Highland Local School District - Organizational Meeting

1. Call to Order
President Pro Temp

Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 5:45 pm.


2. Pledge of Allegiance
President Pro Temp

Minutes

Mr. Messmer led the Pledge of Allegiance


3. Roll Call
President Pro Temp

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

Minutes

Mr. Messmer called roll.  Mr. Short was absent.  All other members present

VoterYesNoAbstaining
John Messmer, Board PresidentX  
Bill Short, Board Vice President   
Eric Thacker, Board MemberX  
Burgess Castle, Board MemberX  
Kathy Belcher, Board MemberX  

4. Election of Officers
President Pro Temp

       moved to nominate        as Board President for 2025.

       moved to close nominations.

 

       moved to nominate       as Board Vice President for 2025.

 

       moved to close nominations.

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

Minutes

Mr. Thacker moved to nominate Mr. Messmer as Board President for 2025.  Mrs. Belcher seconded the motion.  Mr. Thacker moved to close nominations. Mr. Messmer was elected Board President. 

Mr. Thacker moved to nominate Mr. Short as Board Vice President for 2025. Mrs. Belcher seconded the motion.  Mr. Messmer moved to close nominations.  Mr. Short was elected Board Vice President.

Resolution: 25-01-001 Election of Officers

Result: Approved

VoterYesNoAbstaining
John Messmer, Board PresidentX  
Bill Short, Board Vice President   
Eric Thacker, Board MemberX  
Burgess Castle, Board MemberX  
Kathy Belcher, Board MemberX  

5. Establish Regular Meeting Dates, Times, and Location
President

Resolution to approve the regular meetings of the Highland Local Board of Education for the 2025 calendar year be held the second Wednesday of every month starting at 6:00 pm in the middle school robotics room except June (June meeting to take place on the 25th).

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

Minutes

Resolution: 25-01-002 Establish Regular Meeting Dates, Times, and Location

Result: Approved

Motioned: Eric Thacker, Board Member

Seconded: Kathy Belcher, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
John Messmer, Board PresidentX  
Bill Short, Board Vice President   
Eric Thacker, Board MemberX  
Burgess Castle, Board MemberX  
Kathy Belcher, Board MemberX  

6. Authorize Superintendent to Administer All Federal & State Programs
President

Resolution to authorize the Superintendent or his designee to administer all Federal and State Grant Programs for the District.

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

Minutes

Resolution: 25-01-003 Authorize Superintendent to Administer All Federal & State Programs

Result: Approved

Motioned: Eric Thacker, Board Member

Seconded: Kathy Belcher, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
John Messmer, Board PresidentX  
Bill Short, Board Vice President   
Eric Thacker, Board MemberX  
Burgess Castle, Board MemberX  
Kathy Belcher, Board MemberX  

7. Appoint Purchasing Agent
President

Resolution to appoint the Superintendent as the Purchasing Agent for the District.

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

Minutes

Resolution: 25-01-004 Appoint Purchasing Agent

Result: Approved

Motioned: Eric Thacker, Board Member

Seconded: Kathy Belcher, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
John Messmer, Board PresidentX  
Bill Short, Board Vice President   
Eric Thacker, Board MemberX  
Burgess Castle, Board MemberX  
Kathy Belcher, Board MemberX  

8. Investment of Funds
President

Resolution to authorize the Treasurer to invest inactive and interim funds whenever active or interim funds are available for investment.

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

Minutes

Resolution: 25-01-005 Investment of Funds

Result: Approved

Motioned: Kathy Belcher, Board Member

Seconded: Eric Thacker, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
John Messmer, Board PresidentX  
Bill Short, Board Vice President   
Eric Thacker, Board MemberX  
Burgess Castle, Board MemberX  
Kathy Belcher, Board MemberX  

9. Authorize Superintendent to Employ Temporary Personnel
President

Resolution to authorize the Superintendent to employ such temporary personnel as needed for emergency situations. Such employment shall be presented for approval by the Board at the next regular meeting.

