Tri-Valley Board approves personnel contracts, curriculum licenses and bleacher contract; schedules May 14 rehire hearings

The Tri-Valley Local Board of Education on April 9, 2026 approved a wide range of personnel contracts and resignations, accepted curriculum and service agreements for the 2026–2027 school year, and authorized a contract for visitor-side bleacher work at the football stadium.

The board — Steve Barr, Betsy Brocklehurst, Andrea Collet, Luke Davis and Scott Ford — voted unanimously on motions moved frequently by Luke Davis and seconded by other members. Key approvals included adopting the minutes from the March 12 regular meeting and the February financial report; participation in the 2027 Worker’s Compensation Group Retrospective Rating Program administered by Sedgwick; and authorization for the treasurer to request a revised Amended Certificate of Estimated Resources and to update FY26 appropriations.

On personnel matters the board issued administrative contracts (including a three-year contract to Todd Woodard as Director of Operations and a three-year contract to Danielle Richesson as Director of Special Education & Auxiliary Services), accepted several administrative and certified resignations effective July 31, 2026, and approved multiple certified teaching contracts across district schools for one-, two-, three- and five-year limited terms as presented. The board also approved classified contracts, supplemental positions, department head assignments for grades 7–12, extended service days for select staff, and fall head coaches for 2026–2027. The board approved a $5,000 stipend to Scott Brillhart as Safety Coordinator for 2026–2027.

Curriculum and vendor agreements approved for 2026–2027 include Read Naturally (Read Live), IXL Learning (math, science, social studies and language arts), ExploreLearning (Gizmos & Reflex), Edmentum (Study Island), 3P Learning products (Mathseeds, Reading Eggs), Renaissance products and McGraw Hill Math (K–6). The board also approved Special Education Department service agreements with Sunshine School Transport and Makridis Learning and a memorandum of understanding with Stark State College.

The board accepted donations to Nashport Elementary and the Middle School to support field trips and the LEO Club. It approved an overnight trip for five FFA students to the Eastern Regional FFA Contest in West Springfield, Massachusetts (Sept. 17–20, 2026); travel by air and rental car was authorized with expenses covered by state funds and Brian Merce named as chaperone.

On facilities and procurement, the board rescinded prior authorization for an agreement with Schultz Industries (d/b/a Sturdisteel Company) related to the football stadium visitor-side bleacher expansion and approved an agreement with Farnham Equipment Company for that project.

The board authorized the treasurer to publish public notices under Ohio Revised Code Section 3307.353 announcing that Elizabeth A. Johnston and Dr. H. Michael Fain will retire and seek reemployment as school psychologists; a public meeting to consider re-employment of the named individuals was scheduled for May 14, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at the Board Office, 36 E. Muskingum Avenue, Dresden.

The meeting concluded at 6:34 p.m.; the board set its next regular meeting for Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance (selected resolutions and outcomes): - Res. #26-102 — Approve minutes (March 12, 2026): motion by Luke Davis; unanimous (5–0) — approved. - Res. #26-103 — Approve Financial Report (Feb. 2026): motion by Luke Davis; unanimous (5–0) — approved. - Res. #26-104 — Approve participation in 2027 Worker’s Compensation Group Retrospective Rating Program: motion by Luke Davis; unanimous (5–0) — approved. - Res. #26-106 — Issue three-year administrative contract to Todd Woodard (Director of Operations): motion by Luke Davis; unanimous (5–0) — approved. - Res. #26-107 — Accept administrative resignation of Todd Woodard (effective July 31, 2026): motion by Luke Davis; unanimous (5–0) — approved. - Res. #26-110 — Issue administrative stipend to Scott Brillhart ($5,000): motion by Scott Ford; unanimous (5–0) — approved. - Res. #26-118 through #26-122 and associated resolutions — Multiple certified contracts for 2026–2027 (one-, two-, three-, five-year limited contracts) — all approved unanimously. - Res. #26-129 — Building supplemental contracts for 2026–2027 — approved unanimously. - Res. #26-130 — Approve 7–12 department heads for 2026–2027 — approved unanimously. - Res. #26-138 — Approve FFA overnight trip to Eastern Regional contest (Sept. 17–20, 2026): motion by Luke Davis; unanimous (5–0) — approved. - Res. #26-139 — Approve Special Education Department service agreements (Sunshine School Transport; Makridis Learning): motion by Luke Davis; unanimous (5–0) — approved. - Res. #26-141 — Curriculum and site-license agreements (Read Naturally, IXL, ExploreLearning, Edmentum, 3P Learning, Renaissance, McGraw Hill): motion by Luke Davis; unanimous (5–0) — approved. - Res. #26-149 — Rescind prior authorization for Schultz Industries/Sturdisteel: motion by Luke Davis; unanimous (5–0) — approved. - Res. #26-150 — Authorize agreement with Farnham Equipment Company for bleacher expansion: motion by Luke Davis; unanimous (5–0) — approved. - Res. #26-151 — Adjourn meeting (6:34 p.m.): motion by Luke Davis; unanimous (5–0) — approved.

(Resolutions not listed individually above were moved and approved by unanimous roll call as recorded in the official minutes.)