001Good evening everybody. Thank you for being here. Um we will start with agenda item 1.01, the oath of office. And so to start we have Miss Marshall, our treasurer and CFO will begin by swearing in our newly elected board member, Miss Tatiana Brown. And then Miss Lisa Lean will be sworn in by representative Abdul Lahi. Will you raise your hand? Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio and that you will faithfully and impartially ensure your duties as a board member and in school district in Franklin and Delaware County of Ohio to the best of your ability and in accordance with the laws now and hereafter to be enacted during your continuing office Thank you. Representative, thank you so
002much. All right. Say it with me. >> I say your name >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States. Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of Ohio >> and the Constitution of the State of Ohio. >> And that I will faithfully and impartially discharge my duties as board member >> that I will >> faithfully and impartially >> discharge my duties as board member >> board member >> in and for the said Westville City School District for the Westville City School District, >> Franklin, Delaware counties >> and Delaware County, >> Ohio. to the best of my ability. >> to the best of my ability. >> And in accordance with the laws now in effect. >> And in accordance with the laws
003now in effect. >> And hereafter to be enacted. >> And here after >> during my continuence in said office. >> To my continuence in said office. >> And until my successor is chosen and qualified. >> And until my successor is chosen and qualified. >> Mrs. Marshall will now swear in our reelected board member, Mrs. Christy. Mrs. Myers, Miss, please. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio and that you will faithfully impartially discharge your duties as board members in and for the said Western City School District in Franklin and Delaware counties if Ohio to the best of your ability and in accordance with the laws now in effect and hereafter be enacted during the continuence in set office and
004until a successor is chosen Congratulations. >> Thank you so much to Mrs. Meyer and Mrs. Lee for your continued service to our school. Thank you so much and thank you Mrs. Brown for your commitment to and we will now continue with the meeting. So, thank you for attending tonight's meeting of the Westerville City Schools Board of Education. The agenda will be displayed on the screens in the front of the room. There also hard copies in the back of the room. And you may also follow along by connecting to the district's website at www.wcsoh.org. There will be one opportunity to address the board this evening during agenda item 7.01. There's a signup sheet located on the table in the back of the room. Each speaker will have three minutes to address the board. And with that,
005agenda item 2.01. Mrs. Marshall, please call the vote. >> Mrs. Alman >> here, >> Mr. Brown, Mrs. Brown, I'm sorry. >> Here, Mrs. Meer >> here. M >> here. >> Thank you. And moving on to agenda item 3.01. Please stand with us for 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. Okay. And moving on to agenda item 4.01. We will now open the nominations from the board members for the office of president of the board of education for calendar year 2026. Are there any nominations? Yes. Yes. I'd like to nominate Christine Meyer or other terms. >> Thank you. Are there any other nominations from the board members? Okay, hearing no
006other nominations. So for agenda item 4.02, may I have a motion and a second to close nominations for the office of president of the board of education for 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. Great. Miss Marshall, please call the role to close the nominations for office of president. Mrs. Lean. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Valentine. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brown. Yes. Mrs. Meyer. >> Yes. Mrs. Meyer. Mrs. Saltman. >> Yes. >> Great. So, the nominations are now closed. So, agenda item 4.03. We will now hold the election to consider Mrs. Christy Meyer for the Office of President for the Board of Education for calendar year 2026. Mrs. Marshall, please take the vote 10. And the question is um shall be present for calendar 2026. Mrs. Sman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Brown, >> yes. >> Mrs. Le,
007>> yes. >> Mrs. Valentine, >> yes. >> Mrs. Meer, >> yes. >> Congratulations. You're a little taller than All right. Well, thank you so much. Really looking forward to working with everybody. Thank you. Right. Next up, we have the nomination for the office of vice president um agenda 4.0. So, we will now open the nominations from the board members for the office of vice president of the board of election for calendar year 2026. And I would like to nominate Miss Jennifer Alman. Um she is a big a big picture analytical strategic thinker and planner has been intimately involved for 16 years with the schools starting with being a mom PTA member um running the 2019 successful levy campaign. Uh ran for board and that's hers. Thank you for the past six years. um put together
008our yes for Westville levy campaign uh committee and served in leadership and then talked to countless voters about the levy and the school funding. So I'd like to nominate Miss Alman and then um are there any other nominations for vice president? Um, may I have a motion and a second to close the nominations for the office of vice president of the board of election 2026? >> So move. >> Second. >> Miss Marshall, please call the role to close nominations for the office of vice president. >> Thank you. So the question is, shall Jennifer Alman be the vice president for calendar year 2026? I'm sorry. The question is the closing nominations. >> Mrs. Valentine, >> yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Miss Sman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brown. >> Yes. Mrs. >> Yes. And um Miss
009Marshall, please call the role to Oh, and now we will hold the election to consider Miss Jennifer Alman for vice president for the board of education for calendar year 2026. Miss Marshall, please seek for the final question as John vice president for calendar year 2026. >> Mrs. Brown, >> yes. >> Mrs. Man, >> yes. Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Valentine, >> yes. Congratulations, Mrs. Alman. And I before we move on, I'd like to take a moment and thank my colleague, Miss Leon, for her um hands-on leadership over the past year with VP. And she helped educate families about our schools and school funding. um advocated down at the state house for our school funding, built really good rapport with the African and Latino communities, um made a very generous donation from her campaign to the
010guest for Westerville and educated a lot of voters about the levy. I know that she'll continue to be very family and student focused and I look forward to um working with her and also seeing her in future leadership roles. Thank you for your service. And if my if I may also add, I just want to congratulate my colleague uh Miss Alman as well for um serving um and being elected to serve as vice president. I think this past year has really been an incredible win one from the moment I was appointed. I really think that just kind of looking back um for many it was making history as the first black Somali Muslim woman to serve on the board. And I think representation absolutely matters. And I think that even this summer I really ran
011a campaign on ensuring that our kids um felt a sense of belonging and that we advocated for college that really kept our students safe. And I think right now I'd be remiss to not acknowledge that this is a very fearful time in this community. And as long as I am on this board, I sorry I don't want to get emotional. As long as I'm on this board, every child and family in this district will know that they have someone advocating for them. Even when it's really challenging and scary. So, while I may not have a title because it's not about titles, it's about ensuring that we have proximity to the community, I'm proud to serve on this board with these incredible women who truly care about the well-being of all of our children. And um
