Charlie Puckett

The organizational meeting included the administration of the Oath of Office to the Treasurer and newly elected board members. Key organizational actions included the election of the 2026 President and Vice-President. The Board established the date, time, and place for the 2026 regular Board Meetings, setting them for the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the High School. The compensation for Board Members was set at $125.00 per meeting, capped at twenty-four meetings per year. Standing authorizations addressed the election of liaisons to the Ohio School Board Association (OSBA) and for Student Achievement. The Consensus Agenda covered several resolutions, including setting aside $20,000.00 for a Service Fund, authorizing tax advances, granting the Treasurer authority to invest funds and manage appropriation adjustments, authorizing the Superintendent to employ temporary personnel, dispensing with specific payment resolutions for 2026 bills with facsimile signature use, authorizing attendance at professional meetings, designating official newspapers ("Morning Journal" and "Review"), designating depositories (Consumers Bank and U S Bank), and authorizing borrowing procedures with 48-hour notification.

The board approved various personnel matters, including coaching appointments for volleyball, wrestling, track, and the hiring of a full-time bus driver. Key actions included the adoption of school calendars for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 academic years, continued membership with the OHSAA, and a staffing agreement with Utica Shale for special education stipends. Additionally, the board approved a five-year financial forecast, a field trip for 7th grade students, and an agreement with Youngstown State University regarding clinical experiences for student teachers.

Discussions focused on staff and student wellness initiatives, including continuing health tips via email and scheduling external health services such as the Mercy Health Dental Van and the Akron Children's Mobile Medical Unit for physicals. A staff wellness benefit involving exercise reimbursements was detailed. Nutrition topics covered the removal of caffeinated Spark Drinks for high school students, a request for protein drinks instead, and a discussion on protein/healthy vending options, noting Smart Snack Compliance requirements. In Physical Education, planning for the American Heart KickOFF Jump a Thon was reviewed, and interest in protein shakes for lifting students was noted. The team's goal is to focus on nutritional improvement via protein/healthy vending options.

The agenda for the meeting includes recommendations for the approval of a roofing project and a paving project. Additionally, the board plans to conduct an executive session to address matters related to public employees or officials, specifically concerning appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation.

Key discussions during the meeting included the Treasurer's Report, which involved the approval of bill payments and financial transfers. Building Reports covered elementary activities such as awards assemblies, Valentine's Day parties, and the launch of morning intervention programs, as well as middle school events like the Spelling Bee and discussions regarding Career-Technical Education implementation. The Superintendent's Report addressed the change in state calamity day calculations from days to hours and noted that the district currently meets the instructional hour requirements. Numerous personnel actions were recommended and voted upon, including the approval of several substitutes for the 2025-2026 school year, the hiring of various coaches for the 2026-2027 and 2025-2026 seasons, and the approval of a contract for a full-time bus driver. The board also addressed the approval of continued membership with OHSAA, the approval of special education stipends funded by Utica Shale, the five-year forecast, pest control services, and a 7th-grade field trip. The session concluded with an executive session concerning employment matters, followed by the subsequent approval of Michelle Hart as an Intervention Specialist.