Highland Local School District - Regular Meeting

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the minutes for the September 11, 2024 Regular Board of Education Meeting as presented

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the September 2024 Financial Statements as presented.

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

In order for the Board to fulfill its obligation to complete the planned agenda in an effective and efficient manner, a maximum of 30 minutes of public participation may be permitted at each meeting.
Each person addressing the Board shall give his/her name. If several people wish to speak, each person is allotted three minutes until the total time of 30 minutes has elapsed. During that period, no person may speak twice until all who desire to speak have had the opportunity. Persons desiring more time should follow procedure of the Board to be placed on the regular agenda. The period of public participation may be extended by a vote of the majority of the Board present and voting.

Resolution to approve the following resignations

Lainey Schmidt        MS Aide        (Effective 9-27-24)

Jennifer Alexander    Preschool Aide    (Effective 10-3-24)

Belle Ayala        HS English Teacher     (Effective 9-20-24)

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the following retirement 

Aaron Shipley    NJROTC Instructor

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve FMLA request for the following personnel

Laura Ball        HS Custodian

Caitlin Harrod    ES Teacher

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the following classified personnel by one year contract    

Jennifer Bolton   MS EA2    (Step 6)    (Effective 9-27-24)

Sarah Gorenflo    ES EA2    (Step 0)    (Effective 10-8-24)

Christa Smith       ES EA2    (Step 3)    (Effective 10-3-24)

Hannah Heck    ES EA1    (Step 0)    (Effective 10-7-24)

Ryleigh Dewart    ES EA1    (Step 0) pending background check

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve a $600 EA3 stipend for the following personnel

Jennifer Bolton    MS Aide (Effective 9-27-24)

Christa Smith        ES Aide    (Effective 10-3-24)

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the following certified personnel for 1 year contract.

Derek Bielecki    HS English    (Step 3)    (Effective 10-2-24)

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the following certified contract effective beginning SY2024-2025.

Jessica Norris        Elementary Teacher    

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the following trip request.

FFA National Convention October 23th - 26th in Indianapolis

Youth and Government Conference January 25th - February 2nd at the Ohio State House.

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the substitute teacher pay rate of $135.00 per day and $150.00 per day for retired Highland teachers; effective 10/10/2024.

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the ticket price change to follow changes in state law.  All sub varsity, including middle school, will be $6 for adults and $5 for students.

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the following personnel for a supplemental contract

Julie McLeod        MS Robotics Assistant    (1 Year)

Tyler DeWeese       HS Assistant Robotics    (0 Years)

Ryan Stover    HS Boys Varsity Basketball Head Coach    (6 Years)

Anthony Wilson    HS Boys Varsity Assistant Basketball    (9+ Years)

Garrett Fitzpatrick    HS JV Boys Head Basketball Coach    (3 Years)

Chris Rupe    8th Grade Boys Head Basketball Coach    (9+ Years)

Payton Woodruff    7th Grade Boys Head Basketball Coach    (8 Years)

Matt Bradley    HS Girls Head Basketball Coach    (9+ Years)

Matt Downing    HS Girls Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach   (9+ Years)

Brett Behnfeldt    JV Girls Head Basketball Coach    (9+ Years)

Hailey Guisinger    8th Grade Girls Head Basketball Coach    (1 Year)

Brooke Squires    7th Grade Girls Head Basketball Coach    (0 Years)    (pending background check)

Adam Gilmore    HS Head Wrestling Coach    (9+ Years)

Alec Fulwider    Varsity Assistant Wrestling Coach    (1 Year Split Contract)

Tristan Hinkle    Varsity Assistant Wrestling Coach    (2 Year Split Contract)

Luke Clemens    Head Middle Wrestling    (9+ Years)

Katelyn Zellner    MS Assistant Wrestling Coach    (2 Years)

Rich Williams    HS Head Girls Wrestling Coach    (9+ Years)

Zach Baker    Volunteer HS Wrestling Coach

Chris Ballard        Volunteer MS Girls Basketball Coach

Dawn Hicks    HS Head Girls Bowling Coach    (5 Years)

Ty Hicks    HS Head Boys Bowling Coach    (5 Years)

Christy Barnett    HS/MS Head Cheer Coach     (7 Years)

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the following classified personnel as subs

Jennifer Alexander        Aide / Cook/Cashier

Alanna Salmons        Aide / Cook/Cashier

James Rennie           Aide

Mindy Marquez         Cook/Cashier    (Effective 9-26-24)

Linda Meade             Aide/Secretary

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the Substitute Secretary pay rate of step 0 per the adopted salary schedule for the position.

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the enhancement of the blue utility building contingent upon receiving a $50,000 donation from the athletic boosters.  Total cost to the Board of Education outside of donations to the Board of Education not to exceed $5,000.  

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the following Purpose and Budget Clauses for SY2024-2025

• Backpack Blessings
• HMS Student Council

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve the Cigna medical insurance proposal for calendar year 2025 with board and employee % contributions to remain at the % contribution rates utilized for calendar year 2024, including HRA and HSA board amounts.

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to approve Payment in Lieu of Transportation for the following students who live in the Highland District and attend a private school within 30 minutes of the Highland District.  Transportation has been deemed impracticable.

Blakelee Staton                Gilead Christian

Parker Staton                   Gilead Christian

Harper Gillen                    Gilead Christian

Natalie Hurst                    Gilead Christian

Gage Beacom                  Gilead Christian

Jaidyn Julian                    Genoa Christian

Ethan Dill                          Genoa Christian

Norah Dill                          Genoa Christian

Layla Hart                         Genoa Christian

Lydia Hart                          Genoa Christian

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

WHEREAS, as a public board of education may hold an executive session only after a majority of a quorum of this board determines by a roll call vote to hold such a session and only at a regular or special meeting for the sole purpose of the consideration of any of the following matters:

1. To consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual.
2. To consider the purchase of property for public purposes or for the sale of property at competitive bidding.
3. Conferences with an attorney for the board of education concerning disputes involving the board of education that are the subject of pending or imminent court action.
4. Preparing for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment.
5. Matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or rules or state statutes.
6. Specialized details of security arrangements where disclosure of the matters discussed might reveal information that could be used for the purpose of committing or avoiding prosecution for a violation of the law.
Therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Highland Local Board of Education, by a majority of the quorum present at this meeting, does hereby declare its intention to hold an executive session on item(s) as listed above.

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker      

Resolution to adjourn this meeting and schedule the next meeting of the Highland Local School District Board of Education to be held Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the middle school robotics room.

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Burgess Castle       John Messmer       William Short       Eric Thacker