Board Meeting Recap
Wayne Local Schools - October 5, 2026
Welcome!
We are using a platform that includes translation features in many different languages. From your phone you can click on the "Translate" button in the banner across the top of your screen to select a language. Our goal is to make this content quick, easy to read, and mobile-friendly. If you have questions, please email nmescher@waynelocal.net or contact us at the Wayne Local Schools Central Office at (513) 897-6971. Thank you.
A Quick Look
- Public Participation
- Student Board of Education Update
- Superintendent’s Report
- Superintendent's Update
- Consent Agenda – Superintendent
- Consent Agenda – Treasurer
- Board of Education Update
Public Participation
A community member addressed the Board with concerns about WLS Transportation.
Student Board of Education Update
Hayden Harrison, Kate Lundy, Walter Shelhamer, and Logan Walker
Student Board of Education representatives shared updates on a variety of district-wide activities. They highlighted Start With Hello Week activities and the upcoming Unity Day on October 21, along with student-led Connect activities designed to build school spirit and strengthen connections among students.
Student representatives also discussed the Leo Club’s September food drive for the Waynesville Food Pantry, Battle of the Hallways, college pennants displayed in teachers’ classrooms, Boys Soccer Senior Night, and the success of the first-ever WHS Club Fair. Additional updates included the upcoming two-hour early release and long weekend and the WMS/WHS Choir Concert on October 7. They added that the Marching Band did well in its first competition, earning second place in its class and fifth overall; the band will have a booth at the upcoming Sauerkraut Festival. Updates were also shared about WES Preschool Goodies with Grands event and Global Foods students preparing culturally diverse meals while learning to work within a budget.
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent's Update
Dr. Ison recognized seven WHS student artists, led by WHS Art Teacher Kristen Elton, whose creativity and dedication brought the new Waynesville Elementary movement room project to life. The idea for the mural was a collaboration between the WHS Art Department and WES PTO with the intention to create a bright and lively mural for a room dedicated to motion and high energy. WHS student artists Jenna Abplanalp, Jason Guerrero, Josie Jones, Zoey Tackett, Zoey Grove, Norah Rotterman, and Lily Naylor spent 11 weeks working on a large-scale mural for the Motor Room, contributing more than 1,200 minutes of community service between February and May of last school year.
With limited time each day, often only 20 minutes, the students worked to complete the mural. A color-by-number system helped them work efficiently, but the finished mural reflects more than paint on a wall. The project gave the students a chance to use their talents in service to younger Spartans while also creating a space where they found connection and a sense of belonging.
The completed mural is now part of two new movement rooms at WES that will serve hundreds of students in the years ahead. Dr. Ison thanked the students for their time, care, and commitment to the project and recognized their lasting contribution to Wayne Local Schools.
Turf and Track Update
Dr. Ison updated the Board on the track and turf project and said the installers need to repair a few areas before finalizing the project.
Ohio School Report Card
Dr. Ison presented an overview of the district’s 2025–26 Ohio School Report Card, including the district’s overall rating of 4.5 stars. He noted that Waynesville High School and Waynesville Elementary maintained 5-star ratings, while Waynesville Middle School improved from 3.5 to 4 stars.
Dr. Ison explained that the district’s primary area for improvement is the Progress component, which measures whether students are demonstrating the amount of academic growth expected by the state. A student may be proficient, or even become proficient, while the state’s growth measure indicates that more growth was expected. Because Progress accounts for 25% of the district’s overall rating, improving student growth will be a key focus for 2026–27 while maintaining the district’s strengths in the other report card components.
State Report Card Presentation
WLS Bylaws and Policies
Dr. Ison presented the first reading of proposed changes, additions, and deletions to several Wayne Local Schools bylaws and policies. The proposed revisions were shared with the Board for review. Please visit BoardDocs to see the first reading of changes.
Consent Agenda - Superintendent
As is standard at each Board meeting, several personnel recommendations were presented for approval. Dr. Ison also recommended the following operational items:
Overnight Student Trips
- Gifted/Enrichment Trip: Students in grades 4–7 will travel to Williamsburg, Virginia, May 17–20, 2027.
