Slack Center Board Room
Wednesday, August 12
- 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the minutes for the July 8, 2026 Regular Board of Education Meeting as presented.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the July 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.
Resolution to approve the retirement of the following personnel
Lisa Stooksbury Paraprofessional (Effective September 30th, 2026)
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to accept the resignation of board vice president Eric Thacker effective August 28, 2026.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to accept the following resignations.
Loren Prosser ES Paraprofessional (Effective End of the Contract Year)
Angela Starner ES Paraprofessional (Effective 8-6-26)
Alanna Salmons Paraprofessional (Effective 8-11-26)
Trisha Harmon Custodian (Effective 8-21-26)
Mindy Marquez Bus Aide (Effective 8-21-26)
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the following contract hours adjustment
Sara Garcia From 6 hours per day to 7 hours per day.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the following certified contracts for one year.
Paige Rinehart Intervention Specialist (Step 0)
Jordan Ellington Spanish (Step 2)
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the following classified contracts for one year.
Bailey Cavinee ES Cook/Cashier (Step 0)
Samantha Roberts Paraprofessional 2 (Step 16)
Hailey Guisinger Paraprofessional 2 (Step 2)
Trisha Harmon Bus Aide (Step 4)
Mindy Marquez Bus Driver Effective August 24,2026 (Step 0)
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the salaries provided by the Navy for Louis D'hondt and Paul Kunkle (unchanged from prior contract year); salary subject to change when congress enacts new scales and as such, the school share of salary could increase.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve extended service days for the following personnel
Kathleen Pauley High School Guidance Counselor 20 Days
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the following supplemental contract for the 2026-2027 school year.
Aaron Richards Robotics Assistant (0 Years)
Billie Cooke Robotics Assistant (Volunteer)
Michelle Marcum Robotics Assistant (Volunteer)
Henry Spence After School Athletic Assistant ($1000)
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve additional pay for elementary testing coordinator work at their hourly rate to be spread out evenly through each pay of the contract.
Caleb Duncan (105 hours)
Jessica Litzenberg (105 hours)
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve a $600 stipend for the following paraprofessional 3's.
Carrie Roush
Nikol Stewart
Hailey Guisinger
Kila Stillwell
Samantha Roberts
Mya Watson
Tiffany D'Hondt
Renae Schwartz
Brittney Mullins
Camryn Taylor
Kristina Ferenbaugh
Stephanie Lehman
Tara Weaver
Olivia Hamilton
Michelle Marcum
Danielle Ulrey
Amy Ragor
Stephanie Jordan
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve all classified substitute rates to be paid at the corresponding position's step 0.
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.
John King
Jessica Meadows
Matt Loughman
Barb Horton
Dana Kemmer
Corrine Ballard
Linda Meade
Erin Hall
Mardissa Thorpe
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the Mid Ohio ESC substitute teacher list.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve pay, at their hourly rate, for staff members asked to perform duties outside their regular work day. Example: preparation for learning sessions presented during professional development days.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the payment of student registration fees associated with BPA membership required to take the district's business course offering.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve up to three online make up days for the 2026-2027 school year.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the updated athletic ticket price schedule.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the demolition of the former district office due to the conditions and the costs needed to renovate to an acceptable level.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the demolition of the Highland Park gazebo due to the conditions and the costs needed to renovate to an acceptable level.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve a $600 cell phone stipend for the following personnel for the 26-27 school year for using their own personal cell phones for school business (considered 100% earned and payable in January of 2027; will be prorated based on days worked vs days in contract if service is terminated prior to January of 2027).
Chadwick Carpenter Shawn Winkelfoos
Ty Stover Matthew Bradley
Caleb Duncan Jessica Litzenberg
Paige Walters Gar Keen
Dana Lehman Christine Scaffidi
Derek Bower Kenneth Disbennett
Garrett Ulrey Carl Hardwick
Sara Wallace Chad Russell
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the following:
A resolution approving a school district compensation agreement in connection with a tax increment financing exemption and resolution expected to be passed the the board of county commissioners of Morrow County, Ohio; waiving statutory notice periods in connection therewith; and providing related authorizations.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the orientation and mobility agreement with Cardinal Rehab LLC for the 2026-2027 school year.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve payment to Mt. Gilead Exempted Village School District for the costs of transporting Highland students to the Knox County Learning Center and High Road School of Bucyrus during school year 26-27, which will be supported by an itemized invoice.
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 valid community or chartered nonpublic school elsewhere within 30 minutes. Transportation has been deemed impractical.
Rip Aldrich Gilead Christian
Catherine Bailey Gilead Christian
William Jenkins Gilead Christian
Camille Dillion Gilead Christian
Fleet Dillion Gilead Christian
Teagan Drake Gilead Christian
Madysen Eubanks Gilead Christian
Asher Eubanks Gilead Christian
Harper Gillen Gilead Christian
Riley Hancq Gilead Christian
Rebekah Hancq Gilead Christian
Natalie Hurst Gilead Christian
Silan Snashall Gilead Christian
Kimberlie Snashall Gilead Christian
Ethan Dill Genoa Christian
Norah Dill Genoa Christian
Layla Hart Genoa Christian
Lydia Hart Genoa Christian
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve as the District's OSBA Delegate and as the District's Alternate Delegate for the 2026 OSBA Capital Conference.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to authorize the Superintendent to approve mileage reimbursement to employees who drive their personal vehicle in the performance of their duties as per our adopted schedule at the IRS mileage reimbursement rate of 76 cents per mile effective 7/1/2026.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve joining the HPS purchasing consortium for the purchase of food service items during school year 26-27.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the commercial paper activity report for FY2026.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the August 2026 Financial Forecast as presented.
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, September 9, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Slack Center Board Room.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer