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
• Student Board of Education
• Consent Agenda - Treasurer
• Consent Agenda - Superintendent

Public Participation

There were no public participants at this meeting.

Public Participation Policy po0169.1

Start of School

Dr. Ison shared his appreciation for the strong start to the school year, joined by Principals Anna Garafolo and Chip Will, along with Athletic Director Jamie Manley, who each offered their own perspectives on the positive momentum during these opening weeks.

Schools

Mr. Will shared with the Board that his staff is focused on the district’s 3Rs and 3Cs this year, while also building on last year’s curriculum updates in social studies, math, and ELA. Mrs. Garafolo thanked the transportation team for teaching bus safety to WES students and recognized the custodial and technology staff for supporting teachers with start-of-school needs. She noted that her staff is focused on MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports) while continuing to support students both academically and socially-emotionally.

Athletics

Mrs. Manley highlighted the success of the Back-to-School Bash and PBIS Kick-Off, thanking everyone who attended the Meet the Team event. She also noted the positive momentum of the Athletic Boosters, who have already contributed a new golf simulator, wall mats for the HS/JH gyms, and a volleyball spike machine.

Mrs. Manley also shared that the WHS Athletic Council—made up of one female and one male student from each grade level, representing all sports—has begun its work to promote sportsmanship and positivity in the student sections while ensuring every sport is recognized. This spring, the council will focus on planning the Spartanville Awards, a fully student-run event. Mrs. Manley noted that there are currently 214 student-athletes, with 60% being freshmen or sophomores—resulting in many young teams across the board.

Back to School Bash

Dr. Ison thanked the community for attending the district’s Back-to-School Bash & PBIS Kick-Off on Sunday, August 17, at Bicentennial Park. He was pleased with the strong turnout and emphasized the value of the event in bringing the community together.

WLS Staff Opening Day

Dr. Ison reported that Opening Day for staff went well, with feedback indicating most were pleased with the events and that Dr. Cathy Hamilton’s message—emphasizing the importance of connecting with every student as the foundation of learning—resonated strongly.

(L-R) Connor Larson, Shree Patel, and Blake Suittor

September 8, 2025 marked the first official meeting for Student Board of Education representatives Connor Larson, Shree Patel, and Blake Suittor, all WHS seniors. Throughout the year, they will provide updates on the student experience, ensuring that student perspectives are included in district discussions and decisions. Their input helps connect policy with student life, benefiting all learners.

The Student Board of Education shared highlights on the following: Supportive Peers, Leo Club and New Student Peer Mentors (both help new students acclimate to the district), Homecoming, Battle of the Hallways, Peer Leaders for Sources of Strength, Success of Senior Sunrise, and Leo Club's Celebratory Start of School efforts.

Treasurer Carolyn Huber recommended acceptance of donations, a transfer, and a permanent appropriations amendment. President Darren Amburgy inquired about the district’s surplus, and Mrs. Huber reported a balance of $12,634,000. She noted that WLS has been deficit spending for the past five to six years. Additional context included this information:

• The last new operating levy was approved in 2009.

• The last renewal operating levy was approved in 2014.

• For the past 11 years, the district has stretched resources, and for the past five years, annual expenses have exceeded revenue due to normal operating costs, including utilities and inflationary increases.

Mrs. Huber presented the August Financial Report. The full presentation is available under the Treasurer Consent Agenda item 6.E.

For more information, please refer to the minutes from the September 8, 2025 Board meeting on BoardDocs.

August Financial Report

Finance Presentation

The Treasurer's consent agenda items were approved.

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. Approval of MOU to update its Standards-Based Teacher Evaluation
2. Approval of Gifted Trip
3. Approval of Resolution for MS Career Technical Education Waiver
4. Resolution declaring transportation impractical to non-public school students and authorizing in lieu of payments
5. Service Agreement with Montgomery County Educational Service Center for Hearing/Audiology Services
6. Approval of Non-Certified Substitute Rate for 25-26
7. Approval of Beverage Agreement with G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Inc.

The Superintendent’s consent agenda items were approved.

The Board of Education will meet on October 6, 2025, 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.

Board Members: Darren Amburgy (President), Brad Conner (Vice President), Jamie Gallagher, Amanda Garrett, and Darla Sackett.