Julie Schroeder

The meeting agenda includes a focus on non-certified staff contracts. Key items involve financial reports, the acceptance of various grants and donations for the Vantage 5K and international partnership programs, and the employment of various certified and non-certified personnel for the upcoming school year. Other business includes the approval of out-of-state and overnight travel for staff and students, revisions to the high school calendar, updates to satellite agreements, and the setting of substitute teaching rates. The board also plans to review new and revised policies, discuss a memorandum of understanding regarding an online day plan, and consider the procurement of furniture using the State Term Schedule. An executive session for personnel matters is also scheduled.

The board meeting focused on departmental reports regarding current educational initiatives, including student competitive achievements, workforce credentialing, and community partnerships. Key updates were provided by the High School Director, T&I, Business and Service, and Student Services departments, alongside the Adult Education Director’s report covering program graduations and accreditation efforts. The meeting also addressed technology infrastructure upgrades, including paging system improvements and Google Workspace licensing, as well as outreach efforts involving career placement programs and upcoming school events like senior awards ceremonies and staff appreciation.

The proceedings included a Tax Budget Hearing for 2027, covering a presentation on the budget and its purpose, followed by public questions. Key agenda items for the Board of Education meeting covered administering the oath of office to new board members for new and remaining terms, approval of the agenda, and recognition of guests. The Treasurer's Consent Agenda involved approving financial statements for December 2025, accepting the Center for Training Excellence Program (CTX) grant for Adult Education, and approvals for appropriation changes. The Superintendent's Consent Agenda addressed employment matters, including hiring an Adult Education Instructor, approving several out-of-state and overnight travel requests for instructors and students to attend events like the Detroit Autorama Student Career Day and SkillsUSA contests, and accepting multiple resignations and donations. Outside of the consent agenda, the board considered approving a modified lease agreement with the Van Wert County Board of Developmental Disabilities and approving the 2026-2027 Permanent Improvement Equipment purchase list. The meeting concluded with a request for executive session to consider personnel matters.

The Board of Education update covered several operational and achievement highlights. Student recognition focused on participants in Career Technical Student Organization competitions advancing to the state level. High School Director Benjamin A. Winans detailed planning for Senior Mock Interviews and ACT testing for juniors scheduled for March 3. The Trade and Industry Supervisor reported strong welding certification outcomes (71% AWS pass rate for 10 of 14 students) and participation in various SkillsUSA Regional Contests. Student leadership was noted with the SkillsUSA Chapter achieving Quality Chapter Status, and CET students donated $1,000 from a pizza fundraiser to the German Interact Club while constructing picnic tables for a local park. Instructor professional growth included the completion of NIS trainer certifications by Carpentry and CET instructors. Business and Service programs reported success in regional CTSO competitions, with numerous students advancing to state level in HOSA and BPA, alongside progress in industry credentialing such as EKG, CNA testing, and software certifications. Student Services addressed the January 26 Open House and scheduling for Spring End of Course Tests. The Supervisor of Student Operations reported an increase in the Work-Based Learning/Early Work Release program participation (50 students engaged) and high recognition rates for PBIS metrics. The Adult Education Director noted a 92% pass rate for CNA testing in 2025, exceeding the state average, and successful DOT inspection of CDL vehicles. The Technology Report detailed completion of a phishing assessment, rollout of a password manager, and setup of single sign-on for the Employee Self Service website.

The meeting agenda included a Tax Budget Hearing concerning the 2027 Tax Budget, followed by an Organizational Meeting for January 8, 2026, covering administering oaths of office to members beginning new terms, nominations for President and Vice President, and approval of liaisons and the overall agenda. The subsequent Regular January Board Meeting included several consent agenda items covering the schedule for the 2026 regular monthly meetings, appointment of the Treasurer/CFO, authorization for the Superintendent to make employment offers subject to ratification, authorization for tax advances, payment of bills, investment of funds, setting service fund amounts, designation of various officers and liaisons, approval of membership in professional associations, designation of legal counsel and cashiers, setting petty cash funds, and authorizing various administrative expenditures and travel. The regular meeting also addressed final readings of numerous NEOLA Board Policies and acknowledged the appointments of four new Board of Education representatives to serve terms effective in late 2025. The agenda concluded with a request to adjourn to executive session for personnel matters.