Anthony Wayne Local Schools now has a new partner in supporting and promoting academic, artistic and athletic excellence.
Generals for Generations Foundation is a new 501c3 nonprofit organization designed to connect generations of Generals in support of those efforts, Foundation Board President Mike O’Shea told Anthony Wayne Board of Education during its Feb. 9 meeting.
“We don’t aim to maintain what already exists but to make it better,” O’Shea said.
In addition to serving as pastor at Waterville Community Church and raising three children in the district, O’Shea has served as a substitute teacher, bus driver, coach and member of a crisis response team during his 13 years of living in the district. It was during his experience as a member of the AW For Kids levy campaign in 2024 – one that failed by just a few votes – that O’Shea realized more needed to be done.
“It opened my eyes to the hard reality of school funding. If a district like Anthony Wayne wants to fund innovative programs to keep pace with evolving student needs, it will have to be done privately,” he said.
“It’s important to recognize that this is a private philanthropy that aims to have a strategic partnership with the school. It is neither beholden to the school board and district leadership, nor is it a rogue agency doing its own thing regardless of the school’s strategic plans. We hope that there is a great working relationship between the foundation and schools to identify innovative projects and programs, and then fund those privately,” he added.
O’Shea credits Superintendent Kevin Herman for having the vision to move forward with the foundation. In August 2025, a core group began working with Jenny Perin of Shift Consulting to prepare the framework for the foundation along with a system of fund development, alumni relations, communications, donor stewardship and donor recognition. Throughout last fall, representatives met with community members with a reputation for demonstrating pride and support of the district. These individuals will make an impact on the success of the foundation through volunteerism, philanthropy and strategic guidance.
“The purpose is to build a concentric circle, with a broader network of ambassadors,” O’Shea said.
In addition to O’Shea, the Generals for Generations board includes Angie Barney, Jen Harder, Tom Hertzfeld, Jason Hood, Shaunacy Miller, Andrew Nowicki, Lisa Schaller, Jon Schwanz, Jamie Smeltzer and Trey Tollstam.
By the end of this year, the goal is to identify a flagship program that no other philanthropic organization in the AW area would be able to do, O’Shea said. Over the next three years, Generals for Generations should be ready to fund and execute that program.
In 50 years, O’Shea envisions Generals for Generations to have built up a $50 million to $75 million endowment that generates $3 million a year for innovative programs – all managed professionally be a day-to-day director and supervised by a board of trustees.
“It’s been an absolute joy working with Mike. His expertise in this area has helped us move the entire idea of a foundation forward,” Herman said. “The 10 individuals on this board have a lot of strengths and expertise in different areas. They are motivated. I’m very excited about the possibilities of where this foundation will be down the road. I’m thankful to Mike and the board for getting us to this spot.”
During the meeting, the board also:
-Welcomed new member Amy Barrett, who took the oath of office.
-Listened to an update on the financial forecast from Treasurer Kerri Johnson, who also outlined the potential impact of house bills on school finances.
-Approved overnight trips, including the varsity baseball team’s trip to Destin, Fla. and Fort Walton Beach, Fla. to participate in spring training on March 28; and the varsity softball team’s spring training trip to Orange Beach, Ala. March 29 through April 3. Costs will be paid for through fundraising. Students will travel with their families.
-Thanked retiring bus driver Barry Vincent and special education aide Shelly Bankey for their service. The board also approved the resignation of third grade teacher Lauren Dusseau at the end of the school year and the resignation of food service worker Melissa Pavlovic.
-Approved the early graduation of Donny Skiver with the class of 2026.
-Authorized Johnson to advertise for three 84-passenger school buses.
-Accepted the Ohio Attorney Generals Safety Grant of $17,109, which will be used to fund the high school’s facility dog, Jasper, and other school facility dogs in the district.
-Thanked high school teacher Bryan DeKay and his students for creating new 3-D printed name plates for the board members.
-Congratulated the high school dance and cheer teams for their winning Game Day routines. Dance took first place in the state competition while the cheerleading team won in the America’s Cup competition.
-Listened to residents Lyn Cox and Joe Ballmer speak about possible impacts of a data center on the school district’s finances. Both stated that any tax incentive offered by a data center developer might seem like a good deal but, in reality, would destroy property values in the district – thus driving down the district’s portion of property tax revenues, they said. Herman said that the district has not been approached by anyone proposing a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement or any other incentive for a data center.
