Elementary student council presents report at Hillsboro school board meeting; numerous recognitions celebrated

The Monday, May 18 meeting of the Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education was a celebration of numerous accomplishments from the 2025-26 school year, including the work of the elementary school’s student council, graduating seniors, staff members and more.

After being invited by board president Bill Myers to assist with leading the Pledge of Allegiance, members of the Hillsboro Elementary student council gave their annual year-end recap of activities at the elementary school. 

Council members include fifth graders Lynley Bailey, Nora Basford, Payton Boysel, Kinsley Dance, Addison Fisher, Lennon Garman, River Gobin, Ellie Hannah, Harper Horne, Henley Morgan, Rylee Morris, Bexley Reno, Ruby Satterfield, J.T. Taberski, Elise Whiting and Laura Zurface. Their advisers, Jennifer Chaney and Mark Koller, were also in attendance.

“This group of students have been terrific,” Koller said. “They really focus on school spirit and upping it throughout the building this year.”

According to their slideshow, the council is made up of a president, vice president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, reporter, assistant reporter, secretary and ambassadors. The group met throughout the school year on Tuesdays, where they designed posters to promote upcoming events, celebrate holidays or share information; discussed ideas and projects; and collaborated with teachers and staff.

The council delivers the morning announcements each day and leads the students in the Pledge of Allegiance, as reported by the council. The announcements include birthdays, meeting updates, sharing the lunch menu, reminding students of their PBIS expectations and naming the banking winner. 

The student council organized the daily collection, weighing and reporting of pop tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House, with a total of 137 kilograms collected. They also filled machines with pencils and collected money from the machines, as they said they had $586.05 in sales, with a profit of $250, this school year. 

Other jobs included assisting with trash cleanup on playgrounds and other outside areas; reading to younger classes; and helping staff and students in the cafeteria, offices and library. 

The student council also collected 192 items to donate to the Highland County Dog Pound and Humane Society, as well as 889 items for area nursing homes and a $336.36 donation for the Highland County Society for Children and Adults.

Other activities included hosting a talent show and attending a leadership conference at Wright State University, followed by attending a basketball game.

“The excitement that they have each and every day to come to school and do all these things, seeing them in the hallway smiling, has been awesome,” superintendent Tim Davis said. “This group is outstanding. I've had a lot of fun with them with announcements.

“Congratulations, and we're looking forward for big things for you guys moving to the middle school.”

Davis also thanked and credited the students’ parents.

“This group is special, and they have really brought a lot of excitement to our elementary, and it starts with you guys being leaders,” Davis told the standing-room-only crowd of moms and dads in attendance. “Awesome job, parents.”

Recognitions of students, staff and community members continued later in the meeting with the superintendent’s report, where Davis celebrated numerous recent accomplishments.

Academic honors went to entire school buildings as well as individuals recently. Davis recognized the Hillsboro preschool staff and congratulated them on their five-star rating from the state, as those staff members include Crystal Anderson, Kayla Bagshaw, Sarah Beyersdoerfer, Debbie Couch, Lisa Creditt, Ryan Hagan, Ellen Iles, Taylor Jodrey, Deanna Lane, Heather Mathews, Betty McCoy, Amanda Miller, Heather Murphy, Tamara Reed and Shania Setty. 

The Hillsboro intermediate building, led by principal Darci Miles, also “received the only five-star building award for 2024-25, and the only back-to-back five-star building two years in a row,” at the tri-county board meeting, Davis said. The primary school also earned a state four-star building award.

For the upcoming high school graduation, Davis highlighted the 15 seniors selected as valedictorians with grade point averages of 4.3 or higher: Jaxon Alexander, Grace Allen, Keegan Anderson, Sidney Bayless, Cameron Burkard, Hannah Curtis, Jayna Florence, Brianna Keech, Michael Koogler, Camden Lively, Anna McKenzie, Mary McKenzie, Kobie Miles, Allie Roush and Avrynne Sonner.

“Today we had our grad walk at the elementary and high school,” Davis added. “What a great event for our students to walk around the building to high five their old teachers. A lot of emotions, a lot of those are parents of our graduates, but it's just a great event for our kids to line the hallways and high five and cheer for our graduates.” 

In addition, at least 26 students in the district earned a perfect score on math, science and/or social studies state tests, as Davis said they had not yet received the English language arts results yet as of Monday’s meeting.

“Last year we had 18, and we're up to 26 already without ELA, so great job to our students,” Davis said. “We will recognize them next fall with those results.”

For extracurricular activities, Davis congratulated upcoming graduate Grace Allen, who was slated at 2026-27 Ohio FFA State Sentinel at the Ohio FFA Convention. At the same event, Davis said that Hillsboro Great Oaks FFA chapter members Brady Carter, Jayah Chaney, Abby Fryman, Adalyn Gaines, Riley Gallimore, Aaron Hatter, Cole Mason, Reese Reid, Jay Reno, Leah Robinson, Rylea Scarberry, Kenny Shawhan and Claire Winkle earned their state degrees.

Davis praised the elementary, middle school and high school art classes, as well as their teachers Ashley Badger, Stacia Burke, Samantha Charek, Tanya Hendrix and Rebecca Weiderman, for their “absolutely unbelievable” art shows and exhibits held recently.

The annual senior showcase was held May 7, with approximately 40 businesses attending the networking event and meeting with high school juniors and seniors. Davis thanked the participants as well as guidance counselors Jessica Rhoades and Tina Young “for organizing the event.

“Basically, kids could go around and talk to employers about summer work or full-time jobs,” Davis said. “I believe we had one student get hired that day for full-time employment, so it was just a great networking event, and it went really well.”

