001Welcome everybody. Oh, excuse me. Hot mic. Welcome everybody. We are so glad that you're here. Today is Monday, October 13, 2025 uh for our regular public open schools board of education meeting. It's great to have a full house. And uh Miss Sabre, could we please call the role? >> Miss Dorenzo, >> here. >> Miss Kawaii, >> here. >> Dr. Middleton, here. >> Mr. Wilson, >> I would you all please rise and join us in the pledge of allegiance of the stands for all. Miss Aubber, can I get a motion, please, to adopt tonight's agenda? >> Second. >> Miss Auburn. >> Miss Dorenzo. >> Hi. >> Dr. Middleton, >> hi. >> Miss Kawaii. >> Hi. >> Mr. Wilson. >> I. Next up is uh can I please get a motion to approve the meeting minutes of
002September 8, 2025 regular board meeting and work session? >> Second. >> Miss Aubber. >> Dr. Middleton. >> Hi. Miss Kawaii. >> Hi, >> Mr. Lorenzo. >> Hi, >> Mr. Wilson. >> Hi. Next up is item two, reports and public comments. >> Yes. 2A is uh the superintendent report. And I just want to give everybody an update to our portrait of a learner um process that has been happening. Uh just last month in in the month of September, we had a kickoff day and uh we have a uh consultant Marlin Styles that has been working with us and and Wendy Barhurst our uh community relations coordinator. Uh we went on the road uh we went to visit every school building and and talked with uh the help of our principles 15 students from each building and
003it was to to start gathering feedback and really the question about a portrait of learner is what is the mindsets and dispositions that we want for a successful student in Oakwood schools from PE preK through 12th grade that's going to help them be successful while they're in school but then as they go into college careers and then to be honest with you life like you know not just even success what does success look like you know from that aspect And um so it was tremendous. After school we met with a couple uh uh teachers to get some feedback and then we had about a dozen community members that we were able to get some feedback from. Uh we've met with about 50 to 60 high school students uh to gather some feedback. So lots of
004feedback sessions to kind of help build some early understanding for this and gathering that. Um and I'll be actually heading to Rotary on Friday to gather more feedback from them. uh our core core team met and there's about 50 um members that are part of a core team that'll be meeting uh four times uh to gather to look at the feedback and help kind of build some plans. We will go out into the community to share it. So keep an eye out for uh blogs and social media uh to to be able to kind of you know offer feedback when when that time comes and really it's so that we could define what is it in Oakwood that we believe is special for us. Early feedback if this gives you anything and this is not
005finalized and set in stone. There were four core themes that emerged. One was that it was something about uh beyond academics was a competency. The idea of we want we want well-rounded individuals. It wasn't just about learning things out of a book. The second one was about future focused skills and adaptability. So knowing that necessarily things like artificial intelligence or the latest craze of whatever is out right now, that's too shall pass at some point. Um and they'll be the next thing. But we want we want to prepare students to be adaptable and future focused in that respect. So they're ready for um I'm hearing the words lifelong learning. You know that we we've heard maybe uh in other situations. A third one is the ownership of learning. Uh the idea about self-regulation, responsibility. They
006have the ability for reflection and uh that they're able to and we heard this a lot from failure. students had told us put us in positions that help us to fail in a safe way so that we can kind of uh um reach beyond what we thought we could and um help us to kind of like pursue some curiosities and things like that and uh because we want to make sure we've got those skills as we go out there. So grit and resiliency kind of played into it. And then the fourth one uh which I think is is um kind of like the nice bow that wraps around it is a culture of compassion and connection is that in especially in a place of um being successful want to make sure that we think about
007others. And so the idea about empathy uh came into play that we want to make sure that we've got uh people with kindness and care for others and that that rang true kind of even in all the groups and situations that we ran into. So it's it's off to a great start. Our next meeting is in November and we'll continue to uh provide updates. Wendy put together a beautiful website so you could catch the web page to see if you wanted to say what were the feedback uh and and things that we learned from. You'll be able to go to our web page and we just keep adding and dropping in information as we go from there. Uh the second second thing I want to share and this was actually in our board work session.
