By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Edon Northwest Local Board of Education held its policy committee meeting on Thursday, February 19.
Superintendent Anthony Stevens coordinated the meeting with committee members Ashley Reed and Patty Eicher in attendance.
The committee reviewed and recommended several policy updates to the school board as prepared by NEOLA, Inc.
Policy number: 2431.06
Policy title: Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) in athletics.
Summary of changes: New Policy.
Committee discussion: Policy reflects changes that correspond with OHSAA bylaw for changes pertaining to NIL.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 2440
Policy title: Job-related expenses.
Summary of changes: Policy revision, align with new policy 6465 and include optional language.
Committee discussion: Review policies related to finance with district treasurer for consideration, supportive of optional language.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 4440
Policy title: Job-related expenses.
Summary of changes: Policy revision. Align policy with new policy 6465 and include optional language.
Committee discussion: Review policies related to finance with district treasurer for consideration, supportive of optional language.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy number: 6423
Policy title: Use of district credit card.
Summary of changes: Align policy with new policy 6465 and include optional language.
Committee discussion: Review policies related to finance with district treasurer for consideration, supportive of optional language.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 6424
Policy title: Procurement cards.
Summary of changes: Align policy with new policy 6465 and include optional language.
Committee discussion: Review policies related to finance with district treasurer for consideration, supportive of optional language.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 6460
Policy title: Vendor relations.
Summary of changes: Align policy with new policy 6465 and include optional language.
Committee discussion: Review policies related to finance with district treasurer for consideration, supportive of optional language.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 6465
Policy title: Affinity, Rewards, or other discount programs.
Summary of changes: New policy.
Committee discussion: This policy has been drafted to address recent Auditor of State (AOS) Bulletin 2025-012 in response to Ohio Ethics Commission Advisory Opinion 2025-02 (frequent flyer miles, other rewards or discount programs). This opinion overruled previously issued opinions. Advisory Opinion 91-010 and Informal Advisory Opinion 2003-INF-0224-1.
The opinion revised restrictions on public officials and employees personally using rewards earned during official business, provided such rewards are earned the same manner as the public, the rewards do not impose additional costs on the public office, and the airline, hotel, vendor, etc., are not selected in order to earn the reward points for themselves.
The opinion calls for the district to adopt a policy regarding personal use of these rewards.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 4162
Policy title: Drug and Alcohol Testing of CDL License Holders who perform safety sensitive functions.
Summary of changes: Align policy with statutory and regulatory changes to the return to duty process as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 4162.01
Policy title: Drug and alcohol testing of employees without CDL licenses who transport students in alternative vehicles (Non-DOT Testing).
Summary of changes: New policy- This policy has been added to reflect regulatory changes to the qualifications of drivers of alternative vehicles, including the need for drug and alcohol testing for non-DOT drivers.
Committee discussion: No optional language to consider. Language is required to comply with current regulations.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 5112
Policy title: Entrance requirements.
Summary of changes: Policy revision.
Committee discussion: This policy has been revised in response to the provisions of House Bill 114.
The bill requires public schools to admit to kindergarten any child who will be five years old by the first day of instruction of the school year of admittance.
It is suggested that districts designate the first day of kindergarten instruction as the qualifying date for admittance.
The law declares that a child must be six years old by September 30 for enrollment in the first grade. This policy revision should be adopted to comply with current laws.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 5223
Policy title: Release time for religious instruction.
Summary of changes: Policy revision.
Committee discussion: No changes required, and no changes recommended or drafted.
Recommendation to board: No change to the current policy.
Policy Number: 5421
Policy title: Grading.
Summary of changes: Policy revision.
Committee discussion: Update policy and draft with language selections discussed in committee meetings that reflect current grading practices as we do not currently have an identified need to deviate from current practice which is compliance with the law.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 5430
Policy title: Class rank.
Summary of changes: Policy revision.
Committee discussion: These policies have been revised to reflect the provisions of the Governor’s Merit Scholarship (GMA) and the Ohio Guaranteed Admission (OGA) programs.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 6220
Policy title: Budget preparation.
Summary of changes: Policy revision.
Committee discussion: This policy has been revised to delete reference to five (5) year forecasts and to provide more detailed options regarding cash balance reserves. Review optional language with district treasurer.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 6320
Policy title: Purchasing and bidding.
Summary of changes: Policy revision.
Committee discussion: Changes in policy reflect change in law and should be adopted.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 6325
Policy title: Procurement of Federal Grants/Funds.
Summary of changes: Policy revision.
Committee discussion: This policy is revised to reflect revised threshold amounts for micro-purchases (not to exceed $15,000), small purchases (not to exceed ($350,000), and price analysis requirement threshold ($350,000 effective October 1, 2025). Revisions to this policy should be adopted to be consistent with federal regulations.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 6425
Policy title: Use of district tax exempt certificate.
Summary of changes: New policy.
Committee discussion: This new policy is offered in response to Auditor of State (AOS) Bulletin 2025-013 regarding reimbursement of sales tax by the district.
This policy, if selected, allows for reimbursement of officials/employees who have made lawful expenditures on behalf of the district using their own personal credit card or funds.
The policy imposes appropriate controls and limits access to the district’s tax-exempt certificate.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 7540.09
Policy title: Artificial intelligence (AI).
Summary of changes: Policy replacement; change in law requires the Board of Education to adopt a policy that aligns with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Model Policy.
Committee discussion: Draft as discussed and refer to the AI committee once developed to address remaining questions.
Recommendation to board: Pull policy from update pending development of AI committee and review of optional language.
Policy Number: 8600
Policy title: Transportation.
Summary of changes: Policy revision.
Committee discussion: This policy has been revised to reflect new regulations affecting alternative vehicles. No optional language to discuss.
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 8600.04
Policy title: Bus and alternative vehicle driver certification.
Summary of changes: Policy revision.
Committee discussion: Language in this policy has been revised to reflect new terminology in state regulations for alternative vehicles, as well as corrections to references for background check disqualifying offenses.
Select optional language setting age for operation at twenty-one and that allows for hiring of individuals who have been rehabilitated as required by law (with proper discretion utilized).
Recommendation to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 8640
Policy title: Transportation for non-routine trips.
Summary of changes: Policy revision.
Committee discussion: These revisions add language reflecting Ohio Revised Code authorizing school districts to provide transportation services for other entities.
Revisions also address the use of multifunction school activity buses and the use of alternative vehicles as authorized by House Bill 54.
Recommendations to board: Adopt as drafted.
Policy Number: 8650
Policy title: Transportation by alternative vehicles.
Summary of changes: Policy revision.
Committee discussion: House Bill 54 and House Bill 96 were enacted in 2025, along with Pupil Transportation rule changes promulgated by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW).
Revisions to these policies and related administrative guidelines reflect those changes. Select optional language setting age for operation at twenty-one.
Recommendations to board: Adopt as drafted.
Action steps taken by the committee were followed up on policies as discussed and complete drafting with NEOLA.
The only policy for the committee requiring revision before submission to the Board of Education is Policy 7540.09 which involves Artificial Intelligence. The deadline for this is March 6.