Ridgedale Board of Education Meeting

1. Roll Call
Mrs. Courtright

______Hamilton ______Hayden ______Park______Roberts ______Roush


2. Pledge of Allegiance
Mrs. Cathy Hamilton, Board President

3. Recognition of Guests and Visitors

0169.1 -PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS
The Board of Education recognizes the value to school governance of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on school matters of community interest. The Board offers public participation to members of the public in accordance with the procedures below. The Board applies these procedures to all speakers and does not discriminate based on the identity of the speaker, content of the speech, or viewpoint of the speaker.


In order to permit the fair and orderly expression of such comment, the Board shall provide a period for public participation at every regular and special meeting of the Board and publish rules to govern such participation in Board meetings.


The presiding officer of each Board meeting at which public participation is permitted shall administer the rules of the Board for its conduct.


The presiding officer shall be guided by the following rules:

  • Public participation shall be permitted as indicated on the order of business.
  • Attendees must register their intention to participate in the public portion of the meeting upon their arrival at the meeting.
  • Individuals may not register others to speak during public participation.
  • Participants must be recognized by the presiding officer and will be requested to preface their comments by an announcement of their name, address, and group affiliation, if and when appropriate.
  • Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to five (5) minutes duration unless extended by the presiding officer.
  • During the portion of the meeting designated for public participation, no participant may speak more than once on the same topic unless all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard.
  • All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer; no person may address or question Board members individually.

The presiding officer may:

  • interrupt, warn, or terminate a participant's session when they make comments that are repetitive, obscene, and/or comments that constitute a true threat (i.e., statements meant to frighten or intimidate one(1)or more specified persons into believing that they will be seriously harmed by the speaker or someone acting at the speaker's behest)
  • request the assistance of law enforcement officers in the removal of a disorderly person when that person's conduct interferes with the conduct and/or orderly progress of the meeting;
  • call for a recess or an adjournment to another time when the lack of public decorum so interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting as to warrant such action.

The portion of the meeting during which the participation of the public is invited shall be limited to thirty (30) minutes per topic unless extended by a vote of the Board.


4. Points of Interest/Discussion
Various
  1. Facilities Update
  2. Board Policy, Bylaw, and Administrative Guideline Updates:
    • Bylaw 0145 - Filling a Board Vacancy (Revised)

    • Bylaw 0146 - Resignation or Removal (Revised)

    • Policy 1231/3231/4231 - Outside Activities of Staff (Revised)

    • Policy 2265 - Protections of Individual Beliefs, Affiliations, Ideals, or Principles of Political Movements and Ideology (Revised)

    • Policy 2431 - Interscholastic Athletics (Revised)

    • Policy 2431.07 - Extracurricular Participation of Non-Enrolled Public High School Students (Student Athlete Mobility "SAM Act") (New)

    • Policy 2461 Recording of District Meetings Involving Students and/or Parents (Rescind)

    • Policy 5111.01 - Homeless Students (Revised)

    • Policy 5224 - Youth Membership Organization (New)

    • Policy 5330 - Use of Medications (Revised)

    • Policy 5463 - Credits from State-Chartered, Special, and Nonchartered Schools (Revised)

    • Policy 5517 - Anti-Harassment (Revised)

    • Policy 6100 - Proper Use of Public Funds (New)

    • Policy 6423 - Use of Credit Cards (Revised)

    • Policy 7450.10 - Recording and AI Processing of Communications on School Property and at School Events (New)

    • Policy 8120 - Volunteers (Revised)

    • Policy 8310 - Public Records (Revised)

    • Policy 8330 - Student Records (Revised)

    • Policy 8470 - Sex Offender Notification (Revised)

    • Policy 9700 - Relations with Special Interest Groups (Revised)

    • AG 5111.01 - Homeless Students (Role of the Local Liaison) (Revised)

    • AG 5463 - Student Transfer from Nonchartered Schools and Enrollment from Home Education (Revised)

    • AG 8470 - Sex Offender Notification (Revised)


5. Treasurer's Report
Mrs. Courtright

For the Month of September 2026:

  1. Disbursement Summary 
  2. GF Monthly Financial Outlook 
  3. Revenue Summary 
  4. Cash Reconciliation 
  5. Then and Now

 

Donations:

  1. $5,500 donation from the VFW for instructional needs
  2. $450 Junior Service Guild to support our Clothing Closet

6. General discussion of agenda, addendum, and other items of concern
Mrs. Courtright and Dr. Bower

Items 6.1-6.5, listed below under the Consent Agenda are considered by the Board to be routine and will be enacted by the Board in one motion in the form listed below. There will be no discussion of these items prior to the time the Board votes on the motion unless members of the Board, staff, or the public request specific items to be discussed and removed from the Consent Agenda. The Superintendent and administrative staff recommend approval of all Consent Agenda items.


