Worthington City School District public meetings in 2023
28 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Regular Meeting
The Worthington City Schools Board of Education held a regular meeting on December 11, 2023, approving routine financial items, personnel changes, and donations. The board also recognized outgoing members Amy Lloyd and Charlie Wilson and appointed a president pro tempore for the January 2024 organizational meeting.
- Approved $312,814 transfer from General Fund to Debt Service Fund for debt payments
- Approved establishment of Thomas Worthington E Sports Club with new activity fund
- Accepted donations totaling over $38,000 from various groups including $16,909.80 from Worthington Cardinal Rebounders Club
- Approved employment of classified staff including a Special Ed Preschool Assistant at $28.00/hr and a Custodian at $24.51/hr
- Approved resignations of a custodian and a bus driver
Regular Meeting
The Worthington Board of Education held a regular meeting on November 27, 2023, where it approved a $6,031,000 general fund appropriation modification to align with the updated five-year forecast, and also approved the five-year forecast itself. The board recognized the Thomas Worthington Field Hockey Team for winning the 2023 State Championship. The meeting included routine personnel actions, including resignations, leaves, and new hires.
- Approved $6,031,000 general fund appropriation modification, including $6,950,000 for capital outlay and $895,150 for purchased services
- Approved $366,000 for Permanent Improvement Fund to advance next year/use reserve for local EV bus purchase
- Approved $747,072 for two AEP bus grants (3 total buses) in Other Local Grants Fund
- Approved $475,371 additional federal grant allocation for Emergency Connectivity Grant Fund
- Recognized 2023 Thomas Worthington Field Hockey Team for winning State Championship
Regular Meeting
The Worthington City Schools Board of Education is holding its regular meeting, where it will recognize National Merit semifinalists, hear public comments, and receive a presentation on the district's One Plan. The board will also vote on a consent agenda covering personnel actions, including resignations, leaves, and employment. The meeting includes standard procedural items and reports from the superintendent and treasurer.
- Resignation of Wilson Hill Elementary Principal Jonathan Addy, effective 11/12/2023
- Employment of Jonathan Addy as teacher at $74,288.16 salary for 122 days
- Employment of 5 classified staff including bus drivers and food service associates, hourly rates $17.65-$25.31
- Performance contracts: $700 for TWHS eSports Advisor, $450 for WKHS Interact Club Advisor
- Stipends for DEI Building Champions ($35/hr up to 30 hrs) and summer IEP/ETR participation
Regular Meeting
The Worthington Board of Education will hear an update on the Master Facilities Plan Phase 3, which involves elementary school renovation or rebuild, and receive a second reading of NEOLA policy updates. The board will also act on routine personnel items, including resignations, new hires, and performance contracts, and accept donations.
- Master Facilities Plan Phase 3 elementary school renovation/rebuild update
- Second reading of NEOLA policy updates
- Resignations: Evelyn Henry (Grade 5 Teacher, Wilson Hill Elementary), Patricia Bernath, Beth Hartshorn, John E. King, Nancy Rupp, Melissa Shearer
- New hires: Judith Kirkbride ($350/day psychologist), Carolyn Hall ($250/day speech pathologist), Charles Kocel ($25.31/hr bus driver), Wendy Pruden ($17.65/hr food service), Jack Rothe Jr ($22.47/hr custodian), Tsigab Tsaeru ($27.17/hr bus driver)
- Donations totaling $5,256.85 from CME Federal Credit Union, Columbus Section American Chemical Society, Hughes/Brown Family, Dave and Debra Pound, Coats 4 Children, Ohio State Council Knights of Columbus, Weichert Realtor/Triumph Group/Team Waterwash, Civil Air Patrol
Regular Meeting
The Worthington Board of Education met on October 9, 2023, and approved routine items including minutes, personnel changes, and recognitions. The board postponed a decision on all-day kindergarten tuition rates for 2024-2025 until the November 15 meeting. They also heard a first reading of NEOLA policy updates and recognized students and staff for the Undesign the Redline project.
