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Board approves superintendent items: Mount Carmel lease extension and K–5 language-arts adoption
Summary
The board approved superintendent items including a one-year lease extension with Mount Carmel Medical Group through Nov. 30, 2026 (with the building reverting to the district Dec. 1, 2026) and the district’s elementary language-arts adoption to meet Ohio’s science-of-reading requirements (maximum cost cited: $200,288).
The New Albany-Plain Local Board of Education approved the superintendent’s business and personnel items in a roll-call vote at the April 14 meeting.
Superintendent Sawyer described two notable business items included under the superintendent packet: a one-year lease renewal for Mount Carmel Medical Group that would extend occupancy through Nov. 30, 2026 and return the physical space to the district on Dec. 1, 2026; and the adoption of a K–5 language-arts program to comply with state changes related to the science of reading. Sawyer said the adoption is for the elementary grades and that secondary (grades 6–12) will be addressed later.
Sawyer described the elementary-adoption process as completed under board policy and said the program — identified as Arts and Letters in the presentation materials — will be ordered now so teachers can receive materials and professional development over the summer. He said the maximum cost cited on the agenda is $200,288, and staff reported ongoing vendor negotiations that could reduce cost by about 10%.
Board action: With Mr. Wilson and Mr. McClellan identified as the motion and second, the board approved the superintendent packet (personnel items, the Mount Carmel lease amendment and the K–5 curriculum adoption). Board members recorded "yes" votes: President Kalinowski, Vice President McClellan, Miss Bullock, Mr. Wilson and Ms. Fuller; the motion passed by roll call.
Why it matters: the lease timeline allows the district to regain full control of the annex building in late 2026 for campus master-plan purposes; the K–5 program adoption is a statutory-driven step to meet Ohio’s updated literacy requirements and will require up-front curriculum purchases and summer professional development.
Next steps: staff will finalize the lease renewal paperwork and proceed with ordering curriculum materials and scheduling summer professional development for elementary teachers in preparation for implementation in August.
