Hamilton City School Board approves personnel and finance items as superintendent previews school-year changes

Hamilton City School Board President Miss Matthews called the meeting to order and the board approved the agenda and minutes before Superintendent Miss Blevins delivered a summer update.

Miss Blevins told the board the district is “at the halfway point of this summer” and described several facility and operational changes, including moving Wilson Middle School activities to the Northwest Washington address and converting Fairwood into an early-learning center in partnership with Butler County ESC. She reminded families that “school begins on Aug. 13th and 14th” and said the enrollment center on Ross Avenue is open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for registrations.

Blevins outlined a personnel-heavy agenda. She said multiple stipends and part-time positions are on the docket, including staff for TB Hamilton and supplemental coaches contracts. She announced the resignation of principal Josh Marjoram, said a tentative press release named Jesse Funston as his replacement, and noted Scott Ahonan will return to Miami School. Blevins added that the district posted a vacancy for Wilson’s assistant principal and that the board may need a special business meeting during the upcoming retreat if an ideal candidate is found before then.

On motions, a board member moved and another seconded the approval of limited teaching contracts and other personnel items; roll-call responses recorded affirmative votes from named members and the motion was called approved by the chair. The board also approved the consent agenda and the finance agenda.

During the finance report the board recorded three items: confirming requisitions, an easement request for a small sliver of land at the corner of Northwest Washington and West Elkton needed for two roundabouts near the new Wilson building, and donations. The finance report noted “a little over $17,000” from the Amvets and $250 from the Hamilton Community Foundation for the girls’ basketball July 4 float.

The meeting opened with a ceremonial spotlight recognizing six summer-school graduates — Dominic Byrd Day, Jonah Elhard, Lincoln Holland, Xander Johnson, Damien Houston and Josefina Padilla Emerson — who received diplomas. Multiple board members offered congratulations. President Matthews closed by announcing the next meeting, a board retreat set for July 22 at 11 a.m. at 533 Dayton Street, then the board adjourned.

Votes at a glance • Approval of board agenda: moved, seconded and approved by roll call (affirmative responses recorded in the minutes). • Approval of minutes: moved, seconded and approved by roll call (affirmative responses recorded in the minutes). • Approval of limited teaching contracts / personnel items: moved, seconded and approved by roll call (affirmative responses recorded). • Approval of consent agenda: moved, seconded and approved by roll call. • Approval of finance agenda: moved, seconded and approved by roll call.

The meeting lasted through routine business; there were no public participation comments recorded.