- Postponed all-day kindergarten tuition rates for 2024-2025 (full rate $345/month, reduced $172.50/month) to Nov. 15, 2023
- Recognized students and staff for Undesign the Redline project, an exhibit on redlining history at Old Worthington Library
- Approved personnel consent agenda including resignations, leaves, and new hires (e.g., custodian at $25.08/hr, health office assistant at $28.19/hr)
- First reading of NEOLA policy updates (Vol. 42 No. 1, August 2023)
- Approved minutes from Sept. 18, 22, and 27 meetings
POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING
The Worthington City Schools Policy Committee is meeting to discuss a NEOLA Special Release on Ohio Auditor guidance for levies and bonds, and to review a series of board policy updates from Vol. 42, No. 1 (August 2023), including revisions on conflict of interest, immunization, and transportation. The committee will also consider approving minutes from previous meetings. No final decisions are expected; this is a discussion and review session.
- Review of NEOLA Special Release on Ohio Auditor guidance for levies and bonds
- Policy updates: conflict of interest, third grade reading guarantee, immunization, medications, naloxone, seizure disorders, FLSA, facility security, volunteers, school calendar, student records, transportation, public attendance, district support organizations, equivalent education
- New policy on care of students with active seizure disorders (po5337)
- New policy on board of revision complaints and countercomplaints (po6240)
- Approval of minutes from April 27, 2023 and May 1, 2023 meetings
Regular Meeting
The Worthington City Schools Board of Education held a regular meeting on September 27, 2023, approving routine financial items, personnel actions, and new business. The board approved 2024 health, dental, vision, and life insurance premiums with no change from 2023, and accepted several resignations and new hires. The meeting also included recognition of a teacher and public comment.
- Approved 2024 insurance premiums: medical individual $806.71/month, family $2,170.94/month; dental $99.51; vision $4.69 individual/$11.97 family; life $0.10/$1,000
- Approved appropriation modifications: $14,000 increase in equipment, $14,799 decrease in supplies, $799 increase in purchased services
- Accepted resignations: Sonja Dendinger (Intervention Specialist, Granby Elementary, retirement), Teresa Appleton (Cook Manager, Food Service-WEC), Megan Butler (Special Ed Assistant, Sutter Park), Zac Ratliff (Custodian)
- Employed Shannon Cook as Theater Teacher at TWHS at $67,379 salary, 1.0 FTE
- Approved classified hires including bus drivers, special ed assistants, and substitutes with hourly rates from $13.24 to $27.42
Emergency Meeting
The Worthington City Schools Board of Education held an emergency meeting on September 22, 2023. The board voted unanimously to enter executive session to discuss security matters, then adjourned without any other public business.
- Entered executive session to discuss security matters
- Motion passed unanimously by all five board members
Special Meeting - Work Session
The Worthington City Schools Board of Education held a special work session to discuss general governance procedures, including board presentations, committee assignments, staffing, long-term planning, and onboarding of new board members, as well as continued discussion of a board handbook. The meeting was primarily informational, with no major decisions or public hearings on the agenda.
- Discussion of general governance procedures and board handbook
- Board committee assignments and staffing
- Long-term planning and onboarding of new board members
Regular Meeting
The Worthington Board of Education is meeting to approve routine financial items, personnel actions, and new business items. The board will vote on accepting donations, confirming impractical busing for certain schools, and allowing specific seniors to remain in the district.
- Approve appropriation modifications shifting $18,204.01 from purchased services to supplies in the General Fund
- Accept donations totaling $4,205, including $1,000 for the Sarah G Forster Scholarship and $1,430 for Kilbourne Middle School Band
- Approve resignations of Justin Nawman (English Teacher/TWHS) and Elizabeth Denton (Health Office Assistant/Wilson Hill Elem.)
