Board approves April finances, accepts donations and bans unauthorized ransomware payments

The Claymont City Schools Board of Education on May 11 approved routine financial measures, accepted local donations and adopted a formal prohibition on unauthorized ransomware payments.

On the Treasurer's recommendation the board approved the April financial report, payment of bills and mid‑year appropriations amendments. The board also approved a $2,300 renewal with MinuteMen HR for workers'‑comp services in the 2027 Group Retrospective Rating Program and accepted donations for a high‑school digital sign: $5,000 from the Tusky VFW and $100 from the Dennison Rotary. "ACCEPT the $5,000 donation from the Tusky VFW for the Claymont High School Digital Board," the agenda states.

The board adopted a resolution that, as written in the agenda, prohibits unauthorized ransomware payments and says no district employee, officer or agent "shall authorize, negotiate, or make any ransomware payment or otherwise comply with a ransom demand unless expressly approved by formal resolution of the Board of Education in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 9.64." The resolution was considered part of the Treasurer's items and approved on roll call. The motion to approve the Treasurer's package was made by Mrs. Host and seconded by Mrs. Grandison; the roll call vote was recorded as Mrs. Host, yes; Mrs. Grandison, yes; Ms. Campbell, yes; Mr. Peters, yes; Mrs. Wolf, yes.

Board members and administrators framed the action as routine business to maintain operations and protect district finances; the resolution formalizes that any ransomware payment must be expressly approved by the board and cites the state code identified in the agenda. The approval clears these items for implementation and places the district's financial and cybersecurity posture on record.