Matthew Kelly

The Board meeting commenced with acknowledgments of High School Students of the Month and Middle School Rockets of the Month. Key agenda items included the approval of the board agenda with minor adjustments, acceptance of the Treasurer's Report covering financial statements, bills, bank reconciliation, and investment reports, and acceptance of an anonymous donation designated for the PG Book Club and needy children's cafeteria accounts. Administrative reports covered K-6 progress, including kindergarten registration updates and the initiation of the "ReadBowl" reading program, and 7-12 progress regarding high school scheduling, AP test recognition, and senior meetings. The Board approved building use requests for baseball and volleyball training, approved the substitute teacher list, accepted the retirement of Kimberly Miller, hired Randy Geiger as a dishwasher, approved the 2026-2027 school calendar, rehired Lynette Unterbrink, approved the utilization of paper administration for 3rd-grade state assessments, approved a high school field trip for career exploration, approved the OSBA membership renewal, established an annual professional development reimbursement limit of $600 per teacher and a $50 per day meal reimbursement for professional development, and approved the tax budget for FY2027. Additionally, Joyce Suter was approved as a tutor, and the retirement of Jill Henry was accepted. The Superintendent noted that the district complies with policy regarding unencumbered cash balances and plans to bid the front entrance construction project in February.

The organizational meeting included the administration of the oath of office to board members for the 2026 calendar year. Key resolutions passed involved the election of the Board President and Vice President for 2026. The Board also fixed the time and place for regular monthly meetings, directing the treasurer to pay bills as due and modify appropriations on an 'as needed' basis with subsequent Board approval. Furthermore, the Board authorized procedures for withdrawing funds from various accounts and directed the Treasurer to make authorized investments. Other actions included recognizing supporting adult groups, establishing a Board service fund ($5,000 for FY26), appointing the Superintendent as purchasing agent and designee for Public Records Training, appointing liaisons for OSBA Annual Conference, Legislative matters, Student Achievement, and liaisons to the Villages of Pandora and Gilboa. Finally, members were appointed to various committees, the Putnam County Sentinel was designated as the official newspaper, and depository agreements were approved.

The Organizational Meeting involved administering the Oath of Office to new board members, followed by the election of a Board President and a Board Vice President. Key resolutions addressed fixing the time and place for future regular board meetings, authorizing the Treasurer to pay bills as they become due, and authorizing the Treasurer to modify appropriations on an "as needed" basis with after-the-fact Board approval. Further resolutions authorized fund withdrawals from general, payroll clearance, and bond retirement accounts for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, and authorized the Treasurer to make and reinvest investments. The Board recognized several supporting adult groups, established a Board Service Fund with a recommended appropriation of $5,000 for FY26, and addressed various appointments for 2026, including the designation of the Superintendent as the purchasing agent and designee for Public Records Training. The board also designated the Sentinel as the official newspaper for 2026 and recommended approval of depository agreements with several financial institutions.

The meeting included invited presentations from High School Students of the Month and Middle School Rockets of the Month. Public participation addressed the notice of action for the retire/rehire of an employee. Key actions included approving the board agenda and accepting the Treasurer's Report, which covered various financial statements and reports. Administrative reports detailed progress in the 2025-2026 school year, including elementary projects like robot building and a millennial museum, and secondary items such as approaching quarter exams and Ohio End of Course Exam retakes. The Board approved several resolutions, including the acceptance of retirement for two employees, approval of a building use request for a baseball league, approval of a substitute teacher list, and the hiring of a substitute teacher. Additionally, the Board adjusted one employee's position, approved the creation of a guitar club, and approved wrestling and indoor track and field as sports. Coaches for spring and junior high track were also approved. The Superintendent provided the annual Bullying Report, noting zero incidents, and mentioned a future project to redesign the front entrance for safety.

The meeting included presentations from high school and middle school students of the month. The board discussed a notice of action for the retire/rehire of Lynette Unterbrink. The Treasurer's report was accepted. Administrative reports covered progress in the 2025-2026 school year from various principals and coordinators. The board accepted the resignation of Jane Warren and approved a resolution honoring her service. They also approved bus drivers and a teacher for the after school STARS program, a book fair stipend, an assistant varsity cheerleading coach, a substitute nurse, and a substitute list from ESC. Model policies were adopted, and the resignation of TJ Stennett was accepted, followed by the hiring of a JV girls basketball coach. The Superintendent reported on the community's support for the renewal operational levy and compliance with nutrition standards. Future election of a president pro tempore was also discussed.