PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN/ THE VILLAGE REPORTER
CYBERSECURITY PRESENTATION … David Bauer (above) of the Montpelier Schools Technology Department talks about the school district’s cybersecurity plan which has to be in place by July 1, 2026, at the Montpelier Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, May 13.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Montpelier Board of Education met in a regular session on Wednesday, May 13 with board members present, Nate Rose, Troy Roth, Michael Wortkoetter, Dunne Gambler and Jennifer Schlosser.
A public hearing was held for the purpose of considering the retire/rehire of Diane Willis, cafeteria supervisor. She was seeking reemployment with the district in her same position. There were no objections.
David Bauer and Jim Lee of the District’s Information Technology Department gave a presentation to board members on a cybersecurity plan which also meets state requirements.
Lee said the security aspect of things the schools had to deal with several years ago has changed, but with all the ransom attacks going on, the district is doing everything to prevent that.
“We’re really addressing our internal security and now we require multi-factor authentication for our staff to log on to their computers,” said Lee.
“Secondly, we encrypt all hard drives used by our staff so that if a computer is stolen, the data cannot be pulled off of them.”
He said the district is in the process of obtaining and setting up a product called Abnormal AI, where all e-mails coming into the district’s inboxes will go through this analyzer.
It will analyze e-mail before it even reaches the inbox for the staff and students.
“Hopefully we’ll prevent those ransom attacks before they occur, because dealing with them is a nightmare,” Lee said.
Bauer said the purpose of this plan is that the district is required by Ohio House Bill 96 to have it in place by July 1, 2026. The IT Department has been working on this for the past eight months.
“We have to have an official plan in place to show how we do them, why we do them, and to do in the event of,” said Bauer. “One of the things that are particularly important for you to make note of.
“If there was any kind of ransomware event, you as the Board of Education would be required to basically pass a motion saying ‘we think in the school’s best interest to pay that ransom in the event when we ever going to.
“That is a requirement under the law, that’s public information and if that was ever to happen and we have to come to you guys and it couldn’t be something that could be passed or done without your approval.”
Under the Ohio Revised Code, Bauer said that everything in the district’s plan is not subject to any public records request and it’s under lock and key.
Following the presentation, the board later approved a District Cybersecurity Program.
Lee will be authorized to implement, maintain, and annually review the program. He may make administrative updates necessary to address changes in technology, cybersecurity threats, and district operations.
In other action, the board approved administrative contracts to Elementary Principal Lance Thorp and Middle School Principal Michael Bumb. Both were awarded five-year, 225-day contracts from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2031.
Stephen Arnold was given a two-year, 210-day contract as high school principal effective August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2028.
He was also approved for a Principal of Record from June 30 to July 31, 2026, at per diem rate with time sheet to be submitted.
Later in the meeting, Superintendent Travis Lichty was approved for a five-year contract beginning August 1, 2027, through July 31, 2032. The board also approved amendments to Lichty’s current administrative contract.
The board approved the following items:
-Non-renewed all supplemental contracts effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
-Approved the 2026-27 supplemental contracts.
-Approved participation in the following federal programs: Title I, Title II-A, Title IV-A, Title I Part II, IDEA, Title III LEP, and the National School Lunch Program for breakfast, lunch, and milk programs for the 2026-27 school year.
-The 2026-27 Student Accident Insurance Coverage with Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company.
-Advertise for a price quote for milk purchases for the cafeteria for the 2026-27 school year.
-K-6 grade fees at $40 per grade and the high school fees as presented for the 2026-27 school year.
-Approved the list of graduates for the MHS Class of 2026, pending all graduation requirements have been met.
-Approved the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center substitute teacher list for the 2026-27 school year.
-Approved the administrative and classified salary schedule for the 2026-27 school year.
-Approved the classified employees’ administrative procedure manual effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.
-Approved the following handbooks for the 2026-27 school year: Faculty, High School and Middle School Students, Elementary School Student and Parent; Athletic Handbook, Montpelier Drug Screening and High School/Junior High Coaches.
In other actions, the board approved the following personnel.
-John Dalrymple, School Psychologist for five extended days at per diem rate.
-Approved to pay Bobbi Miller a stipend of $500.00 for teaching at the Summer Honors Academy, with payment upon completion. This will be reimbursed by the NWOESC.
-Wendy Chamberlain as Junior High Cross Categorical Intervention at BA/Step 1 for the 2026-27 school year.
-Denise Thorp as a secretary at Step 7 for six hours per day and executive secretary at Step 1 for two hours per day, 199-day contract for the 2026-27 school year.
-Larry Stull as a paraprofessional at seven hours per day, Step 1 for the 2026-27 school year, pending all requirements have been met.
-Irene Ortega as cafeteria cashier at 2.5 hours per day at $17.44 per hour for the 2026-27 school year, pending all requirements have been met.
-Troy Christman as High School/Junior High summer school tutor at the regular salary rate of $25.25 per hour from June 1-12, pending all requirements have been met.
-Denise Thorp for Kindergarten screening on June 1-2, at $18.72 per hour and a maximum of 14 hours with time sheet to be submitted.
-Bria Friend, Braylon Hopper, Carolyn Hopper, Madelyn Hopper, and Kirian Mercer as summer custodians at $17.96 per hour with time sheet to be submitted for the 2025-26 school year.
-Kirian Mercer and Donna Terrill to the substitute custodian list for the 2025-26 school year and Bailey Yahraus to the substitute paraprofessional list for the 2026-27 school year.
The board also accepted several donations from the Montpelier Athletic Boosters ($6,050), Black Swamp Arts ($50), and Ric Echler ($900).
Approval was given to transfer $20,000 from the General Fund to the Athletic Department Fund. This transfer of funds will be mainly used to cover the costs of baseball, softball, and track officials, since the athletic department doesn’t charge any admission to spring sport contests.
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL REPORT
Elementary Principal Lance Thorp reported that the roster verification process has been completed. This task pulls together students, teachers, and test scores to create Value Added for staff members and the school as a whole.
Thorp added that Grandparents’ Day was held on Wednesday, May 13 with a large turnout.
He also reminded the board that the upcoming Kindergarten screening for the district will take place on Monday and Tuesday, June 1 and 2.
As of May 8, the district has 32 students signed up for screening but is receiving calls daily. There are 16 current kinderklub students who will be in kindergarten for the 2026-27 school year.
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL REPORT
High School Principal Steve Arnold reported that State Testing is over, and the district is waiting for results to come back before the end of the school year.
Arnold commented that the prom and post-prom activities both went very well. He thanked Carolyn Hopper and Tasha Thompson for their efforts.
The annual Senior Scholarship program on May 4 was a big success with lots of scholarship money being handed out. He thanked Stephanie Friend, Yoli Saneholtz, and Mike Bumb for their preparation and presentation.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Superintendent Travis Lichty reported that the new sign installation at the football/track facility has been completed. The new digital sign in front of the school building will be installed next week.
Lichty and Don Schlosser are finalizing a two-year plan for blacktop/parking lot repairs and upkeep.
He also thanked all of the staff members for the job they do each day. It takes every department in the district to provide excellent service to the students and families of the community.
Lichty reminded the board that high school graduation will be held on Sunday, May 24, at 2 p.m. at the football stadium.
The board then went into an executive session to discuss matters required to be kept confidential by federal laws and state statutes. No action was taken.
