Superintendent's Message

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Superintendent's Message

Superintendent

The students of Columbia Local Schools continue to achieve at the highest of levels. A great staff and community are the reasons for our success. This is what makes CLSD one of the best school districts in the State of Ohio. We are proud of the accomplishments of OUR students, staff and community. Thank you for being so supportive!

I am proud to be a Raider and I hope that you share the same vision. Raider Nation is a great place to be! I always welcome your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to email me at [email protected] or by calling me at (440) 236-5008. Let's have another fantastic school year! 
Archived News

Rural Urban Article - March 17, 2025

Tell us what YOU think! We have launched a community survey to gather feedback from the entire community of Columbia Township. We want to hear from everyone including families, residents, students and business owners. If you are part of the Columbia community, we want to hear your thoughts and opinions as it relates to our school district. This survey covers a variety of topics ranging from academics to facilities. Feedback provided through this survey will be used to guide future decisions and help determine future plans for the district. Folks can find the survey on our district website under “news” or by scanning the QR code below with your smartphone camera. 

 

This month we launched the Raider Report, a new monthly e-newsletter emailed out to all families. The Raider Report features district news, a new video series spotlighting Raider Nation and updates and activities from across the district. This is also available on the “news” page of our website.

 

For more information, please visit www.clsdraiders.org  You can also reach out to the district via email at [email protected].

 

GO RAIDERS!

Graig Bansek

Superintendent 

Columbia Local Schools

Rural Urban Article - February 10, 2025

CLSD is now on Facebook!  Be sure to follow Columbia Local Schools at @CLSDRaiders.  We plan to share district news, classroom activities, job postings and video content on this page.   
 
The district will be sending out a survey for all families and residents in Columbia Township in the near future.  We want to hear from our community on a variety of topics related to academics, the district’s facilities, enrollment growth, potential bond issue, and more.  This survey will be shared out via email, our district website, and new Facebook page.  Please look for this survey and take the time to provide feedback.  Your feedback will help guide decisions on these topics and help determine future plans for the district. 
 
Our winter sports season is nearing the end.  Best of luck to all of our teams, coaches, and cheerleaders as they begin the tourney trail.  Our teams have had a lot of success this year, specifically on the wrestling mat.  Our middle school wrestling team is once again Lorain County League (LC8) Conference Champions.  This is the third year in a row for our middle school wrestling team.  In addition, our high school boys wrestling team is also LC8 Conference Champions.  Congrats to both teams and coaches!  
 
Our Athletic Hall of Fame Inductions took place on January 24th.  This year's inductees were Jason Ward, Columbia Head Football Coach 2006-2023, and the 2013 State Runner Up Softball Team.  Congratulations and thank you for paving the way for our student athletes!  More information about these two inductees can be found on the district website under “news”.
 
For more information, please visit www.clsdraiders.org  You can also reach out to the district via email at [email protected].
 
GO RAIDERS!
Graig Bansek
Superintendent 
Columbia Local Schools

Rural Urban Record - December 16, 2024

I would like to wish all of our Raider Community a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year!  Whatever you celebrate, enjoy your time with family and friends!  Relax, be safe and enjoy your time off of work and school.   Our winter break will start on December 21 and run through January 5.  School will resume on Monday, January 6, 2025.

CLSD’s next edition of the Raider Reflections is an insert in this week’s Rural Urban Record.   Please take a moment to read the highlights of the first three months of the school year.  There are also important announcements.  We hope that you find this information useful.  As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to reach out to me.

Winter sports and activities are full go.  We welcome you to attend the many activities at our buildings.  Best of luck to all of our students, student athletes, advisors and coaches!  For a full list of activities, go to our website at clsdraiders.org
Go Raiders!

Graig Bansek
Superintendent 

Rural Urban Record - October 21, 2024

Citizens for Schools will host a community meeting to learn more about the Bond Issue for additions and renovations to our buildings on Thursday, October 24th at 6:00 pm at CHS in the gymnasium.  Please stop in and learn about the project and have your questions answered.  If you are interested in a yard sign, please stop by one of the district buildings and grab one.  We are approaching 300 signs throughout the community.  This is the most we have ever placed in yards in my 16 years as superintendent.  I THANK YOU for your support of CLSD!

