Nominations are now being accepted for consideration by the Highland Alumni Hall of Fame Selection Committee for induction into the 2021 class. Deadline for submissions is April 30, 2021. An induction ceremony and additional activities are being planned for the weekend of October 8, 2021.  

The Highland Alumni Hall of Fame was created to honor Highland graduates who have distinguished themselves. Nominees should represent excellence in many areas of endeavor. The following is not an inclusive list, but hopefully demonstrates the many areas of accomplishment for which an alumnus could be considered for induction into the Alumni Hall of Fame.

Dear Highland Parents and Community Members,

We want to take this opportunity to inform you that the Highland Schools will be asking voters to pass a 4.7 mill Substitute Levy on the upcoming May 4 ballot. THIS IS NOT A TAX INCREASE. 

This levy is a “substitute” for the current 5.1 mill, 10 year emergency levy, which will expire on December 31, 2021. It will initially generate $4.6 million -- the same amount as the current levy. But, unlike the expiring levy, the substitute levy allows for additional revenue when there is new home and/or business construction in the district.

The passage of this substitute levy is critical for the day-to-day operation of our school district as it funds educational basics including teachers, classroom materials, support services and utilities to help educate all students.

Please download the attached FACT SHEET for more information or visit https://www.highlandlclschs.oh.schools.bz/Content2/322

A recent financial audit of the Highland Local School District by Auditor of State Keith Faber's office has returned a clean audit report. The district’s excellent record keeping has again earned it the Auditor of State Award with Distinction. The award was presented to Highland Treasurer Neil Barnes and Superintendent Catherine Aukerman on March 24.

Entities that receive the award meet the following criteria of a “clean” audit report:

• The entity must file timely financial reports with the Auditor of State’s office in the form of a CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report);
• The audit report does not contain any findings for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, Single Audit findings or questioned costs;

Registration is now open for the Highland Local Schools Kindergarten Program! We are looking forward to your child beginning their school career with us and becoming an official Highland Hornet!  Highland’s Kindergarten Program consists of an all-day, every-day model. In order to register, a child must be 5 years old by September 30, 2021.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s registration process will be completed entirely online, through the electronic submission of all required forms.

The Highland School District will offer lunches at NO COST to ANY Highland students enrolled in the Virtual Learning Academy. This service is offered in conjunction with the USDA free lunch program through the end of the 2020-21 academic year. You do not have to be eligible for free and reduced lunch status to qualify. 

The district will offer school lunch meal “pick-up” on a weekly distribution. Families with students enrolled in the Highland VLA can receive a WEEKLY allotment of their child's school lunches. 

Beginning Monday, September 28 through June 14, 2021 (end of the USDA free lunch program), lunches will be distributed to families for the entire week. Each lunch bag will contain 5 complete lunches. Baking instructions can be downloaded HERE or on the district website under departments/foodservice. (Please note, we will not be serving lunches on weekends, scheduled holidays or holiday breaks).

Congratulations to Mrs. Deborah Yorko, Director of Pupil Services, Highland Local School District, who has been nominated for the 2021 Dr. John Opperman Outstanding Contribution Award through the Ohio Association of Pupil Services Administrators (OAPSA). Mrs. Yorko, who resides in Litchfield Township, has been employed with the Highland Schools for the past 13 years. She is one of only three individuals nominated for this prestigious award, which was established in 2019 to annually recognize a member of OAPSA who has contributed greatly to the profession. Dr. Opperman served as the Director of Special Education at Highland Schools from 1998 to 2011.

“I feel very honored to be nominated for this award. It is especially meaningful to me because I worked closely with Dr. Opperman as his Special Education Coordinator for two years prior to his retirement from Highland. I would not be where I am today professionally without his guidance,” stated Mrs. Yorko.

The winner of the 2021 award will be announced on May 7 during the OAPSA conference.