[{"_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",6161461,"mediaKeyId","5441850-39e8bfe48bd108b5be60259539d30f33","parentId",5441850,"title","Lakota East seniors place at national HOSA and TSA competitions; TSA team wins animatronics","audioSeconds",1079,"startMs",142000,"endMs",1221000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441850-39e8bfe48bd108b5be60259539d30f33&start=142&end=1221","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441850-39e8bfe48bd108b5be60259539d30f33/thumbnail_142000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6161461/Ohio/Lakota-East-seniors-place-at-national-HOSA-and-TSA-competitions-TSA-team-wins-animatronics","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161461-f1a9e787b0ac25e9ae9d03887efa0ba7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770753481&Signature=jaFBYuNqo~BnuMINyLMui94YUYnFXfaalYFa7xn7W9YTljpGLD01G-xVVxdHVe71nbyzTmA~gB49uePnDsPhtaP2gXgsgEzqashVcjZuz-KAJuDqzNZc9e7ihfvgUYxe9VrqYYATQ~eQoBd~EJLhKAbN6N~2d79idY33CUUp1J8JhHKXFBG72K~KloUSVu0FBHsfs0RWvjWm5Av2mKifwQMnBP1Bo8ePWHjO3BSfQLxVrVu9TABHQV8YFMqPMS1FIDX4PnX1kHueTEmCRK5xX4cE-OUv1ao27pWRLL21UeA53EBMb~J6eQHHfDSD5LPZvGjQj0KQBN47EcVbl7DMhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lakota Local, OH ","date","2025-07-22T23:53:57.917Z","article","On July 21 the Lakota Board of Education recognized six seniors from Lakota East High School who competed at national competitions in HOSA (Future Health Professionals) and the Technology Student Association (TSA). The district said the TSA team earned first place in animatronics at the national event.

The students introduced themselves and described their projects and how the extracurricular programs shaped their post‑secondary plans. “I’ve been a part of HOSA for 3 years and I’m majoring in exercise science,” Kennedy Peak told the board. Evie Vincent said she will attend the University of Kentucky on a pre‑physical‑therapy track, and Addie Daley said she will study speech pathology and audiology at Miami University.

The TSA team—represented at the meeting by Ella Galliers and Addison Stallsmith (Lauren Matlock, a teammate, was not present)—described a senior capstone animatronics project built to encourage young readers. The team said they built an interactive storytelling station based on If You Give a Mouse a Cookie that dispenses tokens to children who read, triggers motion and sound with buttons, and displays captions on a screen. The students explained the tech stack: a programmable logic controller (PLC) linked to Arduinos for sound and servos, and a Raspberry Pi for media.

Students said both HOSA and TSA helped them gain presentation skills, teamwork and technical experience. “HOSA has really been good, to help us with collaboration and our networking skills,” one student said. The board and audience members asked about where the animatronic is being housed (students answered it is kept at the school), whether they had tested it with younger learners (they had a showcase with interested children), and how long preparation took (HOSA teams typically begin in the fall and compete at state in January).

