Hillsboro City Schools kick off 2023-24 school year; Summer Food Program serves over 110K free meals to area children

Another school year is underway for the Hillsboro City Schools district, with board members hearing an update on the first few days of school during their Monday, Aug. 21 meeting.

“We've had a great start,” Superintendent Tim Davis said. “We have four days down. The true test will come Wednesday, when we have all of our kindergarteners. Today [Monday] was just boys, tomorrow [Tuesday] is girls, Wednesday's everybody.

“So far, our transportation department, our administrators and teachers have had a great start of the school year. It's good to see smiling faces.”

Davis began his report by sharing highlights from the “District Day” on Aug. 8, which is their annual opening day celebration. Numerous staff achievements were brought out during that event, he said.

“It’s probably my favorite day of the year,” Davis said. “We did have our pep rally and our band and our cheerleaders.

“A lot of thank-yous for our staff in preparing for this school year, whether it be technology or buildings, maintenance, buses, all of our administrators and teachers. We recognized 42 employees that had perfect attendance last year in the 2022-23 school year, and we introduced 19 new staff members.”

Also during the District Day event, the Summer Food Program was celebrated, as the HCS Tomahawk and Juice Box served over 100,000 meals to children under 18 in the Hillsboro area, between May 30 and Aug. 4.

Originally founded as a free summer meal program, the Tomahawk debuted in the summer of 2017, with the “Juice Box” added to the fleet in 2021 to accommodate additional locations, including more rural stops. Last summer, the district provided 27,228 free meals; this year, it was 110,082, according to Davis.

“Our kitchen staff, Jessica [Walker, food service director], the community, teachers that filled in — I mean, it takes a lot to create that many hot meals, delivering those,” Davis said. “That is just outstanding, and we want to thank them for that.”

Davis told The Highland County Press that the reason for the huge increase is because in addition to a hot lunch five days a week, “we were able to give breakfast to each student each day, and we were able to give the students six meals on Friday — lunch and breakfast for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”

In his report, board member Tom Milbery said the number of children served over the past few months was “incomprehensible.”

“I can't even imagine that many meals being served,” he said. “I’m glad we're able to do it.”

Also during the District Day event, teachers and students were celebrated for “accomplishments from our test scores,” Davis said.

“For the third year in a row, we were 20 out of 20 above the state average,” Davis said. “Eleven out of 20 were 70 percent or higher, and we had four subject areas that were 80 percent or higher. Those were fourth grade math, fifth grade ELA [English language arts], fifth grade science and seventh grade ELA.

“Our eighth grade Algebra I was 100-percent passage, again, for the second year in a row. This year, 56 kids out of 56 passed.”

There were a total of 24 staff members whose students “averaged 80 percent on or higher on their state tests,” and the following four educators “had all of their students pass the state test:” fourth grade teacher Jenni Gleadle, fifth grade teachers Janelle Igo and Jackie Thoroman and eighth grade teacher Janey Silcott.

Moving on to the actual start of classes, Davis said that a new program was introduced this year with a “freshman boot camp” for ninth graders to have an orientation of sorts on the first day of school.

“It was filled with activities in the auditorium, kind of getting to know different clubs and activities that the high school has to offer,” Davis said. “Every freshman received a T-shirt, and we also have a new rock in the front of the school that they painted and signed, to kind of bring them into the high school.

“They had activities outside, and they were served lunch by the food truck out at the track.”

Davis said that it was a “good day” and that the students seemed to enjoy it.

“I’ve heard a lot of freshmen kids talking about how it was different, that they didn't have to sit through class the first day, so they were really excited about that,” Davis said.

For construction updates, Davis said that the baseball/softball fields are still progressing, albeit slowly.

As previously reported, in July 2022, the HCS board authorized the $2.7 million purchase of artificial turf and its installation through Southwestern Ohio Education Purchasing Council from The Motz Group, LLC, upgrading the soccer field to a turf field and installing turf baseball and softball infields at the HHS athletic complex.

“We are right now kind of on hold with our backstop due to the poles, so we are kind of waiting on that,” Davis told the board. “They will be here hopefully by the end of September. The retaining wall is completed on the softball field, and we are continuing to work on the field excavation dealing with the irrigation system so we can start planting grass.

“Our dugouts should construction this week. We met on Thursday of last week, and they were going to be starting this week.”

Davis added that it has been “a long process” with “some delays,” but that “hopefully within the next month we'll see some grass growing out there and prepare for the winter so we’ll be ready to go by spring.”

