(PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
PRESENTATION … A band student from Mr. Dunford’s first-period band class helped give a presentation on tobacco and drug use.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Fayette Board of Education held their meeting on Thursday, April 24th. The board approved the meeting minutes and financials.
Karen Pennington, an educator with the Fulton County Health Department, addressed students and school officials ahead of a student-led presentation this week, offering insight into the county’s ongoing efforts to prevent youth tobacco use.
Speaking briefly before the presentation began, Pennington outlined the work being done through a tobacco prevention grant awarded by the Ohio Department of Health.
The goal of the grant is to prevent the onset of tobacco use among young people by tracking local sales practices and promoting awareness.
As part of those efforts, Pennington visited every tobacco retailer in Fulton County last fall to conduct observational audits. She examined pricing, advertising, product placement, and whether marketing strategies appeared to target youth.
One alarming finding: 76% of stores were selling tobacco products for under $1, including small packs of Swisher Sweets.
“These products are not only affordable, they’re highly accessible to youth,” Pennington said, emphasizing the importance of monitoring these trends.
In addition to store audits, the department also performs compliance checks by sending underage individuals into stores to test whether retailers are following legal sales restrictions. While eight stores sold to underage buyers last year, Pennington noted a recent improvement.
“So far this year, we’ve conducted two rounds of compliance checks, and we’ve had zero sales to underage purchasers,” she said. “One community has yet to complete their checks, but this is certainly a step in the right direction.”
Education remains a key component of the county’s prevention work. Pennington highlighted a recent collaboration with Mr. Dunford’s first-period band class, where students explored the impact of tobacco on personal health and the environment. Their research and discussions were translated into a visual slideshow presentation for the broader school community.
Each student group contributed ideas and imagery, culminating in a single, unified project. Pennington then introduced Mr. Dunford, who took the floor to begin the formal student presentation and introduce one of the participating students.
Superintendent Report
A confirmation was given that all district policies and programs align with current Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) standards. While the DEI directive was primarily focused on higher education institutions, local districts were still required to verify that their board policies, supplemental positions, and scholarship criteria adhered to non-discrimination standards.
According to the board report, no changes were necessary, as the district already works through NEOLA for policy development and review.
In other updates, board members received a year-end summary from the “Learning Friends” program, which has provided critical support and enrichment activities for students in grades K–7. Over the past year, the program served a total of 2,337 meals and more than 2,000 after-school snacks to participating students.
The program also offered a variety of educational projects, including refurbishing non-working Chromebooks, lessons in coding and keyboarding, hands-on science experiments with magnetic forces, and even meal preparation. First-grade students were especially noted for their progress in keyboarding.
The program’s year-long efforts were led by Kristen Dennis, who extended special thanks to numerous supporters and volunteers.
As the current session wraps up, the Learning Friends program is expected to resume in the second week of June. One board member noted that volunteers are always welcome and greatly appreciated.
Treasurer Report
During the recent board meeting, a two-year agreement with Julian & Grube, Inc. was presented for approval regarding Medicaid Agreed-Upon Procedures as part of the district’s audit requirements.
The contract reflects a $200 increase from the previous agreement—a modest adjustment given current economic conditions. The firm continues to provide quality service and has maintained a strong working relationship with the district.
The district also received a billing estimate from the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center (ESC) for the upcoming school year.
The projected cost remains relatively consistent with the current year, likely due in part to recent changes in service arrangements.
Earlier this year, the board approved shifting occupational therapy services from the ESC to a new provider, Grow Your Mind, LLC. This transition appears to have helped control costs.
It was also noted that the largest share of expenses within these services continues to be for paraprofessionals and aides who support students in the classroom.
The number of students receiving services typically falls within the mid-30s to upper-40s—a reflection of the district’s ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of all learners within the community.
Lastly, a financial overview was shared at the district’s recent community meeting. Copies of the report were distributed to board members.
Principal Reports
Graduation rehearsal is scheduled for Thursday, May 16th, with the graduation ceremony taking place on Saturday, May 18th, beginning at 2:00 p.m.
The preschool underwent an inspection late last week, which went very well. This year’s review was a paperwork-based check, with forms and documentation completed as required.
A full physical inspection is expected as part of next year’s rotation. Currently, the preschool has met all necessary standards and is in good standing.
The board then approved the list of seniors for graduation in 2025, as well as several personnel recommendations.
They approved Dr. Theobald from Marathon Health Clinic for Boston, along with physicals for Van drivers for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, and a two-year agreement with Julian and Grube for the Medicaid agreement.
They agreed upon procedures for automating from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, at $ 2200 each year. They approved a one-year agreement with the Northwest Ohio Education Service Center to provide services for 2025 and 2026 and approved the agreement with the WASC for the mentor program for the fiscal year 2026.
The board entered into executive session at 6:58 p.m. to discuss personnel issues under O.R.C 121.22. With no action reported after the session, the board adjourned for the evening. The next meeting will be May 15th at 6:30 p.m.