3.23.2026 Regular Board Meeting

Dr. McBride and Mrs. Stephey welcomed Mrs. Focht to her new position as Assistant Principal in the Middle School for the 2026-2027 school year. 

Ms. Kate Focht was approved as the Tiffin Middle School Assistant Principal grades 6-8. 

Mrs. Stephey read all the donations and thanked all the donors for their generosity. 

All policies were approved as presented. Mr. Kisabeth mentioned that the policy/governance committee has been busy. Dr. McBride said that this was slow moving with the transition between Superintendents. 

Mr. Williamson said the calendars were started prior to him arriving to the district. Mr. Perez said he was going to vote no due to the fact he does not agree with approving a 3 year agreement. Mr. Perez said no consumer input either was received. The last two years the district has had to add days for Seniors. Mr. Perez feels these calendars do not address that concern. For these reasons his vote is no. Mr. Williamson mentioned that the calendars were discussed and developed by the committee. Recently, the district decided to participate in the county wide PD at the ESC. There is a concern about the seniors having 5 days off at the end of the year. Some districts allow 3 days but the students are not entitled to any days off. Mr. Williamson said laws and safety procedures change all the time. It is important to have time built into the calendar for PD. These 2 hour delays can be used for these situations, if needed.  Dr. McBride mentioned that it is important for grade banding building to work and have time together. When the delays are added to the calendar ahead of time it is much more convenient for parents to plan versus a last minute delay for weather. Mrs. Stephey said the weather is not going to change, the district needs to react to solving the senior day issue. Ms. Jones from the TEA Union joined the conversation to add some additional information. The CBA states the committee needs to be made up of 3 teachers and 3 administrators. This year the committee had district employees and OAPSE union representatives. Mr. Boes added the proposed calendar was discussed within the committee. After the committee discussed the calendars the calendar was taken to the leadership team for discussion. After the leadership team discussed all 3 calendars were emailed to the Board of Education members for review. Dr. McBride asked about Vanguard, Sentinel, and Calvert academic calendar alignment. Mr. Boes responded Vanguard and Sentinel are great programs but they operate differently throughout the year. They offer remote learning days, which TCS does not offer. Calvert and TCS try to align in the best interest of both districts. Many neighboring schools have incorporated 2 hour delays in the academic calendar already. TCS is a bit behind on this process. Dr. McBride mentioned again that family can plan better with knowing these days and times ahead of time. Ms. Jones mentioned in the past the district first quarter would end in January. This caused some issues with CCP classes. These calendars reflect 1st semester ending in December to help with alignment. Dr. McBride appreciates the conversations each time the groups come together. Mr. Kisabeth and Mrs. Stephey thanked the group for their work. Mr. Williamson added that the calendars can be revised at a later time. Before the meeting this evening the TEA Union Representatives met with Administrators and there was great collaboration. After this first year of the calendar if it needs to be revised for the next 2 years, that can be accomplished. 

Mr. Williamson and Ms. Spence have had multiple conversations about converting to Neola. Neola is a very comprehensive platform. There are several legal teams the information filters through. This will allow the district to stay up to date on legal reviews. Neola will develop administration guidelines for the district. The goal is to make sure Administrators know the guideline and how to use the guidelines. Throughout the year the district will receive legal notes and updates. All Administrator guidelines and forms will be consistent. Neola pushed two big updates each year, fall and spring. A representative from Neola will come and meet with the policy/governance team and will have suggestions that are already prepared ahead of time. These are policies that will not just be a shelf policy but modified to the best interest of the district. 

The curriculum team reviewed curriculums for 6-8 science and high school psychology. Brette Ott was the lead in this process. She considered curriculums of our neighboring school districts and what that district is currently using. Psychology, there are not many options. Science: 4 curriculums were reviewed. Teachers requested a curriculum that focused on Ohio standards. Dr. McBride expressed the importance of teachers feeling strongly about the curriculum he/she is teaching from. Ms. Ott re-enforced that the teachers are excited about these curriculums. Mr. Kisabeth, mentioned it is nice to know that these curriculums will prepare the students for the state standards. Ms. Ott mentioned previously the district purchased Science Fusion but not the full curriculum which in return hinders the staff and students. Mrs. Stephey mentioned that we cannot piece the curriculum together to be successful. 

Mr. Kisabeth discussed the Join Vouchers Hurt Ohio. This is a voucher of 1.7 billion funds from public schools to private schools. Coalition on three (counts 1,2, and 4) of the five claims; thus, the EdChoice voucher system is unconstitutional. Count 3, the ruling favored neither side. The district has a obligation to our taxpayers and the monies should be going to public schools. Mr. Kisabeth read the Ohio Constitution "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 or common schools throughout the entire state; but no religious or other sect, or sects shall ever have any exclusive right to, or control of, any part of the school funds of this state." Dr. McBride mentioned that she cannot speak for Dr. Beres, but Dr. Beres has verbally stated she is in agreement with joining the coalition. Some of the area surrounding schools that have joined the Coalition are the following: Fostoria, Seneca East, Bellevue, Danbury, Edison, Lakota, Nowalk, Sandusky. Mr. Williamson stated this organization has been around for a while with success on other topics. 

Mrs. Stephey mentioned the next regular meeting will be April 27th, 2026 in the Tiffin Middle School Cafetorium.