Welcome Back to the 2026-2027 School Year

Dear Talawanda Staff, Students, Families, and Community Members,

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! It is with great enthusiasm and gratitude that I welcome each of you back to Talawanda City School District. I am truly honored to serve as your Superintendent and to work alongside such an exceptional team of educators, staff members, students, families, and community partners. Together, we continue to build upon our tradition of excellence while preparing every student for a successful future.

As we begin a new school year, we have much to celebrate. Talawanda continues to demonstrate outstanding success, highlighted by our 98% graduation rate, strong academic achievement, and meaningful student growth. Our commitment to providing high-quality instruction, fostering academic excellence, and supporting the social, emotional, and behavioral well-being of every student remains at the heart of everything we do.

Through our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Positive Behavior Support Systems (PBIS), we continue to strengthen the whole-child approach that ensures every student receives the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports needed to thrive. These systems, coupled with the dedication of our outstanding staff, help create learning environments where all students are valued, challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential.

This year also brings several exciting leadership transitions within our district:

• Mr. Jason Merz, a dedicated educator and leader who has faithfully served Talawanda for more than two decades, has been named Principal of Talawanda Middle School. His deep knowledge of our district and unwavering commitment to students make him an outstanding choice to lead the middle school.
• Ms. Mary Schulte, an accomplished special education teacher and instructional leader, will serve as the new Assistant Principal at Talawanda Middle School. Her student-centered approach and collaborative leadership will be tremendous assets to the school community.
• We are pleased to welcome Mrs. Ashley Tebbe back to Talawanda as the new Principal of Kramer Elementary School. Ashley brings valuable leadership experience along with her background as both a general education and special education teacher, and elementary principal experience.  We are excited to have her return to lead Kramer.
• Dr. Pam Theurer will assume the role of Instructional Leadership Principal, providing instructional leadership and administrative support primarily to Kramer Elementary and Bogan Elementary due to their growing enrollment and unique instructional needs, while also serving in additional district-wide leadership responsibilities.

These talented administrators join an already exceptional leadership team that is committed to continuous improvement and ensuring the success of every student.

Please welcome all staff: returning staff, and new staff.  We also wish those that have moved on or have retired much success too.

Students return on August 19, 2026 for grades 2-12.  Preschool, Kindergarten and Grade 1 students return on August 24, 2026.

One of Talawanda's greatest strengths continues to be our outstanding faculty and staff. Every day, our teachers, support staff, administrators, bus drivers, food service employees, custodians, and countless others work tirelessly to provide safe, engaging, and welcoming learning environments where students can learn, grow, and succeed. Their dedication, professionalism, and compassion make a lasting difference in the lives of our students.

Education extends well beyond the classroom, and Talawanda proudly offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities, athletics, fine arts programs, clubs, leadership opportunities, and student organizations. These experiences help students discover their passions, develop leadership skills, build meaningful relationships, and prepare for success beyond graduation. We remain committed to educating the whole child by providing opportunities that foster academic excellence, character development, creativity, and lifelong learning.

As the first day of school approaches, our classrooms are prepared, our buildings are ready, and our staff members are excited to welcome students back. There is a special energy that accompanies the beginning of each school year—a time filled with new opportunities, fresh goals, meaningful relationships, and limitless possibilities.

I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to our families and our many community partners. Your continued support, collaboration, and investment in our schools are invaluable. Together, we carry forward our mission, vision, and core values while creating opportunities that empower every student to reach their highest potential. The success of Talawanda is truly a shared accomplishment, and we are grateful for the strong partnerships that enrich our schools and strengthen our community.

Throughout the school year, we encourage everyone to stay connected by visiting our district website at www.talawanda.org. Our website serves as the primary source for district news, school information, calendars, transportation updates, student services, program offerings, and contact information. We encourage families and community members to visit frequently to stay informed about the many exciting things happening throughout the Talawanda City School District.

As we begin the 2026-2027 school year, I am filled with optimism and excitement for what lies ahead. Together, we will continue to challenge ourselves, celebrate successes, embrace innovation, and provide exceptional opportunities for every student. Thank you for your trust, partnership, and unwavering support of the Talawanda City School District.

On behalf of our Board of Education and the entire Talawanda team, welcome back! We look forward to another outstanding year of learning, growth, achievement, and success.

In Education,

Dr. Edward Theroux
Superintendent
Talawanda City School District