00117 2025 board of education. >> I'd like to roll. >> Mr. Bell >> present. >> Mrs. Jones >> here. >> Dr. Simmons >> here. >> Dr. Strickler >> here. Mr. B >> here. All right. >> All right. To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Safety briefing. There's an exit. We came in one at the bottom of the stairs, one over here to 2.1. May I get a motion to adopt the agenda? I'd like to make a motion to amend the agenda to add an executive session after 4.1 the chamber required to give us a chance to discuss new information that came in today. >> Second. >> Dr. Strickler, >> yes. >> Dr. Simmons, >> yes. >> Mr.
002Bell, >> no. >> Mrs. Jonas, >> no. >> Mr. Bib, >> no. >> Okay, we'll have a discussion publicly. >> Uh, item 3 or three minutes 3.1. Do you want to make a motion to adopt the >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> I'll make a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. >> Second, >> Mrs. Janice? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bell? >> Yes. >> Dr. Simmons? >> Yes. >> Dr. Strickler? >> No. >> Mr. B? >> Yes. >> Now I have three. Approval of technology and facilities committee meeting and the approval of minutes for regular meeting from November. I'll make a motion to approve items 3.1 and 3.2 as presented. >> I'll second. >> Mrs. Janice, >> yes. >> Dr. Strickler, >> yes. >> Mr. Bell, >> yes. >> Dr. Simmons, >> yes. >> Mr. Bib,
003>> yes. >> Item 4.1 is the Anderson High School Chamber Choir presented by Mr. Hayes. We're gonna start off with the national anthem. Please rise. [singing] [music] >> [singing] >> What proud [music] [singing] Behing. [singing] [chant] [singing] [music] >> [singing] [music] >> gave proof through the [singing] night that our flag was still there [singing] [music] for the land. For the land, For the land of the free and the [music] pray [applause] >> [music] [music] >> city [singing] cycle. >> [singing] [music] >> of Christmas [singing] of Christmas. Children, >> people passing [singing] after silver bells. It's [music] Christmas time [singing] in the city. >> [music] [singing] >> Soon it [singing and music] will be Christmas time. [singing] >> [singing] >> The [singing] treel [singing] [music] [singing] [music] silver bell. >> [singing] [music] >> It's Christmas time
004in the city. The bells go. [singing] [music] >> [music] >> Silver Silver [applause] La is the season to [singing] be la [music] [singing] [music] and join the chorus. laure [singing] [music] [singing] la the >> [applause] [applause] >> Great job. Up next is the uh teachers association report See if you can do a poem and sing at the same time. >> No sir, I will I will not be able to cut that off. Much props to that group Stacy Hay for that once. Uh as the year draws to a close and the first semester wraps up, we want to wish everyone a safe and restorative Pizza's pulling into the parking lot. So, [laughter] as as you talk, I get up and leave. Well, maybe it's because I don't like what you have to say, but nonetheless,
005most >> Well, thank you to everyone for coming out tonight. And what a wonderful performance by our Anderson High School chamber choir. >> I can't handle it anymore. >> I got [laughter] They really I guess he's hungry. They really knocked it out of the park. And kudos uh to our director uh Stacy Haney. Our school district is really blessed to have so many talented students. and I hope folks have been able to attend uh one of our many winter concerts and performances that have taken a uh place across the district. Uh tonight I have the honor of recognizing two members of the board of education who decided to step away when their current terms are completed at the end of the calendar year. I would also like to recognize an outstanding community member who stepped
006up in a time of need to fill a vacant seat on the board for the last eight months. The board of education is a critical component for any community. It's a job that demands a lot from those who are selected to serve and it requires deep commitment to public education and to the community as a whole. In my 23 plus years as a superintendent and assistant superintendent, I have seen how this role has changed and has gotten more demanding over time. Serving as a board of education member is an incredibly important job, but it could also be a thankless job. These individuals work hard to serve the community and meet increasingly high expectations without often being celebrated for the things they do to support kids. I want to offer my deep gratitude to all our
007board members tonight. and particularly those who are participating in their final regular meeting. Mrs. Sarah Jonas and Mr. Bob Bib were elected and have served the district and community for the past four years. Mr. Mark Bell was selected in April to serve on the board for a term that is also coming to a close this month. Mrs. Jonas currently serves on the board's policy and human resources committees and previously served as the board president. Mr. Bib serves on the board's policy and the technology and facilities committees as well as serving as the current board president. Mr. Bell jumped right in and participated in the finance and the teaching and learning committees. These three board members are passionate about serving students, staff, and the community. I appreciate you. I thank you for your commitment of time
008and energy to the Forest Hill School District. I would like to also present all three of you with a small token of appreciation, a little green bag there in front. um we just doesn't at all match what we think and what we believe in terms of your service. Uh but it's just something to remember us by. Uh so thank you and I just ask everybody to join me in thanking them one more time for their service to our community. [applause] [applause] That concludes my I smell pizza when I so [laughter] I've never had pizza delivered a board me up next is procedures for public commentary. Perfect. [laughter] >> You get a piece of pizza if you speak cuz >> Oh, I like that. >> There you go. Perfect. You speak, you earn pieces. [laughter] >>
009The board is committed to conducting meetings in a productive and efficient manner to ensure that the meeting is completed in a responsible amount of time while also recognizing the importance of fair and adequate out opportunity for public. In order to conduct an orderly and fair representation of expression, the board will provide a period of public participation per policy P 0 or PO 0169.1 in every regular board meeting. Public participation will be a total of 30 minutes. Each speaker will have three a threeminut time limit. If there are more than 10 speakers, individual time will be adjusted down to fit within 30 minutes. The board does not discriminate based on the individual content of the individual the content of the speech or viewpoint of the speech. So if people wish to speak on the same topic,
010the timeline may be adjusted at the president's discretion. Speakers should be prepared to respond to questions from the board members seeking to clarify the issue. We have three speakers tonight. versus Mayor 6142 Woodart Drive Cincinnati Anderson. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bob Biff and Sarah Jonas as they conclude their service on the Forest Hill School Board. I want to publicly thank them for their years of dedication to our students, families, and district. School board service requires time, care, and a willingness to make difficult decisions in the best interest of children. Their tenure reflects thoughtful leadership, principled decisionmaking, and a steadfast commitment to students and families. They did so while facing doxing, harassment, and threats to themselves and more importantly to their families. Conduct that has no place in public service or
