Ashland board elects officers, adopts tax budget, approves diabetes litigation and contracts

The Ashland City School District Board of Education on Jan. 6 elected officers for 2025, set its 2025 meeting schedule, adopted the fiscal year 2026 tax budget and approved several policies, authorizations and contracts — including joining national litigation over diabetes medication pricing and contracting outside counsel to represent the district.

Board leadership and appointments: the board nominated and elected John Teavann as president and Pam Mowery as vice president for 2025. The board also appointed Jason Keio and Gina Deppert to serve on the Ashland County West Holmes Career Center Board of Education for three-year terms effective January 2025 and ending Dec. 31, 2028; the roll call for that appointment recorded Deppert as abstaining and the motion carried.

Budget, schedule and finance authorizations: the board adopted the fiscal year 2026 tax budget covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and established regular meeting dates: work sessions on the second Monday of each month and regular sessions on the fourth Monday, both beginning at 5:30 p.m., to be held at the district administrative offices unless noted otherwise. The board approved a $5,000 board service fund for reimbursement of board-representative expenses and adopted standing authorizations for routine financial management, including investments, payment of bills, purchase orders, employment actions and appropriation adjustments.

Personnel and policy actions: the board approved a change to the classified substitute pay rate to $10.70 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2025, reflecting the state minimum wage increase. The board also approved a district nutrition standards policy that the treasurer said incorporates Ohio Revised Code requirements at 3313.814 and approved public-records training designees under Ohio Revised Code 109.43.

Legal counsel and litigation: the board approved a list of law firms for engagement on an as-needed basis and passed a resolution authorizing the district to join litigation over diabetes medication pricing. Superintendent Paramore told the board: “We are joining litigation with the rest of the country on the major diabetes medication manufacturers that have, basically created a monopoly on the pricing and it's really affected school districts.” The board approved contracts for representation by France Law Group, APLC, and Peters & Macaukos (as listed in the meeting documents) to pursue the litigation on the district—s behalf.

Endowments and donations: the board accepted two Jim Minnick Memorial Endowment funds established through the Ashland County Community Foundation, earmarked for AHS Arrow Football and AHS Arrow Boys Basketball to support program needs outside normal athletic expenditures.

Votes at a glance: - Election of board president (John Teavann): motion carried (roll call recorded as affirmative votes by board members present). - Election of vice president (Pam Mowery): motion carried (roll call recorded as affirmative votes by board members present). - Appointment to Ashland County West Holmes Career Center Board (Jason Keio, Gina Deppert): motion carried; Deppert abstained on roll call. - Establish 2025 meeting dates and times: motion carried (roll call affirmative). - Board service fund $5,000: motion carried (roll call affirmative). - Standing authorizations (financial/administrative delegations): motion carried (roll call affirmative). - Adopt FY2026 tax budget (July 1, 2025—6/30/2026): motion carried (roll call affirmative). - Classified substitute pay increase to $10.70/hour: motion carried (roll call affirmative). - Nutrition standards policy (per ORC 3313.814): motion carried (roll call affirmative). - Public-records training designee approval (per ORC 109.43): motion carried (roll call affirmative). - Legal counsel approvals: motion carried (roll call affirmative). - Resolution to commence diabetes medication pricing litigation: motion carried (roll call affirmative). - Contract for legal representation in diabetes litigation (France Law Group, Peters & Macaukos, as listed): motion carried (roll call affirmative). - Jim Minnick Memorial Endowments (for Arrow football and boys basketball): motion carried (roll call affirmative).

What was said: Superintendent Paramore described the diabetes medication action as part of a national push by self-insured school districts, stating the pricing practices of major manufacturers have created a monopolistic environment that has “really affected school districts.” The superintendent told the board the district expects the litigation could result in a substantial settlement but did not provide a projected amount.

Why it matters: the diabetes litigation and the selection of outside counsel could affect future district health-plan recoveries or costs; adoption of the tax budget sets the framework for local tax filings with the county budget commission; the substitute-pay change implements a state-mandated minimum wage increase for several substitute categories. The approved endowments create an ongoing community-funded funding source for two athletic programs.

Next steps and follow-up: the treasurer was directed to submit the adopted tax budget to the Ashland County budget commission. Contracts and representation agreements will be executed as approved by the board. The district plans to present more details on reconfiguration at the Jan. 22 public panel.