Middle School Robotics Room
Wednesday, May 14
- 6:00pm - 8:00pm
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
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 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
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)
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)
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 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 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 accept the donation of an air conditioning system from the booster club to be installed in the football stadium home concession.
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:
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 adjourn this meeting and schedule the next meeting of the Highland Local School District Board of Education to be held Wednesday, June 17, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the middle school robotics room.
Roll Call: Kathy Belcher Burgess Castle John Messmer William Short Eric Thacker