Board approves consent agenda, policy updates and district capital and curriculum items; district continues outreach on May 6 operating millage

The Forest Hills Board of Education on April 21 approved its consent agenda, passed two board‑policy updates, and recorded a district vote for a Kent Intermediate Association of School Boards (KIASB) director at a public meeting.

Consent agenda - Motion: Approve consent grouping items 4A1 through 4D2 (motion and second made on the record). Outcome: approved by voice vote. Several purchasing and budget items were included in the consent packet and approved as part of that motion. Board members who registered “yes” in the roll/voice call were recorded in sequence as Doctor Michelle; Miss Simone; Mister Boire; Mister Coley; Mister Foster; and Missus Nymeyer.

Procurements and capital items included in packet (approved in consent agenda) - Albert.io two‑year license (secondary level replacement for IXL): amount not to exceed $76,370 (general fund). - Quick Reads intervention (K–8, Savas): amount not to exceed $73,100 (Section 35j grant). - IXL renewal (K–8, two‑year subscription): amount not to exceed $198,000 (general fund). - Technology backup system (Trace3 LLC): amount not to exceed $327,000 (2025 capital projects fund) after five original bids were evaluated and two were excluded as incomplete or inadequate. - Third student transportation van (MobilityWorks): amount not to exceed $62,925 (general fund); staff noted used vehicles were reviewed but new vehicle recommended for longevity. - Replacement main gym floor at Forest Hills Eastern High School (multiple low bids recommended): total not to exceed $840,197 (2025 capital projects fund). - Budget amendment to the 2024–25 general fund: staff reported revenue changes and expense updates that reduce a projected spending deficit; language for the amendment was included in the meeting packet and approved via consent.

Policy changes (separate voice vote) - Motion: Approve changes to board policies (including updates related to Title 9 and a cell phone policy change requiring phones to be “away and powered off” during the school day). Outcome: approved by voice vote; motion carried with no recorded opposition. - The Title 9 update is limited to an address change for the Office for Civil Rights (moved from Ohio to Washington, D.C.), as described by staff.

KIASB Board of Directors vote - Motion: Cast Forest Hills’ vote for Andrea Hadel for the Kent Intermediate Association of School Boards Board of Directors. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

Discussion (no formal vote required) - Operating millage on May 6: district staff and board members encouraged voters to support the renewal; staff described the renewal as critical to general fund revenue for teacher salaries and curriculum materials. No board action on the millage occurred at the meeting; staff said the district has extensive outreach materials online, on social media and yard signs.

Next steps and implementation - Staff will finalize contracts and confirm subscription terms as noted in procurement documents. Capital projects were reviewed and recommended bidders identified in the packet; work timelines include summer construction for some projects. The budget amendment will be reflected in district financial records and reported in subsequent packets.