Board members praised the students’ presentations and thanked Butler Tech staff who supported the projects. No formal board action was associated with the presentation; it was part of the meeting’s student‑spotlight agenda item.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lakota Board Meeting: July 21,2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board recognized six Lakota East seniors who competed at national HOSA and TSA competitions; the Lakota/Butler Tech TSA team won first place in animatronics with an interactive library storytelling station.","taxTitle","Lakota Local, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",14477,"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},6161466,"Lakota board adopts manual to standardize parent, booster and support organizations",506,5453000,5959000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441850-39e8bfe48bd108b5be60259539d30f33&start=5453&end=5959","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441850-39e8bfe48bd108b5be60259539d30f33/thumbnail_5453000.jpg","/articles/6161466/Ohio/Lakota-board-adopts-manual-to-standardize-parent-booster-and-support-organizations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161466-1bf4b75b03e13e79154a732099770e2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770753481&Signature=GFCbD7YbPpKtr9ti~NKneSFWq1F3YSzCvg0tjzs59Vvio1jdzGd5JvzO-cvrcM5E87aArhOrGZFtqDTI9nCUxBxIxW8JvyE~WBp676sXUafKxUbcDnwAuK0xpry0FEzXZjzjpbLVf5RGBTnKpQzbEqE5IuCFcaV5t5mmwJU5lFNSaldfd-guuZHwzrWAPsYB9T233yQ0meF0gYernYKnjOTH7PeSc1pa0WrtHxSSSdDgLSgrVklmIbGgyNqd0ll3NiqlvyHlYlWJ-nQ8Nlow31Nyw4OTsWSyMZeya55OmQataCVFs8DFjmBowHr~XfODcuRim8g-cRQxDDC8BmmUdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On July 21 the Lakota Board of Education approved a new Lakota Sport Support Organization Manual intended to standardize how booster clubs, PTOs and other school support organizations operate and interact with district staff. The board voted to adopt the manual by roll call (5–0).

The manual is designed to align with Board Policy 9211 and provide practical guidance for groups that collect funds, pay staff or use district facilities. It contains sample bylaws, appendices with sample payment processes, and guidance on facility-use fees and organizational renewal.

Board members said the manual’s primary goal is to protect volunteer organizations and their funds by offering clear, consistent procedures rather than prescriptive rules. The board described the document as a “starting point,” noting that about 170 people had review/comment access during the drafting process and that the district plans to revisit the manual annually and hold information sessions for building administrators and parent groups.

Why it matters: Booster clubs and parent organizations regularly raise and manage funds for extracurricular programs; differences in practice across buildings previously created inconsistent expectations and occasional problems. The manual aims to reduce financial errors, align payment processes for staff support, and present sample materials to help new groups get started.

Board members asked for continued outreach, suggested a future in‑person session for building leaders to walk through implementation, and said the manual will remain flexible as new questions arise. After discussion, the board approved the manual and thanked the support groups for their contributions to the draft.

Vote: Miss Casper — Yes; Miss French — Yes; Mr. D — Yes; Mr. Horton — Yes; Miss Schaefer — Yes.","The board approved a Lakota Sport/Support Organization Manual to provide standard bylaws, payment processes and guidance for PTOs, boosters and other parent support groups; administrators said the manual is a starting point and will be reviewed annually.",{"_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},6161471,"Lakota board approves OFCC partnership and delays levy collection until 2029; master plan prioritizes phased school replacements",1031,4145000,5176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441850-39e8bfe48bd108b5be60259539d30f33&start=4145&end=5176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441850-39e8bfe48bd108b5be60259539d30f33/thumbnail_4145000.jpg","/articles/6161471/Ohio/Lakota-board-approves-OFCC-partnership-and-delays-levy-collection-until-2029-master-plan-prioritizes-phased-school-replacements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161471-9d628e2e7b66e211aaad26c71de368e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770753481&Signature=cWImKjttepuv4uZLkrbtcS9r3~15TcjZeLrk1FtIER9Euuo9r9nsQvtN0p5ZGH3Brmg6nLVc7UVZwaCQvLUaSIev-f2hucbnWRpsyQhXL2nyEgpyGUhoNhBFMWKdowe-~Ia-fHYz4jDv9TFFNPil67njKhbnSUzAvKd1GobC133jo9xBYjlYpccXwBtjBwMRxCU9FSm4bbAQORbqrSSso4PrGNomnk6tfuW~qBdeWbVxWbA9N-86Ep1k~ZJx5nhYZC09xHLQeb69m8BPEt6CsnkPc~nebkMVQHbAGs2V66yJDJNwaAX9Cwh8QHIdcB8O3xyd8cA1ZUXy14oiqc9Nng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On July 21 the Lakota Board of Education approved an expedited local partnership project agreement with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission and a companion resolution to delay collection of bond and permanent-improvement levy revenues until tax year 2028, with collection beginning in calendar year 2029 if voters approve the measures. The board voted by roll call in support of both items (5–0).

