March 16, 2026 Board of Education Meeting

001Good evening. Thank you for attending the March 16, 2026 meeting of the Westerville City School of Education. This evening's agenda will be displayed on the screen in the front of the room. Printed agendas are on the table for our guests in the back or you may find the agenda on our on your mobile device by connecting to the district's website at www.wc wcs.org. Wow. Click on the our district link, select board of education, and then follow board docs linked to our current meeting agenda. There will be one opportunity to address the board this evening. There's a signup sheet in the back of the room located on the table. Each speaker will have three minutes to address the board. A timer will be shown on the screen. And with that, Miss Marshall, will you please call

002the role? >> Mrs. Altman, >> here. >> Mrs. Brown, >> here. >> Mrs. Leing >> here. Mrs. Meyer >> here. >> Mrs. Valentine, >> here. Will you please join us in the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Um moving along to three district highlights in recognitions. We don't have any tonight. So, we're going to move on to four reports 4.01. Um, and we're going to talk about middle school football and cheerleading. And I'm going to invite Miss Yanni to the podium and her team. >> Thank you so much for having us. Um, I'm Becca Yanni. I'm the coordinator of related arts and extracurricular programs for the

003district. And I also have with me um to help present is TD um athletic director at Genanoa. Kim Millington, athletic direct director at Blendon and Scott Gatis, the principal at Genanoa. And again, we're here to talk a little bit about our middle school football and football cheer program. Um, this is something that we've been working on all year. Um, and we have a pres a presentation of what our plan is so far. So, where we have been um in the past three years, we've needed to combine football teams due to no to low numbers. Those combinations have happened at four of our five middle schools. Um we combine by grade level when it comes to students. Um seventh grade with seventh grade and eighth grade with eighth grade just because of the size of students.

004Um we always felt like that was the safer way to go. But when it impacts football, it also impacted the cheerleading squads. combinations are decided typically August 1. That is like that first moment where we have with our students um and the coaches to say okay how many students do we really have on our teams. We have done fairs at our buildings in the spring the year before um we've collected information from kids about who may be wanting to come out for the team and those numbers never match our numbers as a a good predictor. So August 1st is has been when we all sit down and we discuss okay what is going to be our next steps. >> Good evening. Speaking um both as an athletic director, middle school athletic director and as a

005middle school football coach the last 10 years. Um by going with this process of having to wait until August 1st, it presents some challenges in terms of getting everybody organized. It's a big task. Usually uh what we like to do is try to get everybody you names and and parent list and email list together in the spring. So we go in our summer programs, but the last several years with the the the low numbers that we've had has presented us a challenge to have to kind of reorganize, re-shift everything August 1st and it puts us kind of behind the eightball in many ways. Whereas other schools and other districts that were, you know, we're we're facing off and running and and moving forward. So when we move moved to the fifth middle school, you saw

006the numbers drop and we try to you know maintain our numbers. We did everything we could within the schools. Um but in the last several years the numbers are have just dwindled to a point where it's become really difficult and having to adjust. You know come August 1st um has presented some issues for us and it's not just the schools. It's also at the middle school level we're presented by the middle school OC committee with our schedule. And so if we're waiting till August 1st or or even after that to inform everybody else, you change one thing on that matrix and it it presents issues for a lot of other schools officials, parents, and everybody involved. So with this kind of, you know, going on last couple years, we've been in discussion about this and

007looking at um options. So one of the things we've done is we've come together. Uh Mrs. Yanni is the one that's been drive the driving force behind this. But this is a discussion that's been going on for for some time. And honestly, I'm a resident of Westerville schools. I went to Westville North, graduated 91. Um, and so I remember when there was different formats in place. And now with the the position that we're in, we've been coming together trying to find solutions that would give us the best opportunity moving into our season to allow us to, you know, hit the hit the ground running to be able to compete, be able to have a great experience for our student athletes to help promote, you know, the game of football and beyond and to to get

008them to have a great enjoyable experience to continue that their high school years. So what we've done is we we've come together uh had family feedback at each of the middle schools to get information on how they felt about this proposal. And I'll let Gav share whoever's like share. >> So the proposal that we talked to families about um and and got some feedback about uh we looked at many different options. The option that made the most sense for us was to look at our home high schools and to have our students organized by their their football teams by their home high schools. So any student that has a home high school of central would play football at Genanoa. Any student that has a home high school of North would play football at Walnut Springs.

009And then any student that has a home high school of South would play at Mona Park. The same thing would be for our cheerleaders. They would follow that same track. Um Again, we chose these three sites because they have football fields already associated with their buildings. So, that made sense that those were the sites that we selected. Again, we would have seventh graders playing with seventh graders, eighth graders playing with eighth graders. And it also is similar to the JFLW, our Junior Football League of Westerville, which many of our students play in before they come to our middle schools. And there are also three football teams that run um for our community in in those in that um league as well. Yeah. So when you look at this chart, this kind of shows you some

010of the the um intro data that we looked at in terms of whether this model would actually work. And you can see the top chart represents we looked at the current seventh, eighth, and freshman um year students in terms of where would we be if we went to this model. And you can see what the numbers look like. Um, when we had five middle schools and five separate teams, we were looking at numbers that were much thinner than this. You know, to have a a a competitive football team, you need to be in, you know, that that 20 to mid 20 to 30 range to really, you know, give them the best experience possible. You know, last year at Genanoa, we had nine eighth grade students that came out for football and that makes it

011really tough and that's why we had to kind of shift on the fly. But when you look at this model, you can see by grade level that the numbers greatly improve. And as a middle school coach looking at this and looking at numbers in the 30s, excuse me, even that gives you a great opportunity, you know, to put forth a great experience and compete with other, you know, teams that we're we're facing. Um, we also understand with the cheer component, cheer is a cut sport. We understand that, but we also looked at, you know, bringing you our athletes together and having bigger teams, which would help the experience moving on to the high school um level. One of the things that I know many coaches at the middle school level have promoted the last several

012years, we call it the six-year plan. when they come to us in middle school, we want to create a great experience that when they, you know, exit middle school as eighth graders, we want them to continue to be able to play at the high school level. By combining into and connecting with that high school, I think this gives us even a better opportunity to reach down to the middle school athletes, student athletes, and present a great experience for them to be excited moving forward. So there there's the the numbers that we were looking at when we first looked at whether this proposal, you know, um what it would look like on paper moving forward. >> Good evening. So uh obviously this doesn't come without some potential concerns. So uh we started talking through what some

013will look like and obviously one of the big ones becomes transportation. We talk about moving students from one school to another. It proposes some potential challenges there. So to give students the best opportunity to play, one thing that we discussed potential solution was still have practice after school, but let's transport those students. Mrs. work with the transportation department, see if it's feasible, it can work. Um, but that also means that we'd still need from a building level, we want to make sure we're also providing supervision. So um, as a school principal, very very important to me, too. So, we still be looking to put someone in place that's in charge of making sure the students that are at that home school are there and supervised while the other schools are are coming to their to

014that building. So then we can when we get started, the coaches will be there. We can get started right off, but then we're not providing that extra barrier where students may not be able to to play at that point in time. So, it's definitely one piece that we really looked at. Some other concerns that we talked about was you you have the same building, different teams. So, you may have a building has two maybe three different teams in it. And I think a lot of times historically when we look at a school, we want to think about rahrh, we want our own building and you talk about pep rallies and pieces. I will say right now in sixth grade when you look at the JFLW, we have kids coming with multiple jerseys in all the

015time. Grant they're not playing for Westerville City Schools, but they are playing football in our community. It also gives a chance I I commend Missi here for all the work she's done for the We Are the Villa campaign we've done. It gives us a chance to really put our money where our mouth is as far as celebrating us as Westerville school members. And so when we talk about recognitions or pep assemblies, those pieces, those are things that we at the building level can address. So it seems like concern, but I believe internally that's something that we can take a look at to really help make sure that we're supporting our kids. We're really promoting Westerville. This is year, I think 12 for me in Westerville. thing I really noticed when I came here from Southwestern

016City Schools was the sense of community because so many kids go to school with each other and now more and more with youth sports more and more are playing sports with so many different people. Uh Mr. Denn and I were talking about that some of our eighth graders that went to play with Heritage this year when they walked in they already knew a lot of those players already from playing youth sports together. So definitely some challenge but things that we've looked at too. So with the challenges, we did find some potential positives. Um the program will start building and the seventh grade versus waiting till the ninth grade. Um for high school level sports, um this is going to build relationships. Um the teams will have time to bond. They'll have time to grow, to

017get to know one another, um get to know how to play within one another as a group. Um they give time for the coaches to have to get their expectations across. Um, game plans. That way, a student is given a particular, especially in football, there's a game plan that they want to run. There's a defense, there's offense, and they're learning that from the seventh grade versus waiting till the eighth grade, I'm sorry, waiting till the ninth grade level to learn that. And then even within the program, um, having changes there. So, it gives coaches time to make sure their expectations are in place, that the student athletes know what to expect, and they will be have better development under them. It'll make the program stronger all the way around. Um, as far as booster relationships

018once they reach high school, um, it'll help with with that. But as far as developing fundraising, that affects now and the fundraising may only help the high school level, which it can now, if it were all as a big unit from 7 to 12, then it will go down to the seventh grade and eighth grade as well. So, and as far as the OSAA rules, um right now since we are a group, we have a non-direct feeder program, which we learned through this process that we are one of the only school um districts that do not have a feeder program compared to everyone else. So, because of that, uh coaches now on the high school level cannot contact or talk to any middle school level players. They can't go to games. I learned that within

019the softball. I help coach at Blendon. My husband coaches at Westerville South. He cannot even come to watch one of our games because he it would be considered recruiting. So this would help potentially eliminate that and bring us all together as one. Um so that is part of the rules that we have to follow. Um we feel that another potential positive would be that the high school coaches will now have an impact on hiring. Um who is coaching at middle school? There is a lot of turnover a lot of times in middle school coaching. So, this might help um bring in people that are like, "Wait, we're in this for the long haul and get coaches to stay." So, it would impact the coaching, hiring um strategies, mentoring opportunities for the upper classmen high school

020to be able to come down and work with some of the middle school students. Um they're they look up to them already. So, um that way they can aid in that. So right and so now with the relationship as we have it it's just 9 to 12 and this will help grow to 7 to 12 and along the way of all this planning um you put together several sessions we had five sessions all together we met at different places we met at the all five uh middle schools and the brought in the community brought in the students as well to ask them and the main questions we ask is what excites you about this, what worries you, what questions do you have, and what what needs more clarity or support? And we did have um

021surveys that the families filled out and just good discussions in all of those meetings came out of that. And some of the one of one was transportation that seemed to pop up at most of the meetings, but and we did have them fill out the survey. So, we just feel it'll be a positive. So to that, as Miss Bulletin said, we did ask for feedback from the community, um sent out the had them fill out a form before they would leave. And the way we ranked them was if if all the feedback was negative, it went back as negative. If it was and even if it just even lean negative. If it was all positive, identify as positive. And then there was some that would be even if it was potentially mostly positive, but a

022couple negative or concerns, we'll rank that as the neutral piece there. So you can still see even with that majority of our response were either neutral or up in the positive range. So looking at this slide you can see some of the other proposals that we did look at moving you know moving forward um because there's you know several ideas tossed out. So we wanted to make sure we did you know or do justice and make it you know looking at what those numbers might be. The first chart at the top um represents an idea of going to three teams. Now, um, in the past, the last what, four years, Walnut and Blendon, because of their numbers, they've had to combine each of those four years. This past year, um, like I mentioned, we were

023real low numbers with eighth grade at Genanoa. So, we combined with Heritage. You know, Manurva Park at this point hasn't had to combine. Um, so we looked at that, uh, you know, could we just, you know, combine three teams with Manurva Park kind of be on their own. But if you take a look at those numbers, Manurva Park's numbers are still 18, 20, and 20. That gets you that gets you pretty thin in terms of trying to run a successful program at the middle school level, especially when you're competing against other schools that have twice, you know, twice those numbers, you know, to compete against. So that was one option we did we did look at. Second option was, you know, going to two teams and combining, you know, Manurva Park, Glennon, and Walnut into

024one and then Janoa and Heritage. Those numbers obviously jump a lot higher into you get in some cases, you know, the 60 range, which an awful lot in terms of trying to you know make the best possible experience for student athletes. So um that would be a challenge with that and and there there was you know comment about what if we just went to one team and obviously those numbers even exceeded that as well. So we did a lot of work behind the scenes trying to kind of look at which model uh fit best but these were other models that we did look at. >> I just want to ask a clarifying question by itself. 20 as a middle school coach that means boys are playing both ways start seeing a lot of injuries and

025fatigue when they're playing that much. >> Yeah, it makes it very difficult and that's why I always I always enjoy having those numbers near 30. Um because it gives you the ability to create a safe environment. You know, football it's it's a contact sport and you got to be very careful in how you teach it and what you know what positions you put players in. You know, when you're getting down, you know, 20 or under, it gets really difficult because you have to have 11 on the field and thus you're getting some of these individuals having to play all game. You go to a middle school game and early in the season, first, second, third week, we're dealing with 85, 90 degree weather. It's hot. Um, so that you know, you bring all those variables

026in. So when you get to those numbers, it's it's really difficult, especially when, you know, I keep coming back to this what other districts, you know, have. you know, we we we scrimmage Big Walnut. Big Walnut numbers at each level is is in the 40s, in the 50s. Um, Warthingington, Johanna, Reynoldsburg, Newark, all of those districts have multiple schools and just, you know, fewer teams. And so, yes, that when you get into those numbers right there, it makes it um challenging and concerning as a coach in terms of putting the best experience forward towards our student athletes. So our plan is to move forward again. Anybody home at Springs again are things that are ignore that challenges no matter which way this gameies were counting. Many of our families in our surveies our team, all

027our students and our next steps from here is to share our final decision with our students, our coaches and our families. And again, this is football and football. This is not opening up for all of our sports. We do recognize that it is our department. Could you just clarify the kids super kids and there was still a little confusion with them around why it was just football. So I know you shared here that it is just football and cheerleading but could you share why we're not across the board and why it is football if you can imagine we have got maybe 30 to 40 goes for of our sports. There have been sports that we've had to combine that are not for the numbers, but it hasn't as an at this point. We're not consistently

028movement and again this movement has happened throughout the entire year. We shift with our coaches that we were looking at these options and we had talking to our high school coaches as well as our So we'll have to share with our coaches that were in previous contracts and let them know that those contingies felt like yes it would be great if we could play these different schools and play together as Ohio has said that you still need to when it comes to something. >> Thank you so much. I just wanted to ask you a little separate for football and for basketball. will still eth our previous what our numbers would look like. So imagine that right now they're about a lot into this. I'm just curious and I may separate different teams how would you

029separate so that each team gets I think that what was referred to as our support. >> Yeah. as a middle school ad, um especially as a football coach, knowing um all that goes into making sure that the experience is great, but it's also safe for players. Football's a contact sport. You got helmets, you got equipment that constantly needs to be updated. One of the things that excites me, you know, at the middle school level, we don't have booster clubs, you know, and what I always tell parents that we we get our parents in for a very short time. They they come in at sixth grade, but it's towards the end of the sixth grade that they start thinking about middle school sports. So, when we're able to reach out, connect with them, send an email

030out and get them involved. But that that runs through seventh grade and then by the time they're into their eighth grade year, halfway through now, they're thinking high school. So, it's a very short time to try to get, you know, um the support in which we we I'm not, you know, not going to claim we've had great support, but in terms of trying to um fund some of the things that we like to make sure our helmets are up to date, make sure our equipment's safe. Um the exciting part for me is that that tie into the high school boosters. And so you with this model, high school boosters can now absorb not just the four four years of high school athletes, but seven or I'm sorry, six going down to seventh grade. And so

031when we think about making sure our athletes have top, you know, top level equipment, helmets, and everything else that goes into it as an AD, that that's that excites me. That help of getting make sure we put together a great experience for student athletes. question. You mentioned transportation and the supervision is one of the challenges with the transportation department. Do we know how those like costs would be absorbed? Well, we would have to take a look at, you know, our athletic programs that would be running less trips to different games. So, by running three programs instead of five programs, we actually would be have a savings cost when it comes to transportation that would then be displaced in the transportation cost that we would need to be incurring from shuttling students. Um, we've done this

032before. Uh we have had uh wrestling teams, we've had football teams that have done this before, as well as our um high school marching band students that are in eighth grade. They also shuttle after school. We've our transportation department does a fantastic job making sure our kids can get to where they need to be. When I call them up, they usually have a have a yes, we can we can figure that out. So I believe that it will balance each other out because of that shift of um where where we would be going to now what we need to be doing. Okay, thank you. >> We would also potentially have less supplementals by doing some combinations as well that could help offset some of those supervision costs that we would have to provide at the

033building. >> That's great. >> No specific question for me. I just wanted to thank you um for taking time to coordinate all this. I know it takes a lot of coordination. So, thank you. >> We've got a great team. So, thank you. >> All right. Thank you so much. That was great. Thanks for continuing to communicate that out. Right, moving along to 4.2, our superintendent's comments. Miss Han, >> thank you. I would also like to thank the team for coming out tonight on this lovely almost spring evening. We appreciate you. Um, and also along the lines of thanking people, I want to give a big thank you to our drivers and our transportation staff for navigating all the weather challenges on Friday. Um we had a a stressful dismissal, but they um handled it with

