EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a series looking at what Lake County communities, agencies and school districts experienced in 2025 and what is facing them in 2026. For Madison Schools, Superintendent Daniel Rambler said 2025 was a year when the district strengthened its commitment to student succes s, fiscal responsibility and community partnership. Rambler provided a summary of the district’s major accomplishments last year and highest priorities for 2026. Key achievements in 2025 included: • Academic growth — Madison Schools updated curriculum, expanded interventions and increased career-connected learning opportunities. Attaining these goals led to measurable gains in student engagement, early literacy and college-and-career readiness, Rambler said. Madison High School hosted a program in which students got to learn about careers in nuclear energy. The school welcomed Jessica Schafer, structural design engineer, and Jacob Mikulcic, plant support engineer from Vistra Corp., which owns the Perry Nuclear Power Plant in North Perry Village. “Jessica and Jacob are active members of the North American Young Generation in Nuclear, an organization dedicated to promoting careers in the nuclear energy industry,” Rambler said. “They shared insights into engineering careers, workplace expectations and pathways into the energy industry.” In a separate initiative, Ron Tomasch and John Kolat from Lake Erie Woodturners visited Madison High School to demonstrate advanced woodturning techniques using the school’s wood lathe. Students observed professional craftsmanship and learned how artistic design and technical skill intersect in manufacturing and skilled trades. “This experience directly supported the Manufacturing Technology with Wood program, which offers a four-level curriculum and hands-on projects aligned with career pathways,” Rambler said. • Community Collaboration — The district expanded partnerships with local agencies, organizations and businesses, enhancing volunteer opportunities, student supports and career pathways. Madison Service Learning partnered with Small Creek Animal Sanctuary in Chardon Township for a hands-on field experience. MSL students brought the sanctuary owners an owl nesting box and a bluebird house, and learned about animal care and habitat needs. In addition, students assisted with site improvements, including building a gravel path, moving hay bales and seeding grass. “This partnership supports environmental stewardship, community service and experiential learning, with plans to continue collaboration,” Rambler said. Community partnerships also are playing a pivotal role in the district’s plans to develop a new student hub at Madison High School. In 2025, Vistra Corp. announced that it would be awarding a Community Giving Grant to Madison Schools to transform the high school’s former Cyber Cafe into a student hub. Planning will take place in 2026 to create all of the hub’s different elements. It’s anticipated that the hub will include a student-run coffee shop; a food pantry that the high school already operates in collaboration with Momentous Empowerment; in-school banking services, which are now provided by Theory Financial Credit Union; clothing and hygiene products that are offered through the Madison Service Learning program’s Care Closet; and large-group instructional space. Crossroads Health also received a grant and entered into a partnership with the district to create an in-school wellness clinic in the new student hub. That project is in its preliminary phase. • Staff engagement — Madison Schools implemented leadership development, structured communication and collaboration protocols, to foster a culture of trust, professionalism and shared responsibility, Rambler said. • Teamwork and resilience — Across classrooms and departments, the district demonstrated consistent collaboration and focus on sustainable improvement, Rambler said. Madison Schools’ top priorities for 2026 include: • Strategic budget reductions and fiscal stability — The district will implement a multiphase plan to address the projected deficit while preserving high-quality programs. “Staff, families and the board will be involved in a transparent process, with reductions approved by early 2026 and implemented for the 2026–2027 school year,” Rambler said. • Student achievement and whole-child support — Madison Schools intends to strengthen early literacy, expand intervention systems, and increase mental health and behavioral supports. The district will align curriculum, instruction and assessment to improve outcomes for all learners. • Facilities, safety and long-term planning — The district remains focused on advancing facilities planning, safety and long-term operational sustainability, Rambler said. Facilities planning efforts include prioritizing critical maintenance projects and evaluating long-term building needs to ensure safe, functional and modern learning environments. In transportation planning, the district plans on focusing on efficiency, fleet reliability and student safety through route optimization and long-term vehicle replacement planning. Technology improvements will include supporting instruction, operations and security, including maintaining reliable systems that support learning and safety across the district. School safety systems They continue to be reviewed and strengthened to ensure secure environments for students and staff. “These efforts are part of a comprehensive approach to ensure Madison Schools are prepared to meet both current needs and future challenges,” Rambler said. • Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports — All five district schools are implementing PBIS with consistency to achieve the desired positive outcomes. “The most recent state reporting shows that the pre-kindergarten, North Elementary School, South Elementary School and Madison Middle School have been recognized as (PBIS) Silver schools, meaning they are implementing Tier 1 and Tier 2 with excellence,” Rambler said. “Madison High School has achieved Bronze status, implementing Tier 1 with excellence.” A large audience turned out on Dec. 11 for the Madison High School Band and Choir Holiday Concert in the school's gym. (Courtesy of Madison Schools) • Community communication and engagement — The district intends to enhance trust and transparency with families and community partners through refined communication, accessible information and expanded stakeholder involvement. “Entering 2026, Madison Schools builds on a year of academic progress, operational improvements and community collaboration,” Rambler said. “By focusing on fiscal stability, student success and strong partnerships, the district is committed to a vibrant future for all Madison students.” ...read more read less