Barnesville School Board Recognizes HS Football Team
The regular Barnesville Board of Education (BOE) meeting was called to order immediately after the organizational meeting on January 8. For more details about the organizational meeting, see Barnesville Board of Education Swears in New Members.
Athletic Director Brad Hannahs recognized Head Football Coach Blake Allen and several football players for their outstanding season. Hannahs stated that the football team was OVAC 3A Champions for the third straight year. He also said that the Barnesville football program has built a strong, positive reputation in the Ohio Valley.
Coach Allen highlighted many of the team’s accomplishments. The football team finished the season with a 9-3 record, with five new teams on the schedule. The victory over Union Local retained the Milk Bucket trophy in Barnesville for the eighth straight year. The Dowler trophy came back to Barnesville as the Meadowbrook Colts were added back to the schedule. During Pumpkin Festival, the ‘Rocks suffered a loss against Wheelersburg, a much larger team. Coach Allen said, “I was really proud of these guys and how they responded like champions.”
For the third year, the team was recognized as an Academic All-Ohio team. “Great work on the field but also in the classroom,” said Allen. “They showed great composure and great resiliency, bouncing back from some losses this year.”
Athletic Director Hannahs and Coach Allen called out the football players’ names who received their certificates. Many players were absent due to participation in other sports or work obligations.
Administrative Reports
Athletic Director Hannahs shared upcoming events, including the Buckeye 8 swim meet and the Varsity cheerleaders traveling to Nashville. Hannahs also recognized that student athletes are doing well in the classroom.
Elementary Principal Zack Powell reported that Battelle Institute would be observing at the elementary and marking a rubric for the STEAM designation. A rubric is an assessment tool used to evaluate the school’s performance in certain areas. Powell discussed the process and what to expect during the Building Leadership Team (BLT) meeting.
Board President Ed Eberhart asked how the STEAM designation could benefit the school district. Superintendent Fuchs explained that the designation could provide grant opportunities. It also shows that our students are receiving high-quality instruction. Powell added that instruction that is not stagnant and requires students to use critical thinking is desired.
Middle School Principal Casey Mayo added to the STEAM designation conversation. He stated that it is really labeling what is happening in the classroom. Mayo stated that the middle school BLT discussed how looking at state test scores and other data is ingrained in educators, but the reality is that a lot of kids are not going to college and need career education.
For more information, see Barnesville School District Working to Achieve Steam Designation, published on November 11.
John Blatter, Building and Grounds Director, shared that the final payout for the heating and lighting project has been made. The doors at the high school gymnasium will be replaced.
Blatter also reported that the Building and Grounds committee discussed using concrete for the parking lots instead of pavement. Other items discussed included the sound systems and fixing the Middle School clock over the summer.
Director of Food and Nutrition Brian Saner reported nine special operating days. Snow days impacted a la carte sales. The students seemed to enjoy the Christmas meals. Upcoming special events are Beach Day at the elementary and hot chocolate bars at the middle and high schools, which were previously a hit.
Donations Accepted
Donations totaled $3050 in four areas during December:
- High School Art Club — Barnesville Antique Mall
- Student Lunches — Carol Carpenter
- Athletics — McDonald’s
- Middle School Robotics — Sonotone, Barnesville Vet Center, and B.P.O.E. 1609
The turf/lighting project for Barnesville Stadium received a donation from Micah Fuchs.
Purchases
The BOE approved a purchase order for $55,643.55, paid to Pepple & Waggoner, LTD, for legal fees.
The 2026 membership dues for the Ohio School Board Association (OSBA) of $6,361.00 was approved. Superintendent Fuchs clarified that he believes the amount is based on enrollment.
Personnel
The BOE accepted the resignation of elementary custodian Lucinda Beckett, with her last day of employment being December 31, 2025.
The BOE approved the tentative agreement between the Board of Education and the Barnesville Association of Classified Employees (BACE). See BACE Gets Contract Agreement with Barnesville Schools for more information about the contract agreement.
Erin Hannahs was awarded the vacant first-grade teacher position for the 2026-2027 school year.
Effective January 6 through the first day of the 2026-2027 school year, middle school aide Lena Greenwood was granted medical leave.
Brent Betts and Zachary Meade were approved as volunteer assistant wrestling coaches for the 2025-2026 school year.
Superintendent Fuchs recommended that the BOE approve an addendum to the non-teaching employment contract for Amanda Brown.
The BOE approved the salary schedule for non-union personnel. The schedule will be retroactive to the first effective day of the employee’s contract for the 2025-2026 contract year to the last day of the employee’s contract for the 2027-2028 contract year.
Mindy Hall was awarded the position of High School Head Cook, effective January 20, contingent upon the successful completion of all position-specific assessments and the required paperwork being on file.
Other Business
Superintendent Fuchs presented the Hazing/Bullying Report for the first semester. The high school reported the only incident.
The BOE approved the overnight FFA trip to Columbus, Ohio, for the Ohio State FFA Convention from April 29 to May 1, 2026.
Superintendent Fuchs and Treasurer Quirk announced that January is recognized as Board Member Appreciation Month by the State of Ohio. Fuchs expressed his gratitude to the Board members for serving their school district and community.
The next regular Barnesville BOE meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. February 19 in the middle school cafetorium.
Disclaimer: Author Lisa Gallagher for Barnesville Area News is an employee of the Barnesville Exempted Village School District.
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