Board Meeting Recap

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Public Participation

Mr. Ryan Hill, WMS and WHS Health and Physical Education Teacher and Waynesville Education Association (WEA) Co-President, addressed the Board and requested that the WEA be included in future discussions regarding the district's cost-saving measures. He shared that WEA's goal is to remain fiscally responsible while continuing to provide the 5-star education Wayne Local Schools currently offers.

Public Participation Policy po0169.1

Board President Amanda Garrett expressed support for WEA's request and stated that the Board and Dr. Ison would work to provide a response to the association.

Dr. Ison shared several updates and reports with the Board, including the following:

Bullying Reports

Bullying reports for the spring semester were presented to the Board. Bullying reports are provided two times per school year and are available on the district website.

Waynesville Elementary Bullying Report

Waynesville Middle School and Waynesville High School Bullying Report

WLS Staff Handbooks

The Board reviewed the first reading of the WLS Certified Staff Handbooks for WES and WMS and WHS, as well as the first reading of the WLS Non-Certificated Employee Handbook.

Certified Staff Handbook for WES

Certified Staff Handbook for WMS and WHS

Non-Certificated Employee Handbook

Food/Nutrition Services Annual Report

The Food/Nutrition Services Annual Report for the 2025-26 school year was also presented by Dr. Ison. The report noted that Wayne Local meals meet or exceed USDA nutritional standards. The district has also adopted and enforces a nutrition standards policy that follows state requirements for food and beverages sold on school premises.

Dr. Ison noted that the percentage of students receiving free and reduced meal benefits has increased from 14% to 18% over the last four years. This increase is one example of how student and family needs continue to change.

WLS Annual Nutrition Report

Board Policies

The Board reviewed the first reading of several proposed changes, additions, and deletions to WLS bylaws and policies. These included policies related to professional staff, classified staff, students, finances, property, and operations.

WLS Policy Changes

BoardDocs

Dr. Ison shared this information as part of his update:

Staff End-of-Year Ceremony

Wayne Local Schools recently held its End-of-Year Ceremony, where these 2026 retirees were honored for their years of service to students, staff, and families:

Lois Isaacs

Stacy Keeton

Chip King

Krista Muterspaw

Christy Turner

Missy Scherer

Students Thank WLS

The district received letters of thanks from WHS students who attended the Spring 2026 Marine Biology Trip to the Bahamas. The students presented to the Board at the May 11 Board of Education meeting.

Track & Turf Project

Dr. Ison provided status on the Track & Turf Replacement Project. The turf installation is complete, and the remaining work will be finished once weather allows for several consecutive dry days.

State Report Card

Dr. Ison shared a preliminary update on the 2025-2026 State Report Card and said the district is on track to retain its 5-Star rating. Dr. Ison will share more detailed information when official results will be released later this summer/early fall.

Treasurer Carolyn Huber recommended Board approval of several financial items, including donations, appropriation amendments, the financial report for the month ending May 31, 2026, and the financial forecast resubmission.

Donations

Mrs. Huber said two donations were made in May from the Waynesville Soccer Association: $500 for Boys Soccer and $500 for Girls Soccer.

Appropriations

Mrs. Huber also shared final appropriations for fiscal year 2026. Appropriations serve as the district’s legal spending authority and establish the amounts approved for district expenditures. She explained that final appropriations are typically brought forward in June to align budget authority with year-end financial activity before the fiscal year closes on June 30.

Mrs. Huber presented temporary appropriations for fiscal year 2027. Temporary appropriations must be in place before July 1, so the district can continue normal operations at the start of the new fiscal year. She noted that permanent appropriations for FY27 will be brought forward by September 30 and may be amended throughout the year as needed.

Final Appropriations for FY 2026

Temporary Appropriations for FY 2027

Financial Forecast Resubmission

Mrs. Huber presented a revised FY26 Final Forecast for resubmission. The forecast was updated to reflect changes included in the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) Plan approved on April 13, 2026.

She explained that the revision includes reductions connected to two elementary teaching positions. It also updates personnel services and employee benefit lines to reflect FY26 contract payouts for retiring teachers, followed by reduced personnel and benefit costs in future years due to attrition.

Mrs. Huber included a change related to the district’s 60-day cash reserve policy. The reserve had previously been shown on Line 9.03 of the forecast; however, that line is intended for a specific type of statutory reserve. Because the district's 60-day cash reserve is a Board policy threshold, it will be removed from that forecast line.

Going forward, the Treasurer will report when the district is no longer projected to meet the 60-day cash reserve policy.

Mrs. Huber's presentations will be available under the Treasurer Consent Agenda items, 7. For more information, please refer to the minutes from the June 8, 2026 Board meeting on BoardDocs.

WLS Financial Forecast FY26 Spring - Resubmission

Finance Presentation

May Financial Report

The Treasurer's consent agenda items were approved.

As is standard at each Board meeting, several personnel recommendations were presented for approval. In addition to personnel items, Dr. Ison recommended the following items for approval:

1. Correction to Exempt Salary Schedule - Treasurer's Office/EMIS
2. Second Reading and Approval of Curriculum for ELA.
3. Approval of Overnight Camps/Day Trips
4. Resolution to declare transportation impractical to students attending private school
5. Approval of Online Make-Up Instruction/Remote Learning Days Plan

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)

The Board entered executive session for the purpose of considering the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official.

Please access the meeting recording here: 6/8/26 WLS Board of Education Audio Recording

Wayne Local Schools will hold a Special Board of Education Meeting on Monday, June 22, at 6:00 p.m. at the WLS Performing Arts Center, located on the second floor.

The purpose of the meeting is to continue discussions regarding the financial future of the district. Community members are encouraged to attend to stay informed and better understand the decisions and discussions that help guide the district’s path forward.

The meeting agenda will be available on BoardDocs on Saturday, June 20.

The Board of Education will meet on July 13 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.