419-996-3151 Student Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Early release every Wednesday at 1:45 p.m. School Highlights 7-8 Building Career Connections class teaches students about possible careers Students participate in choir, band or orchestra Drumline CTAG (Closing the Achievement Gap) provides students with mentors and role models to reinforce importance of positive values and academic success Builders Club in partnership with Lima Kiwanis Club, promotes community service Additional activities include school-wide fundraisers and charity events. We also have a local talent show for West students. Member of the Toledo City Athletic League: Football, cheerleading, soccer, volleyball, basketball, bowling, wrestling, swim, baseball, softball and track and field, baseball. Principal TJ Winkler Staff List Library Resources Campus Wear School Supplies Online Learning Support School Resource Officer School Resource Officer Amanda Leugers K9 Scarlet Office Leugers has been with the Lima City Schools for nines years. She has 17 years of law enforcement work, 14 of those with the St. Rita’s Medical Center Police Department. She graduated from Rhodes State College Police Academy and enjoys boxing in her spare time. Officer Leugers is a recipient of the Allen County Children Service friends of children award. She and Scarlet received the Lima Allen County Safe Community School Safety award in 2019. K9 Scarlet is a Black Lab that has been in the schools since the district started the K9 program in 2018. She is a graduate of the Von der haus Gill Police K-9 Academy. She loves to come to school and on days off, sits at the door barking to leave.

WELDING AND METAL Fabrication Welding and Metal Fabrication gives students the opportunity to learn fundamentals of various welding processes. Students learn in a hands-on setting in Lima Senior's extensive welding lab. Students become eligible to take a test to become ASW certified in certain welding areas. Students are eligible to receive college credit for various sections at the end of the two-year program. Students develop skills in welding and cutting, GMAW, Plasma, GTAW, aluminum MIG, reading and drawing blueprints, operations of press brake, metal shear and metal roller, SMAW, diesel drive, Spot and Oxy-fuel brazing. Students graduating from this program go on to become boiler makers, fabricators, iron workers, pipefitters, welding inspectors and welders. Students can become a member of Skills USA and American Welding Society, two high school and post-secondary organizations to help further their advancement.

GIFTED Education The Lima City Schools' gifted (enrichment) program begins in the third grade. Students have the opportunity to participate in some wonderful, hands-on learning. A few recent projects include building roller coasters and dissecting squid and sharks. The elementary program is housed at Unity Elementary School and the middle school program is at Lima North Middle School. Students are bused to the schools once a week. Those students deemed to have Superior Cognitive Ability now have the option of attending the South Science and Technology Magnet School, where they work with our gifted intervention specialist on a more regular and intense basis. The specialist also co-teaches in the regular classrooms to even more fully reach those students. The program is voluntary. Superior Cognitive students who choose to stay in their current schools will continue to receive one-day-a-week enrichment experiences. How is gifted defined? The Lima City Schools uses the federal definition as a model and defines gifted students as students who perform or show potential for performing at remarkable levels of accomplishments when compared to others of their age, experience or environment, and who are identified under section 3324.03 of the Ohio Revised Code. How are children identified as gifted? The Lima City Schools identifies gifted students in grades K-12 in one or more of the following areas: Superior Cognitive Ability Specific Academic Ability Creative Thinking Ability Visual or Performing Arts Ability The Lima City Schools uses assessment instruments that are selected by the Ohio Department of Education to identify gifted students. If you believe that your child is gifted, you may: Call your child’s school teacher or principal Complete the required paperwork to ask that your child be evaluated Request a copy of the District Policy on Gifted Education Gifted learners are given stimulating educational experiences appropriate to their level of ability to assist them in recognizing their potential. Gifted services provide an opportunity for academically talented students to reach their fullest potential. When given the opportunity gifted students can use their vast amount of knowledge to serve as a background for unlimited learning. Providing for our finest minds allows both individual and societal needs to be met. Resources Assessmennt Identification/Services