Lakota Local School District (Butler County) public meetings in 2024

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Board of Education is meeting to discuss and vote on several items, including healthcare coverage effective January 1, 2025, personnel approvals, field trips, and donations. The board will also review first readings of multiple board policies and enter executive session for personnel and security matters.

• Healthcare coverage beginning January 1, 2025 (Item 7A)
• Approval of personnel items and athletic service fee schedule (Item 9A)
• Approval of field trip for Lakota East OMEA PD Conference in Cleveland, OH (Item 9B)
• Acceptance of donations (Item 9C)
• First readings of numerous board policies (Item 5D)

Emergency Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Local School District Board of Education held an emergency meeting to approve a separation agreement for employee R. Burnside. The board also entered executive session to discuss employment of a public employee or official. All actions were approved unanimously.

• Approval of Separation Agreement for R. Burnside
• Executive session to consider employment of a public employee or official
• Emergency meeting held on November 22, 2024

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Board of Education is reviewing the November five-year forecast and a presentation on Value Added curriculum. Action items include approving personnel, field trips, and potential changes to the 2025-2026 Program of Study.

• Five-Year Forecast Presentation
• Value Added Presentation - Curriculum and Instruction
• Approval of October 2024 Monthly Financial Reports
• 2025-2026 Program of Study changes
• ThoughtExchange Contract

Special Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Board of Education is holding a special meeting and retreat to discuss and set 2024-2025 goals, evaluate the superintendent and treasurer, revisit board norms, and consider master facilities topics including an owner's rep/construction manager, bussing, and a configuration engagement plan. The board will also discuss policy items such as cell phone use (with survey and research) and therapy dogs.

• Discussion of 2024-2025 goals for the superintendent and treasurer
• Evaluations of superintendent and treasurer
• Master facilities items: owner's rep/construction manager, bussing, and configuration engagement plan
• Cell phone policy discussion with survey and research attachments
• Therapy dogs policy discussion with multiple reference documents

Special Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Local School District Board of Education will hold a special meeting to enter an executive session to discuss the employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official. The meeting includes routine procedural items such as approving the agenda and adjournment.

• Executive session under Ohio Rev. Code 121.22(G)(1) to consider personnel matters

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Board of Education voted to terminate employee Eileen Washburn based on a referee's report. The board also approved a resolution supporting the Millikin TIF expansion with Liberty Township, and received an update on the five-year forecast. Other actions included approval of a depository agreement with First Financial Bank and selection of EyeMed as self-funded vision care provider.

• Termination of Eileen Washburn's contract effective immediately
• Approval of Millikin TIF expansion resolution with Liberty Township
• Review of draft November five-year forecast
• Depository agreement with First Financial Bank for 2025-2029
• Approval of EyeMed as self-funded vision care provider for 2025-2028

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The board approved several action items: personnel changes, an extension of the Maple Knoll radio simulcast agreement, and an $8,000 transportation operations review plus a separate routing study with OSBA. Informational items included an enrollment update, master facilities update, report card presentation, and an instructional framework spotlight.

• Approved OSBA Transportation Operations Review ($8,000) and Routing Study
• Extended Maple Knoll (WMKV) radio agreement with $5,000 annual contribution
• Approved personnel items and donations
• Approved field trip for Cyber East and Memorandum of Understanding
• Heard report card presentation and enrollment update

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The board voted 3-2 to approve a settlement agreement (7.A) and unanimously approved the permanent appropriations for fiscal year 2025. They also received an enrollment update with a facilities timeline discussion, approved personnel items, a transportation impractical resolution, and various donations. An executive session was held for personnel and compliance matters.

• Approval of settlement agreement (7.A) with a 3-2 vote
• Approval of permanent appropriations for FY2025 (8.D)
• Enrollment update with facilities timeline discussion (5.A)
• Approval of personnel items (9.A)
• Approval of resolution for transportation impractical (9.C)

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Board of Education will vote on several action items including a contract for an Engage Premium upgrade, personnel changes, field trips, transportation routes, and donations. The board will also hear updates from the superintendent and treasurer and consider second reading of multiple board policies.