012the work continues and I will continue to be a very strong leader for every child in our community regardless of whether or not they feel that they belong um in this country. They are not garbage. They matter to all of us and especially to me. With that said, congratulations to Great. Well, very emotional night. Thank you all for singing with us. Uh, we are going to move on to number five on in the agenda, our district highlights and recognitions. Um, and may I have a motion to approve the resolution of combination for Mr. Michael Hayyatt, Westville City Council. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Would you please take the vote, Miss Marshall? >> Mrs. Mr. Brown, >> yes. >> Mrs. Oh. Oh, did I just Oh, I didn't turn off my tune. Um, I have
013the pleasure of uh reading a recognition tonight from Mr. Michael Hayek. Um, so good evening. I have a few comments to share about the career of Michael Hayek who dedicated 40 years of service to the city of Westerville including 32 years as board of trustee. Mike has been a strong partner of Westerville City Schools over the years in providing strong leadership in business and economic development, helping create partnerships that prepared our students for the workforce and connected staff with local employers. Mike played a key role in overseeing the Westville mobility plan which focused on making routes to school safer for students through improved walking and cycling networks. Mike served on the Westville workwise collective strengthening collaboration between the city, local businesses, and our district. In the final years of his career, he was a public
014advocate for our local school levies, emphasizing the significant economic impact of strong public schools on the Westerville community. On behalf of the board of education, our superintendent, our treasurer, I want to express our deepest appreciation for Mike's outstanding leadership. Thank you for the role you played in helping to create and maintain excellence in educational opportunities for all children in the Westerville community. I'm sure I benefited as well. Um, we are grateful for your service and your commitment to our city and our district. want to thank the the board and the administration for uh the uh the accolades. Um, it is my heart uh that I've given to Westerville and to the schools. And I was writing finished writing or finished proofing my book which goes to charity. So, it's not an advertisement here, but it
015talks about an eighth grade teacher. I think everyone in this room has a teacher or teachers that inspired them to do something. This eighth grade teacher inspired me to be an engineer and my mother inspired me to public service. Teachers are the front line of our children. They are heroes just like our first responders. And I supported the levy because it's all about children. We have to support all the children. Thank you. Next, I would like to call up Miss Bethany to the podium toward the we are the bill sponsorship awards sportsmanship award. Sorry. >> Good evening. Thank you for having me tonight. I'm excited to introduce the fall season award winners for the We Are the Bill Sportsmanship Award. This award honors and celebrates qualities that reach far beyond athletic competition, sportsmanship, community, and
016a positive attitude. While achievement in athletics matters, this recognition reminds us that true character is revealed in how individuals treat others, uplift their teammates, and contribute to the greater community. Each season, the award recognizes one middle school student and one high school student whose integrity, respect, kindness, and leadership set them apart. Students are nominated by their coaches and thoughtfully reviewed by a panel of school and community leaders, dedicated to recognizing those who best embody the values of our district. Along with receiving a plaque, the recipients names will be added to the traveling trophy, which will be displayed proudly within their respective schools. We are especially grateful to the West Education Foundation for their generous grant which makes this recognition possible. Would Principal Harris, Assistant Principal Tomba, and Cole Jones, please join me up here. In
017this nomination, Coach Spade described Cole as an extension of the coaching staff on the field. Cole ensures his teammates are properly lined up and understand their assignments. His work ethic in both the classroom and on the field consistently exceeds expectations. Coach Spade also shared an example from a challenging game in which Cole executed a physical block, then immediately helped his opponent up, demonstrating respect and sportsmanship. Rather than engaging in negative behavior, Cole always allows his performance to speak for itself and shows respect for his opponents, win or lose. Congratulations, Cole. There's also a traveling trophy that's going to be displayed at Blendon on behalf of Cole Sportsmanship this past season. So, congratulations goes to Blendon. Do you guys want to give up and get the award? Next up, if we could have coach Johnny Jackson,
018uh, coach Sarah Horton, and principal Kurt Yansy, and Lydia Carter join me. In Coach Jackson's nomination, Lydia is recognized for her exceptional resilience, commitment, and selflessness. Despite facing significant personal challenges, she remained dedicated to her team and continued to show up with a positive attitude. Even when an injury prevented her from competing, Lydia stayed actively involved, attending practices and meets, supporting her teammates and contributing to the team in every way she could. Her presence, perseverance, and encouragement uplift uplifted those around her, and she exemplifies what it means to be a supportive teammate and role model. Lydia's strength and character have made a lasting impression on her coaches and peers, and she is an inspiration to our entire school community. Congratulations. This traveling trophy is going to be displayed at North on behalf of Lydia Sportsmanship
019this past season. So, congratulations goes out to North. Thank you. VERY long time. All right, we'll just give him a minute. >> Okay. Um, next up we have six. Number six on our agenda reports on 6.01 is the superintendent comments. Miss I was trying to log into our computer so I was a little too fast. Sorry with my computer asleep. >> Yes. Um, I wanted to start uh this evening by congratulating our newest member to the school board and to our um returning members. I am really excited to work with all of you and thank you for your leadership for our community. Um, and congratulations to Mrs. Meyer and Mrs. Bman on your your new positions as well and board leadership. Um, I have a couple of quick announcements that I wanted to share. um
020wanted to make sure the community is aware and we will be messing me messaging this uh extensively but I know it's going to be probably creating a little bit of confusion um but we do have a new date due to legislation on kindergarten registration. So previously the law said that you had to pick a date of either September 30th or August 1st um in order to start kindergarten. We had been September 30th for a long time with school starting earlier and seeing lots of kiddos that were four years old, the first month of school, month and a half of school. Um we just moved that date last year to August 1st and so we had new signings made that all say August 1st and the new law says it's the first day of classes. So
021for us that would be August 18th this year. So we we do have about 17 days worth of um little ones who would not have previously been eligible. uh for kindergarten who now are. So, we'll be messaging that, but just wanted to make sure the board was aware in the community as well. Um but that's a change that will be coming and believe it or not, we are just getting right in the thick of kindergarten registration and all things planning for next year. Um usually once we switch to the new calendar year, we kind of kick off all of the scheduling. Our high school and middle school kids are uh starting that scheduling process with their counselors. We're picking up classes. We're we're thinking about rolling our little ones in kindergarten. So, we're kind of
