The Fayette Local Board of Education recognized a student for a perfect state test score, added new tobacco and nicotine language to the student handbook, and approved insurance, staffing and lunch prices for the 2026-27 school year during its regular meeting Aug. 13.
Board President Merissa Kessler called the 6:30 p.m. meeting to order at Fayette Local School. Board members Mat Johnson, Katie Link, Tiffany Johnston and Jason Kessler were present, along with Superintendent Angie Belcher, Treasurer Kelly Bentley, Elementary Principal Jane Myers, High School Principal Gary Dulle, and several district staff and community members.
During public participation, board members presented Catalaya Brown with a certificate of recognition for earning a perfect score on the math portion of the Spring 2026 State Testing.
Becky Short, coordinator of the Learning Friends summer session, updated the board on the program’s year, citing success in learning, fellowship and food for students.
The board also heard routine reports from Belcher, Bentley, Myers and Dulle.
The board approved financial reports for June and July 2026, the district’s permanent appropriations, and the Financial Forecast and supporting notes for fiscal years 2027-2030.
Members approved the Ohio School Plan through Hylant Administrative Services as the district’s insurance provider for 2026-27, at a cost of $47,084, covering pollution and cyber liability. The board also approved membership with the Ohio Schools Council for cooperative program purchasing, beginning in FY27.
The board approved a list of supplemental positions for FY27, along with a full slate of additional personnel items, including:
-A one-year contract for Chris Becker as transportation coordinator, at an annual salary of $9,000.
-Dennis Peabody as bus trainer/OBI instructor for 2026-27.
-A partial-year contract for Michelle Becker as custodian, beginning Aug. 17, pending background and reference checks.
-A one-year contract for Kayla Sanders as intervention specialist, beginning Aug. 13, pending certification, reference and background checks.
-A supplemental contract for Andrea Jacobs as JH volleyball coach, pending certification, reference and background checks.
-Kate Borer as a volunteer volleyball coach, pending Pupil Activity Certification and background and reference checks
– A supplemental contract for Justin Reckner as JH golf coach, pending certification, background and reference checks.
-A supplemental contract for Amanda Meyer as assistant JV girls basketball coach, pending certification, background and reference checks
– Carrisa Meyer as a volunteer girls basketball coach, pending certification, background and reference checks
The board also approved the substitute teacher and para list provided by NwoESC for FY 2027, and teacher mentor supplementals for Beth Schaffner as district coordinator and Jessica Burgermeister as mentor.
Substitute bus drivers Chad Lavinder, David Fetterman, Andy Richardson and Sabrina Hartson were approved for 2026-27 pending completion of licensing requirements.
Ryan Colegrove, Amy Hibbard, Bryan Stambaugh, Kalley Schaefer, Joel Smith, Maggie Pollard, Todd Mitchell, Matt Maginn, John Sorrell and Travis Arkwright were approved as van-certified to transport students, pending completion of yearly requirements.
Classified substitutes approved for FY27 include Dodie Cuff, Wendi Wyatt, Aerial Ralph and Heather Rodriguez for cafeteria; Jackie Schnitkey, Dodie Cuff and Aerial Ralph for secretary; and Jenna Beaverson, Nicole Antcliff, Dodie Cuff and Aerial Ralph for custodial.
The board granted FMLA leave to Sarah Bishop through Sept. 8 and to Carissa Beck through Sept. 29.
Members accepted the resignations of Kalieb Runyon as custodian, effective July 27; Samantha Schuette as intervention specialist, effective July 31; Cierra Grant as school nurse, effective Aug. 6; Kyla Berg as JH volleyball coach, effective Aug. 8; and Carrisa Meyer as assistant JV girls basketball coach, effective Aug. 8.
The board approved student transportation and bus routes for 2026-27 and authorized the superintendent or a designee to make any changes necessary to those routes.
Members also approved new language for the 2026-27 Student Handbook addressing possession and use of tobacco and nicotine.
The policy bars possession, consumption, distribution, purchase or attempted purchase, and use of tobacco or nicotine products — including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, electronic cigarettes and other vapor devices, and clove cigarettes — in school, on school grounds, on school buses, and at interscholastic competitions, extracurricular events and other school-sponsored events.
A first violation results in confiscation of the product, along with a conversation between the student and a designated staff member — a principal, assistant principal, school nurse or guidance counselor — to discuss the violation and any factors or triggers behind it, and the offer of cessation resources through Live Vape Free.
The board set school lunch prices for 2026-27:
Student P-5: $3.25
Student 6-12: $3.75
Student Breakfast: $2.00
Adult: $5.00
Adult Breakfast: $2.50
Milk: 75 cents
Board members appointed Merissa Kessler as 2026 delegate and Mat Johnson as alternate for a Nov. 15, 2026 meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.