Buckeye Valley Board elects officers, schedules calendar hearing and middle‑school work session; accepts HR retirement notice

The Buckeye Valley Local Board of Education on Jan. 14 elected a board president and vice president, set a public hearing on the 2025–26 district calendar, scheduled a February work session to discuss a proposed middle‑school addition, approved routine financial and consent items, and accepted a retirement notice from the district’s human resources specialist.

The board unanimously elected Mr. Dickey as president and Troy Jeffrey as vice president in roll‑call votes during the organizational portion of the meeting. Trustees then approved an amended agenda that moved the proposed 2025–26 district calendar to a discussion/public‑hearing item and added a board work session on the middle‑school addition.

Board members heard a presentation on the proposed 2025–26 calendar and held that presentation as the public hearing required by Ohio Revised Code section 3313.4(A). The proposed calendar exceeds the state minimum hours in every grade band: the high school shows 1,153 hours (state minimum 1,001), providing roughly 24 flex days; middle school grades 7–8 show 1,138 hours (state minimum 1,001), providing roughly 21 flex days; grades 5–6 show 1,138 hours (state minimum 910), providing about 36 flex days; East and West elementary schools show 1,046 hours (state minimum 910), providing about 23 flex days; preschool is proposed at 372.5 hours (state minimum 360), giving about five flex days but with additional scheduling complexity because preschool runs as half‑day sessions Tuesday through Friday. The proposed student start date is Aug. 13, 2025, and the last day of school is May 28, 2026. Start and dismissal times in the draft calendar were listed by building (high school 7:40–2:30; middle school 7:35–2:20; elementary 9:15–3:30; AM preschool 9:00–11:30; PM preschool 1:00–3:30). The board did not take final action on the calendar at this meeting; state law requires at least 30 days between the public hearing and final approval, and the board intends to consider approval at the next regular meeting.

Trustees also approved a work session focused on the proposed middle‑school addition. The board scheduled that session for Feb. 4 at 5 p.m. at the middle‑school cafeteria; the meeting will be informational and open to the public but will not include formal action. Administration indicated the session will explain the considerations leading to the proposed addition and allow trustees to ask questions.

On routine business, the board approved the treasurer’s financial report and several consent items, including resignations and internal transfers of staff into different roles, a pending swim‑coach volunteer appointment (subject to background check and certification), and multi‑year administrative contract renewals (assistant AD Katie Bush; assistant superintendent Jeremy Froelich; middle‑school principal Matt Gallatin; head of technology Halinski). Trustees also discussed establishing an annual board service fund pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 3315.15 to reimburse board members for actual expenses incurred while performing duties (conferences, mileage, hotel, meals, etc.). The board approved the consent and financial items by roll‑call vote.

The board accepted notice of retirement from Matt Sigler, the district’s human‑resources specialist, effective May 31, 2025, and directed the treasurer to publish the public notice required by Ohio Revised Code section 3307.353. The board scheduled a public hearing on the proposed post‑retirement rehire for 6:15 p.m. on Feb. 18, 2025, at 901 Cooper Road, Delaware, Ohio. Administration stated that, under public‑pension timing rules discussed at the meeting, Mr. Sigler’s last paid day will be May 31, 2025, and he would not return to work until Aug. 1 if rehired, consistent with the 60‑day separation referenced in the discussion.

The board convened an executive session to consider the appointment or employment of a public employee; trustees said no action would be taken when they returned to public session. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Votes at a glance - Motion to elect Mr. Dickey as Board President — approved by roll call (5–0). - Motion to elect Troy Jeffrey as Board Vice President — approved by roll call (5–0). - Motion to amend the agenda (move calendar to discussion 6.1 and add work session 6.2; move consent item 5.3 to discussion 6.3) — approved by roll call (5–0). - Motion to approve consent items (resignations, appointments, contract renewals, overnight trip, policy second readings) — approved by roll call (5–0). - Motion to approve the financial report (treasurer’s recommendation) — approved by roll call (5–0). - Motion to schedule middle‑school addition work session (Feb. 4 at 5 p.m.) — approved by roll call (5–0). - Motion to accept the resolution regarding the retirement of Matt Sigler and to publish the required public notice — approved by roll call (5–0). Public hearing set for Feb. 18, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. - Motion to convene executive session (consideration of appointment/employment of public employee) — approved by roll call (5–0). - Motion to adjourn — approved by roll call (5–0).

What happens next: The board will consider final approval of the 2025–26 calendar at its next regular meeting (at least 30 days after the public hearing). The public hearing on Mr. Sigler’s proposed retire‑rehire is set for Feb. 18, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at district headquarters.