Educational service center to remain

TIFFIN — The North Central Ohio Educational Service Center (NCOESC) has long been a cornerstone of the Tiffin community and recent changes involving the public charter school housed in the same building will not affect the services provided by the educational service center. Since 2011, NCOESC has operated out of the former Kroger building at 928 W. Market St., offering educational resources to school districts, students, and staff across northwest Ohio, explained Brenda Luhring, superintendent of the center. That same year, the local charter school, North Central Academy (NCA), moved into a section of the building adjacent to the educational service center. Although the center served as the sponsor for the school — acting as "an entity deemed knowledgeable to ensure that a community school is compliant" with state guidelines — the two organizations functioned independently. Over time, the charter school experimented with various educational models. Ultimately, Luhring noted, it became clear that the school could not continue on its current trajectory. Meanwhile, Vanguard-Sentinel Career and Technology Centers were facing space constraints at their Fremont location, particularly with the growing AIM program. Superintendent Greg Edinger began exploring new options to support that expansion. According to the Vanguard-Sentinel website, "AIM programs are a great alternative to traditional high school and career tech options as they provide students with assistance and training to ensure they achieve a high school diploma, learn a marketable skill, earn an industry credential, and become a productive member of our local communities." The former charter school facility turned out to be an ideal match for Vanguard-Sentinel's needs, prompting a merger between the two entities. The transition began during the 2024–2025 school year. While the public charter school has since ceased operations, Luhring confirmed that AIM will be fully operational at the site for the 2025–2026 school year under Vanguard-Sentinel's leadership. "The majority of kids and staff are staying," she added. Renovations are underway: the former NCA gym is being converted into a machinery and industrial training area, while two classrooms are being merged to support a healthcare program. Other areas are being adapted for additional AIM offerings. Despite the changes within the building, Luhring emphasized that all other Vanguard-Sentinel locations will continue operating as usual. She also reassured the community that services and programming at the educational service center remain unaffected by the transition. Formed through the consolidation of county boards of education in the early 1900s, NCOESC — like the 50 other Educational Service Centers across Ohio — exists to support schools, students, and staff in meeting the evolving demands of education. According to the Ohio Educational Service Center Association, "The schools and districts that choose to align with a particular ESC are referred to as the ESC's client district." The center currently has 21 member districts and serves approximately 28,000 students, though its services have reached more than 80 districts statewide. With a staff of over 385 professionals, Luhring highlighted the organization's depth of knowledge and commitment: "We advocate hard for school districts," she said. "We offer unique services here." These services include early childhood education, consulting, gifted education, professional development, student and specialized services and technology support, as outlined in the center's marketing materials.