Highland Local School District - Regular Meeting

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the minutes for the May 13, 2026 Regular Board of Education Meeting as presented.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the May 2026 Financial Statements as presented.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Messmer:

Thacker:

Belcher:

Baldwin:

Clark:

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-useproperty 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: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the following resignations

Reinier Vervoorn    Bus Driver    (Effective 6-5-26)

Hannah Heck        Paraprofessional    (Effective 6-5-26)

Tiffani Miller          Paraprofessional    (Effective 6-5-26)

Becky Scott        Intervention Specialist    (Effective End of the School Year)

Bethani Ebner    Paraprofessional    (Effective End of the School Year)

Rosanna Mason    Paraprofessional    (Effective 6-30-26)

Ashley Watson    Paraprofessional    (Effective End of the School Year)

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the following classified subs for the 2026-2027 school year.

Tiffani Miller    Paraprofessional

Mary Cochran    Paraprofessional/Administrative Assistant

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the following supplemental contracts

Scott Cooke        High School Robotics    (0 Years)

Jon Landrum        HS Assistant Basketball    (9 Years Split 70% Contract)

Amaal Brown        HS Assistant Basketball    (5 Years Split 70% Contract)

Cooper young        HS Assistant Basketball    (1 Year Split 60% Contract)

Rondale Smith       HS Varsity Assistant Football    (0 Years)

Abby Steel        Fall Facilities Coordinator    (2/3 Split Contract)

Shawn Wilhelm    Fall Facilities Coordinator    (2/3 Split Contract)

Chris Rupe    Fall Facilities Coordinator    (2/3 Split Contract)

Christy Barnett    Fall MS Head Cheer    (9 Years)

Jennifer Law        Cheer Coach Volunteer

Angie Browning    Cheer Coach Volunteer

Travis Church        District PowerSchool Leader    ($2500)

Emma Hinkle        HS Girls Soccer Coach     Volunteer

Scott Kyser        MS Golf Coach    (0 Years)

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the following classified contracts for one year.

Rosanna Mason    HS Administrative Assistant    (Effective 7-1-26)    Step 0

Rosanna Mason    HS Administrative Assistant    (Effective 6-8-26; remainder of current contract year) Payable via timesheet    Step 0

Renae Schwartz    Paraprofessional 2    Step 3

Ashley Watson        Paraprofessional 2    Step 4

Garrett Ulrey        Maintenance        Step 7    (Effective 7-1-2026)

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the following temporary classified staff for the summer.

Kelly Simms        Summer HS Custodian    (Step 2)

Dawn Hicks         Summer ES Custodian     (Step 6)

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the following personnel for summer custodial work.

Nikol Stewart

Matt Loughman

Brittany Renwick

Tammy Ufferman 

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the hiring of the following students for summer work at the park, payable at minimum wage:

Broderick Thompson (Effective 6-5-26)

Cole Young (Effective 6-9-26)

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the Highland Local School District Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Highland Education Association effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the Highland Local School District Collective Bargaining Agreement with the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the payment of a trip bonus of $400 for every five (5) trips driven from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

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: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the board share of medical insurance at 71% for the PPO medical plan effective 7/1/2026 for non-teaching, non-union, non-administrative employees.  The board share for the HDHP plan to remain unchanged.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the following certified rehires for two years.

Michael DeLaney

Katie Pauley

Shannon Belcher

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the administrative salary schedules and the below step placements for the 2026-2027 contract year.

Matt Bradley                Middle School Principal            Step 8

Chad Russell               Middle School Assistant Principal        Step 1

Caleb Duncan              Elementary Assistant Principal            Step 5

Jessica Litzenberg       Elementary Assistant Principal/Curriculum Director        Step 9

Paige Walters               Special Education Director        Step 1

Gar Keen                      Athletic Director            Step 3

Christine Scaffidi          Transportation Administrator            Step 8

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the administrative support salary schedules and the below step placements for the 2026-2027 contract year.

Susan DeLaney        Accounts Payable            Step 5

Melissa Stover          Administrative Support Specialist            Step 6

Sara Wallace            School Psychologist            Step 9

Kristen Eblin             EMIS Coordinator/Fiscal Support            Step 6

Wes Collins               Facilities Maintenance Supervisor & HCP            Step 6

Kenneth Disbennett  Facilities Maintenance Assistant            Step 7

Derek Bower             Food Services Director            Step 5

Carl Hardwick           HVAC Maintenance            Step 3

Logan Adams           School Health Aide            Step 9

Leslie Reid               Speech Therapist            Step 8

Miranda Ulrey          Occupational Therapist            Step 8

Jessika Roberts       Assistant Treasurer/Payroll/HR            Step 5

Amy Rinehart           Family Liaison            Step10

Madison Craigo       Family Liaison            Step 3

Dana Lehman          Systems Administrator            Step 12

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve an additional teaching period for the following personnel for the 2026-2027 school year.

Corey Strinka

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the Mid Ohio ESC teacher substitute list.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to authorize payment of $300 per teacher mentored for the 2025-2026 school year.

Mary Davis (x1)

Syanne Palmer (x2)

Tarren Woodruff (x1)

Tom Johnson (x1)

Sasha Kent (x1)

Cait Nelson (x1)

Tasha Terrill (x1)

Adam Geis (x1)

Lauretta Duncan (x1)

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the Pre-School calendar for the 2026-2027 school year.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the pre-school handbook for the 2026-2027 school year.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the athletic fees for the 2026-2027 school year.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve payment in lieu of transportation for the following students who live in the Highland District and attend a private school within 30 minutes of the Highland District.  Transportation has been deemed impractical.

Riley Hancq          Gilead Christian

Rebekah Hancq    Gilead Christian

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the agreement with Steve Helbert for Attendance Officer Services for the 2026-2027 school year.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the agreement with Xtek to provide technical consulting services related to general IT setup and repair services during FY2027.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the agreement with Mid-Ohio ESC for Title IX services as needed during school year 2026-2027.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the following overnight trip request.

BPA    Laurelville, OH    June 14 - 16

Band    Indianapolis, IN    August 6-7

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to accept a donation from the boosters of a Dr Dish Rebel+ estimated to be worth $7,995.00

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve participation in all federal grants awarded, all competitive grants awarded, all state grants awarded, all local grant awarded, and any other grants awarded during FY2027.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the commercial insurance proposal from Oho School Plan, including the Cyber proposal from Great American Insurance Group.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the final fund level appropriations and estimated resources for FY2026.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the permanent fund level appropriations for FY2027.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

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-useproperty 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: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer      

Resolution to adjourn this meeting and schedule the next meeting of the Highland Local School District Board of Education to be held Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Slack Center Board Office.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Eric Thacker       John Messmer