Lima City Schools' families gathered for community fellowship Tuesday evening at Lima Senior High School for the District-Wide Open House. The open house is the main highlight of the district's "Celebrate Public Schools: Experience the Spartan Pride" week where each Lima City School building and their programs are displayed. The open house is filled with various activities including a free meal prepared by the Spartan Inn culinary students, student performances, spartan merchandise, and prizes. The purpose of this celebration is to show the community how public education serves every student and family, a message Lima City Schools Superintendent, Jill Ackerman, wants families to know.

After taking the last two years off because of the pandemic, the school district was ready to show off everything that is going on during the school year at their open house Tuesday. Each of the buildings and programs set up displays or put on performances to showcase what the students are learning and doing throughout the school year. From music to science to social clubs and more, the open house gave the public just a sneak peek of what's happening behind the doors of the school.

Superintendent Jill Ackerman says it’s their role to educate every child that comes through the door, and they embrace that role. She says the school district started public school week to shine a light on the attack on public education through vouchers, school choice funding, and a faulty state grading system that rewards wealthy districts and punishes those in high poverty areas. Lima City Schools pride themselves on meeting the needs of each of their students.

Ohio's voucher program is currently targeted toward children enrolled in underperforming schools. The bill sponsored by state representatives from Shelby and Sandusky would allow any child to use vouchers to cover part of the cost of private school tuition or other education opportunities, such as tutoring. The bill discussed Tuesday would provide $5,500 per kindergarten through eighth-grade student and $7,500 per high school student. Democrats say the proposal amounts to defunding already challenged public schools.

Celebrate Public Schools: Experience The Spartan Pride Week will be done through a virtual setting this year, with multiple events planned to keep students and the community safe during the pandemic. The special week is planned from March 22nd through March 26th and will include nightly Facebook Live events, Spartan Trivia, and videos highlighting each school and the district's programs.