Katie Arber

The meeting included a segment dedicated to public comment rules, limiting participation time and requiring registration. Key discussions focused on legislative updates from Dr. Graph, including newly signed property tax bills (HB 335, HB 186, HB 309, HB 129) and other legislation concerning artificial meat products (HB 10) and kindergarten registration age (HB 114). Dr. Graph also reviewed pending legislation such as HB 42 regarding citizenship data reporting and SB 333 establishing a statewide youth council. A major topic was the introduction of a new Allied Health program at Centerville High School, featuring patient care technician and phlebotomy certifications, which will be phased in without requiring additional staff, leveraging existing partnerships for equipment support. The career technical education program was highlighted as fiscally responsible, bringing in annual revenue.

Key discussion topics during the meeting included facility planning presentations, a financial forecast review, updates on Board of Revision filings, discussion regarding a Board Policy on Cell Phones, review of Calamity Days, consideration of Ohio High School Athletic Association Membership, and discussion of a Farm Lease.

The meeting commenced with housekeeping announcements and recognition of teachers receiving grants from the Central Education Foundation, totaling $10,166 for 15 projects aimed at enhancing learning experiences. The agenda included the pledge of allegiance led by two John Hull students. Key discussions focused on the honors segment, where numerous classroom grant projects from various schools (Primary Village North, Primary Village South, Driscoll Elementary, Normandy Elementary, Weller Elementary, Magzig Middle School, Tower Heights Middle School, and Centerville High School) designed to improve STEM, literacy, social-emotional learning, vocational training, and physical fitness were presented. Additionally, the district recognized Mr. Kevin Wiznooki, a guidance counselor at Tower Heights Middle School with 25 years of service, as the district's nominee for the Ohio Teacher of the Year program. The presentation included a video highlighting Mr. Wiznooki's contributions.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the approval of the agenda. Reports covered legislative updates, career education programming, a classified pay study, a second reading of a Board Policy, calamity days, the Proud to Be Initiative, and new Chromebooks. The Board approved the December 2025 financial statements, including the monthly reports and purchase orders totaling $36,500.20. Personnel matters involved approving various schedules for resignations, employment, and leaves of absence. Additionally, the Board approved a new Behavior Tech Classified Pay Schedule for 2025/2026 new hires, the 2026/2027 Classified Pay Packet, an increase for substitute teacher pay to $145 per day effective February 2, 2026, joining The Ohio Purchasing Council (TOPC), the PVN roof replacement project at a cost of $407,856.13, declaring certain personal property obsolete for sale, and approving the purchase of 1,400 ACER Chromebooks for $436,100. A motion to approve changes to Board Policy 5136 concerning Personal Communication Devices failed.

The board approved the January 2026 financial statements and authorized the filing of original complaints against tax valuation for specific properties. A revision to the Financial Forecast and Assumptions for fiscal years 2026-2029 was approved. Personnel schedules covering resignations, employment status changes, and supplemental contracts were reviewed and approved. Additionally, changes to Board Policy 5136 regarding personal communication devices, membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2026/2027 school year, the ranking of firms for professional design services for facility master planning, and a farm lease agreement were all approved.