• Second reading and approval of 8 draft board policies and rescission of one policy (details in attached PDFs)
• Approval of Engage Premium upgrade contract (no dollar amount specified)
• Approval of personnel items (list attached in PDF)
• Approval of Washington DC Leadership Academy field trip
• Approval of transportation routes for 2024-25 school year

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Board of Education approved collective bargaining agreement addendums with the Lakota Education Association and the Lakota School Support Association, with one board member voting nay. The board also approved personnel items, donations, monthly financial reports, and invoices. Routine actions included approving prior meeting minutes and appointing a board member to committees. An executive session was held for personnel, negotiations, legal matters, and security.

• Approved collective bargaining addendums with the Lakota Education Association and Lakota School Support Association (passed 4-1)
• Approved personnel items (hires, transfers, etc.) as listed in attached file
• Approved donations as listed in attached file
• Approved monthly financial reports for July 2024
• Policy committee first reads on multiple draft policies (DRAFT 1000, 3000, 4000, etc.) and rescission of PO 5223

The Board approved addendums to collective bargaining agreements with the Lakota Education Association and the Lakota School Support Association. Other actions included personnel approvals and committee appointments.

• Approved collective bargaining agreement addendums with Lakota Education Association and Lakota School Support Association (4-1)
• Appointed Mrs. French to the Business Advisory Committee and Policy Committee (5-0)
• Approved personnel items (5-0)
• Approved donations (4-0, 1 abstain)
• Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
• Approved board minutes (5-0)

Special Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Local School District Board of Education held a special meeting and immediately entered a retreat. The retreat covered team-building, the 2024-2025 district goals, superintendent and treasurer evaluations, a listening and learning timeline, and topics such as school fees and conference attendance. No votes were taken on these discussion items; the only actions were approving the agenda and adjourning.

• Discussion of 2024-2025 district goals
• Superintendent and treasurer evaluations (policy documents attached)
• Listening and Learning Timeline for community input
• Discussion of school fees
• Board retreat purpose and team-building activity

Special Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Local School District Board of Education is holding a special meeting that consists entirely of a board retreat led by a facilitator. Discussions will cover team building, board roles and responsibilities, operational norms, communication protocols, committees, district culture, and confidentiality. No votes on policy or contracts are scheduled; the meeting is informational and procedural.

• Facilitator-led presentation on board retreat topics
• Discussion of operational norms, board meeting agendas, and roles
• Review of communication methods and media protocols
• Team-building activity and reflection on lessons learned
• Discussion of district culture and the 'Togetherness Index'

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Board of Education is deciding on several employee benefit contracts and personnel items. The meeting also includes reviews of monthly financial reports and approvals for student field trips.

• 40 month contract with Sunlife for dental insurance
• Aflac supplemental benefits and group life insurance starting January 1, 2025
• Contracts with Cancer Expert Now, Samaritan Fund, and Flores COBRA/FMLA administration
• Field trips for Hopewell Jr. to Washington, DC and LWHS Boys Basketball to Tampa, FL
• Resolution declaring transportation impractical for the 2024-25 school year

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Local School District Board of Education is meeting to approve a bridge contract for Dr. Ashley Whitely as Superintendent for July 2024. The board is also deciding on fiscal year appropriations, student fees, and school resource officer contracts.

• Bridge contract for Dr. Ashley Whitely as Superintendent (July 1, 2024 – July 31, 2024)
• Proposed lunch price increases of $0.50 for ECC/Elementary and $0.25 for Junior High/High School
• SRO contracts and MOUs with Butler County Sheriff's Office and West Chester Township
• Adoption of FY2024 Final Appropriations and FY2025 Temporary Appropriations
• Approval of 2024-25 school fees and Sun Life Dental Claims Administrative Services contract

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Board of Education approved a reduction in force resolution and the district's five-year forecast at its May 20 regular meeting. The board also entered two executive sessions to discuss personnel and collective bargaining. All action items on the agenda were approved unanimously.

• Reduction in force resolution approved
• Five-year forecast for the district approved
• Fund 035 established under ORC 5705.13(B)
• 5-year NWEA MAP assessment agreement approved
• School Smiles Oral Health Program approved

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Board of Education will hold a regular meeting with a board listening session first. Action items include approving 14 second-read board policies, personnel items, field trips, donations, and prior meeting minutes. The board will also receive reports on special education, committee updates, and a school spotlight.

