Highland Local School District - Regular Meeting

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Vacancy       John Messmer       

Whereas a vacancy has been caused on the board of education by reason of resignation; and Whereas this board of education has the legal authority to fill a vacancy for the unexpired term thereof; Now, therefore, be it resolved that C.J. Miller is hereby appointed to serve as a member of the board of education of the Highland Local School District for the remainder of the unexpired term previously occupied by Mr. Eric Thacker.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       Vacancy       John Messmer        

Do you solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio; and that you will faithfully and impartially discharge your duties as a member of this board of education to the best of your ability, and in accordance with the laws now in effect and hereafter to be enacted during your continuance in said office until your successor is elected and qualified?

• CJ Miller

Nate Clark moved to nominate Lynn Baldwin as Board Vice President for the remainder of 2026 due to the resignation of the Board Vice President.  Mr. Messmer seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the minutes for the August 12, 2026, Regular Board of Education Meeting, August 17, 2026 Special Meeting, and August 24, 2026 Special Meeting as presented.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the August 2026 Financial Statements as presented.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

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 following contract amendment.

Marla Barnhart    Paraprofessional    (185 days to 150 days)

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the following classified contracts for one year.

Makenah Smith    Paraprofessional 2    (Step 0)

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the revised salaries as provided by the Navy for Louis D'hondt and Paul Kunkle (pay structure to remain the same) effective at the beginning of the current contract for the current school year.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the following supplemental contracts.

Kayla Arthurs     Elementary Vocal Music Director (9+ years)

Michael Miller     Assistant MS Robotics (1 year)

Brianne Jaynes     MS Student Council (3 years)

Amber Billings     HS Student Council (0 years)

Jordan Kennedy-McPherson     HS Website (5 years)

Corey Strinka     Play Director (4 years)

Corey Strinka     Art Play Director (4 years)

Kara Banbury     Yearbook (9+ years)

Jordan Ellington     Spanish Club (0 years)

Brian Wetzel     Middle School Robotics (3 years)

Jordan Kennedy-McPherson     National Honors Society (0 years)

Mari Miller     Art Club (9+ years)

Bradley Smith     Math Club (9+ years)

Corey Strinka     Drama Club (0 years)

Tom Haring     After School Assistance (1^st Semester Split)

Amber Billings     After School Assistance (1^st Semester Split)

Shannon Belcher     After School Assistance (2^nd Semester)

Chad Carpenter     HS Fitness Coordinator (Fall) (1 year)

Katie Pauley     Senior Advisor (9+ years)

Elena Manning     Junior Advisor (3 years)

Elena Manning     Sophomore Advisor (3 years)

Shannon Belcher     Freshman Advisor (9+ years)

Kara Banbury     District Social Media (7 years)

Amy Arnett-Tomasek     Pep Band (8 years)

Shawn Wilhelm     HS Testing Coordinator (Hourly Rate)

Angel Cahall     Business Professionals of America (4 years)

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve FMLA for the attached list of eligible employees.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the Mid Ohio ESC teacher substitute list.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve a transportation agreement between Highland Local Schools and Elgin Local Schools.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve Payment In-Lieu of Transportation for the following student who lives in the Highland District and attends a valid community or chartered nonpublic school elsewhere within 30 minutes.  Transportation has been deemed impractical.

Ashton Oswalt                Genoa Christian

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the following trip requests

FFA    National Convention in Indianapolis    (October 21 - 24, 2026)

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the updated confidential safety team.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the master service agreement between Specialized Education of Ohio, Inc., who owns High Road School of Bucyrus, and Highland Local School District (effective 8/1/2026).

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the individual service agreement between Specialized Education of Ohio, Inc., who owns High Road School of Bucyrus, and Highland Local Schools (effective 8/12/2026).

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the following Purpose and Budget Clauses for SY2026-2027:

• MS Student Council
• Backpack Blessings
• Purple Star Military Fund

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer      

Resolution to approve the following funds and special cost centers (SCC):

• 019    9127    HES Greenhouse
• 019    9227    HES Cultivation Curiosity Outside the Classroom
• 019    9327    HES Kindness Club
• 019    9427    HHS Sustaining Personalized Strength and Conditioning through Performance Tracking Technology
• 019    9527    HES Instruments for the Elementary Music Classroom

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       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       CJ Miller       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, October 14, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Slack Center Board Room.

Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin       Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       John Messmer