[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":73},"mediaId",6170501,"mediaKeyId","5397676-1a3aacbd972cc14a0bd064a7702256ff","parentId",5397676,"title","Board adopts new admin handbook, curriculum pilot and temporary personal-device policy","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1841000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397676-1a3aacbd972cc14a0bd064a7702256ff&start=1841&end=1841","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397676-1a3aacbd972cc14a0bd064a7702256ff/thumbnail_1841000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6170501/Ohio/Board-adopts-new-admin-handbook-curriculum-pilot-and-temporary-personal-device-policy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170501-619fa8a302ba05c5ceabfc387942cb88/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007227&Signature=HI1EGvhRtyxthwLLCSW7ywrCbAZWBSoqByS-WNhEOb1z72vygWnkVzF2TnOd0w-HQ6X~oZVXvhejhmQBRxF8kQ-AsFFLGaMZ7D~qzg0GCg2wLCsbLRmG6nWQ0Wu~ziPL0KnX1oeCRHICqaaX2JQI1z7zvldpjGY0M5X7oXq1lMXSWLWxb3eXvTvlwhvc42DPKI-xme5cw7-jFxnunzvvM8I67x5emZQpS11Iwg2oT0XFt6RF5orTXfFlknUecqmZWM-XqgK5efDN3tqEEVyd0-YeEXYAHx8fAkN6oFtk5A~-RPg2vRAjumNzgPZqtw3N-Zh1s9~ZeemwE3afkuejiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kenston Local School District","date","2025-07-15T11:35:22Z","article","KENTON, Ohio — The Kenton Local Schools Board on July 14 approved an updated administrative/exempt staff handbook, adopted a new curriculum that had run as a pilot program, and approved a replacement personal-communication-device policy as a temporary measure while sample language is finalized.

Board members praised the curriculum rollout, saying the pilot included side-by-side instruction and free professional development provided by the curriculum vendor. One trustee said the brevity of the agenda language “belies the extensive work” behind curriculum adoption.

On the personal-communication-device policy, a board member noted the change is a complete replacement of the district’s prior language and will likely be updated again after vendor Neola provides sample wording aligned with new state guidance. The board confirmed the replacement is a placeholder to keep the district compliant while the policy language is refined.

The board also approved consolidation of handbooks and said the change resolved previous inconsistencies across documents. Trustees acknowledged the administrative burden in preparing the consolidated handbook and thanked staff members who led the effort, including a shout-out to Tom (staff) and curriculum lead Katie for organizing the materials and the pilot.

The board voted by roll call to approve the agenda items related to policies, handbooks and curriculum; the motions passed unanimously. The approvals were routine policy and personnel actions; board members asked staff to continue refining policy language and to return updated language when available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kenston Board of Education Regular Board Meeting - 7/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees approved an updated administrative support handbook, a new curriculum adopted after a pilot, and a replacement personal-communication-device policy to accommodate recent legislative changes; board members said the curriculum pilot provided free professional development for teachers.","taxTitle","Kenston Local, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",49812,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6170506,"Superintendent highlights first corporate-sponsorship event; flags July 21 House activity on veto overrides",335,426000,761000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397676-1a3aacbd972cc14a0bd064a7702256ff&start=426&end=761","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397676-1a3aacbd972cc14a0bd064a7702256ff/thumbnail_426000.jpg","/articles/6170506/Ohio/Superintendent-highlights-first-corporate-sponsorship-event-flags-July-21-House-activity-on-veto-overrides","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170506-b8861747a5ce8d81d9116d169b61a77d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007227&Signature=QMTI3Pf-454L-60NibLR06BpFJWZLB~iWzpwZlzhdxS25O0UsfTpsOYgT3wr2B5uRl8w~ctcGHO0SVPDwf7rHX~2i3TSvrZRLpiZrEeTssbbg8Vns-yH5Z74HhpM7AX4rVWW6Cvu9COG21uTpnJtSDysloWTkGONdA-OWEfnUb5LOgYaZPRMBVzzG9rsLnoJTGjfeCx-eaCiX7piGvmxxD3es49ILxcT3SonnZdn--hUekiTloc~G1Pl2IdvOyuKdWf77QajMIz2Jqjc1cx-OwlZSBM2QZP3tOihXt4R7FQb-KZeFC9BBaxytpLKjnvkd3cJJq1fZMi9q1U~g-paSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","KENTON, Ohio — Superintendent Dr. Willingham opened his July 14 report by thanking community partners and staff who organized the district’s first corporate-sponsorship event and said early donations and agreements are already moving forward.

