Marietta City Local School District’s Superintendent Mary Schaeffer speaks with the staff during their first day back on Aug. 18. (File photo)

Marietta City Schools Superintendent Mary Schaeffer said the district’s overall ranking of 3 stars on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s report card is a reason to celebrate and reflect.

Each year, ODEW releases rankings for individual schools and the overall district based on six components. The components include; Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing, Graduation, Early Literacy, and College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness. The reports were released Monday.

“Looking back to last year, Marietta Schools overall score was a 2.5,” said Schaeffer. “So we’re seeing an increase overall of that rating which I think is outstanding and a cause for celebration.”

Schaeffer was hired by the district in April with her contract starting Aug. 1. She attended the Marietta City Schools Board of Education meetings over the summer and has taken the time to dive into the data and establish relationships with staff, students, and the community.

“We noticed with Early Literacy we’ve been more successful in years past, so we take a closer look,” she said. “The report cards are just a snapshot and it gives you the opportunity to pause and reflect.”

The district received 1 star in the Early Literacy component. She said the plan is to develop strategies that will address areas that could use improvement and help the students be successful.

The strategies and plans will come from the conversations between staff, students, and curriculum directors.

“It’s not going to be an overnight success so the most important part for us in the district, as we’re having data-driven conversations, is how much we can get that are snapshots of where the students are now,” said Schaeffer.

The Achievement and Graduation components both improved since last year from 2 to 3 stars.

She said they have district-, building-, and teacher-based leadership teams that will analyze the data and create a comprehensive plan to improve student success.

“I know our teachers work very hard and I’m very proud of them and they really have a heart for our students, and my job as a superintendent is to make sure I’m supporting them,” she said.

Schaeffer recently announced an initiative titled “Coffee & Conversation” which invites staff, students, parents, and community members for an open conversation at a local coffee shop.

From 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the last Tuesday of each month, Schaeffer will be available to answer questions and discuss at Jeremiah’s Coffee House or Stoked Coffee.

The meeting locations will vary each month and will be posted on the district’s website and social media.

“It’s important to me in this first year that I understand and get a good feeling for our community members,” said Schaeffer. “That I listen to their thoughts and what their experiences are so we can form those relationships and have that trust moving forward.”

Coffee & Conversation will give people the opportunity to share their thoughts and ask questions. She said she also wanted to involve local businesses and she enjoys both coffee shops.

The first Coffee & Conversation is scheduled for Sept. 30 at Jeremiah’s Coffee House.