Board approves series of personnel and contractual items, corrects MOU date

At its Dec. 15 meeting the Big Walnut board approved a series of human‑resources and personnel items, including a temporary memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a bargaining unit and multiple contract and personnel actions in the consent agenda.

The MOU — described in the meeting as an agreement with OAPC and AFSCME local (AFL‑CIO number 524) — addresses sick‑leave bank eligibility and contained a typographical error on the expiration date; staff said the signed copy will show the corrected expiration of May 22, 2026. The MOU, as described by administration, would permit certain waivers of the sick bank donation requirement for qualifying long‑service employees under specified conditions.

The board approved multiple personnel actions by recorded vote as part of the consent agenda: supplemental contracts for named staff (Becky Brigham, Lauren Galloway, Jeffrey Hastings, Tyler Ritchie and Kaden Sharrock), classified contracts (including J. Roger Allen — Food Services), substitute worker appointments, co‑curricular contract revisions, an unpaid leave of absence for Jamie Rowan (RTI coordinator), resignations (Lisa Bingham and Janet Wizard), stipends and affirmation of volunteers for the 2025–26 school year. Board members discussed the volunteer master list and confirmed background checks are valid for three years; they agreed to revisit any policy or renewal timeline as needed.

All consent and personnel items were approved by vote. Board members emphasized that positions tied to specific student needs can be reassigned or eliminated by standard personnel processes if demand changes.