For building improvements using federal grant funding, Davis said new chillers are “up and running for the most part,” while they have received materials for new roofing at the elementary school.

“They will be working on the [grades] 4/5 and the [grades] 2/3 roofs to have those completely finished,” Davis said.

Davis also said that they have installed a new plaque at HHS to celebrate their Indian Pride graduates. The program, which started in the 2019-20 school year, promotes a drug-free lifestyle, with qualifications for graduating with Indian Pride recognition also including a minimum grade point average, with no discipline or suspensions.

“The program has been pretty steady for the last few years, and it's one of those things that we're proud of those kids that have graduated with that,” Davis said. “It’s something we hope that will continue. It is a nice plaque to see all the names of the students.”

In other committee reports:

• Board member Larry Lyons said he attended the Indians’ varsity football opener Friday, Aug. 18, which was a 38-27 loss to Western Brown.

“We had a great start, but it didn’t end quite like we’d like to,” he said.

Lyons reported that “two new dish machines” have been installed in the elementary and high school kitchens.

“Jessica and her crew did a really nice job,” Lyons said. “The facilities are phenomenal. I can't say enough about the staff and the group that takes care of that.”

Lyons also summarized recent education initiatives announced by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s office, including the ReadOhio initiative, which is “a statewide effort to encourage improved literacy skills for all ages, including the implementation of curriculum aligned with the science of reading in K-12 schools,” according to the Governor’s Office. (For more information, see: https://highlandcountypress.com/governor-dewine-launches-readohio-initi….)

“Ohio schools will be required a curriculum aligned with the science of reading to help the close the gap of learning accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Lyons said. “There was a lot of discussion the last three weeks on the effects of the pandemic, but they're working on filling in that reading gap.

“Fortunately, at Hillsboro, we've not experienced that. Our kids are continuing on and have done well there.”

Also announced by DeWine this month is the Teacher Apprenticeship Program. More details can be found at: https://highlandcountypress.com/governor-dewine-announces-new-teacher-a….

“This program looks to address the teacher shortage that Ohio faces as well as create opportunities for those already working in our schools to transition to teaching if they wanted to,” Lyons said.

As noted by Lyons, the state operating budget also includes a provision for College Credit Plus. According to the Ohio Governor’s Office, that includes a “$3 million per year investment for high school teachers to earn credentials to teach College Credit Plus courses in high schools.

“Training opportunities have also been expanded for teachers looking to become certified to teach courses through the state's College Credit Plus program, areas where we have a shortage of teachers,” Lyons said. “This is designed to allow them to go in and get accredited to teach a particular course.”

• Board member Beverly Rhoads gave a report of the Aug. 9 Great Oaks Board of Directors meeting. During that meeting, the board approved a collective bargaining agreement with the teachers’ organization, GOPO, for Aug. 1, 2023-July 31, 2026. According to Rhoads, “this is the first collective bargaining agreement for them.”

Also approved by the Great Oaks board were revisions to the student handbook; a $1 million grant for adult programming; an architectural agreement with MSA Design for maintenance and consultation on existing facilities; and cafeteria pricing.

Ohio ACTE award winners Mary Beth Smith and Julia Ancona were recognized during the Great Oaks board meeting. For the new school year, it was noted that 44 new individuals were added to the Great Oaks staff, with “18 position changes to accommodate retires, internal movement opportunities and program expansions.”

• In lieu of a report, board president Bill Myers asked Davis for an update on the “servers,” after the district had internet problems to start the school year. Davis said they have “troubleshooted the problem,” with the technology department getting the internet “back up and running.”

“Eric [Hennison, technology director] has worked timeless, late nights to get us up and running,” Davis said. “We are right now functioning to where we can still operate with internet, and then he is looking to see where the problem is to fix the problem overall.”

In other updates, the board approved the following measures.

• The board approved the financial reports as presented. District treasurer Ben Teeters listed a general fund cash balance of $9,436,418 for July 2023, up from $7,706,685 in July 2022; expenses of $2,249,685, up from $2,184,289 a year ago; and revenues of $2,699,609, an increase of last year’s $2,640,992.

“Our income is equal to what it was this time last year,” Teeters said. “Our expenses are just slightly more, by about $50,000, than they were last year. In all, our school district is running pretty good right now.”

