Mentor Board of Education holds organizational meeting; reelects president, approves OSBA membership
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Summary
At its Jan. 7 organizational meeting the Mentor Exempted Village Board of Education swore in three members, reelected Maggie Cook as president, elected a vice president, approved Ohio School Boards Association membership after debate about costs, named committee liaisons and approved routine agenda items.
The Mentor Exempted Village Board of Education met on Jan. 7, 2026, for its organizational meeting, swearing in three board members, electing leadership for the year, approving membership in the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) and confirming committee and citizen advisory appointments.
Maggie Cook, Robert G. Hague and Daniel A. Hardesty each took the oath of office to serve as members of the Mentor Exempted Village Board of Education. After nominations, the board elected Maggie Cook to serve as president for the 2026 calendar year by a 5-0 roll-call vote. A separate vote elected Miss Marchaza (transcript uses multiple spellings) as vice president with four affirmative votes.
The board spent notable time discussing whether to continue OSBA membership for 2026. One board member noted that OSBA had appeared on a list of potential cuts and questioned whether membership fees represent an appropriate use of district funds. Administration responded with specific cost and benefit figures, saying, “We do receive a discount of about $4,400 on our platform that we use for board docs,” and that the district had received roughly $3,800 in reimbursements and access to about 12 conference attendances related to membership. Administration also cited OSBA services such as a legal hotline and training. After discussion the board approved OSBA membership by a 4-1 roll-call vote.
The board approved the recommended meeting schedule and the block of agenda items numbered 11–26, including vendor and counsel reappointments. During discussion about legal services a board member asked whether the district had reviewed alternative counsel for cost savings; administration said the district had performed a market analysis and retained a primary firm offering a fixed blended rate and specialized firms for tax matters. Monthly legal-fee tracking is being provided in board packets.
Superintendent recommendations included assigning two standing liaison committees—curriculum liaisons and school safety liaisons—to meet about three to four times annually to track curriculum changes, safety grants and building requests. Board members volunteered to serve on the curriculum and safety liaisons. The board also approved the list of citizen financial advisory members for the calendar year by a 5-0 vote.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn; the board voted to adjourn at 6:25 p.m.
What’s next: The board will proceed with the regular meeting calendar as approved and implement the liaison committee schedule; the transcript records no further deadlines or policy adoptions at this meeting.