GCSSA September In-Service Events Help Engage and Inform
Regional leaders gain timely insights on retirement system updates and strategies to expand career pathways for Ohio’s students.
This September, GCSSA offered two in-service sessions designed to inform, engage, and support district leaders and educators in Northeast Ohio.
On September 2, more than 40 attendees gathered at Summit County ESC for an update from Steven Toole, the newly appointed Executive Director of the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS). Toole provided his first regional briefing since stepping into the role, addressing how current and upcoming STRS policies may affect district personnel costs, employee retirement benefits, and long-term financial planning. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions, gain clarity on how STRS operates, and better understand the implications for both district budgets and individual retirement security.
On September 9, nearly 100 participants came together at the ESC of Northeast Ohio for “Strengthening Career Development for the Northeast Ohio Workforce,” a session held in collaboration with the ESC of Northeast Ohio. Attendees included GCSSA members, representatives from the Northeast Ohio Business Advisory Council, the BAC Steering Committee, the Adult Education Providers Network Steering Committee, and Adult Education Providers Network members; as well as other regional partners, community members, and agencies.
Led by Jeremy Varner, Deputy Director of Career-Technical Education and Workforce at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, the session underscored, from Varner’s perspective, the urgent need for stronger career pathways to prepare Ohio students for the evolving labor market.
From Varner’s viewpoint, limited access to career-technical education (CTE)—with only one in five Ohio students currently participating—remains a significant challenge, alongside persistent inequities across districts. He stressed the importance of expanding Career Connected Learning opportunities, introducing middle school initiatives for career exploration, and leveraging labor market data to shape robust, forward-looking career planning. Varner also highlighted ongoing policy efforts to close participation gaps and ensure CTE is accessible to all students, viewing these as critical to the long-term success of career centers and programs statewide.
“Only one in five Ohio students currently participate in career-technical education — a rate not sustainable for the state’s economic growth.”
Jeremy Varner, Deputy Director of Career-Technical Education and Workforce
Together, these September sessions gave participants timely insights on two critical fronts: the financial systems shaping the education profession and the career readiness strategies needed to equip Ohio’s students for the global workforce.
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