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Mansfield, OH (August 11, 2026) – The Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center (MOESC) has finalized details for its 2026-2027 TurboCert Program, following an initial draft communication released by Superintendent Kevin Kimmel in June. The high-quality credentialing program is designed to expand career-connected learning experiences for regional students. MOESC has outlined the program structure, cost-saving subsidies and updated state reimbursement projections for the upcoming school year.

The standard cost for each TurboCert program is $1,500 per student, per semester (spanning 16 sessions). This fee covers instructor expenses and all required student materials. To maximize district participation and student access, MOESC is heavily subsidizing the specialized equipment, supplies and program coordinator costs.

Additionally, students enrolled in the Phlebotomy pathway will participate for two semesters. To support this extended track, MOESC will completely subsidize one semester of tuition for the 2026-2027 school year, maintaining the total cost for the Phlebotomy pathway at $1,500.

Districts can continue to offset participation costs through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s (ODEW) Innovative Workforce Incentive Program (IWIP). Additional details will be provided by the state regarding funding.  2026-2027 Regional Program Schedule

TurboCert courses will be hosted across three regional counties:

• Crawford County (Fridays): Hosted at the Crawford Success Center (130 N. Walnut Street, Bucyrus, OH). Programs include Phlebotomy (spanning 1st and 2nd semesters with 2nd-semester clinical labs), Drone Operations and Safety (1st Semester), and Manufacturing – FANUC Robotics and NIMS (1st Semester).
• Morrow County (Fridays): Hosted at the Miller Family Center Building (3700 County Road 168, Cardington, OH). Programs include OpTIC Fiber Splicing Training (1st Semester) and FANUC Robotics (2nd Semester).
• Richland County (Mondays): Hosted at MOESC (890 W. 4th Street, Mansfield, OH). Programs include Phlebotomy (spanning 1st and 2nd semesters with 2nd-semester clinical labs).

MOESC is actively working to add more credentials for the second semester.

School districts interested in participating should contact Casie Grau, School-Community Partnership Coordinator at MOESC immediately to express interest. The 2026-2027 coordinators are:

• Kevin Fourman (Crawford County), email address: fourman.kevin@moesc.net
• Bethany Rachel (Morrow and Richland Counties), email address: rachel.bethany@moesc.net

Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services, including professional development, to 13 school districts and over 20,000 students in Crawford, Morrow and Richland Counties. Client districts receive services from curriculum, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists.

Mansfield, OH (August 5, 2026) — The Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center (ESC) hosted a highly successful Fall Administrative Conference on August 4, drawing over 200 dedicated administrators from various local districts. The conference, designed to provide valuable insights and strategies to enhance administrative skills and support the educational community, was met with enthusiasm and engagement from all participants.

The morning session, which took place at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center, featured legal and legislative updates, followed by a variety of breakout sessions covering leadership, student services, instructional coaching, gifted education and career and workforce development.These sessions provided a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies for administrators to implement in their respective districts.

The event concluded with an inspiring keynote address by Damon West at the Mansfield Reformatory. West captivated the audience with his presentation on a powerful message of resilience, accountability and intentional leadership, rooted in his remarkable journey from a life sentence in prison to personal transformation. Through his story, West challenges individuals and organizations to rise above adversity, create positive change in their environments and lead with purpose, character and impact.

The conference marks a fantastic start to the 2026-2027 school year, setting a positive tone for continued growth and collaboration within the educational community.

Save the date for next year’s Fall Administrative Conference: Tuesday, August 3, 2027. 

Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to 13 school districts and over 20,000 students in Crawford, Morrow and Richland Counties. Client districts receive services from curriculum, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists.

Mansfield, OH (August 4, 2026) — Celebrating Excellence in Career Readiness! ⭐⭐⭐

We are proud to announce that the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center Business Advisory Council (BAC) has earned a Three-Star Business-Education Leader Award from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce. This prestigious recognition honors Business Advisory Councils that demonstrate excellence in building meaningful partnerships between education and business while creating career-focused opportunities that prepare students for future success.

Pictured accepting the award is Amy Wood representing Mid-Ohio ESC along with Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel and Jeremy Varner, Deputy Director of Career-Technical Education & Workforce.

