Orange Board of Education appoints new superintendent, approves policies and personnel; residents raise concerns about election‑day conduct

The Orange Board of Education on Dec. 8 approved the employment contract for L K Campbell as superintendent for a three‑year term beginning Aug. 1, 2026, and considered a package of policy, personnel and contract items while receiving updates on schools and transportation.

A motion to approve Campbell’s appointment passed on a roll call vote following a second; the board set the superintendent’s term as 08/01/2026–07/31/2029. The meeting also included approval of the district’s Confidential/Exempt Employee Handbook and second‑reading adoption of several revised policies (listed in the meeting packet as including 9700 and 9700.01), which the superintendent’s office said were aligned with the Ohio Revised Code and county board of elections regulations.

Public comment focused on those policy revisions. Anna Antoneo, a Moreland Hills resident, said the district’s revised policy language should not be used to supplant the contract between Orange School District and the Cuyahoga Board of Elections and asked district officials to clarify the application of those rules on Election Day. She said, “Ted Roseberry and Jeff Lycan had no business shutting down campaigners’ rights at a polling location,” and urged the board to include language in policies 9700 and 9700.01 instructing that Election Day challenges be referred to the polling‑location manager or the county elections office.

Board members and administrators said the attached policy language references the Ohio Revised Code and county board of elections regulations and that the posted attachments were updated to match each other. The board voted to adopt the policies as presented.

Financial and business items included the treasurer’s November report: the district’s total cash balance stood at approximately $34,400,000, with about $22,000,000 in the general fund and roughly $398,000 in the Permanent Improvement Fund (about $171,000 of which is already committed). The treasurer noted revenue year‑to‑date running at about 48.3% and expenditures at about 40.2%. The board accepted the financial reports and a $1,500 donation from the Owner School Foundation for a Washington, D.C. trip.

The board approved two membership/technology contracts brought forward for consent: a FinalForms renewal with NeoNet for $10,622 and an annual service contract for OCR/registration software (listed as Rux) for $15,005.88, which the packet noted would begin 07/01/2026 and be paid by OCR.

School leaders gave program updates. The high school reported expanded career‑exploration work (freshman career interest surveys), meetings with the Greater Cleveland Partnership to develop a pre‑apprenticeship program, and planned College Credit Plus offerings. Brady School highlighted outdoor education, Challenge Day for seventh graders, a 1,406‑item food drive delivered to Garfield Church, and ongoing music and athletic events. The preschool reported 23 students discussed by the intervention assistance team this month.

Transportation received notable recognition: the district’s bus drivers won regional and state safety rodeos. The district said Debbie Burns earned a flawless 800 points at regionals and that Debbie Becker earned first at the state rodeo and will attend the international safety competition in Austin in June 2026. Transportation supervisor Sheila Dickow was presented the Sarah Schlechter Outstanding Service award for her work on the regional rodeo committee.

The meeting opened with a board recognition of departing member Scott Bilski. Bilski told colleagues it had been “a very interesting journey,” and board members praised his financial stewardship over four‑plus years of service.

Before adjourning, the board moved into executive session to discuss personnel (appointments/employment) and the purchase or sale of real property.

Votes at a glance • Approve minutes (11/24/2025): approved (roll call; Dr. Boyle recorded as not voting/not present). • Approve Confidential/Exempt Employee Handbook: approved (roll call). • Approve revised board policies (second reading; includes 9700 and 9700.01 as posted): approved (roll call). • Approve NeoNet FinalForms renewal ($10,622): approved (roll call). • Approve OCR/registration software annual service ($15,005.88): approved (roll call). • Approve financial consents (monthly reports, donations/grants): approved (roll call). • Approve general personnel consent items: approved (roll call). • Appoint Nancy Caldwell (confidential staff): approved (roll call). Appointment period listed in packet contains an obvious year typo in the transcript; see clarifying details. • Appoint L K Campbell, Superintendent (08/01/2026–07/31/2029): approved (roll call). • Adjourn to executive session (personnel and real property): approved (roll call).

What’s next The board’s next organizational and regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2026. The board expects to follow up administratively on policy language referencing county elections guidance and on details for the YMCA Youth & Government trip, which was presented for review and will return for approval if required.

Quote highlights • Stacy Edelman Vincent (Orange Village Arts & Culture Committee): “On behalf of the Orange Village Arts and Culture Committee, I wanted to personally invite each and every one of you … to our first hopefully annual Light Up Orange for the holidays event.” • Anna Antoneo (Moreland Hills resident): “They should publicly apologize for the confusion they caused to all the candidates and campaigners present on 11/04/2025.” • On transportation achievements: the district noted that “Debbie Burns achieved a flawless score of 800 points,” and that Debbie Becker will go on to the international competition in June 2026.