Northern Local School District

The meeting commenced with a Budget Hearing for the 2026-27 Tax Budget, which covered legal requirements, purpose, and differences from the Financial Forecast. During the Organizational and Regular Meeting, the Board held an Oath of Office ceremony for newly elected or continuing members. Key organizational actions included the election of Dale DeRolph as President and Patrick Hogan as Vice President. The Board established the schedule for regular meetings in 2026 and appointed liaisons for OSBA. Several resolutions were approved, including authorizations for tax advances, investment of interim funds, application for Local, State, and Federal Funds, payment of bills, and setting the legal counsel as Scott Scriven LLP. Furthermore, the Board authorized the Superintendent to make employment offers and accept resignations pending ratification, and the Treasurer to sign all district checks. In business matters, the Board adopted the 2026-27 tax budget, approved financial reports, then and now certificates, budget adjustments across several appropriations and revenues, and accepted numerous donations for student support. Employment actions included notifying administrators of contract expiration dates and approving certified substitutes, classified employees, and volunteers. Finally, the 2026-27 School Calendar passed its final reading, and the Board approved minutes from the December 16, 2025 meeting.

This document presents the Northern Local School District - Perry County's five-year financial forecast, outlining actual revenues and expenditures from fiscal years 2023-2025 and projections for fiscal years 2026-2030. It details key assumptions regarding property taxes, state funding, and operating expenditures, while also addressing financial risks and the impact of new state legislation on revenues. The forecast serves as a critical management tool for long-range financial planning, ensuring the district's ability to meet Ohio budgetary laws and maintain fiscal stability.

Key discussions and recommendations during the meeting included the approval of the January 15, 2026 Board meeting minutes. Under Business and Finance, the Board was recommended to approve the January 2026 financial reports, the Financial Forecast, and specific budget adjustments related to the FY26 School Bus Safety Grant and SHS Cheerleaders. Approvals were also sought for several Then & Now Certificates and a one-year contract with Asset Control Solutions for fixed-asset inventory. Several donations were recommended for approval. In Employment, the Board was asked to accept the retirement of a certified employee effective May 31, 2026, approve certified substitutes, and approve listed volunteers. Curriculum items included approval for several field trips, changing the 2025-2026 school calendar to designate May 5, 2026, as a staff professional development day, approving OHSAA membership for 2026-2027, and approving a Memorandum of Understanding with Stark State College for College Credit Plus Courses.

The agenda for this Board of Education meeting included recognition of retirees, reports from the Mid-East Career & Technical Center and the Superintendent, and several business and finance recommendations. Key financial actions involved approving the November 2025 financial reports and several budget adjustments across different revenue and appropriation line items. The Board recommended approval for multiple contractual items, including a one-year contract for water softener maintenance with IXOM Watercare, a three-year agreement with Riverside Insights for comprehensive assessments, and annual memberships for the Ohio School Boards Association and Perry County Chamber of Commerce for 2026. Employment matters included approving a request for FMLA maternity leave, accepting a resignation, and approving the hiring of several classified employees and transfers. Additionally, the Board recommended approval for a Memorandum of Understanding with Zane State College and for the final reading and rescission of numerous Board Policies related to non-discrimination, anti-harassment, and operational procedures. The meeting concluded with recommendations to elect a President Pro Tempore for the upcoming organizational meeting and select its date and time.

Key discussions included a report from Mid-East Vocational School regarding policy revisions and student enrollment projections, as well as recognition for a retiring staff member after 34 years of service. The Superintendent reported on a partnership proposal with Mid-East to transition the high school agriculture program to a Mid-East satellite program, projected to yield substantial General Fund savings of approximately $250,000 to $300,000 annually, while maintaining the Sheridan FFA identity. The board discussed details of the partnership, including transportation and substitute teacher pay processing. Other topics covered included the recognition of a teacher who won the CORA's Outstanding Elementary Teacher award, the district receiving the 2025 Best-In-Class Award, a review of November financial reports showing slight variances in state funding and strong interest earnings, and several recommendations for approval related to budget adjustments, contract approvals (IXOM Watercare, Riverside Insights), organizational memberships, donations, and employment actions (FMLA request, resignations, new hires, and transfers). The board also reviewed and approved the final reading of numerous Board Policies and the rescission of several others.