“I just wanted to, again, thank Mister Kales, as well as Amy Sparks, Chrissy Arich,” Willingham said, naming staff and community volunteers involved with organizing the sponsorship outreach.

Willingham shifted to state developments that could affect school funding. He said a Franklin County court ruled the state’s voucher program unconstitutional and an appeal is beginning. He also outlined several House items under consideration that the superintendent said could change levy mechanics — describing items he labeled 55, 65 and 66 — and warned that some legislative changes could make school districts appear on the ballot more frequently.

Why it matters: changes to levy rules or to which levies count toward mills could increase the frequency districts must ask voters for additional funds, district officials said. Willingham said the governor is assembling a property-tax review with an expected target date of September 30 and that the district supports a “real property tax reform” process rather than quick fixes that could shift burdens to local voters.

Board members asked for more detail on the state items and noted that any changes would have different effects in districts that span multiple counties. Willingham said he did not yet have detailed legal analysis and offered to follow up when more information is available.

No formal board action was taken on state legislation; the superintendent’s report was informational.","Superintendent Dr. Willingham thanked community organizers for the district’s first corporate-sponsorship event and briefed the board on pending state legislative activity that could affect local levies and funding; a Franklin County court ruling on the voucher program was also noted.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6170511,"District seeks new turbine maintenance contract, will install meter to measure production",310,1477000,1787000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397676-1a3aacbd972cc14a0bd064a7702256ff&start=1477&end=1787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397676-1a3aacbd972cc14a0bd064a7702256ff/thumbnail_1477000.jpg","/articles/6170511/Ohio/District-seeks-new-turbine-maintenance-contract-will-install-meter-to-measure-production","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170511-12287ab58920d29c21be28490b1743cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007227&Signature=ceY2eDfW06uAZ0kBwJV638KgYiCL~~oqmcUarg34Hb0aDhonFscIIpRICv7i6HxDHiImNQ9j5fqQFz1AH3VYuNhI60VA7HNQT~X046qxYvCpNL7oRLCIBfNogYbvJVmpqDmU6jJBuiwfEF2uyC97R7VNirM3N-b4SBRW4bAengTxah2HcebgUAILydhDnfXdTcE1TDdKEuSIOjp-R-rWDxmh4IrV6G1Qct8XAGaA2sBf5uvBY-BkW46G8jyTvlgCQe9VaDddDw8a59OHpjLgM2JsUNRZ~Qzk8d90TkAlywnFM969MGd8V-stEXWUxAPzodeBOY9WiEVwwKR77w7GSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","KENTON, Ohio — Kenton Local Schools plans to install a front-end meter on its on-site wind turbine and has approved a new maintenance contractor, officials said during the district’s July 14 board meeting. The changes are intended to produce clear production numbers and enable staff to calculate cost savings from turbine electricity generation.

Treasurer Seth told trustees the district solicited bids for property, liability and fleet insurance and stayed with a separate insurer for the wind turbine. He said the district selected a consortium insurance provider (SORSA) for some coverages and retained McGowan for wind-turbine insurance. The board-approved financial items include those contracts.

Why it matters: the district has been tracking turbine costs and benefits for several years without a consistent production meter. Installing a meter, the treasurer said, will allow staff to “quantify the savings” by comparing kilowatt-hour production with costs such as insurance and maintenance.

Board discussion and next steps: the treasurer told trustees the new maintenance vendor (referred to in discussion as Power Grid Partners) will be asked to install the meter and provide production data. “We’re going with a new maintenance or repair company for the turbine…they’re also gonna look to install this new front end meter so that we can actively see the amount of kilowatts produced,” Seth said. After the board approved the related financial items, he said he planned to sign the maintenance contract and begin engagement the next day.

The board also discussed the turbine’s remaining expected service life and potential costs: members said blades often have projected lifespans in the 25–30 year range but noted disposal and replacement costs were uncertain. No replacement cost was provided. The treasurer said the district will compare annual operational costs (insurance, maintenance) with actual production to determine net savings. He described the upcoming meter readings as the next step in producing “hard concrete numbers.”