Architect Tom Fernandez of Elevar, joined by lead planner Lisa Cameron Galli, told the board the plan lets the district spend local funds now, receive credit from the state’s Classroom Facilities Assistance Program (CFAP) and ultimately recover an estimated 32% of eligible project costs when state funds become available. “Essentially 32% of the total dollars that encompass the master plan agreement will come from the state eventually,” Fernandez said.

Why it matters: The district’s master plan calls for a mix of new construction, additions and renovations across elementary, middle and high schools. Under the expedited local partnership program the district can “fast forward” local construction, accrue state credits for work that meets the state program’s standards and then use those credits when the state allocates CFAP funds—potentially five to seven years from now, Fernandez said.

Key details from the presentation and discussion:
- State credit and timeline: The consultant said the projected state funding could arrive in about five to seven years; credits are earned as the district completes locally funded work and are applied later when CFAP funds are available.
- Local Funded Initiatives (LFIs) and inflation: The recommended project budget includes LFIs—locally funded elements that exceed the state’s minimum standard—and contingency funds for inflation across the multi‑year project.
- Phasing and schedule: Fernandez said the high‑school phase additions and renovations are scheduled to complete in 2028, with the elementary projects coming online in 2029. The district also expects to provide some elementary relief earlier by reconfiguring grade assignments (for example, moving sixth grade into junior high for the 2028–29 school year).
- Cost considerations: The consultants explained that renovations that exceed two‑thirds of the cost of building new often point districts toward replacement; they cited typical renovation estimates of roughly $20–30 million per building in the district and higher figures (one example cited was about $78 million) for more complex campuses. Fernandez said districts usually exceed state minimums to reflect local program needs and community expectations.
- Legal/financial consequence of ignoring state assessment: If a district chooses to renovate rather than follow the state’s replacement recommendation, the state still supports base renovation work but may not pay above the state-determined levels; the district could cover the remainder.

Board action and votes: The board approved the OFCC expedited local partnership program project agreement (agenda item 8b) and then approved a resolution declaring intent to delay levy collections until tax year 2028/collection year 2029 (agenda item 8c). Both votes were taken by roll call: Miss Casper — Yes; Miss French — Yes; Mr. D — Yes; Mr. Horton — Yes; Miss Schaefer — Yes.

The board and consultants said the delay resolution and phased approach aim to limit immediate tax burdens on residents while preserving eligibility for state reimbursement through CFAP. The district will continue outreach and factual informational sessions for the community in the fall under the “Building Our Future” series to explain scope, phasing and probable impacts.","The Lakota Board of Education approved an OFCC expedited local partnership project agreement and a resolution to delay collection of bond and permanent-improvement levies until tax year 2028 (collection 2029) so local spending can earn state CFAP credits.",{"_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},6161476,"Lakota board receives legal training on what school staff can say about levies; auditor FAQ warns against campaigning with public funds",2763,1185000,3948000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441850-39e8bfe48bd108b5be60259539d30f33&start=1185&end=3948","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441850-39e8bfe48bd108b5be60259539d30f33/thumbnail_1185000.jpg","/articles/6161476/Ohio/Lakota-board-receives-legal-training-on-what-school-staff-can-say-about-levies-auditor-FAQ-warns-against-campaigning-with-public-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161476-f003902a64196b22732f85e57db55084/orig.mp4?Expires=1770753481&Signature=TJ28BOQd8dB4kM8ppdzIdneU79lPGsHqWYAl9nvbOMW4AGNUqK9lGOgtfMDjC1toYWKbh0o6JIzr6CHyz9pKPPjRvoXJWoPKCJY5sBcyGhYeAmtY8tv0p4KcwVeES0j946MF3xSiNzTl3rbnCjVDhF1niY263MXYDMyDGuHS5U3~iXOrzkELCuaIlummYo5ZyvEHkYdO9xdkqRVP3XHwi~qlL4tMVpbLW4OUmurvKnu4JlByUcY6Xod0Gl5~jJr-baNOf5xPkDCXXP8DTT7QlBUfbWApZ3~A42c7FAzL53VoAhVl0f~2uIDd~WYKNYrNP4cC6FXUh9u-iQ~r3nTL3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On July 21 the Lakota Board of Education held a legal training about what district officials and staff may say and do regarding local levies and bond issues, focusing on the Ohio Auditor of State’s August 2023 FAQ and state statutes that bar the use of public funds to influence ballot measures. The training was presented by the district’s legal counsel, Gary, and attended by board members and district administrators.

