Field Local board approves consent agendas, plans demolition of Central building after $500,000 donation

The Field Local School District Board of Education approved routine personnel and financial consent items and discussed plans for the district’s unused Central building at its regular meeting on June 9, 2025.

President Steve Calcei opened the meeting and, after roll call, the board approved the minutes of May 12, 2025 and adopted the meeting agenda. Member Matt Slaven moved to approve the superintendent’s consent agenda, which included hires, resignations, transfers and vendor agreements; Member Larry Stewart seconded the motion, and the motion carried on a roll-call vote of Slaven-Yes, Stewart-Yes, Evans-Yes, Porter-Absent, Calcei-Yes.

Nut graf: Superintendent Mr. Heflinger told the board that the Central building has been out of student use for roughly a decade and that repair costs would exceed restoration expenses, and announced the district had received a private $500,000 donation earmarked to build athletic courts on the property. The board also heard updates about state budget proposals that could change fund carryover caps and about proposed state legislation to ban student cell phones K–12.

Mr. Heflinger said the Central building ‘‘in its current form is unusable for students’’ and that heating had been disrupted by an underground gas leak that would require excavation. He told the board the district has architect bids coming this summer and that estimates for asbestos abatement, demolition and site clearing are ‘‘in the two hundred thousand range,’’ while bringing the building back into service would exceed $500,000. ‘‘The district has received a private donation of half a million dollars that will build five tennis courts, two pickleball courts, and soccer practice fields on that property,’’ he said.

The superintendent said the district will weigh those costs and the donated athletic improvements when deciding whether to pursue demolition. He also said the district could use fund-balance transfers for planned capital improvements, curriculum and technology purchases depending on the final version of state budget language.

On state budget matters, Mr. Heflinger and Board Member Matt Slaven noted competing proposals in the Ohio Legislature: the House version would cap carryover at 30 percent while the Senate version would cap it at 50 percent. Both said a conference committee is likely to settle the issue, and they expect a compromise nearer 40 percent; the board discussed that outcome’s implications for the district’s ability to shift fund balances into capital and other planned purchases.

Board business: The superintendent presented a slate of certified, classified and administrative employment recommendations effective in August 2025, including new intervention specialists, teachers and principals. The board also approved supplemental athletic and academic contracts for the 2025–26 school year and accepted several resignations and transfers as listed in the superintendent’s packet.

Operations and finance: The board approved vendor agreements with Summit Educational Service Center (ESY and Kids First programs), Education Alternatives (student transportation), Portage Therapy Services (OT/COTA therapy), and a three-year postage machine lease with Ohio Business Machines. The treasurer’s consent agenda, approved on a roll-call vote, included financial reports for the period ending April 30, 2025, renewal of the district’s property, fleet, general liability and cyber insurance with S.O.R.S.A. through Reed & Bauer Insurance Agency for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, and acceptance of a $555 donation from the Suffield PTA to sponsor three students for fifth-grade camp.

Votes at a glance: - 25-0043 — Approve minutes from May 12, 2025. Mover: Matt Slaven; Second: Larry Stewart. Vote: Slaven-Yes; Stewart-Yes; Evans-Yes; Porter-Absent; Calcei-Yes. Outcome: Approved. - 25-0044 — Adopt agenda and addendum. Mover: Matt Slaven; Second: William Evans. Vote: Slaven-Yes; Evans-Yes; Stewart-Yes; Porter-Absent; Calcei-Yes. Outcome: Approved. - 25-0045 — Approve Superintendent consent agenda (personnel, contracts). Mover: Matt Slaven; Second: Larry Stewart. Vote: Slaven-Yes; Stewart-Yes; Evans-Yes; Porter-Absent; Calcei-Yes. Outcome: Approved. - 25-0047 — Approve Treasurer consent agenda (financial reports, insurance renewal, donations). Mover: Matt Slaven; Second: William Evans. Vote: Slaven-Yes; Evans-Yes; Stewart-Yes; Porter-Absent; Calcei-Yes. Outcome: Approved. - 25-0048 — Motion to adjourn. Mover: William Evans; Second: Matt Slaven. Vote: Evans-Yes; Slaven-Yes; Stewart-Yes; Porter-Absent; Calcei-Yes. Outcome: Approved.

Board policy and public comment procedures: The board reviewed public-participation rules (registration upon arrival, three-minute speaker limit, 30-minute public-comment cap) and considered second readings of policies including a Parents’ Bill of Rights and an Electronic Communications Devices policy.

What’s next: The superintendent said architects will prepare bid documents for the Central site this summer; the board did not take a separate formal vote at this meeting to demolish or sell the property, but the presentation put the district on a timeline to seek bids and decide how to proceed. The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.

Attribution: Quotes and attributions are to individuals as named in the meeting minutes.