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Board approves superintendent items: two administrative hires, bus and HVAC purchases, and donations
Summary
The board approved superintendent business items including two administrative hires (director of secondary education and director of technology), purchase of buses and HVAC equipment from permanent improvement funds, acceptance of a Meta impact grant and a donation for a tennis scoreboard, and second readings of board policies.
The New Albany‑Plain Local Board of Education approved superintendent business items April 28 that included personnel recommendations, capital purchases and acceptance of donations.
Lede: By unanimous roll call, the board approved superintendent items presented on the agenda, which the superintendent said included classified personnel renewals, staff resignations and hires, two administrative hires for the 2025–26 school year, vehicle and capital equipment purchases, and acceptance of district donations and second‑reading policies.
Who and what was approved The board approved personnel recommendations that include the hiring of Brian O’Shea as director of secondary education (official start August 1 with some summer transition days) and Daniel Clements as director of technology (start in August after the current director’s retirement). Both candidates spoke briefly to the board after their introductions.
Business approvals included: a recommendation to purchase two 78‑passenger buses; a chiller for the early learning center and a boiler/water‑heater replacement for the primary school (district staff said those capital purchases will be funded from the permanent improvement fund); and acceptance of a Meta grant for an outdoor learning classroom at the early learning center. The board also approved acceptance of a donation — funds will be received via the New Albany Community Foundation but the gift was identified as originating from the Lance White Family Foundation for a tennis scoreboard.
Policy and other items Board policies on the agenda were approved on second reading; the superintendent said those policies had been discussed at prior meetings. The superintendent also noted that one item (a land donation resolution listed on the agenda) was removed at his recommendation earlier in the meeting.
Votes at a glance - Superintendent items A–D (personnel, purchases, donations, policies): approved by roll call (Vice President McCollum: yes; Mr. Wilson: yes; Mr. Newman: yes; President Kalinowski: yes). One board member (Fuller) was absent. - March financial statements and appropriation modifications (treasurer’s items A–B): approved by roll call later in the meeting.
Why it matters: The hires fill two senior administrative roles before the 2025–26 school year; capital purchases draw on permanent improvement funds and include equipment with long lead times; the grant and donation fund specific programs and equipment described by staff.
Implementation notes: District staff said bus purchases are diesel to match the current fleet and the chiller has an 11–14 month lead time so installation is expected the following summer. The superintendent said principals and HR continue teacher hiring for the 2025–26 year and that additional names could appear on future agendas.
Ending: The board completed the evening’s business and set the next meeting for May (time and place announced).
