[{"_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",6229524,"mediaKeyId","3461412-73fe7ccfe7b9237720cf4a1e188b321f","parentId",3461412,"title","Board debates transparency of administrative assistant contract, later approves contract","audioSeconds",9287,"startMs",870000,"endMs",10157000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461412-73fe7ccfe7b9237720cf4a1e188b321f&start=870&end=10157","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461412-73fe7ccfe7b9237720cf4a1e188b321f/thumbnail_870000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6229524/Ohio/Board-debates-transparency-of-administrative-assistant-contract-later-approves-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229524-077c4f474558f28a078455b1fbd9d02f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415270&Signature=dnKCd1ufcvTELJV53LEE57WtDCQF6KxbZr4XYMj48Dkq56zyaAtzLtqP84USiIQ-K8Jz7Y05K9oHlnhIDkXRUuWT2einGk-HKI7VaCeK0S3NDdb067EV8L3zhbAnTDvlW02AtO4DHlFWFZshA7O-qcUa3Lugeapnd16hFfpLGUuLqXE9voHPhQePfPHXh2o8DDtVtl~t1r6ZWasnnfNLAAuJsEflwsaQm~K1JTqxzGCFS0minqL0P72XEIUVX10FCLKWqZFig5kRMeiG0D0bfFSoKzFm9NIaLezNAsSLgfV7FlVUKS-xOMF9DpA6vvxs9NQoPzLYCVIVr7t9Zl4YMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Big Walnut Local Schools","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","A procedural debate over public access to an administrative contract briefly disrupted the May 19 Big Walnut Local Schools agenda before the board ultimately approved the contract during the Human Resources portion of the meeting.

Early in the meeting a board member moved to strike item 10.2—an administrative assistant contract—from the agenda because the contract had not been made publicly available before the meeting. Board members discussed whether it is standard practice to make contracts public before approval; some trustees said the negotiation is not final until the board votes and that contracts typically become public after approval. The board then voted to remove item 10.2 from the consent agenda for separate consideration.

Later, under Human Resources, the board took up item 10.2. The agenda listed a one‑year administrative level‑2 contract for Ashley Edwards. Trustees discussed public access to the contract during the meeting; the contract was visible in the boardroom but questions remained about remote public availability. The board voted to approve the contract; the motion passed with one member recorded as voting no.

The meeting record shows both the procedural removal from the consent agenda and the subsequent approval of the individual contract. The board did not change board policy at the meeting on how or when contracts are published; trustees debated transparency practices during discussion.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - 5/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees removed an administrative assistant contract from the May 19 agenda citing lack of public access; after discussion and review the board later approved a one‑year administrative assistant contract for Ashley Edwards.","taxTitle","Big Walnut Local, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",59113,"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},6229528,"Treasurer reports strong cash balance; board discusses capital set‑asides and state funding risks",3498,3492000,6990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461412-73fe7ccfe7b9237720cf4a1e188b321f&start=3492&end=6990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461412-73fe7ccfe7b9237720cf4a1e188b321f/thumbnail_3492000.jpg","/articles/6229528/Ohio/Treasurer-reports-strong-cash-balance-board-discusses-capital-setasides-and-state-funding-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229528-32cf4076ac493660cc86a0c3c6368611/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415270&Signature=AdRnZQnynvht-HCMde4qFbeSoUorZOBMoOloWYSzTbwlZYsj~DtRod1ovMNqxoKgXjFiHXmV7B~xM8OD5QO6Jc46qQXk5HrwDu1b9vUfBojVRYD6ryQGF4LHMjldhmr0URhBHsSsqH8KvcSgPOlelERomwubVHZ4el2tHsEkSyARMruDKOZdAxbaSoegLlY4xbEJW50aEEffpGYrJ8jAcBpZGYNMgx8FsoC9GOAOI8eCRr-K6nypTeBnCRG6t-CVSC8JyvwcptswoUKiAjeTR8kg2mbyxTtv1kbkZ2LYF4NqMKmdTAR3suSDziOv8nIcVvshXGzP50nBqhIYEdmFuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Treasurer Scott Gooding told the Big Walnut Local Schools Board of Education on May 19 that year‑to‑date revenue and financing sources were about $62.8 million versus an estimate of $62.1 million and the district’s ending cash balance at the end of April was about $49.5 million, exceeding projections by approximately $1.7 million.

Gooding said revenue performance was aided by higher interest income and tax receipts, while expenditures remained under budget. He reported year‑to‑date expenditures of roughly $47.5 million versus an estimate of $48.6 million.

