April 24, 2026


Dear Kenston families and community, 

With spring finally arriving (we hope), Kenston Local Schools is buzzing with activity as students gear up for a fantastic finish to the academic year.

From the energy of spring athletics and the creative talent on display at the Fine Arts Showcase to the highly anticipated AfterProm festivities, there is no shortage of excitement across the district. Classrooms will transition into their final instructional units, and many grade levels are also preparing for field trips that serve as the culminating highlights of their educational journeys this year.

It is a vibrant and exciting time on campus, and we look forward to supporting every student as they push toward a successful and memorable conclusion to the semester.

Take care,

Dr. Bruce Willingham, Jr.
Superintendent

Kenston Local Schools is fortunate to have such dedicated supporters. We are truly grateful to the parents, community members, and organizations that make our schools a special place for students to grow.

On behalf of the Kenston Board of Education, thank you for the time and heart you pour into our schools. We couldn’t do it without you!

Superintendent Dr. Bruce Willingham shared an update with the Board of Education members at the April 20, 2026, meeting. 

The KEA contract ratification was a success thanks to the collaborative efforts of both the district and association negotiation teams, resulting in a mutually beneficial agreement for our staff, students, and community. Dr. Willingham shared his gratitude to the KEA leadership and all team members involved for their hard work and partnership throughout this process.

Alongside this milestone, the Board approved the 2026–2028 school calendars, which now include dedicated staff training days for essential safety and security drills. The calendars are available on the district website (click the image below to visit the site). 

At the April 20, 2026, Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Willingham shared some educational information about the Proposed Property Tax Reform.

Local police, teachers' unions, and county advocates have joined a statewide coalition to educate voters on the devastating impact of eliminating property taxes without a viable replacement plan. Education leaders caution that losing this funding would lead to larger class sizes and reduced student support, while law enforcement officials fear a public safety crisis from stripped resources. Additionally, county advocates highlight the threat to essential services like child protection and senior meals. Ultimately, the coalition argues that total elimination without a guaranteed alternative would devastate community health and safety.

To view more of his presentation at the board meeting, please click here. 

Join us, beginning Monday, April 27, Kenston Local Schools will host the K-12 District Fine Arts Showcase. The event will feature artwork from all students in grades K-8, art portfolios from Kenston High School students, and musical performances by elementary, middle, and high school bands and choruses. Please see the newly added features and special events listed below. 

Visit Kenston Local Schools for detailed information regarding the concerts, art show program, and the Community Ties Night. 

Congratulations to five Kenston Bomber student-athletes who participated in Spring Signing Day on April 22.

MORGAN CICEK – St. John Fisher University (NY): Basketball
SAVANNAH DEVLIN – Greenville University (IL): Gymnastics
ANDREW FENDER – University of Mount Union: Baseball
CALLI JAKACKI – Ohio Wesleyan University: Track
AURORA YOUNG – Muskingum University: Basketball

We are proud of the hard work, dedication, and determination you have shown to achieve this incredible accomplishment. The Kenston community is excited to see all that you will accomplish at the college level. 

Be sure to tune in this Saturday, April 26, at 11:30 am, as the Kenston Bombers take on Berea-Midpark and Rootstown.

We are so proud of Kenston High School juniors Matt Collins, Porter Fontana, and Robert Billock, with alternate sophomore Chase Altman, who participated in the Nordson Academic Challenge against Berea-Midpark and Rootstown. Coached by Mr. Greg Koltas (KHS Math teacher), the team practiced weekly after school during the winter sports season. For at least 40 years, this has been a Kenston tradition, with Mr. Koltas himself competing as a KHS student in 1985.

The Kenston community is invited to an exclusive "sneak peek" of Area 26, this year’s out-of-this-world AfterProm transformation at Kenston High School.

On Saturday, May 2, from 6 PM to 8 PM, the public is welcome to tour and preview the incredible games and immersive decor before students arrive for their late-night festivities.

This annual Community Preview is a wonderful opportunity to witness the hard work of the AfterProm Committee. Many thanks to Jessie Corcoran, the committee chair, and her dedicated team of volunteers, whose creativity and commitment ensure a safe, memorable, and truly stellar experience for our students.

Kenston Local Schools Nutrition Services team recently took home first place in a regional "mystery box" cooking competition—the district's first-ever win. Despite having a primarily new staff, the KMS team impressed judges by transforming surprise ingredients into creative, nutritious meals that kids love.

Nutrition Services Director Andrew Mendez expressed immense pride in the staff's collaboration and innovation.

Keep an eye out for these award-winning recipes appearing in our school cafeteria soon!

The Kenston Local Schools registration process is now completed entirely online. Registration is currently available for new students enrolling in Kenston during the remainder of the 25/26 school year and for the incoming Kindergarten Registration (students entering Kindergarten in August 2026). Registration for students enrolling for the 2026/2027 school year will open in May. 

If you know of a family with an incoming Kindergarten student, please share this with them to visit the Kindergarten Registration and Resource Center for updates and other events to sign up for.

Registration is completed online (click here), and the required documents will be uploaded during the process.