On November 5th, CLSD will have a 2-mill RENEWAL PI levy, Issue #18, and a 4.88 Bond Issue, Issue #17, on the ballot.  To provide you with as much information as possible, I will highlight a different aspect of the bond issue in my articles, until the election.   This week, I will share how the district arrived at the millage for the bond issue.
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Rural Urban Record - September 23, 2024

We welcome our community and alumni back to CHS for Homecoming 2024.  It will take place on Friday, October 4th.  The announcement of the court will begin at 6:30 pm.  The game will start at 7:00 pm vs. the Wellington Dukes.  The Homecoming dance is at 7:30 on Saturday, October 5th.   We would love to have you in attendance at the game to see our team, the mighty Raider Marching Band/Flag Corps, and Cheerleaders!  Go Raiders!!!!

There will be two upcoming events to learn more about the Bond Issue for additions and renovations to our buildings.  Sunday, September 29th at 1:00 pm at CHS in the gymnasium and Thursday, October 24th at 6:00 pm at CHS in the gymnasium.  Please stop in and learn about the project and have your questions answered.

On November 5th, CLSD will have a 2-mill RENEWAL PI levy, Issue #18, and a 4.88 Bond Issue, Issue #17, on the ballot.  To provide you with as much information as possible, I will highlight a different aspect of the bond issue in my articles, until the election.   This week, I will list the financing portion of the levy:
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Rural Urban Record, September 9, 2024

It has been a great start to the school year!  I want to thank our staff, students and parents for working together to provide the best experience possible for our young learners.  

Columbia High School is proud to announce a special Military Recognition Night during the football game on September 13, 2024.  The event, which will take place at Columbia High School’s Southwest General Stadium, aims to honor and celebrate the service and sacrifices of local military veterans and active-duty service members.  Starting at 6:30 pm, the evening will kick off with a pre-game ceremony featuring a color guard presentation, a moment of silence, and a special tribute to veterans in attendance.  The game, which sees Columbia High School's football team go head-to-head against Firelands, will begin at 7:00 pm. Veterans and active-duty personnel will be recognized throughout the game with special acknowledgments and commemorative gifts.

There will be two upcoming events to learn more about the Bond Issue for additions and renovations to our buildings.  Sunday, September 29th at 1:00 pm at CHS in the gymnasium and Thursday, October 24th at 6:00 pm at CHS in the gymnasium.  Please stop in and learn about the project and have your questions answered.  

On November 5th, CLSD will have a 2-mill RENEWAL PI levy, Issue #18, and a 4.88 Bond Issue, Issue #17, on the ballot.  To provide you with as much information as possible, I will highlight a different aspect of the bond issue in my articles, until the election.   This week, I will list the educational benefits of the new and renovated buildings: 
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Rural Urban Record August 26, 2024

Each year, CLSD provides our school community with a District Profile.  This profile is a snapshot of what took place during the 23/24 school year.  It includes:   financials, accomplishments, building information, arts and athletic accomplishments, plus a whole lot more.  If you are interested in what we do, all of the information is here for your viewing.  It is available on our website.  Click on “Our District” and then on the left side click District Profile.     

As the school years begins, I ask that our community pays special attention to our buses.   Please do not tailgate, make sure that you are stopping for the reds on all roads and be aware of our students at all times.  Some of our buses are now equipped with cameras, where it records all vehicles that drive past our stopped buses.  If you decide to put our students or drivers in danger or at risk, we will involve the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department.  We appreciate your attention to this important matter.
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Rural Urban Record August 12, 2024

The 2024-2025 school year is right around the corner.  The first day of school for grades 1-12 is on Wednesday, August 28th.  First day of preschool and kindergarten is on September 5th.  We can’t wait to see everyone’s bright and shiny smiles!

Columbia Local Schools will have two issues on the November 5th ballot.  The first is a RENEWAL Permanent Improvement levy, for 2 mills.  This was passed in 2010 and has been renewed every five years since.  The second ballot issue is for a 4.88 bond levy.  This bond includes upgrades and renovations to all CLSD Buildings making it a safer environment for students, staff and the community.  These upgrades will also allow for larger fine arts and athletic facilities.  More information can be found on our website at clsdraiders.org  We will be hosting a community meeting providing more information on these issues, on Wednesday, August 14th at Columbia High School at 7:00 pm.  We would love for you to be in attendance to hear the exciting news about this project. 
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Contact

Graig Bansek, Superintendent
Columbia Local School District
Administration Center
25796 Royalton Road
Columbia Station, Ohio 44028
Phone:  (440) 236-5008
FAX:  (440) 236-8817
 
Patricia Cieslak
Executive Secretary to the Superintendent
Administration Center
25796 Royalton Road
Columbia Station, Ohio 44028
Phone:  (440) 236-1213
FAX:  (440) 236-8817
 
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