The board approved hires and resignations including classified and licensed staff (resolution 117‑2026), membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (resolution 118‑2026), an amended transportation impracticality addendum, the Mahoning Valley Community School Governing Board Service Agreement and several donations totaling $6,146.10.
After public comment urging a post‑fair start date, the board approved the 2026‑27 school calendar following discussion about teacher contract negotiations, testing schedules and the district’s emphasis on keeping student days high rather than adopting minimums.
Treasurer presented a five‑year forecast projecting a roughly $1.5 million deficit for fiscal year 2026, warning that revenues growing at about 1.4% annually lag expenditures projected at about 2.8% and that board policy requires planning if days‑of‑cash falls below 60 days.
Trustees agreed to a full-board facilities work session on Feb. 18 at 4 p.m., decided to wait for the five‑year forecast presentation in February before major decisions, and assigned members to lead development of the district strategic plan due in 2027.
At its 2026 organizational meeting the Canfield Local School District Board elected its president and vice president, approved routine consent resolutions, adopted a school resource officer agreement with the City of Canfield, and approved a city-requested 10‑year CRA tax abatement; votes were unanimous on recorded roll calls.
Superintendent Knowles welcomed new board members, previewed district programming (including a planned ISS Q&A) and the board recognized Rotary Students of the Month across grade levels; principals highlighted individual student achievements.
Trustees approved a set of routine business items including minutes, treasurer's report, personnel hires and resignations, out-of-state field trips, district participation in OSBA, an employee-dishonesty insurance resolution, and donor submissions; most motions passed by unanimous roll call.
Students Grace Carrier, Brooklyn Lynn Baumgartner and Penelope Anderson were recognized as Rotary Students of the Month; the board also offered tributes to departing board members and retiring treasurer Patty (Miss Prince) for long service.
Trustees reported takeaways from the OSBA conference, including strategic planning and alumni engagement ideas, and several members warned that recent state property-tax bills could be "detrimental to public schools," noting the district will monitor bills sent to the governor and potential overrides.
The Canfield Local School District board unanimously adopted a district cybersecurity incident response guide, a document the superintendent said is required under House Bill 96 and must be in place before July 1, 2026. Board members discussed staff training and tabletop exercises prior to approval.
