Anthony Wayne board approves property purchase, permanent-improvement bids and religious release policy; treasurer flags state budget changes

The Anthony Wayne Local Schools Board of Education voted to approve several routine and substantive items at its regular meeting, including the purchase of a property for district use, authorization to seek bids for permanent-improvement projects, updates to board policies and a policy change on release time for religious instruction.

Treasurer Carrie presented the March financials and reported a $2,500 donation awarded to the district. She also presented a resolution to execute a real estate purchase contract for property at 6446 North Texas Street in Whitehouse; the treasurer told the board the purchase price was $104,000 and the closing was scheduled for the following morning at 10 a.m. Carrie emphasized that the projects discussed were to be funded from permanent-improvement (PI) dollars, not the general fund, and asked the board to authorize seeking bids so work could proceed over the summer when school buildings are less occupied.

Carrie also briefed the board on proposed statewide changes in the biennial budget (House Bill 96) and described two provisions under discussion that could affect district finances: the state house proposal’s approach to the Fair School Funding plan (with some districts projected to gain and others to lose) and a carryover cap that would limit a district’s allowable June 30 general-fund cash balance to 25% of annual expenditures. Carrie said that under the governor’s proposed budget the district would have seen a loss of about $17,000–$18,000 over two years, while the House proposal would yield roughly $100,000 in additional revenue over two years; she cautioned that future changes and a proposed cap on carryover could reduce locally approved millage if a district’s carryover exceeds a new statutory limit. Carrie noted the district’s historically low carryover relative to many Ohio districts and described the timing sensitivity around June 30 cash balances for local tax collections.

On policy, the board took up policy 5223 (release time for religious instruction). The item was discussed separately by the board after community comment. One board member told the audience they would not vote in favor of the recommended wording and asked that the board consider waiting for final language tied to the state budget bill; the board nevertheless voted to approve the policy change that specifies release time that “would not interfere with core curriculum,” removing language that previously defined all graded courses as core curriculum. The vote carried on a roll call.

The board approved the treasurer’s request to make account modifications between now and June 30 and authorized staff to solicit bids for three PI projects tied to the district’s permanent-improvement plan. A design agreement with “train” was added to the list of PI work the administration expects to manage during the summer months; the treasurer and administration said PI dollars, not the general fund, will fund these projects.

Personnel actions approved included acceptance of resignations and retirements (listed by the administration). The treasurer and personnel presenter noted the resignation of an intervention specialist, Kelly Vogel, who is moving closer to home, and the retirement of longtime employee Amy Anderson, who will be recognized for her service and will assist during a brief transition. The board approved hiring actions, including movement of Megan Rowan into an intervention specialist role and several supplemental contracts for coaches. The district named Robin Buffie and Erica Black as the varsity cheerleading coaches following Cindy Dalianas’ decision to step down.

The board approved a calendar revision for the next school year and several policy updates recommended by the policy committee. Board members scheduled a work session for April 17 at 7:30 a.m. to continue discussions on budget and policy issues.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, a community member urged the board to seek broader public input on the release-time policy and cautioned about the potential for future challenges if the board adopted a policy without broader community review. Board members responded that the policy process had been extensive and that further discussion would continue.

Votes at a glance - Approve and sign March board minutes — outcome: approved (motion carried by roll call). - Approve March 2025 financials and donation — outcome: approved (motion carried by roll call). - Authorize execution of real estate purchase contract for 6446 North Texas Street ($104,000) — outcome: approved (motion carried by roll call). - Authorize treasurer to make account modifications through June 30 — outcome: approved. - Authorize solicitation of bids for three permanent-improvement projects and approve related design agreement — outcome: approved. - Approve policy 5223 (release time for religious instruction) with wording that release time not interfere with core curriculum — outcome: approved (roll call). - Approve personnel recommendations (resignations, retirements, hires, supplemental contracts) — outcome: approved.

Board members asked administration to continue monitoring state budget activity and to provide updated forecasts as legislation moves through Columbus.