On September 20, 2024, Mark Mitrovich, head of the Culinary Career Education Program and instructor of Creative Foods at Centerville High School, Centerville, Ohio was notified by Superintendent John Wesney's office and Head Principal John Carroll and was placed on involuntary paid leave September 23, 2024 due to the district taking exception to a private catering event conducted at a local church. These kinds of events have been been allowed and known about for more than 13 years and no money was mishandled nor students harmed. This leave was not Mr. Mitrovich's choice. He runs this highly successful block program very efficiently, catering in school and outside events for many sports team events as well as local organizations. The Culinary Education Program receives NO district monies, keeps its participation costs low, and went into the 2024-2025 school year with all surpluses that roll over from year to year. Mr. Mitrovich receives no additional pay from this annual income into the program.

Mr. Mitrovich is a teacher of excellence, and his students love him. His students nominated him for Teacher of the Year in 2023. He is endorsed by the Ohio Restaurant Association. With Mark's leadership, his students won 3 back-to-back state championships. In addition to state and national awards and competitions, he and his students have also been awarded many other achievements in the culinary arts. Mr. Mitrovich is eager for a speedy return to the classroom to prepare his students for their upcoming state competitions as well. 

We stand with Mr. Mitrovich in his swift return to the classroom, which is his passion, as well as petition that the Culinary Career Education Program be fully reinstated in Centerville City Schools as it is currently on the chopping block after the 2024-2025 school year receiving no additional district funding outside of his salary. 

Thank you for your support of Mr. Mark Mitrovich and his 15 years of dedication and excellence to Centerville City Schools, its students, and the community.