This achievement reflects the outstanding collaboration of our business, education and community partners across Crawford, Morrow and Richland counties. Together, we are helping students explore career pathways, earn industry-recognized credentials and develop the skills needed for success in Ohio's workforce.

"This recognition is a testament to the strength of the partnerships we have built between our schools, businesses and community organizations. At Mid-Ohio ESC, we believe that preparing students for success extends beyond the classroom, and our Business Advisory Council plays a vital role in connecting education with real-world career opportunities,” said Superintendent Kevin D. Kimmel. “I am especially grateful to our dedicated Business Advisory Council members, school leaders, business partners and to Amy Wood for her exceptional leadership in guiding our Business Advisory Council. Their collective commitment and collaboration continue to create meaningful pathways that help students thrive while strengthening the future workforce across Crawford, Morrow and Richland counties."

Congratulations to our Business Advisory Council members and everyone who makes this important work possible!

Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to 13 school districts and over 20,000 students in Crawford, Morrow and Richland Counties. Client districts receive services from curriculum, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists.

Mansfield, OH (July 28, 2026) – As the start of the 2026–2027 school year draws near, the demand for substitute teachers continues to rise. Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center (MOESC) is actively seeking dedicated and dependable individuals to serve as substitute teachers in area school districts. This role provides a meaningful opportunity to support student learning while maintaining a flexible work schedule.

“Substitute teachers play a pivotal role in the education of our children," said Jennifer Reed, Human Resource Director at Mid-Ohio ESC. "When a substitute teacher can’t be found, schools will often ask full-time teachers to give up their planning hours in order to fill in. This has a negative impact on the teacher’s ability to plan their class effectively, ultimately affecting students as well. Substitute teachers step in and lighten that load while ensuring that each student receives quality instruction while their formal teacher is away.”

Thanks to House Bill 583, school districts now have greater flexibility in hiring substitute teachers. The legislation allows each district to establish its own educational requirements for substitute teachers by adopting a resolution through its local Board of Education. As a result, qualification requirements may vary from one district to another, as each Board of Education retains the authority to determine the educational standards for substitute teachers within its district.

Mid-Ohio ESC encourages all individuals interested in becoming a substitute teacher to contact the specific school district(s) they wish to serve to learn their current requirements.

To work within Mid-Ohio ESC’s client districts, candidates must submit a Substitute Teacher application which can be found by visiting www.moesc.net and clicking on the “Substitute” tab under “Human Resources.” MOESC has waived the application fee for the 2026-2027 school year. Candidates must also have a current BCI/FBI background check. Fingerprinting for a background check can be completed at the Mid-Ohio ESC office for a fee.

After submitting an application for a substitute position through Mid-Ohio ESC, candidates must apply for a substitute teacher license through the Ohio Department of Education unless they already hold a current teaching license. Please note, this step must not be done prior to completing the process at Mid-Ohio ESC.

Potential candidates with questions can call Mid-Ohio ESC at 419-774-5520 or email sub@moesc.net.

Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to 13 school districts and over 20,000 students in Crawford, Morrow and Richland Counties. Client districts receive services from curriculum, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists.

Mansfield, OH (July 23, 2026) – Mid-Ohio Adult Education and The Ohio State University at Mansfield are proud to announce the launch of Ready, Set, Teach!, a no-cost educational program designed to prepare aspiring educators, future paraprofessionals and substitute teachers for careers in education.

The program is made possible through the Aspire grant, with the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center (MOESC) serving as the fiscal agent. As a long-standing leader in educational services and regional partnerships, MOESC plays a vital role in supporting workforce development initiatives that strengthen schools and communities throughout North Central Ohio. Through its stewardship of the Aspire grant, MOESC provides the foundation that allows Ready, Set, Teach! to remove financial barriers and expand opportunities for future educators.

Beginning September 8, 2026, the six-week program will provide participants with foundational classroom strategies, preparation for the ParaPro Assessment and guidance for transitioning into college and careers in education. Classes will meet every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5–8 p.m. through October 14 located at Mid-Ohio ESC.