008We we took a deeper dive but I want to make sure that everybody knows uh that we uh look at our our state report card. We look at different things. rankings um is something that that helps us to reflect on on how we can get better. Um but from our state report card uh we received um about a month and a half ago, we are a five-star district and so uh it was released in September. It indicates that we exceeded state standards. Uh they look at different areas of achievement, gap closing, early literacy, progress, graduation components, um and then um career and and college military readiness and success. And uh we continue to look at that data and um it just helps to drive us us looking at constantly uh improving. Um it is a
009testament to our students and staff and I truly appreciate their hard work with that. So we have a large crowd here today. There is a large crowd here because we're here to honor a number of students. So I first want to uh spotlight uh the National Merit semi-finalists. Um I'd like to honor our high school students for their recognition from the PSAT officials of the uh National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of approximately Now don't just pass over these numbers. Just really kind of think about that and wrap your head around. So approximately 16,000 semi-finalists in this annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These students have the opportunity to continue to compete for additional scholarships worth more than a combined 26 million available this spring. Uh and then this year, well be available next spring.
010They'll be announced later uh this year, but this year Oakwood Schools recognizes the following students. I'm going to have you come to the front and because we've got a large crowd, you're going to kind of stand over in that corner where the guitars are. We're going to get a group picture, so it'll be uncomfortable. Stand there for a little while and then uh and hang with us. Uh but Matthew Drummond, and some of these students may not be here, so I apologize, but I'm still going to say their names. Ethan Hoff, Neil Hecman, Cameron Lindsay, Riley Rob, Benjamin Ser, Anna Weaver, Emanuel, Manny Williams, and Hanz. Uh, this is a quite an honor for our students as more than 1.3 million students participated in that test last year. So 1.3 million students participate in the
011test. 16,000 semi- finalists um across the United States and we've got our students here that we're recognizing. Uh to be considered for that merit scholarship, semi-finalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of competition. About 95% of the semi-finalists are expected to attain finalist standing. So uh fingers are crossed and about half of the finalists will win a national merit scholarship earning the merit scholar title. So, in February, we'll be notified whether any of our students become recognized as National Merit finalists, and I'll provide you an update when that time comes. So, can we give a round of applause for them? [applause] All right, stay standing there because I want to now recognize our National Merit Commended students who are also going to go up in a second. Um, but in addition
012to our students, uh, uh, semi-finalists, Oakwood Schools is is recognizing our following 2026 commended scholars. Um, before I give their names, I I'll level set to say about 34,000 commended students uh, throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. And although they don't continue to uh on in the the um scholarship awards, commended students are placed among the top 50,000 students um who are entered into the 2026 competition by taking the um the PSAT. So, uh it is it is a big deal. Um, and our students are Violet Al Violet Allen, Emily Bryant, Evelyn Connor, Wendelyn Ericson, Ty Fiser, Cara Handler, Katherine Hayes, Maize Cadara, Abigail Saxon, Ammani Velasquez, Daniel Wang and Tegan Williams. Okay, now give a round of applause as they make their way up there. That is quite an
013honor. So, we're going to have you like group. I'm going to turn this over to Wendy. Wendy is going to get you all to group together. I'd like the board of education to also uh be part of that picture. And so it may take a minute or two to kind of get situated. So please bear with us. So board members, go ahead. Yeah. My name is Maria Beecher. I am an Oakwood Foundation. >> You don't have to read it. >> How do I not get hit in the face with the microphone? >> I don't know. Oh, I like I like it. >> Yeah, good branding. >> Lean on this. There we go. >> [laughter] >> Do we have any blinkers here in the group? Yes. >> All right, let's give them another round OF APPLAUSE.
