PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
PERSONNEL DECISIONS … Board President Heather Jones reviews employment matters, including the hiring of new bus driver and custodian Chelsee Hand.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Millcreek-West Unity Local School Board of Education met on April 13, 2026, for its regular meeting, where members updated NEOLA policies, hired a new bus driver, and approved routine business.
In attendance: Board President Heather Jones, Brian Wieland, Dave Dempsey, Dawn Layman and Elishah Siegel.
The Board entered into executive session at 6 p.m. to discuss employment matters. They returned to open session at 6:41 p.m.
POLICY UPDATE
Superintendent Steven Riley reviewed the second reading of the updated NEOLA Policy Volume 44, Number 2. The motion passed and the third and final reading will take place at the next Board meeting.
PRINCIPAL REPORTS
Elementary Principal Jason Mansfield reported a record-breaking book fair, with $9,500 in sales. He also noted that the kindergarten screening event was successful, and the school is expecting to see almost 40 students enrolled for the 2026-2027 school year.
Junior and High School Principal Troy Cummins also provided enrollment stats for the next school year. So far, 15 juniors and 16 seniors are enrolled for Four County Career Center.
Additionally, 21 students will be participating in College Credit Plus (CCP) classes, with students enrolled in 36 classes total.
Cummins also noted that the Millcreek-West Unity Area Foundation has awarded the school with $5,000 for academic award allocations.
END OF YEAR DATES
As the year comes to a close, the last day for Millcreek-West Unity schools is set for May 19, 2026. Seniors are asked to attend graduation rehearsal on May 21, 2026, with graduation following on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Traci Thompson reported that FY26 Title I funds were used for teacher salary and benefits, homeless supplies, and purchased services from nonpublic schools educating Hilltop students.
FY26 IDEA-B funds were used for intervention teacher salaries. Thompson stated that she plans on using the FY27 funds in the same manner.
CONSENT AGENDA AND FINANCIAL ACTIONS
The Board then approved the April consent agenda, which included minutes and financial statements from the March 2026 meeting.
Additional approvals included continued fiscal assistance services with NwOESC, renewal of the director’s participation in the Power 4 Schools Cooperative Program, and a policy change increasing the district’s capital asset threshold to $5,000.
Revenue increases and appropriation modifications were also approved. A $461.93 increase in Title I funds was passed along with a decrease of $3,552.84 in Career Exploration funds.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
Several hirings, supplemental contracts, and retire/rehire employment were approved as the Board prepares for the upcoming summer season. They are as follows:
-Aiden Stover, Temporary Summer Technology Assistance
-Connor English, Assistant HS Track Coach
-Tony Gerig, Athletic Director
-Nathan Massie, Varsity Football Coach
-Dan Hurd, Cross Country Coach
-Isaac VanArsdalen, Varsity Golf Coach
-Troy Carpenter, Substitute Bus Driver
-Chelsee Hand, Bus Driver and Custodian I
Karen Kuney, Elementary Secretary, and Jana Griffin, Administrative Assistant, were approved for retire/rehire employment for the 2026-2027 school year.
DONATIONS ACCEPTED
Additionally, two donations were accepted. Pencils were donated for elementary students by the Sherwood State Bank. $6,590 was donated to the Hilltop Archery Club from the Hilltop Athletic Boosters.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m. The next Millcreek-West Unity Board of Education meeting will be on May 11, 2026, at 6 p.m.
