Eric Brenner

The board meeting focused on several key items including the adoption of the agenda with a new item regarding ticket donations for athletic events, which the board accepted. Discussions were held regarding the Momentum Award recently received by the district for academic improvement and growth, and the board expressed its commitment to achieving higher performance ratings. Additionally, the board congratulated the state champion boys basketball team and the robotics team on their significant achievements. Plans for the upcoming state testing cycle were also reviewed, with emphasis on the importance of student preparation and environment.

The board meeting covered several key items, including an executive session for personnel matters, approval of out-of-state field trips, and financial reports. The board discussed a recent retreat, reviewed tax collection rates, and approved amended appropriations. Additionally, the superintendent reported on a donation for student tickets to a basketball game, personnel agenda updates, and student graduation tracking progress. There was also a presentation regarding a scheduled community partnership event with Central State University and a report from the treasurer on successful excess cost reimbursements from the state.

The board meeting included student presentations from Madison Park Elementary and recognitions for a student wrestling achievement and the high school robotics club. The board approved the agenda with modifications, discussed and approved financial reports, and authorized budget adjustments for carryover funds. Additionally, the board approved donations to a youth soccer organization and the high school band boosters to support a championship ring campaign for the basketball team. Discussion was initiated regarding the potential pursuit of a school levy for the upcoming November election.

The meeting commenced with the reading of the mission statement and adoption of the agenda without changes. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to presentations recognizing the winners of the fifth-grade science fair, where students presented their award-winning projects. The treasurer's report, provided for information, detailed the January 2026 financial statements, including cash reconciliation and a notice that the district was currently deficit spending for the school year. Several items requiring board action included the approval of a $250 donation to the athletic department from Kappa Alpha Fraternity Incorporated Dayton Alumni Chapter. The board also addressed multiple field trip requests for ROTC and band activities scheduled for March and May 2026, necessitating approval as they involved overnight or out-of-state travel. Finally, the personnel agenda included actions on retirements (specifically noting longtime employees Mrs. Sterner and Mr. Mays), terminations, resignations, appointments of substitute teachers and lifeguards, and other classified and supplemental appointments, including discussion about the girls' flag football teams.

The meeting commenced with the board roll call and the pledge of allegiance, followed by the reading of the mission statement by third-grade students. The agenda was adopted with two minor changes: removing action from the new board member item and switching the order of financial presentations. A new board member, Erica G, was officially seated after a procedural error at the previous meeting. Key discussion centered on the February update to the 4-year financial forecast, which revealed that expenditures continue to exceed revenues, necessitating significant reductions as part of a State Fiscal Recovery Plan to achieve a positive balance by FY28. The presentation detailed the impact of new state legislation, including House Bills 129, 186, 309, and 335, noting that the district is not heavily impacted by most, though a loss of supplemental targeted assistance funds ($953,760) across the forecast period was highlighted. General fund expenditures are dominated by wages and benefits (76%), and the forecast projects a negative cash balance in FY29 despite current cost-cutting measures. A follow-up conversation addressed the need for immediate action on financial realities, emphasizing the importance of engaging union leadership early to implement reductions while protecting student success.