034grace and got our kids all home safely. And so we really appreciate that. And then would also like to along the same line um thank our maintenance buildings and grounds crew. So they came in over the weekend to begin the cleanup. It's not all completely done, but um they've gotten a lot done and they're still assessing damages and and getting all that taken care of. So, um, just as many of your homes were hit hard by the storms, our our buildings and grounds were were hit as well. And so, we appreciate everybody chipping in on that. Um, we have been working, as I mentioned, with superintendent advisory from our middle schools. So, it's a lot of fun. Uh, we've had high school superintendent advisory for a while. Our team goes and meets with the kids

035and um talks with them about issues throughout the district, gets their feedback, just generally get to know them, which is a big um bucket filler for all of us. And so we're doing that now with middle school. So we had our initial get to know you meetings. We've done four of the five. We have our last one Heritage on Monday. And then um next fall we'll bring them all over to this facility to do some leadership and team building with them. And so really excited about that. Our high school superintendent advisory kids will be kicking off their alumni hall of fame induction ceremony. So the first one will be uh after spring break, I believe on April 8th. So that's always a really fun time to see the kids do. I know many of you

036have been able to attend that. Um especially for those of you that are newer to the board, if you haven't had a chance, it's a really great opportunity. The kids uh select the inductees and plan the entire thing. They do a phenomenal job. Um so that'll be right after spring break. And speaking of break, hopefully everyone has an opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate. Our spring break will be this year from March 30th to April 3rd. So it is a little bit later this year. Um last quarter just started, which I cannot believe. Before we know it, we'll be down at the Celeste Center on May 23rd celebrating our graduates. In the meantime, looking forward to helping with the BizTown interviews, reading to students, attending events. Our team has been getting out in buildings a lot

037and touring, and we're really excited to be out seeing the kids. That's all I have today. Thank you. Any questions? Okay. Yeah. Thank you so much to uh the drivers and the grounds crew. I know that some uh school buildings across the state actually lost some roofs um which is pretty scary. Um up next is uh five and public comments and we have none. So moving along to six are board meeting minutes and may I have a motion to approve the minutes of the regular board of education meeting held on Monday, February 9th, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. Any comments or questions or seeing none, would you please vote? >> Mrs. Valentine, >> yes. >> Mrs. Alman, >> yes. Mrs. Brown, >> Mrs. Lean, >> yes. >> Mrs. Meyer, >> yes. And moving along

038to seven, our financials and 7.01. May I have a motion to approve the financial reports and investments for January and February of 2026? >> So moved. Second. Miss Marca, when you get done, will you talk to us about this? >> Yes, thank you. Um, President Meyer, members of the board. So, we are going over January and February. We'll start with January month end. Uh, year-to- date receipts for the general fund, we ended with 113.2 million. And for year-to- date expenditures, we had 130.9 million. And we ended with an unencumbered general fund balance of 91.4 million. >> We're just having technical difficulty. Oh, there it reloaded. That's weird. Okay. >> Not working. >> Yeah. I don't know what's going on. >> Isoc not working? >> No. >> Oh. Oh, well that's helpful. >> The snow. Why

039not? The bordox is down. Okay. All right. >> Yeah. Okay. Sorry. Sorry. That's okay. Uh and for um all funds for January, we had 155.3 million in receipts and 184.2 2 million in expenditures and we ended with unencumbered fund balance for all funds at 177.6 million and that was for um January month end. And then for February uh we for general fund we ended with year-to- date receipts of 139 about 140 million in total. and then year-to- date expenditures of 148.7 and then general fund um unencumbered fund balance ending February was $100 million and then for all funds we had 190.1 million in receipts and 206 million in expenditures and we ended with unencumbered fund balance of 189.7 million. That is what I have for report is available on board docs once that starts working

040>> which the board's had access we have. Yes. Um any questions from Miss Marshall. >> Okay. >> Mrs. Valentine. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brown. >> Yes. Mrs. Alman. >> Yes. Mrs. Leand. >> Yes. Mrs. Meyer. >> Yes. Um moving along to 7.02. 02. May I have a motion to approve the purchases in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 5705.41D1 in board policy 6320. So move second. >> Yeah. Uh yeah. So this is what we call in and out purchase orders. This is where we have a purchase order that's dated um after an invoice date or when goods or services were ordered. We have two on this agenda. Um, and I'll just tell you what they are since you don't have them in front of you there. Uh, we had one from the safety and security department

041for Genova Township uh, for school resource officer um, cost for January for $7,52310. We did have a purchase order open, but it was just short of what was needed to cover the entire invoice. So, we will need the board's approval for that. It's all been budgeted for. Um, and then Westerville Central class of 2027, which is student activity account, um, had one to I don't I'm not going to pronounce that correctly, uh, an event space um, for 2026 prom decorations for $4,500. Um, and that was just timing with student group getting the purchase order open on time. So, um, but it had been budgeted in their house statement for the year. Um, I would recommend the board's approval so that we get those paid. >> Any questions or comments? >> All right. >> Mrs. Valentine,

042>> yes. >> Mrs. Saltman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Brown, >> yes. >> Mrs. Leian, >> yes. Mrs. Meyer, >> yes. And can we take personal consent agenda as one? >> Okay. May I have a motion to approve the personal consent agenda 8.01 through 8.13? So moved >> second. >> And welcome, Mr. Reeves. >> Thank you, Miss Meyer. I'd like to present to you for your consideration tonight's personnel consent agenda. And so therefore, an overview and a summary of tonight's agenda for resignations. We have five classified, four licensed, three supplemental contracts, and one administrative resignation for the board to consider this evening. And of note within the classified world, we've had a couple of uh resignations and turnover in Westerville South's front office due to a job change and retirement. And we have filled one of

043those vacancies with an experienced uh candidate. And we are approaching um hiring uh the second candidate. So, we are ready to support them as they come up with big events in the spring um namely graduation. And so, we're ready to support them if they need our support. So, um, wanted to assure the Wildcat Nation of that. Leave of absences and contract status changes. We have one classified and four licensed leave of absences to consider this evening, as well as one classified change of assignment and five classified contract status changes, accounting mainly for work schedule adjustments, which we pretty much see regularly at our board meetings. Onetime pays. We have quite a few licensed one-time pays as believe it or not, we are now beginning our training for the first day of school with some of

044our student leaders. We also are uh have one-time pays for presenters for the upcoming Wii Day next Friday, March 20th. Hope Squad training, responsive classroom training for elementary staff and kindergarten openhouse employment. We are happy to welcome and recommend the hire of 12 new classified and two new licensed employees and we are near completion for our spring supplemental uh hirings as those seasons are actually now underway and we're supposed to have a lacrosse game tomorrow when it's 20° so we're not sure uh if we will manage that one. um retirements. The board has seven classified retirements and eight licensed retirements. And you know, I have a belief that the people who have served our district should have their name said aloud at the board meeting. Diana Conrad is retiring as assistant manager of food service

045with 25 years of service to the district. Becky Leler is retiring as a bus driver, 23 years of service. Leonard Meers is retiring as a bus driver with 10 years of service. Robin Oxley is retiring as a food service manager with 24 years of service. Lisa Resky is retiring as a clerk at Cherington serving our district for 30 years. Charlotte Richardson is retiring as a food service manager with 25 years to the district. Michelle Soul is retiring as a bus driver with 12 years of service to the district. Marjorie, better known as Diane Blaine, is retiring as a math teacher at Manurva Park with 10 years of service. Tanya Hollowman is retiring as a phys physical education teacher at Genanoa with 35 years of service to our district. Jill Huck is retiring as a school

046counselor at Manurva Park with 28 years of service to our district. Tracy Jados is retiring as an English language arts teacher at Genanoa with 27 years of experience or service to our district. Jeff Kefir is retiring as a social studies teacher at Central High School with 32 years of service to our district. Dr. Beverly Reynolds is retiring as a school psychologist at Whittier and St. Paul with 11 years of service to our district. Richard Shell is retiring as a social studies teacher at South with 34 years of exper or service to our district. And finally, last but not least, Katrina Turner is retiring as a grade five teacher at Robert Frost with 32 years of service to the district. If you add up the collective service of this large and impressive group of retirees, their

047total years of service to Westerville schools is 358 years. and their collective service takes us back to the year 1668 where I had to dig and find out that the Massachusetts colony annexed Maine in what sounds like a Pirate of the Caribbean movie. Captain Henry Morgan. Yes, that Captain Morgan from the rum bottles captured Portortoello in modernday Panama and modernday Kamaguay Cuba to solidify his reputation as the leader of the brethren of the coast. Fame sculptor Bernini mid completion of the now famous 10 angel sculptures AC a top the Pontes de Santangelo which I have actually seen in Rome and a little closer to home by 1668 the Irakoquayy Confederacy better known as the Honachon in their mother tongue has gained control over the Hyo Valley and French explorer Lassal or Renee Rober Cavlier Sier

048de Lasal as he is known in his mother tongue uh was a French explorer who had gathered information from local tribes to explore a great river that flowed into the ocean which we call the Ohio River. Happy to take any questions you may have. Thank you to Gertie and Alman further >> gonna ask Gertie how you did on your pronunciation. >> No, he tried. We'll give him an A for effort. >> It sounded very impressive though. >> Um, thank you for that. Any questions or comments? Just Wow, that's a lot of a lot of years. So, thank you. >> A lot of years of service to our staff that are leaving us. We'll miss them. >> Yep. >> Mrs. Brown. >> Yes. Mrs. Alman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lean. Mrs. Valentine. Yes, >> Mrs. Meyer.