011civic dialogue. Their p perseverance under such circumstances speaks to their character and devotion to public service. Despite these challenges, they continue to serve with professionalism and a focus on what matters most, the education and well-being of our students. Their resilience and integrity deserve recognition and gratitude. And we wish them the very best in their next life chapter. Thank you. [applause] >> [applause] >> Jeremy, uh, Jeremy Ward, 1036 Anderson, El Drive. Uh, I wanted to just take a quick minute to thank the community um, with this transition getting ready to happen. Um I was overwhelmed uh during the election and talking to a community. Um getting out and knocking doors. Um the biggest thing that was kind of given to us or or or discussed us is the desire to get politics out of the decision
012making of the school board. Um this across all party lines, Democrats, Republicans, independents. Um 90% of the doors we knocked on that's what they wanted to talk about. Looking at the agenda tonight, we have a contract section for the highest paid employee in the district to the agenda in the 11th hour of the last meeting with no chance for meaningful public commentary, feedback, nothing. I hope you all understand how this looks because it looks political. We just had an election where the community chose Jeff and I Moses and myself to work with schools and make these kinds of decisions going forward pushing this decision through in the 11th hour right at the end right as this transition happens in this world. I would not want to disservice to the the community. There is a right
013way to do this. There's a wrong way to do this. This is not the right way. I I'm not saying anything about the contract extension itself. I didn't see the evaluations. But when we start working in January, that seems like something that we could be tasked with looking at and making a decision for the community which elected us to do so moving forward. Thank you. [applause] President [applause] four years ago. [clears throat] >> Speakers only, please. >> Up next is Cancun. Ted 362 Buggate Court. Sarah and Bob, I want to thank you for standing up for the taxpayers of the district and your resistance to allowing topics that have damaged so many public schools in our country from spreading to the Forest Hill School District. A few of my favorites are standing up to the
014mass mandate, stop the evasive student surveys and storing student data on servers not controlled by the district. Giving parents control to manage what their child is exposed to by implementing the teacher digital library catalog. Restoring executive function in the curriculum. Adopting financial transparency via the implementation of the Ohio checkbook. Implementing a force tills facilities program. providing transparency and standardization for prioritizing the district's facility projects, making sure that we were covering district costs associated with the all day kindergarten, which was part of a levy and having district focus on collecting what was due in the appropriate fee. Finding those unused solar panels at the bus depot and having them installed so we save money. from a utility standpoint and implementing a private [clears throat] implementing a model in which private insurance covers the cost of mental
015health services instead of the district. Over the next few years, the community will appreciate how you fought for them, not only as taxpayers, but as parents. Parents that deserve to stay and have a say in what they share with their children. There's a saying, you don't appreciate what you have until it's gone. I believe the parents will experience this feeling in the years to come. Thank you for your dedication to making our community better and may God bless you and your families. [applause] >> Up next is the human resources. I mean, don't tempt me. I will eat some. >> Well, good evening uh to the board of education. And u now begins our consent agenda for getting here with item 8.1 in the HR report. First and foremost, I want to thank Sue Price and
016Tina Reynolds for their service and dedication to the students and to their colleagues in the community, the Forest Hill School District on their retirement. um at the uh for Tina at the end of this year and for Sue from Friday is pretty much her last day and then um thankfully she lives stones throw from Sherwood Elementary and she's going to be able to push in as needed and public service announcement she will be needed because she does a lot and uh she's going to be very very difficult to uh replace. Um so we thank both of them uh for their for their time uh to to the district. Sue's been here 21 years working as an employee but a parent much longer than that, a volunteer uh many years before that. Um similarly, Tina, 14
017years in the school district. She's a retired educator in Kentucky as well. Um so lifelong service for for both of them. Wish them the best. Uh B uh lists a number of resignations both on the classified and supplemental side. We do have one leave of absence coming in for ahead of next school year. um that's pursuant to FHDA contract or 37. And then we've got a host of appointments. Uh we're a little bit um on the on the back end of the winter season. So most of those have come through already. Not that many. I think about 48 or so that are listed for approval this evening. Um likewise, we have a list of uh volunteers and a couple changes of assignment. We do have a couple new hires coming into the organization. Some have
018already begun. Pair of professionals, bus drivers like to see both of those and both of them are replacing exiting FTE individuals. No, it adds to the FTE count in that in those positions. And then finally, um I do have a um job description updated in light of super departure. So um that's one that has been pulled together over time and uh now's a great time to revisit that job description. Any questions? That concludes my report as part of the consent agenda item as listed. Thank you. Thank you. >> Up next is operations. >> Good evening everyone. Uh I have three agenda items for the board this evening. The first agenda item 9.1 is a resolution to uh go in contract with Triton Services for the replacement of the turban auditorium handling unit. Uh we had
019a public bid opening last month and they award they were lowest responsible bidder that responded and for a cost of $599,000. That work will be proceed toward late spring early summer to get it through uh while most of the time the students aren't in in the buildings but no official schedule has been set ahead of that. Uh the next item on the agenda 9.2 is a resolution to uh go into a cooperative contract with the EPC and contract with Moes um turf services to install the turf and turfin that will be a turf replacement. We're adding the shock pad which they never had before. And uh we're putting in uh resurfacing the track. Okay. And that's for 1.26 26 um at turpin. Now I want to have a little discussion just on this one because
