Veronica Cassidy

The meeting included a Budget Hearing followed by an Organizational Meeting. Key discussions and actions during the organizational segment involved the administering of the Oath of Office to newly elected members, the election of the President and Vice President for 2026, and the establishment of regular meeting dates, times, and locations for 2026. Furthermore, the Board addressed setting dates for special joint meetings with local community agencies, approving Board member liaison appointments for 2026, and granting standing authorization to the Superintendent/Treasurer to handle employment actions (hiring, resignations, and discipline) between board meetings, subject to subsequent ratification.

The meeting commenced with an Executive Session for confidential matters, including an Expulsion Appeal where a decision regarding a student's expulsion was considered for upholding. During the Regular Meeting, discussions focused on personnel changes, including accepting the resignations of three employees contingent upon their rehiring in new roles (Lisa Wells, Jay Burkholder, and Brenda O'Reilly) following earned retirement benefit initiation. Further personnel actions involved adopting a Consent Calendar that addressed the resignation of a classified employee and the employment of classified staff and substitutes for the 2025-2026 school year, as well as approving seasonal and Title I tutor employments. The board also addressed waiving make-up days due to calamity days and approving a notice for a future public meeting regarding the re-employment of a retiring teacher. Administrative items included recognizing Staff Appreciation Week and formally proclaiming May 5, 2026, as Teacher Appreciation Day. Financial matters involved reviewing and approving February 2026 financial reports, approving fund advances to cover negative grant balances, amending appropriations, accepting various donations, and approving an updated bus driver salary schedule. The board also approved a contract for an athletic trainer for the 2026-2027 school year. Instructional business included requesting approval for an out-of-state field trip for AFJROTC cadets to The Ark in Kentucky. Athletics involved approving schedules and costs for various sports camps (Basketball, Volleyball, Cheerleading, and Soccer). Finally, policy items involved reviewing FLSA policy and approving several policies related to Nondiscrimination, EEO, Anti-Harassment, and Food Service, alongside adopting a resolution for Special Education Model Policies and Procedures with specific modifications.

The meeting agenda included public hearings regarding the re-employment of Deborah Gemmaka and Paula Crew following their retirement. The Board addressed numerous personnel actions, including accepting resignations (certified and classified), approving various new employments (classified, summer learning program staff, home instruction, tutors, summer help), non-renewals of contracts (substitute and retire/rehire), and contract term extensions for certified employees (limited 1-year, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th issues, initial continuing contracts). A step change for an employee was also presented for approval. Significant financial agenda items involved reviewing and approving financial reports for March 2025, covering negative fund advances with the general fund balance, amending estimated resources and appropriations, approving the disposal of a 1911 Chickering Baby Grand Piano, approving a three-year VoIP service agreement with MVECA, and adopting a resolution to establish several new funds, including a Capital Projects Fund with an initial $3,950,000 transfer from the General Fund. Other approvals included summer migrant education services, unpaid leave requests, a contract for GAAP conversion financial services, acceptance of various donations, and a contract for an athletic trainer. Policy items included reviewing several existing policies and adopting modified Special Education Model Policies and Procedures, as well as approving a new Property Inventory policy.

The meeting agenda covered several operational areas requiring Board approval. Under Personnel matters, discussions included a reduction in force due to financial reasons, amendment of the Superintendent's contract regarding incentive payout, numerous certified and classified resignations, and recommendations for new certified, classified, substitute, supplemental music, summer help, and home instruction employment for the upcoming year. The board was also asked to approve a step change revision, approve public meeting notice regarding a retiree re-employment, and change the pay schedule for seven administrators. Administrative consent items focused on approving the Fiscal Year 2026 MVECA contract and contracts for services with the Clark County ESC and Montgomery County ESC. Financial items included approving the May 2025 Five Year Forecast, reviewing and approving April 2025 financial reports, addressing negative fund balances with general fund coverage, amending estimated resources and appropriations, approving the 2025-2026 Liability, Fleet, & Property Insurance renewal, approving unpaid leave requests, approving the School Resource Officer Agreement with the Clark County Sheriff's Department (noting an increase in cost), accepting various donations, and approving an updated 403(b) Plan Document to permit Roth contributions. Athletic business included approval for one-day out-of-state travel for Girls Basketball. Finally, the Instructional section involved the adoption of numerous policies across various operational areas, including technical corrections, field trips, athletics, student transfers, and building security.

The meeting included an initial Executive Session followed by the Regular Meeting. Key discussion items involved public hearings concerning the re-employment of individuals following retirement, specifically Lisa Wells, Jay Burkholder, and Brenda O'Reilly. The agenda also covered the adoption of a Consent Calendar for Personnel matters, including accepting several classified resignations and approving new classified employment positions and substitute appointments for the 2025-2026 school year. Athletic supplemental employment and travel were also recommended for approval. Calendar adjustments for the 2025-2026 school year were presented, along with an adjustment to 255/260 day contracts. Administrative consent items included the approval of the 2026 graduation list, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Sinclair Community College and Clark State Community College for CCP programs, and a resolution concerning providing payment in lieu of transportation for students attending Roads to Recovery. Financial consent items included the approval of the February 2026 Financial Forecast, January 2026 financial reports, approval of fund advances to cover negative balances, amendment of estimated resources and appropriations, acceptance of tax rates from the Clark County Auditor, and approval of MVECA contracts for broadband services. The Board was asked to accept various donations, approve unpaid leave requests, purchase a new EPC bus, approve a student activity fee for the junior musical, and approve the 2026-2027 Academic Planning Guide. Finally, policy reviews and approvals were scheduled, along with the renewal of Ohio High School Athletic Association membership and approval for a summer sports camp.