049>> Yes. And um can we take old business as one? >> Okay. Um may I have a motion to approve uh old business 9.01 through 9.07. >> Second. >> And it looks like my board docs is back up. Does everybody have their >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. And I know we haven't heard anything back about the academic calendar. Have we heard anything else about any of the other order? Okay. All right. Unless there's any comments or questions, we're ready to take the vote. >> Yes. >> Brown. >> Yes. Mrs. Valentine. >> Yes. >> Mr. Meer. >> Yes. Moving along to 10 new business 10.01, the first reading of policy 3130, assignment and transfer. Mr. Ree, will you talk to us about this? >> Thank you. to this policy 3130 assignment and transfer. Uh the

050bienium budget bill included a provision declaring that the superintendent shall assign teachers based on the best interest of students enrolled in the district. The law further provides that seniority and continuing contract status cannot be the primary factors in making assignment decisions. The law also provides that collective bargaining agreements cannot supersede the assignment language and for districts with collective bargaining agreements in place as we have for a few months more. The law does not apply until the expiration of the current contract. The policy 3130 has been revised and updated to reflect this change in the law that was in our budget bill. >> Any questions, Mr. Okay, thank you. And moving along to 10.02, the first reading of policy 7310, disposition of surplus property. Miss Dennis. >> Hi. Good evening, President Meyer, Vice President Alman, members

051of the board. Um the policy 7310 in front of you, the disposition of surplus property is related to um changes that would align with both state and federal requirements. A lot of it is focused on surplus goods of the federal nature. Um so if you think about our um food service operations is a federal program. So it's a little separate than our local programs. And then also we would have any grant funed materials as well be federal grants. Um most items in there are housekeeping and I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have. Any questions at this time? All right. >> Thank you. All right, moving along to 10.03, first reading of policy 8600, transportation. And I'm sure you'll be staying up here for 10.04, first reading of policy 8600.04 and actually all

052the rest. 10.5 first reading of policy 8640, that's transportation for non-rine trips, as well as 10.06, the first reading for policy 8650 transportation by alternative vehicles. So why don't you tell us about all of this, Mr. Sner? >> If it would be okay with the board, I certainly believe I could address all four of these together as one. >> Yeah. >> Thank you, President Meyer, Vice President Alman, members of the board, Superintendent Hamburg, and Treasurer Marshall. Good evening. So before you this evening, uh first up is policy 8600, which is really the framework that starts us and prepares us for the next three that are also up for revision tonight and gives us the foundation of our transportation operations. The first thing and the most important call out I believe is Westerville City Schools continues

053to exceed state minimum requirements for our transportation. For example, providing transportation to our high school students is above and beyond what the state requires, which is grades K through eight. The majority of these updates this evening are housekeeping. Um changes in the Ohio Revised Code and also some definitions which you'll see in policy 8600.04 which starts to utilize the term alternative vehicles which for many years we've referred to as vans or um sedans. But ultimately an alternative vehicle is anything that is design um not designed like a school bus but rather our my van program which has been in existence since 2018. This policy brings more changes again within the Ohio Revised Code as housekeeping items for our policy 8600.04. Um, one minor change in policy 8640, which is adding the language referring to our

054level two volunteers, which are individuals that have been cleared through a school office to provide chaperone um, supervision, if you will, on a vehicle during a field trip. So, that's policy 8640. And then finally, policy 8650 once again is aligning this policy with our current operation standards um with the revised Ohio revised code. And once again, this also defines the use or term of alternative vehicle. So between these four policies, the majority of the updates this evening is truly housekeeping, but also ensuring that our current practices, which we are doing today, are referenced in policy, which reflect back to the updates in OC. And I would certainly be happy um entertain or answer any questions that you might have this evening. >> Thank you. Um I don't have any questions, but I wanted to call

055out that level volunteer level two volunteer piece. Um just as a parent, I can't tell you how many times there have been situations where our schools have needed a level two volunteer at the last minute, you know, in order to, you know, stay safe according to our policies. So, I just would really encourage people to look at that level process and think about going through it so that they can be helpful in these ways. Um, and who should they I know there's information on the website. Um, but if you want to talk through the process real quickly just >> Yeah, there's information on the website and then our human resources officers uh department human resources department or our chief officer uh Reeves who's been up at Pod a few times would be a good contact

056point or anyone on his team. >> Great. Thank you. because there are limitations in terms of what you can do with field trips and so on if you don't have those people in place. So just encouraging everyone to look at that. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you everyone. >> Okay. Moving along to 11 recommended action standing business and we have 11.01 donations. And may I have a motion to approve the donations as presented? >> So moved. >> Second. This is the fun part, the night too. Miss Marshall, will you talk to us about this? >> Yes. So, the total for the current request is 19,99542, which brings the current school year to date total to $214,362. That supports our kids. Very generous indeed. Um, and thank you to uh the community for continuing

057to make these donations. Anybody have any questions about them? >> All right. >> Mrs. Valentine, >> yes. >> Mrs. Brown, >> yes. Mrs. Lee, >> yes. Mrs. Alman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Meyer, >> yes. And moving along to 11.02, out of state overnight trips. May I have a motion to approve the out ofstate overnight trips? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Welcome, Miss Sasha. >> Thank you. I have four overnight trips for your consideration uh this evening. The first is a collective effort with all of our world language departments at all three high schools. Um they would like to travel to the Dominican Republic in June of 2028. Um it is for an EF tours Spanish and service project. Um, and whether or not they will go on this trip will depend on the number

058of students that sign up for it. Um, and due to the fact that it is in June, uh, they will not miss students will not miss any days of school and it will be, uh, no cost to the district. The Westerville North Marching Band, uh, would like to travel to Orlando, Florida in February of 2027. Uh, students will perform a prepared marching performance, um, in a Disney World park. So, they will join a parade. Um the cost to the district is $300 for substitutes and they will miss one day of school. Um the Westerville South and Central DECA programs recently had five students qualify for the national competition. Uh they would like to travel to Atlanta uh Georgia in April of this year. Uh the cost to the district will be $1,400. However, it will

059be funded through the student activity fund which is um comprised of fundraisers and donations. Uh students uh we have five students who would be attending and they will miss three days of school. Uh and the last one is an amended trip that was approved earlier for Westerville South uh to attend the state thespian conference. Um both Westerville North and Westerville Central would like to join them on this trip. Approximately 70 students from all three high schools will attend and they will miss one day of school and this trip is booster funded and I'm happy to answer any questions >> for me. Could you tell me a little bit about DECA? What that is? >> Um yes. So DECA is a national program in which students begin businesses and they compete at the state and national

060level. Um so we had uh a number of students. This is the first year that they have competed at this level. Um and so students went to the state competition in I want to say January. Um and we had five that qualified. So they will go and compete against their peers um at the national level. >> Any other questions? >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Please take the vote. >> Miss Alman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Valentine, >> yes. >> Mrs. Brown, >> yes. >> Mrs. Le, >> yes. Mrs. Meyer, >> yes. And moving along to 11.3, may I have a motion to approve the amended resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission in authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor? >> So moved.

061>> Second. Miss Marshall, will you talk to us about all of that? >> Yes. Uh, so these are the rates for tax year 2025 that have been finalized by the county budget commission. Our county budget commission is Franklin County. Um, even though we span multiple counties, we span into Delaware County. Uh, but Franklin County is our budget commission. They've approved these rates for collection in 2026, which are tax bills that are due now. Um and then you'll see the next resolution is estimating rates for tax year 2026 to be collected in 2027 in which case we'll come back and adjust those rates then. So these are in order for where we've been collecting nothing surprising here I'll talk a little bit more about resolution some of the changes with the wall design. Okay. Any questions?

