PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER | THE VILLAGE REPORTER
NEW MEMBERS … Newly elected board members Lindsay Mossing and Casey Schmitz took the oath during the annual organizational meeting.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Evergreen Board of Education met for its regular session on Monday, January 12, 2026, following the district’s annual organizational meeting held earlier in the evening.
The organizational meeting opened at 5:45 p.m. with the administration of the oath of office to newly elected board members Lindsay Mossing and Casey Schmitz.
Following the swearing-in, the board conducted its annual elections for officers in 2026. Nora Kiefer was elected to serve as board president, while Jason Miller was also selected to serve as vice president for the year.
The board then set its regular meeting schedule for 2026, approving the third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m., with noted exceptions in February, March, and June due to scheduling conflicts.
Members also voted to dispense with the reading of minutes for the year and approved limiting board member compensation to a maximum of 13 paid meetings for 2026.
Additional organizational actions included appointing a legislative liaison, establishing the audit committee, forming the Public Records Commission, and setting the 2026 Board Service Fund at $5,000 to cover allowable board-related expenses.
The board also authorized the superintendent to serve as purchasing agent for approved expenditures up to $35,000, oversee student activity accounts, and approve staff absences and professional meetings for the year.
Following adjournment of the organizational meeting at 5:52 p.m., the board reconvened for its regular session.
The regular meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of the meeting agenda and the minutes from the December 2025 regular meeting, both of which were approved as presented.
Under personnel matters, the board approved additions to the district substitute list pending completion of all required licensing and background checks.
The board also approved a series of supplemental contracts for the 2025 to 2026 school year, including assistant coaching and volunteer coaching positions for baseball, softball, and track at both the varsity and middle school levels. All compensation and benefits were noted to follow existing board policy.
The board next approved a resolution declaring it necessary to renew the Evergreen Local School District income tax and requesting certification of alternative tax rates from the Ohio Tax Commissioner.
The resolution outlines the need to generate approximately $545,000 annually to support current operating expenses and authorizes the treasurer to submit the required documentation in advance of the May 5, 2026, election.
An overnight trip was also approved for members of the Evergreen High School Academic Quiz Team, along with their advisor and parent chaperones, to attend the National Academic Quiz Bowl Tournament in Chicago.
The trip is scheduled for April 24th through April 26th, with students staying at the Hyatt Regency during the competition.
During the discussion and information items, the board reviewed the first semester bullying report, which was reported as zero incidents, and received notice of an adjusted departure date for the district’s agriculture next-generation trip, now scheduled for March 2, 2026, due to flight availability and cost considerations.
Administrative and supervisory reports followed, with updates on district operations, maintenance, and ongoing initiatives.
The elementary school is getting back into the swing of things after the holiday break. STEAM Night will be held on February 5, and the Daddy Daughter Dance is scheduled for February 12.
The middle school celebrated honor roll students, with a total of 207 students making the honor roll. AG safety day is approaching, along with D.A.R.E. Graduation set for January 30. The high school has finalized all grades and updated transcripts since the break.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:24 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.