Laura Arters

The regular meeting agenda for the Aurora City Schools Board of Education included several key sections. Special reports included the recognition of Rotary Students of the Month. The agenda covered the Treasurer's Report, which included a resolution to approve financial statements and reports. New business involved numerous action items, such as resolutions to accept gifts and contributions, approve staff resignations, retirements, leaves of absence, and new hires including substitutes and supplemental contract awards for the 2025-26 school year. Further action items included resolutions to approve fees for 2026-27, approve various agreements, an overnight student trip, policy updates, and the approval of a bus purchase and a food service contract. The board also addressed emergency closing declarations and set the date for the Organizational Meeting.

The meeting included special reports recognizing student achievements in the Americanism Test and Flag Education Program, as well as a scholarship recipient. The Superintendent reported extensively on robust, ongoing commitment to district goals focusing on leadership team collaboration and innovation, detailing initiatives across strategic executive alignment, targeted leadership development (including coaching for new principals and Clifton Strengths training), and district-wide instructional alignment. Compliance and risk mitigation training, specifically Title IX and Reasonable Suspicion training, were highlighted. Further discussions involved book studies on 'The Power of Moments' and 'Reset.' The Pupil Services update confirmed an achievement of the highest state rating, "Meets Requirements," for the 2025 Ohio Special Education Annual Rating, based on perfect scores in compliance and results indicators. The Treasurer's report detailed salary trends, noting higher overall expenditures driven by severances, offset partially by lower certified wages and maintained purchased service expenses. Resolutions approved included accepting gifts and contributions, accepting resignations and retirements, making introductory appointments and employing substitute teachers, awarding supplemental contracts, ratifying an agreement with OAPSE Local #713, approving the 2026-27 Program of Studies, declaring emergency school closings from December 2, 2025, and setting the date for the Organizational Meeting for January 6, 2026.

The meeting commenced with an organizational session, including the administration of the oath of office to newly elected board members. Key agenda items involved organizational matters for 2026, such as the election of the board president and vice president. Resolutions were passed to authorize the treasurer to file Form 9004, adopt the board meeting calendar for 2026 (which included a special meeting on June 8th to address personnel matters related to retire/rehire timelines), approve the purchase of liability insurance for board members, establish a board service fund (increased to $10,000 from $7,500), approve board membership in OSBA and its legal assistance fund, appoint liaisons to OSBA roles, and appoint a representative to the Aurora City Government and Tax Incentive Review Council. Further actions included approving bonds for board members and the superintendent, approving the treasurer's bond, purchasing liability insurance for various staff and groups, approving standing authorization for the superintendent and treasurer for day-to-day operations, and appointing the superintendent as purchasing authority and safety coordinator.

The organizational meeting agenda included several key actions. The initial phase involved the administration of the Oath of Office for the Board's President and Vice President, followed by the Treasurer filing the Certification of Members and Officers of the Board. Organizational matters covered the adoption of a tentative Board Meeting Calendar for 2026, approval of liability insurance for Board Members, and establishing a Board Service Fund for 2026. Other items included approving surety bonds and liability insurance for key personnel (Board Members, Superintendent, Treasurer, Staff), approving standing authorizations, appointing the Superintendent as Purchasing Agent/Authority and Safety Coordinator, approving the Alternative Tax Budget, permitting attendance at seminars and conferences, appointing school attorneys, and designating various compliance and records officers.

The meeting commenced with special reports and recognitions, including the presentation of winners for the American Legion Americanism and Government test and the Fourth Grade Flag Education program contest. The reports from pupil services highlighted the district's 'Meets Requirements' designation in the 2025 Ohio Special Education annual rating, demonstrating 100% compliance in preschool transitions and initial special education evaluations within required timelines. Furthermore, the district achieved 100% compliance on all 81 secondary transition plans reviewed, and reported student outcome data showing 91% of students with disabilities earned a regular diploma. The district also received a 'MET' rating for disproportionality and equity, with a risk ratio of 2.5. Following the reports, the board addressed Superintendent's updates concerning district goals, focusing on fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation within the leadership team through structured cabinet meetings, Tech Tuesdays, and the Superintendent's Advisory Council. Discussions also touched upon budgetary management and stakeholder engagement.