022in that mode. Just wanted to share that. Lots more to come, but that is a change from last year. And because we just changed it, we'll probably create some some confusion. You have a question on that. >> Okay. Sorry, I had a quick question. >> Yeah. If let's say a kid's uh birthday is August 2nd, >> are they able to opt to withhold until next year if they were thinking they were already thinking like, "Oh, it's past August 1st." A lot of people do that. Um um a lot of kids will start when they're six anyway. And typically, you know, we'll try to advise parents. Obviously, that's a parental decision, but if kid like one of my children, I I waited because he had some behavior challenges when he was five. >> Um, so that's
023not uncommon at all. >> Okay. I just want to make sure that the law didn't say they had to. >> No, that's a great question though. So, they cannot to enroll prior to so if they have a birthday that would be after August 18th, they could go through um gifted testing and they would have to meet the standard for and that's by law. they would have to meet that standard um to be able to be admitted. So, we do have some people every year that typically want to do that. Um it's pretty difficult to be honest to um because you have to be at a gifted standard to start early. The confusing part on this one is will be that it'll be a different day each year. So, that'll be a little just, you know,
024logistically a little more challenging for us, but certainly understand the intent. just anticipating some confusion there. Um the other one that I wanted to tell you is um we've had a lot of discussion on our team. So I just want to introduce the um idea. We I've talked to board members about it. Um you know, one of the things where we're really continuing to see a big disconnect with our community is really trying to reach our um empty neester community. uh those folks that no longer have kids in school. They're not getting parent communication. Um and then of course the other end of that would be our our folks who maybe kids aren't old enough to be in school yet. So I think we we do a great job communicating out with our parents. Um
025we try to put a lot out on social media, but we're missing people who aren't maybe following us on social media. So looking at a different way of communicating, especially with our older population. Um, we've been talking about wanting to get a newspaper out. So, um, working with Nicole on shifting some money around to be able to pay for that. We want to try um we've met with a vendor and want to try an addition of that to kind of see what our response is, but I think it would be a really good opportunity to share um not just the news and announcements that we put out every week, but also just to be able to give a little more accountability to our community on how we are spending the tax dollars, what we are
026doing to be fiscally responsible. Lots of times we don't have a value for getting that out since there's not a local newspaper anymore. And so people just sometimes assume maybe things aren't happening because we aren't able to get that message out. So we think this would be a really good way to do a direct mailing out to everyone and be able to share not only the great things happening but also just what some of the challenges are and how we're addressing those in the district. Nicole, do you have any addition there or advertisement? >> Yes, thank you. So we are looking um and I talked to some different folks in the community about this as well. I think there'll be a lot of interest because I know um for our business community there are a
027lot of opportunities to advertise in print and so we do want to we'll work with a company will handle that part for us. It was important to us because we are down in person in that department. We don't want to add staffing to be able to do this and so um they would manage that piece of it as well but there'd be an opportunity for some advertising revenue as well as an opportunity for a community to to be able to advertise. So excited about that project. Millie and her team are heading that up and then um our cabinet will be working with them on on what messages we want to make sure we get across in that opportunity. So, more to come. Just want to kind of introduce that. >> Um how frequently are you
028guys anticipating that that will potentially go out? >> I would love to eventually get it to monthly. Um we're going to start with Well, we're going to start with the first one and just see because we're not um we're very uncertain on the revenue piece of the ads and then we can kind of budget. But um at a minimum I'd like to do quarterly and maybe work toward a little more frequently. But we're looking at trying to get one out this spring and then we'd like to do a recap one after graduation to kind of recap table year and then one at the start of the school year. >> That makes sense. >> Trying to get on that cadence where they're natural breaks. >> Thank you. >> No questions. I just think that that's a
029really great thing to do especially as a community member with a young one that's too small to be in school. I think it'll that'll be important to help kind of fill that communication gap. So, thank you. >> Absolutely. And we've heard that from when we were out talking about the ballot issue, we heard from so many community members that, you know, and it's always, not always, but often the people again that are not parents getting our communication that way. Um, with the departure of local community newspapers, that's definitely been a big gap. So, excited to some opportunities there. Will it just go to all voters in Delaware County? >> Not just voters, but all residents. So, we'll do direct. It's a lot cheaper to do direct mailing. So, when you do that, and and this
030is what we've used on other publications we put out. Sometimes, you know, you try to fine-tune the routes, but sometimes you might end up um there might be a route that 85% of it's our school district and 15%'s not. So it's actually cheaper to send it to those 15% of people than it would be to do a direct address on every one of those. So there's a little bit of that piece to it and then you can kind of finesse that over time if people, you know, as we look at routes if we're missing people or whatever. But yeah, I would go to everybody that lives within our school districts. And just a question about obviously, you know, we don't know who lives in every house and what their language needs might be, but as
031far as translation. >> Yes. So, >> Yep. So, I think it would be I I don't know that we do the direct mailing of it, but we talked about having right on the front page QR codes that would be a link to languages and we're actually exploring um as our software license is expiring, we're exploring a service um that has a lot more languages and is not as um restrictive. So the one that we use right now is limited to 200 characters and so some of the translation we can do certain languages but we're not getting always getting all of them. So we've been exploring some different um vendors that we think will better meet those needs. So that would be a piece that we could tie in those translations through hopefully QR codes and
032links embedded in the newsletter. Okay, great. Thank you. So you I'm sorry if I missed you said this, but if somebody heard you talking about this and heard, "Oh, I could possibly place an ad." How would they go about >> It's coming soon. >> Melanie and her team will be managing that. So we will definitely certainly if anybody is super excited, wants to get ahead of that opportunity, I'd say they can reach out to Melanie Amato um our executive director of communications. Her information is on the website, but we will be putting out information in our news announcements and other different ways that we can get that word out there on our website. >> Okay, great. >> Yes. Trying to um get that information on food chambers. >> Okay, more to come. Just wanted to
033kind of let you know we're looking at um at the next board meeting. Um, we may be adjusting the preparations a little bit to cover that cost. That'll be coming next week or two weeks from now. Okay, that's all I have this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any questions or Okay. Um, moving along to seven public comments. Um, and we have one public comment tonight. Okay, just as a reminder, the board of education welcomes public comment on educational issues of interest to our school community. The board does not discriminate based on the identity or viewpoint of the speaker during our public participation. However, the board president may limit comments that are obscene, abuse, abusive, or harassing. In an attempt to protect the privacy interests of our students, the board asks that speakers not identify
