East Holmes Board of Education names officers, approves wide range of actions

The East Holmes Local Schools Board of Education held its annual organizational meeting and regular January meeting Jan. 9.

During the organizational meeting, the board elected Bryan Coblentz as president for 2026. Steve Miller was elected vice president.

The board conducted its annual tax budget hearing before approving its organizational and business resolutions for 2026. Regular board meetings were scheduled for the third Friday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at the Central Office. Approved meeting dates include Feb. 20; March 20; April 17; May 15; June 12 and Aug. 14, both scheduled for the second Friday; July 17; Sept. 18; Oct. 16; Nov. 20; and Dec. 18.

The board waived the reading of minutes for 2026 and approved payroll warrants and authorization for the treasurer to sign warrants. A service fund of up to $7,500 was established under Ohio Revised Code 3315.15 to pay expenses incurred by board members in the performance of their duties.

The treasurer was authorized to request advance draws on tax settlements, invest interim funds as they become available at the most productive interest rate, and report investment results at regular intervals to the board and superintendent. The board also approved authorization for the treasurer to make modifications to appropriations and to make fund transfers or advances when necessary, with a list of such changes to be provided at the next regular monthly meeting immediately following the transfers or advances.

The board set the blanket purchase order maximum at $75,000 and approved the current Ohio minimum wage range for all impacted positions, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The treasurer was authorized to attend Sunshine Laws training and obtain appropriate certification on behalf of the board.

The superintendent was authorized to employ temporary personnel and accept resignations as needed, with such employment to be reported to the board at the next regular meeting. The board also approved a resolution authorizing the law firms of Peters Kalail & Markakis Co. and Critchfield Law Firm to provide legal counsel as needed.

Membership in the Ohio Schools Council was approved to support operational efficiencies and cost savings across various areas.

Personnel were appointed to designated responsibilities including Daniel Reiman as prevailing wage coordinator and public records designee; Micki Krantz as civil rights coordinator, Title IX coordinator and anti-harassment compliance officer; Bonnie Brown as Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, Title VI Education of Handicapped Act coordinator and district Section 504 compliance officer; and Jon Wilson as Title I elementary and secondary act coordinator and Title II block grant coordinator.

Bryce Troyer was appointed as the board’s OSBA legislative liaison for 2026, and The Bargain Hunter was designated as the district’s official newspaper. The board adopted the complete board policy book for 2026 and approved authorization to make technical corrections to board policies and guidelines.

Board member compensation was approved at $125 per meeting, with a maximum of 12 meetings paid in two installments. James Gertz was appointed to serve a three-year term on the Buckeye Career Center Board, with Miller noting Gertz is willing to continue serving in that role.

The regular meeting followed, during which the board approved the agenda and thanked Laurel Miller for her tenure on the East Holmes School Board. 

During the acknowledgment of guests, Cory Anderson and Tyra Schlabach addressed the board.

Superintendent reports included Hiland-WKLM Student of the Week recognitions for Alissa Yoder (Nov. 24-28), Norah Bickel (Dec. 1-5), Jacob Miller (Dec. 8-12) and Lily Yoder (Dec. 15-19), along with building and supervisor reports and a security assessment report presented by David Morgan.

The treasurer’s report was approved, including a “Then and Now” certificate for Tom Mullet Tours in the amount of $10,000 for a middle school field trip. The board also accepted a donation from Keim Home Center consisting of items for the Hiland Theater Department.

Under the New Business/Consent Agenda, the board approved Calendar Draft No. 1 for the 2026-27 school year. The board also approved renewal of the Ohio School Boards Association membership for January through December 2026 and renewal of the Ohio School Boards Association Legal Assistance Fund Consultant Service contract for January through December 2026.

The board approved a resolution to administer third grade assessments in English/language arts and mathematics in a paper format for the 2026-27 school year. The board also approved the Hiland eighth grade class field trip to Washington, D.C. from April 29 to May 1.

In addition, the board approved NEOLA policies listed as a Special Update Transportation Supplement for October 2025 including Policy 4162, Drug & Alcohol Testing (Revised); Policy 4162.01, Drug & Alcohol Testing (New); Policy 8600, Transportation (Revised); Policy 8600.04, Certification (Revised); Policy 8640, Transportation (Revised); and Policy 8650, Transportation (Revised).

In new business the board approved Julia Klink as president pro tempore for the Jan. 9 meeting.

Personnel actions approved included the resignation of Amy Rowe, testing and curriculum administrative assistant, effective Jan. 5, 2026. 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.

Supplemental positions approved for the 2025-26 school year included Chris Dages as baseball head varsity coach; Richard Mast as baseball varsity assistant coach; Kevin Schrock as baseball head junior varsity and freshman coach; Jordan Yoder and Chad Wagler as baseball volunteer assistant coaches; Kari Sparling as softball head varsity coach; Maddie DeVault as softball varsity assistant coach; Jana Immel as softball volunteer assistant; Carrie Jones as head tennis coach; Mark Leinbach as varsity assistant tennis coach; Megan Amos as head boys and girls varsity track coach; Erin Bille as Washington, D.C. trip coordinator; and Washington, D.C. trip chaperones Scott Bodiker, Reis Bonifant, Erin Bille and Carrie Wigton.

For the 2026-27 school year, the board approved Matt Beechy as head girls varsity soccer coach.

The board entered executive session at 8:13 a.m. with consultant Morgan and school resource officer Brent Bernhart present and returned to open session at 9 a.m.

The meeting adjourned at 9:01 a.m.