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 October 8, 2025 Regular Board of Education Meeting as presented

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

Resolution to approve the October 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 resignation   

Melanie Meade    ES Cook/Cashier    (Effective 12-1-2025)

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

Resolution to approve the following classified sub

Angela Lowe        Custodian

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

Resolution to approve the following supplemental contract    

Tosha Reichenbach    Volunteer Cheer Coach

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

Resolution to approve the following classified contracts   

James Blaney            HS Custodian    (Step 5)     (Effective 11/10/25)

Stacey Swick             ES Paraprofessional 2    (Step 10, up to 2 hours per day paid via timesheet)        (Effective 11/6/2025)

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

Resolution to approve the following step placement change

Brittany Renwick        Building Cook    (Step 6 from step 0; effective 9/30/2025)

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

Resolution to approve a $600 cell phone stipend for the following personnel for the 25-26 school year for using their own personal cell phone for school business (considered 100% earned and payable in January of 2026; will be prorated based on days worked vs days in contract if service is terminated prior to January of 2026).

Wes Collins

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

Resolution to approve the Transformative AI Training Package for School Districts (to be paid by the district and fully reimbursed).

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

Resolution to approve the following board policy updates.

PO2266 - NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES

PO2431 - INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS

PO3130 - ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER

PO4162 - TRANSPORTATION BY ALTERNATIVE VEHICLES

PO4161.01 - DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING OF EMPLOYEES WITHOUT CDL LICENSES WHO TRANSPORT STUDENTS IN ALTERNATIVE VEHICLES

PO5130 - WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL

PO5136 - PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES

PO5200 - ATTENDANCE

PO5223 - RELEASED TIME FOR RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

PO5410 - PROMOTION, ACADEMIC ACCELERATION, PLACEMENT, AND RETENTION

PO6325 - PROCUREMENT - FEDERAL GRANTS/FUNDS

PO6830 - AUDIT

PO7540.02 - DIGITAL CONTENT AND ACCESSIBILITY (Formerly: WEB ACCESSIBILITY, CONTENT, APPS, AND SERVICES)

PO7541 - ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING DISASTER RECOVERY PLAN 

PO8300 - CONTINUITY OF ORGANIZATIONAL OPERATIONS PLAN

PO8305 - INFORMATION SECURITY

PO8400 - SCHOOL SAFETY

PO8462 - STUDENT ABUSE AND NEGLECT

PO8600 - TRANSPORTATION

PO8600.04 - BUS AND ALTERNATIVE VEHICLE DRIVER CERTIFICATION

PO8640 - TRANSPORTATION FOR NON-ROUTINE TRIPS

PO8650 - TRANSPORTATION BY ALTERNATIVE VEHICLES

PO9270 -  EQUIVALENT EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE SCHOOLS & PARTICIPATION IN EXTRACURRICULAR FOR STUDENTS NOT ENROLLED IN THE DISTRICT

PO1422 - NONDISCRIMINATION, EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY, AND ANTI-HARASSMENT

PO1422.02 - NONDISCRIMINATION BASED ON GENETIC INFORMATION OF THE EMPLOYEE

PO1623 - SECTION 504/ADA PROHIBITION AGAINST DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT

PO1662 - ANTI-HARASSMENT

PO2260 - NONDISCRIMINATION AND ACCESS TO EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

PO2260.01 - SECTION 504/ADA PROHIBITION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION BASED ON DISABILITY

PO3122 - NONDISCRIMINATION, EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY, AND ANTI-HARASSMENT

PO3122.02 - NONDISCRIMINATION BASED ON GENETIC INFORMATION OF THE EMPLOYEE

PO3123 - SECTION 504/ADA PROHIBITION AGAINST DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT

PO3362 - ANTI-HARASSMENT

PO4122 - NONDISCRIMINATION, EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY, AND ANTI-HARASSMENT

PO4122.02 - NONDISCRIMINATION BASED ON GENETIC INFORMATION OF THE EMPLOYEE

PO4123 - SECTION 504/ADA PROHIBITION AGAINST DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT

PO4362 - ANTI-HARASSMENT

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

Resolution to approve the following changes to the robotics overnight trip request and new baseball trip request.

1 team will be going to the Cleveland area for a signature event November 14th-15th. 

1 team will be going to Orlando, FL (12/26-12/28)

1 team will be going to Greenville, SC (12/31-1/1)

HS Baseball    Myrtle Beach , SC   (3/24 - 3/31)

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

Resolution to approve the Mid Ohio ESC Substitute Teacher List.

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

Resolution to approve the following purpose and budget clause, terminate MS and HS Worlds accounts, and consolidate into one Robotics Worlds account (Fund 200 and SCC 9618).

• Robotics Worlds

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

Resolution to approve the attached dental insurance carrier/premiums (Cigna) and visions insurance carrier/premiums (VSP) for calendar year 2026 with board and employee % contributions to remain at the % contribution rates utilized for calendar year 2025.

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, December 10, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the middle school robotics room.

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