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Board approves turf contract, classroom technology and several personnel items; staffing additions approved after split vote
Summary
At its March 20 meeting the Talawanda City School District board approved a contract for the high school turf field replacement, purchased interactive panels and other technology, and approved several personnel contracts. A proposal to add several new positions passed 3–2 after debate about state funding risks.
The Talawanda City School District Board of Education on March 20 approved a series of purchase contracts and personnel items, and narrowly approved a modified staffing proposal.
The board voted to approve a contract with the Motes Group and a contingency fund for the Tallawanda High School turf field replacement project. The board also approved a quote from AVI Systems for interactive classroom panels and a Paxos (PACS) quote for the 2025–26 school year. Roll-call votes recorded on the meeting record show unanimous approval for the turf contract, contingency fund, the Paxos quote and the AVI Systems quote.
On personnel, the board approved multiple hires and resignations included in the consent agenda and voted to approve a one-year limited employment contract adding a fourth high-school counselor (created by converting a retiring teacher position) and other limited contracts. The board approved a modified staffing proposal that funds two Title/reading teachers for elementary schools and a full-time psychologist or SAP (Student Assistance Program) coordinator at the middle school. That staffing addition passed on a 3–2 vote after members debated whether to delay hires pending state budget clarity.
Board members asked for and received written copies of contracts and related figures for larger hires to be included in future board packets. The superintendent and business office staff said several purchases are part of planned technology and facilities cycles and that contingency funding is to cover unforeseen subsurface issues during turf removal.
Votes at a glance - Approval of Motes Group contract for THS Turf Field Replacement Project (Item 4I): approved (recorded roll call: Mrs. King — yes; Mr. Wyatt — yes; Mr. Mead — yes; Mr. Otto — yes; Dr. Howard — yes). - Approval of contingency fund for THS Turf Field Replacement Project (Item 4J): approved (same roll call: all yes). - Approval of Paxos (PACS) quote for 2025–26 (Item 4K): approved (recorded yes votes by board members listed in meeting minutes). - Approval of AVI Systems quote for interactive panels not to exceed $53,062.50 (Item 4L): approved (recorded yes votes). - Approval of one-year limited employment contract(s) adding a high school counselor via conversion of a retiring teacher position (Item 5A.4): approved (vote recorded: Mrs. King — no; others yes; motion passed). - Approval of modified staffing additions (two elementary Title teachers and a full-time psychologist/SAP coordinator) (Item 5F): approved 3–2 (recorded votes: Mr. Otto — no; Mr. Wyatt — yes; Mrs. King — no; Mr. Mead — yes; Dr. Howard — yes).
Board members and staff said the district will continue to track state funding proposals and may revisit staffing if the state budget reduces aid. Several items (minutes, gifts, financial reports) were approved in grouped consent blocks.