020you're going to see some number um at the facilities committee is a little bit different than what you saw. Okay, this is a the same concept with the uh votes environmental group come. This is a full stadium set. This is a brand new set. So, what we've had to do is we've had to put in uh some contingency monies. Our goal is to not use these contingency monies is about $250,000 round numbers um of contingency money for two things. You have uh design contingencies and construction contingencies. These are things we don't know until the process begins. the design contingency. A simple example would be the engineers, the engineering firm gets in there, figures out the format and stuff, and then the local municipalities, either the township or the county says, "Well, now you've got to
021put in a retention pond or retention wells or something like that that we don't anticipate, but we have to have the money for it." And then a construction contingency is we start digging the hole and we find something that has to be fixed. Okay, I mean I don't know how else to really put that but those are some challenges. Our goal is not to use them. We don't anticipate using them but we cannot enter into the contract without knowing that those could be a possibility. So we just want that's why you see a different total this year. that we do believe the final total will be 1.5 not 1.7 but that is our goal. >> Yes sir. >> Can you explain the difference when you said this is the whole state what you're talking about
022the difference between just replacing the turf and tracking turf and between and what's happening. >> Absolutely no problem. And this silver so sounds a little flip but this is the way to explain to me by the turf guys. In essence really we're just laying carpet to turf right. >> Okay. the ground work. There's inches and feet of all sorts of stuff, drainage tiles, conduit, all that. So, literally, we're just ripping the carpet off. This time, we're putting down a fancy pad for safety, obviously. And then the turf on top of it and the the track itself is the rubberized surface. All that will be removed. And if we have to remediate the the asphalt, we got lucky Anderson and need to do like 20 yards of it. That was it. You know, we could have
023to replace the track, you know, the asphalt on the track, too. But then we just lay the surface down. At Neagle, we have an open feeling of grass. So, we've got to dig up all the center, put in new base, put in new drain tiles, put in new conduit, stuff that's not there. Okay. And then with this track, we believe the asphalt's in good shape because two years ago, I believe, is when we resurfaced the track last year. So, what we're going to do, we're going to upgrade this and it will have a track surface on top of the asphalt. It'll be a latex track surface that's appropriate for the middle school level. Uh, so that's the difference. You're starting fresh and then replacing the carpet. You know, 10, 12, 13 years from now, neglect
024the carpet walls. >> And one thing we talked about in the facilities committee, the fields will be lined for multiple purpose. >> Yes. Yes. The fields across soccer and football, correct? >> Yes, they will all have those lines. Negle and Ander Turpin and then Anderson already got all their lines put in. uh two years ago when we did their service. Any other questions? Okay. At this time, I respectfully request the board approve 9.1 through 9.3 as part of the consent agenda. Thank you. >> Up next, TJ Learn overnight field trip. Yeah, I turned them off. Jeez, >> they were messing with my eyes. So, um, good evening. Um, I am here to put for approval overnight field trip for our TPA program at both respective high schools um to Columbus for the state championships March
0253rd and 4th. It's up to 95 students. And if you if you haven't heard of our TPA program, which I'm pretty sure most everybody has, it is absolutely phenomenal. It's our teacher preparatory academy led by Mr. Lynch at Anderson and Miss Row at Turpin High School. And we have hired several of our TPA uh participants. We guarantee them upon graduation from college if they're an education major that they will definitely get an interview. So uh just putting this forward for approval. Do we have any questions? Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Next 10.2 the operate service agree. I guess that's all being very polite and not eating pizza. We don't know how to react. >> Oh good. >> All right. So, Aubrey um is a new system that we're wanting to introduce here. Um
026in in the past several years um Wendy, you'll you're most familiar with school map. That was something that we used many years ago. Eventually moving to data map that is a system that really houses all of our data for our students. The it's important in the work that we do whenever we work within our professional learning communities or PLC's, there's four primary questions that we ask. What do we want students to know? How do we know if they know it? What do we do if they're not learning at the rate in which we want them to? And what do we do if students aren't excelling and we need push further? So to answer those questions, we have to have data. And some of the systems that we use, they're great, but they are a big
027um they're not sufficient in terms of when we pull data, we often only see one data point at a time. So I can only see reading for one student at one time or math and that goes for also small groups, large groups of students as well. So with Aubrey, it allows us to see multiple data points at one time so we can better see trends and dig into those questions. I feel like sometimes because of lack of efficiency, we sometimes focus our time on those first two questions. And for us to really kind of push the next level, we need to dig in more closely for those questions before. So with that, we request that the board of education approve the attached um service agreement with Aubrey. Um we will begin January [clears throat] 1st
028with the intent of building that. It's going to take several weeks, months to build out to be what we want it to be. Um but I think that it will have a change in our day-to-day instruction as we move forward. Any questions? >> I will just say that I think we first started looking at operate. had open about 10 years ago because it was when I was in the district and the things that they were able to do in terms of integrating data to really understand a whole child were really impressive, but it was so new it didn't make sense to dig in until we could see if they really could um manifest what they they envisioned. So, um, seeing it come back is interesting 10 years later that they they've been able to the
029technology brains behind it have been able to work with the educators to really figure out how to make it successful. >> They um, they have made a number of updates. I think school district is just like love on that they've been using oper. So, you know, they've been able to kind of pitch and figure out what some of those things are that they needed to work on. The other the other piece is it's it's not inexpensive. Um, I share that just because to be fully transparent with some of the new partnerships that we have, we've also been able to offset cost. When we're not going forward with data math, we can reuse that funding. We can also with our new partnerships with mental health, we have funds that we can use in a different way
