Michael Belcher

The special session was convened for the purpose of conducting a pre-superintendent search workshop led by an MASB Consultant. Key discussion points during the workshop included the role of the board during the executive search, required superintendent qualifications, hiring a non-certified superintendent, professional accomplishments for screening candidates, board leadership responsibilities, analysis of the typical applicant pool, Open Meetings Act (OMA) requirements and danger zones, candidate confidentiality, search timeline, and planning workshops for summarizing stakeholder input and finalizing selection criteria. Further discussion covered recruitment, interview preparation, and conducting Rounds I and II of the interview process, including handling stakeholder engagement and candidate selection. The board also discussed next steps.

The meeting featured an update presentation from the WHS Robotics Team, the Goon Squad, detailing their achievements, scholarship contributions, competition successes, and community outreach efforts, including mentoring younger teams. Key business items included the approval of the consent agenda, which covered November 2025 bills. The Board approved several employment actions for athletic coaches. Furthermore, the Board unanimously approved the adoption of a resolution for 31aa funding, approved the partial award recommendation for Bid Pack #11, approved the reallocation of supplemental contingency dollars to Bid Pack #8, and approved the addition of a new course, Graphics Unleashed: Design Made Simple, and the Rauland SoundCom PA System. The Superintendent formally tendered his resignation after 15 years of service, with the Board acknowledging the need to facilitate a superintendent search. The Board recessed to and reconvened from a closed session concerning Complaints and Disciplinary Action.

The meeting agenda covered several procedural and administrative items essential for the start of a new organizational period. Key discussions included the election of officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer), the adoption of the 2026/27 Board of Education Schedule of Regular Meetings, and the designation of personnel authorized to post public notices. Approvals covered the authorization for the Superintendent and Treasurer to sign district checks, and the designation of several law firms for various legal needs, as well as the designation of financial institutions. Personnel actions included the recommendation of new professional and support staff, and schedule B hires, including a Reproductive Health Coordinator and a Varsity Wrestling Assistant Coach. Business items featured the 2025/26 First Budget Amendment covering multiple funds and proposals for various overnight/out-of-state trips for different school levels to locations such as Toledo, OH, Sandusky, OH, Acme, MI, and Europe. The meeting concluded with a planned recess to closed session to discuss collective bargaining strategy.

The board meeting included recognition of substitute teachers and updates on the Unified Sports and Middle School fall seasons, highlighting student participation and achievements. The Varsity fall season update reported on various sports teams' performances and academic honors. The board approved support staff and academic/athletic Schedule B employments, and also approved the issuance and sale of refunding bonds. Further approvals were granted for the purchase of school buses, a Ford F-350 truck, and cafeteria tables for Gudith Elementary School. The updated Title I Parent and Family Engagement Plans for several elementary schools were also approved. The superintendent provided updates and congratulations to athletes and the theater company. The meeting recessed to a closed session for collective bargaining strategy before returning to open session. Board member comments included appreciation for safety communications and positive feedback on a community forum.

The committee reviewed bids for school projects, noting that preliminary bids were substantially under budget. Discussions covered the scope of work, potential alternate projects, contingency utilization, and workmanship issues. Curriculum updates included restructuring of the Personal Finance course, introduction of a new Graphics Unleashed course, and changes to the sex education curriculum. The board also discussed technology updates, human resources, safety and mental health communications, and athletics newsletters. The meeting recessed to a closed session for collective bargaining strategies.