Category: News

Alumni Spotlight – Ben Gettinger

There are two things Ben Gettinger credits for his success today from his time at Hilliard Schools. First, being part of the lacrosse team, which he said helped him grow and mature as a human, and second, being a staff member of the school newspaper.

“Working on the school paper helped me build leadership skills and gain visibility to other people within the school,” he said. 

A 1997 graduate of Davidson High School, Gettinger earned a degree in MIS and marketing from Miami University before heading off to the Windy City. Today, he lives in Denver, Colorado, with his family, where he works in business development for Accenture, a leading global professional services company that helps businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core.  

He is thankful to have gotten his educational foundation in what he calls a “great community with a lot of caring individuals.”

Alumni Spotlight – Jared Gettinger

Jared Gettinger is a 2001 graduate of Hilliard Davidson High School. Upon graduating, he attended Miami University where he received a bachelor’s in Management Information Systems. After spending a brief period back in Columbus, he relocated to Chicago to start his career. 

Today he is the Vice President, Commercial Strategy and Growth Americas Region for LenelS2, a global leader in advanced security solutions. In his role at LenelS2, Jared focuses on business development, new customer acquisition and technology partnerships. 

Jared attributes his current success to the invaluable experience of being a part of a community like Hilliard. Reflecting on his time at Hilliard Schools, he cherishes the formation of strong friendships. Participation in various athletic teams played a pivotal role in cultivating a profound sense of teamwork and imparting leadership skills that contribute to his success today.

Jared continues to reside in Chicago with his wife, daughter, son and dog.  The family enjoys spending time together, engaging in activities such as biking and swimming in Lake Michigan. 

If you have alumni you would like to see spotlighted, click here to send us an email!

Hilliard City School District has been honored with the Meritorious Budget Award for excellence in the preparation and issuance of our budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year! This award, presented by ASBO International, recognizes our commitment to transparency, accuracy, and high standards in financial planning.

We are incredibly proud of our team for their hard work and dedication to upholding the best practices in school budgeting.

To view our certificate presented by ASBO International, click below.

ASBO Meritorious Budget Award Certificate

On August 19, Hilliard Schools, the City of Hilliard Division of Police, and the Norwich Township Fire Department will conduct an all-day safety training exercise at Bradley High School and Memorial Middle School. This training will focus on the reunification of students and parents after a major incident.

All Hilliard School staff will participate in this massive, live-action training to ensure authenticity. You will see many police and fire vehicles and personnel in the area, as their staff will also participate in the training. Please note that no one other than staff will be allowed on the Bradley and Memorial campuses during this time. There will be no students involved, nor will any sporting or extracurricular events take place.

We are grateful for our strong relationship with the City of Hilliard Division of Police and the Norwich Township Fire Department, and we appreciate your understanding and support in this matter. The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority, and your support is crucial in ensuring the success of this training. Thank you for being a part of our community’s commitment to safety.

From Student to Staff: Janelle Hartsook-Tumeo’s Everlasting Connection to Hilliard Schools

Janelle Hartsook-Tumeo takes the word dedication to a whole new level when it comes to Hilliard City Schools. A 1989 graduate of Hilliard High School (back when there was only one), she attended college and worked for a stint at Red Roof Inn corporate office upon graduating. 

Then, in 1998, she returned to her alma mater as the secretary for Transportation Services, a position she continues to hold today. She joked that her goal was to be the longest-running secretary for the department. Well, she surpassed that goal about 16 years ago! 

Her initial dream was to become a teacher so this role is a win-win. 

“I’m still connected to our kids and get to help them and give back to them, but not 1-on-1,” she said. “Hilliard is a great place to work because of the people, from administrators to teachers to bus drivers and aides.”

Clearly, her love for Hilliard City Schools runs deep. Decades deep, in fact. Her daughters have either attended Hilliard Schools or still are; her aunt and uncle were longtime teachers and coaches in the district; her siblings and nieces all attended Hilliard Schools; and she served as an Upward cheer coach for 10 years and band/color guard mom for Davidson High School for eight years. 

She said, “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat!”

Summer Parent/Guardian To-do List

As our technology team works through summer operations, know that your students’ grades will roll over to the new level or school in early July.  You will automatically be enrolled in the new school email distribution at that time.  In the meantime, if you have any questions, check out the new school’s web page for all the back-to-school information you might need.

You can also work ahead for the fall and take a few minutes to update the following items as soon as possible:

1. In Home Access Center :
   1. Update your student’s Enrollment/Registration Information – Be sure we have your updated contact information in Home Access Center.  It is especially important we have an accurate MAIN/PRIMARY phone number listed as well as an email address.  These pieces of contact information are used by the district and your child’s school building for emergency and important notification messages.
   2. Sign-off on Student Handbook and iPad Loan Agreement
   3. Submit a Change of Address request form as soon as possible if you have moved.

Click here for quick reference to update the above items.

2. View and pay for the Technology Protection Plan (TPP)
   1. View the Technology Protection Plan
   2. To enroll/purchase, go to: https://MyPaymentsPlus.com

Brian Perry graduated from Hilliard Darby High School in 2011. But since 2020, he’s seen the district through a different lens: from a seat at the Board of Education table. 

After graduating high school with honors and a lengthy list of other accolades, from All Ohio scholar athlete to class president and Panther Ambassador to choir section leader and holding numerous roles in the theater program, Brian attended Capital University where he earned a bachelor’s in political science. During his freshman year — at the ripe age of 18 — he ran for the Hilliard City Schools Board of Education for the first time. Despite receiving a no vote, he returned to the ballot at 22. Again, the votes didn’t fall in his favor, but he was determined to share his perspective and give back to the community that had given him so much. 

“I have a more recent perspective having just graduated in 2011, and my dad was a teacher, so I’ve been around education most of my life,” he said.   

He studied abroad in Scotland in 2014, then enrolled in law school in 2015, also at Capital University, and his third time running was the charm. He was elected in November of 2019 and officially sworn in in January of 2020.  

Today, he works as a labor and employment attorney for a Hilliard law firm, and is grateful for not only how much he has learned in his time on the board but also what he’s been able to contribute.

Brian credits his success to his educational journey and the opportunities he had while a student at Hilliard. He said he was taught by several great teachers, who were in turn supported by phenomenal administrators.

“They taught me self-reliance, how to think critically, and how to apply state standards to real life. I also learned soft skills that have served me well in my career as there are often grey areas in the law,” he said. 

Some of the teachers and coaches that stand out the most for Brian include Coach Fethers, who taught him the importance of a strong work ethic, Richard Chute, who has served as a mentor for the past several years, Amy Messick, who sparked his love for government and the legal system, and Kristi Stewart, his English teacher who also inspired his love of theater. 

If you have alumni you would like to see spotlighted, click here to send us an email!