030to support MTSS at a greater level. Um, we also have career tech funds that will offset cost for things like schoolings and Zello. So, those funds can be repurposed then for a bigger thing. building pieces of sustainability on this. >> Thank you. Up next item 11, the treasur report. >> The treasures monthly report starts with agenda item 11.1A and donations during the month of November total just over 2.7 the year to slightly over 15%. Item B gives you a snapshot of our October financial forecast which is our most recent forecast. Item C presents the general fund revenues. And as expected, November was slow cash flow month with the primary revenues received being our semionthly payments of our state aid in the amount of 1.7 million per month. Item D presents general fund expenditures and with
031five months or 42% of our fiscal year complete at the end of November, we have spent 40% of our estimate. So we are tracking where we would expect. Item E presents the cash activity of the general fund cash balance beginning balance plus revenues minus expenditures. Uh once that calculation is complete at the end of November we had enough cash to operate the district for 146 days and after incumbrance commitments we had 121 days of unreserved cash to operate the district. Item F presents the detailed uh fiscal year-to-ate activity um in our main permanent improvement fund. Um this item item F also tracks the financial activity of our summer projects. So slide two of our permanent improvement uh funds show where we stand financially in our in the accounting for our summer of 2025 projects. Um
032as you can see we're still waiting on the final sign off of about 685,000 of last year's summer's projects. Moving on to the third. >> That one was supposed to be gone this month. >> Huh? >> I thought that one was supposed to be gone this month. We find >> We still had We still had uh 2024. So 2024 is gone. >> Yeah, that's gone. >> 2025 is still here. >> Um takes a while sometimes to get final sign off. >> Yeah. And we added 2026 new this month. Um, and as you can see, we have our estimated budgets there as we prepare begin to prepare for our next summer projects. Again, most of our PI projects need to wait until the buildings are vacant to be able to um do the services, but as
033you can see, there are some things such as bus purchases and the like that we can get a jump start on. So, we do have some uh incumbrances left for contracts and things that we can do. Now moving on to item G. Uh you will see that this item presents the investment earnings for the first five months of our fiscal year 26 and the prior four years of history. So, as you know, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by another quarter of a percent last week, bringing the total uh cuts for calendar year 25 to 3/4 of a percent on top of the um whole percent that they cut in the previous in 2024. So, the interest rates are falling, but our cash balance remains strong. Um, and I definitely believe that we will still
034reach our current interest projections of 2.3 million uh by June 30th, but we will keep an eye on that. It just depends on how fast those short-term rates affect our investments. Um, moving on to uh the next item, item H, that's our November 30th bank reconciliation and investments. Items um I and J detail a very small adjustment in appropriations. No matter how small, all adjustments have some and that was due to a small change in our auxiliary service but very small that cost us more than in paper anyhow but it is the law. Moving on to IDK that requests approval of change in cashiers at air elementary due to a retirement. In addition to the uh board reports on the PowerPoint, you also have the November cash uh position reports which details each fund and
035uh special call center activity for the month and the fiscal year to date, November 30th. With that said, um, if there are any questions, hearing no questions, I respectfully request approval of the treasures items in agenda item 11.1 as part of the consent agenda, which begins with 8.1 through 11.1. I'll make a motion to approve action items 8.1 through 11.1 as presented. >> Second, >> Dr. Strickler, >> yes. >> Mr. Bell, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jonas, >> yes. >> Dr. Mr. Simmons. >> Yes. >> Mr. Red. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> 12.1 or 12 is board discussion. 12.1 is a superintendent contract which everybody should be able to view. Well, I guess at the outset of this discussion, we should acknowledge that there were two options presented to us today uh via email from
036our uh district's lawyer. One was a one-year contract extension to the superintendent's contract to take effect August 1st, 2026 through July 31st, 2027. The other one was the same extension with an option for a 60-day buyout clause. And so those were the two options in front of us requested by board members for consideration of vote. >> But the amendment was different from our meeting last week. How did that come up? the amend the amendment he sent with the >> we now have two different amend we basically have three different versions on the table at this point and all of them are one-year contracts the first contract or the first amendment >> wait there's two there's options not three >> there's two options >> the first one on the attachment the first one's the original contract
037>> they've made changes to it though That's not the original >> the original contract. There's two. There's two options. >> There are two different amendments here with different dates on them. Now, >> I'm just there. You said there's three options. Two. >> One, two, three. >> We have the amendment that came through last week, which in essence keep the original keeps everything from the original contract the same. And basically from this point forward is 18month continuation with Larry because it's this year's contract and one additional year. Um because of the way that contract was written um the new board would be beholden to the entirety of that 18 months. There would be one potential buyout option. It would be a buyout option for six months which would be a sixdigit buyout option. Today's second amendment
038was very similar in nature. Allowed a one-year extension based on the original contract. Again, has a buyout option of a sixmonth buyout option. Um, but change the date in which the board would need to make Larry aware of um renewal renewal or non-renewal decisions moving forward to the March prior to the end of the contract, not a year in advance, which is much more in line with CR. >> So what I ask >> the third option is just to lay all these out. The third option is a full new one-year contract that relists all all of the components of Larry's contract as were in place previously. But as opposed to just extending and keeping those pieces in place allows for a new one-year contract with a 60-day buyout option. And what that would do is
039give the new board that was just recently elected more flexibility to work with Larry, more flexibility with Larry to make a decision at the end of this school year whether the work that we're all doing is aligned with the future vision of Forest Hills as opposed to straddling the board analy to 18 months. Those are the three options that are on the table. So I understand what you're asking. So [clears throat] >> because as of 3:00 I when we got this email I was not aware of any changes to this. >> Come on Jason own it >> conversations last week. >> I have a whole lot to say. Um so at our meeting there was part of the conversation was other dates in the contract and what would happen to those dates. And so I