034students by name during their comments, persons having public complaints about district personnel, programming, or operations will be referred to the process set forth in board policy 9130. And finally, the board reminds speakers that state their statement should be directed to the board as a whole and not to individual board members. Each speaker will have three minutes to address the board. A timer will be shown on the screen and Miss Dennis will call time when 3 minutes have elapsed. And our first and only speaker tonight and I'm going to apologize but I I'm hopeful I'm saying this right. Surak Bishar. Did I was I close? >> I heard. >> Could you please just say for us then? >> No, it's completely fine. Everyone gets it wrong the first 10 times. It takes a little while. Um,
035but congratulations um to everybody. Um, my name is Sam Basher. I am a Westerville resident and my children attend Westerville City Schools up. So, we're excited as Ana continues her presence in the Westerville School Board. Um, her presence has been essential for my own personal experiences navigating the challenges during my son's first grade experience. Ana has guided me. Ana has been a trusted source of guidance and support. She's not just simply someone behind a desk. She is truly boots on the ground, present, engaged, and deeply invested in the community, in children, and our family. Beyond her professional experience, her background, Anisa's lived experience broadens the voice's perspective and helps identify blind spots and policies and practices that we might otherwise go unseen. Her voice brings essential insight, representation, and accountability that strengthens the decision-making for
036our entire community. Her leadership has given my children and me a sense of visibility and belonging. She has affirmed our contributions and our rightful place within this rest of community. As Lisa continues advocating for and supporting Westerville families who are excited and grateful for her leadership and what she brings to the future is helping us to build a better Westerville. That's all I HAVE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. UM, moving along to board meeting minutes 8.01. May I have a motion to approve the minutes of the regular board of education meeting held on Monday, December 15th, 2025? >> So moved. >> Second. Any questions or comments? M. Will you take the vote, please? Mr. Salman, >> yes. Mer, >> yes. >> All right. Moving along to 9.01 and our financials alternative tax budget. I know. May
037I have a motion to approve the alternative tax budget? Second, >> Miss Marshall, will you talk to us about this please? >> Thank you, President. It is as exciting as it sounds for that. Um, so this is a formality that annually advice requires um taxi to complete an annual tax budget. Um, it runs on a calendar year as taxes run on a calendar year. As you know, the district's um fight against the drama on the fiscal year July 1 through June 30th and um under Ohio law uh so we have a county budget commission um our most populous county and Franklin County. So our budget commission is made up of elected officials with Franklin County, the auditor, treasurer, county prosecutor. Um the county budget commission had in Franklin County as many other counties we have
03888 counties in the state many of them wave the tax budget requirement and which allows for an alternative tax budget where they essentially get the same information. They just don't go through the formal hearing process and all of that. And so what this is is this is us sharing information with the county budget commission um about our tax levies to ensure that we continue receiving our voted tax levies that were approved by our community voters um historically um and continue receiving those. There has been a lot of conversation um at the state house among lawmakers about um the county budget commission, how they work and what all they do. There was recently some legislation that was passed that gave some additional authority to county budget commissions um to basically override what the locally voters what
039voters have approached at the local level. And so, um, I think what we'll see in the future is the more formal process for the tax budget. This is not really required to be board approved, but I wanted to bring it to the board so that you all had this in front of you. I typically send this to you um, every year. We just bring it to like in a formal approval sort of thing. So, I wanted to make sure that you have this, you have it on your radar and that people are paying attention. Um what we provide is for all of our tax funds um the prior fiscal year actual numbers. So that's fiscal year 2025 the current fiscal year estimates. So we're in fiscal year 2026 and those are numbers from our 5-year
040forecast that was adopted back by the board in October. Um I've also figured in the estimated um collections on the income tax income tax levy that was just passed. So I've included that in the general fund estimate. So everything else is from the forecast plus those estimates. So we didn't have that in October because that had not yet been included in the forecast in October. Um and then it also includes the budgeted for half of fiscal year for fiscal year 2027. So it's July 1 through December 30th, 2026. And then the second half of fiscal year 2027 budgeted uh January 1 through June 30, 2027 and then the beginning of the next fiscal year estimate the half um July 1 through June 30 2027 estimate. So we do that for the general fund which is
041our general operating fund. also our permanent improvement fund. Um because we have permanent improvement levies that go to pay for things for facilities, we buy our school buses, food permanent improvement fund, those sorts of things, some technology. Um and then also our debt service fund, our bond retirement fund, and that's what we use to pay down the debt that we've issued that's been approved by voters to pay for various facilities things over the years. And so along with uh these estimates, we'll also um share with the county budget commission an actual copy of the budget forecast that was adopted by the board back in October along with the assumptions um as well as an updated debt schedule for what debt we have outstanding so that they have a record of that as well. So um
042that's what that is and this just ensures that we continue to collect the voted levels that voters have approved going forward so that we continue to provide all the great things for providing access. >> Um Miss Michelle I have a question. I know that we're doing this so that we are showing that we do need these funds. Um, will, and I don't know that you know the answer to this question, but I just thought of it. Submitting this in our 5-year forecast in the future, will that be enough to say to the this board that these are the funds that we absolutely need? >> Um, I don't know. I It's We have 88 counties in Ohio and I think it's being done about 88 different ways currently. Um, and I think it's going to continue
043to be done in many different ways going forward. Um, it depends on the county budget commission who serves on those boards in those positions and um, their feelings on the matter. I think overall so I mean we'll continue to provide all the information. And I think what we'll see in the future, I in my in previous districts, I've actually had to go down and present to the county budget commission. Um the superintendent or president come with me and we had a formal presentation and um all of that. So it it just depends on the county. The change in the law gives them authority to reduce voted levies. Um, and so they had, depending on who you ask, they didn't have that authority previously. Uh, but there were some counties that were going ahead and doing
