Newark City School District

The regular business segment included a roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, with no comments from the public on agenda items. The consent agenda covered numerous approvals, including the FY26 Supplemental Permanent Appropriation resolution and the Five-Year Forecast, which the Treasurer was authorized to submit to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Personnel actions approved included various retirements, resignations, leaves of absence, salary and position adjustments for certificated staff, the hiring of tutors and substitutes, and supplemental coaching contracts. Furthermore, an agreement was approved with Catapult Learning West, LLC for instructional services, and agreements with other school districts for special education services. The Board also approved an agreement with ADR for engineering services to replace the waterline at the State Farm Building. Under Treasurer's Recommendations, the Board approved a settlement with the Frenton family. Under Superintendent's Recommendations, the Board admitted a foreign exchange student from Italy for the 2026-2027 school year, waiving tuition. Reports were provided regarding Special Education profiles, scholarship evaluations, curriculum updates for K-5 and 6-12, and upcoming pilot programs.

The meeting commenced with a roll call followed by entry into an Executive Session. The purpose of the Executive Session was the consideration of the purchase of property for public purposes, or the sale or disposition of unneeded property, where premature disclosure might create a competitive or bargaining disadvantage. Following this discussion, the board returned to open session and subsequently adjourned the meeting.

The organizational meeting focused on establishing the board's leadership and routine procedures for the year. Key actions included the administration of the Oath of Office to newly elected and re-elected Board Members, followed by the election and installation of Cindy Neely as Board President and Tom Bline as Vice-President. Several resolutions were passed, including the establishment of the annual service fund for board member expenses, authorizing the Treasurer to conduct normal financial matters, authorizing the Superintendent to employ temporary personnel in emergencies, and assigning the Superintendent the authority to accept employee resignations. Numerous appointments were made to various committees and liaisons, such as the Ohio School Board Business Meeting delegate/alternate, Legislative Liaison, and liaisons to city/county councils and committees like Finance, Personnel, and Construction Leadership Teams. The schedule for regular Board meetings and Finance Committee meetings for 2026 was also set. Consent agenda items approved included the minutes from the December 8, 2025, meeting, December 2025 financial statements, annual OSBA membership dues, and various personnel actions including retirements, leaves of absence, salary adjustments, and new hires/substitutes. The board also approved the Capital Improvement Plan, authorized advertising for copier bids, approved a January graduate, ratified a contract adjustment for an employee, and approved the Career-Based Intervention (CBI) Endorsement Proposal for six teachers, projecting annual cost savings by reducing reliance on OhioMeansJobs.

The meeting included discussion of recognitions, the consent agenda, treasurer's recommendations, superintendent's recommendations, board of education reports/recommendations, cabinet member reports, board discussion, comments from the floor, and an executive session. Key items included approval of financial statements, personnel actions, contracts with Perimeter Healthcare and other school districts, adoption of a cybersecurity framework, establishing August 1 as the date for kindergarten and first-grade admission, approval of school calendars, and discussion of board policies.

The meeting included discussions and actions on various topics, such as curriculum updates, approval of financial statements, engagement for a financial audit, permanent appropriations, and personnel resolutions related to retirements, resignations, leave of absence, salary adjustments, tutors, and substitutes. Additionally, the board approved supplemental personnel, volunteers, contracts for special education services, substitutes, a quote for Trane Turnkey Agility HDW, graduates, a walking track project, gifts, out-of-state field trips, and a resolution to authorize payment for a supplemental contract. The board also discussed intent to adopt board policies and adopted several policies related to executive functions, finance, personnel, and SALT (Student Achievement, Leadership, and Transformation).