Board Meeting Recap

Welcome to our WLS Board of Education Recap. This document provides an overview of the broad topics covered at each board meeting. If you prefer more detail, please access Board Docs at wayne-local.com.

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• Superintendent's Report
• Superintendent's Update
• Student Board of Education Update
• Consent Agenda - Treasurer
• Consent Agenda - Mary L. Cook Public Library
• Consent Agenda - Superintendent
• Board of Education Update
• Special Board Meeting - March 30 at 6 p.m. in PAC lobby

Public Participation

There were no public participants at this meeting.

Public Participation Policy po0169.1

Dr. Ison shared the first readings of the Waynesville Athletic Handbook - Code of Conduct and the Waynesville Middle School and Waynesville High School Athletic Department Coaches Handbook.

First Readings

Waynesville Athletic Handbook - Code of Conduct

WMS and WHS Athletic Department Coaches Handbook

District Surveys

Dr. Ison shared that the district is currently collecting feedback from students, staff, families, and community members through its annual stakeholder surveys. The surveys will remain open through Friday, March 13, 2026.

Upcoming Special Board Meeting on March 30 at 6 p.m.

Dr. Ison reiterated the need for a Special Board Meeting on Monday, March 30, at 6 p.m. in the PAC lobby to invite community discussion and gather input regarding the future financing of Wayne Local Schools. Options regarding a future operating levy will be discussed.

April Board of Education Meeting

The April 13, 2026, Board of Education meeting will be held in the PAC Auditorium and will include a Spartan Recognition Ceremony at the start of the meeting to honor six students and six staff members.

Representatives: Connor Larson, Shree Patel, and Blake Suittor

The Student Board of Education shared information about these events and updates:

Varsity Boys Basketball will play Versailles at the regional semifinal game in Xenia on March 10 at 7:30 p.m. The WHS's Supper Club convening on March 5 was a success. Guests participated in trivia, together and focused on relationship building and building connections. Members of Leo Club met with other Leo Club groups to collaborate on service-related efforts. Students, Jett Manley and Julia Crumback were congratulated for reaching State level competition in their sports, wrestling and swim respectively. The WMS students will enjoy a dance in April. March 4 was Future Ready Day at WHS: Freshmen took part in a community service events; sophomores engaged in workforce development events; juniors took the ACT to get ready for college; and seniors job shadowed in a field of interest or tokk the ASVAB (military service test). WES students enjoyed the mother/son dance at the end of February and Read Across America week last week.

Mrs. Huber recommended acceptance of donations and approval of a Hamilton County Educational Service Center agreement for a part-time ESOL teacher (at a savings to the district). She also provided the Board with an overview of the district's General Fund revenues and expenditures, noting that revenues are led primarily by real estate taxes and state funding. Mrs. Huber included the breakdown of General Fund expenditures in her presentation.

Property Tax Reform

Mrs. Huber noted that the property tax reform bills limit how much property taxes can grow to the inflation rate. They will provide relief for taxpayers, but it will also reduce the amount of revenue school districts can receive.

The district’s last new operating dollars were in 2009. As part of the update, Mrs. Huber explained that the district is considering a levy in the near future.

Mrs. Huber's presentations are available under the Treasurer Consent Agenda items, 6. For more information, please refer to the minutes from the March 9, 2026 Board meeting on BoardDocs.

Finance Presentation

February Financial Report

The Treasurer's consent agenda items were approved.

Mrs. Julie Perry was approved to a second term as a Mary L. Cook Public Library Trustee.

As is standard at every Board meeting, Dr. Ison presented several personnel approval recommendations. Here are the other items that were recommended by Dr. Ison:

1. Non-Renew Winter 2025/26 Pupil Activity Contracts (standard for this time of year)
2. Second Reading and Approval of the 2027/28 School Calendar
3. Audio Record Board Meetings - Dr. Ison announced that Board of Education meetings will be audio recorded beginning with the April 2026 meeting.
4. Second Reading and Approval of the changes, additions, and deletions of the following WLS Bylaws and Policy Book policies - for more information please go to Board Docs.
5. Open Enrollment Guidelines for 2026/27 - Dr. Ison presented the Board with a recommendation to align Open Enrollment Policy 5113 for the 2026–27 school year. Under the proposed criteria, Wayne Local Schools would accept only currently enrolled open-enrollment students, their siblings, children of staff members, and students whose parent or legal guardian is on active full-time military duty in Ohio. Because the district has only one building per grade level, no intra-district open enrollment policy is required for the 2026–27 school year.
6. Student Fees and Preschool Tuition for 2026/27
7. Circle Tail Agreements (2) - Dr. Ison recommended approval of two facility dog internship agreements, one for WES and one serving WMS and WHS. The facility dogs were donated to the district and will be used in the 2026-27 school year. Facility dogs provide therapeutic support and will be used in the school setting for prevention efforts and social-emotional learning. Their presence can help foster connection, reduce stress, and support a positive school environment for students and staff. *WES Parent-Teacher Organization and the WMS/WHS Student Councils generously donated funds for the district to have two facility dogs next school year.

The Superintendent’s consent agenda items were approved.

Nicole Bouch (Board Member), Richie Bowling (Board Member), Amanda Garrett (Board President)

David Hurley (Board Vice President), and Danny Manley (Board Member)

Nicole Bouch gave a legislative update regarding the following bills:

• HB 715 Regarding chartered non-public schools reporting
• HB 531 Permitting public schools to engage volunteer chaplains to provide support services
• SB 328 Regarding a middle school career exploration course requirement and student academic and career plans

Amanda Garrett gave the board an update on the Warren County Career Center, including this information:

• Waynesville students were recently inducted into the WCCC Technical Honor Society - Carson Ball, Olivia Coffman, Jonas Hamilton, Peytin Lehman, Alexis Lipscomb
• Bobbie Grice was recognized for her over 20 years of service to WCCC, representing Little Miami Schools.
• WCCC Treasurer gave the Financial Forecast presentation, with reflects significant changes from October 2025 due to property tax reform.
• WCCC Superintendent reported that the Learning Lab Preschool received a a Gold Rating from Step Up to Quality achievement.

Richie Bowling provided an update on the Finance Committee meeting. The committee discussed the need for additional revenue, when and what kind of a levy, how much is needed. The committee also discussed budget reductions. The committee will meet again later this month, prior to the Special Board Meeting scheduled for March 30, 2026, to communicate the current financial condition to the public.

The next Wayne Local Schools Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Wayne Local Schools Performing Arts Center lobby. No action will be taken at this special meeting. Its purpose is to gather community input on the future financing of Wayne Local Schools.

The public is invited to attend. Mrs. Huber will present financial information. Following the presentation, there will be time for Q&A and public participation. Everyone is invited to attend.