West Holmes Board of Education handles organizational, regular business

The West Holmes Local Schools Board of Education held its annual organizational meeting and budget hearing Jan. 12 at West Holmes High School, followed immediately by its regular January meeting.

During the organizational meeting, elected and reelected board members were sworn in, Tina Zickefoose was elected president, and Joel Yoder was elected vice president.

The board approved its meeting schedule for 2026, setting meetings at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Meetings will rotate among district buildings and are scheduled for Feb. 17 at Killbuck Elementary; March 16 at Nashville Elementary; April 20 at the middle school; May 18 at the high school; June 15, July 20 and Aug. 17 at 7:30 a.m. at the high school; and Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 9 and Dec. 21 at an elementary school.

Board members waived the reading of minutes and established a service fund to cover board-related expenses incurred while performing official duties. The board authorized the treasurer to pay bills, invest inactive funds, request advances on tax collections, serve as the fiscal agent for all federal funds, establish new funds as required by state accounting rules, and sign payroll and board warrants.

Approval also was given to submit the Ohio Cash Position Report as of Dec. 31, 2025, to the county budget commission and to make payments in lieu of transportation when requested.

The board approved the purchase of liability insurance covering the district, board members, administrators, certificated and noncertificated staff, nurses, and volunteers from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Vocational advisory committees were approved, and a records commission was established consisting of the board president, superintendent and treasurer in accordance with Ohio History Connection guidelines.

Several personnel-related resolutions were approved. Carrie Maltarich was designated as the district’s Title IX and Section 504 compliance coordinator and Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator while Jamie Mullet was named prevailing wage coordinator.

The board authorized district personnel to apply for and manage multiple grants for the 2023-24 fiscal year including Title I, Title VI, VI-B EHCA, DPPF and the Drug-Free School Grant. Maltarich was designated to oversee Title VI-Part B IDEA Education of Handicapped Children Act. Kiana Leppla was designated to oversee Title I, Title VI, DPPF, the Drug-Free School Grant, Title VI-B Rural and Low-Income Grant, and homeless student services.

Ezra Day was appointed as the 2026 board member responsible for completing the required Sunshine Law training.

The board appointed a legislative liaison for 2026; authorized the superintendent to employ temporary personnel as needed, accept leaves of absence and resignations, approve staff development, sign the annual internet services agreement under E-rate guidelines, request legal services, hire summer help, approve student teacher placements, make changes to job descriptions, and dispose of district assets deemed to have no value; and established the Family and Medical Leave Act 12-month period to begin on the first day of an employee’s absence.

During the regular meeting, the board approved the agenda and minutes from the Dec. 15, 2025 regular meeting. Correspondence and donations were acknowledged including appreciation for Joel Pomerene Hospital and contributors to the district’s giving tree for providing winter items for students, as well as an anonymous $25,000 donation to support the high school pre-apprenticeship program.

The treasurer’s report was approved including month-end reconciliation and investments as of Dec. 31, 2024; financial reports by fund as of Dec. 31, 2025; and the financial summary for the month ending Dec. 31, 2025.

Superintendent reports included committee updates, an FFA update, board member and media recognition, a curriculum update, an OMUN update, revisions to the high school course guide, updates to board policies regarding expense reimbursements, and a K-5 building update.

The board approved the West Holmes High School Course Selection Guide for the 2026-27 school year and approved a memorandum of understanding with Kent State University.

Personnel actions approved included the retirements of teachers Kristi Shearer, effective June 1, 2026, and Eric Goudy, effective May 29, 2026.

The next regular meeting will be held Feb. 17 at Killbuck Elementary.