Linda Butcher

The meeting included opening items such as recognizing the January Students of the Month, an engineering update from School FIRM, and a presentation by the Kingsville Elementary Principal. The Treasurer's report covered several financial actions, including the approval of amended appropriations for FY26, authorizing a request for an Amended Certificate of Estimated Resources, approval of a revised financial forecast, adopting tax rates, and authorizing the creation of several new funds. Approvals were also sought for a College Credit Plus Agreement with Stark State College, receiving bids for a school bus chassis, and accepting proposals from School Firm for ADA compliance upgrades at Kingsville Elementary and electrical infrastructure upgrades at Edgewood High School. The Board also approved an agreement with Signature Health, Inc. for counseling services. Superintendent recommendations involved the first reading of several board policies, approval of the OHSAA Agreement for 2026-2027, and approval for a 3rd grade paper-pencil testing resolution for 2026-2027. Personnel matters included the appointment of a Home Instruction Tutor, acceptance of resignations, awarding supplemental contracts to non-employee individuals for various athletic and administrative positions, appointment of new classified staff, acceptance of a retirement, and approval for a Permanent Substitute Teacher.

This Financial Forecast Report for the Buckeye Local School District presents a five-year projection of its financial position, covering fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Its core purpose is to facilitate long-range financial planning and discussions, assess the district's ability to meet statutory requirements, and identify potential financial challenges. Key areas of focus include trends in revenue, expenditures, and cash balances, with particular attention to projected declines in State Funding and significant changes in 'Other Uses' expenditures. The report forecasts a declining cash balance, indicating a need for strategic financial management to ensure sustainability.

The meeting covered several significant items, including the recognition of November Students of the Month and an administrative presentation by the Transportation Supervisor regarding updates on transportation and safety. A public hearing was held for the 2026-2027 School Calendar presentation. Financial actions included the approval of student activity appropriation adjustments totaling $14,051.42 and the renewal of the EDGE software license for Ultimate EDGE financial print software for 2026. The Board also set the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Hearing, Organizational Meeting, and Regular Meeting dates for January 13, 2026, and appointed Mrs. Pike as President Pro Tempore. Furthermore, the Board accepted a proposal for facade repair at Edgewood High School, approved 'Then and Now' Certificates, authorized payment for training for the replacement SRO at Braden Middle School, and approved two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the BEA concerning concert band compensation and the addition of flag football coaching positions. Superintendent recommendations included a first reading review of numerous board policies and guidelines, the reappointment of Renee Howell to the Kingsville Public Library Board of Trustees, approval for high school students to participate in indoor track effective December 8, 2025, and the acceptance of several donations. Personnel actions involved approvals for certified staff changes such as a new tutor, a resignation, a separation agreement for retirement, and Family Medical Leave Act approvals, along with the awarding of various supplemental contracts for extracurricular activities to both certified employees and non-employees.

The organizational meeting included the administration of the oath of office to re-elected board members, followed by the election of the Board President and Vice President for 2026. Key procedural and financial decisions were approved, such as setting the schedule for regular business meetings for calendar year 2026 and adopting Robert's Rules of Order as the parliamentary authority. Appointments were made for liaisons to the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), and memberships for OSBA and the Ohio Education Policy Institute (OEPI) were approved. The Board also approved compensation for board members, established a Service Fund appropriation, authorized attendance at various seminars, and confirmed a list of legal counsel firms for 2026, noting the addition of David Grossman & Associates, P.L.L.C. Authorization resolutions were passed granting authority to the Treasurer for tax advances, bill payments, investments, and fund transfers, and granting authority to the Superintendent for employee expenses, project applications, personnel employment between meetings, and serving as appeal officer for out-of-school suspensions. The Board appointed administrators to various compliance and liaison positions. Treasurer's recommendations included approving the December 2025 minutes and financial reports, approving student activity appropriation adjustments, increasing the mileage reimbursement rate to $0.725 effective January 1, 2026, adopting the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year Tax Budget, revising the operational substitute minimum wage to $11.00 per hour, and approving equipment disposal. Further resolutions authorized the solicitation of bids for several capital plan projects, including ventilation improvements, window replacements, ADA compliance, and track/court construction, and rescinded/transferred funds from the Classroom Facilities Capital Project Fund. The Superintendent's recommendations included approving the 2026-2027 District Calendar, approving numerous board policies and guidelines on their second reading, authorizing a legal services contract with David Grossman & Associates PLLC regarding social media and video game addiction claims, increasing the substitute rate for couriers, crossing guards, and summer maintenance staff to $11.00 per hour effective January 1, 2026, and accepting a donation for the Student of the Month program. Personnel actions included approving after-school tutors, extended time appointments, a long-term substitute, a Family Medical Leave Act request, a resignation, and supplemental contract appointments for track coaching positions.

The organizational meeting agenda focused on establishing governance procedures for the upcoming year. Key organizational items included administering the Oath of Office to newly elected Board Members, the Election of the President and Vice-President, and setting the date, time, and location for all subsequent 2026 Board of Education meetings. The Board also addressed the adoption of Robert's Rules of Order, appointment of liaisons to the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), approval of memberships (OSBA, OSBA Legal Assistance Fund, and Ohio Education Policy Institute), confirmation of the 2026 compensation structure for Board Members, and approval of an appropriation to the Service Fund. Further items involved authorizing attendance at various seminars, representing legal counsel firms for 2026, establishing District Committees including the Records Commission, and designating training for Public Records. Administrative resolutions authorized the Treasurer to manage tax advances, bill payments, investments, fund transfers, and designate official newspapers. The Superintendent was granted authority for various functions, including excusing employee attendance at professional meetings, filing applications for desirable projects, acting as the purchasing agent, employing personnel between meetings, serving as the appeal officer for out-of-school suspensions, and delegating contract authority for specific school events.