001Okay, good evening. It is February 9th, 2026. Welcome to Board of Education. Um, Miss Saber, call the role, please. >> Miss Dorenzo, >> here. >> Miss Kawaii here. >> Mr. Ryder Garcia >> here. >> Mr. Wilson, >> here. Dr. Middleton >> here. Thank you. Um, can I get a motion to adopt the agenda, please? >> Second. >> Miss Aubber. >> Miss Kawaii. >> Hi. >> Mr. Ryder Garcia. >> Hi. >> Miss Dorenzo. >> Hi. >> Mr. Wilson. >> Hi. >> Dr. Middleton. >> Hi. And can I get a motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting? >> Miss Aubber. >> Mr. Rder Garcia. >> Hi. >> Miss Kawaii. >> Hi. >> Miss Dorenzo. Hi. >> Mr. Wilson. >> Hi. >> Dr. Middleton. >> Hi. >> That brings us to item two, uh, reports and
002public comments. Dr. Ya. >> Yes. Good evening. U. Before I start with my report, um, I just want to, um, share some something. Uh over the weekend, as you know from an email that I had sent, uh we had some unfortunate news of the passing of one of our students, Jack Teamer, a 12th grade student that attended Oakwood High School and then was part of a program over at Ketering uh with the career center and um very tragic accident and um our hearts go out as a school community to the family, to the friends, uh to our staff uh that have all been impacted. You know, I think the thing that I love about being in a small community is um just how tighten it is when we're able to celebrate things and then when
003something like this happens, it really hits us hard. And uh it was a tough day today and u I appreciate our staff appreciate Principal Sier. And uh we had a lot of uh crisis team partners that were put in place in addition to our counselors and team. Um and you know it's it's tough. Um uh but I just thought a moment of silence I think uh if we get to do that for a little bit and and then we'll we'll proceed with the meeting. Amen. Um [snorts] it's difficult to to transition to to a meeting after that. Uh I'll try to do my best and uh we'll still we'll still be uh keep our our prayers with the family. Um you'll see later in the agenda that um uh we're I'm asking for a change
004with the 2026 27 school year calendar. Um, so in addition to voting on the 2728 school year calendar, there there are two of them, but I want to make sure as you see the 2627 year calendar, um, we had adopted that, but we're we're making a a um specific uh date change to the spring professional development day. Uh, we're moving it from April 26th to March 19th. Our students should be happy about that because then it coincides with spring break. It makes spring break a little bit longer rather than having a random day in May. So pass that along uh to everybody else. Uh here's the rationale. There's two reasons for it. Um testing integrity uh as we looked at um the testing calendar that that day that we would have had in April will
005fall right within state testing window. It kind of creates a little bit of a disruption to the flow of testing. So what we're doing is essentially moving it out of the testing window and and again to my my thought is moving it over to a place that might align better with families. Um, also, um, we've looked at the 2728 calendar and it aligns the same way. So, it's not like we're going to make another mistake and I'll be coming back to you again later for that. Um, but, uh, we'll we'll be able to have those. So, that's just awareness for now that there that you'll see that later in the agenda for approval. The second one is uh, to talk about student safety. Um, I I love part of my my day. Uh sometimes not
006when it's cold, I'll admit. Uh but when it's warmer warmer weather, um I love seeing our students arrive uh in the mornings. It's it's a neat uh thing to see them come in uh from all directions and come into school and they're excited. Uh that that's amazing. Um I think about safety though, and I think about the continued parts that come along with that. Uh we've we've done some changes uh as we came back from holiday break at Harmon Elementary School that mimics Smith Elementary with um uh no turns, you know, at the morning or I guess during during the daytime. Um and that's I think has has helped. We're seeing some uh you know appreciation for that. Um I I use that phrase uh safety is not convenient. Like sometimes you might go but
007that's not convenient. I've got to drive an extra block. Well, safety is not always convenient. Um, and one of the things else that I I'm uh constantly think about and I think as a community we're having starting to have some conversations about those ebikes and um you know again just trying to teach families. We talk to uh kids all the time but just asking for parents to be partners with us on uh just the idea about uh distractions and their speed as they're you know uh going through the streets obeying uh the signs that go along with that. just sometimes uh th those uh uh ebikes uh are able to go really really fast and just making sure that they're cognizant of those things. Um maybe take getting off them when they're when they're you
008know I know that's difficult but uh in the intersections to cross uh just makes a lot more safe especially in the morning when it's still dark outside. So just asking for support uh on those things with our families. Um it is something I'm seeing in other districts of some accidents that are taking place especially around the school zones and uh so just asking us families to kind of help with that and we're obviously you know doing our best to add layers of safety along with that. Um another note is AP honor role advanced placement honor role. The advanced placement um uh puts a um award of distinction together and they have criteria that go along with that. Um they look at different things um as far as building a co collegegoing culture, helping students earn
