By Logan Andrew |Freewire Magazine — Your News, Your Voice
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated to reflect that Bucyrus Board of Education meetings officially begin at 5:30 p.m. A previous version incorrectly listed a 6:00 p.m. start time.
The Bucyrus City School District Board of Education held its first meeting of 2026 on Monday, Jan. 12 establishing a clear theme of stability and long-term continuity for the district. The evening began with a 5:30 p.m. organizational meeting for officer elections and the swearing-in of members, followed by the first regular session of the year at 6:00 p.m.
In a move that signals confidence in the district’s current trajectory, the board voted unanimously to maintain its existing leadership. Randy Blankenship was re-elected as Board President, a role he has held since 2024, while Christa Graves was re-elected as Vice President. The consistency at the top is mirrored throughout the group; with Jenna Bollinger, Chad Redmon, and Morgan Jones all officially beginning their new four-year terms, the district enters 2026 with the exact same five member team that led through 2025.
Despite the procedural focus of the first meeting, the board is already looking toward the 2026-2027 academic year. Key approvals were given for updated High School and Middle School Curriculum Guides, which continue to align with Superintendent Bob Britton’s True North initiative. This vision, which has gained significant traction over the last year, focuses on ensuring every student has a clear pathway to a career or further education through early exposure to STEM and advanced manufacturing.
Other key business from the session included:
- Approval of updated NEOLA transportation policies to maintain safety standards.
- Renewal of the Crawford County Chamber of Commerce membership for 2026.
- Confirmation of registration dates for the district’s youngest learners.
- Acceptance of various staff scholarship donations and personnel updates.
For families just starting their educational journey in the district, the board confirmed that registration for Kindergarten and Preschool for the next school year will officially open on March 1, 2026.
FreeWire Take
Stability is the name of the game in Bucyrus right now, but it is a hard won stability that faces an undercurrent of external pressure. While local governance across the county has recently been marked by those willing to gamble with the county’s economic future for the sake of personal grievances, the Bucyrus board appears determined to remain the adult in the room.
By standing united, Blankenship and the rest of the board are sending a clear warning: the “political machinations” that have stalled progress elsewhere in the county will not be permitted to derail the True North initiative or the future of Bucyrus students. Transparency is a noble goal, but when it is used as a mask for character assassination and professional sabotage, the community must see it for what it is. Bucyrus is moving forward, and the board seems ready to leave the agitators behind in the dust of their own making.
About The Author
