Maple Heights, Ohio — The Maple Heights Board of Education held its annual organizational meeting Monday, Jan. 6, at Maple Heights High School, swearing in officers, adopting a fiscal‑year 2027 tax budget after a required public hearing and approving a string of routine resolutions and committee appointments.

Board President Roslyn Moore was administered the oath of office during the meeting and thereafter led the board through organizational business. Judge Krivash and Reverend Aaron Phillips participated in swearing‑in and ceremonial remarks for new members; family members of new appointees were recognized.

The board heard a tax‑budget presentation from Miss Whitman, who said recent state property‑tax reform will change how levies are calculated, increase some homeowner tax credits and constrain revenue increases tied to inflation. Whitman noted the forecast deadline was moved earlier (the forecast that was previously due in May now has a February due date), which may require the district to project multiple years of revenue before the county finalizes property valuations. "These are a lot of changes that have come in just since Christmas," Whitman said, and she told the board she would keep members updated as the new laws are implemented.

Following the hearing, the board moved through a series of resolutions that passed by roll call. Actions included approving the 2026 meeting schedule (Resolution No. 2601); renewing or continuing memberships in professional associations, including the Ohio School Boards Association and its legal assistance fund (Resolutions Nos. 2609 and 2610); retaining legal counsel (Resolution No. 2603); and approving treasurer authorizations and procedural financial delegations (Resolutions Nos. 2608, 2613 and 2614). The board also adopted Resolution No. 2612 approving the fiscal‑year 2027 tax budget.

Members approved Resolution No. 2605 to establish a board members’ service fund in the amount of $20,000. The board adopted Resolution No. 2606 recognizing January as School Board Appreciation Month and noted OSBA certificates would be distributed to members.

As part of annual business, the board designated the treasurer as the public‑records training designee consistent with cited Ohio Revised Code sections mentioned in the meeting, and authorized the assistant to the treasurer to serve as a compliance officer for credit‑card policy oversight. The board appointed an OSBA delegate for the capital conference (the chair as delegate, Mister Blackwell as alternate) and named Mister Cheeks as legislative liaison for 2026 with Sabrina Shepherd as alternate. The board also read and approved its standing committee structure for 2026, naming chairs and co‑chairs for Wellness & Safety, Finance, Facilities, Student Achievement, Family & Community Engagement, records retention and policy committees.

Board President Roslyn Moore closed the meeting with remarks thanking the community, council members, families and school staff for their support and reiterating the board’s focus on students and staff. The meeting adjourned after a final roll call vote.

Votes at a glance: multiple routine resolutions (Res. Nos. 2601, 2603, 2605, 2606, 2607, 2608, 2609, 2610, 2611, 2612, 2613, 2614) were moved, seconded and recorded as approved by roll call during the meeting. Specific recorded votes in the transcript show affirmative roll‑call responses for each motion.

What’s next: The board will track state clarifications or corrective legislation related to the property‑tax reforms and the district’s superintendent/staff will update the board as additional guidance or valuation data becomes available.