Erin Schumaker

The board discussed and approved various items including the monthly financial report and amended certificates and appropriations. Several policy updates were approved, including revisions to entrance requirements, grading, class rank, and procurement processes. The board accepted multiple FMLA leaves, retirements, and a resignation. Furthermore, they approved the 2026-2027 school calendar, accepted a grant for a Kindergarten Readiness Boot Camp, authorized a proposal for security camera purchases, approved a clinical site agreement, and finalized graduation requirements. Additionally, the board acted on resolutions concerning staff reductions in force and approved a list of volunteers.

The board approved the February financial report and amended certificates and appropriations. A first reading of several Neola policy revisions was conducted, covering topics such as entrance requirements, grading, class rank, budget preparation, purchasing and bidding, federal procurement, credit card use, tax-exempt certificates, digital content accessibility, artificial intelligence, and information security. The board approved FMLA leave, unpaid leave requests, an RFP for food service management, a proposal and advertisement agreements for new high school video boards, and the appointment of several volunteers. Additionally, the board discussed future topics including make-up calamity days and the upcoming school calendar.

The board meeting addressed various financial and operational matters. Key topics included the approval of the monthly financial report, amended certificates and appropriations, and a five-year forecast. The board approved several FMLA requests and leaves of absence for school personnel. Additionally, the meeting covered the approval of a multi-year waste management contract, a Memorandum of Understanding for 3D printing curriculum, and the acceptance of a school bus safety grant. Further approvals included a quote for floor scrubbers, the final Guaranteed Maximum Price amendment for a K-12 design-build project, and a construction quote for facility improvements at the Workforce Development Building. The board also handled personnel items, including salary schedule placements, hiring of non-certified substitutes, supplemental contracts for licensed employees, and the registration of volunteers.

The meeting began with the administration of the oath of office for re-elected and newly elected Board Members. The board proceeded to elect Bill Nutt as Board President and Julia Paxton as Board Vice President for the calendar year 2026. Key resolutions approved included setting the regular meeting schedule for 2026, designating The Perry County Tribune as the official newspaper, setting the fee for public records copies, establishing the 2026 service fund amount per student, and appointing coordinators for various federal programs. Standing authorizations for the Treasurer and Superintendent for 2026 were approved, covering bill payments, fund investments, personnel employment, purchasing authority, tax settlement advances, and program participation. The Treasurer's recommendations included the approval of the December 2025 Financial Report, Resolution #26-01 Amended Certificates and Appropriations, and the Tax Budget for 2026. Superintendent recommendations covered the review of Title 1 Parent & Family Engagement policy, approval of the federal IRS mileage rate for 2026, the Ohio Minimum Wage increase for 2026, and approvals for specific expenditures such as purchasing a dishwasher, a restoration agreement, MOUs with Mount Vernon Nazarene University and AFSCME (to add a paid holiday), and an agreement for Developmental Disabilities Student Services. Several leaves of absence under FMLA were also approved, along with amendments and new contracts for the Treasurer. Personnel actions included approving placement changes on the salary schedule and approving substitute hires pending background checks. An update was provided on the OFCC construction project schedule.

The meeting included the approval of the November 2025 Financial Report and Resolution #25-31 FY26 Amended Certificates and Appropriations, along with a Then and Now expenditure for tuition reimbursement. The Superintendent's Recommendations involved the approval of several NEOLA policy revisions, an agreement with Fairfield Union Local Schools for student enrollment, a GMP Amendment with The Paul Construction Company, Inc., and an Agreement with American Electric Power for distribution service at the Workforce Development Center. Further approvals included an Intergovernmental Agreement/MOU with the Ohio Department of Medicaid, a Final Agreement with Buckeye Hills Regional Council for the Perry County Broadband Plan, the naming of the New Lexington High School Gymnasium as the Jim Leckrone Gymnasium, acceptance of a BWC School Safety and Security Grant, and approval of unpaid leave requests for an employee. The Board also approved supplemental contracts and volunteers for the upcoming school year, as well as memberships for the Perry County Chamber of Commerce and the OHSAA.