• 2nd Read - Board Policies: approval of 14 policies including PO 0100, PO 2623, PO 3140, and others
• Approve Personnel Items: unspecified personnel actions (file attached)
• Approve Field Trips: e.g., Lakota East HOSA International Leadership Conference in Houston, TX
• Approve Donations: list of donations (file attached)
• Superintendent Report on Special Education (file attached)

Special Board Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Board of Education held a special meeting to consider employment matters. The board approved a superintendent contract and a consulting contract for Dr. Ashley Whitely, effective through July 31, 2029 and July 31, 2024 respectively. An executive session was held to discuss the employment of a public employee.

• Approved Superintendent Contract for Dr. Ashley Whitely (expires 7/31/2029)
• Approved Consulting Contract for Dr. Ashley Whitely (expires 7/31/2024)
• Entered executive session to consider employment of a public employee
• Amended agenda to add the superintendent and consulting contracts
• Board voted 4-1 to approve superintendent contract (Isaac Adi opposed)

The Board approved a Superintendent Contract and a Consulting Contract for Dr. Ashley Whitely. The meeting included an executive session to discuss the employment of a public employee.

• Approved Superintendent Contract for Dr. Ashley Whitely (4-1)
• Approved Consulting Contract for Dr. Ashley Whitely (5-0)
• Approved entry into executive session to consider employment of a public employee (5-0)
• Approved meeting agenda (5-0)

Special Board Meeting Agenda

This special board meeting agenda consists primarily of procedural items. The board will vote on the agenda, then enter two executive sessions to consider the employment of a public employee, with possible board action to follow, before adjourning.

• Approval of the agenda
• Executive session (1) to consider the employment of a public employee (Ohio Rev. Code 121.22(G)(1)) and possible board action
• Executive session (2) to consider the employment of a public employee (Ohio Rev. Code 121.22(G)(1)) and possible board action
• Motion to adjourn

Special Board Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Local School District Board of Education held a special meeting with two executive sessions to consider the employment of a public employee under Ohio Rev. Code 121.22(G)(1), with possible action to follow. The agenda also included approval of the agenda and adjournment. All items were approved unanimously by the board members present.

• Executive session to consider employment of a public employee (Ohio Rev. Code 121.22(G)(1)) — first session
• Executive session to consider employment of a public employee (Ohio Rev. Code 121.22(G)(1)) — second session
• Possible board action after each executive session

Special Board Meeting Agenda

This special meeting of the Lakota Local School District Board of Education was mostly procedural, including approval of the agenda and adjournment. The sole substantive action was entering an executive session to consider the employment of a public employee, as permitted under Ohio law.

• Entered executive session to consider employment of a public employee (Ohio Rev. Code 121.22(G)(1))

Special Board Meeting Agenda

This special board meeting consisted of procedural actions only: approving the agenda, entering an executive session to discuss the employment of a public employee under Ohio Rev. Code 121.22(G)(1), and adjourning. No other business or decisions were made public.

• Approved the agenda unanimously.
• Entered executive session to consider the employment of a public employee (Ohio Rev. Code 121.22(G)(1)).
• Adjourned the meeting.

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Board of Education approved a resolution to join the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission's Expedited Local Partnership Program, signaling intent to pursue a ballot issue or local resources for facility improvements by November 2025. The board also approved a $5/day increase for substitute teachers (to $130), new ELA and math curricula, and a transportation impracticability declaration. Discussions included the 2025-2026 school calendar draft and five-year financial forecast.

• Approved resolution to participate in OFCC Expedited Local Partnership Program for master facilities plan
• Substitute teacher pay raised from $125 to $130 per day starting 2024-2025
• Approved adoption of new ELA and math curriculum materials
• Approved resolution declaring transportation impractical for remainder of 2023-2024 school year
• First read of 2025-2026 school calendar and five-year forecast discussion

Special Board Meeting Agenda

This special board meeting includes approval of the agenda, an executive session to consider the employment of a public employee, and adjournment. The executive session is the only substantive item on the agenda.

• Executive session to consider employment of a public employee (Ohio Rev. Code 121.22(G)(1))

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The board approved a resolution to consider the termination of employee Eileen Washburn and suspend her without pay and benefits. Other actions included approving a $731,200 base bid for pavement rehabilitation, multiple MOUs, personnel items, and donations.

• Approved resolution to consider termination of Eileen Washburn
• Approved $731,200 base bid and $17,700 alternate for district-wide pavement rehabilitation
• Approved MOU with Butler County Family and Children First Council for Vaping Prevention Workgroup
• Approved MOU with Southwest Council of Government for substitute teacher services
• Approved expense from Fiscal Stabilization Fund (amount not specified)

Special Board Meeting Agenda

The board held a special meeting to review the appointment process, enter executive session to consider candidates and prepare for employee negotiations, and then vote unanimously to appoint Christina French to fill a vacancy. She was subsequently sworn in. The meeting also included approval of the agenda and adjournment.