• The board rejected a $600 bid received for the sale of a 2003 Bluebird 84-passenger bus, for which they had voted in July to seek sealed bids. According to Davis, the district has now decided not to sell the bus, pending the outcome of a possible electric bus purchase.

“We may be able to use this bus as an alternate for getting some electric buses, and if that is the case, you have to take two buses out of circulation,” Davis said. “Instead of putting this up for bid and getting $600 out of it, we are rejecting it and want to wait to keep that bus to see if we get two electric buses, and that would be one of the ones that we take out of circulation.

“It is a grant that is in a consortium that they needed so many buses to meet the quota. Another school dropped out of that, and we were asked if we wanted to fill in and fill the last two spots. We put a bid in for two buses at, I think, a discounted rate of $50,000 or around that for both buses, plus the charging stations, for the grant.”

• The board authorized a memorandum of understanding between Team Driving School and Hillsboro City Schools for building usage, effective June 1, 2023-June 1, 2024.

“This is an opportunity for us that has come about through the city, to provide some driving instruction for students that may not be able to afford that,” Davis said. “We are teaming up with them to kind of have grant funds pay for students that meet the criteria to do the driving in the classes so that they have an opportunity to get their driver's license. One of the things that has kind of been projected in our community is it's a struggle for students to get their license financially, so teaming up with a grant from the city for Team Driving, we're going to host it.”

According to Lauren Walker of the City of Hillsboro, the city has “been awarded $10,000” in state grant funding, which “should be able to support 23 students through the driver’s training program.”

Davis added that the classes are available for HHS students only and that it is a one-year program to “see how it works.” All students may participate, but “there is the possibility for it to be paid” through the grant for students that meet income eligibility requirements, Davis said.

“The eligibility requirements for students are to serve those who meet the school reduced/free lunch criteria and are not failing any classes,” Walker wrote in a press release earlier this year. “Students must have a permit and no previous driving training.”

• The board approved a lengthy list of individuals recommended for the contracts and positions indicated, including:
— Volunteers, Megan Apgar, Jaime Garen and Dan York (Hillsboro Elementary, Middle School and High School); Shelby Back, Amy Baldwin, April Calhoun, Bridget Campbell, Pam Carson, Kayla Conrad, Mellisa Custer, Brittane Dance, Stephanie Dunseith, Kayla Durr, Gina Earley, Jordyn Evans, Shawna Faul, Audrey Ferguson, Amanda Fife, Tessa Gaines, Chelsea Gardner, Chase Gilliland, Bertha Hamilton, Allison Harper, Angela Hilterbrand, Nancy Horvath, Tasha Kereky, Allison Knisley, Logan Lesley, Debra Lewis, Shianne Ludlow, Justin Maddox, Regina Malone, Regina Meadows, Jeffrey Meyer, Leah McConnaughey, Branton Miller, Natalie Miller, Erica Morgan, Angela Newman, Chelsey Ojeda, Paige Satterfield, Megan Scott, Nicole Shawhan, Amanda Smith, Janice Smith, Jessica Taberski, Sherry Ward, Kylee Warner, Tonya Weber, Jessica Wells, Sidney Wilson, Stephanie Worrall and Gina Yezzi (HES); Marc Bayless (HMS, HHS); and Chase Colliver.
— DLC: Sarah Albert, Jenna Allen, Colleen Barney, Danielle Bice, Marcy Boyd, Melissa Boysel, Stacia Burke, Kayla Gauche, Tiffany Gobin, Celia Griffin, Jenna Horick, Carey McBride, Amanda Miller, Heather Murphy, Ashley Pollock, Beth Purtee, Lauren Purtee, Mercedes Reese, Jordan Rhude, Verona Roush, Tobi Stevens, Marissa Stone, Kristen Wait and Jordan Walker.
— Mentor: Cassie Adkins, Elizabeth Denton, Todd Griffin and Jennifer Howland.
— Sub Certificated: Jeri Brown, Jessica Chase, Donita Everetts, Brenda Fishback, Ashley Fluent, Johanna Holt, Tina Hughes, Jessica McMinn, Megan Mezo, Hilary Montalvo (nurse), Emily Pohlman, Nicole Studebaker, JoAnne Vincent and Mary Weddington.
— Sub Classified: Deanna Cordy (aide); Shelly Johnson (aide, clerical, cook); Ann Morrow (secretary); and Kelley Sexton and Cathy Teeters (both aide, secretary).
— Classified: paraprofessionals Kayla Burns (Conrad), retroactive to Aug. 3, and Deanna Cordy, effective Sept. 11; cook Lili Hunt, retro to Aug. 3; and custodian Cathy Seifer, retro to Aug. 16.
— Certificated: teacher Hunter Morgan, retro to Aug. 3.
— Supplementals: Sarah Albert, MS DC coordinator; Cindy Asmus, senior class adviser (split) and HS National Honor Society adviser (split); Melissa Boysel and Michele Williams, Camp Joy coordinators (split); Elizabeth Buchanan (Scott), freshman class adviser; Jennifer Chaney and Mark Koller, elementary student council (split); Charles Colliver, choral accompanist; Kirstin Easterling, Language Club adviser; Kayla Gauche, MS National Honor Society; Fawn Girard, MS girls cross-country coach; Trevor Gleadle, athletic site supervisor (winter, spring); Stephanie Haines, spirit store adviser (split), senior class adviser (split) and HS National Honor Society adviser (split); Tanya Hendrix, HS Art Club adviser; Mark Holmes, auditorium sound/lighting; Jenna Horick, play adviser/director, HS International Thespian Society adviser, high school musical; Laura Jacky, high school musical, HS/MS vocal music director; Mandi Jones, HS yearbook adviser, junior class/prom adviser, spirit store adviser (split); Megan MacIvor, HS student council adviser; Jessica Rhoades and Tina Young, graduation organizer (split) and student recognition coordinator (split); Matt Schneider, sophomore class adviser, athletic site supervisor (fall, spring); Tracey Staggs, HS and MS Robotics Club adviser; and Karin Yakimow, MS student council.

