Since 2022, the current school board has:

Transparency

Eliminated public committees against board policy
Appointed “representatives” who meet privately with school administrators to discuss school affairs
Changed board policy AFTER violating it to make their actions compliant
Delayed responding to public record requests for months only to return a rejection

Academics

Neglected academics, allowing student achievement test scores to fall
Marlington’s overall ranking has fallen to 10th of Stark County’s 17 districts, now in the bottom half
Over HALF of 6th grade students are NOT proficient in English or Math. More than 1 in 3 are NOT proficient in other subjects in other grades

Staff Confidence

Within 8 months of Ryan, Humphries, and Krupko taking their seats in January 2022, the superintendent, treasurer, and head football coach resigned, and 27 teachers LEFT the district, the highest ever for Marlington. The superintendent told the media the current school board members were his reason for leaving.

Conflicts of Interest

Both Mark Ryan and Cathy Krupko, along with the superintendent have family members working for the school district, seriously compromising their ability to make certain decisions

Finances

Maintained a six-digit DEFICIT every year, overspending by $882,000 in 2025
Decreased district savings by $1.7 million
District will have a $1.6 million DEFICIT by July 2026 with savings projected to be DEPLETED by 2029
State audit issued findings against the superintendent and treasurer for “public money illegally expended.”