044that anyways. And so, um, I think some of our lawmakers that pushed that legislation through wanted to make it clear that they wanted the budget commission to have that authority. I want to make it clear, I had issue with that legislation, which I've shared with all of our local representatives and um state and state senators as well as um state leadership that you know, our uh school district spans Franklin and Delaware counties and the budget commission is making decisions about resources available to our school district that also encompasses Delaware County residents. um the people living in Delaware County do not have representation on that budget commission. They're not on their ballot. They don't get to vote for them. They have no say about that. So, I I believe that that's just not fair um or
045civically responsible. So, um and I've shared that with anybody, but it's in law now and that's where we are. So, we'll continue thoughtfully planning as we do um and you know sharing information as we can and you know our goal is always to educate you to make sure that everybody else understands how the world works in public schools and it >> thank you. Any other questions or comments? Okay. Would you please take the vote? >> Mrs. Alman, >> yes. Mrs. Valentine, >> yes. Mrs. Brown. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Leman. >> Yes. Mrs. Martin. >> Yes. And may I have a motion to approve the resolution to participate in state and federal funded programs for calendar year 2026? >> So moved. >> Second. >> And you talk to us about this, Miss Marsh. >> Oh, the
046motion. Thank you. Uh so this is um just part of the organizational meeting. We uh do this every year. It just lists the state and federal funded programs that we participate in. There may be others um that come out during the year. Uh these are all what we would call entitlement grants that come from either the state or the federal government. The 400 funds are the state government and the 500 funds are the federal government. And these are allotted to us based on um student demographics and the makeup of our student body. Uh I will mention the auxiliary services fund that 401 that is actually um money that flows through us to support uh private school um students and there is an administrative association that we provide nursing and related services and different things with
047that and that's been around for a very long time that is separate from the choice and all of those things um that the private schools So, just a note about that. >> Any questions or comments? >> That's not necessarily a question, but just for folks that may be tuning in that are maybe wondering with all the changes to federal programs. As a reminder, our district, we have dedicated staff that are monitoring and managing these grants. >> Yes. Um, we do and we do um constantly monitoring that. And um I do look for there to be changes to some of especially some of the federal grants in the future. Uh but right now this is what we have and I know there's already some appropriations that have been made for that um this year. So we'll
048see. >> And um these federal funds that have been listed here, I know uh we were talking a little bit about Iowa getting a block grant. the feds move to providing a block grant to the state of Iowa. Were these those funds that were >> some of them were? Yeah. >> And so this is kind of the trajectory that we're on. Um the federal government has started to talk about wanting to send all of our federal funding to the state for these programs and the state would then disperse them to how they feel fit. um which we have seen really means more funding for private education and and less for the things that are really important to us here in the public education. So, it's going to be really important for our community to pay
049attention to this. I know there's so much going on, but um we we'll definitely need some support uh from our congressional members to continue to send these funds directly to school districts. I don't see no other comments or questions. She's placing the vote. >> Mrs. Valentine. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. Mrs. Brown. >> Yes. Mrs. >> Yes. And may I have a motion to approve the resolution to approve requests from Treasurer RCS RCFO? >> So moved. Second. And Miss Marshall, will you just tell us about this? >> This is a whole list of items. Um, so this allows number one allows us to make purchases necessary um as necessary for services and materials and to pay bills, salaries when due um within the limits of the annual appropriations. So the board approves the annual
050appropriations measure and so we pay bills and salaries and all those things within those annual appropriations. Um to transfer sale and outdated checks to the general fund. Um to execute all contracts within the normal course of business within the appropriated amounts. Again we use that appropriations measure as that guide. Anything outside of that would have to come back to the board. and then um advance funds from the general fund to other funds as needed to meet obligations and report these advances support at the next regular meeting. So we have a lot of reversal grants who might have to transfer um and come back and then to continue um investing um interim and inactive funds at most productive interest rate if they become available. And there is very specific state law in how we can invest
051our funds. And so we follow that to sign all payroll checks, all general account checks, purchase orders, and all contracts with original mechanical or faximile signature of the treasur CFO. Um it's interesting that there's actually very specific device code that says we can't rehearse financial documents. So that's what we're specific about. and then uh request amended certificates and of estimated resources from the Franklin and Delaware County auditors as needed. So that's us certifying our funds that are available to them and then them sending us certificates back saying that we're within our um that they don't exceed our appropriations and then um request and execute on behalf of the board of education called tax funds. Then people begin paying their tax bills in January and then in July and then we receive settlements in March and
052August depending on timing. Um and so this allows us to get advances on those taxes that have already been received by the county auditors. And then tax abatement notification. We'll send notification to the Ohio tax commissioner to let them know that we want to be notified of any applications for exemption from taxation for any property located within the school district. And then um probably the most uh the one that gives us a lot of sufficiency at board meetings is dispense with the reading of amendments um because the board receives those in advance um within 48 hours in advance of the meeting. So we don't appreciate >> any questions. Okay. Will you take the vote, please? >> Mrs. Le, >> yes. >> Mrs. Alman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Brown, >> Yes. In 9.04, may I have
053a motion to approve a resolution to establish a service fund in accordance with Ohio Glass Code 3315.15 for the board of education's participation and membership in service activities in accordance with the law. >> So moved. Second >> and Miss Marshall, will you talk to us about these? >> Yes. This is also an annual do as part of the organizational meeting. So there's very specific statute about board service funds. This allows you all to um be productive board members uh attend things like um OSBA events. Uh we are a member of the Western Chamber of Commerce. Um the Ohio Education Policy Institute. Uh we also participate in OSBA's legal assistance fund which um helps us keep from calling our that you know it's not cheap. Um so this is a profit we do and I think
054um this also allows the board to attend that. >> Thank you. Any questions? Okay, receive the vote, please. >> Mrs. Val, >> yes. >> Mrs. Le, >> yes. Mrs. Alton, >> yes. >> Mrs. Brown, >> yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. And moving on to 9.05, may I have a motion to approve a delegate and an alternative delegate to the 2026 annual Ohio School Boards Association business meeting? >> Second. >> Yeah. in your motion preferably. >> Okay. May I have a motion to appoint Miss Brown and who will be our alternate? >> Okay. >> And Miss Lean. Thank you. >> Oh, no. >> To the 2026 annual high school boards association business meeting. >> So, second. >> Thank you. Thank you for vote. Yeah, >> Mrs. Alman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Valentine. >> Yes. >> Mrs.
