Groveport Madison Local board elects Missus Walsh president pro tem, approves agenda and advances policy first reads

Missus Walsh was elected president pro tem at the Groveport Madison Local Board of Education’s organizational meeting on Jan. 13 after a nomination from a member identified as John and a second by Ashley. A roll-call vote recorded 'Aye' from Missus Walsh, Missus Zimmer and Mister Kirschner, and the chair announced Walsh as president pro tem.

The board then approved the meeting agenda by roll call, with Missus Walsh, Missus Zimmer and Mister Kirschner voting 'Aye'. Shortly afterward the board moved, seconded and approved a motion to adjourn to executive session to consider the investigation of charges or complaints against a district employee or official under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(g)(1) and to confer with the board’s attorney about disputes that are the subject of pending or imminent court action under ORC 121.22(g)(3). The board noted that no formal action would be taken in executive session; the transcript records the board entering executive session at 4:07 p.m. and reconvening in open session later (time noted in the transcript as 6:25 p.m.).

After returning to open session the board conducted first readings of several policies. The board reviewed BBA (school board powers and duties) and BBAA (board member authority and duties) and held a first read of BBF (board member code of ethics). A member identified in the record as Mister Kirschner said the rewritten ethics policy “acknowledges First Amendment freedom of speech rights” and, he said, should clarify members’ dual roles as elected officials and private constituents while potentially reducing legal fees the board has paid in past disputes. The board also discussed a retitled policy (noted in the transcript as B F‑E) to be called “board member ethic commitment” if adopted.

Members reviewed a new policy labeled BBG (government definitions). Mister Kirschner moved that the policy be presented as a second read under the code BBG so it appears in the correct section of the policy manual; the board indicated assent. Board members also agreed to send the draft policies to legal counsel Kendra Hakon for review to ensure the definitions and language align with federal or state law and day‑to‑day operations.

A final motion to adjourn was made and seconded; roll-call votes were recorded and the meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.

Actions recorded in the meeting included the election of a president pro tem, approval of the meeting agenda, a successful motion to enter executive session under ORC 121.22(g)(1) and (g)(3), a motion to assign BBG to a second read, and adjournment. No formal board action or adoption of policy occurred during the meeting; the policy items were first reads and subject to additional review and a future vote.