Canal Winchester board approves routine fund transfer, bus advertising and stop plan; tables private-tuition payment

Canal Winchester Local Board of Education members voted on a set of routine budget and transportation measures at their Aug. 11 meeting, approving a transfer to a new capital fund, authorizing advertising to purchase buses, adopting school bus stop locations for 2025–26, and accepting donations. The board voted to table a private-tuition contract and approved payment-in-lieu-of-transportation payments over the objections of one member.

The measures were procedural but affect district budgeting and transportation operations for the school year. The board approved moving previously-authorized dollars from the general fund to a newly established O70 fund and voted to publish notice seeking bids or quotations for up to six conventional school buses or up to nine passenger vans. The board also adopted the district’s designated bus stops for the 2025–26 school year and accepted two donations toward the mini pitch at Indian Trail. A privately billed tuition contract was tabled pending additional residency documentation; payment-in-lieu-of-transportation (PILOT) payments for eligible nonpublic students were approved, 4–1.

Most votes were unanimous. The transfer to the new O70 capital fund passed on a recorded roll call with all five board members voting yes. The motion to advertise for purchase of buses and the motion to establish bus stops likewise passed unanimously. The board accepted donations from Scott Wybel for the mini pitch at Indian Trail. A motion to table the contract for private tuition — which prompted discussion about court documents and residency — passed with all members voting to table and return the item with more backup. On the PILOT payments, four members voted yes and one member voted no; the dissenting member registered opposition to the policy but did not block the routine payments.

Votes at a glance - Resolution to transfer funds from the General Fund to the O70 capital projects fund — outcome: approved; vote: 5 yes, 0 no. (Transcript discussion at 37:13–37:55 and vote at 38:02–38:30.) - Resolution to advertise for purchase of buses (up to six conventional buses and/or nine passenger vans) — outcome: approved; vote: 5 yes, 0 no. (Transcript discussion at 39:07–39:35 and vote at 39:50–40:10.) - Resolution to establish bus stop locations for 2025–26 and authorize superintendent to amend as needed — outcome: approved; vote: 5 yes, 0 no. (Transcript discussion at 40:25–41:20 and vote at 41:30–41:55.) - Acceptance of donations from Scott Wybel (mini pitch at Indian Trail) — outcome: accepted as part of the consent agenda; vote: passed with consent agenda. (Consent agenda motion and roll call at 28:44–29:10.) - Private tuition contract (court-ordered placement) — outcome: tabled for additional residency documentation; vote to table: 5 yes, 0 no. Board members said staff and legal counsel would gather more backup. (Discussion at 43:20–45:10; motion to table at 46:00–46:30.) - Payment in lieu of transportation for nonpublic students (2025–26) — outcome: approved; vote: 4 yes, 1 no. One board member recorded a dissenting vote. (Discussion and explanation of statute at 44:10–45:20; vote at 45:50–46:20.)

What the votes do The transfer moves a previously earmarked sum into a newly numbered capital projects fund (O700001) as part of fund accounting and project tracking. Advertising for buses allows the district to solicit bids or quotes but does not obligate purchase. Establishing bus stops sets this year’s official stops and gives the superintendent the authority to adjust stops during the school year. Tabling the private tuition contract pauses payment until the district can verify residency and related documentation. The PILOT approvals implement required payments for families attending nonpublic schools within statutory parameters.

By the numbers and next steps - Bus procurement: advertising for up to six conventional buses and/or nine passenger vans; no purchase contract yet. - Donations: mini pitch project at Indian Trail — donation activity ongoing; district planning an opening celebration with vendors including the Major League Soccer Foundation. - Private tuition contract: backdated services beginning Sept. 2024 were noted; staff and legal counsel will provide additional residency backup before the board acts.

The board adjourned to executive session at 7:52 p.m. and indicated it would not reconvene for public business after the closed session.