Empowering Young Minds

A Forward Thinking District Dedicated to Student Success

Situated in the vibrant community of Stark County, Ohio, Fairless Local Schools is dedicated to educating and empowering students while preparing them for excellence at every stage of life. Under the leadership of Superintendent Mike Hearn, the district takes a mission-driven approach focused on continuous improvement and innovation.

“My word for 2025 is ‘disruptive.’ That could be taken in a negative way, but I view it through a positive lens,” Hearn explains.

“In order to achieve our mission statement, which is to ‘educate and empower kids to soar to excellence,’ we’re going to have to disrupt some things. Disrupt systems that maybe don’t function as well as they should. Disrupt procedures. Do what we can to try to improve on a daily basis.”

This philosophy is reinforced by the district’s vision to create a community where families want to learn, live, work, and grow. “Everything we do in every decision we make contributes to making this a community people want to be a part of,” he adds.

Early Learning and Literacy Initiatives

Recognizing the importance of early education, Fairless is committed to preparing students before they even enter the school system. This is exemplified through the early adoption of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which provides free books to young children, promoting literacy from an early age.

Additionally, the SPARK program employs a dedicated educator to work directly with families, helping parents develop literacy skills with their young children through play and interactive learning. In collaboration with local pediatric partners, the district ensures that new parents are provided with information on both programs, so they are able to sign up as early as possible.

The district also puts a strong focus on the Science of Reading, starting in preschool. Julie Weyandt, Director of Curriculum and Special Programs expands, “We have been intentional in selecting curricula that align with the science of reading, ensuring our students develop essential early literacy skills, such as phonemic awareness. In addition to training teachers in the science of reading, we are providing them with high-quality, research-based curriculum materials.”  These efforts help establish a strong literacy foundation by the time students enter elementary school, setting them up for long-term academic success.

Embracing Technology

Fairless has made significant strides in integrating technology into classrooms. The district maintains a one-to-one device program for students in grades 3-12, while younger students have access to Chromebook carts when required for enhanced learning.

“We built a new high school and equipped every classroom with Promethean Boards,” explains Weyandt. “All of our teachers have access to consistent technology ensuring they can effectively deliver their curriculum.”

The district has added a Technology Integration Specialist to Fairless’ resources. “We have a teacher who not only teaches CCP math classes but also dedicates a portion of his day to supporting teachers with technology integration—whether it’s assisting with equipment or ensuring access to various curriculum components,” she explains.

When it comes to security in a digital world, School Board Member Justin Henry emphasizes the district’s focus on staying ahead of the curve. “When it comes to AI, the future is uncertain, but it’s clear that the technology will play a significant role in many of our students’ careers. It’s critical that we introduce them to AI responsibly, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to use it ethically and effectively. As a board, our responsibility is to continue developing and implementing policies that support the responsible integration of AI in our schools.” Board member Charlie Snyder echoes the sentiment, adding, “Educating students on the risks and the appropriate behaviors when utilizing technology is critically important.”

The district has taken a proactive stance on AI and cybersecurity, recognizing their growing impact on education. Rather than banning AI tools, Fairless students are  encouraged to use them responsibly, demonstrating how they can enhance research, writing, and problem-solving skills. “For a rural school that’s out in the country, we’re very forward thinking on a lot of things, and I would argue that we are doing a lot of cool stuff with AI because it is a tool that our kids will be using,” remarks Hearn.

Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness

Preparing students for the workforce is another key priority at Fairless. The district’s approach involves offering students exposure to various career fields through field trips, and guest speakers. Hearn highlights how these opportunities for high school students have grown over the past three years, going from only a few field trips annually to more than thirty.

“They’re not just taking every kid, but small groups based on their interests and their skill sets that we get from an aptitude test called You Science,” he explains. “It helps us to identify how many kids we have that are interested in aviation and engineering and all these various types of career fields.”

These experiences range from college visits to manufacturing facilities and everything in between. “That all surrounds the programming they’re doing, where they are looking at student interests and aptitudes and connecting them not just with field trips but with speakers who come out and talk to our kids, as well as career days and career counseling. It’s a major focus of what we are doing,” Hearn says.

This approach is also used at the middle school level where seventh graders participate in the You Science Survey, followed by a one-on-one meeting with educators. “We recognize that not every student will pursue a college degree, but all students should have a clear goal for their future,” Weyandt emphasizes.

“Whether it’s a trade, college, or a career in manufacturing, our role is to help students identify their goals and provide them with experiences beyond the traditional school day to support their path forward.”

Students can also earn associate’s degrees in arts or science through the College Credit Plus (CCP) program, without leaving the high school campus. Those interested in vocational training can attend a Career Tech Academy, while others can pursue trade skills, military paths, or direct workforce entry through tailored high school programs.

Investing in the Future

Fairless has undergone extensive facility upgrades, supported in part by funds from the Rover natural gas pipeline. The district has successfully built new schools, with the most recent being the innovative high school that opened in 2023. Other major investments include a turf athletic field, renovated stadium structures, and ongoing maintenance of buses, roofs, and facilities to ensure long-term sustainability.

“We have a one, three and five year plan to make sure that what we’ve been blessed with from the taxpayers is in good, usable shape and something we can be proud of,” conveys Hearn. “And right now we’re sitting on a state of the art campus.”

As the district moves forward, Superintendent Hearn says the top priorities include completing the strategic plan, achieving a five-star rating from the state, enhancing communication and student engagement, and maintaining a balanced budget. “Fairless has not passed a new levy for new funding since 1996. We have managed to find a way to be fiscally well managed and to not ask our citizens for additional revenue for a very, very long time,” he boasts. “So, every single day, we talk about how we can be frugal with the taxpayer’s dollar, while offering our current students the best opportunities possible.”

Hearn acknowledges that even as a leader, he is on a continuous journey of growth, surrounded by a diverse team that challenges one another to constantly improve. “I absolutely believe in lifelong learning, and I think if you’re in education and you don’t, it’s the wrong business for you,” he imparts.

For Henry, education is about empowering students. “The reason that I’m here is for the kids in the community, to have a voice, to have a say, and to help lead and guide them,” he relays, “I want to make sure that when they walk out of the Fairless Local School District, they have the skills needed to succeed in life.”

Pointing to the Portrait of a Graduate, which outlines five characteristics for students to strive for, Weyandt adds, “Our ultimate goal is to create expert learners—students who have the skill set they need to go out into the world and be successful. They should be academically prepared, resilient, fearless learners, have professional collaboration skills, and be caring citizens.”

“Our ultimate goal in education is to equip students with the skills and qualities they need to succeed, empowering them to reach their full potential.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Fairless Local School District
What: A district focused on student empowerment and preparation for life
Where: Stark County, Ohio
Website: www.fairlesslocalschools.org