East Holmes board names officers, approves budget and policies

East Holmes Local Schools completed its organizational and regular January meetings on Jan. 9, electing Bryan Coblentz as board president and Steve Miller as vice president for 2026 and approving a suite of financial, policy, and personnel actions that will shape the district’s operations through the year.

At the top of the agenda was the annual tax budget hearing and the adoption of organizational resolutions intended to keep district business running smoothly. The board set its regular meeting schedule for the third Friday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at the Central Office and approved a $75,000 blanket purchase order limit to streamline routine procurement. To manage cash flow and short-term needs the treasurer was authorized to request advance draws on tax settlements and to invest interim funds.

Financial housekeeping included establishing a service fund, capped at $7,500 under Ohio Revised Code 3315.15, to cover board member expenses and setting board member compensation at $125 per meeting, up to a maximum of 12 meetings annually. The board also authorized the treasurer to attend Sunshine Laws training, a step toward strengthening transparency and public records compliance.

Legal and organizational affiliations were reaffirmed with appointments of Peters Kalail & Markakis Co. and Critchfield Law Firm as legal counsel and approval of membership in the Ohio Schools Council. The 2026 board policy book was adopted, and The Bargain Hunter was designated the district’s official newspaper for legal notices and public communications.

Personnel and program decisions addressed classroom staffing and compliance responsibilities. The board named compliance coordinators for Title IX, ADA, Section 504 and Title I/II functions, a move with direct implications for student access, equity, and protections for students with disabilities and those eligible for federal programs. Substitute personnel and supplemental coaching positions for the 2025–26 school year were approved. The board also authorized the superintendent to employ temporary personnel and to accept resignations as needed, and it approved Calendar Draft No. 1 for the 2026–27 school year planning.

The meeting included an executive session with consultant Morgan and the school resource officer; the board adjourned after completing its business.

These actions matter to Holmes County families because they set the rules for how the district spends local tax dollars, fills classrooms, and enforces civil rights and safety protections at school. Our two cents? If you want a say in how those decisions land in your child’s classroom, make time to attend the monthly Central Office meetings or contact the district office—being at the table keeps the lights on for both fiscal accountability and student equity.