Alan Keesee

Key discussions and actions included a presentation by the Fire Chief regarding Donkey Basketball. The Treasurer's report covered a review of multiple financial documents including cash reconciliation and investment reports, and a resolution to accept the monthly financial report. The consent items involved accepting the retirement/resignation of an elementary school Title I teacher, a bus driver, and accepting the resignation of a high school Spanish teacher. Consent items also covered approving Sunday/Overnight/Out-of-State extracurricular events, commending students for spelling bee achievements, approving the Spring Four-Year Forecast, authorizing interest crediting between fund balances, approving an agreement with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center, approving OHSAA membership for the next school year, approving modifications to the academic calendar for make-up days, modifying the 2026-2027 academic calendar, and accepting several donations to various funds. The board planned to enter an executive session for appointment or evaluation of public employees.

The meeting began with the administration of the Oath of Office to newly elected and re-elected board members. Key actions included the election of Mr. Timbrook as the Board President for 2026 and Mrs. Kimpel as Vice-President for 2026. Resolutions were passed appointing Ms. Cuffle as legislative liaison and Mr. Joost as student achievement liaison for 2026. The board accepted the monthly financial report and passed a comprehensive resolution authorizing the treasurer to pay all bills for 2026, establish depository banks, set spending limits for the superintendent, and approve various operational appointments and agreements, including College Credit Plus agreements and adopting the NIST Cybersecurity Framework version 2.0. Furthermore, the board approved a resolution of necessity for the renewal of a tax levy to raise $615,000 annually for current expenses, to be placed on the May 5, 2026 ballot. The board also approved holding a Special meeting on January 19, 2026, to approve a Resolution to Proceed for this renewal levy.

The meeting included a presentation from the Executive Director of Defiance County Economic Development. Key resolutions involved accepting the monthly financial report, approving the second reading of the NEOLA Special Update-Transportation Supplement-October 2025, setting the date for the January organizational and regular meeting, approving annual membership dues with the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), accepting resignations for a custodian and a full-time cook, rescinding a contract offer for a Winter Weight Room Assistant, approving Sunday events and an overnight trip to Spain, employing a new full-time Cook, approving the 2026-2027 academic calendar, approving supplemental contracts for various athletic coaching positions for the 2025-2026 school year, approving volunteer services for extra-curricular activities, and accepting several monetary donations to various funds. A significant portion of the meeting focused on approving an Enterprise Zone Agreement with First Quality Tissue Midwest, LLC, which included waiving statutory notice periods and approving a School Compensation Agreement to compensate the School District for foregone tax revenues related to the company's planned manufacturing facility construction.

The meeting commenced with the administration of the Oath of Office to newly elected and re-elected board members. A major focus was the election of the board president and vice-president for the 2026 calendar year, alongside the appointment of a legislative liaison and a student achievement liaison for the same period. The agenda included a presentation by Rob Bechtol from The Nutrition Group, a review of the Treasurer's monthly financial reports, and informational items from principals and the superintendent covering areas such as the Business Advisory Committee, Curriculum, Personnel, and Buildings and Grounds. Consent items involved authorizing the treasurer for various financial actions for 2026, including paying bills, fund transfers, appointing purchasing agents, naming depositories, and approving renewal agreements and employment contracts. Action items included setting the schedule for future regular board meetings for 2026 and approving a resolution of necessity for the renewal of a tax levy to be placed on the May 5, 2026 ballot. A special meeting was scheduled for January 19, 2026, to approve a Resolution to Proceed for the renewal levy. The session concluded with an executive session for the purpose of appointment or evaluation of public employees.

The Board conducted a regular meeting where several resolutions were addressed. Key actions included accepting the monthly financial report as presented by the Treasurer. Discussion items involved approving the second reading of NEOLA policies previously presented, approving the first reading of the NEOLA Special Update-Transportation Supplement, and approving several Sunday extracurricular event schedules. The Board also approved adding the Work Based Learning Program to High School course offerings starting the second semester of 2025-2026, approved an FMLA/Maternity leave for an employee, approved employment on one-year supplemental contracts for three head coaches (Baseball, Softball, Track & Field), approved volunteer services for a Wrestling Assistant, and approved several donations to various funds including classes, athletics, band, and softball.