062Okay. Will you please take the vote? >> M. >> Yes. >> M. Valentine. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brown. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. And moving along to 11.04. May I have a motion to approve the resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authoriz authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor. >> So move. Second, Miss Marshall, you >> again. These are 2026 estimated rates. We're in tax year for 2026. We always pay taxes a year behind. So, um they're assessing taxes for 2026 to be paid in 2027. Uh there was a house bill 309 that was signed into law in December by the governor. um that changes the budget commission's authority uh gives them the authority to basically adjust tax rates down as they

063um see necessary. Uh that doesn't take effect until March 30th of 2026. So there is a potential for these rates to change in the future. Um but I I'm not really anticipating that this year with our budget commission, but I do think uh we'll have to conversation about how we participate in that process going into budget commission meeting and they have that next usually by January February. So that is something but right now these are the rates. the same rates that you just approved finaliz >> um and remind me I may be forgetting but what's the criteria for determining >> so the um >> tax rates are based on right now the values >> what the so we have inside mill We're just talking about property taxes here. This doesn't affect the earned income tax

064which just passed. >> Um they are set based on we have the inside millage which was set by the state constitution. Ours is 3.8 mill. So that stays the same. That never changes. Everything else above that have been voted on by our voters in the community. And so we are subject to reduction factors. As values increase, tax rates decrease. And so that's what they're doing. They're adjusting those rates right now based on where values went in for like what the actual values were and using estimates for this year. Um the law that was passed uh has a provision about um what's necessary collections and all of that. It's very arbitrary and I think um we need to remember that you are a local elected board of education. we have uh services and things that our

065community expects from their school district and really I think you guys are the best judge of what that looks like. So, it's just a matter of having that conversation if we need to in the future with the budget commission. Um, >> so it's basically that's what I was trying to get at. Thank you. This new House Bill 39 provision. So basically, we have to go down and we have to make our case as to why we feel >> So we're I think being in Franklin County is a little bit different, but we have 88 counties in the state of Ohio, and I think you're going to see it done about 88 different ways. Um I think that there's a lot of opportunity for um just variances and how this is applied across the state. I

066know some counties, some school districts went through uh a pretty significant process this past year, this past like just in January and February um for the current 2025 tax year. So, um yeah, I think it's I it's almost like they have to defend what they're collecting based on what the voters approved and it's overriding the voters's voice and at the ballot box for sure. So, Thank you. That's what I was I was really trying to get at. Okay. >> All right. Will you please take the vote? Yeah. >> Mrs. Brown? >> Yes. Valentine? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Alman? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Leian? >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. And moving along to 12.01. May I have a motion to approve a resolution to suspend Robert's rules of order? So moved back. Take the vote.

067>> Mrs. Brown, >> Yes. Mrs. Valentine. >> Yes. Um and Yep. Yeah. So, as they're getting seated, um Mrs. Dennis will be kind of leading this conversation, but we've also asked uh Mr. Cooper, Mr. Reeves to come up so as we start talking about uses of buildings, if you know there's anything that kind of spills over into their areas as well. Um, two projects past work renovations. It was to address the oldest buildings in our fleet of schools um and provide modern technology in those spaces. Along with that, we added a new elementary school and a new middle school to meet the needs of our community um and provide those educational a little closer to home, too. Um, it also um provided for significant improvements in our safety and security um plans across the district.

068It was also a two-phase plan. So, um as we are wrapping up these phase one projects, um I think it's important that we can have a conversation about where we're at and what's coming next. Um funding mechanisms for capital projects. Always a good reminder that um all capital projects across the district have different sources of which we receive funding from. So we have um some general fund which is limited projects um and also includes things like design services. Those are not the only two things but those are good examples of what general fund is used for. Uh the PI or permit improvement fund. So as part of the 2019 ask it include establishing the permanent improvement fund and PI fund part of it. for apologies. Uh district leadership at that time did designate though that

069these funds would be used um to replace district vehicles including vans, buses, the white fleet along with custodial equipment um our grounds equipment, things like that. Also a upgrades, music equipment, furniture replacements. It pays for the cops financing which we'll talk about in a second. Um and then what's remaining funds building and site projects. So things like um the majority of it goes to our HVAC. Also some paving, some playground um equipment replacement as well. The certificates of participation or the cops financing is um what has funded the Westerville South High School renovation project. Um also did some limited districtwide camera and access control um as part of that work as well. Then there were the bond funds. Um the uses are described in the ballot language but not limited to the work that I

070mentioned. So you have the addition of Manurva France Elementary School, Manurva Park Middle School. We did renovations and additions at Hawthorne Elementary School and Whittier Elementary School um and Anhurst. And then um infrastructure replacements and upgrades at Hanby, Emer and Emerson. There is language in there for Longfellow as well in the plan itself um which we'll talk about here in a minute. And then we had safety and security updates, secured entry projects was primarily the bond fund um and then some playground and parking lots as well. In um 2019, the district also entered into an agreement with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, also known as the OFCC, which oversees capital projects undertaken by state agencies um and state supported institutions of higher education. It manages Ohio's school facility programs um and provides support for construction

071renovation of public K12 schools. Um projects are funded through a number of programs including the expedited local partnership program. It's designed to give districts who are not quite eligible for the classroom facilities assistance program um the opportunity to move ahead with their portions of their projects and earn credits which we have done. It's um 35 cents on the dollar of the work that aligns with the Ohio school design manual. So, um I think we have about 25 million in credits that we're anticipating receiving um when we become eligible. The original 2019 agreement was modified in 2022 to include the last three phases of Westerville South High School. So while those were um the project was done at Westerville South using existing resources and not bond funds, that work is still um part of the ELP

072program and so we did receive credits on the last three phases of completed work itself. And then as far as the classroom facility assistance program or CPAP eligibility, um they won't tell you when the they give you a rough window when you get started and they keep you updated along the way as you um meet at least annually or quarterly with them. Um both Nicole, myself and Doug have met recently with um some representatives from OFCC and we are led to believe that our number is probably going to be called pretty soon. Um what that means when that happens is we want to we'll have some more conversation as a board and leadership team around um what does that work actually look like moving forward as well. It's exciting. I think Nicole shared previously like

073it was five to seven years for about eight years. So >> six7 good job. >> So right just real quick about the CFAT program. I want to make sure the board understands. So once we're part of the CFA program, that means that we would be eligible for that 25 million in credit that we've already um accumulated on the older projects to apply to a future project and also everything 35 cents on the dollar for all the new work that's being done. So um a great opportunity if that um is the case and that's work that aligns with the Ohio School design manual. they are pretty prescriptive about what they cover. Um, so it wouldn't be every single thing, but it would be the bulk of the work. Um, just all in the details. Um, so

074what's next? Uh, like I mentioned and like Doug mentioned in the last uh at the last form meeting in February, we did an update. We are closing out those projects that are aligned in the the phase one of the facility master plan. meaning that we are just at kind of warranty pieces and punch items from what was designed and bid in that work. Uh we have some capital needs. Um always we have aging buildings and uh like anybody who owns any um property, a home, a car, anything, things need to be maintenanced and taken care of and they have a replacement cycle on them. Um and then to have some conversation around the remaining bond funds and bond interest. we were able to secure really great bids along the way, which means that we do

075have some um bond funds that are remaining as this project flows out and how we can um utilize those best. And then Longfellow, Longfellow is in phase one of the work and I'd like to talk to you guys a little bit about the the work that we will do there that we're proposing to do there. And then Western South and we'll have some conversation about that. I want to note that like I mentioned with the potential to become CPAP eligible in the near future um and just kind of looking at the long term for our district. I know that um Superintendent Hamburg pres previously shared that we're doing a facilities committee. We're excited about getting that work underway, moving it past just the facility master plan and talking about the district's facility as a whole

076and kind of some long-term planning. Um how do we use buildings? What's the best things to move forward? Um what we are looking at is a committee comprised of community members um who have some expertise in this area. Um so it'll be district representative and um community representative as we get that going. Hoping to have things in place and hold a first meeting um probably sometime in May. That's the goal right now. So let's talk about Longfellow. So Longfellow opened in 1931. It is a beautiful building. When you look at it in this picture, it looks huge. It actually has six classrooms. It has no gymnasium, no cafeteria, but it does have a single multi-purpose space. Um, at times housed art, music, and lunch, as well as possibly some gym every once in a while

077or definitely indoor recess. Um, this school is identified as part of the phase one facility master plan work. Um it does have some bond funds designated to it. The scope and associated funds were intended to undertake the following types of scope as identified. Um also aligns with the work that was done at Ham and Emerson that Ham and Emerson house um students today. But the scope initially intended was HVAC interior painting, some flooring updates including carpet and tile areas, lighting upgrades, uh replacement of student furniture. It also included adding an elevator. Um, however, the district has moved away from this facility serving as an all day kindergarten location. As we added Manurva, France to our elementary schools, we were able to move the all day kindergarten programs back to kids home schools. Uh, the expansion

