Betsy Dennis

The board meeting addressed various administrative and operational matters. Key agenda items included the presentation of the Five-Year Forecast, a review of the District Strategic Improvement Plan, and discussions regarding building repairs and the academic calendar. The board authorized donations, approved the Five-Year Forecast, and entered into several contracts including an athletic apparel partnership, a furniture procurement agreement, and a service agreement for coaching. Additionally, the board approved the appointment of a library board member, addressed multiple personnel actions including resignations and re-employment, and held an executive session to discuss the employment of a public employee.

The board conducted a work session which included a Superintendent's report and a discussion regarding the District's Strategic Plan.

The organizational meeting involved the administration of the Oath of Office to two members. Key proceedings included the adoption of the agenda and the election of officers for 2026, resulting in the appointment of Mr. Marshall Geib as President and Mr. Cooper as Vice President. The Board also approved several board appointees, including delegates and liaisons to the Ohio School Boards Association. Furthermore, the Board established the regular meeting schedule for the year, designated the Superintendent as Purchasing Agent and Property Manager, authorized the Treasurer for various financial actions including warrant issuance and borrowing, and designated the "Madison Messenger" as the official district newspaper. A resolution was passed to waive the oral reading of meeting minutes, and authorizations were granted for the Superintendent to handle employment offers and resignations when the Board is not in session. Finally, membership renewal with the OSBA and the annual review of several district policies were approved.

The meeting commenced with the administration of the Oath of Office to the newly appointed board member, Darryl Brown, who was also assigned several committee liaisons including the London City Business Advisory Council and the Facilities & Finance Committee. The agenda for the meeting was subsequently adopted. The Treasurer's report included confirmation that the annual audit was complete with no comments, and approval was granted for routine financial reports and several business items. Business items approved included accepting various donations, approving the 2026 Tax Rates as provided by the County Auditor, and approving athletic repair work. Under the Superintendent's report, final readings were approved for a new Workers Compensation bylaw and the 2026-2027 course guides for the High School and Middle School. Business recommendations included approving an overnight wrestling trip, approving design-build services for the Bowlus Field Turf and Track replacement project, and approving two separate requests for early high school graduation. Resignations from the London Public Library Board of Trustees were accepted, and one appointment was approved for the Library Board. Personnel actions included approving substitute hiring, supplemental contracts, unpaid leave for one employee, payment for additional paraprofessional services, accepting one resignation, correcting one employee status, and approving an instruction tutor assignment. An Executive Session was held to discuss the employment of a public employee before the meeting adjourned.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the adoption of the agenda, recognition of the December 2025 Portrait of a Graduate Honorees and the December 2025 Portrait of an Educator Honoree, Mr. Kevin Casserta. The Treasurer's report involved a discussion regarding pending property tax bill legislation, followed by approval of routine financial items such as Fund Balance Report, Revenue Summary, Expenditure Summary, and various cash reports. Business items included accepting multiple donations for the Esports team, LHS Theater Department, and LMS Art department; approving a Facility Consulting Agreement with K-12 Business Consulting for a Capital Improvement Plan; and approving the purchase of a 2026 Special Needs Vision Bus. The Superintendent's report covered the Fall 2025 District Enrollment Presentation and Strategic Planning Discussion. Policy and Governance saw the first reading of course guides for LMS and LHS for 2026-2027 and the final reading and approval of numerous revised, rescinded, and new bylaws and policies. Other business items involved approving agreements with Nationwide Children's Hospital for Sports Medicine Athletic Training Services, Cartwheel Health Services for mental health services, and a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of London for the School Resource Officer Program, along with authorizing a request for qualifications for the Bowlus Field turf and track replacement project. Personnel actions included approving substitutes, accepting a coaching resignation, approving leaves of absence, increasing café hours, and approving new hires/step increases for a Paraprofessional and a Secretary.