Cathy Aviles

The organizational meeting involved administering the oath of office to new board members. Key resolutions included the election of the Board President (Mr. Chuck Stiver) and Vice-President (Mr. Dan Sexton) for 2026. The Board accepted the agenda and established the schedule for regular Board meetings for the 2026 calendar year, generally set for the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. The Board adopted a consent agenda authorizing the Treasurer for various financial management actions, such as advancing on tax settlement, investing inactive funds, paying bills, and managing transfers between budget accounts. Other approvals included appointing the Superintendent as the purchasing agent for purchases up to $75,000.00, designating The Ashland Times Gazette, Medina Gazette, and Elyria Chronicle as official newspapers, electing a Treasurer Protempore (Mrs. Robin Blake), approving health insurance for Board members (with reimbursement), and retaining the law firms of Weston & Hurd, LLP and Bricker and Graydon, LLP for legal counsel for 2026. The annual membership with the Ohio School Boards Association was also approved.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda and Board Recognition for Students of the Month, followed by Student Activities Reports. During the work session, a Lifewise M.O.U. was noted for future review, and legislative and student achievement reports were given. The board addressed policy changes, approving the second reading of new policies, including EHC Cybersecurity and Drug Testing for Motor Van Drivers. In financial matters, the Treasurer's Report for December 2025 was approved, along with the tax budget and various fund transfers/budget adjustments, including transfers to Athletics and increases for Early Childhood IDEA, Title I, Title II-A, and Title IV. Donations were accepted from the Ohio FFA Foundation, Melanie Gerken, and Home Appliance. Under New Business, the board approved employment actions, including hiring a Bus Driver, approving an employee for Medical Dispersion training, granting unpaid leave days to an employee, employing supplemental athletic coaches, accepting a resignation, approving a volunteer coach, and approving salary adjustments for two teachers. A motion to approve the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school calendars was tabled. Additionally, the board approved a contract with GPD before entering an executive session to discuss compensation of public employees or officials.

The meeting commenced with the acceptance of the agenda and included various board recognitions and student activities reports. Key discussions and approvals involved the first reading of new policies concerning Cybersecurity and Drug Testing for Motor Van Drivers. Numerous updates and additions were approved for existing Board Policies covering areas such as Emergency Management, Staff Assignments, Health Education, Student Promotion and Retention, and Transportation Services. Financially, the Board approved the November 2025 Financial Statements, authorized fund transfers including one from Sales Tax to a USDA Grant, and approved resolutions to request advances of collected taxes from Medina, Ashland, and Lorain Counties. Personnel actions included the employment of a new custodian, substitutes, volunteer coaches, and various athletic supplementals, alongside accepting a bus driver's resignation. New business involved approving contracts with AI for All and Right at School, adopting a Memorandum of Understanding with the Black River Teachers Association regarding the School Calendar, selecting GPD Group as the design professional for the Football Field and Track Project, approving participation in the Boys and Girls Indoor Track Club Team, authorizing the purchase of a 2026 CE School Special Needs Bus, and approving a student trip to a state conference. The meeting concluded with an Executive Session concerning employee matters.

The Black River Board of Education held a regular meeting where they approved the agenda and financial statements for August 2016. They also approved activity account purposes and budgets for the 2016-2017 school year, accepted various donations, and approved the FY17 Permanent Appropriations. Additionally, the board accepted grants for FY17, approved payment in lieu of transportation for certain students, and increased the number of work days for the Food Service Supervisor. The board approved several employment actions, including classified substitutes, volunteer coaches, a drama advisor, coaches for various sports, a resident educator mentor, and a LPDC member. The board accepted the resignation of Ski Club Advisors and approved staff members trained in medical dispersion. Furthermore, the board approved overnight trips for the FFA and FCCLA, approved the 2016-2017 Bus Routes, approved the 2016-2017 Work/Apprenticeship Program, and authorized unpaid leave for an employee. The board entered into an Executive Session to discuss legal matters and negotiations.

The Black River Board of Education held a regular meeting where they discussed and approved several resolutions. These included changes to board policies based on recommendations from the Ohio School Board Association, the Superintendent, and the Treasurer, covering topics such as the public's right to know, student records, credit flexibility, drug-free workplace, and personnel records. The board also approved financial statements, a contract with Orientation and Mobility Services, a contract with The Impact Group for developing communications strategy, an agreement with Medina Creative Accessibility for vocational training/support for students with disabilities, and the hiring of a Fiscal Assistant. Additional actions included approving agreements with Spectrum Consulting Services, employing personnel for various positions such as Cook/Cashier, athletic coaches, volunteer coaches, and a Middle School Intervention Specialist, as well as academic supplemental contracts and revisions to student handbook language.