040have had conversations with Bill, our our district lawyer, to try to have a better understanding of [clears throat] what an extension meant beyond just extending the expiration date of the contract to other dates within the contract, specifically the dates for when uh not notice would have to be given and whatnot. And so >> this is something you guys said yesterday. No, this is something that came from our initial conversation in the meeting last week that Bill had indicated he would get us the entire contract with the new dates, but then when the contract came to us on Monday initially, there was no changes. So that's when there was a follow-up call with Bill saying, "Hey, what about these dates that we talked about changing?" So that's where the new contract came from. [clears throat] That's
041where the new option came from. If I can speak big picture just for a second just to kind of address Jeremy's comments. I'm sure it's one of those questions. Normally the superintendent's renewal non-renewal whatever would would occur much earlier this year not wait till December. We as a board beginning going back to May knew that it was going to come up probably in December just because we finally had a way to evaluate both the treasurer and the superintendent. So we had initial evaluations in May, June and we said those were kind of we wanted to make sure the evaluation process worked. We wanted to make sure the tools were in place and then we all agreed in June July that we would have a full evaluation of both the treasurer and the superintendent summer and
042after that make the decision about what to do with the superintendent position. There there's nothing about like this dates back six, seven months. This has nothing to do with doing something. I think everybody on the board would agree that this is nothing that we threw in at the 11th hour that we decided to wait until December. We decided to wait until the results of the election or anything like that. This is something we had all talked about dating back to much earlier this year. And it's simply due to the process of the evaluations taking place in May or December that we end up at this place in December where normally I would like to think going forward these decisions would be made after the May June evaluations going forward. this year because it's the first
043time we have nice firm evaluation and a great evaluation tool in place. That's why we're being forced to wait until December to do this. It has nothing to do with anybody's political agenda or anything like that. This is something we've talked about for the last six months. >> I would agree with you except we went forward with the discussion before we actually did the evaluation process that night for the sake of order. So at that point >> okay I don't know what your point is but okay >> my point is simply at that point we weren't using the evaluation meeting information to then make a decision. We were working with our lawyer to try to figure out what the contract needed to look like and I left with the understanding that the date changes were
044a part of that conversation. >> All right. So, a couple things that I want to note about this. First, Larry, I acknowledge the awkwardness of you sitting here and us having this conversation. Um, I've said this before is our among our most important tasks as a board is evaluating the superintendent and treasurer and then ultimately making decisions on what to do with contracts. Those are the two employees that the that the board employs. And so, there's these two options in front of us. Um, I guess I'm just speak openly and honestly here. It's like the day after the election, Mark, you had sent me a message asking to just get a sense of what the incoming board was thinking that you understood you were the swing vote and you know, you didn't want to hamper
045the district with a big buyout. You wanted to do right by Larry. Like, let's figure this out. >> Yep. I just say a message to you as you do. >> So I think you've had an opportunity to talk to the new board. You understand their desires which is to have the opportunity to make this decision on who the superintendent is going to be that they're going to work with for their four years. So I guess my first question is is like so then so then what has changed if that was going to be part of your decision matrix? what has changed and now uh essentially limiting their ability to make that decision? Absolutely nothing. Because if we go forward with the initial amendment of Larry's contract goes through July 31st of this year and then
046we have the extension till uh 27. Um there's no opportunity for the new board to make a decision short of 18 months without a six figure by which nobody wants to to think about. So, um, you know, I think like respectfully like and I know this happened with the board before Sarah and Bob were elected that there was a contract extension given in like the last month or two. Um, and not to like everybody's still on the board till December 31st. So, the the decision is ultimately up to what this board wants to do. But I think that you know the community has signaled you know in our community right um the presidential election was like 5149 the state board or state rep is 5149 with school board it's not close and to me that
047indicates that the community is signaling a a desire for change in in direction and in my mind a board with no state beyond 14 days from now shouldn't be making this decision I think that there has been a willful dismissal of important data uh that suggests that this decision shouldn't be made and we should be leaving it up to the next board. My preference would be to push the decision to January and allow the new board to make a decision on what they'd like to see done with the supervisor or superintendent's contract, but I am willing to compromise and I think a one-year deal is fair with an opportunity for the new board to have an option to uh make a change be in in advance of 18 months should they deem that necessary. That's
048that's what we agreed to was a compromise of one year. >> I don't think there was ever a compromise. I think it's well there there was but some some people wanted five, some people wanted three wanted zero, >> right? And there was >> one the only thing on that paper that we had was the ending year, >> right? >> That's all we changed >> and there was more to it. That's what I said at the beginning is that there were other dates in the contract that I was concerned about, wanted clarification on. If I may, >> we asked about that in the meeting. I had asked Bill whether the August 25 switch to August 26 and he said he would have to scrub the data. So I assumed when we saw the data come the
