Rittman board unanimously approves financial reports, service contracts and personnel actions

The Rittman Board of Education voted unanimously Aug. 13 to approve two consent packages covering district finances, service contracts and multiple personnel actions.

Mr. Stuart, the board chair, called the session to order at 7:30 a.m. and the board immediately approved the meeting agenda. The board then approved the Treasurer's consent agenda, which included acceptance of the June and July financial reports, appointment of Mr. Stuart as the district delegate and Mrs. Avery as alternate to the Ohio School Boards Association Capital Conference (Nov. 16–18, 2025), and establishment of petty cash and change funds for the cafeteria, athletic department and school offices. The board also granted the superintendent authority to adjust bus routes and stops as required during the 2025–2026 school year.

The board approved lease agreements with the Tri-County Educational Service Center to provide employment services and educational/special services for the 2025–2026 school year. It also approved a shared-services agreement involving Green Local School, Orrville City Schools, Rittman Schools, Southeast Local Schools and Wayne County Schools Career Center for 2025–2026, and a three-year lease with Connection Educational Services Inc. from Aug. 1, 2025, through July 31, 2028.

On personnel matters, the board approved the Superintendent's consent agenda, which included service agreements with Chrysalis Family Solutions and Encompass Christian Counseling to provide school-based mental-health services (the latter specified July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026). The board approved salary increases for listed certified staff pending proper certification (Jessica Lent: BA +20; Wendy St. Clair: MA +30); continuing and two-year contracts for named employees; multiple supplemental coaching and advisor contracts; volunteer and substitute lists (revised and new lists on file); the resignation for retirement of Peggy Frame effective Jan. 31, 2026; and a leave of absence request from Theresa Thomas for the 2025–2026 school year.

The board approved an amended substitute pay rate for classified bus drivers at $18 per hour for the 2025–2026 school year. The minutes record the series of approvals passed by roll call with votes recorded as: Ayes — Mr. Stuart, Mr. Beltz, Mrs. Avery, Mrs. Busic and Mr. Baillis (motion carried 5-0).

Votes at a glance

• Agenda approval (including addendum): Moved by Mrs. Avery, seconded by Mr. Baillis — approved 5-0. • Treasurer consent package (financial reports, petty cash/change funds, delegate appointments, superintendent authority over bus routes, leases for Tri-County ESC): Moved by Mr. Beltz, seconded by Mrs. Avery — approved 5-0. • Leases/shared services and Connection Educational Services Inc. lease: approved as part of consent items — approved 5-0. • Superintendent consent package (Chrysalis Family Solutions; Encompass Christian Counseling; contracts, hires, resignations, substitutes): Moved by Mrs. Avery, seconded by Mr. Baillis — approved 5-0. • Amended classified bus driver substitute pay rate ($18/hr): approved 5-0.

Why it matters: The approvals commit district funds and vendor relationships for the coming school year, authorize staffing and substitute-pay changes that affect daily operations, and formalize contracts for school-based mental-health providers intended to deliver student services during 2025–2026.

Next steps: The board set a revised October meeting date (see separate item) and adjourned; there was no further formal action on policy or student-discipline rules at this meeting.