Kristen Graves

The meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a quorum confirmation. The agenda was adopted following a successful motion and second. Key discussions involved requests to speak on agenda items, specifically regarding schedule change requests, including the lack of a formalized appeal process and guidelines for when changes can be considered. Business items included discussion on A and B, while item C covered Ohio School Board Association Training, where a representative discussed governance mindset, roles and responsibilities (including those of the superintendent and treasurer), meeting management, sunshine laws, characteristics of high-functioning boards, communication, trust, and evaluation processes. Board members introduced themselves and shared their motivations for serving, and the topic of football stadium turf replacement, scheduled after graduation, was briefly addressed.

The special meeting addressed several key business items, including the adoption of the agenda and allowing time for visitor comments from Teamsters Local 413 and the Southwest Licking Education Association. The board approved the 2026-2027 WMS Course Description Guide. A significant portion of the meeting involved authorizing the negotiation and execution of agreements with Byrne and Jones Enterprises, Inc. and The Motz Group, LLC for the Football Stadium Turf and Track Project, utilizing purchasing cooperatives (META and TIPS) to secure the lowest competitive prices for the turf and track scopes, respectively. The board also received a presentation on training from the Ohio School Boards Association.

The meeting commenced with the recognition of visitors and the Pledge of Allegiance, led by a student group. Key presentations included recognition of a senior clarinet player, Sydney Hobbs, for her selection and performance in the 2026 Ohio Music Education Association Allstate Band, securing second chair. Watkins Middle School provided a building spotlight focusing on their counseling team's integral role and data-driven approach to social-emotional learning (SEL) through Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 support strategies, including HeartMath implementation. The counseling team also detailed activities like biannual 'minute meetings,' various counseling groups (e.g., Rocks, grief group), and the 'Start With Hello' program to foster inclusion. Furthermore, they presented on post-secondary exposure efforts, including trips for 7th graders to Ohio State Newark/COTC campus and 8th graders to C-TEC for career exploration, alongside an on-campus simulation program called 'Watkins Park' for 6th graders. Other topics included implementing Senate Bill 288 (Aaron's Law) regarding child abuse and dating violence prevention via the 'Speak Up' program, and addressing social-emotional needs identified from over 800 counseling requests. Etna Elementary presented their 'Sore and Serve Squad' leadership activities, which focus on character development, hallway monitoring, and recess assistance, and mentioned plans for an outdoor learning space. The board also addressed requests to speak and moved to approve minutes and the financial report, which indicated positive fiscal standing with revenues 2% higher than anticipated and expenditures 1% lower than budgeted for January 2026.

The meeting began with a public hearing concerning the employment of John Murray by the Board of Education. Following public participation, the agenda was adopted. Presentations were given by the Eco Warriors group, detailing their environmental projects, including tree planting efforts to mitigate noise and air pollution, fundraising activities such as selling pavers, and receiving grants from the SWL Education Foundation and the zoo. They also discussed future projects, including installing a weather station and dock, plans for an Etna Township green space, creating a habitat for beavers and bees, developing a solar panel project with Illuminate USA, and efforts to support endangered Indiana/brown bats through signage and bat box construction. Furthermore, they presented plans for an outdoor classroom/eco lab. The meeting also featured a segment on potential wetland mitigation site designation in collaboration with water and sewer entities. The latter portion of the meeting included recognitions for retiring staff members: Patricia Linton, John Murray, and Jodie Fouse, celebrating their years of dedicated service to the district.

The meeting featured recognition of visitors and the Pledge of Allegiance led by a fifth-grade class. Key presentations included honoring Nora Grenan, the girls' tennis state qualifier, for being the first in school and county history to achieve this feat. A positive building spotlight was presented for Pascal Southport, detailing how the new building enhances learning, safety, and belonging through intentional use, staff collaboration, curriculum updates (including HMH and 95% phonics), and promotion of social-emotional learning via Character Strong, Connection Club, and the Lion Leaders program. A second spotlight highlighted Watkins Memorial High School's initiatives focusing on student success pathways: embedding ACT preparation daily, expanding Career Tech pathways in partnership with CEK (including skilled trades like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical tech), tracking graduation and diploma seals, and addressing chronic absenteeism through focused committees. The overall goal presented is to ensure all students graduate with a plan, whether for college, career/trades, military, or undecided exploration.