055Brown. >> Yes. Mrs. Le. >> Yes. And thank you again. Um, is it okay if I take personal consent as one? >> Great. May I have a motion to approve um the personal consent agenda 10.01 through 10.07? So, move. Great. Welcome, Mr. Ree. >> Thank you and good evening. I'd like to present to you for your consideration tonight's relatively brief personnel consent agenda along with other regular action items in tonight's agenda. There are a number of things to be noted. Resignations. We have three classified and no licensed resignation for the boards to consider this evening. We have two amended classified time frame extensions to previously approved leave of absences to approve this evening. We have eight classified contact contract status changes accounting mainly for work schedule adjustments. Um of note we have a licensed change
056of assignment. We are recommending that the board approve the change of assignment from Monova Park Middle School assistant principal Aaron Cruz to principal while principal Dr. Garrett Carter is out on paternity leave. Over the month of December, Dr. Carter and his wife celebrated um a beautiful and healthy young daughter. To reflect the change in responsibility and consistent with what was approved in the past, we are asking the board to approve Mrs. Cruz to be compensated an additional $100 per day through February 27th. For the remainder of the second semester, teacher Taylor Lewis will transition to be a dean of students. When Dr. Carter returns from paternity leave, anticipated on March 2nd, Mr. Lewis will remain a dean of students to provide support for Manurva Park, who at this time is without a school resource officer.
057The dean of students position is temporary only due to Manurva Park situation and will end at the conclusion of this school year. Mrs. is Carrie Dennis and her team are working to fill the SRO position at Monurva Park and we worked uh very diligently with WA leadership to provide uh the support for that Mr. Lewis is providing employment. We are happy and recommending the hire of nine new classified employees and we are also welcoming one new school nurse for Hawthorne and Whittier elementary schools and retirements. We actually only have one retirement classified retirement to approve this evening. That's Mrs. Barbara Coffins who will be retiring as a student information system support technician at the academic enrichment center. A lot of words to say that Miss Cox did an outstanding job overseeing power school for our
058parents, for our staff, for our students. So that is an enormous position uh for us to fill and we are um in the process of doing that now. and Berlin has served Western City Schools for 18 years. As the lone retiree, Mrs. Cochman's service of 18 years takes us back to the year she began in 2008 when Barack Obama became America's first African-American president. Donica Patrick became the first woman to win an Indie car race. The Beijing Olympics occurred, which saw 43 world records broken. People magazine paid as much as $14 million for the rights to publish the photos of Angelina Jolie and Miranda Pink's newborn twins. Now, I submitted my baby photos, but I have not yet heard back from them. And in 2008, Fresherville's history was highlighted by its centennial celebration, marking 100
059years since the Antis Saloon League moved its headquarters here and made Westfield the dry capital of America. And we celebrated by raising a toast. I'll answer any questions you may have. >> Any questions? >> Just a congratulations to Dr. Carter and thank you to Mrs. Chris and Mr. Lewis for stepping up. That's great. >> Yes. And is it okay if we take >> Okay. May I have a motion to approve uh old business 11.01 through 11.13? >> So move. >> Second. >> And um I just have one question. Have we heard anything about any of these from anybody? We have not heard any feedback from our community uh along any of these policies, but I do want to make note uh specifically around policy 52, which are the attendance changes um mandated to us by
060legislative changes coming from the state house. We do have information that's going out this week to our families. Um we are vetting them through our EL department to make sure it's easily translatable. Um and we will get those out the policies changed um so that parents can kind of see in a simplistic and summary way what are the changes they can expect to see with regarding to their child's attendance and what impact that that would have on them and actually when they log into P school that the view of it when they look at their child's attendance is a little bit different as they moved into the hours for that. So we have a letter going out to our families this week to to explain that particular policy change. >> Great. Thank you. Any questions?