- 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip: Eighth-grade students will travel to Washington, D.C., May 18–21, 2027.
Revisions to WMS/WHS Student Handbook
Edits to pages 13–14 and 39–41 of the 2026–27 WMS/WHS Student Handbook address artificial intelligence, unauthorized technology, and personal electronic devices. The updates clarify expectations for student use of AI and emerging technologies, including smart glasses and other wearable or AI-enabled devices, as well as exceptions and disciplinary consequences for unauthorized use.
The Superintendent’s consent agenda items were approved.
Dr. Ison also recommended approval of Board President Amanda Garrett as a volunteer for the 2026–27 Fall Play. The Board approved the supplemental volunteer recommendation.
Consent Agenda - Treasurer
Treasurer Carolyn Huber recommended acceptance of a $5,700 donation from the Waynesville PTO to support Art, Music, PE, Computer, and PBIS incentives and activities.
Mrs. Huber also recommended approval of the agreement terms with Circle Tail, Inc. for a five-month facility dog internship at Waynesville Elementary beginning January 1, 2027. The agreement outlines the district’s responsibilities for the dog’s care and continued training during the internship, with the option to pursue adoption at the end of the five-month period.
The Treasurer's consent agenda items were approved.
Mrs. Huber also recommended approving a resolution to expand the allowable use of approximately $146,000 in unspent proceeds from a 2025 lease-purchase financing agreement. The amendment allows the remaining funds, originally designated for motor vehicles such as trucks and passenger vans, to also be used to purchase school buses.
In addition, Mrs. Huber recommended approval of a resolution declaring an urgent need for an additional school bus and authorizing the purchase of a bus for $145,525. The purchase will be funded with unspent proceeds from capital project borrowing approved last year, made available because project costs came in lower than anticipated and the school vans originally planned for purchase were unavailable.
Both resolutions were approved.
Finally, Mrs. Huber recommended approval of a settlement agreement with Cintas totaling $27,818.04, including payment of disputed unpaid invoices and termination charges. The agreement ends the district’s contracts with Cintas, and the district expects to save approximately $40,000–$70,000 annually by purchasing rugs, towels, and bathroom dispensers rather than continuing to rent them.
More information is available under the Treasurer Agenda Item 8. You may also review the minutes from the October 5, 2026 Board meeting on BoardDocs.
Board of Education Update
Nicole Bouch (Board Member), Richie Bowling (Board Member), Amanda Garrett (Board President)
David Hurley (Board Vice President), and Danny Manley (Board Member)
Campus Cameras
The Board received an update on the district’s campus-wide camera system.
Liability Insurance
The Board briefly discussed liability insurance, and Treasurer Carolyn Huber will follow up with additional information.
Board Finance Committee Discussion
Mr. Bowling expressed interest in establishing a separate Board Finance Committee, and Mr. Manley also indicated interest in additional financial discussion. Board members discussed addressing finance topics during regular business meetings so the Board team can participate. Mr. Hurley recommended dissolving the Superintendent’s Finance Committee and holding financial discussions before the full Board.
Board President Amanda Garrett reminded the Board that the Treasurer has provided several in-depth financial presentations throughout the year and encouraged Board members to use those presentations as opportunities to ask questions and gain more insight.
Levy Discussion
Mr. Bowling also asked about the status of the district’s levy discussion. Dr. Ison shared that he is working to set up a meeting with Warren County Auditor Matt Nolan to share information with the Board.
Executive Session
The Board held an executive session following the regular business meeting with no action to follow. The purpose of the executive session was for consideration of the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee, or official.
October 5 Board Meeting Audio Recording
Please access the meeting recording here: 10/5/26 WLS Board of Education Audio Recording
November Board Meeting
The Board of Education will meet on November 9, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the WLS Performing Arts Center in the Auditorium for a regularly scheduled business meeting and the bi-annual Spartan Recognition Awards Ceremony. The meeting will begin with the awards ceremony, followed by a short break, and will then proceed with the business meeting.
Board meetings are open to the public and can provide context to decision-making that affects our schools and community.