NEW YEAR … The 2025-2026 Montpelier School Board began the new year by appointing Nate Rose as President. Pictured (left to right): Jennifer Schlosser, Troy Roth, Nate Rose, and Dunne Gambler.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Montpelier Board of Education held its regular session and organizational meeting on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, to appoint new board positions, discuss new year business, and accept a generous donation from an anonymous donor.
The board began with a roll call, noting Dunne Gambler, Nate Rose, Jennifer Schlosser, and Troy Roth present. Continuing his service from the year prior, Rose was elected President of the Board for the year 2026. Roth was chosen as Vice President.
A recommendation to continue the monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. was accepted. Exceptions were given for the January 7, 2026, meeting, along with June, which was scheduled for June 23, 2026.
Next, the Records Commission was established. The commission is comprised of the Superintendent Travis Lichty, Treasurer Eric Smeltzer, and Board President Rose.
Legal counsel was approved for the district. Ennis Britton Co., L.P.A., Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, and Bricker & Eckler LLP were chosen for their services.
The Board Legislative Liaison was awarded to Dunne Gambler, while the Finance Committee will be taken over by Jennifer Schlosser and Nate Rose.
The organizational meeting was adjourned at 4:53 p.m., and the regular meeting followed directly afterwards at 5:00 p.m.
With little business listed on the agenda, Superintendent Lichty gave his report to the board. He commented on a successful wrestling program, with plans to hire two additional coaches.
Previously, volunteers Steven Shook and Jason Randall were approved for half contracts each for the 2025-2026 school year. Their salaries will be reimbursed by Edon Northwest Local School.
Lichty stated that the refurbished laptops purchased had been performing well and were already saving the district money. He also mentioned that January 20, 2026, will have a pre-scheduled two-hour delay for teacher in-service.
The Montpelier Rotary Club pledged $10,000 to the school for the purpose of buying a new LED sign. While the previous sign had been out of commission for several years, it was suspected to be 15-16 years old.
The new sign will be a 3×8 LED panel. It will flow seamlessly with the upcoming, updated website, and the superintendent will be able to provide delay and cancellation updates through his phone.
The December 9, 2025, meeting minutes were approved with no contest.
The financial report was then presented by Eric Smeltzer. The report consisted of bank reconciliation, cash summary report, disbursement report, budget vs. actual report, monthly comparison report, and the investment report.
Smeltzer announced that they were currently $306,000 ahead of last year’s position.
Since they ended the 2024-2025 school year in the black, he is confident that they will continue to do so this year.
“We ended in the black last fiscal year, so we are definitely on pace to be in the black,” he affirmed.
Several donations were listed as follows:
-Band: $1,000.00
-Girls Softball: $1,000
-Choir: $1,000
-Awareness Team: $3,500.00
-Therapy Dog Fund: $1,000.00
-Elementary Principal Fund: $4,000.00
The total donation amount listed is $11,500, all generously donated by an anonymous community member.
Under other business, the board approved the Ohio School Boards Association annual membership dues for 2026 at a cost of $5,284.00.
The IRS recommended mileage rate was amended and approved at 72.5 cents per mile. An Ohio School Boards Association Legal Assistance Fund was additionally passed at a cost of $250.
An executive session was entered at 5:21 p.m. with no action taken afterwards. The meeting was adjourned directly afterwards.