Jeffrey Leikin, School Board Member 2013-2025

SAFETY. Over my years on the Orange School Board safety has been one of my priorities. I initiated and advanced the concept of having two school security officers on campus at all time the school is open. This concept became a reality with the support of my fellow board members a few years ago. Additionally, I initiated and advanced, with the support of my fellow board members, the addition of double-door entries at Moreland Hills Elementary, Brady Middle School and Orange High School. The new school entrances were completed with the recent high school renovations. I have also supported the upgrade and additions to our video surveillance on campus and the use of multiple safety measures to make our kids safe in the event of any type of emergency. 

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ACADEMICS. In the past few years I have supported our Superintendent's implementation of a new strategic plan for our schools which today forms the basis to our Board Goals and Strategies. I have also supported the Superintendent's initiative of bringing to Orange Schools a new academic framework from Marzano Resources. This framework is a set of research based standards for us to follow to improve on academic success and increase collaboration among our educators. Orange is the first district in Ohio to adopt the Marzano standards. All of this supports my overall vision of creating a rigorous curriculum that challenges our students beyond their expected limits.

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THE ARTS. I have continually worked to support our various school bands, choirs, and OCER's performing Stagecrafters. These programs continue to promote our students' talent. These programs continue to bring home individual and group awards locally, regionally and state-wide.  In support of our Arts programing, I have a vision of creating a Joint Performing Arts Center that would be a part of our current Arts and Senior centers. This center would offer better and additional facilities for these programs. My vision includes providing our performers with the facilities they deserve to enhance their talents and grow our Arts Programming beyond the current limits. This will of course take creative funding and public assistance. However, I believe the Orange School District Center for Performing Arts can be a reality and will benefit the schools as well as the Community.

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ATHLETICS.  I believe the way to improve our student sports programing starts when the students are young and in their pre-high school years. Prior to coming to the Board, I set the stage for a merger between Orange Youth Sports and Orange Community Education and Recreation. This merger was completed after I joined the Board and had urged the formation of a Board Sports Committee to review the prospects of improving the Districts youth sports with OCER's involvement. This merger has successfully improved the competitiveness and participation of our younger athletes. I am also currently supporting efforts by members of the Orange Boosters in now looking at youth travel sports and how OCER might be able to facilitate more competitive teams and even greater participation. These efforts have resulted in the development of a new initiative at OCER to look at our youth travel sports and develop a process to get more kids involved in travel sports and increase its competitiveness. Ultimately, these efforts will enhance the success of Orange athletes and our sports programming. Early returns are encouraging. 

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