Highland Local School District - Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order
President

2. Pledge of Allegiance
President

3. Roll Call
President

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


4. Approve Minutes

Resolution to approve the minutes for the February 12, 2025 Regular Board of Education Meeting as presented

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


5. Approve Financial Statements
Mr. Fleming

Resolution to approve the February 2025 Financial Statements as presented.

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


6. Public Participation
Community

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.


7. Move from Regular to Executive Session

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:

A. Consideration of the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official.

B. Investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or student unless such employee, official, licensee, or student requests a public meeting; except that consideration of the discipline of a Board member for conduct related to the performance of their duties or their removal from office shall not be held in executive session.

C. Consideration of the purchase of property for public purposes, or sale or other disposition of unneeded, obsolete, unfit-for-use property at competitive bidding, if premature disclosure of information would give an unfair competitive or bargaining advantage to a person whose personal, private interest is adverse to the general public interest.

D. Discussion with the Board's legal counsel of disputes involving the Board that are the subject of pending or imminent court action.

E. Preparing for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of employment.

F. Matters required to be confidential by Federal law or regulations or State statutes.

G. Specialized details of security arrangements and emergency response protocols where disclosure might reveal information that could jeopardize the District's security.

H. Consideration of confidential information related to the marketing plans, specific business strategy, production techniques, trade secrets, or personal financial statements of an applicant for economic development assistance, or to negotiations with other political subdivisions respecting requests for economic development assistance, provided that both of the following conditions apply:
    1. The information is directly related to a request for economic development assistance that is to be provided or administered under one of the statutes referenced in R.C. 121.22(G)(8)(1), or that involves public infrastructure improvements or the extension of utility services that are directly related to an economic development project, and

    2. An unanimous quorum of the Board or its subcommittee determines, by a roll call vote, that the executive session is necessary to protect the interests of the applicant or the possible investment or expenditure of public funds to be made in connection with the economic development project.
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      


8. Regular Session Reconvened

9. Accept Resignation Letters From Personnel

Resolution to approve the following resignations.

Lance Gallogly    MS Custodian    (effective 3-7-25)

Mary Louis        3rd Grade Title Reading    (effective 6-6-25)

Kayla Chatterton    HS English    

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


10. Approve Classified Subs

Resolution to approve the following classified substitutes.

Richard Dobucki        Custodian

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


11. Approve Supplemental Contract

Resolution to approve the following supplemental contracts.

Caitlin Nelson        Varsity Assistant Softball Coach        (1 Year)

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


12. Approve NJROTC Salary, Pay Structure, and Contract

Resolution to approve the salary, pay structure, and one year contract of Louis D'hondt and Paul Kunkle; salary subject to increase when congress enacts new scales and as such, the school share of salary could increase.

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


13. Employ Certified Administrator By Two (2) Year Contract

Resolution to approve the following administrative contract per the adopted salary schedule.

Chad Russell        Middle School Assistant Principal        (step 0)

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


14. Approve First Reading of Board Policy Changes

Resolution to approve the first reading of the following board policy changes.

PO 0131.1    Technical Corrections

PO 0171        Rescind Review of Policy

PO 1422.01    Drug Free Workplace

PO 2271        College Credit Plus Program

PO 2340        Field and Other Sponsored Trips

PO 2431        Interscholastic Athletics

PO 2460        Revised Special Education

PO 5113        Inter-District Open Enrollment

PO 5120        Assignment Within District

PO 5131        Student Transfers

PO 5136        Revised Personal Communication Devices

PO 5223        Release Time For Religious Instruction During The School Day

PO 5330        Use of Medications

PO 5350        Student Health, Well-Being, and Suicide Prevention

PO 5460        Graduation Requirements 

PO 5610        Removal, Suspension, Expulsion, and Permanent Expulsion of Students

PO 5751        Parental Status of Students

PO 5780.01    Parent's Bill of Rights

PO 6151        Insufficient Funds Checks

PO 7440.01    Surveillance and Electronic Monitoring

PO 8142        Criminal History Record Check For Contracted School Services

PO 8452        Automated External Defibrillators and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

PO 8500        Food Services

 

 

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


15. Approve Special Education Resolution

Approve the resolution to adopt Special Education Model Policies and Procedures

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


16. Approve OHSAA Membership

Resolution to approve the membership with the OHSAA for the 2025-2026 school year.

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


17. Approve Trip Request

Resolution to approve the following trip request.

NJROTC to Quantico, VA and Washington D.C. April 7-11, 2025

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


18. Mid-Ohio ESC Estimate for Services During FY25

Resolution to approve the revised Mid-Ohio ESC service contract for FY2025

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


19. Bus Purchase

Resolution to approve the purchase of one (1) 72 Passenger Conventional bus from Rush Truck Centers at a cost of $136,932 through the META Solutions stock bus bid contract which includes warranty, cameras, and undercoating as listed on form T4

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


20. META Solutions Master Services Agreement

Resolution to approve the Master Service Agreement with META Solutions for fiscal year 2026.

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


21. Accept Donation

Resolution to accept a $55,000 donation from Kokosing for soccer field enhancements.

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


22. Revised Appropriations and Estimated Resources

Resolution to approve the revised fund level appropriations and estimated resources.

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


23. Move from Regular to Executive Session

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:

A. Consideration of the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official.

B. Investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or student unless such employee, official, licensee, or student requests a public meeting; except that consideration of the discipline of a Board member for conduct related to the performance of their duties or their removal from office shall not be held in executive session.

C. consideration of the purchase of property for public purposes, or sale or other disposition of unneeded, obsolete, unfit-for-use property at competitive bidding, if premature disclosure of information would give an unfair competitive or bargaining advantage to a person whose personal, private interest is adverse to the general public interest.

D. Discussion with the Board's legal counsel of disputes involving the Board that are the subject of pending or imminent court action.

E. Preparing for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of employment.

F. Matters required to be confidential by Federal law or regulations or State statutes.

G. specialized details of security arrangements and emergency response protocols where disclosure might reveal information that could jeopardize the District's security.

H. Consideration of confidential information related to the marketing plans, specific business strategy, production techniques, trade secrets, or personal financial statements of an applicant for economic development assistance, or to negotiations with other political subdivisions respecting requests for economic development assistance, provided that both of the following conditions apply:
    1. The information is directly related to a request for economic development assistance that is to be provided or administered under one of the statutes referenced in R.C. 121.22(G)(8)(1), or that involves public infrastructure improvements or the extension of utility services that are directly related to an economic development project, and

    2. An unanimous quorum of the Board or its subcommittee determines, by a roll call vote, that the executive session is necessary to protect the interests of the applicant or the possible investment or expenditure of public funds to be made in connection with the economic development project.
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      


24. Regular Session Reconvened

25. Adjourn this Meeting and Confirm Next Meeting Date

Resolution to adjourn this meeting and schedule the next meeting of the Highland Local School District Board of Education to be held Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the middle school robotics room.

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