Mary Lynne Bierman

The meeting included the appointment of a Treasurer Pro Tempore, recognition of the Fairmont Lady Firebirds Basketball team for their Division I State Championship win, and presentations from the School District regarding district report card data, school building awards, and the Master Facilities Construction plan including middle school mergers. The City Council provided updates on community safety efforts, traffic mitigation around school campuses, future road construction projects, and planned staffing support for the Community Center.

The board meeting focused on a district update regarding an upcoming bond issue slated for the May ballot, which aims to fund the construction of a new middle school, a high school academic wing, and infrastructure updates to elementary buildings. Discussions also included the process for selecting a construction manager at risk, the involvement of the architectural firm in the design process, and the commitment to maintaining factual public communication. Furthermore, the meeting covered the development of an artificial intelligence playbook, focusing on the responsible and ethical integration of AI tools within the district's classrooms and community.

The board meeting focused on an update regarding the Kettering Early Childhood Education Center, highlighting student learning, family engagement initiatives, and partnerships with local organizations. The board also reviewed the architect selection process for upcoming projects, outlining the criteria and timeline for interviewing prospective firms. Additionally, the Better Together committee provided a summary of ongoing work concerning the merger of the district's middle schools, emphasizing a unified vision for staffing and programming.

The work session focused on an update regarding future-ready facilities, detailing the bond issue scheduled for the upcoming ballot to fund major construction and infrastructure improvements. The board also discussed the implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) career program at Fairmont High School, highlighting its integration with existing programs and the collaborative effort to offer students alternative educational pathways. Additionally, staff from Beavertown Elementary presented on their expansive after-school programming, showcasing various student clubs and musical performances that emphasize community engagement and student development.

The board conducted an organizational and regular session, which included swearing in reelected members, electing a president and vice president, and establishing the meeting schedule for the year. Key actions involved appointing a delegate and alternate delegate to the OSBA conference, authorizing the treasurer or their delegate to handle public record training, and approving legal services for the coming year. The board also engaged in a discussion regarding the impact of the state school voucher system on public school funding and debated the potential of joining the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy in School Funding to address concerns about the fairness of the school funding formula. Finally, the board approved the human capital consent agenda.