April Barnesville Board Meeting: Fiscal Award of Excellence
At the April 23 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Micah Fuchs announced that the Barnesville treasurer’s office received an Ohio Auditor of State Award for excellence in financial reporting and compliance with applicable laws for the fiscal year ending 2025. Led by Treasurer Adam Quirk, the treasurer’s office consists of Quirk and assistants Pat Stephen and Hanna Travis. The EMIS Coordinator, Jennifer Nippert, also plays a role with her data reporting. Superintendent Fuchs said, “Sometimes people don’t like being told no, but the treasurer’s office makes sure that we are compliant and spend our funds correctly.”
Lifetouch sales representative, Todd Weber, made a requested presentation to the Board after the Board tabled a motion to enter into a contract with Lifetouch for school photos and yearbooks. Weber stated that the company was associated with an ongoing national scandal originating on TikTok. Weber shared the facts and timeline that prove that the rumors are not true and directed the Board to an article in Education Week, which features Lifetouch’s CEO.
Weber assured the Board that the Lifetouch company complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law, as well as state and local laws. He continued that safety is a priority for the company. Photographers and lab technicians are required to pass background checks. Hired third parties validate the safety of their online ordering system. Data is purged between 18-24 months, including photos.
Superintendent Fuchs thanked Weber for the information. Fuchs stated that as a Board, they had a responsibility to hear the facts about the situation and to assure the community that Lifetouch is a safe company. No action was taken on the previous motion.
Administrative Reports
High School Principal Ron Clark announced upcoming events. The art show will be May 5-6 in the gymnasium. Blood Bash is Friday, May 8. Principal Clark shared a recent OhioNet blog story highlighting Librarian Lisa Gallagher and how she builds community through student clubs. Gallagher thanked the Board for the professional development opportunities to network and bring attention to the great things happening in the Barnesville School District.
Middle School Principal Casey Mayo shared that students will have a chance to participate in two Career Shadowing Days, May 1 and May 8. On May 6, Barnesville Middle School will host a Career Day. Students will have the option to choose 6 out of 10 presentations throughout the morning. The robotics team will travel to Missouri for the World Competition with teacher and coach Brianna Holskey.
Director of Food & Nutrition Brian Saner discussed the various special events from April. During National Breakfast Week, students enjoyed pancakes with a toppings bar. Saner stated that there was a 15% increase in the number of meals served that week. The cafeterias serve approximately 1,600 meals per day.
Director of Support Services John Blattler said that the concrete project at the high school will start on June 1. The project will take 4-6 weeks if the weather cooperates. Blattler shared that he was still getting bids for repairs from the wind damage.
The air conditioning issue at the high school has been ongoing. Blattler explained that the two Trane chillers are old. The first and main chiller is unrepairable. The second one needs repairs to get it working again. Blattler explained all the options and their cost-effectiveness. Purchasing a new chiller ranges from $240,000 to $280,000. Since the purchase is significant, Superintendent Fuchs reiterated that they wanted to be wise in their decision-making and find a lasting solution.
The Board entered into executive session to consider employment at 6:29 pm. After an hour, the Board returned to take the following actions.
Donations
The Board approved donations totaling $2,700 to the Middle School Robotics from the following people and organizations:
- Barnesville Rotary
- Michael & Amy Smith
- ACNR, Inc.
- VFW Post 2792
- American Legion Post 168
Student Activities
The Board approved the enclosed list of seniors for graduation, provided they satisfactorily complete all requirements with no pending fines, fees, or disciplinary actions. 96 students are graduating in this year’s senior class.
The Board approved the overnight field trip for the High School Student Council and the Psychology/Sociology class Leadership & Service Enrichment Trip. From May 14-15, students will travel to Columbus, Ohio, to visit the Ohio State House, the Ohio Supreme Court, the Ohio Theater for a show, and the Columbus Zoo.
Personnel
The Board issued three-year administrative contracts effective August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2029, to the following administrators:
- Zack Powell — Elementary School Principal
- John Blatter — Director of Support Services
The Board awarded continuing contracts to the following certified staff members beginning the 2026-2027 school year:
- Blake Allen
- Lauren Boger
- Angela Fisher
- Megan Phalen
- Kayla Pritchard
- Liza Ralston
- Natasha Shilling
- Colleen Yesenczski
- Tricia Zaccagnini
The Board issued the following certified limited one-year probationary contracts beginning with the 2026-2027 school year:
- Bailey Leach — Elementary Part-Time Preschool Teacher
- Izabelle Cacioppo — High School Vocational Agriculture Teacher
The Board awarded the vacant second-grade teacher position for the 2026-2027 school year to Tawnya Yager, who currently teaches kindergarten.
The Board issued the following one-year supplemental contracts for the 2026-2027 school year:
- Ty Leach — Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
- Mariah Shumaker — Assistant Girls’ Basketball Coach
- Amy Carpenter — Junior High Girls’ Basketball Coach
- Jenny Richey — Junior High Girls’ Basketball Coach
- Shane Stephens — Head Boys’ Basketball Coach
- Hunter Carpenter — Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach
- Danielle Anderson — Head Swim Coach
- Jayson Stephen — Head Wrestling Coach
- Rick Milhoan — Assistant Wrestling Coach
The Board approved the following volunteers for the 2026-2027 school year:
- Brian Clark — Volunteer Girls’ Basketball Coach
- Clarissa Kernen — Volunteer Girls’ Basketball Coach
- Lilah Lucas — Volunteer Junior High Cheerleading Coach
- Karson Milhoan — Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach
Summer Services
The Board approved the following dates for summer programs, with the number of positions filled contingent upon enrollment and paid at the rate of $25 per hour:
- Elementary School Summer School — June 8 to July 24, 2026
- Elementary School Accelerated Reader — June 22 to July 24, 2026
- Elementary School Transition to Kindergarten — July 27 to July 31, 2026
- Middle School Summer School — June 1 to June 12, 2026
- High School Summer School — June 22 to July 3, 2026
The Board approved the following Extended School Year Special Education Services, with the number of positions filled being contingent upon student enrollment and paid at the rate of $25 per hour:
- Preschool Special Education Services — dates upon agreement
- School Age Special Education Services — dates upon agreement
- Speech and Language Services — dates upon agreement
The Board approved the summer 8-hour temporary Bus Garage Worker position, paid at the employee’s hourly rate and not to exceed 30 days.
Other Business
The Board renewed the use of a Section 125 Premium Only Plan for the 2026 fiscal year. This annual renewal is required.
The Board renewed the agreement between the Barnesville Exempted Village School District and the Minutemen HR Management Services.
The Board approved the Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company as the student insurance carrier administered by Student Protective Agency for the 2026-2027 school year.
Announcements
Graduation will be held at the Shamrock Football Stadium on May 19 at 7:00 pm. If there is inclement weather, the ceremony will be in the Barnesville High School Gymnasium.
The June Board of Education meeting has been changed to June 29 at 5:30 pm in the middle school cafetorium. This meeting will be the regular meeting and the required end-of-the-year fiscal meeting. The original meeting was previously set for June 18.
Disclaimer: Author Lisa Gallagher for Barnesville Area News is an employee of the Barnesville Exempted Village School District.
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