Board members then discussed a multi‑year capital plan and whether to move forecasted transfers (about $4.9 million across FY26–FY28 in the current forecast) into the current fiscal year to create a set‑aside. Gooding said, as currently forecast, the district projects transfers out of $3,516,292 in FY26, $880,192 in FY27 and $480,692 in FY28—about $4.9 million over three years—and recommended moving funds to the capital projects fund to provide flexibility. Board members asked the treasurer for firm dollar recommendations and for additional facility‑planning estimates; Gooding said the district would return with numbers before the next meeting and the facilities committee will produce cost information this fall.

The meeting also included public comments about state policy. Two public speakers urged the board to oppose proposed state cuts and to act on vouchers and fair‑funding issues. Betsy Carpenter, who identified herself as an education professor and parent, asked the board to join the Vouchers Hurt Ohio lawsuit and said voucher use locally had shifted away from lower‑income families. She said, “Private school vouchers force local school districts to raise local taxes through levies.”

Ryan Winya, a parent and local organizer, criticized the board for failing to publicly oppose proposed state cuts and asked trustees to sign a letter supporting the Fair School Funding Plan and to pass a resolution calling on lawmakers to pass it. He told the board, “Your silence is an affront to district administration and staff and sends a deafening message to Big Walnut students that they don't matter.”

Gooding and Superintendent McClain described the district’s advocacy work with statewide associations and Delaware County superintendents and said they continue to monitor House Bill 96 and other budget developments. Gooding summarized the district’s advocacy priorities as including preserving the formula phase‑in, removing temporary bridge funding, maintaining guarantees until full implementation, removing a proposed 30% cash‑balance cap, and updating special education and ESC funding categories to reflect cost studies.

The board adopted the May 31 five‑year forecast resolution as required by the Ohio Department of Education; Gooding said the forecast will be updated as state budget details become available.

","The treasurer reported revenues above estimates and a healthy cash balance, and the board discussed front‑loading capital transfers to meet upcoming facility projects while members and public speakers urged action on state school‑funding changes and voucher policies.",{"_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},6229534,"Sunbury community library seeks $19M bond; board to consider resolution June 16",394,3016000,3410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461412-73fe7ccfe7b9237720cf4a1e188b321f&start=3016&end=3410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461412-73fe7ccfe7b9237720cf4a1e188b321f/thumbnail_3016000.jpg","/articles/6229534/Ohio/Sunbury-community-library-seeks-19M-bond-board-to-consider-resolution-June-16","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229534-8e7a1198a4a4588e5f6a293f6d33b40d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415270&Signature=lEs4CcQ67jmAsR-8gHtnDTbnST3j6yPsx3Ng0T4CVYCTp4-IHz3hj0HrOGJrb~69ug567w-oa~EzadqD4YfPLPMx86yqig3ITu0PiQHc8HuGPRy4Z-imXR3iZ88FiNkUw1bCDYdwBcWZbYmfZtZqDDtMV0bRtbpQgzK6-S5KHeaZrL56CsVZ~~QysUbv2-901UOzB85wo4D6SjwkpczWps3GOs4zxrpc5uqrf0Q4eKyy1KsYiEjo3xvh-3Uw5WZuWiPgrTQcLjJ3IcbUwPuSHqNTsm4E7tjSmqHm84lORF5RjGkv~5pOGHp7EuHH~EdNFV57w43EO7KQz-e5~Vr-pA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chauncey Montgomery, representing the Sunbury Community Library, told the Big Walnut Local Schools Board of Education on May 19 that the library has seen sustained growth and is proposing a 13,000‑square‑foot expansion with an estimated cost of about $20 million and a bond‑request principal of $19 million.

Montgomery said the library’s service population grew from about 15,000 when the Burr Drive facility opened in 1994 to roughly 25,000 now, and use has risen: about 175,000 visitors, 26,000 program attendees and about 300,000 circulations in the last year. The library’s board has approved a resolution asking the district to submit a bond issue to voters for renovation and construction, with a term not to exceed 30 years.

Montgomery described community input and prior improvements: a 2,000‑square‑foot addition in 2017 that was funded from the library’s capital fund without a levy. For the current plan, he said the expansion would address five community needs identified in surveys and focus groups: more meeting rooms, group study rooms, expanded children’s space, a separated teen collection, and flexible outdoor space for programs.

Board President Graziosi and staff said the district will follow the library’s requested timeline: the board will consider a resolution of necessity at the June 16 meeting, certify details to the county auditor (which will compute millage), and on June 26 consider a resolution to proceed that would be filed with the Board of Elections; officials noted the deadline to file for the November ballot is July 29.

