New Albany-Plain Local board swears in members, elects officers and adopts annual authorizations

Meeting Chair opened the district's first organizational meeting of 2026 and the board completed its annual business, swearing in newly elected members and confirming leadership for the year.

Colleen Barber took the oath of office as a newly elected member. John McClellan and Mister Wilson also affirmed the statutory oath required for board members. After nominations, the board elected John McClellan as board president; Jen Fuller was elected vice president without additional nominees.

The board adopted its standard annual authorizations (letters a–n) by roll call. District staff summarized the package: authorization to accept and administer federal grant funds (Title I and similar programs); authority to invest inactive and interim funds; signature authorizations for payroll and accounts payable; routine authorization of the board service fund (noted in discussion as commonly set at $18,000 under Ohio Revised Code practice); approval to advertise bids for projects exceeding $250,000; contingent hiring authority to hire employees pending criminal background checks between meetings; authority to accept resignations upon presentation; authorization for professional development consistent with contractual obligations; designation of a hearing officer for student-discipline hearings; establishment of the federal mileage reimbursement rate; procedures for disposal of outdated equipment; and approval of a list of legal service providers and renewal of Ohio School Boards Association membership.

The board also approved the 2026 regular meeting calendar and appointed liaisons and delegates to internal and external bodies (policy, financial review, PTOs, booster organizations, OSBA delegate and alternate, and others) as presented by staff. All organizational motions recorded affirmative roll-call votes from the members present.

The organizational session then adjourned and the board proceeded to its regular meeting.