014[applause] NOW, I'M SURE they've got uh studying to do, so I'm going to allow them to to be you have permission to go out in the hallway to get pictures. And Mrs. Connor and Mrs. Hill are going to be in the back to hand you a certificate. So, don't just go out the door. Go ahead. Go ahead and go outside uh the area for some pictures, get a certificate, and then you're fine to go. You It is okay. They I'm sure got homework and dinner and things that they've got to take care of. That's true. >> You forgot Okay, we're going to go ahead and keep moving uh in the agenda agenda. That could take a little while. Um later in the agenda we'll be we'll be uh I'll be recommending for uh Smith nurse
015and uh but I would go would like to go ahead and invite her uh to introduce her and invite her up to the podium to say a few words. But Dana Brun is in the front row with her family right there and she'll introduce them. I'm hoping uh give them that like 13 fame, you know, as we go through that. Um but just really appreciate uh during during the interview process I got a chance to uh have a conversation with Dana. Um she is I know like yeah bring it down a little bit. Yeah. Um just uh has a heart for kids. I could I could tell that right away and um obviously with our district office being at Smith I I have had the opportunity to kind of stop in and see her and
016she looks like she's jumped right in. Already been working for five days now or day six. Day six is under her belt and is doing a phenomenal job. So Dana, do you want to say a few words? >> I do. Yeah. They just keep joking with me that I keep coming back. So that's a good sign. [laughter] Um so yes I do. So, I want to just thank you guys for allowing me the opportunity to serve you and serve the community and serve the school. So, it has been a nice experience and a different change of pace to be there this week. The kids have definitely broken me in. They've been great though. Um the staff has been great and been very welcoming. So, I did bring my family as support. Um so, I got
017my husband Jason, my fourth grader Wyatt, um my eighth grader Nolan, and then my little four-year-old Mia. So, um we are Bel Brook, so please don't hold that against me. So, but I do I just want to say thank you and I appreciate it and I'm happy for the opportunity and if you need anything from me, please don't hesitate to reach out. So, great. Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you so much. [applause] >> And I will let them also uh be excused. Uh homework assign homework and you're allowed to get ice cream to go celebrate too. They get a little bit extra. >> Skyline ice cream. It could be. So, I'm going to let you go ahead and go and you're okay to go into the night committed me. >> Right. Right. >> [laughter] >>
018And uh next up is one of my favorite things uh and that is to um bring up our Oakwood Schools Foundation. Um I have I continue to just be impressed and appreciative of our relationship with the foundation and we went through the fall grant cycle and they have some great news that they'd like to share with us. >> Thank you, Dr. Gupta. Okay. Um, good evening. My name is Maria Beecher and I am an Oakwood Schools Foundation trustee and I'm also the co-chair of the grants committee along with Dory Spalding. Um, I also serve as the Smith Elementary PTO treasurer. Oakwood Schools Foundation along with the Oakwood Fine Arts booster and the high school and junior high school PTO in the school district collaborated for the 2025 fall grant cycle to support seven new teacher-led
019initiatives with more than $12,000 in combined support for our school. Of this amount, Oakwood Schools Foundation is delighted to fund three and a half of these initiatives with more than $7,500 in support. Oakwood Schools Foundation would like to recognize the care and generosity of our donors and the Oakwood community. We thank them for our annual support. Without them, we would not be able to administer this collaborative process, which has funded well over $1 million in grants since 1991. Grants such as these impact students and teacher needs and enrich students academic experience while supporting our dedicated teachers in novel ways. We're honored to support the innovative projects and encourage teachers to apply for our winter grant cycle which will open this year on November 17th and will close in January 12th. OPOT is an incredible community
020and because of our ability to collaborate between the 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 Schools board. Thank you. Ready? Yes. All right. That that concludes my uh superintendent report. All right. Next up is uh 2B and that is public comments and first up is Rob Ross. Hey everybody, thanks for letting me come. I know I got my three minutes so we can get started there. Uh take a couple of my minutes to say or my seconds to say wow that was a great National Merit semi-finalist group of students. Did some math in the back of the room while I was listening. 16,000 semi-finalists, about 3.5 million students that are juniors. So that
021comes out to about4% of the overall US population that's juniors get to be National Merit finalists or semi-finalists. We have eight, is that right? Eight or six? Eight. Nine. Even better than the numbers I'm going to share. Then out of like 150 students, that's like a 5% rate. So that's like 11x the national average. So that's not bad. put some numbers on on what the students are doing. That's incredible. That's not actually why I'm here to talk to you. Um, but I just wanted to show you how much fun math can be. Um, I spoke in August about the prevalence of AI being used by students. Um, Pew Research six months ago says 26% of teens use chat GPT on homework assignments. It's definitely not smaller than that now. um questions like, "I need a
