East Holmes board approves financial forecast

The East Holmes Local Schools Board of Education addressed a variety of district matters during its regular meeting Feb. 20.

Cory Anderson spoke during the public comment period.

During the superintendent’s report, several Hiland-WKLM Student of the Week recipients were recognized. Honorees included Olivia Yoder (Jan. 12-16), Meredith Stockwell (Jan. 19-23), Kaylee Troyer (Jan. 26-30), Julia Overholt (Feb. 2-6) and Kiley Brown (Feb. 9-13).

The superintendent also presented NEOLA policy updates from Volume 44, No. 2, dated January 2026, and provided building and supervisor reports.

Treasurer Daniel Reiman delivered a financial forecast presentation for the board. During the presentation, board member Steve Miller asked for clarification regarding where funding for food service was reflected in the financial report. Reiman identified where the information was included within the financial forecast.

The board approved the treasurer’s report, which included payment of bills and acceptance of the January 2026 financial and reconciliation report as submitted by the treasurer. The board also accepted a donation to support the Hiland Theater Department in the form of a Willy Wonka LEGO set for the fall musical.

Additional financial actions approved by the board included the purpose statements and budgets for the 2025-26 school year as revised, estimated revenues and the certificate of estimated resources as amended, permanent appropriations for the 2025-26 school year as amended with the accompanying 412 certificate, adoption of the tax rates and amounts as determined by the Holmes County Budget Commission and authorization of the necessary tax levies to be certified to the county auditor, and approval of the district’s financial forecast based on the data and assumptions presented.

During new business Miller asked for clarification regarding Lorain County Community College and the College Plus program. The superintendent said Kent State University, the University of Akron, Lorain County Community College and Stark State all help support the College Plus program.

The board approved the memorandums of understanding between Kent State University, the University of Akron, Lorain County Community College and Stark State College for the College Credit Plus program for the 2026-27 school year.

The board also approved the 2026-27 Hiland High & Middle School Curriculum Guide Book.

In addition, the board adopted resolutions recognizing Music in Our Schools Month and Youth Art Month in March 2026. Music in Our Schools Month is sponsored by the National Association for Music Education and the Ohio Music Education Association, with the 2026 theme “United Through Music.” Youth Art Month is sponsored by the Ohio Art Education Association, with the 2026 theme “The World Needs Art.”

In a separate motion, the board approved a request for qualifications for a construction manager-at-risk for districtwide facilities master planning. The district is evaluating potential additions, renovations and other improvements across all district facilities and intends to develop a comprehensive master plan identifying possible scopes of work, estimated costs and phased implementation options as funding becomes available and subject to future board approval. The resolution also authorizes the superintendent and/or treasurer to publish notice inviting firms to submit statements of qualifications for the project.

Before the vote, board member Wendyl Swartzentruber asked about the timeline moving forward for the facilities master planning process. The superintendent said the process is expected to take approximately six months.

In a separate motion, the board approved a request for qualifications for professional architectural and engineering services related to the districtwide facilities master planning project. During discussion Miller asked if there is an option to remove architectural/engineering if needed. Reiman said the district has the option to remove those services and restart the request for qualifications process if necessary. Swartzentruber asked if the process was similar to the classroom refresh project, and Reiman confirmed it was the same process used previously.

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

The board also accepted several resignations effective at the end of the 2025-26 contract year: Beth Landon, Title reading teacher at Mt. Hope; Mark Stutzman, bus driver; and Lyman “Bud” Wade, bus driver. All are retiring.

Several supplemental positions for the 2025-26 school year were approved including Sara Hochstetler as eighth grade Washington, D.C. trip chaperone; Patrick Miller as junior high track coach; Eric Peterson as varsity track assistant coach; Courtney Miller as volunteer assistant track coach; and Ashley Miller as prom adviser.

The next board meeting is scheduled for March 20.