Hillsboro City Schools board updated on recent honors, activities

Superintendent Tim Davis discussed the “crazy busy” end of the school year, including an overview of recent honors, graduation, spring sports and the last days of school, during the Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education’s Monday, May 19 meeting.

Although he was not present for the meeting, graduating senior Carter Boyd was honored by Davis, as Boyd was slated as the 2025-26 Ohio FFA State President during the recent State Convention.

“He was [state] vice president this year, did an unbelievable job, and now he gets to be president,” Davis said. “After listening to him talk today at graduation practice, I believe he's taking the year off to fulfill these duties, and then he will be attending Ohio State University.

“We’re very proud of Carter, a great young man.”

As noted by board member Beverly Rhoads in her report, the Great Oaks Board of Directors also recognized Boyd at their May 14 meeting.

Also recognized in absentia was the 2024-25 student representative on the board, Madison Dearmon, as Davis thanked her for her service this year.

Graduation is set for Sunday, May 25, and Davis said 12 graduates have the distinction of serving as valedictorian: Maximus Alexander, Wesley Bailey, Austin Bledsoe, Zachary Burwinkel, Tate Davis, Ryan Fender, Kallie Fraley, Gavin Greer, Blake Herdman, Halle Jones, Molly Smith and Robert West.

“Congratulations to them,” Davis said.

On May 10, the school hosted a science showcase, which featured participants from both Hillsboro and surrounding schools.

“We had over 90 participants, up 30 from the year before,” Davis said. “I want to thank Miss [Sarah] Weisner and all of her volunteers and all the support that they got for a successful science showcase. Some of the things that our kids were doing were just outstanding with their projects.”

Staff recognition is May 22, while seniors were honored at an awards ceremony May 16, Davis said.
 
“We had 20 local scholarships given out, and that was scholarships, not students, so we had probably around 40 to 50 kids that were receiving scholarships that were locally here,” Davis said. “That's great to see our community supporting our young students.”

For spring sports, Davis said that baseball, softball, boys track and field and girls track and field were all competing in the postseason, with the school’s spring sports banquet May 27 and the Frontier Athletic Conference spring sports banquet June 2.

“We've had a pretty good spring,” Davis said. “Softball were FAC champions for the fifth straight undefeated season, so 50-0 in league games the last five years. That is just unbelievable for what they have been able to perform, so congratulations to Coach [Gary] Breeden and all the players.

“Boys track were also FAC champions. They pulled out a win last week in Chillicothe.”

Davis said the district should also “be getting state test results back” this week.

The school year officially ends May 21 for students and May 23 for teachers, Davis told the board.

“I want to thank all of our students, parents and staff for another successful year at Hillsboro City Schools,” Davis said.

In other reports:

• Board member Larry Lyons spoke about the “significant” number of bills affecting education that have been introduced recently in his legislative update.

“Probably the biggest thing was Senate Bill 158 passed the [Ohio] Senate,” he said. “It's the bill requiring schools to have a cell phone policy that prohibits the use of cell phones during the instruction time, which I think we're already ahead of the game. We have that.”

As previously reported, under a new policy effective this school year, students are required to bring Yondr pouches to school each day. The pouches keep the phones locked away until the end of the day, when students can access designated unlocking areas.

On a related note, board president Bill Myers asked Davis how that policy worked out this school year.

“Since we've done it the after the first two weeks, it has been a blessing,” Davis said. “We do have kids all the time try to sneak in and not lock it, and you know, there is discipline from that, but for the most part, it has not been an issue. The kids have done a very good job with adapting to it and actually making it through the day without their cell phone.

“It has been a very nice transition, so congratulations to our high school administration and teachers for pulling that off and making it a success.”

• Rhoads discussed the May 14 Great Oaks Board of Directors meeting, where staff and student recognitions were discussed. She attended the Laurel Oaks senior ceremony at Southern State Community College, with 363 graduates, while the other campuses had a combined record total of 1,110 students.

Rhoads added that she also attended Hillsboro’s military recognition ceremony for students enlisting in the military upon graduation and the Ohio School Boards Association’s Board Leadership Institute.

• Myers said in his report that he attended the baccalaureate ceremony for this year’s graduates, which he said was “wonderful.

“Jon Kitna was the main speaker, but also our kids did a great job reading scripture and handling that and planning that,” he said. “That was a good service.”

Also during Monday’s meeting:

• The board approved the five-year forecast as presented. In a change from usual approvals, district treasurer Ben Teeters did not provide a detailed overview of the forecast, as he said it is “primarily the same” as the most recent approval in the fall.

“We approve a five-year forecast two times a year, and May is the last time we approve it for the current fiscal year,” Teeters said. “We're still waiting on next year's money from the state to say what their budget is going to be, and right now, that's kind of just in limbo, so basically, the forecast is primarily the same as it was in October.

“They're looking at changing it from a five-year forecast to a three-year forecast, because years four and five were just a wild guess anyway. It would be more practical, using it for a three year, and that's what the state auditors look at.”

“We typically only show red in years four to five, because you kind of flatline everything,” Lyons added.

• The board approved the financial reports as presented. Teeters reported a general fund cash balance of $14,904,168 for April 2025, up from $12,961,263 in April 2024; expenses of $2,859,889, up from $2,576,577 a year ago; and revenues of $7,656,762, also up from $7,033,195 last year.

“We are in good shape,” Teeters said.

