Worthington City School District, OH

Regular Meeting

Regular Meeting

The board will hear a presentation from Planning Next on community engagement for Master Facilities Planning Phase Three, focused on elementary schools. The consent agenda includes hiring multiple classified staff, approving donations totaling over $8,200, and a resolution declaring busing impractical for newly enrolled students at Columbus School for Girls.

• Presentation on Master Facilities Planning Phase Three – Elementary Schools community engagement for 2026-2028
• Donations accepted: $5,500 from Evening Street PTA, $750 from Grace Polaris Church, and Dairy Queen coupons worth $279, $716, and $984.50
• Resolution confirming impracticality of busing newly enrolled students to Columbus School for Girls
• Hiring of 14 classified employees including bus drivers, special ed assistants, and a bilingual assistant at rates from $19.40 to $33.43/hr
• Restatement of the district's 403(b) plan to comply with IRS requirements, effective January 1, 2026

The Worthington Board of Education approved the amended consent agenda, which included appropriations modifications, a 403(b) plan restatement, numerous personnel actions (employment, resignations, contract adjustments), acceptance of donations, and a resolution on impractical busing. The board also approved the meeting minutes separately after removing them from the consent agenda. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting included informational reports and a presentation on community engagement for Master Facilities Planning.

• Approved agenda 26-088 (4-0)
• Approved amended consent agenda 26-089 (4-0)
• Approved minutes 26-090 (3-0, 1 abstention)
• Approved appropriations modifications (General Fund $0 net)
• Approved restatement of 403(b) plan effective Jan 1, 2026
• Approved employment of certified, supplemental, and classified personnel
• Approved resignations and contract adjustments for supplemental staff
• Approved donations totaling $8,229.50

Regular Meeting

The Board of Education will conduct an annual review of Title I parent and family engagement policies. The meeting includes a consent agenda for various personnel employments, resignations, and budget modifications.

• Annual review of Title I policies 2111 and 2261.01
• General Fund appropriations modifications including $15,640 for Purchased Services and $3,650.15 for Equipment
• Employment of four certified teachers with salaries ranging from $60,026 to $87,088
• Employment of 9 classified staff members and 1 substitute custodian
• Recognition of students who completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Regular Meeting

The Board of Education met to conduct a public hearing regarding the proposed reemployment of teachers Doug Dosky and Susan Kucharek upon retirement. The Board also approved a consent agenda covering fiscal minutes and various personnel actions.

• Public hearing on reemployment of teachers Doug Dosky and Susan Kucharek
• Employment of Kirsten Dyer as Assistant Principal at WKHS with a salary of $107,880
• Employment of Meredith Bise (Kindergarten Teacher, Granby Elementary) at $55,070
• Employment of Maureen Ingham (Grade 1 Teacher, Evening Street Elementary) at $60,026
• Employment of Grayson Timms (Intervention Specialist, WKHS) at $60,026

The Board of Education approved a consent agenda that included several administrative, certified, and classified personnel actions. These actions consisted of accepting resignations, hiring new staff to fill vacancies, and adjusting one classified contract.

• Approved agenda (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda items D-1 through E-6 (5-0)
• Accepted administrative resignation of Zachary Peterson (Assistant Principal/WKHS)
• Accepted certified resignations of Carmen Knott and Brian Morlan
• Accepted classified resignations of Tracy Clevenger, Mistie Collier, Maureen Ingham, and Sarah Shell
• Approved employment of Kirsten Dyer as Assistant Principal/WKHS at $107,880
• Approved employment of Meredith Bise, Maureen Ingham, and Grayson Timms as certified teachers
• Approved employment of 7 classified staff and 1 classified substitute

Regular Meeting

The Board of Education met to approve a consent agenda covering fiscal and personnel matters. The body decided on several staff resignations, new certified and classified employments, and contract adjustments for IT managers.

• Employment of Madelyn Moore ($89,202), Itala Pallante ($60,026), and Janelle Young ($89,032)
• Contract adjustment for Lucas Gladman to IT Manager-Infrastructure Systems at $110,000
• Contract adjustment for Abby Ryan to IT Manager-Information Systems at $103,000
• Approval of 10 certified and classified resignations
• Employment of home instructors and ESY 2026 services personnel at $42 per hour

The Board of Education approved a consent agenda covering various personnel actions, including resignations, new hires, and contract adjustments. The board also authorized specific staff stipends and accepted several donations for district schools.