078at their home school allowed us to utilize this building um for our best of both worlds program, which is a transition initiative formally housed on Otterbice campus. Um it's a federally required program that serves Westerville City School students who are post-graduate age, but they are learning independent skills and enhancing their job skills. Um they take up a couple of classrooms within this building um to work on those skills together. And then the other remaining spaces house our related services staff along with our um some curriculum materials. Our related services staff provide um not limited on this list because they do a lot but OTP, PT, speech services, behavioral services, um gifted services throughout our district. So they go to any number of our buildings. They don't have a single home building and this um provides

079work spaces for them to do their work. It's like their touchdown space. Um, given that this building no longer houses K5 students, we are suggesting tonight that the long-term use and purpose of the building and the associated bond funds need us to have this conversation together. um the district's facilities team, which includes myself, Doug, um we've obviously talked with some of our leadership as well. Um and then Bob Lateria, who's our coordinator of maintenance, buildings and grounds, um review the recommended scope, and we think that it needs alignment to the actual building's light use today. Um, and moving forward, that would include amending the work um to be addressing the exterior brick repairs, both the chimney and facade brick. Um, also including cleaning and ceiling of the brick. That'll help the longevity um of the

080care. It also keeps the moisture from looking inside the building. Um, also some HVAC work and addressing some asphalt and parking lot pieces. We reduced the scope of replacing student furniture as it would not be necessary. Um, at this time we don't see uh the need to add an elevator into this space as um we can provide workspaces on the first floor as appropriate if somebody would need it. Um, and then it would also the tile, the painting, things like that. Everything's in good shape. We did paint this building prior to opening as an all day kindergarten building, so it's just not necessary to do at this time. Um, from Longfellow I'll talk about Westerville South. Again, it's a copsf funed um project. This was not part of the bond funds. Um it has been

081a commitment of the board uh to use existing dollars to complete all renovations at Westerville South. Here are just a few images of some completed work uh that we shared at the February meeting. Always a favorite of mine and anytime I'm in the building, I always try to get into a classroom because you get to see how beautiful these classroom spaces are. South um how was able to really pull in the natural exterior, all that extra light with these beautiful windows into their spaces um through this project. And those are not the spaces the public often gets to see. So my favorite space like honestly some of my favorite classrooms in the district. You also have the front office and then one of the project based learning spaces and the images there. South was a

082long project. It has been a long project. It was the intent and purpose behind it was for it to be a long project. It turned into six phases. Um here and at this time we have completed phases one through six. It addressed all of the originally planned programmatic and related scope. It still leaves us about 8,000 square feet of original space that has not been renovated. Um outside of the fire alarm and other life safety updates, we have addressed all of those buildingwide. Um or are completing those. the fire alarm systems will be completed when we do not have students in the building um come early summer. Um and that's occurred over again the whole school. As this project has been a lengthy one and as students and staff have lived and worked in these

083spaces, they have openly shared their desire to address the remaining square footage of this building along with some other things that would help them um use the building in the best manner moving forward. Um lots of feedback from them. Doug and I met with a group of staff from South in early of 2025 to kind of talk about what they would be looking for if we were to move forward with an additional scope of work here at South. That turned into these images. Um I will tell you these are not permanent designs. They're just examples. I think it's very important. We have not designed any of this work. We are just trying to understand what that might look like. Um if you're a visual learner like I am, this is very helpful. Um in the

084upper leftand corner we would be addressing the front lobby entrance um along with what you see in the center which is the theater lobby. Bringing both of those spaces up to match the remainder of the other common spaces in the building. When you think about what the commons or cafeteria looks like, these spaces would reflect very similar to that. Um just those public spaces to all feel very cohesive. um in the hallways like you see on the right hand side. One of the challenges that we have shared previously um I can't say enough is the building had a very low drop ceiling much like a drop ceiling you have in this space. Um the kids said we need can we like raise the roof a little bit? Well, you can't raise it. There's a second

085floor. Um so if we removed the drop ceiling and exposed some of that more modern kind of look to it, added the color in much like you see that saturation of color in the blue wing. That's all part of the wayfinding in the building. Well, during um the supply chain issues and kind post the wonderful things of 2020. Um while it got painted, it didn't get painted with the accent color because we couldn't get the tent for the paint. So, it left kind of a cream color all the way through from the base color on the walls, the floors, and the ceiling. It all just kind of very neutral feeling, kind of unfinished it feels. It's not, but it does feel that way. we'd like to take the opportunity to go back and finish that

086u make it look um as it was intended to in the beginning um of the project. Additionally, the kids are asking for a school store. This building had a school store um a very robust program actually that space was utilized to um create some restrooms actually in the back of the building um as part of the addition back there in the early phases of the project. We have um an underutilized available space in the front of the building that was formerly the attendance office uh that we could create this space for the students. You kind of see in concept where the the Paul is, the Wildcat Paw in the upper left hand picture um is is the wall of what that would be. It abuts the clinic. And then back behind what was formerly the

087competition gym, now the auxiliary gym, there were all of the locker spaces that would have supported a competition gym space that we could recreate um not recreate, renovate to um house designated storage spaces, always a premium. And I know that sounds can sound a little silly, but when you're looking at a place to get things out of hallways, your mats, your um gym equipment, different PE equipment, things like that, we could create space for that along with creating a receiving area for the building for our custodial team. That enhances safety pieces for the building. So, you would be taking delivery straight into a receiving space versus having somebody making a delivery come into the building. um this part of the building abut right to the parking lot and this we could enhance that um by

088utilizing this space. Also puts more traffic in this back hallway which we always appreciate. Um and then we would also look at some additional curriculum storage spaces back here. Curriculum storage is often always housed in temporary spaces. What's available and where can we put it? This would allow us to really pull it all together and allow um it to have a place where it lives and so that it's not being moved around and it can be best um utilized from a central location. So I said a lot. This is a part where we could talk. Um moving forward like I mentioned um the amended proposed scope to work um of work to align with the building use at Longfellow. What this means is that we would reduce that budget significantly um allowing those dollars to

089go towards uh the HBAC work that we would do both um the FY26 proposed work and and FY27 as well. Um if the board is in support of doing that, that's really what we need to know collectively uh where the board's at. And again, we would be looking to bring some action items to you next month, but just trying to give some guidance on kind of what direction we need to go in preparing those. Just looking for some feedback today. um consolidating the remaining bond funds and the interest that remains um so that we can fund the HBAC projects would allow us to use our permanent improvement dollars that we would typically use for HVAC projects for this proposed final scope itself. I think I should also mention that it's this is not work that

090we would just be moving based off that slide. um we would be meeting with staff and administration at the building and some students. Again, our superintendent advisory group at South has been very vocal about what else they'd like to see in the building. Um it's a great group of kids to get uh feedback from, but I know that's not the only kids in the building to get feedback from. Um but getting their input as we move into the design work, none of that would go fast. Um there's a process around uh any proposed design. The board would be um approving a lot of things along the way, but it would have to start with an RFQ for architect engineering um and design services. So questions um sorry currently how many schools would be um in

091need of HVAC work um that we're looking at? >> Yeah, so FY26 includes seven buildings. Um, some of that work is the Longfellow building and so there would be bond funds already designated for that HBAC work. Uh, but you're also looking at Central, which I know sometimes we think Central being a new building, but it is uh aging on us. Um, it opened in the early 2000s, so it's time to start getting in and doing a lot of that work. Um, but yes, it does include seven buildings in total. >> Um, Go ahead, Jen. Go ahead. Um there are lots of piece in here to comment on and I I want to let other folks go first on some of this, but I will just say as somebody who's had um one child or another

092at Westerville South since 2017, um that area of the building is I think really problematic um you know in that it's sort of an sort of a no person's land, right? It's like it's um an area of the building that I can imagine as adults during the day it's very hard to keep your eyes on. it's kind of separated from classrooms. Um, and I know that storage space, you know, would is really at a premium in that building. So, I just want folks to understand that if you haven't been in that part of South, it sort of feels a little lost right now in terms of the renovations that happened around it. um and was never planned to be part of the original renovations, but I think people who are in the building can really

093see um there are some real needs that that part of the building can meet and they're not high intensity needs. Um so I'm, you know, really supportive of trying to make that happen in order to support programs in the building, but also just I think to make the building more functional and allow adults to keep their eyes on parts of the building that they need to be on during the school day. And that is actually some very fair feedback and a lot of how we decided what we could put back there. So you're talking about a lot more adult presence, just general traffic, um how frequent the custodians are in and out of those spaces um along with your PE teachers, your your curriculum staff even as they're coming in and out and the needs

