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 April 9, 2025 Regular Board of Education Meeting as presented

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

Resolution to approve the April 2025 Financial Statements as presented.

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

Messmer:

Short:

Belcher:

Castle:

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.

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      

Resolution to accept the following resignations

Paul Ulrey    MS Custodian

Mike DeLaney    Athletic Director

Elizabeth Crumpler    ES Aide

Allison Stecker    Teacher

William Johnson    HS Custodian

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

Resolution to accept the retirement letters from the following personnel

Richard Williams        MS Math Teacher, Cross Country Coach, Wrestling Coach

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

Resolution to approve the following FMLA request

Brittany Renwick    ES Custodian        (4/29/25 - 8/19/25)

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

Resolution to approve the following classified subs

Bryee Guisinger    Aide

William Johnson    Custodian    (Effective July 1, 2025)

Mary Justice          Custodian / Kitchen

Spencer Partlow    Custodian

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

Resolution to approve the following certified contracts for 1 (one) year for the 2025-2026 school year.

Greta Kay Penix (retire/ rehire)

Chip Wendt (retire/ rehire)

Benjamin Lannom

Megan Dever

Craig Smith

Karen Perry perm sub

Jen Taylor perm sub

Wes Newland (retire/ rehire)

Kristy Daugherty

Indie Jones             ES Teacher    (Step 2)

Christina Hart

Brian Wetzel            MS Robotics (Step 20)

Mackenzie Ward      ES Intervention Specialist    (Step 3)

Kyle Lauer               MS Intervention Specialist    (Step 2)

Julia Ritzler              HS English    (Step 0)

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

Resolution to approve the following certified contracts for 2 (two) years beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Kipp Nelson

Payton Woodruff 

Carol Goodpastor

Katy Farson

Caitlin Harrod

Nina Markovic

Emily Shaw

Tabitha Mogan

Alyssa Marshall

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

Resolution to approve the following certified contracts for 3 (three) years beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Caitlin Nelson

Jordan Kennedy-McPherson

Satchel Denton

Melissa Spence

Jerry Liston

Ashley Bouma

Becky Scott

Dirk Detillion

Emily Hall

James Webster

John Gifford

Natalie Lally

Samantha Johnson

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

Resolution to approve the following certified contracts for 5 (five) years beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Amy Arnett Tomasek

Mari Miller

Katie Pauley

Matt Downing

Sasha Kent

Jennifer Reid

Tristen Beltz

Mary Davis

Rebecca Feast

Dylan Labbe

Shannah McKinley

Matt Mosher

Steven Stooksbury

Tasha Terrill

Candace Thompson

Scott Watson

Tammy Wetzel

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

Resolution to approve the following certified continuing contracts beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Luke Beal

Heather Petry

Shawn Wilhelm

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

Resolution to approve extended service days for the following personnel

Kathleen Pauley             High School Guidance Counselor             20 Days
Jordan Kennedy             High School Guidance Counselor             20 Days
Brianne Jaynes               Middle School Guidance Counselor         20 Days
Joseph Smith                  High School Ag Science Teacher              50 Days
Sarah Reynolds              High School Ag Business Teacher            35 Days
Amy Arnett-Tomsak         Instrumental Music Director                      25 Days
Kayla McMurry                Elementary Music Teacher                        1 Day
Brian Weztel                    Middle School Robotics                            15 Days
Shawn Wilhelm                High School Robotics                               15 Days
Mike DeLaney                  Athletics Mentor                                        20 Days

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

Resolution to approve the following classified contracts for the remainder of the 2024-2025 contract year.

Joshua Swims    MS Custodian    (Step 0)    (Effective 5-5-25)

Kristina Ferenbaugh    EA2            (Step 0)    (Effective 4-21-25)

Richard Dobucki   ES Temporary Custodian    (Step 0)    (5-6-25 to 8-19-25)

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

Resolution to approve the following classified contracts for one year for the 2025-2026 school year.

