PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
BILL UNCERTAINTY … Superintendent Anthony Stevens (left) explains the complex and uncertain nature of House Bill 186 to board members David Wehrle (center) and Patty Eicher (right) during Monday’s meeting.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Edon Board of Education met on Monday, November 10. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. and began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call was taken, with all members present. Members are President Cody Best, Vice President Jamie Schaffter, Patty Eicher, Ashley Reed, and David Wehrle. Treasurer Deb Nester and Superintendent Anthony Stevens were also in attendance.
With no visitors present, the board moved into the consent agenda. The following items were presented for approval:
-Approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on Monday, October 13.
-Approve financial reports for October 2025.
-Approve the request for an amended certificate from the County Auditor.
-Approve October 2025 donations totaling $7,752. The bulk is directed toward the Music Department’s Nashville trip, and Stevens stated he appreciates everyone who has donated.
-Approve the “then and now” certificate for October 2025.
-Approve the October 2025 substitute list from the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center. Stevens explained that having updated substitutes this year provides better coverage.
-Approve the 2025-2026 Williams County Interagency Agreement.
The motion to approve was made by Schaffter and seconded by Eicher. The motion passed unanimously.
Reports
Treasurer Nester presented her report, noting revenues are up $340,682 over last year, but expenditures are also up $292,905. Revenues still outpace expenditures by $423,648. The day’s cash balance is 235 days.
Nester reported the October income tax revenue at $161,739, which is up from last year. With the levy not being renewed, the income tax revenue will still continue into next year.
Although paycheck deductions will cease on December 31, the revenue will be delayed, much like when the levy was first issued.
January and April will stay comparable to historical amounts, but after April, revenues will taper down through July and October.
High School Principal Kayla Lapham followed with her report. She noted that 18 students recently made the trip to the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis.
Students chose from a variety of workshops and participated in a career and college fair showcasing agriculture-related career opportunities. Two former students were also honored after earning their American FFA Degree.
Recent activities included practice ACTs for the junior class and a career exploration day, attended by both juniors and seniors, and held at Bryan Schools.
Twelve students recently attended a three-hour tour of Triton Metals in Hamilton, Indiana. Another twelve students attended Manufacturing Day, which included a new Trine presenter.
CCP Night will be held the following week with Northwest State Community College. The administration is also working with Northwest State on a nursing presentation for grades 7-12.
The last day of parent-teacher conferences was held the previous week, which showed a decrease in high school parent participation but an increase in junior high.
Principal Lapham thanked the Athletic Boosters for all the recent support and financial donations to multiple teams competing in postseason games, specifically volleyball and football.
The boosters provided students with tickets for district volleyball and state football playoff games for both week one and week two and also provided cleats and treat bags to the football team, which is a second-week playoff tradition.
Lapham also highlighted the football team and cheerleaders signing autographs for younger students, stating that the visible action reinforced their leadership role.
Sophomores will have the opportunity to visit Four County Career Center on December 4. Applications will open on December 1. The final update was the upcoming winter concert, which will precede the end of the semester.
Elementary Principal Jen Ripke was unable to attend; her report was provided to the board for review.
Stevens closed out the reports section with the Superintendent’s report. Stevens started with enrollment numbers, which have seen a steady increase: 538 in August, 544 in September, and 549 in October.
Stevens then updated the board on House Bill 186, which he is following closely. This week will see the third hearing, and if passed, the bill will significantly change revenue regulations.
Stevens stated the state has included a contingency, or “glide path,” to help school districts transition. An emergency clause is also being proposed for the legislation due to the late stage of the year.
Stevens informed the board of the intended purchase of a van. Plans are to retire two current vehicles—a retired driver education car and the Four County car—and replace both with the purchased van.
The van is considered more economical because it transports more passengers and equipment, simplifies driver training, and saves maintenance costs by reducing bus usage. Stevens noted the price is comparable to the nine-passenger van purchased last year.
Final items in the report were the Veterans Day program taking place the following day, on November 11. A Veterans breakfast is planned prior to the programs. Stevens said he personally enjoys the event and feels he may get more out of it than most.
Wehrle commented on the successful completion of the recent football field lights. Stevens stated they have a very good vendor relationship and were able to get the resources they needed.
Action Items
-Approve board policies as drafted and presented from NEOLA Update Volume 44, Number 1. Schaffter motioned to approve, Reed seconded. All members voted yes except Wehrle, who voted no.
-Approve a resolution to adopt the State Special Education Model policies and procedures. Eicher motioned to approve; Reed seconded. The motion was approved by all members.
-Recommendation to approve the resignation for the purpose of retirement submitted by Annette Peckham. Eicher commented that she was unaware of how long Peckham had been a teacher.
The entire board agreed she would be very hard to replace and was glad for the extended time frame to begin the search for a replacement.
Schaffter motioned to approve; Eicher seconded. The motion was approved by all members.
-Recommendation to approve a supplemental contract for the 2025-2026 school year, for a volunteer varsity boys basketball coach.
The motion to approve was made by Wehrle and seconded by Eicher. The motion was approved by all members.
The final motion was to enter into executive session, made by Schaffter and seconded by Reed.
The motion was approved by all, with President Best expecting no action to follow. The meeting moved into executive session at 5:49 p.m.