• Approved agenda (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda items E-1 through G-1
• Approved resignations for 2 certified and 7 classified staff
• Approved employment of 3 certified teachers and 5 classified staff
• Approved 44 home instructors and ESY 2026 services at $42/hour
• Approved contract adjustments for 2 IT managers and 2 food service staff
• Authorized $42/hour stipends for 8 English proficiency assessment staff
• Authorized $9,000 annual stipend for District SCE Specialist Sarah Ward

Regular Meeting

The Worthington Board of Education met to review findings from a communications audit presented by Allerton-Hill Communications. The Board also approved a consent agenda covering fiscal modifications, personnel changes, and specific purchases.

• Payment of $122,640.00 to College Board for AP Exams
• Presentation of key findings and recommendations from the Communications Audit
• Employment of Kami Novak as Assistant Principal at Worthingway Middle School ($107,880)
• Acceptance of multiple resignations across administrative, certified, and classified staff
• General Fund appropriations modifications including $20,801.24 for Purchased Services

The Board of Education approved a consent agenda covering multiple personnel actions, including several new hires and resignations. The board also authorized a payment for AP exams and approved general fund appropriations modifications.

• Approved agenda (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda items F-1 through H-1
• Approved $122,640.00 payment to College Board for AP Exams
• Approved General Fund appropriations modifications
• Accepted resignations for 1 administrator, 1 other administrator, 1 certified staff, and 8 classified staff
• Approved employment of Kami Novak as Assistant Principal at Worthingway Middle School ($107,880)
• Approved employment of 10 certified teachers and staff
• Approved employment of 9 classified staff members

Regular Meeting - Work Session

The Worthington City Schools Board of Education is holding a work session to review district goals and accomplishments from the 2025-2026 school year and discuss goals for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. The meeting includes procedural items, public comment, and adjournment.

• District Goal Review/Setting: review of 2025-2026 accomplishments and discussion of 2026-2027 goals

The Board of Education met for a work session to review and set district goals. No substantive policy or financial decisions were made during the meeting.

• Approved the meeting agenda (5-0)
• Adjourned the meeting (5-0)

Annual Records Commission Meeting

The Records Commission is meeting to review records retention and disposal. No applications for one-time disposal of obsolete records were submitted, and no changes to the current retention schedule are recommended.

• Review of applications for one-time disposal of obsolete records (none submitted)
• Review of current records retention schedule (no changes recommended)

The Annual Records Commission meeting was held to review records disposal and retention schedules. No applications for disposal or changes to the retention schedule were noted. The meeting was procedural in nature.

• No applications for one-time disposal of obsolete records were noted
• No changes to the current records retention schedule were noted

Regular Meeting

The Board of Education discussed the proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 and received a second reading of NEOLA policy updates. The Board also approved the Worthington Public Library's annual tax budget request and several personnel resignations.

• Presentation of the FY27 Proposed Budget by Treasurer TJ Cusick
• Approval of the Worthington Public Library 2027 budget
• General Fund appropriations modifications including $73,650 for supplies
• Recognition of Slate Hill Elementary as an OAESA Hall of Fame school
• Second reading of NEOLA Vol. 44, No. 2 policy updates

The Board of Education approved a consent agenda covering fiscal modifications, personnel resignations, and new hires. The board also recognized Slate Hill Elementary, Suzanne Palmer, and the Thomas Worthington High School Choir. A proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 was presented for information.

• Approved agenda (5-0)
• Recognized Slate Hill Elementary as an OAESA Hall of Fame school (5-0)
• Recognized Suzanne Palmer as OAESA Outstanding Central Office Administrator of the year (5-0)
• Recognized Thomas Worthington High School Choir for OMEA superior score (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda items F-1 through H-1
• Approved resignations of three certified teachers and two classified staff
• Approved employment of Kurt Hess (Principal) and Kristina Johnson (Assistant Principal) at McCord Middle School
• Approved employment of three certified teachers and staffing for 2026 Summer Programs

Regular Meeting

The Board of Education conducted a second reading of the 2027-2028 school year calendar and a first reading of NEOLA policy updates. The Board also approved a consent agenda including personnel changes and budget modifications.

• Second reading of the 2027-2028 school year calendar
• Employment of Melissa Grimmett as Principal/Sutter Park Pre School at $143,000
• Employment of Jennifer Hinderer as Principal/Phoenix MS & Worthington Academy at $130,000
• Employment of Aquarius Hopkins as Principal/Worthington Hills Elementary at $118,000
• Employment of April Walsh as Coordinator of Special Education/District at $112,260

The Board of Education approved a consent agenda that included several new administrative and teaching appointments, as well as multiple resignations. The Board also recognized art students from TWHS and WKHS for their achievements in various competitions.

• Approved recognition of TWHS and WKHS art students (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda including fiscal and personnel items (5-0)
• Employed Melissa Grimmett as Principal of Sutter Park Pre School ($143,000)
• Employed Jennifer Hinderer as Principal of Phoenix MS & Worthington Academy ($130,000)
• Employed Aquarius Hopkins as Principal of Worthington Hills Elementary ($118,000)
• Employed April Walsh as Coordinator of Special Education/District ($112,260)
• Accepted resignations of Sean Flynn and Elizabeth Reyna-Williams
• Approved 2026-27 extended service contracts for certified personnel

Regular Meeting - Work Session

The Worthington Board of Education approved a consent agenda including resignations, leaves, and employment of administrators. Among the hires are a new Assistant Superintendent (Jennifer Korn, $184,597) and several other district administrators with salaries ranging from $112,260 to $175,000. The board also heard a first reading of the proposed 2027-2028 school calendar, presented by the Assistant Superintendent.

• Employment of Jennifer Korn as Assistant Superintendent at $184,597 for 2026-27
• Employment of Arthur Good as TWHS Athletic Director at $121,685
• New administrative contracts: Emilie Greenwald (Exec. Dir. Secondary Ed., $175,000), Steve Griffin (Dir. Teaching & Learning, $161,000), Tiena Miller (Dir. People Operations, $161,000), Robert Messenheimer (Exec. Dir. Elementary Ed., $175,000)
• Resignations: Michael Kuri (Principal, McCord Middle School, retirement effective July 30, 2026) and four classified staff members
• First reading of 2027-2028 school calendar (Calendar Option C, attached as Enclosure C-1)

The Board of Education approved a consent agenda covering multiple personnel actions, including administrative hires, contract renewals, and resignations. A first reading of the 2027-2028 school calendar was presented for review.

• Approved agenda (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda items E-1 through G-2
• Accepted administrative resignation of Michael Kuri (Principal/McCord Middle School)
• Approved resignations of Linnea Gallo, Jill Burkholder, Tanjahleeia Carter, Jodi Hill, and Dekya Valeria Mateo Morales
• Granted unpaid childcare leave to Carmen Knott (Spanish Teacher/WKHS)
• Employed five administrative staff including Jennifer Korn as Assistant Superintendent ($184,597)
• Renewed administrative contracts for 18 staff members and entered new contracts for four directors
• Approved employment of five certified teachers, one Title I tutor, and four home instructors

POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING

The Policy Committee will discuss various board policy updates and revisions released by NEOLA and the district. The meeting includes a review of policies ranging from athletics and grading to budget and procurement.

• New policy on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in athletics (po2431.06)
• Replacement policy on Artificial Intelligence (AI) (po7540.09)
• Revised policies on grading (po5421) and class rank (po5430)
• Revised policies on budget preparation (po6220), purchasing and bidding (po6320), and district credit card use (po6423)
• Revised food services policy (po8500)

The committee reviewed policies from the January 2026 update, a March 2026 special update, a finance policy, and a policy tabled from August 2025. These items will be presented to the full Board on April 27, 2026. The committee also approved the minutes from the October 24, 2025 meeting.

• Approved October 24, 2025 meeting minutes
• Reviewed policies for presentation to the Board on April 27, 2026

Regular Meeting

The Board of Education held a public hearing regarding the proposed reemployment of Principal Michael Kuri following his retirement. The board also approved a consent agenda covering personnel changes and fiscal modifications.