The board approved the financial consent agenda, which included the insurance and maintenance contracts and the decision to pursue meter installation. Trustees voted by roll call on items 9.1–9.10; the motion passed unanimously.","Board discussion and approvals included changes to turbine maintenance and insurance contracts and a plan to install a front-end meter to measure kilowatt production and quantify savings from the on-site wind turbine.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6170516,"Kenton schools report $705,000 surplus, officials say levy still likely in coming years",685,717000,1402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397676-1a3aacbd972cc14a0bd064a7702256ff&start=717&end=1402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397676-1a3aacbd972cc14a0bd064a7702256ff/thumbnail_717000.jpg","/articles/6170516/Ohio/Kenton-schools-report-705000-surplus-officials-say-levy-still-likely-in-coming-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170516-e69584db7d83d3f3aeff38e6bcbd8790/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007227&Signature=RQLDi-x~1a6D5WIQVDmQExjMr2HxJ20NSwsceNhCLD1hYjTscpGSphvp5DVF~2NpD7HggVQMjNoHuq8Si08sr0SfK6BGpQfFJgD9cyxb8-HZOa56GewYel2gA57EJtDhpvenUDqRGH7hkJU6cQS9G0NoawjB4MAdPnDtUAnE4MnKiMOBMcwkjWC16iGD6X4WchNIulnoPtFMIuBeDDvF8D81xYIYz1iBQVbTYjbFbV6ZjqBv-RxbsUmnbJRi38tH4hO3lVYZvocGs0boAo-qDpB1AURa88koF6Jp~4Uv~vjwvj7bh7tdJ826OvpHnLDR8lYRxTNQMldby~qS75eFXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","KENTON, Ohio — Kenton Local Schools ended the fiscal year with a $705,000 surplus, Treasurer Seth said at the board’s July 14 regular meeting, a result he described as the district’s largest year-over-year percentage savings in 12 years. The board approved the district’s financial consent agenda, including the fiscal year-end report, by roll call vote.

The surplus was above the district’s forecast, Seth said: “we actually exceed the forecast by 343,000 given a reduction of expenditures,” and the district added “$705,000 overall to our cash balance.” The treasurer said salary-and-wage spending remains the district’s largest expense and that administrative costs were at 13.79 percent of the general fund.

The surplus and improved year-end cash position follow several cost-control steps, including staff alignment and building consolidation implemented in prior years, the treasurer said. He told the board the district had about $8,338,000 in cash at June 30 of the prior year and that the recent work helped avoid deficit spending.

The nut graf: the surplus buys the district time but does not remove the longer-term need to plan for an operating levy. Seth and board members said the district remains the lowest cash-balance district in the county, and the county auditor warned the district should monitor its reserves.

Board discussion and action: Trustees moved to approve financial items 9.1–9.10, which included the fiscal report and related routine financial authorizations. A motion to approve financial items was made by Dennis and seconded by Jen; the roll call recorded unanimous approval by the six board members present.

During the discussion, board members and staff emphasized that the timing of tax receipts makes cash management important: the district draws on reserves between biannual tax settlements and must maintain sufficient cash to cover payroll and operations. Seth offered to provide more detailed breakdowns to anyone who asked and said he and Superintendent Dr. Willingham meet monthly with department heads to monitor trends.

Clarifying details provided at the meeting included: a $343,000 positive variance versus forecast, administrative costs at 13.79 percent of general-fund expenditures, and a year-end cash-balance increase of about $705,000. The treasurer said the district may be able to extend the interval before asking voters for an operating levy by another several years but did not set a timeline.

The board voted to approve the financial consent items by roll call; the motion passed. The treasurer invited constituents to contact him for a line‑by‑line review of revenues and expenditures.

Less critical background: Seth said the district is watching object-level spending (salary/wages, benefits, purchased services, supplies) and uses monthly projections and department-level meetings to control costs. He framed the surplus as the result of multi-year adjustments rather than a single change.","Treasurer Seth told the Kenton Local Schools Board that the district ended the fiscal year with a $705,000 surplus and improved cash balances, but noted the district remains the lowest cash-balance district in the county and will likely need an operating levy again in the future.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts new admin handbook, curriculum pilot and temporary personal-device policy

Superintendent highlights first corporate-sponsorship event; flags July 21 House activity on veto overrides

District seeks new turbine maintenance contract, will install meter to measure production

Kenton schools report $705,000 surplus, officials say levy still likely in coming years