Separately, the board voted to appoint Lee Weber to the Community Library Board of Trustees to fill an unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2029.

Montgomery said the library prepared a conservative 2026 tax budget and flagged the state budget as an unknown that could affect future library funding; he said staffing and program costs still make up most of the library’s budget. The board did not certify any bond language on May 19; it set the June calendar milestones the library requested.

","The Sunbury Community Library presented a plan for a roughly 13,000-square-foot expansion and asked the school district to place a bond request before voters; the board scheduled next steps and approved a trustee appointment.",{"_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},6229538,"Big Walnut staff outline expansion of career pathways, CTE partnerships and waitlist pressures",1926,2807000,4733000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461412-73fe7ccfe7b9237720cf4a1e188b321f&start=2807&end=4733","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461412-73fe7ccfe7b9237720cf4a1e188b321f/thumbnail_2807000.jpg","/articles/6229538/Ohio/Big-Walnut-staff-outline-expansion-of-career-pathways-CTE-partnerships-and-waitlist-pressures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229538-684cb02c357c28e630e1ebf3c007fe1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415270&Signature=lRmdHegAE8k4GhFjZJZvCut~D1iPPk3Mmq6hSuv~yT1EhDR83HJKabJTUCCrwe02ezi1p0S5844AyzUK-W8jIxfASsUT1k0Ae8it0iySBOcl7vVPFibyhBq64a-FuN3km5IrTq3cnYJwThLLP3MyVZwvhZDlSBisHRt4hrqdtSg3lRn8RErOFEMNYZJjWZleRqMNmxWR~GgBCHNmw-Eai1dUbWmRInyhOQinWCC2qQbiPfLkAhhZtOYvoOLgODHqcOskS0VcJPgpmHCv5PqHybGHw~aJZVGRrTySEpyA-8NH0GrZyixspyXsJCxZsK77jPywwNwTPuiEq60tRh90eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff on May 19 told the Big Walnut Local Schools Board of Education the district is expanding career-education efforts—including College Credit Plus courses, partnerships with DAC and BridgeEd, and new career-pathway planning—to give more students options for college, skilled work and military service.

The presentation, given by Mike Robertson and introduced by Superintendent Ryan McClain, summarized three “buckets” of work the district says it will sustain: events (career fairs, panels), electives and courses, and formal career pathways that can lead to industry credentials. Robertson said expanding these offerings also helps students meet state college-and-career readiness indicators used on school report cards.

Robertson said the district tracks student interest and availability of programs before deciding next steps. He reported that 99 students applied to DAC programs this year, 74 were accepted and 11 were wait‑listed; waitlisted slots included six for cosmetology, two for auto tech, and single waits for welding, power sports and diesel, and exercise science. He also described trends in College Credit Plus participation and said district students’ course-success rates compare favorably to a partner college’s overall participants.

Robertson outlined what formal career pathways require under state rules: a district CTE‑26 plan, articulation with a career-technical partner (in Big Walnut’s case, DAC), an advisory board, work‑based learning hours and technical-skill attainment tied to industry‑recognized credentials. He told the board that creating a district pathway also brings state per‑pupil funding (he estimated roughly $17.74 per pupil, as a ballpark figure) that varies by career cluster.

Board members asked about students who report plans for a gap year and about how many students remain waitlisted for popular DAC programs. Robertson said gap‑year responses vary—some students plan to work, others are undecided—and repeated that counselors meet with every student annually to refine plans. On the DAC waitlist he flagged cosmetology and technical programs as areas with clear demand.

Robertson also recommended follow‑up steps including maintaining district career events, increasing course‑based experiences tied to career exploration, and exploring formal pathways where student interest and low capital costs align—such as business, computer science, media/AV and health sciences. He suggested that more capital‑intensive programs (auto tech, welding) may remain DAC’s role in the near term.

Board members did not take formal action on specific pathways at the meeting; Robertson said the district will keep the board updated as staff and partners develop proposals and any required CTE‑26 submissions.

Robertson closed by asking board members to review the statewide career‑cluster resources he cited and invited further questions.

","District staff presented a yearlong recap of career-awareness events, College Credit Plus participation, BridgeEd and DAC partnerships, and identified program waitlists and potential career-pathway priorities for the board to consider.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board debates transparency of administrative assistant contract, later approves contract

Treasurer reports strong cash balance; board discusses capital set‑asides and state funding risks

Sunbury community library seeks $19M bond; board to consider resolution June 16

Big Walnut staff outline expansion of career pathways, CTE partnerships and waitlist pressures