The Zanesville City School District invited community leaders into each of its buildings Tuesday to allow them to act as principals for the day. 

“The idea to this was really simple. It was opportunity based,” said Assistant Superintendent Steven Foreman. “People don’t always have the opportunity to get into the schools, you know, they drive past Zanesville High School and I think most people would say it’s beautiful, but they may have some trepidation about what’s inside the doors just based upon something one person said or one experience one person had or maybe that they had in 1962.”

By inviting representatives of different community cross-sections, Foreman hoped the visitors would leave with a better understanding of the school district and share their experiences with others. 

“It’s kind of like, if you can get people in our doors, then they know more about what we do, and more importantly, who we serve,” said Foreman. 

Those who walked in the doors Monday included:

• Zanesville City Mayor Jeff Tilton — Zanesville High School 
• Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce Vice President Kelly Ashby — Zanesville Community High School
• Zanesville Public Safety Director Keane Toney — Zanesville Middle School
• Pastor Michael Bullock — Zane Grey Intermediate School
• Executive Director of United Way Meg Deedrick — Zane Grey Elementary School
• Muskingum County NAACP President Kenny Burke — National Road Elementary School
• Muskingum County Community foundation CEO Brian Wagner — John McIntire Elementary School 

Tilton, who had the opportunity to wear Principal Laura Tompkins shoes, spent his day observing classes and interacting with students at the high school.

The mayor, a Zanesville High School graduate, was impressed by the variety of classes offered to students, as well as the special education services provided. 

“I was amazed how many children they have here with disabilities and how they are working with them to further them along,” said Tilton. “They are just happy. The teachers, they make it as comfortable as they can with the children. You know, turn the lights out, have colored lights in. It’s just amazing what the school’s doing.”

Tompkins said she loves having visitors at her school and likes to show them the way ZHS educates its students. 

“We focus on relationships, and I want outside people to understand that we have a very diverse population and our teachers are meeting the needs of our various students, sometimes a wide range of students in one class, and how we can meet everyone’s needs at the same time,” said Tompkins. 

Courses offered at the high school cater to the different interests of students, from music to science to foreign language. 

“I think we have a lot to offer at Zanesville City Schools,” said Tompkins. 

During a debriefing session at the end of the day, the other guest principals shared their experiences with administrators. 

A common theme was how impressed the visitors were with the way principals, teachers and school resource officers interact with their students. 

Similarly, how interested the students were with their visitors. 

“I just wanted to showcase our kids. I want people to stop saying that they know this, that and the other about … what a Zanesville student is. I want it to stop. If you want to come in, I’ll show you. I’ll show you who they are. I’ll show you,” said Foreman. “But, if you haven’t come in and you haven’t been a part of it, please don’t. Don’t tell me what they are because the kids that I know are fantastic. They’re doing fantastic things.”