Donald Burroughs

The board meeting included an executive session for personnel and legal matters. Key business included the approval of student handbooks for multiple schools, personnel actions involving resignations and new employment contracts, and various supplemental contracts for extracurricular activities. The board also approved financial items, including transportation declarations and donations. Significant action items addressed agreements with the Deaf Services Center and The Bonner Academy, approval of various district board policies regarding student affairs and school safety, and the selection of an architectural firm for capital improvement projects.

This joint meeting was convened to address updates from the City of Delaware and the Delaware City School District. Key discussion topics included a development update from the city and a general update pertaining to the school district's affairs. The agenda also reserved time for other discussions before adjournment.

Key discussion items included the adoption of the agenda and proceedings related to entering and exiting executive session for matters concerning employee appointment, employment, discipline, and compensation. The meeting covered numerous consent agenda items, such as approving high school graduates, approving Middle School, Elementary School, and Delaware Hayes High School Student Handbooks for 2026-2027, accepting several staff resignations (certified, classified, and substitute), approving new classified staff employment (conditioned on background checks), approving retire/rehire employment for a supervisor, approving numerous supplemental contracts and adjustments for the 2025-2026 school year, approving leaves of absence, approving extended days/stipend corrections, declaring transportation impractical for certain students, approving annual membership in the OHSAA, accepting several donations, and declaring surplus property (various Cisco Meraki and Dell network switches, among others). Action items included approving an agreement with Deaf Services Center, an agreement with The Bonner Academy, second reading and approval of several revised and rescinded Board Policies, approving policy 8500 Food Service without first reading due to a deadline, approving the execution of an agreement for a capital improvement project with Steed Hammond Paul, INC., approving the Monarch School contract, approving revisions to 2026-2027 Property Values/Tax Rates, approving an Amended FY 2026 Permanent Appropriation Resolution, adopting a resolution to file tax valuation complaints, and approving the new Film Club and Hockey Club for Hayes High School. The Board also approved governance commitments and the Five Year Forecast and Assumptions.

This document identifies key pressures and challenges straining the organization's foundation and outlines essential themes for preparing students for the future. It details efforts to strengthen the foundation through initiatives addressing district growth and facility requirements, behavioral and social-emotional needs, expansion of learning experiences, enhancement of district-wide communication and transparency, promotion of technological and AI literacy, and provision of professional development to mitigate teacher burnout. Additionally, a Facilities Master Plan is presented, focusing on the assessment and improvement of physical assets, alignment of facilities with educational objectives, and maintenance of fiscal responsibility. The overarching goal is to prepare students for future careers within a resilient and supportive educational environment.

The meeting included several key items. The Board conducted a public hearing regarding the rehire of Laura Hallett, payroll and benefits supervisor. Action items focused on approving the contract with Monarch School for special education services, revising 2026-2027 property values, approving the Amended FY 2026 Permanent Appropriation Resolution, adopting a resolution to file eight property valuation complaints for tax year 2025, approving the new Hayes High School Film Club and Hockey Club, approving Governance Commitments, selecting Steed Hammond Paul, Inc. as design professional for capital improvements, and approving the Five Year Forecast and Assumptions. The Superintendent provided updates on online course design, proactive planning for enrollment and facilities master planning, a 52-acre land donation agreement, technology upgrades, facilities/transportation progress, and food service updates. The Treasurer reported on the successful audit findings and awards received for open and transparent government and financial reporting. Various personnel actions were approved, including resignations, new employments, supplemental contracts, leaves of absence, and stipends for extended learning opportunities. The Board also accepted several donations.