061>> I do have a question um regarding the notification of parents um once they get a certain uh attendance point. Will we it said um in the notes that it would be a letter sent to them? Will we consider any other form of communication? Will it just be the one letter that they receive? >> That that particularly is not new. We have been doing that probably for more than a decade. And I will ask my um Cheryl and with a nod um the attendance letters that automatically go home, are they hard letters? Are they emails? Are they either the or >> it's been both? >> Been both. >> I think so, but I wanted to make sure. So, but we that's not new. We've been doing that for a long time now. >> And that's
062just kind of those triggers that are legislatively required. But then if we get into situations where there are extenduating circumstances or bigger issues, then there's more of a process that kicks in. Um, conversations, meetings, phone calls. This is just kind of the and the triggers the the threshold's pretty low for it now. So, a lot of people will get it. And there's no distinction between a child that is legitimately sick and a kid that is just druin. So we are required to send that um based on the number of hours and there's no distinction between excused absences or unexcused absences. So that's that's a challenge sometimes for people as well because um you know we have situations where kids are legitimately sick. They've been to doctors, they have doctor's notes and it doesn't really change
063that that threshold or the trigger for that letter. >> Thank you for that reminder. All right. Vote. >> Yes. >> Brown. >> Yes. >> And um 12 new business. We have none. So we're moving along to 13 recommended actions to business and 13.01. May I have a motion to approve the resolution to establish the 2026 board of education meeting calendar? >> So much talk to us about this. Yes. So again, we're doing the organizational meeting. So each organizational meeting the board establishes a calendar for the year. So these are this is a schedule of all of the board's regular meetings. Anything outside this would need to be called as a special meeting of an emergency meeting. um provision under statute should an emergency arise. Uh so but this is the established calendar. We did um
064we have adjusted this slightly. Uh typically board meetings are scheduled for um two meetings a month um the second and fourth Mondays. uh and we that was the case except for March, July, November and December. Uh we did not have two meetings in March due to spring break, July due to summer vacations and November due to capital conference and December due to winter break. Uh this calendar is added the following months. So only have one regular meeting February, April plus we have the gym awards in there which is an official school board meeting. May, August, September, and October. Um, and we do have a second one for this month, January 26. We also have the uh joint meeting with the city um West City on I think the 22nd. Yeah. So, >> I think um
065one question we just wanted to confirm, there was some dialogue around the July 9th. So, just a reminder, we're typically on Mondays, the July 9th meeting is on a Thursday and and most the board knows this, but for everybody else's benefit, um, with the state of Ohio, um, certified licensed employees need to be hired prior to July 10th or basically after July 10th, can't get out of a contract. That's a big hiring deadline for us. So, we like to have a meeting on July 9th. So, just wanting to make sure we are good with that regular time that we typically meet on our evening meetings at six o'clock um and that that still works for everybody on Thursday. >> I actually will not be able to be here that we have at least it should
066just be um hopefully a light HR consent meeting. So, as long as we have a quorum just to do some final hiring. Um we do have the June 29th. So we left the two on there that June 29th is our um big fiscal year end and all of that. So we'll have just had a meeting and hopefully this will just be mostly hiring. So does that as of right now work for everybody else so we at least have enough to >> I do appreciate we stayed away from all the holidays Mondays. >> Thank you. >> So yeah, there are some tweaks on the typical schedule due to that as well. Okay. Any other comments? All right. Will you take the vote? >> Mrs. Valentine? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Alman? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brown? >>
067Yes. Mrs. >> Yes. >> And 13.02. May I have a motion to appoint the board design as P well appoint Miss Marshall as um public records official. >> So moved back. >> Miss Marshall, will you talk to us about this? >> Yes. So um every elected official is required to attend public records training or their design. I am the board's design. Um, I am the keeper of records. I work diligently with our communications office um to respond to respond to all records requests and so each new term um I'll attend public records training up to date most recent legislative changes and there have been a few specific things around cyber security and that sort of thing. So um I will be attending that. Um and obviously board members are always welcome to as well. Make
068sure you have a copy of the line at your disposal. >> Thank you. Any questions? All right. Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mrs. Brown. >> Yes. And 13.03. May I have a motion to approve the resolution to appoint legal council for the board of education? So moved. >> Second. >> And Miss Marshall, will you talk to us about this too? >> Also required in that higher law is that the boards that legal council established the legal council this year. So we work with um Bricker. Uh they are it's Bricker Graden and they just changed their name to something else. Um there's another partner on the end. Um Wyatt, >> brick or grade and Wyatt. Um that was a change that we just learned about within the
069last week. So uh that is our general counsel and then we also work with bridge and gills law group um and they help us with all of the border provision changes and um any financing incentives or anything like that. So, and then sometimes we might have to work with a different legal firm if we're going through our liability insurance outside of these firms. So, I just make sure that as well. Thank you. Any questions? Okay, you take the Men. >> Yes. Mrs. Zen, >> yes. Mrs. Brown, >> yes. Mrs. Meyer, >> yes. M. >> Yes. and 13.04. May I have a motion to approve the outofstate overnight field trips? >> Second. >> Welcome, Miss Asher. >> Hi, good evening. Um, tonight I have five overnight trips to present for your consideration. Uh, the first, the
070Westerville North baseball team is requesting travel to Memphis, Tennessee over spring break where they will play approximately four to five games. Similarly, the Westerville North softball team is requesting travel to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee over spring break um where they too will also play uh four to five games. Each of those trips uh has a zero cost to the district. The Westerville North cheerleading squad is also requesting travel to Orlando, Florida, where they will compete in the ESPN cheer competition. The cost of the district is also zero. The Westerville Central Wrestling Team is requesting travel to Napoleon, Ohio um over uh uh January 16th to 17th for a two-day wrestling tournament. Uh the cost to the district is zero. And then the Westerville North wrestling team is requesting a trip to West Virginia where they will
071participate in a one-day wrestling tournament. Uh, the cheerleading squad will miss approximately four days of school. Um, and the Westerville Central Wrestling Team will miss one day of school. And I'm happy to answer any questions. >> Are there any questions? >> So, I just have a quick question. Is is the I just noticed this the Westwood North wrestling team they must be leaving after >> school? Yes. So the um the tournament in North is a one or the tournament that North is attending is a one-day tournament and then the central tournament is a two-day tournament. >> I see. I see. >> We had the same question why the dates were the same and the days. Yeah. >> Thank you. Alman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brown. >> Yes. Mrs. Le. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fine. >>
072Yes. And next up um 14.01 01 board comments. Who would like to start? >> Start. Um I just want to congratulate all of you and thank you again. I think um people don't realize what it takes to serve on the board, right? They don't realize the hours. They see it as meetings. They don't realize all the other pieces that go into it. And um well, Mrs. M about to find out, but I think you already know. and Miss Lee Ban and Miss Meyer, you do already know and the fact that you wanted to do this again is such a testament to how much you care about the kids who live here. Um, and I am just truly grateful to serve with you again. So, thank you for stepping up and doing this work that is