In a separate motion, the board voted 4-0 to approve Bruce Miles as the winter athletic site supervisor, with Lyons abstaining.

• The board approved the following leaves of absence: teachers Rachel Bohrer (effective July 31-Dec. 15), Matt Garman (Aug. 31-Oct. 12), Laura Jacky (July 13-Oct. 8) and Brittany Oxley (Oct. 13-Jan. 5, 2024); principal Pam Hollon (Dec. 4-18); and counselor Mercedes Reese (Oct. 14-Nov. 15).

• The board accepted the resignations of teacher Kyleah Brey and paraprofessional Teresa Stout, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year, and custodian Linda Pucket, effective July 19.

• The board approved the following changes of status for staff members for the 2023-24 school year: Quentin Cox, from BA step 0 to MA step 9; Lisa Hopkins and Laura Wolf, both from MA to MA+15; Gabrielle Lochbaum, from BA 150 to MA; Melissa Miller, from cook to head cook; Ben Young, from MS girls cross-country coach to MS boys cross-country coach; and Tina Young, from MA+15 to MA+30.

• The board appointed Rhoads as delegate and Lyons as alternate for the annual business meeting at the OSBA Capital Conference on Nov. 13.

• The board approved an independent contractor agreement with Keystone Autism and Behavior Interventions LLC for services.

“We started using Keystone last year,” Davis told the board. “It’s a behavior specialist to come in to deal with, like it says, autism and behaviors in our units, provide some training for our staff and do some functional behavior analysis on the students.”

The superintendent added that there are “no set hours,” but the specialist comes down “maybe one or two days a week throughout the year, depending on our needs.”

• The board approved a contract for an attendant at Clermont County Educational Service Center North for one student for the 2023-24 school year at a cost of $42,950.

“We actually went from two attendants to one,” Davis said. “One of the students does not need an attendant during the day.”

• The board approved the SoComm services for two students at the Clermont County ESC North for the 2023-24 school year at a cost of $47,150 per student.

• The board approved a transportation contract between Hillsboro City Schools and FRS to transport two special needs students (and a paraprofessional, according to Davis) for the 2023-24 school year: one to the Ohio State School for the Blind, and one to New Story School.

• The board accepted the following donations: three anonymous donations toward elementary school supplies in the amounts of $345, $150 and $200, respectively; a $1,500 donation from Apex Excavating (Mickey Waters) toward uniforms and cheer camp for high school cheerleaders; a $300 donation from Bealls Outlet toward elementary school supplies; a $325 donation from the Peace Lutheran Church toward HHS Indian Pride Program; and a $150 donation from Weastec Inc. toward elementary school supplies.

• In two separate motions, the board approved the following out-of-state field trips: an eighth grade trip to Washington D.C. May 14-17, 2024, for Sarah Albert’s class, and the symphonic choir to Chicago, Ill. on March 1-4, with vocal music director Laura Jacky.