Board authorizes K‑8 carpet RFP, approves personnel items and tables paid finance‑intern hire

The Miami East Local board approved multiple operational and personnel actions in new business. The board authorized the Beeler Group to prepare a request for proposals and manage bidding for replacement of carpet in 12 K–8 rooms (10 classrooms and two music/band rooms), with discussion about using tile in classrooms and more sound‑absorbing acoustic or rubber tile in music spaces. The district plans a contractor walk‑through and a mid‑May bid opening, with installation planned for the summer.

In personnel business the board approved a package of hires and contract actions: hiring Jennifer Balser as junior high science teacher and Abby Harden as high‑school language arts teacher, supplemental contracts for 2025–26 and fall coach contracts for 2026–27, and contract approvals for certified, classified and administrative staff for 2026–27. The board also approved a two‑year unpaid leave of absence for Miss Gutman (family relocation to Japan contingent on work visas) and directed administration to post the vacancy to begin recruiting a replacement.

Board members discussed a proposal to hire a paid finance intern (Zane Pratt) to assist the treasurer's office with summer projects including scanning historical personnel and student files and to provide internship hours toward a treasurer license. Members debated whether the position should be posted, how duties would be defined, and whether outside partners (ESC, SO SHI, grant funding) could help subsidize the cost. After discussion the board voted to table the internship item and requested a detailed job description, duties, expected hours (325 hours proposed), and potential external funding sources for consideration at a subsequent meeting.

All facility and personnel approvals were carried on roll‑call votes; the intern motion was tabled by roll call. The board concluded with member comments and moved into executive session.