Worthington board work session refines goals; prioritizes fiscal stewardship, student growth, safety committee and fee review

Board members and district leaders used the work-session portion of the meeting to draft and refine board-level goals, prioritize fiscal stewardship, and establish how the board will receive regular safety briefings.

The board settled on a concise fiscal-responsibility statement intended for public-facing materials: the board will be good stewards of the public’s funds and make responsible financial decisions that keep quality public education accessible, align with community priorities, and support long-term stability. Board members discussed that this fiscal priority underlies many other decisions — from staffing levels to fee schedules and levy strategy — and identified two concrete targets discussed by staff and trustees: aiming to limit typical levy requests to an average of about 2.25 mills and to remain off the ballot through 2028 where feasible.

Board members also discussed operational priorities that will shape superintendent goals and administrative planning. Highlights from the session:

- Timeline and next steps: Superintendent Trenton Bowers requested drafts be under development…