Through the program, adult learners prepare for the ParaPro Assessment by building content knowledge in Reading, Writing and Math. In addition, The Ohio State University at Mansfield will lead instruction on the following topics:

• Stages of development from childhood through adulthood
• Instructional strategies to increase student engagement
• Learning disabilities and exceptional learners
• Behavior management and trauma-informed practices
• Culture in the home and school system

As school districts continue to seek qualified education professionals, Ready, Set, Teach! creates an accessible pathway for individuals interested in making a meaningful impact in local classrooms.

"We're excited to partner with The Ohio State University at Mansfield to bring this opportunity to our community," said Andie Karpiak, Program Director for Mid-Ohio Adult Education. "We're facing a real shortage of teachers, paraprofessionals and substitute teachers, and that directly impacts our students. Every child deserves a quality education, and Ready, Set, Teach! helps remove barriers for people who want to become educators and make a difference in our schools."

The collaborative program combines the strengths of Mid-Ohio Adult Education's workforce and adult learning expertise with OSU Mansfield's commitment to educator preparation, creating a supportive learning environment for participants exploring careers in education.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Mid-Ohio Adult Education on this innovative program," said Ashley Smith, Assistant Coordinator for The Ohio State University at Mansfield Education Department. "By working together, we're creating meaningful educational pathways that connect aspiring educators with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to succeed. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the future educator workforce in our region."

MOESC leaders say Ready, Set, Teach! reflects the organization's commitment to building a strong pipeline of future educators through partnerships that support local schools, students and the region's education workforce.

"Ready, Set, Teach! is the kind of partnership our schools need right now," said Kevin Kimmel, Superintendent of the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center. "We're proud to support a program that helps build a strong pipeline of future educators. By connecting our member districts with individuals pursuing careers as paraprofessionals, substitute teachers and teachers, we're investing in the workforce our schools and students will depend on for years to come."

“Our students—especially those with diverse learning needs—rely heavily on the incredible support paraprofessionals provide every day," said Eric Turlo, Director of Student Services for the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center. "That's why Ready, Set, Teach! is so vital. This collaboration blends Mid-Ohio Adult Education’s dedication to adult learners with the deep educational expertise of OSU Mansfield. It's a true community partnership that ensures our future educators have the heart, knowledge and confidence to fully support classrooms across our region.”

The program is open to aspiring educators, future paraprofessionals, new or current substitute teachers and anyone interested in working in education. Enrollment is free, but seating is limited.

Those interested are encouraged to register as soon as possible by calling 419-521-9001.

Read, Set, Teach! Flyer

Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to 13 school districts and over 20,000 students in Crawford, Morrow and Richland Counties. Client districts receive services from curriculum, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists.

Mansfield, OH (August 20, 2026) – The Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center (MOESC) Board of Governors approved an administrative contract for Jeremy Secrist to serve as the organization's Director of Grants & Special Projects during a special meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026. Mr. Secrist joins Mid-Ohio ESC after serving as Superintendent of Lexington Local Schools, bringing nearly two decades of educational leadership experience.

In his new role, Secrist will provide leadership for Mid-Ohio ESC's Community School sponsorship program, overseeing compliance, accountability, school support and partnerships with sponsored community schools. He will also support the educational programs at Abraxas and F.I.R.S.T. School, the ESC's Private Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) programs, ensuring high-quality educational services for students while maintaining compliance with state and federal requirements.

"Jeremy's experience as a superintendent and educational leader will strengthen our ability to support Community Schools and our specialized educational programs," said Kevin Kimmel, Superintendent of Mid-Ohio ESC. "We are excited to welcome him to our leadership team as we continue expanding services that benefit students and school districts across our region."

Secrist's appointment is part of Mid-Ohio ESC's ongoing organizational efforts to strengthen leadership capacity and enhance services for schools and students throughout the region.

"Over the last several years I have had the opportunity and privilege to witness the high-quality service and support MOESC provides its client districts, due to its amazing and professional personnel,” Secrist said. “I am excited to be a member of that team, to serve, and to grow."

Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to 13 school districts and over 20,000 students in Crawford, Morrow and Richland Counties. Client districts receive services from curriculum, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists.