[{"_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",6179714,"mediaKeyId","5124246-eac678fb39dc6c0285708fb0db8b8430","parentId",5124246,"title","Assistant superintendent hire and deputy superintendent departure announced; transition period set for fall","audioSeconds",164,"startMs",4164000,"endMs",4328000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5124246-eac678fb39dc6c0285708fb0db8b8430&start=4164&end=4328","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5124246-eac678fb39dc6c0285708fb0db8b8430/thumbnail_4164000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6179714/Ohio/Assistant-superintendent-hire-and-deputy-superintendent-departure-announced-transition-period-set-for-fall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179714-64f8c87732efaaed199aa5c376c0c88b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770945758&Signature=QXvOA5JALviL5ttTK~LVCdltMq2KB3QhnEKzzjuq6mTob8TOrYjjWpYr~BCnDPUlb7SGWKUOjWZyxe8oMKxaBjlkX0bzhQfUy9e6bq~mV-OLPWUWIw4T0qd7xQXt4Zxoa97LX6LF3xR3wh5LS17IPk7dMtejNaZYttPUkn~t5SUCXeGx35TnMrnXDRE-NUZi~rqXjWPoNTwdrgj5PIW-24z32NFc52lhGLIfWWgWzpJkrsFs98lm-y3Hm~vbGAJUAnpPdK2FvzDuG3szaeIiRUZeCrarYDShBMhhaed-zYdUadNJ8YPbwOoOCHcLEpBH99y-b-V3ERamZ2yq7pAx-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Albany-Plain School District","date","2025-07-01T14:00:26Z","article","Superintendent Michael Sawyers told the board on June 30 that a senior administrator in New Albany-Plain Local has accepted a deputy-superintendent role at the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio effective Jan. 1, 2026, and that the district has hired Katie Nowak as assistant superintendent for teaching and learning.

Sawyers described the move as “bittersweet,” noting the departing administrator’s leadership across certified, classified and exempt personnel and close work with employee groups. He said the administrator will remain in the district through Dec. 31, 2025, and continue to support the district through the first semester of the school year.

Katie Nowak will resign her position in Bexley effective Oct. 31 and begin in New Albany on Nov. 1, Sawyers said. The two-month overlap will allow a transition in which the departing administrator will provide mentorship and handoff of responsibilities. Sawyers described Nowak as a returning district leader who previously served as an intermediate-school principal and director of assessment and accountability for New Albany.

Board members and the departing administrator (who addressed the board) expressed appreciation. The board approved the personnel items, including summer stipends, hiring actions and the addendum that included final teacher vacancies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NAPLS Board of Education Meeting - June 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board learned that a current district leader has been selected as deputy superintendent at the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (effective Jan. 1, 2026) and that Katie Nowak will return to New Albany as assistant superintendent for teaching and learning on Nov. 1; the two will overlap for two months for a transition.","taxTitle","New Albany-Plain Local, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",38567,"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},6179719,"New Albany board hears timeline for new elementary: ARB submission July 11, formal review Aug. 11",114,1326000,1440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5124246-eac678fb39dc6c0285708fb0db8b8430&start=1326&end=1440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5124246-eac678fb39dc6c0285708fb0db8b8430/thumbnail_1326000.jpg","/articles/6179719/Ohio/New-Albany-board-hears-timeline-for-new-elementary-ARB-submission-July-11-formal-review-Aug-11","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179719-0402254bc83a19368dcb98775f661434/orig.mp4?Expires=1770945758&Signature=ZMCEeYlBdeOsj6yM82tagmb6NpDtSmUsYGdUeYTinnPIsi4LuP-7haMZZbQyH4NiXtiw5SR5k-2cOkgTYr5PUqayTovl5kqE1TcXWvWisLze1IQTPtJ-JLbV84aa5XSok4-6bqzM~bdyl6pcJGYiqE0Yj8Ur1aqbKrGPGOTKbgtq4ffNdjQobCoPYgp~NOcXoqPKvOcN30laS-aBgS3AC9W0QvgWAl1Xge-wDRMOpFV64qq6zKz4RrwHh1iprvpnxzXWEWhJogcV3tdWkwlDMragI2fSe4GELcnzji-IYgCm770FRGDdvdvY3I~36e8kRLvFwjNaHfVLHTpWC~ftJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Michael Sawyers briefed the New Albany-Plain Local Board of Education on June 30 about the campus master-plan work for the new elementary school, including upcoming review and permitting milestones.

Sawyers said the district and its architects have completed several informal reviews with the local Architectural Review Board (ARB) and the campus reviewer (referred to in the meeting as Ramps/Ramsark/Grama group) to address deed-restriction and design questions tied to the original land donation. He said the formal package for ARB submission is due July 11 and a formal ARB hearing is scheduled for Aug. 11; the district also expects concurrent review from the campus‑level reviewers.

On design, Sawyers said the exterior has been adjusted to match the campus aesthetic, including column features and other materials, while interior work remains under refinement following reviewer feedback. He said after formal approvals the board will need to return to bid the project; that schedule likely shifts construction-start from the original late-September/early-October target to a later window and that the district now expects an early-November groundbreaking contingent on approvals, bidding and contract awards. “After tomorrow’s meeting, we’ll probably have updated floor plans, renderings, etc.,” Sawyers said.

Sawyers asked the board to expect further formal updates after the ARB packet is submitted and reviewed. Administrators noted the timetable is sensitive to ARB and campus-review timing and to bidding timelines; the district will present a schedule update to the board once those processes conclude.","Superintendent Michael Sawyers gave an update on the new elementary school design and approvals: informal reviews with ARB and other reviewers are complete, formal package due July 11 and ARB hearing set for Aug. 11; construction likely to start later than originally planned pending approvals and bidding.",{"_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},6179724,"Board hears state budget changes that could limit districts’ carryover balances; New Albany expects to move funds to capital",571,1533000,2104000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5124246-eac678fb39dc6c0285708fb0db8b8430&start=1533&end=2104","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5124246-eac678fb39dc6c0285708fb0db8b8430/thumbnail_1533000.jpg","/articles/6179724/Ohio/Board-hears-state-budget-changes-that-could-limit-districts-carryover-balances-New-Albany-expects-to-move-funds-to-capital","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179724-52e33c0d817a6e57f878e63ae590c613/orig.mp4?Expires=1770945758&Signature=GFumsAtwB9UDy0eLm6-zDgw6Z8fzAsDyixYi5OjL6uilu16GPgwR~scrLio1iDNuCVsxk8MsDGCoUcWh-4XA~Qrxv8fOQdQDgSQuSa4A6i155503gaT5fU2f9FfcZJQwnb6t~UriNFd8GveHGeBN0JmzSa2CPTDUfdQL7sKHr3UEbTgS7jgBWx0KRypkJBYh0wngQnx3NMIAB4Lo4Tpd0RZOV87JebEschfEVLS4gSPXjKt4jEEp0LRc7tvw-3rJ3RZ-ftx4Mt3eh5bjyw0gK6COUqSef2I4RSQAeu5uU07I9eNlJg5lkya7-i1vyJvbts3ufJ~NpWNLQ0cmoQzN7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members and district administrators spent the meeting’s longest block outlining how the recently completed state budget could change school-district budgeting statewide and for New Albany-Plain Local specifically.

Board liaison remarks and Superintendent Michael Sawyers explained that the biennial budget (referred to in the meeting as the budget bill) is before the governor and contains a provision limiting how much a district may carry forward into the next year (the board discussed a 40% cap). “The carryover balance basically said that for school districts that have money left over in their budget, that you basically can't carry over from year to year more than 40% of your...expenditures,” a board liaison said. The meeting’s finance discussion focused on the operational consequences: districts with large cash balances will have new constraints on holding reserves for multi-year projects or to avoid near-term levy requests.

Treasurer Becky Jenkins described immediate local steps the district will take to comply with the new carryover limits and to protect funds for ongoing capital needs. Jenkins asked the board to approve appropriation increases and transfers of about $13.5 million from the general fund into other funds: $7.5 million to permanent improvement (an increase of $5 million from prior practice), $8 million to the newly created fund 070 (capital projects), $500,000 to fund 035 for termination/retirement payouts, and routine transfers for the community center and other line items. Jenkins said some transfers are intended to preserve funds for capital projects where there is longer allowed spending horizon (permanent improvement fund versus general fund).

The board discussed implementation choices and legal questions raised by the new law. Administrators said some districts may be able to keep above‑40% balances in the general fund if they pass a board resolution earmarking the excess for capital projects, but that language, timelines and legal interpretations remain uncertain and likely to produce further guidance or litigation. Several board members and administrators warned the change could make operating-levy campaigns more frequent; one board member said the new rules “will force districts to change the way that they manage their budgets.”

Jenkins said the district’s year-end numbers were not yet final as of June 30 but that revenue finished slightly higher than projected and expenditures came in under projections (largely because of encumbrances and some large purchase orders that will carry forward). She said the district will finalize year-end closing on July 1 and will bring final figures to the board. The transfers and appropriation modifications discussed at the meeting were approved by roll call vote.","Board members and administrators discussed the recently passed state biennial budget, limits on carryover balances (40% cap discussed), potential impacts on levies and local budgeting, and the district’s plan to transfer $13.5 million from the general fund to capital and other funds to remain compliant.",{"_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},6179728,"New Albany-Plain Local to hold federal nutrition audit; district to keep meal prices flat for 2025-26",1110,209000,1319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5124246-eac678fb39dc6c0285708fb0db8b8430&start=209&end=1319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5124246-eac678fb39dc6c0285708fb0db8b8430/thumbnail_209000.jpg","/articles/6179728/Ohio/New-Albany-Plain-Local-to-hold-federal-nutrition-audit-district-to-keep-meal-prices-flat-for-2025-26","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179728-139061e04c376ba3c57dcce90f7f768b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770945758&Signature=Q8gEADl0V9Nk2L55ZbjkJM7Z~S8dpSSLmKasFILYtX0Jq276KIdUOg2E65IYH8MFx~jk4G9krE6wzPOu-6No6WEf69s0eM27vHjpcXkIK~Vv5jN~rAwuf6sAN4cHka8-CNatBwrnoOf1Ym7QSgmSOIgytqcqxqqOzmxIsbOkNo7TiOWFBjbiUFV~Qiv2zEROQQ7pm6LZCX6hjk3k2WEPNZyLzPC05XJjD2tZRoN7CFIwE7MQrBu-8CILItjhF--p4NMOGddWMovIOsd9Mj4UYASbRkQNORvb4he8CcsOvwN47jmY6HZHwkpamJBxJS8I8cRWCk7HGU4VuQHXEszSbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Michael Sawyers told the New Albany-Plain Local Board of Education on June 30 that the district will undergo a formal review by the Ohio Department of Education and federal auditors beginning in August and recommended holding child nutrition prices steady for the 2025-26 school year.

The audit, Sawyers said, will examine compliance across meal quantity, quality and nutritional requirements for reimbursable meals. “So beginning in August, we will go through the formalized review process with the Ohio Department of Education and workforce,” Sawyers said. He added that the federal rules require public reporting of year-end data the district will present to the board.

Board members were given the core details of program operations and recent results. For 2024-25 the district reported serving about 451,198 meals districtwide and an average of roughly 3,500 meals per day. Breakfast participation rose from 55,113 in 2023-24 to 71,516 in 2024-25 after a push to increase access. Sawyers said the district will recommend that breakfast and lunch prices remain the same for 2025-26: breakfast a la carte $1.50; elementary lunch $2.50; intermediate $2.65; middle and high school $2.75; upgraded lunch with 20‑ounce drink and extra item $3.50; milk 75¢; bottled water 50¢.

Sawyers described the federal meal-component requirements that determine whether a breakfast or lunch is reimbursable: a reimbursable breakfast must include four components (grain, protein, fruit/vegetable, milk) with students taking at least three, one of which must be a fruit or vegetable; a reimbursable lunch has five components and students must select at least three, including a fruit or vegetable. He explained portion-size controls driven by grade and color-coded scoops used by food-service staff to meet calorie and age-based limits.

On food sourcing, Sawyers said the district’s primary vendor is GFS for many items and commodity foods, though the food-services coordinator seeks local vendors when feasible (for example, seasonal apples). He noted pandemic-era fuel surcharges remain on invoices and affect purchasing decisions. The district also operates cook lines and produces some condiments (Sawyers said food service “makes our own yum yum sauce” to meet sodium and sugar limits).

Sawyers described food services as a self-sustaining operation: meal revenue covers 100% of food-service personnel and program costs and the department reinvests year-end balances into equipment and capital projects. He said last summer the district spent “over a million dollars” refurbishing the high school and middle school kitchens out of food-service reserves; food service also holds roughly $600,000 in line items earmarked for new equipment for the upcoming elementary building. Sawyers invited board members to ask questions at the August student-services update, when the food-service coordinator will present additional details.

The superintendent emphasized compliance and documentation for the incoming audit and encouraged patience with summer communications; he said the district’s web pages and principals will post back-to-school information after Aug. 1.","Superintendent Michael Sawyers told the board the district will undergo a federal and state audit of its school nutrition program beginning in August and recommended keeping meal prices unchanged for 2025-26. He reviewed meal counts, federal meal-component rules, sourcing and self‑sustaining finances.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assistant superintendent hire and deputy superintendent departure announced; transition period set for fall

New Albany board hears timeline for new elementary: ARB submission July 11, formal review Aug. 11

Board hears state budget changes that could limit districts’ carryover balances; New Albany expects to move funds to capital

New Albany-Plain Local to hold federal nutrition audit; district to keep meal prices flat for 2025-26