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 May 14, 2025 Regular Board of Education Meeting as presented

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

Resolution to approve the May 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.

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 approve the pursuit of eminent domain on the 28+/- acres on St Rt 656 and Twp Rd 16 currently part of a bigger plot of land with parcel number N36-001-00-235-00.

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

Resolution to table the motion to pursue eminent domain on the 28+/- acres on St Rt 656 and Twp 16 currently part of a bigger plot of land with parcel number N36-001-00-235-00.

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

Resolution to authorize the Superintendent and Treasurer to negotiate the purchase of the 28+/- acres on St Rt 656 and Twp Rd 16 currently part of a bigger plot of land with parcel number N36-001-00-235-00.

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

Resolution to approve the following resignations

Bryee Guisinger    MS Girls Basketball

Rachel Shaffer       Cook/Cashier

Amy Randolph       Director of Student Services

MacKenzie Ward    ES Intervention Specialist

Benjamin Lannom    HS Mathematics

Emily Roberts          MS English

Sarah Gorenflo        ES Paraprofessional

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

Resolution to approve retirement for the following personnel

Matt Mosher        ES Teacher

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

Resolution to approve the following certified contracts for one year.

Caitlin Snyder        MS Intervention Specialist    (Step 4)

Madelyn Hendrickson  ES Intervention Specialist    (Step 0)

Kelsey Walters         MS English    (Step 4)

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

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

Payton Woodruff                Intervention Specialist        

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

Resolution to approve an additional teaching period for the following personnel for the 2025-2026 school year.

Corey Strinka

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

Resolution to approve the revised salary as provided by the Navy for Paul Kunkle (pay structure to remain the same).

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

Resolution to approve the following supplemental contracts

Denny West        Head HS Cross Country Coach        (9+ Years)

Adam Gilmore    Head MS Cross Country Coach        (5 years)

Chris Rupe          Fall Facility Coordinator    (50% Split)

Abby Steele         Fall Facility Coordinator    (50% Split)

Cait Nelson          Fall Facility Coordinator    (50% Split)

Shawn Wilhelm    Fall Facility Coordinator    (50% Split)

Drew Mitchell        MS Football Coach        (0 Years)

Michelle Hudson    Girls Soccer Assistant    (1 Year)

AJ West                HS Cross Country Asst.   (5 Years)

Suzie Byler            MS Cross Country Assist.     (1 Year)

Brian Ballard          Head Middle School Golf       (0 Years)

Denise Stillwell       District PowerSchool Leader    (6 Years 2% Increase)

Payton Woodruff      Assistant Soccer        (2 Years)

Tarren Woodruff        MS 7th Grade Volleyball        (5 Years)

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

Resolution to approve the following administrative contracts    

Paige Walters        Director of Student Services    (Step 0)

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

Resolution to approve service days for the following personnel payable at an hourly rate equal to step 0 of the FY26 Special Education Director salary schedule; effective June 9, 2025.

Paige Walters    Up to 10 days

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

Resolution to approve payment of $1,500/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 extended school year work at the employees hourly rate for the following personnel:

Jordan Kennedy McPherson

Leslie Reid

Amber Billings

Tarren Woodruff

Cameron Taylor

Scott Watson

Tammy Ufferman

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

Resolution to approve the Highland Local School District Collective Bargaining Agreement with the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers Association effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

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

Resolution to approve the following classified subs

Dante Bando        Custodian

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

Resolution to approve the following classified contracts for one year.

Tara Weaver    PreSchool Paraprofessional 2    (Step 2)

Crystal Kyser   ES Paraprofessional 2    (Step 18)

Spencer Partlow    HS Custodian        (Step 0)    (6/4/25 - 6/30/25)

Spencer Partlow    HS Custodian        (Step 1)    (2025-2026)

Richard Dobucki    HS Custodian        (Step 1)    (2025-2026)

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

Resolution to approve the following temporary classified staff.

Kelly Simms        Summer HS Custodian    (Step 1)

Dawn Hicks         Summer ES Custodian     (Step 5)

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

Approve the following staff for one month payable at FY26 step 5 rate.

Wes Collins        Facilities Maintenance Supervisor & HCP                July 1 - July 31, 2025

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

Resolution to approve the hiring of the following students for summer work at the park:

Broderick Thompson

Nicholas Hinkle

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

Resolution to approve the payment of a trip bonus of $400 for every five (5) trips driven from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

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

Resolution to approve a stipend of $5,000 to bus drivers driving sub bus routes (2) to be paid in bi-weekly installments (will be pro-rated based on number of days in the assignment of a sub bus route); it is not meant to rotate daily and is meant to be the driver's assigned route for the year.

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

Resolution to approve the following breakfast and lunch prices for the 2025-2026 school year.

High School Lunch: $3.50

Middle School Lunch: $3.50

Elementary Lunch: $3.25

Adult Lunch: $5.00

Breakfast: $2.00

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

Resolution to approve the student handbooks for the 2025-2026 school year.

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

Resolution to approve the following policy updates

PO 1613 Student Supervision and Welfare

PO 3213 Student Supervision and Welfare

PO 4213 Student Supervision and Welfare

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

Resolution to approve the Mid-Ohio ESC Estimate for services during FY26.

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

Resolution to approve the orientation and mobility for the visually impaired service agreement with Cardinal Rehab LLC for the 2025-2026 school year.

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

Resolution to approve the extended school year services agreement with Cardinal Rehab LLC.

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

Resolution to approve the purchase of Chromebooks from Xtek at a cost of $184,200.

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

Resolution to approve participation in all federal grants awarded, all competitive grants awarded, all state grants awarded, all local grants awarded, and any other grants awarded during FY2026.

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

Resolution to approve the commercial insurance proposal from Ohio School Plan.

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

Resolution to approve the final fund level appropriations and estimated resources for FY2025.

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

Resolution to approve the permanent fund level appropriations for FY2026.

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, July 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