Kenston Girl Scout Troop 71834 is hosting a book drive for Access Akron Women’s Shelter. The 5th-grade Junior Girl Scouts are earning their Bronze Award by partnering with Access Akron to provide books for residents of all ages.

From April 20 to May 1, the Kenston Community can support their mission by dropping off new or gently used books in the collection box located at each school building or at the Kenston Gardiner Center.

Thank you from Troop 71834 for your support! 

As spring sports get underway across Auburn and Bainbridge, an important outdoor safety measure is now in place. Kenston Community Education, in partnership with Auburn and Bainbridge Townships and the Kenston Local Schools, has installed Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at local township fields and Kenston Schools’ Field 4 to enhance emergency preparedness.

This initiative ensures compliance with Ohio House Bill 47 (passed October 2024), which requires AEDs to be accessible at municipal sports and recreation facilities, fields, and schools throughout Ohio.

What This Means for Our Community

AEDs are portable, life-saving devices that deliver an electric shock to restore a normal heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest. Each unit includes clear, step-by-step voice instructions, making them easy to use - even for individuals without prior training.

AEDs will be available on-site during the active youth sports season, from April through October. In the winter months, they will be safely stored and maintained by Kenston Community Education until spring deployment.

AED Locations at Local Fields

Community members can now find AEDs at the following locations:
- Auburn Community Park – East side of the Parker Building
- Auburn New Hope Church – Mounted on the backstop (installation by May 11)
- Bainbridge Heritage Park – West side of the north parking lot near Town Hall
- Centerville Mills Park – South side of the Dining Hall
- Settlers Park – Picnic Pavilion
- River Road Park – Large Pavilion
- Kenston Campus Lower Fields – Field #4 fence

A Community Effort
KCE funds and maintains the AEDs. Kenston Local Schools and local township service departments assisted with installing the AED cabinets at each site.

By adding AEDs to these community spaces, Kenston Community Education - Auburn,  Bainbridge Township, and the Kenston Local Schools are taking another meaningful step toward ensuring the safety of athletes, families, and visitors at our fields.

For details on AED use and care, refer to the Emergency Action Plan. If you have questions about the community AEDs, please contact Kenston Community Education at 440-543-2552.

Together, we’re making our fields safer for everyone.

The Kenston Alumni Association is excited to introduce the Museum & Archives at the Gardiner Center—a dedicated space to honor and preserve the vibrant history of Auburn, Bainbridge, and Kenston Schools. By showcasing cherished artifacts and memorable moments, this initiative ensures our community's stories, traditions, and spirit are celebrated and remembered for generations.

As you begin your spring cleaning, we encourage you to look for memorabilia—old uniforms, photographs, yearbooks, programs, newspaper clippings, or other meaningful items connected to Auburn, Bainbridge, or Kenston Schools. If you’d like to give these pieces of our shared history a new home, please consider donating them to the Alumni Association Museum & Archives. To arrange a drop-off, contact us at alumni@kenstonapps.org.

We are also seeking volunteers who share a passion for Kenston history. If you enjoy organizing, researching, or storytelling, your help in sorting and preserving these important materials would be invaluable. If there’s a particular program, team, club, or era of Kenston’s history you believe deserves to be highlighted, we invite you to collaborate with us in creating a special display.

If you possess skills or have a genuine interest in video creation, we invite you to help us capture the voices and stories that have shaped our community. Your talents can help bring Kenston’s history to life in a dynamic and meaningful way. (Do you know someone good to interview? Let us know.)

The Kenston Alumni Association remains dedicated to celebrating the spirit and tradition of our schools while serving as a vital link between alumni and the district. Together, we can ensure the legacies of Auburn, Bainbridge, and Kenston Schools continue to inspire future generations.

If you graduated from Kenston and your child is a part of the Class of 2026, your graduate is considered a Legacy Graduate—and we want to celebrate with them at Commencement!

The Kenston Alumni Association recognizes students who are continuing their family’s Bomber tradition. It’s a meaningful way to honor the connection between generations who have walked the same halls and shared the same school pride.

Be sure to complete the Legacy Graduate Form ASAP so students can be recognized during the graduation ceremony. 

Download the Kenston Local Schools app to stay connected. It is your one-stop source for important updates, news, and announcements from across the District. Through the app, you can receive notifications tailored to the building your student attends. You will also find the "Live Feed," which is updated in real time with building-specific information and district-wide news. You may also find our updates and the Live Feed through our website, www.kenstonlocal.org. 

Kenston Board of Education Regular meetings are generally held on the third Monday of the month in the Kenston High School Auburn-Bainbridge Room. Please note that the start time for meetings has been changed to 6 pm.

If you would like to view additional information about the Kenston Board of Education, visit the district’s website at www.kenstonlocal.org under Board of Education. There, you will find meeting dates and agendas.

Regular Meeting - Monday, April 20, 2026, with a new start time of 6 pm
Located in the Kenston High School - Auburn Bainbridge Room (9500 Snyder Road)

Agendas/Minutes - Live Stream

Use the search feature in the upper right header. Minutes are available after approval in the following month's agenda.

Kenston Local Schools
www.kenstonlocal.org
17419 Snyder Road
Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023
Phone: 440-543-9677
Email: kenston@kenstonapps.org