By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Wauseon Exempted Village Board of Education held its meeting on Monday, June 29. The meeting began at 5 p.m. with roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance.
The board then moved through additions to the agenda, a technology presentation by Director of Technology Josh Oyer, approval of previous meeting minutes and hearing of the public.
Under the treasurer’s report, the board approved monthly bills and financial reports, accepted donations, approved then and now certificates, FY 2027 change funds, FY 2026 appropriations, final permanent appropriations for FY 2026, transfers and advances, treasurer authorization, FY 2027 appropriations and the Ohio School Plan insurance renewal.
Among the financial items, the board reviewed FY 2026 appropriations as of May 31, with grand total appropriations listed at $34,363,759.89, and final permanent appropriations for FY 2026, with grand total appropriations listed at $32,405,191.61. FY 2027 appropriations were listed at $35,176,102.62.
Transfers approved for FY 2026 included $650,000 from the general fund to the replacement fund, $1.1 million from the general fund to capital projects and $500,000 from the general fund to severance.
The treasurer was also authorized to make necessary appropriation modifications and fund-to-fund transfers or advances required at the end of the fiscal year, with board approval at the next regular meeting.
Under the superintendent’s report, the board approved a five-year superintendent contract for Keith Leatherman, effective August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2031.
The board also approved certified, classified, supplemental and outside supplemental contracts, along with non-contract workers and volunteer coaches and advisors for the 2026-2027 school year.
A classified transfer was approved for Lisa Kudlica, moving from Wauseon High School four-hour cook to Wauseon High School eight-hour custodian, effective June 1.
The board also approved an additional 1/7 period for Chris Thomas, additional per diem days for Scott Harrold and Trent Thomas, and resignations for Troy Armstrong, Erin Mazurowski, Alisa Ramsey and Tara Williams.
The board next approved the 2026-2027 classified salary schedule and appointed Keith Leatherman as purchasing agent for the district, effective July 1.
Also approved was an amendment to the district’s building handbooks regarding tobacco and nicotine products. The amendment prohibits the use, possession, distribution or sale of tobacco, nicotine, vaping devices, e-cigarettes or related products by students on school property, at school-sponsored events and in school vehicles.
For a first offense, the policy emphasizes education, prevention resources and support. School administration will review the circumstances of the violation and determine whether discipline other than suspension or expulsion is warranted.
The board approved an overnight trip for FFA Camp in Carrollton from July 6 through July 10, as well as a $500 payment to Brodie Nofziger for the Educator of the Year Award, retroactive to June 18.
The board also approved contracts with Northwest Ohio Juvenile Detention, Training & Rehabilitation Center, Wood County Juvenile Detention Center and Wood County Juvenile Residential Center for student education services.
A memorandum of understanding with the University of Toledo was also approved for a 10 percent tuition scholarship.
Tyson Hoste was appointed to complete the Wauseon Public Library Board of Trustees term of Carolyn Manchester through December 2029. The board also approved a revision to the 2026-2027 school calendar to reflect a change in the calamity day makeup schedule and Wauseon Primary School conference times.
The board then entered executive session for the consideration of the purchase of property for public purposes or the sale of property at competitive bidding. The board returned from executive session at 6:08 p.m. before adjourning.
Following the executive session, the district announced that the Wauseon Board of Education has secured an offer with the Thomas Yackee Estate for 42.41 acres of land adjacent to the district’s current main campus.
The acquisition remains contingent upon a formal property appraisal and final approval from the Board of Education.
District officials stated there are no immediate development plans for the property but said the acquisition would help secure land for long-term growth and long-range facilities planning.
Potential future uses include access to County Road 13 to reduce Oak Street congestion, relocating the primary school to the main campus, providing space for a future high school facility, establishing a centralized transportation and operations facility and offering rent-free farming land to the Wauseon FFA chapter for agricultural education.
The district stated the purchase will be reviewed and processed during upcoming public Board of Education meetings.