009college credit, and ensuring students are prepared for uh the rigor of of higher education. We currently offer 18 AP courses. I say the phrase when I'm out to other communities when I first say that we've got about 2,000 students, but we've got 18 AP courses. We punch above our weight and um our kids do a great job of doing that. Um and so there are designation and different levels. we um achieved for the third year in a row uh the gold distinction and that is a big deal that says that we're um not gatekeeping uh students going into AB classes but we we're increasing the enrollment in our classes and kids are doing well which means they're prepared for uh things beyond high school and so it's just a great testament to our kids but
010also specifically our our teachers also so I thought I'd pause and kind of share that with everybody else. Um, finally, I think the reason why we've got a crowd here today is um we're gonna we're gonna uh we got some great news to share. So, I'd like to introduce Maria Beecher, one of our trustees with the Oakwood Schools Foundation to uh go to the podium to uh provide and present a check uh through philanthropy 101 for two organizations that uh that they help support. >> Thank you, Dr. Gupta. My name is Maria Beecher and I am an Oakwood Schools Foundation trustee and the co-chairperson on the grants committee along with Dory Spalding and our newest board member Mindy Wardell. Each year I have the privilege of working with Oakwood High School business education teacher Natalie
011Johnston and her dedicated Wall Street 101 students on philanthropy 101. This program is made possible by the generosity of OSF's dedicated philanthropy ambassadors and donors tests students with going out into the community to select local nonprofits for an in-depth analysis and study. Representatives from the selected nonprofits visit Miss Johnston's class to present and discuss their work, allowing students to gain an understanding of the organization's mission, finances, struggles, and success. Students then visit these organizations to gain hands-on experience and learn about the day-to-day work that goes into making these nonprofits and charities work. Finally, students prepare and deliver presentations about their findings, which determine both their final exam score and the amount of funding that each organization receives. This year, the organizations that were selected by the students were the Dayton Dream Center, Kids in New
012Directions, Special Olympics Ohio, and Target Dayton Ministries. While all the students did a phenomenal job on researching, visiting and presenting their findings on these organizations, students with the Special Olympics Ohio and Target Dayton Ministries groups received top marks from our judges with Special Olympics Ohio receiving $2,000 in award and Target Dayton receiving 2500. I'd like to ask the representatives from these organizations and their student groups to stand for a round of applause. Thank you. As a result of significant outreach from our developmental, I'm sorry, our development trustees and the sustaining annual support from our philanthropy 101 ambassadors for which we are very grateful. Oakwood Schools Foundation granted a record $8,000 in total to the four participating organizations this year. Now I'd like everyone to come forward for paper uh photo for the paper. And now
013Dory Spalding is going to announce the Oakwood Schools Foundation grant cycle for the winter. >> Thank you, Maria. Oakwood Schools Foundation along with the Oakwood Fine Arts Boosters, the PTO's from Smith, Harmon, and the junior and senior high schools collaborated for the 2026 winter grant cycle to support seven new teacher-led initiatives with more than $25,000 in combined support for our schools. These grants, which include a new horizontal climbing wall, funding for a fifth grade art club, a records recording sound booth, a human brain model, and an innovative high- five experience, all seek to enhance the education of Oakwood students and furthers our mission to honor and celebrate the multigenerational leg legacy and impact of the Oakwood community's commitment to excellence in education. I'm also delighted to announce an ongoing gift from an anonymous donor which
014will support grants for special education throughout the district. This grant and financial support from each school's PTO made possible funding of two grants totaling almost $7,000 and needed equipment which will be shared throughout the district benefiting students for years to come. We at the Oakwood Schools Foundation are deeply grateful for the care and generosity of our donors and partner organizations who come together to ensure our schools are the best they can be. Oakwood is an incredible community because of our ability to collaborate between community groups and come together to dedicate resources that support innovation and enhancements for our students and teachers. It is my honor to present this check to the Oakwood City School Board. >> One more. Sorry. >> I probably Okay. And up next we have public comments. We have one um person
015who is making a public comment. It's Rose Lounberry. Just as a reminder, there's a limit of three minutes. Um Miss Saber will be keeping track of that. Wonderful. Um well, thank you so much. Um, I'm Rose Lounsberry and um, I live at 222 Wonderly Avenue and I'm here tonight to introduce myself as a candidate for state representative in Ohio's House District 36, which includes Oakwood, Ketering, Riverside, East Dayton, and downtown Dayton. I am a former public school teacher. I taught middle school language arts at Northmont schools and also West Carolton schools. I'm also the daughter of two retired public school teachers. My dad taught auto mechanics at a career technical high school and my mom was an art teacher at my high school. Most importantly, I am the proud mom of three public school kids.