073much harder than most people. So, thank you. Um, first of all, I wanted to congratulate everyone that was recognized tonight and to say thank you to um to the whole community for putting your trust in me, for allowing me this opportunity to serve. I'm very grateful. Um, I'm very excited to work with all of you um wonderful people and everyone um in the administrative positions. I just think you guys are all so passionate about public education and about our kids and that's why we're all here. So, it feels just like a very positive space to be in. And I also wanted to say um one of the reasons I wanted to do this so much is to all of our teachers and staff members. Um you know, our kids, they don't have a whole lot
074of spaces right now where they feel safe and seen and supported. And it's the work that you guys do every single day from getting them to school to feeding them meals to teaching them that allows for that and all that you pour into them. And I'm so grateful. So I hope to be a great partner to you. Um, so I will echo the congratulations to both Christy and Ana for your elected continuation on the board and then Tatiana for winning her first selection and stepping up to join us to serve the school district. I'm excited to work with all of you. Um, I also want to thank and one retiree. Thank you so much for your years of service to the district as well as all of our award winners um that were recognized tonight
075for service and accomplishments. Uh I do also want to thank the administration, staff, and the educators for getting our kids back to school safely after the holidays and kind of easing them back into the routine. I know many kids, uh mine included, were not so thrilled to head back to school. My son kept telling me it was an amazing 17 days off. He knew every day. Um but that's okay. they are going to go and get educated. It's going to be great. Um, aside from that, I did want to take a moment to actually read an excerpt from a book that I recently finished. It is half a page. I'm not going to read you an entire chapter, but I believe it's important to acknowledge the fraught and scary times that we are living in
076because many in our communities are directly feeling it. And in a country where anyone can be snatched off the street because of how they look or the language that they speak without due process or child who just wants to be themselves is essentially told that they're an abomination and they simply need to leave live as others prescribed in that world. I think it's important for us to reaffirm our commitment to all children in this district. So I do want to offer some kind of words of wisdom from someone who's more eloquent than me and actually publish um about the fact that our times are unfortunately not necessarily unique and we as individuals and as this body can learn from history and make those in the community feel less scared and help them feel seen and
077heard. So this is just a quick excerpt from the book is called on tyranny 20 lessons from the 20th century. It's by Timothy Snider. It is a very short book um if anybody wants to pick it up. All right. Tyrannical regimes arose at different times and places in the Europe of the 20th century, but memoirs of their victims all share a single tender moment. When the recollection is of fascist Italy in the 1920s, Nazi Germany of the 1930s, the Soviet Union during the Great Terror of 3738, or of the purges in communist Eastern Europe in the 1940s and50s, people who were living in fear of repression remembered how their neighbors treated them. A smile, a handshake, or a word of greeting, Benol gestures in a normal situation took on great significance. When friends, colleagues, and
078acquaintances looked away or crossed the street to avoid contact, fear grew. You might not be sure today or tomorrow who feels threatened in the United States, but if you affirm everyone, you can be sure that certain people will feel better. So, I just want to state to all of our district families, our staff, all the kids, we see you. We hear you. My heart absolutely breaks for what's going on in this country. I cannot believe that this is the United States on some days. And I know that we as a board, I think I can speak for the board. We want to do everything that we can to help everybody navigate these trying times. You are valued. Everyone is valued in this community and the actions of some do not speak for the actions of
079most. So I ask community members, please continue to reach out with questions, concerns so that we can help continue to problem solve and support everybody in the community as best we can. So thank you. >> Thank you all so much for um staying with us throughout the entire meeting. You know, I think I uh spoke from my heart earlier, but I really want to um begin by congratulating Tatiana Brown. Um welcome to the board. I think really what my colleagues already said, I think this is a really insane time and I don't know the other day I was on the phone with a friend and um I was telling her like I can't believe I'm driving around with the passport like this is insane and I think right before the holidays I know our district
080responded really fast and um reminded families about the policies that we have in place to keep our kids safe. Um, and so I really just want to use my time to kind of remind families that it is okay to not be okay and it's okay to be afraid. Um, but that hopefully should not prevent prevent you from reaching out and seeking services. Um, and so I really just want to remind all of our educators and our staff that there there are families honestly going through it and they may not express it. So just check in on them. Um, ask them how they're doing, ask how the kids are doing. Um it's just a really really really difficult time right now for so many. Um but I am really happy to continue serving on this board
081and working alongside such wonderful people who are um just as passionate about ensuring that our kids are safe and that I mean it's Westerville. Our slogan is where you belong. And I think um we're really proud and we carry that pride. And so um let's just look at one another during these very challenging times and just check in on one another. >> Thank you. Um well I want to start by welcoming everyone back. It's been two weeks almost and um yeah I echo my colleagues um thank you for that smooth transition. I think even my brain had a hard time coming online. Um I want to congratulate um Miss Brown and Miss Leanne again on their successful campaigns and I really look forward to working with this amazing board. Um, congratulations again to Miss Alman
082on her BP position and to Connor and Lydia for their awards and um, Mr. um, uh, Mike Hayek for all his uh, leadership over the years as well as our retiree. I just wanted to take a moment um, and also just I wrote down some comments because I wanted to make sure that I actually got this out. I know that a lot of students and families and staff are on edge with the political climate that continues to get worse. Our schools are built on a simple and deeply held belief that every child belongs and every flaming every family matters. And in recent days, however, hurtful and targeted words have been directed at one of my board colleagues. Words focused not on ideas or policy, but on who they are. I know some students, families, and
083possibly staff are experiencing this as well. I want to be clear. These words do not reflect the heart of Westville schools. We are a community that knows how to care for one another. We know how to listen, how to show up, how to treat our neighbors with dignity, even when we disagree. Our schools teach kindness, courage, empathy, and respect every day. Those lessons are not just for our children. They are for all of us. This is a moment to lean into who we truly are. a community rooted in unity, compassion, and love. And when we choose those things, we give our children something far greater than arts. We show them what it means to belong. So, I echo the comments. Please keep reaching out and, um, please, uh, stay safe. And with that, um, the
084board will meet in regular session with the city of Westerville on Thursday, January 22nd, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Justice Center, which is 229 Huber Village Road, Westerville, Ohio and in regular session on Monday, January 26, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the early learning center which is here 936 Eastwood Drive Westerville Ohio 43081 and may I moving along to 16301 may I have a motion to move into a executive session for the purposes of discussing the employment compensation benefits and discipline of public employees Yes. >> Yes. You're welcome to stay, but we don't know how long will be. All right, we are back. It is 8:20 and may I have a motion to adjourn? So moved >> second. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Almond. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brown. >> Yes. Mrs. Le. >> Yes.
085>> Mrs. >> Yes.