049dates come scrub the dates. I assumed when we saw those come back then the dates would have reflected that as of August 2026 the board would have the opportunity to revisit the contract. In the interest of transparency and authenticity, I I would like to let everybody know basically what happened last week. We met in an executive session to discuss evaluations and whether or not to extend the superintendent's contract. Beginning of that meeting, I recommended we talk about the treasurer, then superintendent. Our council recommended that we immediately move skip those two immediately move to what we wanted to do with the superintendent. He indicated that he was aware that there are members of the board that wanted a long extension for Larry and there were members of the board that wanted to move on and start
050fresh. He stated that he thought that the best option here and again he's been doing this for 30 years with many many school districts. So he has a wealth of experience with this. He believed the best option not only for the existing board, not only for our superintendent, but also for the new board was that a one-year extension was the best compromise and the best decision for the school district. not for individuals but for the district. He said in that year it will allow the new school board, three new members as well as two existing members to have a chance over a 12-month period to evaluate the superintendent and to determine whether or not that is a superintendent that they want to leave the school district going forward and then offer him a three or
051five or whatever contract or if they wanted to change direction. Our outside council stated that he did not believe it made any sense to dismiss the superintendent currently, nor did he want to empower the new board with the ability to dismiss the superintendent in those first five, six, seven months of 2026. I can say that with 100% certainty because I had a discussion with him last night to clarify his points and he said exactly that. >> So that >> he said exactly that on the phone to you. I do not believe the message was stated that strongly in our meeting. I agree. He said a one-year extension made sense. >> Okay. I said it on the book. So, >> so that is why we are we are we are here actually and again I mean
052obviously and people I think we all know this. I happen to be the swing mode on this which is wonderfully exciting. [laughter] Hence hence the pizza. I would add beers too but the way I was told I couldn't do that. Um, so I mean and and so like I wanted to tell Bill at that point that he kind of stole my thunder. Um, in fact, if anybody goes out and asks Jeff nod, he and I had about a 45minute phone conversation 3 hours before that meeting last week. And Jeff asked me what I thought I was going to do. And Jeff and I talked for probably 6 to 8 hours between the election and last week's meeting regarding this issue. And Jeff said he was fully on board with my idea to extend Larry for
053one year. He said that is something that makes a lot of sense. He's like it's right in the middle. He's like it allows us as a new board to understand what the superintendent's all about, what his leadership qualities are, what his strengths, what his weaknesses are. And then we after 12 month period can come to an evaluation as to whether or not it makes sense for us to move forward with him. And if you don't believe me, ask Jeff. It's exactly what he said. So, it was all these things that came together that I completely agree with our outside counsel that I don't want to hamstring the new board and give a three or five-year contract. I don't believe it's prudent. I don't believe it makes sense from a new board standpoint to hamstring them
054and and quote unquote force them to have the current superintendent where they want might want to move in a different direction and if we give them a three or 5year contract the buyout could be you know 56 $700,000. I did not think that was the financially responsible thing to do for our district. That is why I said hey one year makes sense. I talked with a whole bunch of people about this, including current and new board members, and they agreed that a one-year extension made sense. So, that is how we arrived at this point. At no point during last week's meeting was I and I can't speak for anybody else but myself. I had no I did hear the change of dates discuss discussion. I had no idea that the change of dates discussion also
055included a change of date where a new board could dismiss the superintendent prior to August 1st of 2026 with a 60-day bias. I would I would have addressed that last week in the board meeting that we had had I understood exactly what certain members of the board were getting at with that point. Well, I'm sorry you didn't have an opportunity to address it and I would love to hear you address it now because you are eight months into this position indicating you have the knowledge to make a decision. So, they would be eight months into the position at the same point at which we're talking about being able to have that discussion August of 2026. So, I'm I'm not sure why you see in your mind that you are capable of making this decision right
056now after I capable choice but the new board Wait, I didn't say I was capable or not. I'm the one that have to be sitting up here. So, I have to make a decision whether or not I'm capable. >> You don't have to. The decision can be made as late as March 1st, 2026. >> You're right. >> So, no, you don't have to. But I don't see why there would be any difference between you making it now and a new board making it eight months from now. And that's the flexibility from a financial perspective. And hey, we're working all together and everything's going well. All three of these are identical. I guess that's what it comes down to is the difference of one says there's no options for the new board, the other gives a
057new board an option. Um, if everything's working great, as Wendy just said, the contracts are identical. If not, if the board decides they do want to make a change, it gives them the option to do it and we would be taking that option away. So that's that's the difference. It's like we give the new board the option, we trust them with that option or do we not? >> Sorry, I cut you off. You're getting ready to say something. >> It's okay. I just I mean I wanted to make a motion to approve the superintendent contract August 1st, 2026 to July 31st, 2027 as initially presented. the one that was sent to us on Monday, >> the original one, not with any of these 60-day changes. >> Okay, that >> I didn't know if there was
058any second >> that real quick. That one says that we would have to let the superintendent know in January to March of the year preceding the expiration of the contract. Like that's >> That was March. No, not that's the one that was sent today. You said you wanted the one that was sent Monday. >> The amended number two that was listed in the email >> that was sent Monday. >> Today. >> Okay. So, we're talking about the one that was sent today. That was marked out. Okay. >> And with the original contract, that was my motion. >> Original was the one page number. to the bullet point in the email. >> Second. [clears throat] >> Before we take a vote, can I just make a statement real quick? Um >> um I wanted to just