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

Minutes

Resolution: 25-01-006 Authorize Superintendent to Employ Temporary Personnel

Result: Approved

Motioned: Kathy Belcher, Board Member

Seconded: Eric Thacker, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
John Messmer, Board PresidentX  
Bill Short, Board Vice President   
Eric Thacker, Board MemberX  
Burgess Castle, Board MemberX  
Kathy Belcher, Board MemberX  

10. Authorize Superintendent to Accept Resignations
President

Resolution to authorize the Superintendent, on behalf of the Board, to accept resignations which have been submitted by employees during times when the Board is not in session, subject to ratification by the Board; provided however, that upon ratification by the Board, such resignations shall be deemed effective as of the date and time of the Superintendent's acceptance. This authorization will remain in effect through the January 2026 Organizational Meeting.

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

Minutes

Resolution: 25-01-007 Authorize Superintendent to Accept Resignations

Result: Approved

Motioned: Eric Thacker, Board Member

Seconded: Kathy Belcher, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
John Messmer, Board PresidentX  
Bill Short, Board Vice President   
Eric Thacker, Board MemberX  
Burgess Castle, Board MemberX  
Kathy Belcher, Board MemberX  

11. Authorize Mileage Rate
President

Resolution to authorize the Superintendent to approve mileage reimbursement to employees who drive their personal vehicle in the performance of their duties as per our adopted schedule at the IRS mileage reimbursement rate of 70 cents for calendar year 2025.

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

Minutes

Resolution: 25-01-008 Authorize Mileage Rate

Result: Approved

Motioned: Eric Thacker, Board Member

Seconded: Kathy Belcher, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
John Messmer, Board PresidentX  
Bill Short, Board Vice President   
Eric Thacker, Board MemberX  
Burgess Castle, Board MemberX  
Kathy Belcher, Board MemberX  

12. Authorize Advance on Tax Settlements
President

Resolution to authorize the Treasurer to secure tax advances from the County Auditor when funds are available and payable to the District.

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

Minutes

Resolution: 25-01-009 Authorize Advance on Tax Settlements

Result: Approved

Motioned: Eric Thacker, Board Member

Seconded: John Messmer, Board President

VoterYesNoAbstaining
John Messmer, Board PresidentX  
Bill Short, Board Vice President   
Eric Thacker, Board MemberX  
Burgess Castle, Board MemberX  
Kathy Belcher, Board MemberX  

13. Authorize Payment of Bills
President

Resolution to authorize the Treasurer to pay bills approved by the purchasing agent via purchase order as they are presented, provided the funds are available, and to report those bills paid to the Board monthly (including Then & Nows above $2,999).

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

Minutes

Resolution: 25-01-010 Authorize Payment of Bills

Result: Approved

Motioned: Eric Thacker, Board Member

Seconded: Kathy Belcher, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
John Messmer, Board PresidentX  
Bill Short, Board Vice President   
Eric Thacker, Board MemberX  
Burgess Castle, Board MemberX  
Kathy Belcher, Board MemberX  

14. Establish Board Service Fund
President

Resolution to establish a Board Service Fund in the amount of $1,000.

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

Minutes

Resolution: 25-01-011 Establish Board Service Fund

Result: Approved

Motioned: Eric Thacker, Board Member

Seconded: Kathy Belcher, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
John Messmer, Board PresidentX  
Bill Short, Board Vice President   
Eric Thacker, Board MemberX  
Burgess Castle, Board MemberX  
Kathy Belcher, Board MemberX  

15. Food Purchases
President

Resolution to authorize the purchase of meals, refreshments, amenities, and recognition for the following: Board of Education Meetings, Student/Staff Recognition, Staff Professional Development, Start of School Meetings, End of School Meetings, Staff Appreciation, Student Achievement, Student Activities, and Curricular items.

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

Minutes

Resolution: 25-01-012 Food Purchases

Result: Approved

Motioned: Eric Thacker, Board Member

Seconded: Kathy Belcher, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
John Messmer, Board PresidentX  
Bill Short, Board Vice President   
Eric Thacker, Board MemberX  
Burgess Castle, Board MemberX  
Kathy Belcher, Board MemberX  

16. Adjourment
President

Resolution to adjourn this meeting.

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

Minutes

Meeting was adjourned at 5:53 pm.

Resolution: 25-01-013 Adjournment

Result: Approved

Motioned: Kathy Belcher, Board Member

Seconded: Eric Thacker, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
John Messmer, Board PresidentX  
Bill Short, Board Vice President   
Eric Thacker, Board MemberX  
Burgess Castle, Board MemberX  
Kathy Belcher, Board MemberX