(PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
ACTION ITEMS … Board President Cody Best reads through numerous action items to be approved by the board.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Several community members were in attendance at the Edon Board of Education meeting on May 12. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Board President Cody Best.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by roll call. Every member was in attendance and included Jamie Schaffter, Ashley Reed, Patty Eicher, and David Wehrle.
Other attendees included CFO/Treasurer Deborah Nester, Superintendent Anthony Stevens, High School Principal Kayla Lapham, Elementary Principal Jennifer Ripke, Police Officer Goebel, and several community members.
The first order of business was public participation. Danielle Harrison, founder of Humanity Against Violence, volunteered to speak.
Harrison began speaking about a recent issue raised on Facebook regarding the reinstatement of an educator and other concerns that were brought to her attention. She expressed concerns over how standards of conduct and accountability are applied to the staff.
An incident had occurred outside of the school involving an educator and a foreign exchange student residing in the home.
According to Harrison, the student was removed and placed with a different host family, and the educator was removed from the high school staff.
Police records had not yet been obtained by Harrison but she had received all information requested from the school administration, within legal limitations.
A few questions were posed regarding the conduct and whether it had been reviewed in accordance with the district leisure code of professional conduct for educators.
Harrison stated they had verified the educator’s licenses were up to date and also had opened an investigation with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODE).
Harrison outlined the ODE code regarding educator relationships and responsibilities to students, specifically involving student safety and mental well-being.
Harrison continued by asking whether the safety and trust of the students had been fully considered in the decision to keep the educator in the classroom. Has the educator’s mental health been fully evaluated? What grade is he approved to teach?
It is her understanding that the approval was for younger grades where they may not easily be able to identify that someone is emotionally unstable. In contrast, high school students are able to report such concerns.
How do we ensure that staff behaviors outside of school still align with the trust placed in them to protect and guide the students?
Harrison also referenced a similar situation regarding an athletic coach and posed the question of fairness and treating every situation with the same critical eye.
The coach in question was denied a position due to a rumor, although all licensing, background checks, and multiple inspections were passed.
According to Harrison, there was no due process or vote by the board in that instance and the potential coach was not given the opportunity to respond or be fairly considered.
Harrison noted that these two situations represent a concerning imbalance, where documented events are overlooked and rumors are taken as truth.
Harrison closed stating that the objective was not to pass judgment but that the students and families deserve a safe and just system where there is transparency and a fair process for all staff. She concluded with a thank you to the board for their continued dedication to the community.
President Best thanked Harrison but explained that due to legal limitations, policy, and procedures, no definitive action or answers could be given at the board meeting.
Upon further questions, Best explained that the meeting is for board business but it is always open to the public. It does not work like a question-and-answer session.
Superintendent Stevens added that any questions could be directed to him via email or an in-person meeting. He would answer all questions to the best of his ability.
Moving along to IDEA-B public participation. There were no public comments regarding how the special needs funds are being spent.
The next order of business was the consent agenda, as follows:
-Approve the meeting minutes from the April 14th meeting and the special meeting held on April 22nd.
-Approve the financial reports for April 2025.
-Approve the amended certificate request from the county auditor.
-Approve donations totaling over $6,000 for April 2025, the majority coming from the Athletic Boosters.
-Approve the list of graduating seniors pending satisfactory completion of present coursework and EOC results.
-Approve an overnight/extended student trip for the music department to Nashville, TN for March 13-16, 2026.
-Approve the NWOESC April teacher and paraprofessional substitute list as presented.
Board member Wehrle commented on the detail provided in the packet for the approval of the Nashville trip and appreciated how thorough it was.
Stevens stated that two tour companies had been looked at before deciding on the one presented. The consent agenda was approved by all members with the motion to approve made by Schaffter and seconded by Eicher.
Reports followed with the financial report presented by Nester. The report began with revenue being up over $700,000 from the last fiscal year and expenditures being up as well but only by about $400,000.
Income tax revenue was also up by about $202,000 from last year. Nester touched briefly on the five-year forecast which would be discussed later in the meeting.
Principal Lapham followed, starting with the recent mock crash attended by grades 10-12 at the Williams County Fairgrounds. Lapham also highlighted the recent career fair which was attended by over 23 businesses. Attending for the first time, Cameron Hospital provided VR glasses that simulated first responder situations.
Other recent high school activities included Prom, State FFA Convention, and a trip to the Columbus Zoo. Upcoming events are awards that start this week and graduation.
The Elementary Principal Report followed with Principal Ripke sharing highlights from the recent spring feast. She stated that she felt the kids’ favorite part is the teachers eating lunch with them.
Teachers must split time between multiple tables during lunch. She followed with kudos to all the staff who made the recent weeks of state testing very successful. Enrollment in Kindergarten for next year is 38 students, with letters going home about the staggered start in August.
An update to the curriculum will see grades 4-6 switch to Reveal Math, which will then include K-6. Ripke concluded by highlighting the sixth grade in the recent talent show and offered a big thank you to all involved in the successful Prom and post-prom.
The last report was given by Superintendent Stevens, who began with enrollment numbers. Enrollment has increased to 552, up from 550 the previous month, returning to the level seen in February.
Stevens provided an update on an upcoming nine-passenger van purchase to replace the current gold one, stating the pricing was reviewed and compared before making the decision.