022five-page essay on Moby Dick like right now or here is a screenshot of my math homework. Can you help?" Or, "How do I balance equations?" Um, these are all things that chat GPT can help you with very well. Um, tonight I wanted to talk a little bit about what we can do about it. And what I want to say is it's really important to decide what you want students to be able to do without the support of large language models and what you want students to be able to do with the support of large language models. Um so things like thinking correctly and precisely and clearly is something we probably want them to learn, right? And there's a whole other set of skills that we want them to learn. Uh, and if you have things
023that you want them to learn without LLMs, it seems to me they've got to be doing that work in the classroom in front of other eyes. Um, if you assign something and send them home with it, there is a significant chance that many of them are using large language models to do that work. Maybe especially the ones that you don't want to be using large language models to do that work. So that's the first thing is to really think as a school board and I don't know if this is you all or if this is the principles but think really carefully about what do we want them to know how to do without a computer and then make sure that we set up the incentives and the environment so that they have to do it
024that way. Right? Another is to think about the things you want them to learn with and learn how to do with LLMs. Right? So learn learning how to work with the technology, how to fact check that sort of thing is is pretty important. learning even just the things that you can ask. Like you can genuinely say, "My teacher explained balancing equations really badly in class today. Can you explain it to me?" And it will genuinely walk you through it probably as well as a typical teacher would, maybe even better than some teachers. And so teaching kids how to use this technology is incredibly important. The last piece is teaching kids how to build this technology. So we've got to be driving math and computer science curriculum. I've heard that we don't have an AP computer
025science class this year at the high school. That's a nightmare. We have got to fix that problem. We have got to refocus on on advanced math and computer science. Sorry for my extra 30 seconds. Thank you. >> Next up is Rose Lounsberry. >> Uh well, hello everyone. U my name is Rose Lounsbury. I live at 222 Wonderly Avenue. I'm honored to be here tonight to encourage this board to vote yes to joining the vouchers hurt Ohio lawsuit tonight. Um you have seen me and my fellow Oakwood Advocates for Public Education members here for the past nine months as we have consistently advocated for the board to join the fight against vouchers in our state. We've been encouraged by how thoughtfully you've listened to us and we were especially thrilled to see the detailed research report
026you shared at the last meeting. We know that you all serve on this board because you support public education, not just in Oakwood, but in the entire state of Ohio and in our nation. A yes vote on joining this lawsuit signals to our community that you are leaders in supporting public education. Period. We know that a decision to join a lawsuit is not one to be taken lightly and I'm sure that each of you have given deep thought to this decision and we hope that you've come to the conclusion that a yes vote is in the best interest not only of Oakwood but every single public school student, teacher, administrator, and support staff member in our state. So, thank you all for your service to this community and for the hours of time that you've
027given to this issue. And now, let's vote yes and join the fight to preserve our greatest common good, which is our public schools. Thank you. >> Next up is Lee Anne Fulford. >> Have a timer today. Last time I didn't do so well as uh my husband called me out on um start the timer. Okay. So slow. Well, anyway, you'll time me. Okay. So, I'm here for mental health awareness month, not for computers. I obviously need the AP computer class. Um, everything Dr. Goo just said at the beginning about a portrait of a learner. Uh, it fits in with what I'm going to talk about. Uh, resiliency, adaptability, compassion, empathy, all of these things are part of what is mental uh a healthy mental mind. And I really I'm speaking to the choir here. You
028guys are great. You support mental health and I just wish that all schools everywhere could support mental health like we do here. Um I'm here tonight to tell you about some cool things that are going on. Um on October 18th, there's a really cool opportunity called uh Don't Ghost Your Feelings. It's on Saturday and it's at uh the Delo Park building, which I didn't even know there was one, but there is one. Uh, so that will be a lot of fun. It's going to be for youth. Uh, so come out and don't ghost your feelings. Um, on October 21st, um, many of you probably know, and I'm hoping our students are going to the UD pep rally for mental health hosted by the grants. Good. Um, and Jay's light. Uh, they have been wonderful partners.