094of things have just put more eyes back there. We always welcome that. >> Yeah. My question, um, thank you. Uh, cuz when we were discussing Longfellow, you had shared, um, we would potentially be looking at adding more asphalt and doing the parking lot renovations. As someone that's maybe not in the, um, obviously as board members, we're not in the day-to-day work. Um, we, but I wanted to know, could you just educationally take a step back and help us understand or help me understand how you prioritize um, some of these projects, right? Like when I'm thinking about Longfellow, obviously we have a best of both worlds program, but as you just shared, it's not a um we don't get as much traffic compared to some of our other buildings. So why would we prioritize uh something

095that may seem seem simple um you know externally like uh parking lot repair versus maybe reimagining some of the space to give more office more staff like office space because I know that that was another need as well. Um could you just kind of talk to us about how you prioritize those specific projects as we think about feedback and potential recommendations? >> Sure. So um something like paving in general, not just even at Longfellow, um is not just done by one individual. We do bring people in um to assess the condition. You're looking at how like thick it is, how much it's wearing through. Can we patch it and get a little bit more time out of it versus a full replacement? At Longfell, you'd be looking at a patch. Um while it is a

096small parking lot and its use does seem to be limited in comparison to other buildings and you consider how much traffic we have even come through this building. Um we look at how much can we get done with the funds that we have available and that is just kind of the environment that we're in. So we address those that have the most need um first and then we're kind of working down the list. Our goal would be to be able to do all of our parking lots, but it's going to take a um some time to accomplish that if you consider how much square footage of block top that we have throughout this build throughout the district. So, you'll see patching and not a full replacement at Longfellow. Uh we have some safety concerns just

097on the um asphalt side of things where uh we park our buses. Um the lot itself is getting thinner on the asphalt side. So the weight of the buses and like the conditions that it is is causing the tires to cause some pretty big ruts. And when you think about going out there and walking between a bus to get on your bus or not, we need to address that for the safety of our drivers and also the safety of our buses because as they get into those divots, they're they're more likely to um have little rear end bumping happening at the same time of the back of the buses because they back those in. So we start to look at safety. So, it's condition, its safety, um, and its available funds. Those are really what

098it comes down to. It's not collectively one person who makes that decision, though. Um, it is made as a group. >> And in in some cases, we actually look at does it make more sense long-term, right, costwise to replace rather than just patch. Yeah, it definitely um when you continue to make investments every four to five years to patch things versus a full replacement when you can get much longer out of it um you start to look at that that investment piece. Yes. >> Um I wanted to build upon um what Miss Alman said. I I am happy that we're looking at finishing south. Um it does feel kind of disjointed when you're walking through there and I love the new spaces. is they feel really bright and open and welcoming. Um, and I appreciate

099the thoughtfulness around the curriculum storage cuz I imagine like people are trying to store things in every which place and we could lose that curriculum and now we potentially, right? Not that we're trying, but we have it all in one spot now. We can make sure that we're being really efficient with our resources. You mentioned talking and I appreciate you guys. I remember you guys did go back to South and talk to the staff and to students um and that you're going to talk to the student advisory council. I'm curious how would others that if like other students you said we're not just going to ask the student advisory but how would other students be able to provide some of that input um that may be useful in in understanding the broader scope of h

100you know what's happening in the building. I would lean towards my uh academic partner over here, Mr. Cooper, um along with uh Miss Asher, who uh oversees secondary academics as well to tap into the building leadership and figure out how we can get some feedback from kids. Um and how we can really pull it together. So, the other piece will come is that we still will not be able to do every single thing that everybody wants to do. Um we'll we will have to prioritize with the available funds that we would have and make sure that we are are getting the most movement. um that we can with the available dollars that we have. Um so that would be how I would do it. Um Mr. Cooper, you want to share how you would gain

101some of that feedback? >> Yeah, I would just I would just note that um our superintendent's advisory is just one group that meets with us directly. Um the principal has groups within the school um some of our teacher committees as well. Um and that's more of our indirect feedback that we get from them. So that's direct to them and then comes to us. So would certainly be open to the ideas. I think that's where we um do our best is when we can get ideas from everyone to consider and although you can't do all things um being able to consider multiple ideas would definitely help us to get to a good spot with everything. >> Thank you. I do I I appreciate the thoughtfulness. I know a lot has gone into thinking about how we

102can use these additional funds and what's the priority and and finishing south and it's been a long journey and I know there's been a lot of um angx but also a lot of work that's gone into really um addressing those issues. >> Thank you guys. Um I had a couple of questions. So with Longfellow, we said that we didn't need to put an elevator in um because we can house folks on the first floor for like ADA compliance reasons. So we're all good with like the ADA compliance on that building. Like it's not required that we have an elevator there. >> Correct. The building would is grandfathered in from that exception unless we renovate it and add one and then that would change our requirements moving forward. >> And when we were going to put

103it in is because we had the whole building full of kindergarteners, right? So we might have a kindergartener that needed to go but with limited classrooms the students that use the two classrooms those are both on the first floor. >> Yes. >> Currently for best of both worlds. >> Correct. And even when we opened it up to an all day kindergarten program we were limited to all day kindergarten program in the first floor classrooms because the building didn't contain that. Um prior to it u its use was a magnet school and so it had first through fifth grade programming in it. Um, so just imagine trying to figure out what student body could be in what buildings and how challenging that would have been without an elevator. We do have them in Emerson and Hanby.

104Um, so we've been able to renovate those two buildings um, based upon the needs of of having them open for kids. Okay. And then my other question is, so there's a lot less that we need to do at Longfellow now that we're not housing kids in there. Um, how how much like dollar figure- wise are we saving by not having to make all of those different adjustments and improvements at Longfellow that we are then able to I'm assuming we're able to then use those to kind of shift resources to other projects. >> Yeah, it would reduce the budget significantly um down to we're estimating and these are estimates obviously know we have to bid projects. We don't have numbers for fun, but about $372,000 of work that needs to be completed there. >> Um saving

105um or not saving, but reducing the budget by uh $683,000. >> Okay. So about 683 that'll be able to be kind of reallocated. Okay, great. Thank you. And I think you said this this time or last time or maybe both, but just to emphasize the work that we would continue to do, really focusing on that building envelope so that we don't get water damage inside that causes more down the road. So still needing to do that regardless of the use. >> Yeah. And our maintenance team does a phenomenal job of addressing issues as they have come up. So there was even some identified scope in 2018 assessment that our team has already addressed because it needed to be done ahead of the actual project. So that reduced some of the scope as well. It wasn't

106just that we're opting not to do things. They have already addressed things. So, >> great. Thank you. >> If Oh, go ahead. >> Um, with the South project, I know we had kind of talked about you'd mentioned like it's been a little bit lived in for the last few years. So, there's some feedback coming from kids having utilized the space. And then as we're moving forward for the next phase of the project, are we able to make changes to, you know, um, paint that we're using or the type of, um, flooring that we're using? Like if something feels that it's not holding up from the previous work, are we able to then make changes going forward to something that's going to be more durable? >> Um, do you know, I'll be honest, that has not

107landed on our list yet. Um, I think that it would be worth a conversation to understand is that something that one, does this have a warranty? When was it done? Does the flooring has it held up in the manner in which it was supposed to? So, we'd want to look at it that way first. Um, and then I think we'd have some collective conversation about if that's where the best use of the funds would be. I would like to say yes, absolutely. Um, but how can we accomplish the most of what the building needs and does that become a maintenance um replacement versus the use of this funding as a capital project? It's there's a balance in how we assess where things get done. And I know that sounds really strange. Um, but there are

108some things that we have an attic stock. So when you do a project, you get a certain amount of materials. Um, so when you get a tear on a carpet piece, you can replace the carpet square. If you've got flooring that's gone bad in a spot, you can pull those out and put fresh in. Um, is that what we need to do versus doing a full replacement? And I think she was asking more like instead of continuing to use that same product in another area. Is that what you meant? Or >> if we're seeing >> like if we had used a paint color previously or a type of paint that we saw is now seeing a lot of wear and tear over the years, are we able to kind of shift to a new product

109that might have durability pretty easily? Is >> that Yeah, absolutely. As any of us know who painted our homes, you can get the same color with about five different names. Um, and you can get it for six different brands and some of them have different wear and tear and different um, sheen, all kinds of things. And yes, if we are seeing that, that is absolutely adjustments we can make along the way. We do that all the time. It's not unusual. >> And if if we go forward with all this work, for those that are at South that have probably lived through all of these um, renovations, what should they expect in terms of is this happening during the school year? Where are we working during the summer? What does that look like? >> So, um

110the large work space in behind the now auxiliary gym, uh that is not currently a a high flow student area. So, um I would imagine that some of that work could happen during the school year as long as we can secure the spaces. Uh the stuff in the hall, painting the hallways, that's going to occur when kids are not in the building. So you may come back from a break and see that parts of it are done. Um but it would have to be done when kids are not there when it's the least disruptive to the educational environment. That's always our goal first. Um so a lot of this work that we have had discussion around is not is more cosmetic than it is um structural or architectural changes. Um the actual timeline will need

