East Holmes board advances facilities work, approves personnel items

The East Holmes Local Schools Board of Education met in regular session May 15 at the central office.

Cory Anderson spoke during the public speaking portion of the meeting.

The board approved minutes from the April 17 regular meeting and revised minutes from meetings held Aug. 21, 2023; Aug. 29, 2023, special session; Sept. 15, 2023; Oct. 20, 2023; Nov. 17, 2023; Dec. 15, 2023; April 6, 2024, special session; April 19, 2024; Aug. 16, 2024; Nov. 15, 2024; Dec. 20, 2024; Feb. 14, 2025, work session; March 21, 2025; March 15, 2024, work session; May 17, 2024; April 17, 2025; and May 16, 2025.

During the superintendent’s report, the board recognized Hiland-WKLM Student of the Week recipients: Alyssa Hales, April 13-17; Alexis Henry, April 20-24; Caitlin Conn, April 27 through May 1; Megan Troyer, May 4-8; and Evan Schlabach, May 11-15. The superintendent also presented building and supervisor reports and announced the July board meeting will take place July 10 instead of July 17.

The board approved the payment of bills and the April 2026 financial and reconciliation report as submitted by the treasurer. The board also approved the purpose statements and budgets for the 2025-26 school year as revised and approved the treasurer’s bond for Daniel Reiman for the period of Aug. 1, 2026, through July 31, 2028.

The board accepted after-prom donations, a 2013 Bluebird school bus from the Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities, $1,500 from How We Hear to be used toward the purchase of a hearing device and financial planning books from Cody Austin for each graduating senior.

The board approved revised NEOLA Board Policy 0167.2, Executive Session.

The board approved a proposal from GPD Group for architectural and engineering services for the districtwide facilities master planning project. The board also approved a resolution selecting Hammond Construction as the construction manager at risk for the districtwide facilities master planning project.

The board approved a contract with Swiss Valley Fence Ltd. for fencing installation and related work at district facilities. During discussion board member Wendyl Swartzentruber asked whether existing fencing would be replaced, and the superintendent clarified the work involved both repairing and replacing fencing.

The board approved a contract with Wayne Garage Door Sales & Service Inc. for furnishing and installing building entry systems at district facilities. Board member Bryce Troyer asked whether the work would be an upgrade to the security of the entry systems, and the superintendent confirmed it would be.

The board approved a contract with Wayne Garage Door Sales & Service Inc. for furnishing and installing facility monitoring equipment at district facilities. Swartzentruber asked whether the district received multiple quotes, and the superintendent confirmed multiple quotes were received.

The board approved a renewal agreement with Project School Nutrition to provide cafeteria consulting services for the 2026-27 school year, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The board approved the purchase of a kindergarten through eighth grade science curriculum from TWIG.

The board approved the Hiland seniors for graduation May 17.

The board accepted the resignations of Amanda Oliver, intervention specialist at Hiland, effective at the end of the 2025-26 contract year; Barbara Boyles, secretary at Walnut Creek Elementary, retiring effective at the end of the 2025-26 contract year; Kimberly Miller, cook at Berlin Elementary, effective at the end of the 2025-26 contract year; and Brad Olsen, custodian at Chestnut Ridge/Walnut Creek, effective May 27.

The board approved all substitute personnel hired by East Holmes Local Schools and the Tri-County Educational Service Center for the 2025-26 school year.

The board approved one-year limited contracts for the 2026-27 school year, pending completion of all requirements, for the following certified personnel: Maia Bagnato, kindergarten at Flat Ridge; Kari Sparling, science biology at Hiland; Jaimie Davis, intermediate at Wise; Kirstyn Thut, science and social studies for fourth grade through eighth grade at Winesburg; Lance Swartzentruber, elementary physical education; Silas Miller, intervention specialist at Hiland; Paul Zacour, social studies at Hiland; and Ryan McVicker, social studies at Chestnut Ridge.

The board approved Mark Hamsher’s placement on the certified salary schedule, effective at the beginning of the 2026-27 contractual school year, to Master’s Plus 35.

The board approved a three-year limited administrative contract beginning with the 2026-27 contractual school year for Emily Donawa, athletic director at Hiland, pending completion of all licensure requirements. The contract includes up to 10 extended days at a daily rate to be used in June and July 2026.

The board approved three-year limited administrative contract renewals expiring in 2029 for Bonnie Brown and Mark Schlabach.

The board approved certified contract renewals including one-year limited contracts expiring in 2027 for Sydney Enos, Roche Harmon, Aidan JoDon, Megan Kinsey and Ashley Miller; two-year limited contracts expiring in 2028 for Therese Burnham, Logan Camp, Felicia Lorson, Logan Mullet, Jessica Reese, Amber Rowe, Staci Seibert, Krista Troyer, Carla Veil and Emily Yoder; three-year limited contracts expiring in 2029 for Ryan Freeman, Meghann George, Jennifer Hershberger, Jana Immel, Mallory Rearick, Andrew Toye and Albert Trolio; and continuing contracts for Kirsten Halfhill, Stephanie Martinez, Jennifer Mengel, Deidra Wiandt, Miranda McCullough and Julie Baer.

The board approved classified contract renewals including two-year limited contracts expiring in 2028 for Dennis Bontrager, Christine Finley, Carrie Ford, Sean Gerber, John Graber, Jennifer Graham, Billie Hershberger, Cody Herzig, Kandi Hipp, Liza Holcomb, Sarah Holcomb, Rita Hummel, Heather Lehman, Jessica Lengler, Mackenzie Mast, Victoria McDowell, Erica Mencer, Abigail Miller, Brenda Miller, Sophia Parent, Esther Raber, Crystal Rhodes, Bianca Roberson, April Rose, Lelia Russell, Diane Schlabach, Danielle Weaver, Ella Weaver, Brooke Yoder, Jonas Yoder and Katie Yoder; and continuing contracts for Amanda Alarcon, Zachary Gingerich, Jason Whitman, Cassaundra Yackey and Pamela Yoder.

The board approved a one-year limited contract for the 2026-27 school year for classified employee Kevin Duff, assistant mechanic, for up to 20 hours per week as needed, pending completion of all requirements.

The board approved contracts for summer instruction teachers, pending student enrollment numbers, to be paid $30 per hour. Summer instruction will be held at Walnut Creek Elementary in June 2026 and will entail nine days at four hours per day. Approved teachers are Sara Hales, Kari Kaufman, Alex Albertson, Carla Veil, Caryn Rubio, Julie Baer, Jared Coblentz and Michael Schaaf.

The board approved an extended service contract for the 2025-26 school year for Adrianne Bryk, curriculum and testing coordinator, for up to 10 days.

The board approved extended service contracts for the 2026-27 school year for Mark Hamsher, dean of students, 25 days; Clara Hershberger, food service manager, 20 days; Jennifer Hershberger, parent coordinator, up to five days; Sarah Sommers, vocal music director, 10 days; Zachary Rearick, instrumental music, 10 days; and Adrianne Bryk, curriculum and testing coordinator, up to 10 days.

The board approved supplemental positions for the 2026-27 school year for Erin Bille, Washington, D.C. trip coordinator; Brent Schoneger, assistant vocal music instructor, to be paid $14,000 with $5,000 reimbursed by music boosters; Maedene Pfouts, eighth grade volleyball coach; Donald Blanchard, quiz team adviser; Melissa Diener, yearbook adviser; Mark Schlabach, junior high student council adviser; Zachary Rearick, National Honor Society; Reis Bonifant, freshman class adviser; Lori Pringle, sophomore class adviser; and Michelle Mishler, senior class adviser.