Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education reorganizes for 2026; Myers, Rhoads reelected to lead board

The Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education held their 2026 reorganizational meeting and regular monthly meetings Monday, Jan. 5, where the board voted to reelect Bill Myers and Beverly Rhoads as president and vice president, respectively.

Myers has served as board president, and Rhoads has been vice president, since 2017. Both of them were unanimously reelected at the start of the organizational meeting, after which district treasurer Ben Teeters administered the oath of office.

All five board members — which include Myers and Rhoads as well as Larry Lyons, Tom Milbery and Jerry Walker — were thanked by superintendent Tim Davis in his report, in honor of School Board Recognition Month.

Davis also reviewed a lengthy list of recent student accomplishments as submitted by student board representative Abby Fryman, who was absent Monday. 

For Hillsboro High School athletics, the Lady Indians bowling team started their season with a 13-0 record (including tournaments), while the Indians were 11-2 (including tournaments). Bowlers with top averages include Sidney Bayless, Rylee Moyer, Cami Miller, Rylie Ison and Riley Clemons on t he girls team and Camden Lively, Quentin Gall and Austin Huff on the boys team.

The basketball teams have a combined seven players listed among the county’s leading scorers as compiled by The Highland County Press. Those include Tylee Davis, Kobie Miles and Annia Young for the varsity girls team and Jack Howland, Jeven Hochstuhl and Mason Dumpert on the varsity boys team.

Fryman also wrote about the wrestling and swimming teams in her report.

“The boys and girls wrestling teams have shown incredible determination and skill this season,” Fryman wrote. “Their hard work and dedication are evident in their performances, and it's truly impressive to see how much they've accomplished together as a unit.

“The swim teams have demonstrated remarkable talent and perseverance this season. Their dedication to improving their skills and competing at a high level is commendable, and it's exciting to see the achievements they've made in the water.”

Recent science class notes included intro to chemistry students creating and displaying molecules; zoology students dissecting worms; physics students holding a pumpkin flinging competition to demonstrate their catapults; and the Science Club taking a field trip to the Cincinnati Museum Center, Fryman reported.

Other extracurricular activities over the past few months, as reported by Fryman, included a Veterans Day assembly that featured performances by the symphonic choir and band and a reading of letters written by two students; a Read with a Buddy program between high school and elementary students; HHS hosting and participating in the OMEA District 16 Honor Choir event; performances by the symphonic choir at the city tree lighting ceremony, Rotary Club meeting and their Feast of Carols; a symphonic winter concert; and a visit from Santa and his elves on the last day of school before winter break.

In other discussion:

• The board approved the financial reports as presented. Teeters reported a cash balance of $11,320,234.90 as of Dec. 31, down slightly from $12,103,419.47 at the end of 2024. Monthly expenses were $2,099,055.85.

• The board approved individuals for the following positions: sub classified, Tabatha Beverly (cook); and volunteer, Michael Domitor (wrestling coach).

• The board approved Tahkoda Barker as an early graduate.

• An anonymous $600 donation toward the power pack program for the elementary school was accepted.

• The Board approved the A-Z Effective School Board Award Nomination Checklist for the Southwest Region Ohio School Boards Association.

The organizational meeting included the following standard annual resolutions:

• A resolution to set the dates and times for the 2026 school board meetings. Meetings will continue to be held on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the district office, unless otherwise noted. The next meeting, set for Feb. 16, will be held at 9 a.m. instead.

• The board voted on board committee assignments, which remain unchanged from 2025, with the exception of the different student representative. Committee assignments include: Finance: Rhoads and Lyons, with Myers as alternate; Ohio School Board legislative liaison: Lyons, with Walker as alternate; Policy: Milbery and Rhoads; Great Oaks representative: Rhoads; American Disability Act: Walker; Southwest Regional Board: Rhoads; Business Advisory: Rhoads, with Lyons as alternate; Athletic Council: Milbery and Myers; HEA and OAPSE liaison: Walker; student representative: Fryman; Wellness: Walker and Fryman; Community Relations: Milbery and Lyons; and Technology: Myers.

• The number of students enrolled in the district — which was 2,136, including one sophomore, 25 juniors and 22 seniors attending Laurel Oaks — as of Dec. 31, 2026 was certified.

• The tax budget for fiscal year July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with estimated expenditures of $37,685,451 from the General Fund, was adopted, as a tax budget hearing was held prior to the organizational meeting.

• In two separate resolutions, the superintendent was authorized to employ staff and accept resignations as needed.

• In two separate motions, the treasurer was authorized to pay all bills within the limits of the appropriations resolution as bills are received and when the merchandise has been received in good condition and to invest interim funds at the most productive interest rate whenever interim funds are available.

• The board approved a resolution to draw and pay taxes.

• The board authorized the superintendent or designated assistant to serve as the purchasing agent for the district.

• The board voted to establish a Service Fund, to be set aside as an account within the General Fund, and to appropriate $7,500, which amount shall be incorporated into the appropriations of the district for July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.

• The board agreed “to be paid at the maximum rate allowed by law.”

• The board authorized the treasurer to “represent the Board of Education for the certified public records training to fulfill the requirements” by law.

• The board waived the reading of minutes for each board meeting.

A public hearing on the 2026-27 school calendar was also held Monday morning.

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