6.1 Meeting Minutes
Mrs. Courtright
  1.  Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting on 09.21.26
  2.  Minutes of the Special Board Meeting on 09.29.26

6.2 Superintendent's Report
Dr. Bower
  1. Recommend to approve Catapult contract for Title I Non-Public servicing at St. Mary's for the 2026-27 school year.
  2. Recommend to approve NCOESC Fall Foundation Contract for 2026-27.
  3. Recommend to approve Ohio Adolescent Health Centers Site Agreement to provide Relationships Under Construction and Constructing Safe Relationships Social Health programming for the 2026-2031 school years. 
  4. Recommend to approve the Updated Jr/Sr High Handbook. 
  5. Recommend to approve FMLA for M. Diane Duckworth.
  6. Recommend to approve transportation agreement for family of student who attended the Ohio School for the Blind for the 2026-27 school year.
  7. Recommend to approve the following policies, by-laws, administrative guidelines, and forms:
  • Bylaw 0145 - Filling a Board Vacancy (Revised)
  • Bylaw 0146 - Resignation or Removal (Revised)
  • Policy 1231/3231/4231 - Outside Activities of Staff (Revised)
  • Policy 2265 - Protections of Individual Beliefs, Affiliations, Ideals, or Principles of Political Movements and Ideology (Revised)
  • Policy 2431 - Interscholastic Athletics (Revised)
  • Policy 2431.07 - Extracurricular Participation of Non-Enrolled Public High School Students (Student Athlete Mobility "SAM Act") (New)
  • Policy 5111.01 - Homeless Students (Revised)
  • Policy 5224 - Youth Membership Organization (New)
  • Policy 5330 - Use of Medications (Revised)
  • Policy 5463 - Credits from State-Chartered, Special, and Nonchartered Schools (Revised)
  • Policy 5517 - Anti-Harassment (Revised)
  • Policy 6100 - Proper Use of Public Funds (New)
  • Policy 6423 - Use of Credit Cards (Revised)
  • Policy 7450.10 - Recording and AI Processing of Communications on School Property and at School Events (New)
  • Policy 8120 - Volunteers (Revised)
  • Policy 8310 - Public Records (Revised)
  • Policy 8330 - Student Records (Revised)
  • Policy 8470 - Sex Offender Notification (Revised)
  • Policy 9700 - Relations with Special Interest Groups (Revised)
  • AG 5111.01 - Homeless Students (Role of the Local Liaison) (Revised)
  • AG 5463 - Student Transfer from Nonchartered Schools and Enrollment from Home Education (Revised)
  • AG 8470 - Sex Offender Notification (Revised)

6. Recommend to rescind the following policy:

  • Policy 2461 Recording of District Meetings Involving Students and/or Parents (Rescind)

6.3 21st Century Grant Power Hours

Recommend to hire the following 21st Century Grant Power Hours staff members, pending background checks and licensing as needed: 

  1. Maggie McCall, Tutor
  2. Ashley Hecker, Tutor

6.4 Supplementals 2026-27

Recommend to approve the following 2026-27 supplemental contracts, pending proper licensing and background checks:

  1. Lynnette Thiel, Girls' JV Basketball Coach
  2. Amy Corfman, Assistant Bowling Coach
  3. Katelyn Hamilton, 8th Grade Girls' Basketball Coach
  4. Rachel Outcalt, 7th Grade Girls' Basketball Coach

6.5 2026-2027 Substitutes

Recommend to approve the following substitutes:

  1. Samantha Wisniewski - Teacher Substitute
  2. Samantha Wisniewski - Secretary Substitute
  3. Kayden Kraviec - Teacher Substitute
  4. Trevor Shade - Teacher Substitute
  5. Jennifer Trail - Food Services Substitute
  6. Jennifer Trail - Custodian Substitute

7. Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Special Education Model Policy for Ridgedale Local Schools

RESOLUTION TO ADOPT SPECIAL EDUCATION MODEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

RESOLUTION NO. _____

RIDGEDALE LOCAL SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE RIDGEDALE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, as follows:

BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby adopts the Special Education Model Policies and Procedures ("Model Policies") that were released by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce ("DEW") in April 2025, and directs all staff in the District to use and comply with the Model Policies. The Board further authorizes the Superintendent to notify the DEW of the Board’s adoption of the Model Policies through the DEW’s Monitoring System by uploading a copy of this Board resolution on or before November 30 for each school year.

_________________________ moved and _____________________ seconded the motion that the above Resolution be adopted.
 

Upon roll call and the adoption of the Resolution, the vote was as follows:

Yeas:

Nays:

ADOPTED this 19th day of October, 2026.

_______________________________________

Treasurer/CFO

CERTIFICATE

The undersigned hereby certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution adopted at a meeting held on the 19th day of October, 2026, together with a true and correct extract from the minutes of said meeting to the extent pertinent to consideration and adoption of said Resolution.

_______________________________________

Treasurer/CFO


8. Executive Session

WHEREAS, as a public board of education may hold an executive session only after a majority of a quorum of this board determines by a roll call vote to hold such a session and only at a regular or special meeting for the sole purpose of the consideration of any of the following matters:

1. To consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual.
2. To consider the purchase of property for public purposes or for the sale of property at competitive bidding.
3. Conferences with an attorney for the board of education concerning disputes involving the board of education that are the subject of pending or imminent court action.
4. Preparing for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment.
5. Matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or rules or state statutes.
6. Specialized details of security arrangements where disclosure of the matters discussed might reveal information that could be used for the purpose of committing or avoiding prosecution for a violation of the law.
Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ridgedale Local Board of Education, by a majority of the quorum present at this meeting, does hereby declare its intention to hold an executive session on item(s) as listed above.

_______Hamilton _______Hayden______Park _______Roberts _______Roush


9. Executive Session Concluded

Executive Session concluded at ____(if needed) and public session reconvened.


10. Other Board Directives

Other Board Directives/Initiatives:


11. Next Scheduled Meeting

The next meeting of the Ridgedale Board of Education will be the regular meeting on Monday, November 16, 2026, in the Ridgedale Board of Education meeting room at 5:30 p.m.


12. Adjournment

Motion to Adjourn

_______Hamilton _______Hayden______Park _______Roberts _______Roush