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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• District Recognition by Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
• Spartans of Sound
• Recognition of Outstanding Students and Staff
• Superintendent's Report
• Superintendent's Update
• Student Board of Education Update
• Consent Agenda - Treasurer
• Consent Agenda - Superintendent
• Board of Education Update

Wayne Local School District was recognized at the April Board of Education meeting by Dwight Garrett of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Office of School Finance for earning an Overall 5-Star rating on the 2024–25 Ohio State Report Card. This marks the fourth consecutive year Wayne Local has earned the distinction. The district is one of only 47 districts in Ohio, out of 607 statewide, to receive an overall 5-star rating.

The Board of Education and guests enjoyed a special performance by the fifth-grade Spartans of Sound, now in its inaugural year at WLS. The ensemble performed to help Board members and district leaders better understand the elementary Orff Schulwerk model while showcasing the students’ hard work and growth. Three students also spoke to the Board about their experience in Spartans of Sound and what the ensemble has meant to them: Lexi L., Natalie S., and Norah W.

Twice each year, Wayne Local Schools recognizes students and staff members who exemplify leadership, compassion, work ethic, and positivity. Their example strengthens the culture of the district and helps create a supportive, high-performing environment that fosters positive outcomes for all students and staff.

The following exceptional students and exemplary staff were honored as the 2026 Spartan Recognition Award recipients:

STUDENT SPARTAN AWARD WINNERS

Jackie Wright (12th grader)
Morgan Fullenkamp (10th grader)
Miley Johnson (8th grader)
Hank Miracle (6th grader)
Lincoln Dalton (4th grader)
Theodore Barnaba (2nd grader)
Keegan Nelson (kindergartener)

STAFF SPARTAN AWARD WINNERS

Jennifer Cornett (Paraprofessional)
Marissa Greenwald (WES Teacher)
Jessica Harvey (WMS Teacher)

Public Participation

There were no public participants at this meeting.

Public Participation Policy po0169.1

First Readings

Dr. Ison shared the first readings of the Waynesville Elementary School Student Handbook and the Waynesville Middle School and Waynesville High School Student Handbook. Both handbooks are in draft form. Revisions from the previous year’s handbooks are marked with red and yellow highlights. Dr. Ison noted that the WES Student Handbook was rewritten to strengthen alignment across schools.

Waynesville Elementary School Student Handbook

Waynesville Middle School and Waynesville High School Student Handbook

Franklin B. Walter Award Recipient Ella Biscardi

Dr. Ison proudly shared that WHS senior Ella Biscardi was named Wayne Local Schools’ 2026 Franklin B. Walter Award recipient. Ella was recognized alongside her Teacher of Influence, Bethany Lamb, at the award ceremony and luncheon held Friday, April 10, at the Warren County Educational Service Center in Lebanon.

Project Excellence Award Honorees: Lauren Clark and Ashley Wolf

Dr. Ison also announced that Lauren Clark, WHS Chemistry Teacher and Ashley Wolf, WES Fourth Grade English Language Arts Teacher have been named recipients of the Area Progress Council Project Excellence Award. Project Excellence's mission and purpose are to recognize outstanding public educators who are connecting with their students and making the biggest impact on future citizens.

The recognition ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 6, at 5:30 p.m. at the Warren County Career Center. Dr. Ison invited Board members to attend the event.

Representatives: Connor Larson, Shree Patel, and Blake Suittor

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

The Italy student trip began with a 9.5-hour flight to Paris, followed by a 2.5-hour flight to Rome. Students spent two days in Rome, traveled to Sicily, and then returned to Rome before heading home. For students, it was a fantastic experience. They had the opportunity to explore different cultures, try unique foods, and create lasting memories. Rome was a favorite stop for many.

The Marine Biology trip took students to Andros Island and offered a true hands-on learning experience. Before traveling, students participated in four classes to prepare, and while on the trip, they attended three or four additional lectures. The experience included snorkeling, discovering marine life, enjoying great food, and seeing a wide variety of fish. One of the most exciting moments was spotting a 10-foot hammerhead shark.

National Honor Society seniors have been emailing/pen paling with 6th graders with a fun face-to-face meeting planned right before the senior walkthrough in May. Leo Club had a successful food drive at Kroger. Leo Club Senior Farewell is April 23. The seniors this year started Leo Club. Student Council has been fundraising through a skate party and snack party.

Treasurer Carolyn Huber recommended Board approval of donations, appropriation amendments, and the Warren County Educational Service Center quote for the 2026–27 school year. The quote includes services across many categories that support the district.

Mrs. Huber also provided the Board with a written plan to address a deficit balance in Fy28 noted on the most recent Financial Forecast submission. The plan narrative noted more than $704,000 in staff reductions over the last three fiscal years and nearly $260,000 each year going forward. She shared that these reductions were achieved through attrition.

The plan also includes removing a cash balance reserve that is no longer required to be reported on line 9.03 of the forecast, although the district will maintain the policy requiring a reserve of 60 “true cash” days (annual expenditures divided by 365 to determine a cost per day to operate).

Continuing Levy Conversation

Mrs. Huber revisited the impact of an earned school district income tax. She noted that this type of levy applies only to residents of the school district and only to earned income, not Social Security or retirement pensions. She also reviewed the timeline, explaining that it would take effect January 1 of the year following the election; this means it would take 18-19 months to see a full year of revenue with an earned income tax levy.

She added that a property tax levy is a little riskier in this climate with property tax reform legislation and the property tax levy repeal initiative, but if passed, collection would begin the next calendar year and the district would receive the revenue sooner than income tax levy revenue.

Mrs. Huber's presentations will be available under the Treasurer Consent Agenda items, 10. For more information, please refer to the minutes from the April 13, 2026 Board meeting on BoardDocs.

Finance Presentation

March Financial Report

The Treasurer's consent agenda items A, B C, and E were approved. Item D was not approved. The Board asked questions and discussed the different roles and timelines under the WCESC service quote.

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. Second Reading and Approval of the Waynesville WMS/WHS Athletic Department Coaches Handbook.
2. 2027/28 International Art Trip Proposal, Trip Condensed Information
3. MOU for Supplemental Strength and Conditioning Position at savings for district
4. Job Description for Strength and Conditioning Coach
5. 2026/27 Lunch and Breakfast Prices - no change from current prices
6. Student Accident Insurance Carrier, Insurance Application
7. Mental Health Therapy Services Contract with Catalyst Counseling

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)

Warren County Career Center

Amanda Garrett provided the Board with an update on Warren County Career Center, including highlights from the March 19 WCCC Board meeting. Among the items approved were a travel proposal through EF Tours for students in career-technical labs to travel to the Dominican Republic next April, the high school course guide, and updated IT infrastructure. She also shared an enrollment update, noting that 830 students applied to attend WCCC and more than 600 have been accepted. Financial information remains available online.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is gathering budget information and discussing reductions for 2027/28. The committee will meet again on April 21.

Please access the meeting recording here: 4/13/26 WLS Board of Education Audio Recording

The Board of Education will meet on May 11, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the WLS Performing Arts Center (second floor) for a regularly scheduled business meeting. Board meetings are open to the public and can provide context to decision-making that affects our schools and community.