016My 16-year-old triplets are sophomores here at Oakwood, and I couldn't be more thrilled with the excellent public education that they're receiving here. Um, because of my deep ties to public education, u protecting our public schools is absolutely my top priority when I get to Columbus. And I will be blunt with you. I do not think there is an institution in our state that is more under attack than public education. From the universal ed choice voucher program to the blurring of the line between church and state to hamstringing your ability to keep cash reserves on hand, our state house has shown time and time again that not only do they not really care what you have to say, but they will personally go on the attack to make your job of educating our future more difficult.
017And personally, I find that egregious. Public education, public schools, they're our greatest common good. It's the only place where we provide opportunity for all kids, regardless of what they look like, what religion they practice, how they identify themselves, or how much money they have. The work that you do should be applauded, not attacked in Columbus. And unfortunately, that's not what's happening. Just last week, a state rep introduced a bill that would strip all state funding from every public school district that has joined the vouchers hurt Ohio lawsuit. That is 330 out of Ohio's 600 school districts. It includes Oakwood. And so when the state house would rather strip funding from over half of our public school kids in order to not have to defend a voucher program that subsidizes private school tuition for the wealthy,
018it is very clear where their priorities lie. So I want you to know that I'm on your side. I will fight for you. I will be a very, very loud voice for you in Columbus. And I want to thank you for everything you do to support our students and our state's future. and I look forward to representing you in Ohio's 36th district. Thank you. Up next is board reports. Do we have any board reports? Okay. All right. Uh moving on to item four, budget and finance. >> Thank you. Good evening. Um item 4A on your agenda tonight is uh if you recall at the um meeting in January, it was a little too early in our month end for me to have financial reports for you. So for yourformational purposes, we have the December 2025
019and the January 2026 um financial reports included. Again, this is just anformational item. Um item 4B is is for your consideration for approval. Uh February is the new timeline for us to um approve the financial forecast and assumptions. We did review this in our work session and so for your consideration. >> Um can I get a motion for item 4B, please? >> Second. >> Any discussion on this item? Okay. Miss Aber. >> Miss Dorenzo. >> Hi. >> Mr. Ryder Garcia. >> Hi. >> Miss Kawai. >> Hi. >> Mr. Wilson. >> Hi. >> Dr. Middleton. >> Hi. Uh item 4 C. Um I'll talk about 4C and 4D, but if we could take separate action items, that would be great. Um 4 C and 4 D are compliance uh pieces that we have to file with
020the county auditor's office. Uh certificate of estimated resources, which is item 4D, that's the revenue side of the house, and the appropriations is the budget side. Um we have uh had the bond sale and we're setting up our funds for the the project and so um we're making changes and large changes uh to these documents. Um we also had some grant reallocations that are also incorporated into these changes. Again, these are compliance pieces. We've been talking about the bond sale for quite a while. Um so this is just kind of finalizing the paperwork. Any discussion on forcy? Okay. Miss Aubber, >> Miss Kawaii, >> hi. >> Miss Dorenzo, >> hi. >> Mr. Rder Garcia, >> hi. >> Mr. Wilson, >> I >> Dr. Middleton >> and I. And can I get a motion for 4D,
021please? >> Second. >> Any discussion 4D? Okay. Miss Aubber. >> Mr. Raider Garcia. >> Hi, >> Miss Dorenzo. Hi, >> Miss Kawawaii. Hi, >> Mr. Wilson. >> I, >> Dr. Middleton, >> I. >> Okay. Uh, moving on to item five. Is there any unfinished business by the board? >> Okay. Any new business by the board? >> Okay. Moving on to item seven, administrative reports and superintendent recommendations. >> Yes. Number seven, letter A, is just presented for review. It's just informational uh this month. Next month, I'll be coming for a formal re um approval with a recommendation. It's the policies included in the fall uh volume 44 number one 2025 update. Um and again I'll bring bringing it to the March 9th board meeting. Letter B on uh number seven is a field trip. It's alsoformational.
