District News

The Lakota Board of Education and its facilities committee have been dedicated to moving forward with the District’s master facilities plan. As the District looks to engage the community for feedback about how our schools can support student education now and for the future, WE want to know what questions you have about the master facilities plan.

At Lakota Local Schools, keeping our students and staff safe is our top priority. This includes during severe weather. By following the guidelines below, we can manage severe weather situations and keep our school community safe.

Personal health may just be an elective for Lakota’s junior school students now. But the parent feedback that Hopewell Junior School health teacher Lori Jones has received over the years echoes her own thoughts about its significance. “This is the most important class my kid is ever going to take,” she hears on repeat after every curriculum night.

“Joey the Can-Do Kangaroo” and his creator, author Chad Caddell, hopped over to Wyandot Early Childhood School during Disability Awareness Month with an inspiring message about inclusion, determination and empathy.

Lakota Local Schools recently conducted a public opinion research study to understand the community's views on various aspects of the school district. The study was carried out by Fallon Research & Communications, Inc. in February and involved 401 live telephone interviews and secure SMS/text-to-web surveys with adult residents of the District. Paul Fallon presented his findings to the Board of Education at the March 19 master facilities committee meeting.

Lakota Local Schools is proud to present its March "Lakota Gem Award" winners - the teachers, administrators and support staff who bring a sparkle to our schools. Selected from a growing pool of over 350 nominations, Lakota’s most precious gems for March include: Wyandot ECS intervention specialist Bailey Plummer, Independence Elementary cafeteria manager Tammy Roman, Ridge Junior instructional aide Jenny Iames, Lakota East High School teacher Stacey Lane and parent mentor of Lakota Special Services Terri Doerr.

Read all about the facets that make these Lakota staff members shine. Then nominate someone whose brilliance makes a difference in our schools. Next month's gems will be announced mid-April.

The Northern Cincinnati Foundation, in partnership with Lakota Local Schools and Phelan Insurance Agency, is accepting nominations for recipients of the 2025 “Lakota Diamond Educator Award.” Nominations are due Friday, April 11 and four honorees will be announced the first full week of May during “Teacher Appreciation Week.”

Formerly known as the “Lakota Educator of Excellence Award,” the new name establishes a connection to the District’s new Lakota Gem Award, which celebrates outstanding staff all year long. Recipients must exemplify all six facets, or categories, of the Lakota gems that the District awards on a monthly basis. 

The Practical Assessment Exploration System, or PAES lab, is a transformative initiative at both Lakota East and West high schools. Now in its second year, the lab provides students with disabilities the opportunity to gain valuable job training before they become eligible for the District’s transition to work program.

The Lakota District is soliciting community input on the 2026-2027 draft academic calendar. Review the calendar and provide feedback by April 16.