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Loveland board approves academic calendar, policies, cybersecurity plan, staffing and appropriations in unanimous votes
Summary
The board approved the 2027–28 academic calendar, waived first reading and approved time‑sensitive policies (kindergarten entrance and AI policy), adopted a cybersecurity plan, approved a retired‑teacher rehire and multiple financial and vendor actions, all by roll call.
The Loveland City School Board on Tuesday approved a slate of routine and time‑sensitive items including the 2027–28 academic calendar, policy updates required by statute, and financial resolutions.
The board voted unanimously to approve the academic calendar for 2027–28 after a brief discussion about the practicality of listing a final graduation date once it is confirmed. Mr. Collier, presenting the calendar, said the district circulates the calendar early so families can plan several years ahead.
The board also voted to waive the first reading and advance two policies with statutory timing requirements: the kindergarten entrance/age policy (now tied to the district's first full day of instruction) and an artificial intelligence policy that state guidance requires in place by July 1. Mr. Espy explained the change in the kindergarten entrance rule from prior local cutoffs to the state‑designated first day of instruction (the district will treat the first full day — when all students attend — as the cutoff date).
On personnel matters the board approved a resolution to reemploy retired anatomy & physiology teacher Kelly Partridge after a special hearing; administrators said experienced A&P instructors are difficult to find and the district views Partridge’s return as beneficial to student instruction. The board also approved a related release and waiver agreement tied to that action.
The board adopted the district’s cybersecurity plan (the plan is restricted from public posting for safety) and approved a data‑sharing agreement with the Ohio Department of Higher Education to support student application processes.
Financial business included acceptance of the May financial report (Treasurer Espy reported ending cash and expenditures near forecast), approval of final FY26 and permanent FY27 appropriations (with a roughly $50,000 contingency), acceptance of donations including a large gift from the Loveland Schools Foundation for an outdoor classroom project, and approval of vendor contracts including a three‑year services agreement and a five‑year copier lease. The board also approved the district’s insurance plan for FY27 after hearing that recent market volatility had stabilized.
All motions cited on the agenda were approved by roll call votes; the board recorded unanimous "yes" tallies for the items presented.
Votes at a glance: • Agenda approval — outcome: approved (unanimous roll call) • Minutes (June 9) — approved (unanimous) • Academic calendar 2027–28 — approved (unanimous) • Waiver of first reading and approval of policies (kindergarten entrance, AI policy EDEC/JEB) — approved (unanimous) • Reemploy retired teacher (Kelly Partridge) and release/waiver — approved (unanimous) • Adopt cybersecurity plan — approved (unanimous) • Ohio Department of Education/Higher Education data sharing agreement — approved (unanimous) • HR employment recommendations (resignations/hiring for 2025–26 & 2026–27) — approved (unanimous) • Accept May financial reports — approved (unanimous) • Accept donations, including outdoor classroom gift — approved (unanimous) • Approve final FY26 & permanent FY27 appropriations — approved (unanimous) • Vendor contracts and FY27 insurance — approved (unanimous) • Legal conflict waiver for TIF counsel — approved (unanimous)
The board adjourned after completing the agenda.