029Uh they are sponsors now of our uh art contest and I have gotten to know the grants and I just can't say enough about what they're trying to do in this community for students everywhere. Um October 10th we launched our gym art contest for suicide prevention and a lot of the students artwork that you will now be seeing in u RTA buses and hopefully on art wraps on utility boxes soon. Uh some of it will be created by uh Oakwood students and that's really exciting and the students really love to have that. We also have artwork on stickers, keychains, murals, banners, uh and lots of other really cool uh ways we're getting it out. I thought you might want to see the RTA bus. Uh I didn't bring it in here, but I did bring
030the ad. Um this was created by a ninth grader, if you can believe it. Um, I did not draw like this in ninth grade. My children did, but I didn't. Uh, but this is, uh, what is in every RTA bus, and we're so excited that students are actually riding the bus because that was the original plan when we, uh, contracted with RTA to get this done. So, uh, thank you so much for all of your support and I hope that you will continue supporting the seal and the hope squad and all of the wonderful programs that we have here in Oakwood. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Miss Fulford, and thank you for all of our folks who made public comments. It's much appreciated. If at this time you would like to dip out, but
031I'm going to guess no, you're probably going to stay, but anyone who would like to dip out at this time uh and go get that ice cream from graders, we should definitely make them a sponsor because we mention them, I think, every month. So, yes. >> Um, okay. And next up is item three, board reports. Are there any board reports this month? >> Nope. No board reports. Uh next up is item four, budget and finance. >> Good evening uh for you tonight. Uh item 4 A is the normal uh September 2025 monthly financial report. Just for your information, um item B is the required filing for this fall for the financial forecast and assumptions for fiscal years 2026 through 2029. uh board. Just a reminder, we did discuss these numbers in detail at our work
032session last month. And so this is the same thing that you saw at the work session. Um also just pointing out that this is no longer a five-year forecast. This is a current year budget plus three years of projections. And so uh for your approval tonight, item 4B. >> Can I get a motion for item 4B, please? >> Second. >> Miss Auburn. >> Miss Kawi. >> Miss Dorenzo. >> Hi. >> Dr. Middleton. Hi, >> Mr. Wilson. >> Hi. >> Thank you. Uh item 4 C is a resolution to issue notes. Um as you know, obviously in May of uh 2025, we passed uh the bond issue to complete phase 2. Uh that project has undergone a few revisions um and is now a CFAP uh project instead of the ELP project that we had originally
033intended. Um, this notes resolution will allow us to issue the first uh $15 million in notes so that we can get a few of our LFI projects started. Um, also u maximizing the interest uh that we can earn towards the project. So it's money that we can put back towards the project. And so with your approval of that, we will get notes issued. Those notes will be paid off when we sell the bonds uh which we are anticipating doing at the end of January. Can I get a motion for item 4 C, please? >> Second. >> Miss Aubber, >> Miss Lorenzo, >> hi. >> Miss Kawaii, >> hi. >> Dr. Middleton, Mr. Wilson, >> I. Item five, any unfinished business before the board. >> Item six, new business is item 6A. Uh, this is for
034a resolution for the Ohio Coalition of Equity and Adequacy and the Vouchers Hurt Ohio Lawsuit. Uh recommendation is made to approve the resolution to join uh this lawsuit. Can I get a motion from the board on item 6A, please? >> Miss Sabbert, >> Dr. Middleton, >> hi >> Miss Dorenzo. >> Hi, >> Miss Kawaii. >> Hi, >> Mr. Wilson. >> Hi. Next up is Next up is uh item seven, administrative reports and superintendent recommendations. >> Yes. Number seven, letter A, isformational. Uh just to let you know that we have a our high school journalism class will be heading to Tampa, Florida for a student television network conference uh February 27th to March 2nd. I looked over the paperwork and it's in order and I'm excited for them to to be a part of that. Uh