059take a moment to express my gratitude to Mr. Hook for his service to our school district. Uh leadership and education is never easy. It requires long hours, difficult decisions, and a willingness to serve every student, family, and staff member, often under intense pressure. Through it all, Mr. Hook showed dedication to our schools and a clear commitment to what we believe is best for our children. Regardless of differing opinions and challenges that come with public service, it is important to recognize the time and energy and heart that Mr. Hook has invested in this role. Our district has benefited from his experience, his steady presence, and his willingness to lead under complex and often uncertain times. You've built a great team for this district, Larry, and I thank you for that. And I thank the entire team
060for putting up with all my questions and requests over um the years. I know that your time is very valuable, but without the guidance and expertise of you guys, I wouldn't have been able to learn as much as I have been over this time. And um just wanted a big shout out to Jod and Jeie. Um thank you so much for everything. You guys are really what makes everything move and get accomplished. And while this contract is not what I initially wanted or fought for, Larry, I want you to know that you are an asset and I'm fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from you. On behalf of many of this community, I just wanted to say thank you for your hard work, your sacrifices, and your service. [applause] So,
061I think we can do a roll call. Roll call. >> Mrs. Stennis? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bell? >> Yes. >> Dr. Simmons? >> No. >> Dr. Strickler? >> No. >> Mr. Bib? >> Yes. [applause] Next up is board discussion. >> Yeah, I think a couple quick shout outs. One to the Anderson High School football team. Awesome season. Um, made our whole district proud. I think captured the hopes. And I know my son's at at Nagel. One of the highlights of the semester was the Nagal team coming or the Anderson team coming through on their way up to Canton. So, um, nothing to hang your head about. Two straight years in in the state championships. Awesome accomplishment. Um, I also want to also shout out uh Chris Preston and his volleyball team for dodgeball >> or
062not volleyball, dodgeball team rather, sorry, dodgeball. >> I don't >> uh for defending their championship in the middle school dodgeball competition and defeating all the children. So, [laughter] >> I I appreciate the recognition. >> Look in the mirror and sleep on. um you know and [clears throat] then um I guess a couple things I acknowledged on this last month but good work um while I disagree on this decision I did want to acknowledge um you coming in here um hitting the ground running tough decisions to make tried to bring some levity to the to tense decisions at time um straight shooter sometimes too straight but you know it's better than the bush sometimes Um Bob I think um we don't see eye to eye on most anything but um I you always were very respectful
063um especially in your role here as president listening um giving the option to hear things and considering uh even if we didn't come to same decision and Sarah I think we disagree on even more um but I can certainly acknowledge the um being able to put yourself out here in an increasingly political environment, open to criticisms, um insults, etc. I think we all receive them. Um so, you know, I know it's not tough on you personally, even though we don't agree on things. So, um you know, you with stood for four years and fulfilled your commitment to the community. Um and then lastly, you know, we are moving forward with um a new board starting in January, and I'm excited to work with the new board members, Aaron, and Jeremy. Congratulations. I'm looking forward to
064I think January 10th at 8:30 a.m. is our um organizational meeting where they're being sworn in, right? Yep. And um you know I I think that well it signals a new direction in in the district. [snorts] I think that people that are paying attention to what's happening in schools need to recognize that there's still stuff happening at the state level that does pose a threat to public education. Um and there's legislation that we need to make sure we're paying attention to and reaching out to our state legislators about whether it's about um challenges to public funding that that threaten the financial viability of our district. um requiring certain documents being posted in the classroom, um religious doctrines, mandating that educational materials um highlight positive contributions of different religions, um the continued expansion of voucher systems,
065things that should be separate from public education or affect the financial liability of public education. These are things currently being debated up in Columbus. And so, you know, the school board's just the local control of the district and control like oversight, policym, progress monitoring, but at the state level, there's legislation being debated right now that have very big impacts on on what we're able to do here in in Forest Hills. So, please keep paying attention um even between election cycles. And uh I guess that's all I have to say. I would also just like to thank all of you for the opportunity to work together. Um, and don't always um agree on everything, but I feel like we've been able to come together and have some good discussions. And in particular, Sarah, I'd like to
066give you a shout out because this week I got to watch my daughter come in second place at the Sherwood Spelling Be. And >> that's pretty cool to have >> very cool to watch. So, yes. So, thank you to you all. Um, again, another shout out to the Anderson Fire. They were just beautiful tonight. Um, I'm sure we have all been busy. This week I have been to a Sherwood choir, Sherwood Orchestra, a chirpin band concert and a holiday breakfast at Sherwood. It is such a busy time, but there are so many amazing things happening in our district. And then the other highlight I would just uh want to shout out is Nine United and the work that has happened in the last few weeks. the service orientation that brings to all of our kids,
067collecting coins across the elementary, the dodgeball, um, and then the nine united shopping and share night at Target, which is just always so inspiring to see when we can bring our families out to help take care of, uh, other families in our community. So, amazing things happening in our district and I look forward to being a continued part of it. So, happy holidays to everybody. >> Mark, anything? Yeah, just a real quick um set the sun up. First of all, uh it's interesting having been up here for for a short time just to realize what all actually goes in to making this district as excellent as it is. Sometimes it's it's with the board's help and sometimes it's in spite of the board. But at the end of the day, this this district is not
068the board. This district is the folks you see sitting over there and all the people that they represent. This district is excellent because of those folks, not because any of us sitting up here. Those folks over there bust their past day in day out. We show up a few times a month. Like you, I knew it. Again, I have decades of kids going through here, so I had some understanding. But look, I mean each and every one of you who's sitting over there, you have my utmost respect as not only an educator, an administrator, but as a human being who put yourselves out there day in day out with the sole purpose of trying to make sure the children of this district have every single opportunity that they deserve. So, like in in spite of
