Watch the above video to learn more about the specific skills identified by the community as necessary for success after graduation, and included in the District's Graduate Profile below.
About Our District
For more information on the topic(s) listed below, please click the "+" sign to open.
- About Berkshire Local Schools
- About the Superintendent
- Superintendent's Message
- Archived Superintendent's Newsletter
- Local Community (Flyers/Information)
- Educational Foundation
About Berkshire Local Schools
About Our District
Berkshire Local School District serves more than 1400 students enrolled in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade from the communities of Burton, Claridon, Montville, Thompson, and Troy. The district is located on approximately 30 acres behind the Kent State University - Geauga campus.
Berkshire High School offers students many course offerings. Classes available include honors level, Advanced Placement (AP), College Credit Plus (CCP), career technical education, art , music, and several elective options. Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in several clubs, activities, and athletic teams.
Notifications and Important Information
- Compliance Officers
- School Calendar
- School Closing Procedures
- Extended Learning Plan
- Employment Opportunities
- Graduate Profile
Compliance Officers
504 & Title IX Compliance Officers
John Stoddard, Superintendent
Dawn Fleming, Director of Pupil Services
Equal Employment Opportunity Compliance Officers
John Stoddard, Superintendent
Dawn Fleming, Director of Pupil Services
Anti-Harassment Compliance Officers
John Stoddard, Superintendent
Dawn Fleming, Director of Pupil Services
Homeless Liaison
Dawn Fleming, Director of Pupil Services
School Calendar
School Closing Procedures
Since we are now in the grip of winter, we want to share with you our procedures for school closings in the event of dangerous conditions.
The decision to call off school due to inclement weather begins at approximately 3:30 AM and includes analysis of the following information:
● Weather and radar reports
● Personal observation of road conditions
● Input from local law enforcement and road crews
● Input from district maintenance and snow removal personnel
● When necessary, school personnel drive the roads to determine the conditions
● Input and discussions with superintendents from neighboring districts
When all of this information is gathered, the Superintendent, Director of Facilities, and Transportation Supervisor jointly make the decision to close the schools or keep them open for students. Our objective is to make this decision no later than 5:45 AM as school buses are beginning to depart for their morning runs at that time. However, it may become necessary, in isolated cases, to make the decision after that time. Weather conditions can change abruptly, for better or for worse, but our intent is to determine that it is safe for students and staff to attend school as early as possible.
Safety is our highest priority and we strive to make the best possible decision with the information available at the time. Parents can always choose to have their children ride the school bus, or keep their children home if they truly feel there is a weather-related safety risk. Absences will be recorded as excused, with make-up work provided to the student if the Superintendent designates the day as a Severe Weather Day in the school district.
Please do not hesitate to contact the district if you require additional information in this regard.
Sincerely,
John Stoddard
Superintendent
Superintendent
Extended Learning Plan
The Berkshire Local Schools is dedicated to providing supplemental educational opportunities and resources for its students. Please utilize the links below to learn more about such opportunities. Thank you for your continued support of our school district.
Click to View the Berkshire Local Schools Extended Learning Plan
Click to View the Berkshire Local Schools Tiered Levels of Support
Employment Opportunities
Graduate Profile
About the Superintendent
John Stoddard
Superintendent
Berkshire Local Schools
John has been married for 24 years to Rena Stoddard, and they have three children; Max, Lucas, and Hayley. Mr. Stoddard has 24 years of experience as an educator. He started his teaching career as the lead instructor at the Drake Planetarium inside Norwood High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. After a year at Drake, John moved to Blanchester Junior High School and taught 8th grade Science for one year. Mr. Stoddard left Blanchester for a job closer to home with the Oak Hills Local School district, where he spent 17 years as a teacher and administrator. At Oak Hills, he served as a 7th grade Math and Science teacher, an assistant principal at the elementary and middle school levels, a curriculum coordinator, and a principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. John’s last position with Oak Hills was as the Oak Hills High School principal. Mr. Stoddard left Oak Hills to take the role of Superintendent for Berkshire Local School District. Mr. Stoddard has served as the Superintendent for Berkshire over the past five years. Since joining Berkshire, he has helped to implement innovative instructional practices such as Project-Based Learning. The coordination of partnerships has led to the construction of the new PK-12 school campus that houses all Berkshire students. The new campus is being built at the Kent State University regional campus in Burton.
