Ever wonder who you should reach out to at the school for a certain question? Check out the link below to our website that provides you a graphic of this.

🍂 September Superintendent's Update: A Fantastic First Month!

Dear North Union Families,

It is hard to believe that our first full month of the 2026–2027 school year is already behind us! As the weather begins to cool and we settle into the rhythm of the fall semester, I want to take a moment to reflect on what an incredible start we have had.

From the energy in our classrooms to the roar of the crowds on Friday nights, it is a great time to be a Wildcat. Here are a few updates as we head into October.

🎡 Celebrating Our Students: Fair & Homecoming Success September was a bustling month for our community! I want to extend a massive congratulations to all of our students who participated in the Richwood Independent Fair. Whether you were in the show arenas, presenting 4-H and FFA projects, or displaying your creative arts, your hard work and dedication truly shone through.

We also had a fantastic Homecoming week! Thank you to our community for your flexibility and support with the rerouted Snake Dance Parade. It was wonderful to see so many families lining the new route from the park to the high school to cheer on our students.

🚗 Transportation Loop: Keeping Up the Great Work Thank you for your continued partnership in making our campus arrival and dismissal systems incredibly efficient. Because of your consistency and cooperation, we are still successfully and safely moving nearly 1,400 students across the district in just about 30 minutes every day!

As a quick reminder to keep things flowing smoothly:

Please continue to practice grace and kindness with our staff on duty and your fellow drivers.

Entering the Elementary loop via South Grove Street and exiting via North Grove Street toward Mulvane remains the best way to optimize traffic flow.

Middle School parents (with no elementary riders) can continue utilizing the front of the Middle School for morning drop-offs.

📱 Staying Connected with "Rooms" By now, most of our families have successfully transitioned to using Rooms within the North Union district app. Having all teacher, team, and club communication centralized in one place has been a game-changer for district communication. If you are still experiencing connection issues, please double-check that your phone numbers and email addresses are listed accurately and uniquely for each parent/guardian in FinalForms.

📅 Looking Ahead: October Milestones Keep an eye on the district app for specific details regarding our upcoming events in October:

October 8: P/T Conference Evening

October 12: 2 hour Delay: Wildcat Power Hour 

October 15: End of the First Grading Period

October 16: No School

Thank you for your ongoing support of our students and staff. Have a wonderful weekend!

Proud to be a Wildcat,

Justin Ufferman

Superintendent for North Union Local School District

The latest state report card results are in for North Union Local Schools. While our district overall rating remains at 3.5 stars—and we know we have important work ahead—the data shows clear areas of momentum alongside targeted opportunities for growth.

Where We Showed Strength

5-Star Graduation Rate: Earned the state’s highest rating, reflecting strong student readiness for college, trade school, or the workforce.

4-Star Performance: Both North Union Elementary and High School earned solid 4.0-star overall ratings.

Literacy & Equity Gains: Earned star increases in both Early Literacy and Gap Closing, reflecting our targeted instructional focus.

Where We Are Taking Action We are not content with staying at 3.5 stars, and our middle school rating (2.5 stars) highlights areas that require direct attention. We are actively implementing targeted changes to address student growth:

Middle School Intervention Block: A new daily schedule block providing every middle school student with dedicated academic assistance and skill reinforcement.

Smoother Grade Transitions: Restructured 5th-grade classrooms to help students adapt to switching classes early, alongside a "Level Up" day on May 24th for incoming 6th and 9th graders.

Targeted Accountability: Deeply analyzing building-level data with our leadership team to refine instruction and drive measurable growth.

We hold our district to high standards. While we acknowledge where we fell short of our goals this year, we remain committed to doing the necessary work to support our staff, elevate every building, and serve our students.

If you have not had the opportunity to download our app please do!

NUHS: After a recent inspection it has been determined that the boilers at our HS are beginning to show signs of their age and are beginning to fail and will need to be replaced. With winter approaching and long lead times we anticipate moving forward with this purchase and replacement quickly. This should not interfere with the daily operation of our building.

NUMS: Our MS floor is being repaired following some major issues from a company we previously used. We are now using the company that resurfaced our HS gym over the summer. We are told that the MS floor should be finished in the next week and ready to go for winter athletics.

We are always looking for substitute teachers, drivers, custodians, and kitchen staff. If you know somebody that you think would be a good fit for our district please encourage them to apply at our website!

Current Openings

2 NUES Intervention Specialists

HS Girls Basketball Assistant Coach

HS Wrestling Assistant Coach

JV Cheer Coach for Winter Season

7th Grade Boys Basketball Coach

7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach

Nothing to report at this time.

