Hillsboro City Schools board, administration preparing for upcoming school year start
The Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education made various approvals in preparation for the start of the 2025-26 school year Monday, July 21, with the first day of school just a few weeks away.
According to superintendent Tim Davis, new staff orientation will be held Aug. 1, followed by the first teacher work day Aug. 6; “district day” and open houses Aug. 7; and the first day of school for students set for Aug. 13.
“We are starting on the final touches to the schools with maintenance and summer cleaning,” Davis said.
Davis said the district is also “finishing up a great summer with both union negotiations” completed, as the board voted Monday to approve a memorandum of understanding for the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) contract. As previously reported, the board approved the agreement with OAPSE, along with the Hillsboro Education Association contract and MOU, in June.
In other reports:
• Board member Larry Lyons said that he had reached out to fellow board members asking them to contact their state legislators with a request to “vote for the vetoes that the governor has done in the last state budget.
“This will be harmful to public education if the vetoes are voted against,” Lyons said. “Holds on the federal grants for our district could affect the educational program in our district.”
• Board member Beverly Rhoads gave a report on the July 9 Great Oaks Board of Directors meeting, where the state budget and Governor Mike DeWine’s vetoes were discussed as well. The Great Oaks board also approved the receipt of grants; specifications for the Diamond Oaks Aviation Project; and six new programs, including Alternative/Electric Vehicle Technician and Welding & Fabrication (second lab) at Laurel Oaks; Park & Recreation Management; Dental Assisting and Welding & Fabrication (second lab) at Diamond Oaks; and Construction Technologies at Clinton-Massie MS/HS.
It was also reported that this year’s Great Oaks Education Foundation Golf Classics raised $56,459.59.
In other discussion:
• The board approved the financial reports as presented. District treasurer Ben Teeters reported a cash balance of $10,263,519.29 for June 2025, down from $11,366,790.60 in June 2024, with monthly expenses of $3,002,688.84.
• The board approved the following individuals for the contracts and positions indicated, all for the 2025-26 school year: sub certificated, Ronna Achor, Corey Allen, Sara Allen, Robert Armentrout, Zachary Bambic, Kaylynn Bell, Michelle Bohl, Lindsey Burkhart, Jamie M. Burton, Maggie Chaney, Jessica Chase, Kimberly Cochran, Dorothy Countryman, Shelbie Cowman, David Evans, Donita Everetts, Brenda Fishback, Stephanie Harper, Rhonda Hassman, Kendra Hernandez, Paula Homan, Jana Huff-Daye, Daria Jones, Lori “Krista” King, Lori “Krista” King, Paula Kiser, Alexis Lennert, Tara Malloy, Donald Marsh, Randy McFarland, Allyson McKeehan, Jessica Messer, Kimberly Miller, Christin Morris, Kimberly O'Brien, Kelly Pavey, Gideon Pickering-Polstra, Emily Pohlman, Katie Purdin, Patricia Reinholz, Dee Robinson, Cathleen Savage, Rebecca Shawhan, Lindsay Snavely, Kellie Vilvens, Rebecca Waits, Regina Webb, Lindsay Wilson, Beth Wright and Stephani Young; supplemental, equipment manager Nick Fite, HS International Thespian Society Adviser Jenna Horick and fall site supervisors Jason Fox and Matt Schneider; sub classified, Joyce Dragon (aide, clerical), Patricia Hutton (aide) and Robert Williams (bus driver); tutors, Kristy Rhodes (Title I) and Emily Schelling (intervention specialist); and certificated, teacher Kristie L. Cornele (one-year contract).
• The board approved leaves of absence for teacher Jordan Rhude (effective Aug. 7-Oct. 20), transportation supervisor Ron Ward (July 8-Nov. 10) and custodian Jason Wait (June 2-Aug. 25).
• The board accepted the resignations of cooks Amy Bieler, effective July 1, and Lili Hunt, effective July 3.
• The board approved changes of status for the following individuals for the 2025-26 school year: from BA step 0 to BA step 4, Lisa Creditt; from MA + 15 to MA + 30, Melissa Boysel and Matthew R. Sexton; from BA-0 to MA+30-25, Deanna Motts; from BA-0 to BA-2, Christina Chlopik; from BA-0 to MA-14, Cara Georges; from BA-0 to MA-16, Emily Holbrook; from BA-0 to MA-10, Katrena Scaletta; and from aide no degree from step 0 to step 1, Sherry Stark.
• Prior to the regular meeting, the board held a federal grant budget meeting as well as a public hearing regarding the reemployment of Kristie Cornele, a superannuate, as a second grade teacher. As noted under employment, the board opted to approve her contract, as her “reemployment was deemed an urgent necessity to ensure the position is filled for the start of the 2025-2026 school year,” according to Teeters.
• In two separate motions, the board approved the adoption of the health education course of study and the adoption of the ETR HealthSmart Online Health Curriculum.
• The board approved a $50,000 transfer between line items (from 001-7200-910-0000 to 002-5100-000-9000) for each month of fiscal year 2026.
• The board approved a contract with G & J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers.
• Two out-of-state field trips for the upcoming school year, including one for the symphonic choir to Nashville, Tenn. and one for high school cheerleading to Lexington, Ky., were authorized.
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