Family Community and Partner Connection Issue #2, October 2026

For Andy and Kari, Canton City Schools is more than a school district. It’s where they grew up, built friendships, raised their family and built their careers.

The couple met in high school and married in 2005. Both are Canton natives with ties to CCSD. Andy attended Summit and Lehman before graduating from Timken. After working for The Timken Company, he returned to CCSD in 2013. He has worked in several district buildings and now serves in the district warehouse. He also serves as president of the local union representing custodial, maintenance and transportation support staff.

Kari attended Clarendon before spending middle school out of town and returning to Canton for high school, where she graduated from Timken. She joined CCSD in 2015 and has worked in preschool special education since 2018, a role she says she loves. She also serves as secretary of OAPSE Local 161 and OAPSE East Central District.

Their six children, Chase, Allyson, Abbygail, Hannah, Olivia and Lily, have also made their mark on CCSD. Five have graduated or are preparing to graduate from McKinley. Over the years, the children have participated in cross country, track, bowling, volleyball, softball and wrestling, along with activities such as National Honor Society, Student Council, Speech and Debate, Pep Club and Interact Club. Today, their paths include careers in criminal justice, security and the arts, as well as college studies in social work and speech pathology and career training in health care.

Outside of work and school, the family enjoys game nights when everyone is in town. Kari and Lily have also volunteered for years at Pegasus Farms, which provides therapeutic and adaptive horseback riding.

One of Kari’s favorite things about CCSD is the lasting sense of community. Family members still maintain friendships they made in elementary school, and Andy has friendships that go back nearly 40 years.

For the family, those connections are a reminder that the relationships built in school can last long after graduation.

Founded in 1989, Stark Education Partnership (SEP) connects schools, businesses, and community partners to help students succeed. Its work focuses on helping students discover their strengths, explore careers, and learn about opportunities available in Stark County.

Through Stark Career Pathways, SEP works with Canton City Schools and other local schools to provide career exploration experiences, including job shadowing, workplace tours, internships, career speakers, and Lunch and Learns. Students can also use YouScience to identify their natural aptitudes and explore careers that align with their strengths and interests.

For SEP, one of the most rewarding parts of the work is watching students discover possibilities they may not have considered. One student, unsure of what to do after graduation, explored several career options with SEP and connected with a professional who helped guide him. He ultimately enrolled at Stark State College to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.

Experiences like these help students make informed decisions about their futures while connecting local employers with the next generation of workers.

SEP is proud of the relationships it has built between schools and local businesses throughout Stark County. The organization continues to welcome businesses and professionals interested in getting involved. Hosting a job shadow, offering a workplace tour, speaking with students or providing an internship can help students learn about career options and take the next step toward their goals.

To learn more about getting involved, visit Stark Education Partnership and explore opportunities to connect with local students.

McKinley High School graduate Benjamin V. Willis, Class of 2026, is already making his mark as he begins his journey with the United States Marine Corps!

Benjamin enlisted on September 9, 2025, at the start of his senior year. Shortly after graduation, he reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island for basic training, graduating on September 18, 2026. He earned a sharpshooter qualification, finishing just two points shy of expert! He is currently completing combat training at Camp Geiger before heading to Fort Leonard Wood for 20 weeks of training to become a military police officer.

Benjamin made the most of his time at McKinley. He participated in marching band all four years, playing snare drum as a freshman and quad drums during his sophomore, junior, and senior years. He also performed with the percussion ensemble during his first three years, helping the group earn regional championships and compete internationally. Beyond music, Benjamin played junior varsity baseball and earned the welding certifications offered through McKinley’s Career Technical Education (CTE) program. His welding instructor, Mr. Altimore, even trusted him to help mentor younger students.

A gifted student, Benjamin also completed numerous college courses while in high school, demonstrating his commitment to academic achievement and future goals.

Looking ahead, Benjamin hopes to advance through the military ranks, build financial stability, and invest in real estate. He is also interested in pursuing a career in intelligence, either in the military or the private sector.

We are proud to celebrate Benjamin as a McKinley alumnus and wish him the very best as he continues his military training and serves our country!

Timken Elementary welcomed an amazing turnout on Saturday, October 3, as staff, current and former Mason students, families, and community members came together to tour the beautiful new facility and celebrate this special school.

While visitors were impressed by the new building, one theme stood out throughout the day: community. The open house was more than an opportunity to explore a new space. It was a chance to reconnect, celebrate shared memories, and look ahead to an exciting future.

It was a wonderful day of connection, pride, and celebration for Timken Elementary and the entire Canton City Schools family!

November 2: Regular Meeting of the Board of Education, 6 PM, Timken Commons

November 3: No School for Students, Teacher Professional Development

November 11: Choices Graduation and Recognition

November 12, 14, and 15: Cinderella of Loreland High School Musical. 

November 23-27:  Fall Break. Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for you!

Several of our school buildings have a food pantry designed to help students and families bridge the gap during a few days of food insecurity. The food pantries are graciously funded through Feed Kids First, and are available for CCSD families experiencing a need for temporary or emergency situations. Please note that these pantries are intended to provide short-term assistance and are not a continuous source of food.

If a school does not have a pantry and your family needs short-term assistance, you are welcome to visit the Timken Career Campus and speak with Linnea Olbon, or email her at olbon_l@ccsdistrict.org. All information is kept confidential.