Van Buren Local Schools

08/21/2026

"Students and athletes returning to the high school gymnasium this fall will step into transformed spaces as all three locker rooms, along with the coaches' offices and storage rooms, underwent comprehensive renovations over the summer to modernize the facilities."

To learn more about this campus improvement project and see more pictures, read the rest of the article at https://www.vbschools.net/article/3087728.

08/20/2026

We are so excited to see all of our families next week at Opening Knight on Tuesday 8/25!

If you haven't thought about dinner plans for that night, let the Van Buren Athletic Boosters take dinner off your to-do list while supporting our Black Knights! 🖤🧡
✅ Step 1: Fill out the order form: https://forms.gle/89h2GP6Fc8thPyec7
✅ Step 2: Submit payment: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/MGE6SNU6E67CU
📅 Orders are due by August 20th at 11:59 PM!
📍Pick up your meal during Opening Knight on August 25 from 5:00–7:00 PM.
Thank you for supporting Van Buren Athletics! 🧡🖤

08/18/2026

"If you have driven past the school recently and felt like something was missing, your eyes were not deceiving you. In July, we removed the old electronic sign from the elementary playground, and more recently we removed some trees in front of the middle school building. All of this was done to prepare for the installation of a brand-new, modern sign."

To learn more about this campus improvement project, read the rest of the article at https://www.vbschools.net/article/3081739.

08/18/2026

A reminder that our Multilingual Family Information Night is tonight, Tuesday, August 18, 2026, from 4:00-6:00 PM in the elementary school cafeteria! Please see the flyer for more information.

08/12/2026

Congratulations to Mr. A***n Keeran, transportation supervisor, and Mr. Jarrod Mellott, bus mechanic, for completing and passing the Ohio Department of Transportation’s bus spot inspections leading up to the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

Even though our buses earned a 100% passage rate during the annual inspection in January, the buses are inspected again each August to confirm their readiness to safely transport students.

The spot inspections included the entire fleet, focusing on all lights, emergency exits, and other essential equipment needed for day-to-day operations.

We appreciate the effort Mr. Keeran and Mr. Mellott put into maintaining our buses and the work our bus drivers will soon be doing to safely transport our students throughout the upcoming school year.

08/11/2026

"The Van Buren Local Schools Strategic Plan Advisory Team met on Wednesday, August 5, to review the annual report from the 2025-2026 school year and plan for the 2026-2027 school year.

The focus of the meeting was the progress made over the last year in each of the strategies (Learning, Finances, Stakeholder Engagement, Facilities) identified as essential to accomplishing the district’s vision: Build a culture of learning that enables all students to achieve and grow."

To learn more about the progress achieved in each of the strategy areas, read the rest of the article at https://www.vbschools.net/article/3068189.

08/11/2026

Congratulations to the Van Buren Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026!

🏆 INTRODUCING THE VAN BUREN ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME — CLASS OF 2026! 🏆

Van Buren Hall of Fame Committee is proud to announce the 2026 Van Buren Athletic Hall of Fame Class! This outstanding group represents some of the greatest individual and team accomplishments in Black Knight athletic history.

Please join us in celebrating this year’s inductees:

🟠 BOB HERTEL — Class of 1978
A four-year track letterman and two-year football letterman, Bob Hertel remains Van Buren’s only male individual STATE CHAMPION in track and field. He won the 300-meter low hurdles at the 1978 OHSAA State Track Meet and helped lead Van Buren to a third-place team finish.

🟠 1990 BOYS GOLF TEAM
The 1990 Black Knight golf team earned its place in Van Buren history through an outstanding season of team success, capped off with a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. The team were led by Head Coach Tim Carles, featured Matt Beckett, Chris Englund, Scott McLaughlin, Chad Dillon, Josh Webb, Ben Harris, Andy Ebert, and Eric Heitkamp.

🟠 JEFF WALLER — Class of 1979
One of Van Buren’s premier wrestlers, Jeff Waller captured an OHSAA State Championship in 1978 after finishing as the state runner-up in 1977. His high school career included numerous tournament championships and standout performances at the state level.

🟠 1984–85 BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM
The 1984–85 Black Knights finished 26–1, won the Blanchard Valley Conference, reached the OHSAA State Final Four, and completed the first undefeated basketball season in Van Buren history. Led by All-Ohioan Chad Keller and Head Coach Lynn Martin, the team finished the season ranked No. 3 in the Ohio AP Poll.

🟠 1985–86 BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM
The 1985–86 Black Knights captured BVC Runner-Up, Sectional, District, and Regional Championships and advanced to the OHSAA State Tournament. Their legendary triple-overtime game against Columbus Wehrle remains the longest game in OHSAA Final Four history. The team finished No. 5 in the Ohio AP Poll, led by Ohio Player of the Year Chad Keller.

🟠 COACH LYNN MARTIN
Coach Martin built one of the most successful basketball programs in Van Buren history, compiling a 254–86 record from 1975–1990. He won seven BVC championships, six district titles, two regional championships, and made two OHSAA State Final Four appearances. Martin was more than a coach—he was a teacher, mentor, and role model whose influence continues to be felt decades later.

👏 Congratulations to the Van Buren Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026!

These individuals and teams helped establish a legacy of excellence, character, commitment, and Black Knight pride that continues to inspire generations of Van Buren student-athletes.

📅 Class of 2026 Introduction:
Friday, August 28, 2026 - 7:00 PM Kick-Off
Don Masters Field - Van Buren
Halftime of the Varsity Football Game vs. Arlington

🏛️ Induction Ceremony & Banquet:
Saturday, August 29, 2026
5:00 PM - Doors Open / Social Hour
6:00 PM - Dinner
7:00 PM - Enshrinement Ceremony
The Hancock Hotel
631 South Main Street
Findlay, OH 45840

TICKETS: vbblackknights.com/tickets
Ticket sales end on Monday, August 24

🔥 SIX INDUCTEES. THREE TEAMS. ONE INCREDIBLE LEGACY. 🔥

From the track to the golf course.
From the wrestling mat to the basketball court.
From individual champions to unforgettable teams.
From a legendary coach to generations of student-athletes—

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Welcome to the Van Buren Athletic Hall of Fame! 🖤🧡

08/10/2026

Back-To-School Hub

As the new year approaches, we know your questions are piling up, which is why we want to help you...

08/06/2026

Congratulations to MS/HS Health Teacher Mrs. Bethany Archer for applying for and receiving a $250 Teacher Appreciation Grant from Hancock Federal Credit Union!

To learn more about how she will use the grant money, read the news story at https://www.vbschools.net/article/3064251.

07/15/2026

"When the stakeholder engagement committee met for the first time in August 2024, they were guided by the committee’s mission statement: To communicate pertinent, district-level information related to Van Buren Schools to stakeholders through a variety of channels. Over the last two years, we have worked toward achieving that mission, and we would like to provide an update on our continued progress."

To learn about our progress, read the latest Knight Insight titled "Strengthening Connections Through Communication" at https://www.vbschools.net/article/3031596.