Tri-Valley Local board approves staff contracts, 3% salary increases and COVID appreciation payments

The Tri-Valley Local School District board on May 13, 2021 approved a broad package of personnel actions, salary schedules and one-time appreciation payments tied to district COVID-19 response efforts, and accepted two donations for school programs.

Board member Scott Ford moved to adopt the evening’s agenda; Mrs. Susie Cameron seconded and the motion carried on a unanimous roll call. The board then approved routine business including minutes from April 8, 2021 and the March 2021 financial report, and authorized submission of the district’s May 2021 five-year forecast.

The board issued several administrative and certified contracts for the 2021–22 school year. It approved a three-year limited contract for Tyler Shackelford as Assistant Principal at the Middle School (Resolution #21-105) and a one-year limited certified contract for Peyton Morrow as Intervention Specialist at Nashport Elementary (Resolution #21-110). Other certified hires approved included Sophia Kinn as Music Instructor and Lacey Hopkins as a High School Spanish teacher (Resolutions #21-111 and #21-112). Several resignations and retirements were accepted as presented, and multiple unpaid leave requests for certified and classified staff were approved.

On compensation and employee terms, the board adopted FY22 salary schedules that include a 3% salary increase for administrative employees, other non-association employees, and employees not covered by negotiated schedules (Resolutions #21-130, #21-131, #21-132). The district also approved an agreement with the Tri-Valley Education Association including salary scheduling language effective July 1, 2021–June 30, 2023 (Resolution #21-129). Separately, the board approved one-time appreciation payments (stipends) intended to compensate employees for efforts related to COVID-19 prevention and response; eligibility criteria and payment amounts were described in the motion as “presented” to the board (Resolutions #21-133 through #21-136).

The board approved a $3,000 administrative stipend for Todd Woodard as Curriculum Director for 2021–22 and granted a 10-day extended service schedule to Amanda Blevins, Band Director (Resolutions #21-106 and #21-107). It also issued classified contracts (one- and two-year limited) for a list of staff across district sites and approved a three-year limited contract for athletic trainer David Peadon (Resolutions #21-116–#21-118, #21-119).

Program and extracurricular approvals included summer school instructors for 2021 and a comprehensive slate of building supplemental contracts for the 2021–22 school year covering roles such as student council advisors, yearbook advisors, club advisors and activity coordinators (Resolutions #21-120 and #21-121). The board also approved overnight stays for scheduled varsity events and a roster of coaches for fall 2021 (Resolutions #21-141 and #21-142).

Agreements and donations approved included an agreement with Reach Educational Services LLC for June–July 2021 programming (Resolution #21-126), acceptance of a $10,000 donation from the Aileen S. Andrew Foundation (Resolution #21-127), and acceptance of a $1,000.08 donation from the Nashport PTO to purchase physical education equipment for Nashport Elementary (Resolution #21-145). The board also authorized continued membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for 2021–22 (Resolution #21-128).

Votes at a glance (selected resolutions and outcomes): - #21-100: Adopt agenda — approved (moved Scott Ford; seconded Susie Cameron; roll call: 5 yes). - #21-101: Approve minutes (Apr. 8, 2021) — approved (roll call: 5 yes). - #21-103: Approve May 2021 Five-Year Forecast submission — approved (roll call: 5 yes). - #21-105: Issue administrative contract to Tyler Shackelford — approved (roll call: 5 yes). - #21-106: Approve $3,000 stipend for Todd Woodard — approved (roll call: 5 yes). - #21-110–#21-112: Approve certified contracts for Peyton Morrow, Sophia Kinn, Lacey Hopkins — all approved (roll call: 5 yes each). - #21-122: Approve 7–12 department heads — approved (Mrs. Prince abstained; vote not unanimous). - #21-127: Accept $10,000 donation from Aileen S. Andrew Foundation — approved (roll call: 5 yes). - #21-129: Approve agreement with Tri-Valley Education Association (salary schedule attached) — approved (roll call: 5 yes). - #21-130–#21-132: Approve FY22 salary schedules (3% increases) — approved (one abstention recorded for #21-131 on one vote where noted). - #21-133–#21-136: Approve appreciation payments (teaching, classified, administrative/nonteaching, substitutes) — all approved (roll call: varied; motions carried). - #21-145: Accept Nashport PTO donation $1,000.08 — approved (roll call: 5 yes). - #21-146: Adjourn — approved; meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m.

The board did not record public comments. Several personnel items were listed in bulk (contract lists and supplemental rosters); the motions approved the lists "as presented." Where the minutes list eligibility criteria or amounts as "presented," the minutes did not print line-by-line payment schedules in this transcript. The meeting closed after acceptance of the Nashport PTO donation and a motion to adjourn.

Next steps: No votes were tabled; personnel contracts and salary schedules take effect per their listed start dates and as contingent on licensure/background verification where noted. The board scheduled its next meeting for Monday, June 28, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. at the District Administrative Center.