School safety matters followed, and Stevens explained an upcoming drill would be taking place at the school. Stevens stated they are required to do an annual emergency management test, which is why he invited Officer Goebel from the Police Department.
A full scale evacuation is not required, but a functional test is required. Stevens explained a functional test is more of a lower-level test and the school is planning on doing a full evacuation drill with limited reunification.
This will determine how effective the school plan is and identify areas for improvement. The tentative date is May 19 depending highly on the weather conditions.
The next topic, also included in the action items agenda, was ending the contract with Visions Photography which has provided photography services for many years.
The business will be closing and the contract has already been approved by the board. The approval would be voted on later in the meeting.
The final two items were discussion items for the board. The first was the results from a recent wrestling survey to assess the interest and sustainability of the sport. 39 responses, some being overlaps, were gathered with almost 60% showing an interest in wrestling.
However, when asked regarding a multi-year commitment, interest dropped to 33%. Also assessed in the survey was the ability to transport athletes to practices/events and carpooling which both had an approximately 60% ‘yes’ response.
Stevens proposed having a discussion with neighboring districts about a potential partnership, as sustainability was a big concern. Upon discussion, most board members agreed with this approach. Stevens stated he would return with more information in the June meeting.
The last item for discussion was extension of the weight room hours. Steven stated he had personally been asked about extending the hours that it is open to the public. All board members were open to the idea.
Best asked if there would be security concerns regarding the extended hours. With cameras and key fobs already in place, there were not any increased security concerns but Stevens would reach out to similar facilities.
Also, increased security measures could be implemented with the current company. Reed suggested a courtesy clause to regulate noise later in the evening, as some music can be heard coming from the facility. Stevens again stated that he would provide more information at the June meeting.
With no old business to address, new business was next on the agenda. The only new business was the earned income tax levy, which did not pass on the ballot.
This leaves the board with the need for a resolution at the next meeting. With several still undetermined issues at the state level, including a carryover limit and the possibility of abolishing property tax, the board decided to discuss the resolution at the next meeting where things may be a little more clear.
Action items followed and included the following:
-Approve the five-year forecast and assumptions for fiscal years 2025-2026. Motion to approve was made by Schaffter, seconded by Reed and approved by all.
-Approve a three-year agreement with the Edon Northwest Teachers Association, dated from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. Motion to approve was made by Eicher, seconded by Wehrle and approved by all.
-Approve a 3% salary increase for classified staff members for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion to approve was made by Schaffter, seconded by Reed and approved by all.
-Approve a new fund for the class of 2029. Motion to approve was made by Reed, seconded by Eicher and approved by all.
-Approve an agreement with Joy D. Fruchey and Associates for school based mental health services for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion to approve was made by Wehrle, seconded by Reed and approved by all.
-Approve a resolution to rescind prior board action(s) and adopt Special Education Model Policies and Procedures – V1.0 2025. Motion to approve was made by Schaffter, seconded by Eicher and approved by all.
-Approve a resolution authorizing the participation of foreign exchange student in the district graduation ceremony. Motion to approve was made by Eicher, seconded by Wehrle and approved by all.
-Approve the NEOLA policy update Volume 43, No. 2 as drafted and presented. Motion to approve was made by Schaffter, seconded by Reed and approved by all members except Wehrle.
-Accept the resignation of Bill Wise, substitute/extracurricular activity bus driver, effective April 28, 2025. Mr. Wise had been employed for over 40 years. Motion to approve was made by Eicher, seconded by Reed and approved by all.
-Rescind the contract with Visions Photography for school photography services for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion to approve was made by Schaffter, seconded by Eicher and approved by all.
-Recommendation to approve teaching contracts effective August 14, 2025. Motion to approve was made by Reed, seconded by Eicher and approved by all.
-Recommendation to approve non-teaching contracts for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion to approve was made by Reed, seconded by Eicher and approved by all.
-Recommendation to approve a contract for Jenna Gerken, cook/cafeteria worker (7 hour per day position), for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion to approve was made by Schaffter, seconded by Reed and approved by all.
-Recommendation to reduce contracted hours for Sandra Carlson, cook/cafeteria worker, from 5 hours per day to 4 hours per day effective for the 2025-2026 school year. This was requested by Carlson. Motion to approve was made by Schaffter, seconded by Reed and approved by all.
-Recommendation to approve a supplemental contract with Mallory Trausch, Junior High Cheer Advisor, for the 2025-2026 school year, pending successful completion of all requirements. Motion to approve was made by Eicher, seconded by Schaffter and approved by all.
-Recommendation to approve a supplemental contract for Faith Jones, High School Cheer Advisor Fall and Winter, for the 2025-2026 school year, pending successful completion of all requirements. Motion to approve was made by Schaffter, seconded by Eicher and approved by all.
-Recommendation to approve supplemental contracts for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion to approve was made by Eicher, seconded by Reed and approved by all.
-Recommendation to approve contracts for summer school at a rate of $30 per hour. Motion to approve was made by Schaffter, seconded by Eicher and approved by all.
-Recommendation to approve Jr. High/High School and Elementary Handbooks for the 2025-2026 school year as drafted and presented. Motion to approve was made by Reed, seconded by Wehrle and approved by all.
The final item on the consent agenda was a motion to move into an executive session to discuss personnel. The motion was made by Schaffter and seconded by Reed.
The meeting was adjourned to executive session at 6:14 p.m. with no action to follow.