• The board rescinded contract offers to several staff members, following approvals made at their April meeting, then voted to approve revised contracts for the 2025-26 school year.

The rescinding contract offers were for three-year contracts with Olivia Fulton, Matt Garman, Tiffany Gobin, Crystal Myers (with Bill Myers abstaining) and Tara Williamson. Continuing contracts were later approved for all of those individuals with the exception of Williamson.

“We had to rescind it, so then we can offer them a continuing contract,” Davis said. “They went through the process.”

• The board approved the following individuals for the contracts and positions indicated: Summer Food Service Program ($17.44 per hour), Ronna Achor, Kaley Ballein, Rachael Brath, Carrie Carey, Katie Carey, Ladonna Davis, Kathy Doss, Karen Fraley, Beth Gotherman, Chad Haynie, Sherri Holland, Hannah Hopkins, Jennifer Howland, Lili Hunt, Lisa Lederer, Melissa Mahan, Jamie McRill, Jessica Messer, Ben Reed, Mercedes Reese, Verona Roush, Destiny Sonner, Mary Sonner, Catrina Snider, Amy Vance, Carol Waits and Katie Watson; SFSP Sponsor Manager Monitor ($4,500), Stephanie Thompson; and the following contracts for the 2025-26 school year: one year, Kayla DeAtley, Willie Hollingsworth, Brian Hughes, Reagan Malblanc, Matt Sexton and Sara Lamb; two years, Laura Wolf; three years, Chad Haynie, Jamie Holland, Pam Hollon (curriculum specialist), Tina Jensen, Jessica Jordan, Carey McBride, Bruce Miles (Lyons abstained), Beth Purtee, Jordan Rhude and Rebecca Weiderman; continuing, Olivia Fulton, Matt Garman, Tiffany Gobin and Crystal Myers (Bill Myers abstained); administrators, Kim Beam (special education supervisor, three years), Dave Dietrick (middle school assistant principal, three years), Kyle Haines (high school assistant principal, three years), Taylor Jodrey (early childhood principal, two years), Heather Murphy (special education supervisor, two years), Brett Prince (athletic director, three years) James Rhoades (middle school principal, three years) and Joe Turner (high school principal, three years); and certificated, Samantha Jones (intervention specialist, one year).

• In separate motions, the board approved two different client services agreements with Soliant Health, LLC, including one for paraprofessional services and one for psychologist teleservices, both from Aug. 6, 2025-May 21, 2026.

“[The paraprofessional contract] is for two students that we transport to Clermont County, and due to the amount of time during the school day, they also stay at the school with the students,” Davis said. “This is also the person that finished the year, so we've piloted the program basically the last two months, probably, and worked out very well, very good employee, and we're continuing through next year.”

For the other agreement, Davis said this is for a second psychologist in addition to the one who contracted with the district for the current school year.

• The board approved the following food service prices for the 2025-26 school year: school meals, no cost; second meal costs, HS/MS, $3 lunch, $3 breakfast; elementary, $2.50 lunch, no second breakfast; extra milk, $.50; adult lunch, $5; adult breakfast, $2.50.

• The board approved the National School Lunch/Breakfast Program and Smart Snack Program.

“This is a program that we approve every year, so just so we can participate in the federal programs,” Teeters said.

• The board accepted donations from the following individuals, for student needs, Abby Baker ($100), Samantha Charek ($60), Amy Craig ($25), Matt Garman ($40), Nathan Horne ($100), Mike Nartker ($25) and Tina Young ($50); for robotics, DMM Financial Services ($200), Hillsboro Elks Lodge 361 ($2,000), Hawk Family Farm LLC ($200), Delihah Hucik and Eric Kelch ($100), Integrity Ag Services LLC ($200), Bev Johnson Mayo ($100) and Ponderosa/Lone Wolf Management Inc. ($200); and for HCS staff toward teacher appreciation, Hillsboro Church of the Nazarene (10 dozen doughnuts valued at $200) and Merchants National Bank (pizza valued at $675).

• The board approved a two-year service agreement with Southern Ohio Educational Service Center effective July 1, 2025-June 30, 2027.

• The board approved a contract with Miami Valley Educational Computer Association (MVECA) for July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026.

“This is the contract with all of our basically student housing information, so our progress book, EMIS [Education Management Information System] reporting, all that stuff,” Davis said.    

• The board approved the Worker’s Compensation Group Plan for calendar year 2026 with Sedgwick. The contract fee is $1,940, with an estimated worker’s compensation premium of $54,182.

According to Teeters, the contract fee is $30 higher than last year’s, and the premium is $281 lower.

• The board approved leaves of absence for cook Anna Aber (effective Dec. 12, 2024-May 1, 2025 - revised) and teachers Brian Hughes (May 8-23), Madison Klaiss (Aug. 24-Oct. 5) and Keely Smith (May 5-23).

• The board accepted the resignations of paraprofessional Brittany Holsinger (effective April 23) and teacher Keely Smith (end of 2024-25 school year).

• The board approved Addyson Alexander as a class of 2025 graduate.

• The board approved a recommendation by the treasurer to use the Set Balance Year-End Program to set appropriations to expenditures.

“This is something we do every year,” Teeters said. “It’s just required that if I use this program to make the two match, then I have to have board approval to do it, but generally I don't use this program.”

• The board approved an out-of-state field trip for the high school football team to Montrose, Mich. from July 27-30.

For more from Monday’s meeting, see the story at https://highlandcountypress.com/news/hillsboro-elementary-student-counc….

Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.