By Jon Umphress
Meri Skilliter, new Ada school superintendent, talked with members of the Ada Kiwanis Club earlier this week. She joined Ada schools on Jan. 1.

Skilliter told members about the “Every Student Succeeds Act.” In 2015 President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (or ESSA), an overhaul of federal education law.

Skilliter said, that passed with bipartisan support, ESSA represents a shift from broad federal oversight of primary and secondary education to greater flexibility and decision making at the state and local levels. The law replaces the No Child Left Behind Act.

She said that the State of Ohio is committed to involving educators, parents and other stakeholders as it explores new ways to ensure that all our students receive the education they need.

ESSA requires states to develop plans that address standards, assessments, school and district accountability and special help for struggling schools.

She offered some suggestions to members about what they can do. These include:
• Read all that you can about the issue.
• Express your concerns to your state legislators.
• Attend stakeholders meetings. The next meeting is at Bath Elementary School Wednesday, Feb. 22.
• Offer your feedback at the meeting.

Skilliter said that she and her husband, Rick, retired Bluffton police chief, live in Bluffton, so it is a much quicker drive to Ada than McComb Schools, where she previously worked as superintendent for three and one have years.

Prior that, she taught in Bluffton and was a principal in the Gibsonburg School system.