111to be developed as we identify the work itself though. So, we can come back and talk about that when it's time. Um, but we always focus on kids first in that academic environment. >> I think the difference obviously late to the game compared to most of you, but the difference on this phase is it's not a lot of classroom spaces. So, previously we had to move a wing of kids to repurpose a wing into different types of classroom space. So, you know, like the school store and things like that would interrupt being up by the office, but the interior of that space could be worked on while kids aren't around and no kids would be displaced because they're not in there right now. So, I think it lends itself a little bit better to less

112disruption than probably the previous phases because we're not working on classroom space. >> Yeah. And most that school store space isn't not in an academic hallway. >> Yeah. Too. >> Thank you. Um so just to for my own brain to sort of start at the top and go down here um you know I think that the existing use at Longfellow I'm really supportive of amending the proposed scope of work given the light use um I think that actually housing the best of both worlds program there and the related services has been really a great solution for that building. It's very easy building um to sort of get into and out of and um I think I it makes a lot of sense why the work that had been identified previously when the use was going

113to be very different right potentially as all day kindergarten why we would um scale back on that and put those funds elsewhere. So, um I appreciate everybody looking at that as a place where we could save and reallocate some funds. And then, um you know, HBAC, oh, HBAC projects, the cost, the lead time on HVAC right now is really super fun. Um but again, you know, it's work that has to be done. I appreciate that we have um you know, replacement schedules. We try to stick with them. Um, so want to make sure that we continue that because it's really just kicking the can down the road when we don't do our HBAC projects on time. Um, so I am in favor of consolidating those funds and interest in um, you know, using that as

114a funding source for that and then using the PI fund um, for identified work at South just you know obviously we're going to have to fit the final scope to the budget, right? Um so it's a little bit of you know back and forth to make that fit. It won't it won't happen overnight. Um but appreciate that you're taking a lot of input from the people who spend a lot of time in the building and understand um how some of those underutilized spaces can really support the programs there in a better way. So yeah, thanks. I know since you're seeking feedback from all of us, right? Like I'm not going to repeat what my colleague said that I'm in favor of um this proposal going forward. And I appreciate all the work that you guys

115have done, not just recently, but over the past year, year and a half to to get us here. So, thank you. >> Yeah, same. I don't I don't have any additional questions at this time. I think this all makes common sense. Could you just confirm then um I know we had talked about what we're planning to bring next month given this conversation. >> Yeah, I wanted to um that's probably how we'll close up and and wrap up with it. I don't know if um Miss Brown or Miss Lean have any additional >> no objections for me. Um similar to what Miss Alman shared, I am um absolutely in favor of moving forward with the project and I appreciate uh you all getting back to I know I had a question regarding potential refinancing of bonds

116and so I know that that was it was just helpful for me to better understand what that process actually is. Um, but no, I think this sounds all great, but more than anything, it's great to see that because a lot of times I think community members don't understand just how how much we really value feedback from our students and the fact that students over the past few years have been telling us what they want to see and they don't want the building to feel institutionalized and so we're taking um that into consideration is incredibly important. >> Um, I echo basically what all of my colleagues had said about um the use of Longfellow. I think this is a really thoughtful plan and um in terms of having recently walked through South and some of the

117renovations there, I really it does feel like there's just pieces that wouldn't be extravagant but would just give it a more finished polished look and um I think you know I think all of those renovations would really tie everything together for a better student and community experience. So thank you. >> Thank you. Um they even have a slide for that. See um so um moving forward what this will look like. So before the board in April will be the FI26 bid for the HVAC work. Um and then as we move forward with the RFQ, the board will obviously see any approvals um related to any of the work or scope hiring an architect. All of those pieces are heavily involved. So this was just supporting um how we were planning to move forward, but that'll

118all come back. I don't know we've done a ton of those with some of our newer board members. So, could you just quickly hit on what an RFQ is or for the community? >> It's a request for qualifications in which we state what the intent of the project would be. Um so, architects and engineer um engineering design firms can submit their qualifications. Uh we generally bring a group of people together. Again, not a single person makes a decision. um that represent different voices from our not only our community but also our district leadership team uh to look at who is um best to bring to the board for a recommendation to do that work with. Um so we did something very similar in 2024 when we were talking about potentially moving some of that phase

1192 work forward. um in terms of a um construction manager at risk was what we were looking at with at the with for that work and um we had some really great organizations that applied to do it. So we want to make sure they align with how we want to move that work. So that'll all be very involved. >> So that won't necessarily be at the April board meeting, but because we know the board is supportive of using the PI funds, we can start moving forward with getting that request for qualifications together. Right. I think at the earliest that you guys will see that will probably be at about four months from now to be honest with you. It takes time. It has to be posted for so long. It has to go for a

120formal opening. Then we'll review those based upon the information that we post for it. It's it's a process. So the earliest I think you guys will see anything around that would be about four months from now. >> Yeah. And that process is prescribed in law. So we just have to Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. Um, so moving along, we have to May I have a motion to reinstate Robert's rules of order? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Um, Miss Brown. >> Yep. >> Miss Valentine. Yes, >> Brown. >> Yes. Sorry, Mrs. Lean. >> Yes, Mrs. Alman. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Meyer. >> Yes. And next up is uh board comments. Who I'd like to start? >> I guess I can kick us off. Um I just want to um

121as always congratulate all of our retirees. Um it's I feel like every single board me meeting I'm really just in awe of just how many years um people devote to this district. And so I'm very thankful for that. Um I also wanted to just share that I am also um thankful to just be able to go back to buildings and participate in activities like Biztown and Reading Across America. It's always wonderful being able to get into the classrooms as a board member. Um and then before our next board meeting, I definitely want to wish happy holidays to all of our families and students in the district that are observing Ramadan and indeed um next week. Um, I just wanted to also say congratulations to all of the retirees. Obviously, there's a lot of um, very

122dedicated people in this district who have very much loved their careers here, and I really appreciate that. Um, I wanted to say thank you to Mrs. Hamburg and Mrs. Dennis for taking time out of their um, busy schedules to walk me through another handful of schools this week. It's been awesome. We have one more left, so I'm looking forward to that. And um it was great too. I was able to get out to two of the Black History Month performances and um congratulations to all the students who put forth such an amazing effort. It was really beautiful to see and looking forward to getting out to some additional um events in the next few months. >> Um just in addition to those um again I want to reiterate a thanks to our transportation and our

123grounds crews. It has really been a phenomenal uh phenomenal uh week in terms of wind and weather and um just appreciate the extra time they put in and I know that as Superintendent Hamburg said, you know, Friday getting students home from school was interesting. Um so again, just appreciate the care and concern that they always take for our students and getting them to and from school safely. Thanks. I echo all of those things and uh want to say thank you to our educators and our staff who work with the kids every day because I know we're getting they're probably getting squirly. It's almost spring break time. So another another week, not even. It's just this two weeks. Yeah, one more one more week. Another week and a half. Um I'm just pushing it along. Another

124week and a half and uh they'll have a little bit of a break. So, thank you um to all of them who are continuing to move them forward and here's to a good uh Q4. There'll be a lot of really amazing um performances from the high schools and band shows and athletics and I think Westerville North is looking to go back to the championship maybe. Um >> yes. So, a lot of awesome things happening in the district if you can get out to something that sounds like it appeals to you. So, thanks. >> Um, well, I won't repeat all that. Let's just say uh congratulations also to the bands that played in the OMA this past uh weekend. Um, and thanks to Westerville Central for hosting that. It was a really great production. Um, and

125just uh really deep gratitude for I I think every time I get up here, I'm become more and more grateful for this community and the staff and the the just the people that the families, the students. It's just such a amazing district and I'm just really grateful to be here um amongst all of you and I want to wish everybody have a really great spring break. I hope that you have some downtime and enjoy your family. And I hope that we don't have 77 degree weather, then torrential downpours with wind and then snow. I hope it's just sunny. So with that, um may I have a resol or I have a motion to move Oh, yep. Thank you. Uh the board will meet in regular session on Monday, April 6 at 2026 at 6 PM

126at the Early Learning Center, which is here 936 East Wind Drive, Westville, Ohio 43081. And with that, may I have a motion to move into executive session for the purposes of negotiations with employees in the discipline and compensation of public employees? >> So move. Second, >> Mrs. Brown. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lean. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Valentine. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Alman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Meyer. >> Yes. And we're going to go into executive session. Thank you. You're welcome to stay or you could go home. Thank you. >> 7:49. >> It's 8:44. >> Thank you. >> And we're back. And may I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> You ready? >> Mrs. Valentine. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Leian. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Alman. >> Yes. Mrs. Brown. >> Yes.

127>> Mrs. Valent or Mrs. Meer. Sorry. >> Yes. Your turn.