Jordyn Eckert

The meeting included recognition of the State Swim Team and an update from the Middle School Principal and students regarding middle school course offerings. Key employment actions involved approving the hiring of an Athletic Director for the 2026-2027 school year, along with various one-year and multi-year contract approvals/reapprovals for administrators, supervisors, and central office staff, including retire/rehire positions. The Board approved the Middle School Course Offering Guide and Scheduling Form, and accepted grant funding from Directions Credit Union and AEP. A significant portion of the agenda involved approving numerous new, revised, and replacement Board Policies, covering topics such as Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in Athletics, Job-Related Expenses, Procurement, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Further approvals included revisions to the Administrative Salary and Fringe Benefit Agreement, employment of substitute classified staff and temporary substitute teachers for the 2025-2026 school year, and hiring summer help for maintenance. The Board accepted tax rates for the 2026 tax year, approved a partnership with the Mid Ohio Educational Service Center for the Business Advisory Council, and approved several donations and facility usage requests.

Key discussions included a presentation by the High School Principal regarding the 2026-2027 high school curriculum and course offerings, and a presentation on the financial forecast. Actions taken involved the approval of certificated staff personnel on one-year contracts as returning retire/rehire teachers for the 2026-2027 school year, approval of resignations for retirement purposes, and the employment of several classified and substitute classified staff members for the 2025-2026 school year. The Board also approved the employment of volunteer extracurricular/supplemental staff, approved home instruction assignments, authorized an out-of-state field trip for Band and Show Choir performances in March 2027, approved several donations, ratified the High School and Course Offering Guide for the 2026-2027 school year, and approved a facility request from the Stingel Elementary PTO.

The meeting involved the election of the Board President and Vice President for 2026, and the setting of regular monthly meeting dates for the year. Key actions included the appointment of committee liaisons for 2026, authorization for the Superintendent to manage personnel employment and resignations between meetings, and authorization for the Treasurer to invest funds and approve depository banks. The Board adopted the 2026-2027 Tax Budget and established a service fund for Board expenses. The Treasurer was designated as the Public Records Officer. The Board approved the adoption of the Safe Routes To School Travel Plan and authorized the Treasurer to invest interim funds. Personnel actions included approving retire/rehire intents for two certified staff members (Amy Kroll and Chris Smith) and approving the employment/resignation of various classified and substitute certificated staff for the 2025-2026 school year. The Board approved investment management with Meeder Investments, established rates for tutoring services, approved extracurricular stipends and a softball overnight trip, authorized OHSAA membership, approved professional development expenses, and contracted with Rockmill Financial Consulting. Several donations and facility usage requests were also approved. Discussions included The Cupp Report, School Linked Care, and an update on social media accounts.

The meeting included recognition for a board member concluding an eleven-year term. A presentation was given by the Stingel Principal, a STEM teacher, and students regarding new STEM class learning. Key actions included the approval of a resolution declaring the necessity of issuing bonds and requesting the fiscal officer to certify maximum maturity bonds. Numerous personnel actions were approved, such as employment for substitute certificated and classified staff for the 2025-2026 school year, approval for several extracurricular/supplemental coaching stipends, and the acceptance of a resignation for the Varsity/JV cheer advisor position. The Board also approved the 2025-2026 Ontario Athletic Handbooks, a transportation contract, and a stipend for a Piano Accompanist. Several donations for Warrior Wishmakers, Girls Soccer, and Boys Basketball were approved, as were several facility usage requests from groups including Ontario Youth Sports and Richland County Special Olympics. The date for the January Organizational Meeting was set, and reports were given by the Legislative Liaison and the Ontario Athletic Council.

The Ontario Local School District Board of Education discussed the financial forecast for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, through 2029. Key assumptions include property tax revenues based on new home construction and constant dollar levy tax rates, with potential impacts from a property tax work group. State foundation payments are projected with consideration of the Fair School Funding Formula. Expenditure assumptions include staff salaries, retirement contributions, health insurance costs, and potential increases in special education costs. The forecast also addresses curriculum and technology study budgets, capital outlay for technology and equipment, debt service payments, and other operational expenses.