- Employ Maisha Harding as Bus Driver at $25.31/hr and Angela Hoffman as Intervention Asst. at $25.32/hr
- Approve resolutions declaring impractical busing for newly enrolled students to St. Andrew's and Bishop Watterson schools
Regular Meeting
The Worthington City Schools Board of Education held a regular meeting on August 28, 2023, approving routine financial items, personnel actions, and new business. The board approved the establishment of the TWHS Cardettes Dance Team as a new student organization with an activity fund, accepted multiple donations totaling over $53,000, and passed resolutions regarding busing and bus procurement.
- Approved new student organization TWHS Cardettes Dance Team with activity fund
- Accepted donations totaling $53,254.97 from PTAs, boosters, and clubs
- Approved appropriation modification shifting $5,550 from supplies to purchased services
- Approved personnel changes including resignations, new hires, and supplemental contracts
- Authorized $300 stipends for staff completing dyslexia professional development
Regular Meeting
The Worthington City Schools Board of Education held a regular meeting on August 14, 2023, approving routine financial items, personnel changes, and donations. The board also recognized two coaches for life-saving aid and reviewed Title I policies. All actions were approved unanimously.
- Approved appropriation modifications with $6,950 increase in purchased services and $6,562 decrease in supplies
- Approved employment of Kristin Fago as Grade 1 teacher at Slate Hill Elementary, salary $50,373
- Approved employment of 8 classified staff and 1 substitute, with hourly rates from $15.88 to $28.74
- Accepted resignations of 7 classified staff, effective July-August 2023
- Recognized coaches Jon Sprunger and Patrick Fagan for life-saving aid to a student
Special Meeting - Work Session CANCELLED
This special work session of the Worthington City Schools Board of Education was cancelled. The agenda, had it occurred, would have included discussion of general governance procedures and a board handbook, plus a possible executive session on personnel matters.
- Meeting cancelled
- Discussion of general governance and board handbook
- Possible executive session on employee matters
Regular Meeting
The Worthington Board of Education held a regular meeting on July 24, 2023, approving routine financial items, a personnel consent agenda, donations, impractical busing resolutions, and membership in a school funding coalition. The meeting included public comment and reports from the superintendent and treasurer.
- Approved $21,406 membership in The Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding
- Accepted $2,100 donation from Evening Street PTA and $650 from McKirnan 5th Grade Class for staff lounge remodel
- Approved impractical busing resolutions for 13 schools including St. Charles, St. Francis DeSales, and Columbus School for Girls
- Approved employment of Kimberly Campbell as Intervention Specialist at Slate Hill Elementary at $55,113 salary
- Approved stipends for English proficiency assessment and third grade reading tutoring
Regular Meeting
The Worthington City Schools Board of Education held a regular meeting on July 10, 2023, primarily acting on a consent agenda of personnel items. The board approved several resignations, new employments, and a contract adjustment, all bundled into a single motion. The meeting also included public comment and a calendar of upcoming meetings.
- Approved resignation of Amanda Pride, Intervention Specialist at Slate Hill Elementary, effective 07/31/2023
- Approved resignation of Margaret Hagerman, Special Ed Asst. at Wilson Hill Elem., effective 08/10/2023
- Employed Lauren Hansel as Spanish Teacher at WKHS, salary $83,760.00, effective 08/14/2023
- Employed 12 classified staff and 3 bus driver trainees, with hourly rates from $22.78 to $31.30
- Adjusted contract for Lynn Savage, Food Service Support Spec., increasing days from 204 to 216
Annual Records Commission Meeting
The Worthington City Schools Annual Records Commission is meeting to review and approve changes to the records retention schedule. No applications for one-time disposal of obsolete records are on the agenda. The commission will consider extending retention periods for certain student-related records to six years after graduation.
- No applications for one-time disposal of obsolete records
- Proposed retention change: ETR Reports - 6 years after student graduates or would have normally graduated
- Proposed retention change: 504/ADA Plan - 6 years after student graduates or would have normally graduated
- Proposed retention change: Home Instruction Records - 6 years after student graduates or would have normally graduated
Special Meeting - Work Session
The Worthington City Schools Board of Education held a special work session on June 16, 2023. The board approved the agenda, entered executive session to discuss personnel matters, and continued discussions on a board handbook and general governance procedures.