• Appointed Christina French to fill the Board of Education vacancy (motion approved 4-0, all yea)
• Entered executive session to consider the appointment and to prepare for public-employee negotiations (Ohio Rev. Code 121.22(G)(1) and (4))
• Reviewed the appointment process per Ohio Rev. Code 3313.11
• Approved the agenda and adjourned the special meeting

The Board of Education met to fill a vacancy on the board. The board approved the appointment of Christina French to the Board of Education.

• Approved meeting agenda (4-0)
• Approved entering executive session to discuss board appointment and employee negotiations (4-0)
• Appointed Christina French to fill the Board of Education vacancy (4-0)
• Approved adjournment (4-0)

Special Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Local School District Board of Education is voting on a resolution to declare a vacancy on the board, citing member Darbi Boddy's absence from meetings for 90 days. The board deems the reasons for absence—a Civil Stalking Protection Order—as insufficient under Ohio Revised Code § 3313.11. The board will then appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy at a subsequent meeting.

• Resolution declaring vacancy due to Darbi Boddy's 90-day absence (Nov 20, 2023 – Feb 18, 2024)
• Reasons for absence deemed insufficient because of a Civil Stalking Protection Order from Court of Common Pleas
• Motion approved by four members (Kelley Casper, Douglas Horton, Julie Shaffer) with one abstention (Isaac Adi)
• Board will determine how to appoint a replacement and fill vacancy at next regular or special meeting
• Special meeting held at Lakota East Freshman School, 7630 Bethany Road, Liberty Township

The Board of Education declared a vacancy on the board following the 90-day absence of member Darbi Boddy. The board determined the reasons for the absence were insufficient under Ohio Revised Code § 3313.11.

• Approved resolution declaring a vacancy in Darbi Boddy's board seat (3-0, 1 abstain)
• Approved meeting agenda (4-0)

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Board of Education is meeting to handle routine administrative business. Items include adopting a resolution for tax levies, approving personnel changes, and approving a memorandum of understanding with the Lakota Education Association for supplemental pay. The board also plans to convene executive sessions for employee and property matters.

• Adopt Resolution Accepting Amounts and Rates for Tax Levies and Certifying to County Auditor
• Approve Memorandum of Understanding between Lakota and Lakota Education Association – Supplementals
• Approve an invoice for payment (Then and Now) per Board policy 6320
• Approve field trips for LWHS Marching Band to Johnson City, TN and St. Louis, MO
• Approve donations

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Lakota Board of Education approved a resolution to rank design firms for facilities master planning and authorized a contract with Finding Leaders. The board also approved personnel actions, multiple student field trips, and donations. Routine items included approval of minutes, financial reports, and an executive session for personnel matters.

• Approved resolution to rank design firms for Facilities Master Planning
• Approved Finding Leaders contract (amount not specified)
• Approved personnel items (details in attached file)
• Approved field trips: Ridge Jr. to Washington DC, LEHS Baseball to Nashville, LEHS Eastside Voices to Honolulu, and others
• Approved donations (list attached)

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The board voted to approve multiple action items, including monthly financial reports, personnel changes, a course of study, contracts for curriculum inventory and workers' compensation, an amendment to the school resource officer agreement, and donations. Two executive sessions were held to discuss employee matters and legal disputes.

• Approval of monthly financial reports for December 2023
• Approve personnel items (list attached)
• Approve course of study
• Contracts for curriculum materials inventory system and excess premium workers compensation
• Approval of Lakota SRO Amendment for 2023-2024

Organizational Meeting Agenda

The Board of Education held its organizational meeting to elect officers for 2024, approve various memberships and subscriptions totaling over $10,000, and establish a $20,000 Board Service Fund. Members also appointed liaisons to committees, set meeting dates for the year, and authorized the superintendent to handle resignations and hiring between meetings.

• Elected Isaac Adi as Board President and Kelley Casper as Vice President
• Approved Ohio School Boards Association membership at $8,735
• Established Board Service Fund of $20,000 for member expenses
• Approved Legal Assistance Fund at $250 and OEPI membership at $1,500
• Authorized superintendent to accept resignations and make employment offers between meetings