Joshua Swims    MS Custodian            (Step 1)

Stacey Swick        Educational Aide        (Step 10)

Ashley Watson    Educational Aide        (Step 3)

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

Resolution to approve the following classified contracts for 2 years beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Jeantte Benedict

Amanda Chapman

Jennifer Kempton

Loren Prosser

Robin Stewart

Renae Schwartz

Sonja Cantrell

Jennifer Bolton

Jennifer Smith

Dalton Whisman

Camryn Taylor

Angela Starner

Blair Weisent

Marla Barnhart

Bethani Ebner

Sarah Gorenflo

Olivia Hamilton

Ashley Hughes

Stephanie Jordan

Melanie Meade

Carrie Roush

Tammy Ufferman

Alanna Salmons

Christa Smith

Courtney Smith

Nikol Stewart

Kila Stillwell

Kristina Ferenbaugh 

Christina Squires (lunch monitor)

Tina Griffith

Karen Blanton

Karla McDonald

Emily Hess

Jo Tompkins

Reinier Vernoorn

Brittany Renwick

Trisha Harmon

Troy Stewart

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

Resolution to approve the following classified continuing contracts beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Sandy Remley

Thom Fowler

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

Resolution to approve the following personnel for EA3 stipends

Loren Prosser              (Effective 4-21-25)

Kristina Ferenbaugh    (Effective 4-21-25)

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

Resolution to approve the following supplemental contracts

Heather Faulkner        Assistant Band Director        (9+ Years)

Logan Denman           Associate Band Director        (5 Years)

Aubrey Lovely             Color Guard Coach                (1 Year)

Christy Barnett            Fall HS/MS Cheer                  (8 Years)

Ty Stover                    Head Football Coach              (4 Years)

Tyler Gantz                Assistant Football                     (9+ Years)

Craig Smith                Assistant Football                     (9+ Years)

Matt Downing           Assistant Football                      (9+ Years)

Travis Church           Assistant Football                      (9+ Years)

Benjamin Lannom    Assistant Football                      (1 Year)

Matt Jones                Assistant Football                      (9+ Years)

Chad Williams           Assistant/Freshman                  (6 Years)

Jacob Ware               MS Head Football                     (4 Years)

Chris Rupe                Head Boys Golf                        (9+ Years)

Dave Ware                Head Girls Golf                         (3 Years)

Satchel Denton          Head Boys Soccer                   (2 Years)

Megan Dever             Head Girls Soccer                   (1 Year)

Zachary Hoffmann      Boys Varsity Soccer               (Volunteer)

Payton Woodruff         Assistant Soccer                    (2 Years)

Anthony Wilson           Assistant Soccer                     (6 Years)

Chelsea Ulrey              Assistant Volleyball                  (4 Years)

Nikki Thomas                Assistant Volleyball                (1 Year)

Cadie Long                   Assistant Volleyball                 (0 Years)

Derek Bower                MS 8th Grade Volleyball        (9+ Years)

Tarren Woodruff           MS 7th Grade Volleyball         (5 Years)

Jake Broerman            MS Assistant Football             (3 Years)

Kyle Anderson              MS Assistant Football            (2 Years)

Michelle Hudson            PowerSchool Leader            (Split at $1250)

Travis Church                PowerSchool Leader            (Split at $1250)

Katie Pauley                 Summer School            (Hourly Rate)

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

Resolution to approve the following salary schedules

Special Education Director

Facilities Maintenance Supervisor & HCP

Systems Administrator (Technology)

Administrative Support Specialist

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

Resolution to approve the following administrative support staff for a three year contract.

Jessika Roberts

Madison Craigo

Carl Hardwick

Kenny Disbennett

Russ Balsinger

Derek Bower

Wes Collins                Facilities Maintenance Supervisor & HCP

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

Resolution to approve the following administrative personnel by three year contract.

Matt Bradley

Christine Scaffidi

Michael Keen        Athletic Director

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

Resolution to approve the exempt employee step placements (2025-2026 only).

