By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan School Board of Education held its regular meeting on Monday, January 12, 2026. The yearly organizational meeting was held prior to, during which members elected new leadership and approved routine annual items. In attendance: Ben Camarillo, Deb Opdycke, Dustin Schlachter, Caleb Turnbull, and Lynn Wieland.
The Board first elected Dustin Schlachter as Board President and Lynn Wieland as Vice President. Both appointments were approved by majority vote, with Schlachter and Wieland each abstaining from their respective elections.
Schlachter and Wieland were sworn in, after which Schlachter assumed the chair of the meeting.
Several standard organizational items were approved, including the 2026 regular meeting schedule, which sets meetings for the second Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Field House Conference Room. An exception for the September meeting was rescheduled for September 21, 2026.
Committee assignments were passed as follows:
– Negotiations, Wieland and Opdycke
-Business Advisory, Camarillo and Turnbull
-Facilities/OFCC, Wieland and Schlachter
-Legislative Liaison/Policy, Turnbull and Camarillo
-OSBA Delegate, Opdycke and Camarillo
– Audit, Wieland and Schlachter
In addition, the Board approved the establishment of a $20,000 service fund for 2026 to cover board-related expenses and renewed its Ohio School Boards Association membership for the calendar year.
Treasurer and administrative authorizations were passed, allowing the Superintendent Mark Rairigh and Treasurer Kevin Schafer to manage routine operational matters.
With the organizational meeting adjourning at 6:09 p.m., the first regular session of the year followed directly afterwards.
The board first approved the minutes from the December 8, 2025 and December 12, 2025 public hearing sessions.
The treasurer’s report included the monthly financial report, amended fiscal appropriations for 2026, and entered into a five-year contract with Bonefish Systems. An employee’s financial restitution relating to a cyber incident was capped at $1,000 total.
Donations were accepted from multiple contributors, including:
-$500 from the Kiwanis Club of Bryan for a book vending machine project
-$500 from Bob Ward for weight room equipment
-$200 from Newlyn Quest supporting Cross Country and the National Honor Society
Superintendent Rairigh gave an update on the ongoing High School Expansion project, the Arts and Education Auction, and the Arts and Education Demolition project.
He also informed the board of the recently passed House Bill 114 that mandates children to be of 5 years of age by the first day of Kindergarten.
Rairigh’s recommendations included the 2026-2027 middle and high school course offerings and curriculum guide, as well as an eight-grade Chicago trip planned for the spring of 2026.
Several personnel matters were addressed. One resignation, Kathryn Ferguson, was accepted. Three retirements, 6-12 Grade Guidance Counselor Karen Meister, 6-12 Grade Social Studies Teacher Amy Johnson, and Assistant Treasurer Janet Hageman, were also approved. Gary Wyse was rehired as a Technology Specialist.
The board entered executive session to discuss employment-related matters and negotiations at 6:46 p.m. The January Bryan School Board meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.