035number seven, letter B is a public notice. A public hearing uh to review the rehiring of Mr. Paul Stone, Mrs. Karen Lauderbach, Mrs. Amanda AR, and Mr. Scott Gouty will be held on November 10th, 2025. That's our next board meeting at 700 p.m. at the Oakwood High School, the Rick and James Schwarz Performing Arts Wing here at 1200 Far Hills Avenue in Oakwood. This meeting will uh provide an opportunity for public comment on the proposed rehiring of the affformentioned staff members. Uh so that's justformational. Number 7 C is a resolution uh for middle school career technical education. Um the recommendations made to adopt the resolution to wave the requirements to provide middle school career technical education for the 202526 school year. Um we uh have done that this uh in the past. Uh we still
036do provide uh uh course offerings and obviously talk about career technical. Uh there's just some more paperwork that comes along with um having an actual uh career uh technical program in our middle schools. And so we're pursuing the waiver. Can I get a motion for item 7C, please? >> So moved. >> Miss Sabre, >> Miss Kai, >> I. >> Dr. Middleton, >> Miss Dorenzo, Mr. Wilson, >> I. Number seven, letter D is a contract recommendation. The recommendations made to approve contract 2026.02. Can I get a motion for item 7D, please? >> Second. >> Miss Aubber, >> Miss Dorenzo. >> Hi, >> Miss Kawaii. >> Hi, >> Dr. Middleton. Hi, >> Mr. Wilson. >> I brings us to number eight, personal items, resignations, non-renewals. >> Yes, I'll take uh number eight, letter A and B together
037under one motion. Uh letter A is the resignation retirement of Michael Abney uh from his position as Harmon custodian effective November 21st. Um he's been with Oakwood School since March 2021. Letter B is a supplemental resignation uh that you'll see uh that we have three members uh for supplemental resignations. Letter A and B. Can I get a motion for items 8A and B, please? >> Second. >> Miss Saver. >> Dr. Middleton. >> Miss Kawawaii. Hi, >> Miss Dorenzo, Mr. Wilson. >> I This takes us to number nine, personnel items and recommendations. >> Yes, I'll take number nine, letters A through F under one motion. I'll go ahead and read all of them. Letter 9A is the unpaid leave of absence. Uh the recommendation is made to approve the unpaid leave of absence for Kelsey Henry,
038PE teacher at Lang, effective September 26th through October 10th. Letter B is the employment of Dana Brun um as our clinic nurse at Smith Elementary School. [snorts] Letter C is the supplemental contracts and volunteers um uh that we have uh in our agenda. Letter D is uh extended responsibility stipens and uh that is recommendation uh to approve an attached list of stipens for extended responsibilities. Letter E is stipen recommendations uh for uh the payment for Gabby Vish um $3,000 for services to assist with the speech and debate team during the 202526 year be paid in two installments from donations received from the Dayton Foundation. And letter F is um recommendations to approve a list of substitutes for the 2025 26 school year pending completion of required documents. Can I get a motion for items 9A
039through 9F, please? >> Miss Aubber, >> Miss Dorenzo, >> I. >> Miss Kawaii, >> hi. >> Dr. Middleton, >> hi. >> Mr. Wilson, >> I. That takes us number 10. Executive session. The board. Uh, the recommendation is made to enter into executive session for the specific purpose of considering employment of a public employee or official, to consider the discipline of a public employee or official, and to consider the compensation of a public employee or official. Could I get a motion for item 10, please? >> Miss Auburn, >> Miss Dorenzo, >> hi, >> Dr. Middleton. Hi, >> Miss Kawaii. >> Hi, >> Mr. Wilson. I thank you all for coming out tonight and we'll see you next month.