Those counselors, as well as principal Joe Turner, were also thanked by Davis “for renewing a three-year Purple Star” designation from the state, as that recognition is given to schools with a “continued dedication to Ohio’s military families,” according to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Davis also noted that May was Staff Appreciation Month.

“We take time to thank our staff and also want to thank our board of education for all that they do for our students in this district,” Davis said. “We had different events. Each building had different things for staff, as far as food, and they had some different dress-up days and different things.”

Other groups thanked included the high school prom committee for their work on this year’s prom and the elementary parent-teacher organization for their work throughout the school year.

Several friends of the district from around the Hillsboro community were also mentioned by Davis for their recent awards. Hillsboro Church of Christ was the recipient of the Highland County Friend of Education Award, which they accepted at the tri-county board meeting, for hosting the Backpack Club.

“They serve anywhere between 80 to 120 students each Wednesday,” Davis said. “They help them with their studies, they do a Bible verse, they get a snack, and they play some games. That is absolutely awesome for what they've done for many years now on Wednesdays.”

Two restaurants also received “Business Honor Roll” awards from the Ohio School Boards Association, as Davis said he delivered the awards to both businesses.

“Hillsboro City Schools would like to recognize Big Ernie’s Pizza for supporting our schools, athletic boosters and events and 62 Classics’ Diner for supporting our school staff and student groups and anything else that we've asked them to do,” Davis said. 

Davis also thanked Highland District Hospital for providing free physicals for student-athletes May 2, as well as their continued athletic training services with trainer Nick Fite.

In addition, Myers thanked student representative Abby Fryman, who was absent, for her service on the board this school year. 

“I do want to commend our staff and our administration and staff on another fine, smooth year,” Myers said. “You guys do a great job, and our administration does a great job.”

In other reports, board members discussed recent events they attended, including a senior recognition ceremony and the Frontier Athletic Conference track and field meet, both of which Larry Lyons attended; the baccalaureate program, which Lyon

s, Myers and Beverly Rhoads attended; and the Laurel Oaks student recognition dinner, Laurel Oaks senior ceremony, Exceptional Achievement Award ceremony, Great Oaks retirement celebration, HHS senior showcase, the Ohio School Boards Association's Board Leadership Institute, the HHS choral concert and the kindergarten musical program, all of which were attended by Rhoads.

Lyons said he also attended an open house for a proposed battery storage plant on Mad River Road for more information, although he said he “really didn’t learn a lot from the financial standpoint” as plans are “in the very infant stages.”

Rhoads’ report also included highlights from the most recent Great Oaks Board of Directors meeting and other recent ceremonies, where even more recognitions took place. Those honored recently included CFO/Treasurer Brian Rabe, who received an award from the state auditor’s office; numerous graduating seniors who qualified for state and/or national Career Technical Student Organization competitions, held positions as regional, state and/or national CTSO or National Technical Honor Society officers, had perfect attendance and/or received scholarships from the Great Oaks Foundation or community. Rhoads said Great Oaks also had a record 1,466 graduates this spring.

In other discussion:

• The board approved the financial reports as presented. District treasurer Ben Teeters reported an April 2026 general fund cash balance of $8,680,225.53, down from $14,904,168.61 in April 2025; expenses of $2,761,413.36, down from $2,859,889.83 last year; and revenues of $2,619,224.84, down from $7,656,762.55 a year ago.

“We got our real estate tax settlement money in the bank today, so that will help with our balances,” Teeters said.

• The board approved a resolution to initiate procedures for the retirement and reemployment of certified employees.

“This starts the procedure to rehire retired employees,” Teeters said. “The law requires the board to initially start a resolution saying that this process is starting, and then when the board passes on this resolution, I have to advertise a 60-day notice that the board's going to do this, and then at the meeting in July, we will have another resolution to hire the recommended people for the start at the beginning of the school year.”

According to Teeters’ notice, the retired teachers and staff members being considered for rehire are Cassandra Adkins, Tara Gilliland, Donica Grow, Jenna Horick, Diane Michael and Heather Murphy.

Lyons asked to clarify “that this does not set any precedent” for future consideration. Teeters said the district is “not obligated” to rehire staff. The treasurer explained that if approved, these individuals would be hired for a one-year contract and would be required to apply for the positions again if they want to return the following school year.

“If there's no other qualified applicants that's better than them, then they would be eligible for the job,” Teeters said. “They wouldn't have to go through this process after that first year to rehire. It’s only the first time, that they retire and be rehired, is that we have to go through this process.”

• The board approved the following individuals for the contracts and positions indicated for the 2026-27 school year: 
— Supplementals — MS football coaches Jordan Bodnar, Jaden Skeens and Jake Spruell; HS assistant football coaches Jayson Edison, Allen Hoosier, Cody Mathews and Ben Pence; HS assistant varsity boys basketball coach Chris Fauber; MS boys basketball coach Dave Fauber; HS assistant varsity girls basketball coach Ben Fouch; MS girls basketball coaches Emma Fouch and Ella Newkirk; HS reserve girls basketball coach Jake Fouch; HS reserve girls volleyball coach Stephanie Haines; HS varsity girls soccer coach Leslie Molen; HS assistant boys golf coach Mike Nartker; HS freshmen boys basketball coach Lawton Parry; HS varsity girls golf coach Mallory Parsons; HS assistant boys soccer coach Dan Snapp; HS varsity girls basketball coach Heather Storer; MS girls volleyball coach Trinity Storms; HS reserve boys soccer coach Maverick Ward; HS reserve boys basketball coach Dustin Willey; and HS assistant volleyball coach Jordan Williamson.
— Certificated continuing contracts: Raegan Malblanc and Anissa Simmons.
— