[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6050764,"mediaKeyId","3461456-3c254ec11bbba240d437929940ae1e69","parentId",3461456,"title","Board approves consent agenda including bus purchases, facilities contracts and insurance renewal","audioSeconds",977,"startMs",3268000,"endMs",4245000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461456-3c254ec11bbba240d437929940ae1e69&start=3268&end=4245","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461456-3c254ec11bbba240d437929940ae1e69/thumbnail_3268000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6050764/Ohio/Board-approves-consent-agenda-including-bus-purchases-facilities-contracts-and-insurance-renewal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6050764-41853f71f059894359c11952aa74a1d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771076723&Signature=j5yY5Cg9z~AZblpJIzxSuoH2AdDosMsnffjML7Rr79PB2RwdnmrNYnqImcOccJ9mG5-LW9E5ZOxJNLskprQyLtoNORM4Whqvpz-0qhS8ATQZjEa0u02xtSCuv2U55Q6r002OrdCixKcN4XHYtGMUjNn20gNqHLH1csHK73xxyG2ifrHvOW2r74wODduVx1jZFYFiHNn2NScyogggdwKvWlCQGep79TmfygrWrUBq38DHzJnsCSqLkN19WwMvO7GpFCUA2IAO4L1Pup1-2YqiH~IVZFZLMR-RwC8Oq5MLnPB960mYCfOkpPANbvW5Ix7~fmn7mVS7g6WGPI17K1M18A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Forest Hills School District","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Forest Hills Board of Education voted to approve its consent agenda, which included personnel appointments and resignations, purchases and facilities contracts, and the treasurer’s financial reports.

Business operations director John Eckert told the board the district will purchase five school buses with expected delivery mostly in July and that lead times required the board to authorize signing contracts for a Turpin chiller and a Nagle boiler once the lowest responsible bidders are identified. Eckert also described a districtwide radio system intended to allow secure, non-cell-dependent communication between administrative teams and buses in catastrophic emergencies.

Treasurer Ms. Cropper presented the district’s financial snapshot. The district reported receiving $29.5 million in spring real-estate tax-advance collections and an unreserved cash balance of about $40.6 million, described as enough to operate the district for about 167 days (147 days unreserved after encumbrances). The treasurer’s report also noted $3.3 million already encumbered toward the planned $4.9 million summer permanent-improvement budget and about $180,000 in investment earnings for the month.

On insurance, administrators reported a marketwide increase in premiums of roughly 19%–22% observed across local governments; the district’s policy covers property and administrative errors-and-omissions risks for about $333 million of district property. Board members said adequate coverage was necessary given recent facility events.

The board approved overnight field trips for teacher-preparatory academy students to the EdRising conference in Orlando June 24–29 and accepted several HR recommendations including administrative hires: Kyle Mack to principal of Summit (change of assignment) and Terrell Davis as Nagle athletic director.

Vote: A motion to approve action items 8.1–10.1 and Treasurer items 12.1 A–J passed on roll call: Dr. Strickler — yes; Dr. Simmons — yes; Mrs. Jonas — yes; Mr. Bibb — yes.

Why it matters: The purchases and contracts approved at the meeting address long lead times for equipment and readiness for summer projects; the treasurer’s report shows cash reserves and encumbrances that will inform budget planning as the board considers advocacy over state funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Forest Hills Board of Education 3/19/2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","The Forest Hills board approved the consent agenda covering personnel items, five new school buses, facilities contracts for a chiller and boiler to address urgent ordering timelines, a districtwide radio system, and the annual insurance renewal amid a reported marketwide premium increase.","taxTitle","Forest Hills Local, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",38578,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6050769,"Transparency and timing questioned after Forest Hills board receives treasurer resignation; search process under review",4128,1648000,5776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461456-3c254ec11bbba240d437929940ae1e69&start=1648&end=5776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461456-3c254ec11bbba240d437929940ae1e69/thumbnail_1648000.jpg","/articles/6050769/Ohio/Transparency-and-timing-questioned-after-Forest-Hills-board-receives-treasurer-resignation-search-process-under-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6050769-714af5469a797786be87c390c05cb8d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771076723&Signature=ofO6fii4BmU9aKSiNePSQs8fSjqgJo7EnvhlKLh6n2EsBYlENB4~qJXKdLXdSPDnu514XkT~c~WOFinCHiM4xQ8VrQ68iCBpwISn68BxrZCeQfxAx2AKQgMqF1WFJ~WGQDl2UcT1cNqAn6vKGUhQXRa4gXweQF6bCl1LTN99HT61pHdgWm~TRucehbBox6BBOiPHRLuapSnqlL88lSS2-jBOmTwcgCZp~-dVzl6wiHx8OXbIxQQ-0H~sH5iM2JI2xusJuvxs-sMuA6rAPiU~EUqyQ2krNosESIu9yWBtOmyVsjRBkIpfZ1R4VZcvO2VPwR8hgkAeqVnWr6LKd3CgOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment at the Forest Hills Board of Education meeting included criticism of the handling of a recent treasurer resignation and calls for greater transparency in the district’s hiring processes. The board also moved to an executive session under Ohio law to consider appointment of a public official.

Parent Emily Roth said the treasurer’s resignation followed what she called \"a subjective and non evidence based evaluation process\" and urged the board to use evidence-based evaluations and to reconsider the resignation. Jeff Nye later urged the board to provide \"timely transparency\" about the simultaneous searches for a board member and a treasurer, including criteria, applicants and interview status.

Board members confirmed that Mrs. Stewart submitted her resignation on March 11 and that the board has 30 days under Ohio law to fill the seat. The board reported it received 29 applicants, narrowed the field to seven, and scheduled interviews (two that night and three on Saturday) so the board can vote within the 30-day window. A board member cautioned that if the board does not appoint someone within 30 days, the probate court will make the appointment.

The board also reported it had a presentation from a search firm called K-12 at a cost under $9,000. Members said they were weighing options, including OSBA and the Hamilton County Education Service Center, and that they want an experienced treasurer given pending funding challenges.

Late in the meeting the board voted to adjourn to executive session \"pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 121.22(g)(1)\" for the purpose of considering the appointment of a public employer official. The motion was seconded and the roll-call vote recorded as yes by Mrs. Jonas, Dr. Strickler, Dr. Simmons and Mr. Bibb. The board announced it did not expect to take action immediately after the executive session.

Why it matters: The treasurer position carries budgetary responsibility at a time the district is reviewing five-year forecasts and potential state funding changes. Several public commenters linked transparency and good governance to district stability and cost control.","Public commenters criticized the process that led to a recent treasurer resignation and urged greater transparency in the searches for a new treasurer and a replacement board member; the board discussed search firms and moved to executive session to consider a public-officer appointment.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6050774,"Parents and residents raise DEI and library-content concerns at Forest Hills board meeting",1145,1584000,2729000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461456-3c254ec11bbba240d437929940ae1e69&start=1584&end=2729","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461456-3c254ec11bbba240d437929940ae1e69/thumbnail_1584000.jpg","/articles/6050774/Ohio/Parents-and-residents-raise-DEI-and-library-content-concerns-at-Forest-Hills-board-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6050774-3ec2ca57d505b8b6560d6cb8d978c498/orig.mp4?Expires=1771076723&Signature=cQSqN9jzgwJULdSXHyOXS4tpyGxHItIFnp5ouf8~hfeYyD8~N26NgFtqXoHG3EMl~oxeAR7Ea1cdK~NOwRGq0X7fuKdVVo7LNGt5Il1gE-aAmu9DCKp8HYfxbXsbgbnQpJOaKEuDnmtfsFif4bilLgumL1rHStIteXztfuBMxh26DUQXIlQSwXlB20JZNR~mZdkCW7UOKxrTnVmOy8P1qcwkKHML-j8QcDu9lm2KBi8dzBN5~GgCzCv9aVKjl~QO0ELx9lptk-cI4asxfErWWIM2YIp6VjtKVx6fccXSbhkongB~J5Azf0qL0CEDn0KqDiqf1qJA2NQ2-ZRVqoU~Hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several parents and residents used the public-comment period at the Forest Hills Board of Education meeting to press the board on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and to object to library and classroom materials they described as inappropriate for middle-school students.

\"I'm here because I've seen firsthand what happens when DEI and woke agendas infiltrate our schools,\" Olivia Krolchak told the board, later saying she would file a federal complaint if she believes the district violates federal directives. Anne Salcedo and Dan Salcedo criticized teaching materials and library content they said contradicted the district’s cultural blueprint and promoted \"racially divisive\" material.

Emily Roth, a parent at 2051 Forest Crest, urged the district to join other Ohio districts in litigation related to voucher growth and urged the board to fully implement the Fair School Funding plan. She also criticized the process surrounding a recent treasurer’s resignation, calling for evidence-based employee evaluations.

Several speakers named specific titles and classroom incidents. Kevin Mishak objected to the book Me, Earl and the Dying Girl being available at the middle school, saying the title contains frequent profanities and explicit language he judged inappropriate for seventh- and eighth-graders. Dave Lobach described an instance in which a Turpin teacher read aloud a passage from The Perks of Being a Wallflower and said a student left feeling \"embarrassed, unsafe, and felt disrespected,\" asking the board what action had been taken.

Other public-commenters urged greater transparency in hiring and contract processes. Jeff Nye urged the board to be \"more transparent than it has in the past\" about the searches for a board member and a treasurer, including criteria, applicants, and interview progress.

Why it matters: Speakers linked library and classroom-content concerns to the board’s stated cultural blueprint and to federal and state directives about DEI programming. Board members listened and acknowledged the concerns; board policy PO 0169.1 governing public comment was read at the start of the period.

Board members did not announce immediate policy changes during public comment. Several members said they would bring comments back for staff review and reiterated ongoing policy-review work under NEOLA updates.","Multiple speakers during public comment urged the board to restrict DEI programming and called for removal or review of books they described as age-inappropriate; several parents requested stronger enforcement of the district's cultural blueprint and clearer library vetting procedures.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6050779,"Forest Hills board debates resolution as superintendent presses lawmakers on school funding",4190,1204000,5394000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461456-3c254ec11bbba240d437929940ae1e69&start=1204&end=5394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461456-3c254ec11bbba240d437929940ae1e69/thumbnail_1204000.jpg","/articles/6050779/Ohio/Forest-Hills-board-debates-resolution-as-superintendent-presses-lawmakers-on-school-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6050779-ea35e97dfb472c2f3e27c95ab31cb000/orig.mp4?Expires=1771076723&Signature=TlFPlpXKAQPNAjsqNa5cpFqpd6XHM6bq~iLzT8u6H8dGJmjl9-r6UMpQsw~GmVZLMoKTVEdh2S~klXqd95PSzuQqXQnFhF4OKo5pc4jRsyVdTdI81WLYQf9LHg19fkzzkuMvU8bz8bY473JWjGl-3yRonJKCm0mtIDwG~zdxhi7021Aopa1FvW8EqtNSrdcHdBunDtpghUP786HxFehckYtqnPwbsAAZSjbfUUY-YREdRCrpyUDRiqtjBqq3LJMvKSX5g2-wVaV44R3u2401OLj53CCqVoyigXfepo15cM1iIYu--ufyAOOLMFWqWPMPfu8TeOebBTeNqHTD~5luBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forest Hills Board of Education members heard a lengthy update on state school funding from Superintendent Mr. Hote and agreed to move forward with a board resolution backing full funding of the Fair School Funding model.

In remarks to the board, Superintendent Mr. Hote outlined the district’s funding gap and urged lawmakers to adopt changes that would better cover special education and mental-health categorical funding. \"If you pull that out and start funding that at any percentage above that, that's a win,\" he said, referring to separate funding for special education.

The superintendent said the district spends roughly $14,701 per pupil while state aid covers a far smaller share. Board members said the governor’s proposed budget would reduce state support to many districts and increase reliance on vouchers and community schools. Board member Wendy (last name not specified) moved to approve a draft resolution supporting full funding of the Fair School Funding plan; members agreed to condense and refine the language and consider it again at a special meeting on Saturday so the board can meet legislative timing.

Why it matters: board members said further state cuts would force schools to seek more local levies or cut programs. In board discussion, members referenced specific budget figures presented to them, including a projected $2.8 million potential loss for Forest Hills over five years if current proposals proceed, and broader statewide shifts of funding toward vouchers reported in the governor’s budget.

Superintendent remarks and board discussion focused on three policy points: (1) separating high-cost categorical programs such as special education from general formula calculations, (2) adding a categorical line for mental-health services, and (3) preserving the guarantee for districts currently receiving hold-harmless funding. Board members asked staff to tighten the proposed resolution and to place a revised version on the Saturday agenda to meet legislative timing.

Board members emphasized the need to pair advocacy language with suggested solutions. \"We need to get it done efficiently or we will miss the window,\" a board member said. The board did not vote on the resolution at this meeting; members agreed to edit and return it for a vote at the special meeting.

The board also discussed planned testimony to state legislators and noted other Ohio districts have adopted similar resolutions. No formal action on the resolution occurred at this meeting.","Superintendent and board members discussed state funding shortfalls under the proposed biennial budget and moved to prepare a resolution supporting full funding of the Fair School Funding plan; board members agreed to refine language and consider the resolution at a special meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves consent agenda including bus purchases, facilities contracts and insurance renewal

Transparency and timing questioned after Forest Hills board receives treasurer resignation; search process under review

Parents and residents raise DEI and library-content concerns at Forest Hills board meeting

Forest Hills board debates resolution as superintendent presses lawmakers on school funding