Susan DeLaney                        Accounts Payable                        Step 4

Melissa Stover                          Administrative Support                 Step 5

Kristen Eblin                              EMIS                                            Step 5

Kenneth Disbennett                   Facilities Assistant                       Step 6

Derek Bower                              Food Services Director                Step 4

Russ Balsinger                           HVAC                                           Step 4

Carl Hardwick                             HVAC Assistant                           Step 2

Logan Adams                             Nurse Aide                                   Step 8

Miranda Ulrey                            Occupational Therapy                  Step 7

Jessika Roberts                         Asst Treasurer/HR                       Step 4

Amy Rinehart                             Family Liaison                              Step 9

Madison Craigo                          Family Liaison                              Step 2

Leslie Reid                                 Speech                                         Step 7

Dana Lehman                            Technology                                    Step 11

Sara Wallace                             School Psychologist                      Step 8

Wes Collins                                Facilities Maintenance Supervisor & HCP       Step 5

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

Resolution to approve the following administrative step placements (2025-2026 only).

Chad Carpenter                     HS Principal                               Step 7

Ty Stover                               Assistant HS Principal                Step 6

Matt Bradley                          Middle School Principal            Step 7

Shawn Winkelfoos                 Elementary Principal                Step 9

Caleb Duncan                        Elementary Asst Principal        Step 4

Kayla Ross                             Literacy Specialist                    Step 2

Jessica Litzenberg                 Elementary Asst Principal/Curriculum Director        Step 8

Amy Randolph                       Special Education Director    Step 10

Michael Keen                         Athletic Director        Step 2

Chrissy Scaffidi                      Transportation Administrator        Step 7

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

Resolution to approve monthly payments in the amount of $1,250 ($15,000 total) payable on the second pay of each month to the following employees for performing duties of the Administrative Assistant in the District Office during contract year ending 2026 upon supervisory approval of work completed (payments to be prorated if duties aren't completed in full):

Jessika Roberts        ($15,000)

Kristen Eblin              ($15,000)

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

Resolution to approve the following overnight trip request.

High School Football        Muskingum University (July 8 - 9)

High School Marching Band    Indianapolis, IN (Aug. 7 - 8)

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

Resolution to approve the summer student work program for the following students for no more than three weeks at an hourly rate equal to minimum wage.

Ava Fichtner

Henry Spence

Trenton Betscher

Ethan Plunkett

Messiah Hooper

Maddux Byard

Drew Klotz

Kynzie Green

Trent Detillion

Amberlon Ashbrook

Anna Jones

Allysa Shick

Robert Alexander

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

Resolution to approve payment of $1,000/ea. to Tarren Woodruff and Scott Watson for supervising the summer work program, payable upon Superintendent approval of program completion.

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

Resolution to approve the following personnel for home instruction at their hourly rate.

Shae Miller  (Effective May 1, 2025)

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

Resolution to approve summer work, authorized by the Superintendent, for curriculum and leadership development payable at the equivalent of their hourly rate.

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

Resolution to approve hiring two students for summer work at the park with a rate of minimum wage.

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

Resolution to accept a donation of $10,000 from the Booster Club.

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

Resolution to approve payment to Derek Bower in the amount of $10,000 for working at Highland Community Park in the Summer of 2025.

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

Resolution to approve the agreement with Knox County ESC for 2025-2026 services

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

Resolution to approve the audiology agreement between Highland Local School District and Mouse Audiology Services, LLC. for the 2025-2026 school year.

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

Resolution to approve the agreements (2) between Specialized Education of Ohio, Inc. that owns and operates High Road School of Bucyrus and Highland Local School District for ESY Services during the summer of 2025.

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

Resolution authorizing participation in the ODOT road salt contracts awarded for the 2025-2026 year.

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

Resolution to approve the agreement between Highland Local School and the Morrow County Sheriff's Office for a school resource officer.

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

Resolution to approve scholarship payments and awards payments as awarded and documented by the guidance department.

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

Resolution to approve the payment of mileage at 70 cents per mile (IRS rate) to Diana Booth for transportation provided to student during the current school year.

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

Resolution to approve the purchase of staff laptops from CDW-G at a costs of $176,676.

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

Resolution authorizing the establishment of fund 070 Capital Projects and fund 035 Termination Benefits, along with the initial transfer amounts and appendix A.

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

Resolution to approve the following transfer of funds:

Transfer From:

General Fund 001-0000                                        $100,000

Transfer To:

Permanent Improvement Fund 003-9016            $100,000

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

Resolution to approve the May Five Year Forecast as presented.

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, June 18, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the middle school robotics room.

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