069our differences about anything that the five of us sit up here and the new five that sit up here, I don't want to say we're irrelevant because certainly policy and strategy matter, but you guys are the ones that drive this district. Please never forget that you have the eternal appreciation for every single one of us up here. And you should have the eternal appreciation for every single person who sits in this district. Whether they have a student here, they had a student here, or they're a single single human being and don't have kids. You guys rock. And hats off to each one of you. Merry Christmas. Happy holidays. I love you all. [applause] Let the president >> Okay. Give Give me a minute. It's not 15 minutes long. I swear. Um, >> okay. [clears throat]
070I just wanted to say it's with sincere gratitude I deliver my last statement as a forell school board member as my term expires at the end of the month. It's been an honor and privilege to serve the students, families, and this community over the past four years. You could have never told this 2002 Anderson High School graduate that 20 years later she would be elected to the to serve the school board of her alumni district, even one year as president and one year as vice president. I ran for this position for many reasons. First and foremost, my love for the school district in the community. However, I was outraged by the care team, the district's diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion program, and the white guilt poetry lesson my second grader had to sit through during
071virtual learning. I made the commitment to make every attempt to correct the misdirection of education. Making students feel less than based on immunable characteristics. Everyone's born equal. Their decisions, work ethic, and character make a difference, not their appearance. That's true fairness and equality. That's honesty. That's kindness. I ran to ensure our schools were a place where children can receive a solid and foundational education rooted in truth and respect for the values that have made America great. Education is the cornerstone of our society and I firmly believe that our role as a school board member is not just to oversee budgets and policies but to defend the princ defend the principles that prepare our young people for success in life academically and morally. I came into this position as someone who believes strongly in the power
072of local control. Parents, not the government, should have the greatest say in what happens in their children's lives and in their classrooms. No one will ever love a child like their parent. That love carries a unique commitment. It is the responsibility of the school board to reflect the values and concerns of the community. I have fought for policies that prioritize academic excellence, parent involvement, and the preservation of the freedoms that allow us to teach and learn with integrity. Not every decision or vote was easy. Far from it. There were many times when I had to stand firm in my research and beliefs, even when it wasn't popular to some. I believe the core values of hard work, faith, family, and freedom are worth defending no matter the challenge. These values are the foundation of the
073American dream, and I will continue to campaign for them whether I'm serving on the board or not. To the teachers and the staff who truly wish to teach the basics, thank you. To the parents, you are the first and most important educators in your child's lives. I have been honored to serve as a partner in that important work. Finally, to the students, I hope you continue to seek knowledge with integrity, challenge your challenge yourselves with courage, and always stay true to your values. Remember that merit and commitment will make you happier and stronger in the long run. I've said this many times before, truth matters. Do your own research, real research on issues before believing what you hear from others. Your your future is bright, and I have no doubt that each of you each
074of you will make a um I'm sorry, an impact on the world in many ways. we can only imagine. Be bold, be brave, and dare to dream. My commitment to this community and our children will never waver. And I will continue to fight for the principles I believe in. And I encourage all of us to remember that the strength of our country lies in its people, its families, and in the choices we make to uphold what is right. Thank you all for the trust you have placed in me. Your support has meant the world. Thank you for the opportunity to serve and for the incredible privilege of working together to ensure the best possible future for the district students. May God bless you all and may God continue to bless our schools, our children in
075this great country. Thank you. [applause] [applause] >> I wanted to thank you for teaching me more about school finance. us understand. Thank you. Thank you for always being there. Larry, thank you for the [clears throat] single best decision I think I made here. Your experience and telling us sometimes don't do this. Sometimes we should have listened. We didn't. We did. Thank you. I think you agree with me that Mark is the second best decision we've made. I want to thank you for keeping me grounded at times and being a voice of reason. Didn't seem like it wasn't. And to you administrators, especially Kim and Rob who take calls from me on Saturdays, Sundays, after hours, early mornings. You guys are always there. Um, thank you. Thank you for answering questions. Not being biased in any
076way whatsoever. Just saying this is what we do. This is how it is. and Jeannie and Jody for always being in the background doing stuff that nobody ever sees anybody doing. >> I think you two run the district. Nobody else is here. >> And when they Yes, Mr. Preston, the teachers and all the staff, the bus drivers, the custodians, the lunchroom, thank you for making this district what it is. And the parents as well, because without the parents, there's nothing. This community has tremendous support. One last thing before I go. I know I'm not supposed to be biased, but air is the best at all in this district. [laughter] >> Vote vote to strike. >> No, seriously, thank you everybody. It's been a learning experience. There's been highs, there's been lows, crazy times, and there's
077been fun times. Never once in four years did I take advant. I don't ever threaten. I only promise you are a man of your word. Nobody can take that from him. Um, up next we have to elect President Prom. I nominate myself. I'm sorry. [laughter] >> Uh, may I get a motion or nomination? I guess I should say I nominate Dr. Wendy Saberman as president. >> Not yourself. >> I'll second. Dr. Simmons, >> yes. >> Mr. Bell, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jonas, >> no. >> Dr. >> Mr. Bib, >> yes. >> I thought you were professional. >> You're standing there turned around staring at the wall. >> Hey, calm down now. Come on. >> Calm down. >> Yeah. >> All right. The next regular meeting as an organizational budget meeting is on January 10th, 2026,
0788 a.m. at central office. I believe >> it is. Yeah. >> All right. About it. >> May I get a motion to adjourn? >> Yes. [laughter] >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> I'm second. >> Okay. All right. Let me All right. Mrs. Jones. >> Yes. >> Mr. Bell. >> Yes. >> Dr. Simmons. Yes, >> Dr. Sher. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes. Thank you everyone. >> Thank you.