Students recognized for perfect state test scores at West Holmes BOE meeting

The West Holmes Board of Education held its regular meeting Oct. 20 at Millersburg Elementary School.

The board approved the treasurer’s report, including month-end reconciliation and investments, the financial report of expenditures and unencumbered balances, and the financial summary for the month ending Sept. 30.

During the superintendent’s report, the board heard committee updates, an FFA report, and a presentation from Dawn Martin on food service compliance with nutritional standards. Millersburg Elementary Principal Stephen Fowler recognized several students for achieving perfect scores on state testing: fifth graders Oliver Ertle (math) and Corbin Marner (math); and fourth graders Mason Hernandez (math), Jelin Zheng (ELA), Ben Kaster (math), Ginnie Roland (math), Lane Taylor (math). Fifth grader Moira Steiner earned top marks in math, English language arts and science. A K-5 building update was also presented.

Under new business, the board approved updates to 32 board policies without an initial reading due to a Sept. 30 deadline. The board also approved updates to the special education model policies and procedures, authorized the West Holmes robotics team to compete at the Robotics Signature Event at Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky from Jan. 22-24, 2026, and approved donating the music department’s golf cart to the music boosters. Additionally, Treasurer Jamie Mullet was approved to attend Sunshine Laws training and obtain certification on behalf of the board.

During the meeting, Mullet shared a chart showing the impact of local decisions on property taxes. She shared that the millage shift by the district was the last decision the district made that impacted property taxes. In 2022, the total tax rate for West Holmes residential and agricultural taxpayers was 26.47 mills and went down to 25.56 mills in 2023 ( a .91 mill decrease) as a result of shifting inside millage. The district was already on the 20 mill floor at that time, as it has been since 2001. The triennial update will result in increased taxes as a result of rising home values, as forced by the state, and not due to district decision-making. She encouraged anybody who would like more information about increases in property taxes, state funding, etc. to reach out to her.

Personnel actions included hiring Kelsey Runkle as a teacher effective Oct. 1, and accepting resignations from Tamie Conkle, cook, effective Sept. 12; Michael Molnar, head softball and golf coach, effective Oct. 2 and end of fall 2025 golf season, respectively; and Nicole Strouse, middle school girls soccer coach, effective Sept. 22. Substitutes approved included Laura Irwin and Jolene Haudenschild for various positions.

Supplemental contracts were approved for several coaching positions:

—Nicole Strouse and Nathaniel Wade for middle school girls soccer (prorated pay).

—Boys basketball: Varsity head coach Ben Belden, assistant Mekhi Johnson, JV coach Channer Wells, volunteers Toby Yoder, Donnie Dowling and Stew Sabine, and middle school coaches Darrin Yerian (head), Peyton McKinney (assistant) and Bud Yoder (volunteer).

—Girls basketball: Varsity head coach Lindsy Belden, assistant Tennille Cline, JV coach Nate Wade, volunteer Adam Garver and middle school coaches Evan Aurand (head), Clay Miller (assistant) and Mary Day (assistant).

—Wrestling: Varsity head coach Scott Vaughn, assistant Logan Stanley, JV coach Tyler Masters, volunteers Steve Goans, Brad McCluggage, Corbin Miller, Ashton Eyler and Tim McClintock, and middle school coaches Justin Wilcox (head), Justin Ross (assistant, 1/2 contract), and Tyler Hoover (assistant, 1/2 contract).

—Cheerleading: Varsity head coach Raven Wilcox, assistant Beth Lemon, and middle school coaches Jamie Aufrance (head) and Tiffany Conner (assistant).

—Bowling: Varsity head coach Chris Young and volunteer Zach Medley.

The next board meeting will be held Nov. 10 at Lakeville Elementary.