The North Union Local School District is committed to locating, identifying, and evaluating all children with disabilities from birth through age 21 who reside within our district.

This includes children who are:

→ Enrolled in public or private schools

→ Home-schooled

→ Homeless or highly mobile

→ Wards of the state

If you know a child who shows signs of a developmental delay or disability—including physical, learning, speech, behavioral, or emotional challenges—specialized support may be available under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Please contact our Special Education Department to learn more:

Contact: Deana Adams Director of Student Services

Phone: 740-943-1610

Email: dadams@nu-district.org

The North Union Local School District is pleased to introduce Kristen Grimm, who will be joining us as a NUEA 3th grade teacher for the upcoming 2026–2027 academic year. Please take a moment to read her introduction below and join us in welcoming her to the district.

Hello! My name is Kristen Grimm, and I am so excited to be joining the Wildcat Family as a 3rd Grade teacher!

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Bowling Green State University, where I also met my husband. We have been married for 16 years and are proud parents to two children, Cora and Nolan. I grew up in the Raymond area and am grateful to still call this community home. Growing up in a small, close-knit community has made me especially excited to be part of a school family where relationships and community are so important.

I am beginning my 16th year in education. Before joining North Union, I taught 2nd and 3rd Grade in Toledo and 1st Grade at TRECA Digital Academy. My years in education have taught me that strong relationships are at the heart of learning and that students thrive when they feel known, supported, and encouraged to grow.

The opportunity to teach in my local community has been a dream of mine, and I am incredibly excited to begin this new chapter at North Union. I look forward to getting to know my students and their families and becoming a part of the Wildcat community!

We are thrilled to announce that our Wildcat family is growing! Please join us in giving a warm welcome to one of our new Para Professionals Amanda Midlam who will start with us for the 26-27 school year! See below for more information about Amanda. Welcome to the Family!

Hello! My name is Amanda Midlam, and I am excited to be joining the Wildcat Family as a Teacher's Aide at the elementary school this year.

I earned my Bachelor's degree in Sport Management from Ohio Northern University, where I met my husband. We have been married for 14 years and are proud parents to three children—Kaylee, Luke, and Mason—all of whom attend school in the district.

Before joining the school, I spent several years homeschooling our children and also ran an in-home daycare. Those experiences gave me so much joy and reinforced how much I love helping children learn, grow, and gain confidence. I truly enjoy finding ways to support not only the students but also the staff and our district however I can.

Outside of school, I love being involved in my children's activities and currently coach my daughter's club soccer team. My husband and I both have strong sports backgrounds, so it's no surprise that our family spends a lot of time on the sidelines cheering each other on. When we're not at a game or practice, we enjoy traveling and spending quality time together.

I look forward to getting to know the students, families, and staff even more this year!

Please join us in extending a very warm Wildcat welcome to Russ Hogue! Russ is joining our family as our new High School Assistant Principal. You can learn more about Russ in the brief bio below. We are so excited to have Russ join the family!

My name is Russ Hogue, and I am excited to join North Union High School as the new Assistant Principal. I previously taught Social Studies at Bellefontaine High School. I earned my educational leadership credentials because I wanted to make an even greater impact by helping students succeed both academically and personally while supporting staff in their important work. I believe in being visible, approachable, and working alongside others to create a positive learning environment. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our young son. I also enjoy golfing, traveling, and cheering on Ohio sports teams. I am excited to become part of the North Union community and look forward to a great school year with our students, staff, and families!

Please join us in extending a very warm Wildcat welcome to Jenna Archibald! Jenna is joining us as our high school counselro for the 2026–2027 school year. You can learn more about her in the brief bio below. We are so excited to have her join the family!"

I'm so excited to begin my 13th year as a school counselor at North Union High School! I earned my bachelor's degree from Ohio University and my master's degree from John Carroll University. For the past 12 years, I have worked as a middle school counselor in Marion, and I look forward to bringing that experience to North Union.

When I'm not working with students, I enjoy spending time with my family. My husband and I live in Marysville with our 9-year-old daughter, Mira, and our 7-year-old son, Coen. I serve as a troop leader for my daughter's Girl Scout troop and as the Hospitality Chair for their elementary school's PTO. When we're not at our kids' soccer and baseball games, we love exploring the Metro Parks and spending time outdoors with friends and family.

The North Union Local School District is pleased to introduce Alicia Beery, who will be joining us as a NUEA 4th grade teacher for the upcoming 2026–2027 academic year. Please take a moment to read her introduction below and join us in welcoming her to the district.