Superintendent's Message
John Stoddard
Superintendent
September 2023
Dear Berkshire Local Schools Community,
On behalf of everyone in the District, the response to social media as an additional layer of communications has been widely popular, and we encourage everyone in our school family to take advantage of quick, relevant, and timely insights and information about the district by joining us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Our Facebook page now has 1,500 followers so please join us! On Instagram, we thank our 117 followers, and you can join that link here. Twitter continues to grow as well, with 32 followers, and you can catch our Badger action here by seeing this link. Thank you for your followership, and your interest in the accomplishments of students and staff in our district. We want you to join!
After approximately one month into the 2023-2024 school year, our Badger Family is off to a great start, with exciting real-world learning experiences, successes, and exposure to opportunities that will prepare them for the real world. We encourage you to read more about the classroom successes below.
Congratulations to our very own, Sophia Young
Sophia Young, a junior at Berkshire High School, was selected among statewide applicants to participate as a first soprano in the Ohio All-State Choir. In earning this selection, Sophia will join a highly talented group of only 22 first sopranos statewide to be given the honor of performing at the Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference which will take place February 1st – 3rd, 2024. The OMEA All -State Selection is a top honor for Sophia, who has already received many accolades during her time at Berkshire. Please join me in congratulating Sophia!
Berkshire’s Early Childhood Center is up and running with play and learning
Thank you to the families who have already registered to take advantage of the Berkshire Early Childhood Center, which officially opened for service earlier this month on Tuesday, September 5th. Some of the early focus during the first few weeks have included an emphasis on play, not only as a normal activity, but as a central part of how students learn and grow every day! At the Early Childhood Center, students will be encouraged to explore, use their imagination, and participate in a variety of hands-on activities in a safe and caring environment. Engaging learning stations are featured around the classroom and include number and letter activity kits, Legos, and a play food and kitchen area. Students can also engage in dramatic play by dressing up as an astronaut, firefighter, scientist, and other professionals. Learning will also take place outdoors as students explore nature and have fun in the outdoor playground area. If you, or you know someone who would benefit from the early learning opportunities provided here, please visit the Berkshire Early Childhood Center page.
Elementary Students Fight Hunger in Geauga County
The Berkshire Schools community rallied together last spring to help donate shelf-stable food items for a volunteer drive to accumulate non-perishable items for those in need, led by first graders and Anne Mann. The Badger Family’s generosity helped to reduce food costs and provide lunches for approximately 329 children in 127 families throughout Geauga County during the summer months. In partnership with Claridon Community Helps, our first graders and Mrs. Mann helped coordinate the donations as part of the “Now That’s What I’m Talking About” summer lunch program, and the impact of our efforts was recently shared with our district. Thank you to our school community for your generosity to help these students and families in great need!
Mark your calendars for an exciting Homecoming Week next week, as our Homecoming football game will take place on Friday, September 22nd at 7 p.m. and our Homecoming Dance will take place on Saturday, September 23rd from 7 – 10:30 p.m. at the High School. Thank you to everyone who is helping to make this annual tradition safe and special for our children.
GO BADGERS!
John Stoddard
Superintendent
Berkshire Local Schools
Archived Superintendent's Newsletter
Local Community (Flyers/Information)
Community Organizations
Community Involvement
Community Flyers
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
FREE books for kids under 5!
Have you heard about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio? It’s a FREE book-gifting program for all kids between birth and 5 years old. Every child in Ohio is eligible to receive a monthly book in the mail until their fifth birthday.
Early literacy skills are critical to a child’s success. Parents and caregivers cannot delay in exposing kids to reading because a child’s brain is already 80% developed by the time they are 3 years old. Please take advantage of this free resource that will help to prepare your little one to take on kindergarten – and life!
Don’t delay – sign up for a free monthly book today at: OhioImaginationLibrary.org.
Global Connection Academy's 2023 Summer Camp Lineup
Global Conenction Academy, located in the former Ledgemont Elementary School, will be offering various summer camps during the month of June.
Educational Foundation
Building our community, leaving our legacy. Click here for more information on Berkshire's PRIME+ Capital Campaign for Berkshire Schools.