- Approved agenda without executive session
- Entered executive session for personnel discussions
- Continued discussion on creating a Board handbook
- Discussed general governance procedures
Regular Meeting
The Worthington City Schools Board of Education is holding a regular meeting with routine business, including a first reading of the proposed 2024-2025 school calendar, approval of appropriation modifications, and a large personnel consent agenda covering resignations, new hires, and summer program staffing. The board also approved the meeting agenda and routine financial items.
- First reading of 2024-2025 school calendar (Option B)
- Appropriation modifications: $110,754.11 increase in purchased services, $135,008.59 decrease in supplies
- Approved 8 certified teacher hires with salaries ranging from $25,942 to $81,594
- Approved 3 classified hires (mechanic, food service manager, custodian) with hourly rates from $21.03 to $29.47
- Approved 2-day unpaid disciplinary suspension for Principal Jay Addy of Wilson Hill Elementary
Regular Meeting
The Worthington City Schools Board of Education held a regular meeting, approving the updated five-year forecast and routine financial items, including appropriation modifications that reduce the general fund by $1.29 million. The board also recognized students for science fair achievements and the WorBots robotics team, and approved personnel actions including resignations and new hires. The meeting included a presentation on the five-year forecast and a second reading of policy updates.
- Approved updated Five Year Forecast
- Appropriation modifications: General Fund reduced by $1,290,000.00
- Bond Retirement Fund increased by $2,079,923.09
- Employment: Nathan Thornhill as Assistant Principal at TWHS, salary $104,201.00
- Resignations: Tara Bogo (Reading Teacher), Alyssa Craft (Social Studies Teacher), Kellie Ehlers (Reading Teacher, retirement), Rachel Rayborn (Math Teacher), Anna Roth (Math Teacher)
Special Meeting - Work Session
The Worthington City School District Board of Education held a special work session on May 12, 2023. The board approved the agenda, appointed a treasurer pro tempore, and entered executive session to discuss employee negotiations. They also discussed a board handbook and general governance procedures.
- Appointed Vice-President Nikki Hudson as treasurer pro tempore
- Entered executive session for public employee negotiations
- Discussed creation of a Board handbook
- Discussed general governance procedures including committee assignments and long-term planning
POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING
The Worthington City School District Policy Committee is meeting to finish reviewing a set of Board Policy updates from NEOLA, focusing on technology-related policies such as technology use, privacy, web accessibility, and information security. The committee will also approve the minutes from its March 31, 2023 meeting. The agenda is largely procedural, with the main substantive item being the policy review discussion.
- Review of NEOLA Vol. 41, No. 2 (January 2023) policy updates, including po7540 (Technology), po7540.01 (Technology Privacy), po7540.02 (Web Accessibility), po7540.03 (Student Technology Acceptable Use), po7540.04 (Staff Technology Acceptable Use), po8300 (Continuity of Operations), po8305 (Information Security), po8315 (Information Management), and po9700.01 (Advertising and Commercial Activities)
- Approval of minutes from the March 31, 2023 Policy Committee meeting
Regular Meeting
The Worthington Board of Education held a regular meeting on April 10, 2023, approving routine financial items, appropriation modifications, and resolutions to restate two 457 deferred compensation plans. The board also approved a consent agenda covering resignations, leaves, and employment of administrative, certified, and classified personnel, including a new Director of Secondary Education and multiple teaching hires.
- Approved restatement of OASBO 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
- Approved restatement of VALIC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
- Approved appropriation modifications: $20,000 increase in Equipment, $18,125 decrease in Supplies, $1,875 decrease in Purchased Services
- Accepted resignation of Principal Alexandra Seiling (Worthington Hills Elementary) effective 05/31/2023
- Employed Emilie Greenwald as Director of Secondary Education at $140,482.00 effective 08/01/2023
POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING
The Worthington City School District Policy Committee will review a series of board policy updates from NEOLA, covering topics such as graduation requirements, student discipline, technology use, and health services. The committee will also approve the minutes from its January 23, 2023 meeting. This is a discussion and action meeting, with no public hearings or financial decisions on the agenda.