The guidance emphasized the basic legal limit: “Basically, taxpayer funds cannot be spent to try to influence the passage of a levy,” the attorney told the board, summarizing the auditor’s interpretation of state law and recent enforcement actions such as the Bellbrook case. The auditor’s FAQ, the presenter said, is the document auditors use to evaluate complaints and can lead to criminal charges in clearly violative cases.

Why it matters: The auditor’s office has pursued criminal charges in at least one Ohio district for mailers and other communications that were judged to cross the line from factual information into advocacy. The training is intended to reduce the risk the district faces when it communicates about ballot measures that affect district finances.

Most important takeaways for officials and staff were:
- District-paid communications may present factual information about finances, programs, timelines and consequences of passage or failure of a levy or bond, but may not urge residents to vote a particular way. The presenter summarized this as a narrow allowance for factual description and a strict prohibition on political advocacy using public funds.
- Board members have broader latitude to advocate on their own time and with their own resources, but they may not use board meeting time or district-paid time to campaign. The attorney said board members “could explain your vote” on a formal resolution at a meeting, but they could not use the meeting to advocate for passage of a levy.
- District employees and administrators may present factual materials during paid work time, such as reports about building needs or service impacts if a levy fails, but they must not cross into advocacy while on the clock. If administrators engage in advocacy off-duty, the auditor’s FAQ recommends they use personal email and personal time to avoid the appearance of using district resources.
- Using district social media, email, phones, or printing funds to promote a levy or allow a levy committee to use school-owned channels is prohibited. The attorney warned that allowing a campaign to use district accounts could trigger complaints and potential investigations.
- Surveys or paid polling intended to shape campaign strategy, gauge support for specific ballot language, or otherwise steer an election raise a particular red flag and have been cited as improper in past cases; general community facility surveys are less risky if they remain neutral.
- Best practices include regular, routine financial updates (so communications about a particular election do not stand out as targeted campaign messaging), using disclaimers when employees present factual information, and tracking leave if an employee takes personal time to campaign to avoid a claim they used paid time.

The training also addressed student and staff activity: students may organize, publish and express views on their own; the problem arises if the board or administration directs, encourages, or uses students to advocate for a campaign. Similarly, student publications can cover ballot issues provided the work is student-initiated and follows normal editorial rules.

Board members asked specific operational questions—whether attendance at community events or wearing advocacy apparel could be construed as a violation, how to treat emails asking for donation information, and whether staff should record leave when campaigning off-duty. The legal counsel advised caution where an employee’s usual schedule or supervisors’ expectations blur the line between work and nonwork time, and recommended that employees consult counsel in gray cases.

No formal action was taken at the meeting; the session was informational and intended as proactive training to reduce legal risk if the district communicates about proposed levies or bonds in the coming months.","On July 21 the Lakota Board of Education heard a training from district legal counsel about Ohio law and an August 2023 Ohio Auditor FAQ that limits how school officials and employees may use district resources in levy or bond campaigns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lakota East seniors place at national HOSA and TSA competitions; TSA team wins animatronics

Lakota board adopts manual to standardize parent, booster and support organizations

Lakota board approves OFCC partnership and delays levy collection until 2029; master plan prioritizes phased school replacements

Lakota board receives legal training on what school staff can say about levies; auditor FAQ warns against campaigning with public funds