Tallmadge board approves SEIU MOU, adopts girls flag football as varsity sport and passes routine business

The Tallmadge Board of Education on Nov. 19 approved multiple business items including a memorandum of understanding with SEIU Local 1 that aligns paraprofessional hiring requirements with the Ohio Revised Code and the addition of girls flag football as a varsity sport at Tallmadge High School beginning in spring 2026.

Superintendent presented the MOU, saying the district's prior contract included testing requirements that exceeded state law and had impeded recruitment for paraprofessional positions. The board moved and seconded the MOU and voted to approve it. "These additional requirements have prevented recruitment of some strong candidates," the superintendent said during the presentation.

On athletics, an athletics presenter identified as Billy described a Cleveland Browns‑backed girls flag football program that USA Football supports and that the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has now sanctioned, including a state championship. Billy said the Browns and Bengals provide uniforms and equipment (up to 25 uniforms) and run coaches' clinics and kickoff events; he estimated the district's direct costs would be limited to a category‑3 head coach stipend and travel. "Our only district cost would be our head coach stipend," he said. After board discussion and questions about travel and scheduling, the board voted to approve the sport.

The board also approved routine items: the October meeting minutes, financial reports for September and October 2025, and consolidated personnel items (5.1–5.7), all following motions and recorded roll‑call votes.

Votes at a glance - Approve October minutes — outcome: approved (recorded 'Aye' votes). - Approve financial reports (Sept–Oct 2025) — outcome: approved (recorded 'Aye' votes). - Approve MOU with SEIU Local 1 (paraprofessional hiring alignment with Ohio Revised Code) — outcome: approved. - Approve girls flag football as a varsity sport (Tallmadge High School, spring 2026) — outcome: approved. - Adopt personnel items (5.1–5.7) including correction of internship credit for two school psychologists — outcome: approved.

What this means Administrators said aligning paraprofessional hiring to state law is intended to expand the candidate pool and reduce barriers caused by extra testing requirements. The new girls flag football program, backed by professional teams and now sanctioned by the OHSAA, adds a spring opportunity for female athletes while the district expects to limit its budget exposure to coaching stipends and travel.

The board adjourned after public comment and a short work session was scheduled immediately afterward to discuss next steps on recent levy results.