Barnesville Board of Education Approves Library Request for Tax Levy Renewal
At the Barnesville Board of Education (BOE) meeting on June 29, Director Brandi Little, representing the Barnesville Hutton Memorial Library, presented information about the library’s renewal tax levy.
Since the library falls under the BOE’s jurisdiction, the Board must adopt a resolution declaring it necessary to levy a renewal tax for the current operating and facility expenses of the Barnesville Hutton Memorial Library. This resolution is the first step of the process, placing the library renewal tax levy on the November 3 ballot.
Director Brandi Little explained that the renewal tax levy would be for 1 mill over five years. This is not a new increase. “The property tax revenue that will be produced by the stated millage is calculated to be $222,000,” Little said. The last time the renewal tax levy was on the ballot, voters passed it with 78% voting yes.
During the last five years, Little shared facility upgrades that include new flooring throughout the library, interior painting at the Library Annex, and IT upgrades, including firewall protection and wireless printing.
Future library planned projects include replacing the aging boiler and chiller systems and improving the South Lincoln parking lot, as well as painting and installing new flooring at the Library Annex located at 611 N. Chestnut Street.
The Board unanimously approved the resolution.
Administrative reports included the usual summer items: holding summer school, cleaning the buildings, and revising handbooks. The gyms will soon be open for teams to begin fall sports practice.
Director of Food and Nutrition Brian Saner introduced Katrina Elliott. She is working with Saner to gain experience as a Director of Food and Nutrition before being placed at another district by The Nutrition Group, the school’s contracted cafeteria opperator.
The Board entered executive session at 5:41 p.m. to consider employment matters, returning to open open meeting at 6:51 p.m., one hour and 10 minutes later.
Accepted Donations
Donations accepted totaled $1,190 in three areas during the month of May:
- HS Blood Bash — J-Mo Meats
- FFA in Memory of Tim Rockwell — Betty Eddy, Reed Tychonski, Phyllis Owens, Barnesville Woodsfield Veterinary and Mayo’s Corner
- FFA Hoot-n-Holler — Robert Dale & Dana Detling, Village Hardware & Rental, and Misner’s Eats & Treats
Purchases
The Board approved a purchase in the amount of $3,588 to Rocket Alumni for the high school digital wall of fame.
The Board also approved a purchase in the amount of $5,721, paid to Hylant Administrative Services for pollution and cyber-security coverages. This is an annual purchase.
Personnel
The Board accepted the retirement of Lena Greenwood effective June 1, 2026. Ms. Greenwood served as an educational aide in the middle school library.
The Board approved Karmen Pavell as a middle school summer school instructor for the summer of 2026, to be paid at a rate of $25 per hour.
Jerry Lucas was awarded a one-year classified probationary contract beginning July 13, 2026, as a groundskeeper floater currently assigned to the high school.
The following people were issued a one-year classified probationary contract as a 3.75-hour aide currently assigned to the elementary school, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year:
- Emma Castello
- Annika Burga
- Alaina Bailes
The Board granted one-year classified probationary contracts effective with the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year for the following personnel:
- Educational Aide — Heidi Yager and Kayla Milburn
- Part-time Cook — Carina Morris
- Groundskeeper/Floater — Ethan Travis
Superintendent Micah Fuchs explained that the contracts are probationary because of contract language and the fact that they had not yet worked a full year.
Ami Boroski and Caitlin Wells were awarded continuing classified contracts beginning in the 2026-2027 school year as educational aides.
The Board approved Cruz Gozalez and Tilda Stewart as classified substitute cooks and custodians for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year and the 2026-2027 school year.
The Board rescinded the supplemental contract for the 2026-2027 school year for assistant volleyball coach, which was awarded to Karie Hunkler. Hunkler made this request.
The Board approved the following supplemental contracts for the 2026-2027 school year:
- Assistant Volleyball Coach — Aubrey Johnson
- Assistant Cheerleading Coach — Vanessa Baker
The Board approved the following volunteers for the 2026-2027 school year:
- Volunteer Assistant Golf Coach — Carter Wells
- Volunteer Assistant Volleyball Coach — Karie Hunkler and Ava McFarland
As stipulated by the union contract, the Board non-renewed the spring sports supplemental contacts and all other extracurricular activity supplemental contracts.
Contracts/Agreements
The Board approved a three-year contract between Lifetouch and the Barnesville Exempted Village School District, starting with the 2026-2027 school year. Lifetouch provides school photos and yearbooks for the district.
The Board approved the service agreement between Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center and the Barnesville Exempted Village School District for the Orientation and Mobility service agreement effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Policies
The Board accepted updates to the following policies:
- Evaluation of Administrators
- Staff Use of Recording Devices
- Preventing Chronic Absenteeism
- Code of Student Conduct
- Artificial Intelligence
- Remediation-Intervention Program for Reading Skills
- Extracurricular Activities
- Investment Policy
- Credit Card Policy
Other Business
Treasurer Adam Quirk was approved as the public records designee for the school district.
The Board approved the fiscal year 2026 final amended appropriations and estimated revenues as presented.
The Board approved the fiscal year 2027 temporary appropriations as presented, which allows the spending of district funds until the September amended certificate.
The Board approved Kaiden Lucas to receive his diploma, having completed all state and local graduation requirements.
The Hazing/Bullying Report from January 1, 2026, to June 30, 2026, recorded one incident occurring in the middle school. The elementary and the high school reported no incidents.
The next regular Barnesville School Board meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. this Thursday (July 16,) in the middle school cafetorium. The meting is open to the public.
Disclaimer: Author Lisa Gallagher for Barnesville Area News is an employee of the Barnesville Exempted Village School District.
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