• Public hearing on the reemployment of Principal Michael Kuri
• Employment of Malika Jefferson as Director of Special Education at $161,000
• General Fund appropriations modification of $6,493.50 from Purchased Services to Supplies
• Employment of six certified teachers with salaries ranging from $55,070 to $60,026
• Approval of 10 certified and classified staff resignations

Regular Meeting

The Worthington Board of Education approved a consent agenda that included approving resignations, hiring new teachers and staff, and adjusting supplemental coach contracts. The meeting also featured a presentation on the Amplify ELA and CKLA pilot programs.

• Approval of resignations for art teacher Jennifer Slezak and bus drivers Nina Clowes and Don Williams
• Hiring of four new teachers at Evening Street Elementary and McCord Middle School
• Adjustment of supplemental contracts for lacrosse and track coaches
• Presentation on Amplify ELA and CKLA pilot programs
• Approval of $2,000 in Purchased Services appropriations

Regular Meeting

The Board of Education met to review a financial forecast update and approve a consent agenda. Key actions included adjusting fund appropriations and processing several personnel changes.

• General Fund appropriations modifications totaling $495,000 to align with forecast revision
• Approval of a $33,441 School Bus Safety Grant
• Employment of Allison Redway ($58,278), Demi Sevenoff ($53,466), and Nevin Woods ($53,466)
• Acceptance of five certified staff retirements including teachers from WKHS, Perry MS, Evening Street Elementary, and McCord MS
• Presentation of the Auditor of State Award with Distinction for the 2024-25 school year

Regular Meeting

The Board of Education reviewed an update on the Portrait of a Learner student self-perception survey. The board approved several personnel actions, including retirements and new hires, and authorized specific appropriation modifications for the General Fund.

• General Fund appropriation modifications: $1,200 for Purchased Services and $13,800 for Equipment
• Employment of Spencer Ayres as Math Teacher at Worthington Academy ($59,882)
• Approval of 8 after-school tutors for Title I tutoring at $42/hour
• Stipends for 10 staff members for Positive Parenting Program workshops at $42/hour
• Stipend for Emily Laughlin to create an Algebra 1 course at $42/hour (max 40 hours)

Regular Meeting - Work Session

The Board of Education conducted a work session to approve routine business and a personnel consent agenda. The board decided on several administrative retirements and the hiring of certified and classified staff.

• Accepted retirements of Assistant Superintendent Angela Adrean, Athletic Director Molly Feesler, Director of Special Education Kimberly Marani, and Director of AAPL Kelly Wegley
• Employed Brice Baker as Intervention Specialist ($55,070), Makenzie Bush as PE/Health Teacher ($55,712), and Isaac Wilson as PE/Health Teacher ($53,466)
• Employed six OELPA State Assessment Proctors at a rate of $22.00 per hour
• Employed classified staff including Tanjahleeia Carter as Security Monitor ($27.42/hr) and Shanice Johnson as Bus Driver ($30.25/hr)
• Approved a professional leave of absence for English Teacher Emma Ruiz effective 08/17/2026

Regular Meeting - CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER

The regular meeting scheduled for January 26, 2026, was cancelled due to weather. The agenda included proposed personnel changes, a student survey update, and routine reports.

• Proposed update on the Portrait of a Learner student self-perception survey
• Proposed retirement of Kimberly Marani (Director of Special Education) and Kelly Wegley (Director of AAPL)
• Proposed employment of OELPA state assessment proctors at $22.00 per hour
• Proposed $5,000 one-time stipend for Cameron Carter for serving as a substitute building principal
• Proposed employment of several classified staff including a security monitor at $27.42/hr and bus drivers

Organizational/Regular Meeting

The Board of Education conducted its organizational meeting to swear in members and elect leadership. The body established its 2026 meeting schedule and appointed board representatives to various committees and local organizations.

• Swearing in of board members Sheena Costa Flowers, Kelli Davis, and Nikki Hudson
• Election of Board President and Vice President
• Establishment of 2026 regular meeting dates and times
• Appointment of board liaisons to the City of Columbus, City of Worthington, Perry Township, Sharon Township, and Village of Riverlea
• Approval of memberships for Ohio School Boards Association ($11,548), Ohio Education Policy Institute ($1,500), Ohio School Boards Legal Assistance Fund ($250), and Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce ($830)