- Review of NEOLA Vol. 41, No. 2 policy updates, including revised graduation requirements (po5460) and student discipline (po5610)
- Rescission of volunteer policies (po3120.09, po4120.09) and replacement (po8120)
- Revised technology policies including privacy (po7540.01) and acceptable use (po7540.03, po7540.04)
- Revised school safety (po8400) and emergency situations (po8420) policies
- Approval of January 23, 2023 meeting minutes
Regular Meeting
The Worthington City School District Board of Education held a regular meeting, approving routine financial items, personnel consent agenda items, and recognizing staff. The board also received an update on the English Learners curriculum and heard public comments.
- Approved appropriation modifications, including a $12,339 decrease in purchased services and a $6,489 increase in equipment
- Accepted resignations of five certified staff and three classified staff, including teachers and a bus driver
- Employed nine certified staff, with salaries ranging from $48,787 to $89,144, and four classified staff, including bus drivers and a bilingual assistant
- Approved contract adjustment for Amy Hunter from 0.7 to 1.0 FTE, salary increase to $100,555
- Recognized bus driver Al Riggs and intervention specialist Jamie Davis
Regular Meeting
The Worthington School District Board of Education is holding a regular meeting with a first reading of a proposed Naming Rights Policy (Policy 7250) and routine approvals of financial items and personnel actions. The board will also hear public comments and reports from the superintendent and treasurer.
- First reading of proposed Policy 7250 - Naming Rights
- Appropriations modifications: $300 increase in purchased services, $940 decrease in supplies, $640 increase in equipment
- Resignations: Patricia Dannemiller (Art Teacher, Perry Middle School), Alexander Bisca (Grade 3 Teacher, Colonial Hills Elementary), Emmalee Terpenning (Intervention Asst, Worthington Kilbourne HS), Don Williams (Bus Driver)
- New hires: Brandie Herron (Speech Language Pathologist, $53,178 salary), Megan Mummey (Math Teacher, $60,106), Maredeth Washburn (School Psychologist, $88,465), Elaine Wilson (Grade 4 Teacher, $56,047)
- Performance contracts for WKHS Spring Musical accompanists: Julie Ellis (Cello, $400) and Matthew Pilenski (Trumpet, $400)
POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING
The Worthington City School District Policy Committee is meeting to continue developing a policy and procedures framework for naming rights of school facilities. The committee will also consider approving the minutes from its January 13, 2023 meeting. This is a working session focused on policy development, not final decisions.
- Discussion on naming rights of school facilities, with reference policies from Upper Arlington, Shaker Heights, and Dublin
- Approval of minutes from January 13, 2023 Policy Committee meeting
POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING
The Worthington City School District Policy Committee is meeting to continue its discussion on creating a policy and procedures for naming rights of school facilities. The committee will also consider approving the minutes from its December 7, 2022 meeting. The agenda is otherwise procedural, with roll call and adjournment.
- Discussion on naming rights policy for school facilities, with reference policies from Upper Arlington, Shaker Heights, and Dublin
- Approval of minutes from December 7, 2022 Policy Committee meeting
Organizational/Regular Meeting
The Worthington City School District Board of Education held its organizational and regular meeting on January 9, 2023. The board elected officers, approved the 2023 meeting schedule, appointed representatives to various organizations, and approved routine financial items. The agenda was largely procedural, with no major policy decisions or public hearings.
- Elected board president and vice president by voice vote
- Approved 2023 meeting schedule (second and fourth Mondays, except December)
- Approved association memberships totaling $12,888 (OSBA $10,308, Chamber $830, OEPI $1,500, Legal Fund $250)
- Approved annual resolutions including $20,000 service fund for board travel
- Approved appropriations modifications (net $0, with $137,336 increase in supplies)