Toledo Public Schools thanks voters after levy win, approves contracts and urges opposition to state bills

At its Nov. 19 meeting, the Toledo Public Schools Board thanked Lucas County voters for passage of Issue 19, approved a slate of consent and contract items and heard several board members urge public action to oppose multiple state bills.

“TAP wants to thank the voters of Lucas County for passing TPS issue 19,” said Miss Ramirez, the district’s TAP representative, addressing the board and community after the election. Board members repeatedly praised voter support as enabling continued district programs and staffing.

The board approved the consent agenda (items 6.01–6.24) and the administrative section by voice and roll call; the treasurer recorded unanimous votes in favor. Early childhood education items included two delegate contracts — one for Family Council and one for Great Lakes Community Action — for an upcoming grant period beginning Dec. 1, and a carryover request for a roof repair grant for Crossgates. Those items were moved, seconded and approved with roll‑call votes recorded as 'Yes' by the board members present.

Several directors used the meeting to call attention to pending legislation in Columbus. Varley said she had identified two bills she supports — House Bill 178 (the Crown Act) and House Bill 571, which she described as requiring the inclusion of the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) on student identification cards, planners and electronic portals. “This should be a no brainer,” Varley said.

Other members urged opposition to bills they said would reduce local control or change district practices. Durkin criticized what she described as efforts to require release‑time religious instruction in schools, saying, “religious instruction belongs outside of the school day,” and raising questions about safety, background checks and who would ensure students make up missed work. Another speaker identified a House bill he described as limiting districts’ ability to reallocate property tax millage and urged citizens to contact committee chairs to register opposition.

The board adjourned after completing the agenda. No formal votes on policy positions were recorded in the meeting minutes beyond the recorded approvals of consent, administrative and ECE contract items.

What the board approved at the meeting: unanimous roll‑call approvals of the consent agenda (6.01–6.24), administrative section 8.01, delegate contracts for Family Council and Great Lakes Community Action (for grant period beginning Dec. 1), and a roof grant carryover for Crossgates.

The board did not adopt a formal, recorded resolution opposing the state bills during this meeting; members encouraged residents to contact committee chairs about legislation they described as harmful to local schools.