East Holmes school board reviews report card, accepts $5K FFA donation, approves personnel moves

The East Holmes Local Schools Board of Education approved routine agenda items, financial reports and several personnel actions during its Nov. 21 regular meeting.

Tara Schlabach addressed the board during the guest portion of the meeting.

Superintendent’s updates included recognition of the Hiland-WKLM Student of the Week recipients: Vanesa Gomez for Oct. 20-24, Kai Miller for Oct. 27-31, Perryn Mishler for Nov. 3-7, Carly Weaver for Nov. 10-14 and Zoe Miller for Nov. 17-21.

The board also heard building and supervisor reports, a presentation of the district’s 2025 Report Card and a review of the first draft of the 2026-27 school calendar.

The treasurer presented the October financial and reconciliation report, which the board approved along with the payment of bills. The board also approved a Then & Now Certificate for Tom Mullet Tours totaling $10,000, with a purchase order dated Oct. 8 and invoice dated Oct. 6.

Estimated revenues and the Certificate of Estimated Resources were approved, along with the 2025 permanent appropriations and the accompanying 412 Certificate. The district also accepted a $5,000 donation from Jeff Blakley to the Hiland FFA program.

The board approved open enrollment for one Hiland High School student for the 2025-26 school year, a Services Reimbursement Agreement with Buckeye Career Center for services provided in 2024-25 and the Hiland Music Department’s class field trip to Pittsburgh in January 2026.

The board also set its 2026 organizational meeting for Jan. 9 at 7:30 a.m. at the East Holmes Central Office, to be followed immediately by a tax budget hearing and the regular January meeting.

Personnel actions included approval of $500 stipends for staff participating in LETRS Professional Development Cohort 5 outside the normal workday. The board accepted the resignation of Annette Leach, a fifth/sixth grade English/language arts and social studies teacher who is retiring at the end of the 2025-26 school year. It also approved all substitute personnel hired by East Holmes Local Schools and the Tri-County Educational Service Center for the 2025-26 school year.

A supplemental contract of $300 was approved for Erin Moan for providing ACT preparation classes to East Holmes students in November and December. Supplemental positions for the 2025-26 school year also were approved including volunteer roles: Greg Miller as wrestling coach, Tyler Yoder as cheerleading adviser (driving van), Sherri Hochstetler as ski club adviser and Ken Hochstetler as ski club adviser.