022Our academic decathlon students will be going to Cleveland. I looked through the information and it's all in order. Uh that's uh John Carroll University on March 5th and 6th. Um, letter C, number seven is um looking for approval. I'm making a recommendation to approve the updates made to the 202627 district calendar. >> Can I get a motion for um item C, please? >> So move. >> Miss Aubber, >> Mr. Wilson. I >> Miss Kawaii. >> Miss Dorenzo. Hi. >> Mr. Writer Garcia. Hi. >> Dr. Middleton. >> Hi. Number seven, letter D, is the 2027-28 district calendar. Uh, recommendation made to approve the 2627 district calendar as presented at last month's January 7th regular board meeting. >> Can I get a motion for item 7D, please? >> So moved. Second, >> Miss Aubber, >> Miss Dorenzo,
023>> Miss Kawaii, >> hi. >> Mr. Ryder Garcia, >> hi. >> Mr. Wilson, >> hi. >> Dr. Middleton I >> number seven letter E is the summer school program for kindergarten in grades 1 through eight recommendation to approve that program >> three >> one through three sorry >> oh you're good um can I get a motion for 7E please >> move second >> Miss Aubber >> Mr. Ryder Garcia >> I >> Miss Dorenzo >> hi >> Miss Kawawaii >> hi >> Mr. Wilson >> I >> Dr. Middleton. >> Hi. >> Number seven, letter F is a recommendation uh to approve the continued membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2026 27 school year. >> Can I get a motion for item 7F, please? >> So moved. Second. >> Miss Aubber. >> Mr.
024Wilson. >> I. >> Mr. Ryder Garcia. >> Hi. >> Miss Dorenzo. >> Hi. >> Miss Kawaii. >> Hi. >> Dr. Middleton. >> Hi. And finally, number uh letter G in in uh this series, number seven is a recommendation uh to recognize and approve Oakwood High School to participate in indoor track events during the 2526 school year. Um these indoor track events uh will be held outside the OSAA regulated track season. Uh our coaches for outdoor track will support any indoor track meets in preparation such meets without additional compensation. >> And can I get a motion for item 7B, please? I'll move. >> Second, >> Miss Aubber. >> Miss Kawaii. >> Hi, >> Mr. Rder Garcia. >> Hi, >> Miss Dorenzo. >> Hi, >> Mr. Wilson. >> Hi, >> Dr. Middleton. >> I All right. And
025then moving on to item eight, personnel items, resignation, non-renewals. Seeing as there are none, we're going to move on to item nine, personnel items, recommendations. >> Yes, we'll go ahead and take number nine, letters A through J under one motion. I'll go ahead and read them. Number nine, letter A is um recommendation made to employ David will as a van driver at level one for the 2526 school year on an as needed basis effective February 9th 2026 pending completion and verification required documents. Letter B is you um recommendation to employ Henry's uh stipelino as custodian Herman school on the custodian pay skill level 7 effective February 9th 2026 pending completion and verification of required documents. Letter C is um recommendation to employ Molly uh Gerness as a long-term health assistant sub RN for the 2526
026school year effective February 2nd 2026. Letter D is a recommendation to approve the attached list of seasonal workers pending completion of required documents. Letter E is a recommendation to approve the following supplemental contracts and volunteers for the 2526 school year. Letter F is recommendation made to approve the following supplemental contracts and volunteers for the 2627 school year is Todd Geller the for girls uh head soccer coach. Letter G is a recommendation uh made to amend a supplemental contract of Dave David Schustster from assistant swim coach 75 to volunteer assistant swim coach. Letter H are the recommendations to approve the following sub flexible supplemental contracts for the 2526 school years at the established rates. Letter I is the um employment of the following home instructor tutors for the 2526 school years um as on an as
027needed basis at the established rate. And letter J is a recommendation to approve a list of substitutes for the 2526 school year pending completion of required documents A through J. >> Can I get a motion for items 9 A through J please? >> So move second. >> Miss Saber, >> Mr. Raider Garcia. >> Hi. Miss Kawawaii. Hi, >> Miss Dorenzo. Hi, >> Mr. Wilson. >> Hi, >> Dr. Middleton. >> I >> And uh that brings us to number 10. Um can I get a motion to adjourn? >> Second. >> Miss Aubber. >> Miss Dorenzo. Hi. >> Mr. Wilson. >> Hi. >> Miss Kawaii. Hi. >> Mr. Ryder Garcia. Hi. >> Dr. Middleton. >> I. >> Thank you everyone. Have a good evening.