Kim Forster

This plan details the Hicksville Exempted Village School District's strategy for allocating Student Wellness and Success Funds and Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid to enhance student well-being and academic achievement. Key initiatives include employing personnel such as strength and conditioning instructors, athletic trainers, guidance counselors, school nurses, structured literacy coaches, credit recovery instructors, and a licensed social worker. The plan also focuses on providing additional instructional time beyond state minimums. These efforts aim to address challenges like post-Covid impacts, mental health, and changing family dynamics, ultimately supporting the physical, mental, and academic needs of all students.

The Hicksville Exempted Village School District Board of Education convened for a regular meeting, addressing various presentations and reports. Key topics included a social media management update, principal reports from elementary, middle, and high schools, a Four County Career Center report, and the Superintendent's report. The board discussed financial matters, including cash reconciliation, financial statements, amended official certificate of estimated resources, amended temporary appropriations, and annual reporting requirements. They also addressed fund transfers, petty cash accounts, and the split of the Cross Cat Activity Fund. Donations to the Athletic Department and JH Volleyball Fund were accepted. The positive financial impact of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) was discussed, noting an increase in Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid (DPIA) funding and meal participation. Personnel matters included approvals of certified substitutes, resignations, and new contracts for intervention specialists and supplemental positions. The board also approved service agreements with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center (NwOESC) and discussed the installation of pickleball lines in the fieldhouse. An executive session was held to consider personnel matters.

The meeting included principal reports from elementary, middle, high school, and district-wide principals, covering topics such as reading diagnostic testing, benchmarking, accommodations for students, and 504 plans. The Four County Career Center report highlighted the progress of a construction project. The Superintendent's Report touched on the start of the school year, open houses, teacher inservice days, and new employees attending RCA. The board also discussed the initial annual forecast submittal deadline and decided to move the October Board meeting to October 13. An executive session was held to consider matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or rules.

The Hicksville Exempted Village School District Board of Education convened for a regular meeting, during which several key topics were addressed. The Technology Director reported on the completion of the Network Upgrade, noting a significant increase in internet speed and the application for E-Rate monies to reimburse a portion of the upgrade costs. Principal reports highlighted academic achievements, upcoming events, and student participation in activities such as the Rotary and financial literacy simulations. The board also discussed the Local Report Card, which presented an in-depth analysis and recognized the district's high star ratings in various categories. Additionally, there was a discussion on the Hicksville Agricultural Education Program, focusing on student exploration in advanced manufacturing and agriculture, as well as the Future Farmers of America.

The board addressed several key areas, including financial matters such as cash reconciliation, financial statements, amended official certificates of estimated resources, permanent and temporary appropriations, and insurance coverage with the Ohio School Plan. They also approved a memorandum of agreement for the deposit of public funds with Farmers & Merchants State Bank. The board accepted multiple donations to the Athletic Department and HS Principal Fund. Personnel actions included the approval of summer tutors, contracts for a Middle School Intervention Specialist, High School Principal, School Psychologist, Treasurer, Assistant Principal, and Middle School Principal, as well as certified staff for after school intervention. Resignations from the Head Baseball Coach, Elementary Yearbook Advisor, and Head Softball Coach were accepted. Agreements and memberships were approved with Northwest Ohio Juvenile Detention, Training and Rehabilitation Center, Hicksville Education Association, Northern Buckeye Education Council, Northwest Ohio Virtual Academy, Defiance College, and Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Student fees, handbooks, course catalogs, and participation in various national school programs were approved. The board discussed the State's Biennial Budget, the Fair School Funding Plan, and potential changes to school levy thresholds.