PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
YEAR-END NUMBERS … High School Principal Hasselbusch shared end-of-year statistics for the 2025-2026 school year.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The North Central Board of Education met for its regular session Tuesday, May 19, 2026, where Board members heard public concerns regarding the administration’s decision to not allow several seniors to participate in the graduation walk this year.
During public participation, a parent addressed the Board regarding a recent disciplinary action taken against several seniors. The action occurred after an incident during a senior class trip where empty alcohol cans were found in a room shared by four students.
The parent requested that the Board reconsider the decision made by Superintendent Michael Bute and High School Principal Martha Hasselbusch to not allow the students to participate in graduation ceremonies on May 24, 2026.
“I’m here to not talk about the discipline action itself, but I’m here to talk about the timing of the action in which that adjusts the consequence level,” he stated.
The parent explained that the decision to not allow the four seniors to walk during graduation was inconsistent based on timing within the school year.
“If these (kids) were to make the decision in September, we would not be here talking about it,” he said.
He argued that if the timing was earlier in the year, the students would not have faced the same level of discipline and would have still been able to walk during graduation.
“The offense itself has not changed, yet the consequence becomes significantly greater simply because of the timing,” his email reads. “That is the part I am respectfully asking the administration and Board to reconsider.”
The students have also been barred from attending Honors Awards, lost all further participation in senior activities, are facing suspension and expulsion, along with other disciplinary measures.
Parents acknowledge discipline must be enforced by the school, but are asking for discretion when it comes to allowing the four seniors to attend graduation.
The Board did not discuss the topic or take action during the public portion of its meeting.
Elementary Principal Brent Saneholtz reported a successful end-of-year wrap-up as the last day of school approaches.
He introduced fifth-grade science teacher Abbie Apple, who shared that the recent science fair “wouldn’t be possible without parents, our judges, our volunteers that we have, and we really appreciate everyone’s hard work.”
High School Principal Hasselbusch provided her monthly statistics for April. She announced a 92.8% average rate for overall student attendance, and 218 referrals total for the school year.
Superintendent Bute reported that current enrollment numbers for North Central is 512 students total; elementary and preschool at 306, junior high at 71, and high school at 135.
Open enrollment to the school is 48, with enrollment out of the district being 111. Home education is 57.
She also announced that ninth-grade student Rebekka Netcher has been selected as the RA Horn Outstanding Student Achievement Award recipient for the SST Region in the State of Ohio.
“This is an incredible honor that reflects her hard work, dedication, and achievement.” Netcher will be recognized in Columbus, Ohio, on June 9, 2026.
Several motions were passed in recommendations. The Board approved the continuation of inter-district open enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year, an MOU outlining facility use with the Department of Public Safety (DPS), and a new cloud-based security system.
Multiple donations were also approved in the Treasurer’s Report as follows:
-$300.60 from Fix and Fab to the Backpack Program
-$2,830.45 from Pioneer Church of Nazarene to the “No NC Child Goes Without” Fund
-A $19,542.00 purchase of two collective hand circular wash fountains from the Pioneer American Legion
Many local businesses made donations for meals for Teacher Appreciation Week as follows:
-$320 from American Legion
-$1,099 from Logger’s Lounge
-$1,000 from JJ Winns
-$425 from Pizza Barn
-$225 from Spokes
-$1,200 from Pioneer Main Stop and Jim’s Carry Out
The consent agenda included a large list of facility employment and contract renewals.
Notably, Saneholtz and Hasselbusch were approved for an additional five-year contract as school principals. The resignation of world language Spanish instructor Patricia Hart was accepted.
The Board entered executive session at 6:37 p.m. for employment. No action was taken afterwards. The next North Central School Board meeting is scheduled for June 30, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
