1.29.2026 Regular Board Meeting

Dr. McBride led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 Ms. Spence conducted Roll Call. Mrs. Stephey had a pre-arranged excuse absence. 

The agenda was adopted as presented. 

Unfortunately, the sound is not working properly to display the video. Mr. Boes expressed appreciation for Board of Education Appreciation Month. The video will be sent via email to each board member as well as posted on the district Facebook page. A sincere thank you to the Leadership class for producing the video. Dr. McBride also thanked the Leadership team for creating the video and the other students for the poster boards and cards. 

Mr. Boes started by saying January has not been kind! The weather has hindered students being in session. The state changed from days to hours a few years ago. To have a better understanding the hours have been converted to days for this report. A current update of where the district stands is the following: 

Preschool AM: 7.33 days left 

Preschool PM: 10 days left 

Grades KG-5: 11 days left 

Grade 6: 20.79 days left 

Grades 7 and 8: 6.59 days left 

Grades 9 and 10: 7.77 days left 

Grade 11: 8.77 days left 

Grade 12: 2.77 days 

With all this information the concern at this time would be senior hours, since it is only January. Just like last year though the district can extend the days at the end of the school year if needed. The district has had 8 closures and 4 delays since the start of the school year. Many people ask what the determining factor is for claminity days. There is a set of 4 individuals that start driving the roads between 4:00-4:30am. The group consists of Greg Devore, Randy Conger, Bob Boes and Jeremy Marinis (Calvert). If the county is under a level 2 the decision is simple. When driving the roads the following is being monitored: visible distance between the cars and stop signs, road conditions, and intersections. The groups top priority is the safety and wellbeing of the students and staff. Dr. McBride thanked the team for the dedication and early mornings to make sure all individuals are safe. The district understands making the call early is the most ideal. Unfortunately, this cannot always happen. There is always an unpredictable variable that does not allow the call to occur until last minute. Mr. Boes had a special thank you to the custodians and maintenance crew that were plowing and shoveling snow on Monday when the county was under a level 3. This was in preparation if the district would go back to session the next day. Mr. Kisabeth stated his appreciation for all the behind the scenes activity that is not seen but always needed. Mr. Kisabeth mentioned his concern with claminity days for seniors. Dr. McBride said she appreciates this report in January as this provides the parents and community on where the district stands and how the district may need to potentially move forward. Mr. Boes mentioned that he is receiving questions about virtual learning. The state of Ohio requires a document to be signed and submitted by August 1st of that school year for virtual learning. The district did not have interest in submitting that document as it was agreed upon students learn best in classrooms with peers. Mr. Perez mentioned he appreciates the citizens that have taken care of their sidewalks thus far. It makes it difficult for students that walk to school to walk in inches of snow. Mr. Boes said the appreciation could continue to community members, parents, bus drivers, staff, etc. for all the work in getting the students to school safe. 

Ms. Spence started with the General Fund numbers for November and December. The numbers have changed for the good. The interest income has helped close the gap. Real-estate has been discussed previously and Mr. Spence has been working with the county individuals. Last quarter a new company took over and the settlement sheet that was provided appeared to be different. The format of the document is broken down differently. Expenses to target: Ms. Spence is a little nervous about the supplies account. At this point in the year the supplies is a little higher than what was budgeted. This could be that supplies that would be purchased in the Spring and being purchased now and the account will even itself out. Ms. Spence is monitoring this closely. At the Finance Committee meeting a question was asked about the Other Objects account. This account is for liability insurance. Last year the district only paid a 6 month premium. This year the district paid the full amount. Additional fees include retention storage. 

Ms. Spence presented a powerpoint on HB 129 and 186. Total number of students from 24-25 to current has dropped. Special Education from 24-25 to current has stayed the same at 18%. House Bill 129 is millage floor calculation: existing emergency and substitute levies (approved before January 1, 2026) will be included in the 20-mill floor beginning in 2026. All new fixed sum levies are counted in the floor immediately. Substitute Levy Renewals: a district may renew a substitute levy (approved before January 1, 2026) as a fixed-sum levy once it expires. Emergency Levy Renewals: a levy approved before 2026 may be a renewed as a fixed sum levy for up to 5 year and may be further renewed. 

House Bill 186: Reduce certain school district property taxes: Caps property growth at the 20 mill floor using inflation. Retroactive credit applies for 2023 and 2024 reappraisal/update counties.  The Sales Tax Holiday for 2026 is being eliminated. Funding formula impact remains uncorrected. Currently the district has 1 emergency levy. This was last renewed in May 2018 for 10 years. This will now count towards the 20 mill floor when renewed. Current Law: Total real estate collection for TY2026: $17,404,748 and TY 2027 $17, 513,583.  Passed HB129 & HB186 TY2026 $16,204,209 and TY 2027 $16,313,045. Impact state funding: Currently the state funding formula uses a school district's property evaluation to determine the district's state share. While the state will continue using this method, HB 186 and 129 will disconnect our actual real estate revenue from our true property value. 

Mr. Perez asked about the collection of taxes and the papers that are being received. Ms. Spence advised the individuals to speak to the HR department at their place of employment. If there are additional questions to call the administration office or state of Ohio. Mr. Kisabeth mentioned this process takes time to collect because people receive these letters but do not know how to move forward with the letter until guidance is provided. 

No public comment 

The consent agenda was adopted as presented. 

Mr. Kisabeth started board discussion with a few updates related to the Superintendent search. Mr. Perez and Mr. Kisabeth are the members included in the 1st screening committee. After that an executive session will be requested to discuss. The original plan was for the process to be completed by the end of February but since January has not been pleasant this timeline will need to be adjusted. The beginning stages of the process have began though. Mr. Kisabeth also discussed the following topic. 

After listening to Ms. Spence's report on new legislation out of the state legislature and after following the work of the Vouchers Hurt Ohio Coalition who is in court backing public schools, I think joining the litigation is something that our board should consider.  This group has five issues up in front of the courts and have already successfully won at least one of the suits.  They are fighting the voucher system in which our state legislature has already approved over one billion dollars to private schools and $600,000 to help build the Cleveland Browns a new stadium but can't fully fund the Cupp-Patterson Fair School Funding Plan. Our legislators take a pledge to support the US Constitution and the State Constitution.  To state our Ohio State Constitution Article VI, Section 2 "The General Assembly shall make such provisions, by taxation, or otherwise, as, with the income arising from the school trust fund, will secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the state; but no religious or other sect, or sects shall every have any exclusive right to, or control of, any part of the school funds of this state." The General Assembly is not following their constitutional responsibilities and the public schools in Ohio are paying the price.  The Vouchers Hurt Ohio Coalition is fighting this. Many public schools in Ohio are joining the fight.  I think this is something our board should investigate.  It is our responsibility to assure that our taxpayers money is being used correctly regarding public education in Ohio. Coalition dues for this school year are the sum of $2 per district pupil based on the enrollment listed on the most recent report card.

Mr. Perez mentioned that if public districts do not start to stand up then legislators will continue on this path. Dr. McBride mentioned Mr. Kisabeth's had strong and incredible points. She is encouraging Mr. Kisabeth to guide and advocate group discussions and individual discussions with the board members to determine a resolution. 

Dr. McBride concluded the discussion with a recap: timeline dates for Superintendent search and Vouchers discussion. 

Executive Session was not held. 

Meeting started:6:33pm
Meeting ended:7:46pm 

Dr. McBride mentioned the next regular meeting will be February 23rd, 2026 at 6:30pm in the Tiffin Middle School Cafetorium.