The Big Walnut Local Schools Board of Education approved a memorandum of understanding with the Big Walnut Professional Support Staff Association and several personnel actions at its June 26 meeting, and discussed hiring timing constraints tied to July 10 educator free agency.

Board members approved the MOU pending successful background checks and compliance with hiring documentation. The board also approved administrative contracts, including an extension for Laura Foreman, interim transportation supervisor, changing her end date from July 31, 2025, to Aug. 29, 2025. The board approved a two-year contract for Glenn Welker as director of technology, a 260-day administrative level 1 contract at $119,000 effective Aug. 1, 2025; staff said Welker has been technology director at Granville Exempted Village School District and is a Big Walnut resident.

The board accepted a resignation from Lisonbee Lyle, school counselor at Big Walnut Middle School, effective at the end of the 2024–25 school year and discussed hiring logistics. The superintendent explained Ohio’s timing rules: July 10 is the end of ‘‘educator free agency,’’ after which a teacher or staff member under contract at another district becomes a restricted free agent and the employing district must vote to release them. The superintendent said, ‘‘July 10 is what I call the end of educator free agency,’’ and that the district would consider scheduling a special meeting on July 7 or July 8 only if hires require board action before the restriction date.

Staff described the vacancy process for the counselor position: the application window was closing the day after the meeting, interviews were scheduled for early the following week, and the superintendent planned to request a special meeting on July 8 if hires required board approval before July 10. The board also approved certified contracts and employment contract revisions presented on the agenda.