Hello! My name is Alicia (Price) Beery. I am a 2010 North Union graduate. I have been married to my husband, Cody (who is also an NU grad) for going on 12 years. Together we have three boys aged 10, 7, and 5. As you can imagine, they keep us plenty busy. They are active in many different sports, 4H, and also love to camp and fish when we can. I also coach the 2nd/3rd grade NU cross country team. 

It has always been a dream of mine to not only teach, but to teach at North Union. I am so thankful for the opportunity to come back to NU this year as a 4th grade teacher. I cannot wait to get to know my students and help them grow both academically and socially. It is a true honor to be a part of this wonderful Wildcat family! 

We have a new smiling face joining our classrooms next year! We are so excited to welcome Will Eversole as an elementary Intervention Specialist for the 26-27 school year. We know our students are going to love working with him. Check out his bio below to learn more.

My name is Will Eversole. I moved to Marysville with my Fiancé this summer from Maumee Ohio where I was a k-3 Intervention Specialist for 3 1/2 years. I was also a high school baseball coach at Maumee for 3 years. I started my college career at Urbana University in 2019-2020 where I played baseball, and transferred to Bowling Green State University when Urbana shut down. I am originally from Versailles, Ohio, and I am very excited to start my career here at North Union! 

Let’s give a huge Wildcat welcome to another new member of our staff, Kasey Carstensen! 🐾 Kasey is coming on board as an Intervention Specialist for the 2026–2027 school year, and we couldn’t be more excited. Read below to get to know her. Welcome to North Union, Kasey!

Hello, I’m Kasey! I was a paraprofessional for two years before deciding to enter the field of Special Education as an Intervention Specialist. I love to hike, read, and birdwatch in my free time. 

Welcome to the Wildcat family, Stephanie Cade! 🐾 We are thrilled to have Stephanie joining our team as a NUMS Science teacher. Keep reading below to learn a little more about her!

I am a dedicated middle school Math and Science teacher who loves helping students feel confident and capable in the classroom.  I recently finished my eighth year of teaching.  I focus on building strong relationships, creating engaging lessons, and supporting a wide range of learners. 

I am very excited to join the Wildcat Family this school year!  I will be teaching 6th grade science, and I bring seven years of experience teaching this grade level.  I can't wait to begin this new adventure at North Union and get to know my students! 

A big Wildcat welcome to Chelsea Furer! 🐾 We’re thrilled she's joining the team as our new NUMS Custodian. Scroll down to get to know her better!

My name is Chelsea Furer. I have 4 kiddos who are my whole world. I have over 3 years experience as a Custodian (ONU, Kenton City Schools and Benjamin Logan Schools) and I take great pride in what I do. I love coffee, the ocean and crystals. I am so excited to be here and to be a Wildcat! 

Let’s give a huge Wildcat shoutout to Isabella Barns! 🐾 Isabella is officially joining our staff as a NUES Para Professional, and we couldn't be happier to have her on board. Check out the details below to learn all about our newest team member!

My name is Isabella Barnes. I am new to the Wildcat family this year as a paraprofessional and the JV cheerleading coach. My background is in psychology & behavioral health but I have always found myself drawn towards education so I’m excited to finally be taking that step! My boyfriend and I have 2 boys together, one of which is also joining North Union this year as a kindergartener.

I like spending time outdoors, being with my family and watching documentaries! 

I’m looking forward to a great school year and getting to know everyone. (: 

We’ve got a new face in the building! 🎉 Please join us in welcoming McKenzi Clark, our brand-new NUES Title Teacher. We are so lucky to add her to the Wildcat family. Keep scrolling to get to know McKenzi! 🐾

Hello:) My name is McKenzi Clark and I am so excited to join the Title I Reading Team at North Union Elementary School! I graduated from Otterbein University with a Bachelor of Science in Primary Education. (PK-5th grade) For the last four years, I worked as an Instructional Facilitator for Buckeye Valley Local Schools. I collaborated with Kindergarten-5th grade teachers and staff including the school counselor and school resource officer to teach the fifth special offered called Leadership Lab. 

Outside of teaching, I love to spend time with my family, read a good thriller book, and listen to all kinds of music. My husband Cole and I have two children (Ellie and Hudson) and a German Shepherd pup named Luna. I am looking forward to meeting and working with the staff here at North Union, the students and their families. Here's to a great year ahead! 

We’ve got a new face in the building! 🎉 Please join us in welcoming Candace Craycraft, NUES Paraprofessional . We are so lucky to add her to the Wildcat family. Keep scrolling to get to know Candace! 🐾

Hi! My name is Candace Craycraft. I’m excited to be joining the Wildcat family and bringing 10 years of experience with me. I have worked 7 years at Pleasant Elementary and 3 years for the NCOESC. 

