Edward Baker

The organizational meeting focused primarily on establishing the board structure for the year. Key actions included administering the oath of office to all board members, nominating and electing the Board President and Vice President, and subsequently administering their oaths of office. The board set the regular meeting schedule for the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. A Board Member Service Fund not to exceed $20,000.00 for 2025 and 2026 fiscal years was authorized, along with approving the Treasurer's and Board President's Bonds at $20,000.00 each. Numerous standing authorizations for the Superintendent and Treasurer were approved to facilitate efficient district operations in 2026, covering areas such as fund investment, payroll signing, employment actions, purchasing, and legal services. Finally, appointments were made for various liaison and committee positions, including the legislative liaison, delegate to the Ohio School Board's Association, SLEA negotiations representative, OAPSE management committee member, and Finance/Audit committee members.

The regular session included the approval of the meeting agenda and reports from the Treasurer. Key actions involved approving financial items for December 2025, which included minutes, bills, and various financial statements. New business consisted of approving the renewal payment for the 2026 Public Official Bond, authorizing payments for several outstanding invoices (including health plan and lunch accounts), approving amended purchase orders, and executing several fund transfers between the General Fund, Permanent Improvement Fund, Maintenance Fund, and Termination/Severance Fund. Personnel matters included approving supplemental contracts for co-head softball coaches and an assistant softball coach, approving classified and certified substitutes for the 2025-26 school year, approving a dock amount adjustment, and approving a supplemental contract for a 7th Grade Girls Basketball position. The Superintendent discussed items such as the Career Coach role, the Rus-DLT Grant, K-2 Playground improvements, and Sunday Gym Use. Board communications centered on discussions regarding ball fields, including the need for portable restrooms, concession stand management, scoreboard grant opportunities, and field naming, as well as recurring discussion on Sunday Gym Use after 2 p.m.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. Key actions included opening nominations and electing Mrs. Brenda Johnson as President Pro-Tem for the January 2026 organizational meeting. The Board set the dates and times for the Records Commission, Organizational, and subsequent Regular Meetings for January 2026. Approvals were granted for revised appropriations and client agreements for E-Rate Funding Consulting Services with Strategic Management Solutions. The Board authorized the payment of various invoices and approved a quote from Primary Colors Painting for elementary school hallway preparation and painting. A fund transfer was approved, along with the annual membership for the Ohio School Boards Association and the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation premium payment. The Superintendent was authorized to use Evans Lawn Care for snow removal services for the 2025-2026 school year, and amended purchase orders were approved. Personnel actions involved approving additional hours for a vocational bus driver, approving volunteers, hiring David Maxson as a Class of 2030 advisor, transferring Jenny Hendrix back to custodian, hiring Heather Wyant as a school secretary, and approving Ryan Davis as a tutor for a homebound student. The Superintendent provided communications regarding grants, secretary positions, and PD Day schedules. The Board honored Tom Woods for eight years of service.

The Board discussed and approved various financial reports, appropriations, and the renewal of vision rates. They also approved revised excess costs for the Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center and the first reading of changes to several Board policies. Additionally, they approved a lawn care and landscaping service bid, the annual enrollment fee for the Ohio SchoolComp Worker's Compensation Group Rating program, and an overnight trip for the FFA to the State Convention. The board also approved a payment to Active Internet Technologies and the administrative pay scale for the EMIS Coordinator. Personnel matters included hiring individuals on supplemental contracts and approving dock days for employees. The Superintendent provided updates on the football field groundwork, dishwasher installation, bus garage heater replacement, the door project, the Doral Great Bend Solar Project, a staff PD day, and early dismissal for a solar eclipse.

The Southern Local Board of Education held a regular meeting where they discussed and approved various financial and administrative matters. These included approving minutes and financial reports, nominations for President Pro-Tem, setting dates for upcoming meetings, and approving revised appropriations. The board also approved a resolution for lease-purchase of energy conservation measures, creation of a School Safety and Security Grant fund, and amendments to the 403(b) plan document. Personnel matters were addressed, including dock pay, hiring of a bus driver, and supplemental contracts. The board entered an executive session to discuss employee compensation.