September’s Barnesville School Board Meeting Recap
The September 14 Barnesville Board of Education meeting began with seventh-grader Bryson Bowman, a student ambassador, leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Director of Food and Nutrition Brian Saner’s report focused on the annual Nutritional Standards Compliance Report. Each year the school district is required to review and report on its compliance with the nutritional standards adopted by the state of Ohio. Saner stated: “Our goal is not to simply meet those standards, but to operate a food service program that supports student wellness, food safety and healthy decisions.”
Saner also shared that the Nutrition Group is trying to increase the number of students eating breakfast. The flyers state that families can save $260 per year if their student eats breakfast at school. After school, there is a snack program for grades K-8. After-school tutoring students and the junior high football team have been utilizing this program. The participating students receive two healthy items, like an apple and crackers, for free.
Boba Pop-Ups and National Cheeseburger Day were special events in September. The Take Nutrition Global focus was England, with fish and chips being served for lunch.
Athletic Director Brad Hannahs reported that the winter sports schedules will soon be completed. The Athletic Council will meet on October 15 at 6:45 am at the high school.
Hannahs added that High School Principal Ron Clark, who was absent due to a volleyball game, wanted the Board to know that the sophomores have completed the GRIT assessment and that scheduling for career coaching sessions will begin.
Director of Special Education and Student Services Clint Abbott stated that professional development days for staff have gone well and have focused on mandatory CPR and CPI trainings as well as STEM teaching strategies.
Abbott acknowledged that teacher Brianna Holskey received a $11,269.37 grant from TC Energy to support the middle school robotics class.
Sixty-five Student Ambassador applications have been submitted. Abbott stated that only third- through twelfth- graders can participate. The ambassadors representing various ages and student groups will soon be selected.
Building and Grounds Director John Blatter reported that the new high school chiller is on location. The plan is to install it during the week of October 12. The electric will be off that Friday for approximately four hours but it will not impact students due to a scheduled staff report day.
Middle School Principal Casey Mayo shared that Charlie Lucas, an eighth grader, has taken the lead to create the newsletter on the TV. She and the yearbook crew are including Classroom Spotlights. Mayo gave a shout-out to Danielle Anderson, who is a teacher and the MS technology coordinator. Anderson has been working with the ESC to get the technology issues resolved to support the learning and teaching in the middle school.
Treasurer Adam Quirk said that the Building and Grounds Committee minutes were in the board members’ packets. The minutes included discussions about completed and expected district projects.
The Board voted to go into executive session to consider employment at 5:50 pm and returned to the regular meeting after an hour.
Donations
Donations totaling $9,250 for the following programs:
- Middle School Robotics — Robotics Parent Group
- High School Band — Band Alumni and Quaker City Festival
- Back-to-School — Doan Ford
Purchases and Agreements
The Board approved a purchase of $15,000 paid to Focused Foundations LLC for College Credit Plus STNA courses.
The Board accepted the Health Sciences and Professions Affiliation agreement between the Barnesville Exempted Village School District and Ohio University, effective August 28, 2026, for a five-year term. This agreement allows opportunities for Ohio University nursing students to participate in clinical and learning experiences with the district’s schools.
The Board issued the following one-year supplemental contracts for the 2026-2027 school year:
- Brian Grear — Assistant Boys Track Coach
- Samantha Huff — Head Softball Coach
- Shelly Ryder — Spelling Bee Coordinator
The Board approved the following after-school tutors for the 2026-2027 school year at the rate of $25, with the number of tutors contingent upon student enrollment:
- High School — Tricia Zaccagnini
- Middle School — Jamie Carpenter, Matt Johnson, Natasha Shilling and Stephanie Miller
- Elementary School — Mindy Acton and Stephanie Miller
- Kindergarten — Bailey Leach
The Board approved the following after-school detention monitors for the 2026-2027 school year:
- High School — Tricia Zaccagnini
- Middle School — Karmen Pavell
- Elementary School — Mercy Phillips
This position is on an as-needed basis to not exceed 2 hours per day and pays at the rate of $15 per hour.
The Board approved Mercy Phillips as the District Saturday School monitor for the 2026-2027 school year. This position is on an as-needed basis to not exceed 4 hours per day and pays at the rate of $15 per hour.
The Board approved the following classified substitutes for the 2026-2027 school year:
- Substitute Secretary — Kelsey Hall and Taylor Baker
- Substitute Cook and Custodian — Colton Hall
- Substitute Aide, Cook, Secretary and Custodian — Callie Brown
- Substitute Aide, Cook and Secretary — Dorinda Brownfield, Margaret Crum, Chelsea Brown, Kasi Castello, Melissa Campbell and Annessia Turney
- Substitute Medical Professional — Hannah Porter
- Substitute Bus Driver — Mancel McFrederick
Other Business
The Board passed a resolution to establish a special revenue fund for a donation made to support the district’s libraries.
The Board authorized participation in MDL No. 3047, which allows the district to join the lawsuit against social media companies. The focus of this lawsuit is the mental health issues caused by social media. “There is a systemic problem. Social media, especially for our young kids, has really hit us hard,” expressed Fuchs.
“We were previously given grant monies from some of our local boards that have now lost funding, and we are not able to use that grant money toward services like therapy, but we have to provide them anyway,” Quirk added. If there is any lawsuit settlement, it will most likely be a dollar amount per enrolled student.
Superintendent Fuchs encouraged the Board to review the enclosed Career Advising Plan for the Barnesville Exempted Village School District. This plan is reviewed annually and posted on the District website.
Treasurer Adam Quirk shared that OSBA Capital Conference would be November 15-17, and he would be sending out more information to the Board.
The October BOE meeting will be on its regularly scheduled date, October 15 at 5:30 pm.
Disclaimer: Author Lisa Gallagher for Barnesville Area News is an employee of the Barnesville Exempted Village School District.
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