Highland Local School District - Regular Meeting

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

Resolution to approve the minutes for the September 9, 2026 Regular Board of Education Meeting as presented.

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

Resolution to approve the September 2026 Financial Statements as presented.

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

Messmer:

Baldwin:

Belcher:

Clark:

Miller:

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 retirements.

Sandy Beckel    Bus Driver    (Effective 11-30-2026)

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

Resolution to approve the following resignations.

Chad Carpenter    Fall Fitness Coordinator    (Effective 9-16-26)

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

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

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

Resolution to approve the following classified substitutes.

Bethani Ebner

Teresa Petronio

Rachel Shaffer

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

Resolution to approve the following classified contracts for one year.

Brandon Spradlin    Custodian    (Step 1)    Effective October 1, 2026

Abigale Erb    Paraprofessional 2    (Step 2)    Effective October 5, 2026

Jodi Robinson    Paraprofessional 2    (Step 4)    Effective October 12, 2026

Lindsey Hertz    Paraprofessional 2    (Step 1)    Effective October 13, 2026

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

Resolution to approve the following paraprofessional 3 stipends.

Christa Smith    Effective September 9, 2026

Lindsey Hertz    Effective October 13, 2026

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

Resolution to approve the following supplemental contracts

Jordan Ellington    Fall Fitness Coordinator    (0 Years)

Jordan Ellington    Horticulture Club    (0 Years)

Bradley Smith    Academic Challenge    (9+ Years)

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

Resolution to approve the following supplemental contracts.

Tom Johnson: Boys Basketball MS Coach (3 years)

Mike Hoyng: Boys Basketball MS Coach (9+ years)

Matt Bradley:  Girls Basketball Head Coach HS (9+ years)

Matt Downing: Girls Basketball Assistant HS Coach (9+ years)

Brett Behnfeldt:  Girls Basketball Assistant HS Coach (9+ years)   

Bryleigh Young: Girls Basketball MS Coach: (1 year)

Brooke Squires: Girls Basketball MS Coach: (2 years)                  

Adam Gilmore:  Head Wrestling Coach HS (9+ years)

Alec Fulwider: Varsity Assistant Wrestling Coach (3 years ½ split)

Caleb Wetzel: Varsity Assistant Wrestling Coach (0 years ½ split)

Luke Clemens: HS Girls Wrestling Coach (9+ years)

Triston Hinkle:  MS Wrestling Head Coach (4 years)

Katelyn Staskiewicz (Zellner): MS Wrestling Assistant Coach (4 years)

Rem Baker:  Volunteer Wrestling            

Cameron May:  Volunteer Wrestling

Dawn Hicks:  Head Girls Bowling Coach (7 years)

Ty Hicks:  Head Boys Bowling Coach (7 years)

Christy Barnett:  Head Winter Cheer Coach HS/MS (9 years)

Chris Rupe: Winter Facilities Coordinator

Payton Woodruff: Winter Facilities Coordinator

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

Resolution to approve the Mid Ohio ESC teacher substitute list.

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

Resolution to approve extended service hours for the following personnel.

Kip Nelson    (up to 3 hours per week; paid at their hourly rate)

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

Resolution to approve the following service agreement with Mid Ohio ESC

Behavioral Analyst    As Needed Basis

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

Resolution to approve the following first reading of policy updates.

PO0145 Revised FILLING A BOARD VACANCY

PO0146 Revised RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL

PO1231 Revised OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES OF STAFF

PO2265 Revised PROTECTIONS OF INDIVIDUAL BELIEFS, AFFILIATIONS, IDEALS, OR PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL MOVEMENTS AND IDEOLOGY

PO2431 Revised INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS

PO2431.07 New EXTRACURRICULAR PARTICIPATION OF NONENROLLED PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (STUDENT ATHLETE MOBILITY "SAM ACT")

PO2461 Rescind RECORDING OF DISTRICT MEETINGS INVOLVING STUDENTS AND/OR PARENTS

PO3231 Revised OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES OF STAFF

PO4231 Revised OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES OF STAFF

PO5111.01 Revised HOMELESS STUDENTS

PO5224 New YOUTH MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION ACCESS

PO5330 Revised USE OF MEDICATIONS

PO5463 Revised CREDITS FROM STATE-CHARTERED AND NONCHARTERED NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS

PO6100 New PROPER USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS

PO7540.10 New RECORDING AND AI PROCESSING OF COMMUNICATIONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY AND AT SCHOOL EVENTS

PO8120 Revised VOLUNTEERS

PO8310 Revised PUBLIC RECORDS

PO8330 Revised STUDENT RECORDS

PO8470 Revised SEX OFFENDER NOTIFICATION

PO9700 Revised RELATIONS WITH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

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

Resolution to approve a change in athletic fees for seniors to match the same price as students.

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

Resolution to approve the streaming of Board Meetings at the Board's discretion and the purchase of necessary equipment to do so.

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

Resolution to approve the auction of two buses through Gov Deals (buses 23 and 35).

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

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

• Class of 2027

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

Resolution to accept a charitable donation from The Richard D. Fredecker Jr. Living Trust and authorize the Treasurer to sign the Receipt, Release, and Distribution Agreement With Waiver.  The desired use of the funds is elementary physical education.

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

Resolution to approve the Angle medical insurance proposal for calendar year 2027 with board and employee premium contributions to be paid in accordance with each respective collectively bargained agreement and HSA seed and match to remain at 2026 levels (no HRA due to the reduction in deductibles in the same amount).

Roll Call: Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       Lynn Baldwin       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: Kathy Belcher       Nate Clark       CJ Miller       Lynn Baldwin       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, November 11, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Slack Center Board Office.

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