Public Voiced Coaching Concerns at the Barnesville Board Meeting

©Barnesville Area News Company Photo

A group of former and current Varsity Girls Softball players and several adults attended the July 16 Barnesville Board of Education meeting to share their opinions about the head softball coaching position. For the 2026 softball season, Kelley Hanlon was the head softball coach.

Several players gave specific examples of the coach’s unprofessional and unsportsmanlike behavior that they witnessed while playing on the team. A parent also shared an example they considered inappropriate posted on social media.

“I think ultimately what you can take away from these girls’ statements is the lack of encouragement, lack of coaching, and lack of empathy for these girls,” said Jill Carpenter, President of the Softball Parent Committee. “I think it says volumes that these girls came and are willing to take a stand for themselves and for future players.”

The players explained that they felt Samantha Huff, a previous volunteer assistant coach, would be a great candidate for the head coaching position.

Barnesville High School math teacher Lauren Boger corroborated the players’ statements. “From all the girls that I have had in class, they repeatedly said how they really were upset that Samantha wasn’t really helping much this year.” It was pointed out that this could impact the number of girls participating on the team.

Board President Ed Eberhart said the Board appreciated the group coming to the meeting and sharing their concerns. “We truly will take to heart what you said.”

Board member Leslie Shultz added, “I just want to commend all the girls for speaking. That’s very brave of you guys and very mature.”

Superintendent Micah Fuchs said, “I just want you all to know that our goal is to do what is best for kids. We’re going to analyze the situation, and we are going to try to do what is best for kids. So I promise you, that will be my objective.”

Treasurer Adam Quirk expanded on the superintendent’s comments, “The decisions that we ultimately make should always be in your best interest. So when you were able to come out and speak as you did, we truly appreciate that.”

Administrator Reports

High School Principal Ron Clark reported that he met with a representative from Village Network about a transition program funded through a grant from the Belmont, Monroe, Harrison Mental Health Board. “They can work with students age 17 and older on helping them transition, helping them fill out college applications and work applications, writing resumes, and interviewing practice.” Continuing, he said, “They would help kids find housing and services within the community like healthcare.”

Middle School Principal Casey Mayo said student schedules were done. Mayo is double-checking each schedule to ensure that students have no more than two study halls and that these periods are not back-to-back.

Elementary Principal Zack Powell stated that the new digital sign, graciously funded by the Barnesville Area Education Foundation, was installed. Powell will be learning how to program the sign and to optimize its capabilities. Powell contacted Roger Deal about trimming the tree at the elementary gym entrance so the sign can be more visible.

Elementary summer school is coming to an end. During the last week of July, the Transition to Kindergarten Camp will occur.

Director of Special Education and Student Services Clint Abbott discussed the launch of a student ambassador program. Elementary, middle, and high school students would attend administrator meetings to add student perspectives to discussions on school issues. Abbott expressed that this is part of the district’s focus on student agency.

Abbott also commended the seventh and eighth grade teachers for completing all required courses for credentialing to teach the career tech courses. This professional development was provided through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce learning management system.

Building and Grounds Director John Blattler shared that the Fire and EMS Departments will stage a community-focused Safety Day at the high school on Saturday, August 1. An itinerary was shared in Board member packets.

Blattler also shared that all buses are cleaned, with the focus now turning to maintenance, and that the chiller for the high school plant will hopefully be installed before the start of school. Currently, a second chiller continues to perform at 100 percent capacity.

Athletic Director Brad Hannahs announced that the Fall Meet the Teams event will be Tuesday, August 11, starting at 7 o’clock, at the Shamrock Football Stadium. Teams have been preparing for the season. The first official sporting event is on July 31 when the golf team participates in the OVGL Golf Scramble/Match Play @ Moundsville CC.

On August 3, athletic passes go on sale at the high school office.

Treasurer Adam Quirk explained that the Barnesville Rotary recognized Superintendent Fuchs as a Paul Harris Fellow. The honor is “an appreciation of tangible and significant assistance, given for the furtherance of a better understanding and better relations among the people of the world.”

Quirk added, “If you ask anybody on our administrative team, you really follow his (Micah’s) lead, not only as an administrator but just as a man and the things that he does for this community and school.”

The Board entered into executive session to consider employment matters at 6:13 p.m. and returned to the regular meeting almost an hour later at 7:10 p.m.

Contracts/Agreements

The Board approved the service contract between the East Central Ohio ESC and the Barnesville EVSD for $628,257.46 for services during the 2026-2027 school year. Quirk explained that the total has increased. There are additional services and contracts that the district would sign as addenda. Those have all been added to the original services contract.

Board member Tammy Wells asked, “Does this include these people’s insurance?” Quirk responded, “If it is personnel, yes, that is factored in.”

The Board approved the contract between the Barnesville EVSD and Valley Behavioral Health from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027.

The Board approved the transportation services contract between the Barnesville EVSD and Heritage Early Learning for the 2026-2027 school year. The district transports the children at no cost as long as someone picks them up at the drop-off due to the location.

The Board approved the substitute teacher client service agreement and the daily, billable rates between the Barnesville EVSD and the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio for the 2026-2027 school year. The current rates are $85 for substitutes and $100 for licensed teachers.

Board President Ed Eberhart questioned the rates and how they compare to other area districts. After discussion, Quirk stated that he would work on getting the information for the Board. The Board was essured that the rates can be adjusted at anytime.

Purchases

The Board approved a purchase order of $310,000 to American Electric Power (AEP) for electric generation.

The Board approved a purchase order of $95,797.88 to Apple Financial Services for technology supplies.

School Operations

The Board accepted The Nutrition Group’s recommended 2026-2027 cafeteria à la carte prices. Quirk stated that two items increased by 5 or 10 cents.

The Board also approved The Nutrition Group’s recommended school lunch prices for the 2026-2027 school year:

• Elementary School $3.10
• Middle/High School $3.35
• Adult/Staff $5.25

The district is still a free lunch program. These prices are for purchasing an extra lunch. The price increases are based on the consumer price index.

The Board approved the Elementary School, Middle School and High School Handbooks and the Volunteer Handbook for the 2026-2027 school year.

The Board accepted the proposed bus routes for the 2026-2027 school year.

The Board adopted the Barnesville EVSD Online Learning Plan for the 2026-2027 school year. This plan authorizes the school district to provide online instruction to make up the equivalent of three school days when schools are closed for reasons permitted by law.

Personnel

The Board approved the following classified substitutes for the 2026-2027 school year:

The Board issued the following one-year supplemental contracts for the 2026-2027 school year, with Board President Ed Eberhart abstaining for personal conflict reasons:

The Board approved the following volunteers for the 2026-2027 school year:

• Volunteer Assistant Golf Coach — Justin Little
• Volunteer Assistant Jr. High Football Coach — Owen Oliver

The Board accepted the resignation of Leah Stephen at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year.

Upcoming Meetings

The Building and Grounds Committee will meet on August 6 at 7 a.m. in the Central Office, 210 West Church Street.

Due to the start of school, the regular August Board meeting will take place a week earlier on August 13 at 5:30 p.m. 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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