My husband and I live in Prospect, we have 2 children, a son in law and 3 grandkids. I enjoy spending time watching my son play sports, spoiling the 3 littles and being outside as much as possible. 

Welcome back to the Wildcat family, Alumnist Malissa Ledley! 🐾 We are thrilled to have Malissa joining our team as a NUHS Paraprofessional. Keep reading below to learn a little more about her!

I graduated from North Union High School in 2011 before attending Hocking College, graduating with a degree in Wildlife Mangement. After college, I moved and worked around Ohio before returning home to Ricwood a couple years ago. My family, my animals, friends, and spooky season are some of the things I love most. I am excited to be a Wildcat again!

We are excited to resurrect the tradition of the #NUpride awards. These awards are presented to staff or community members who exemplify our mission and vision statement. They Prepare, Challenge, and Empower our schools and district. They are champions for kids and commit their time energy and effort in our community. Please click on the link below if you would like to nominate someone for February's #NUPride Award. Details are in the Google Form.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at North Union! We are currently shifting our mindset from Committees to Teams.

At North Union, "Teams" fit our culture. While committees often focus on representing personal views and making recommendations, our Teams collaborate to solve problems, set goals, and take action for the common good of all students.

By signing up, you help us create a roster of engaged partners we can call upon when specific needs arise. We understand how busy life is, so we work hard to ensure our team schedules respect your work/life balance.

Our Collaborative Teams

Business Advisory Team (BAT): Partner with local businesses to discuss district programming and workforce desires from our local economy.

Calendar Team: Collaborate with staff and community members to develop future school calendars for Board of Education (BOE) approval.

Curriculum Team: Review and help determine future school curriculum to ensure our students are prepared for a changing world.

Facilities Team: Help evaluate and determine future facility decisions and infrastructure needs.

Safety Team: Work alongside staff and first responders to evaluate and enhance safety considerations for our entire district.

Strategic Planning Team: Evaluate our current trajectory and help develop the future long-term strategic plan for North Union.

Administrative Interview Team: Assist in the hiring process for new building and district-level leadership.

Ready to join?

Thank you for working together to empower our students with purpose and confidence!

We value all students and their well being. If there are issues that are occurring at school where you suspect potential harassment/bullying or concern for a students welfare there is a system to process this. Please report this to our Public Works system.

The online reporting system and the 1-866-listen2me phone system are for staff, students and parents to report concerns which may affect the peace of mind of students or jeopardize the safety of people or school facilities. Concerns may include, but are not limited to, bullying, abuse, bomb threats, cyber crimes, discrimination, drugs, health concerns, suspicious behavior, vandalism, fighting, & weapons. Helpline information helps us maintain school environments that are safe and conducive for learning.

The ability to report Bullying and Harassment can be found on our website at the top right corner indicated by the blue hand (see graphic above).

Once a student, parent, or staff member reports an issue it goes directly to the principal of the building for investigation.

Administration will coordinate the appropriate investigation and communicate findings and outcomes to those involved.

Administration will document the investigation and outcome in Public School Works.

Want to become a volunteer for North Union Local Schools? We encourage our community to get involved with volunteer opportunities with our students, in our buildings. We also believe it is important to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community members. This is why we require all volunteers to be BCI checked. There is a processing fee involved with these checks at the expense of the volunteer. BCI checks to volunteer in our district are conducted at our Board office in Essex. Steps to volunteer:

1. Meet with the building administration to determine functions you wish to volunteer with.

2. Schedule for your BCI check below.

3. Become Board Approved.

4. Once these steps are complete you are ready to go!

DISCLAIMER: All flagged BCI and/or FBI reports are reviewed by the superintendent. Volunteer approval for any parent, regardless of the time of the offense, is determined at the discretion of the superintendent, the Board of Education, and applicable laws. Additionally, the superintendent and board reserve the right to revoke or deny volunteer status as deemed necessary. Please note that all BCI and FBI fees are non-refundable.

* All fieldtrip volunteers must complete their BCI/FBI checks prior to March 1 of the current school year. Any volunteers who apply for their BCI/FBI check after that date will be approved in June for the following school year. (ex. In order to be a volunteer for a fieldtrip in May, you must have your BCI/FBI check completed before March 1. This ensures enough time for the checks to come back and Board approval.)

Should you have any questions please reach out to the appropriate building administration. We look forward in working with you!

North Union Local School District

Location: North Union Local School District, 1290 OH-739 Richwood, Ohio 43344

Phone: (740) 943-2509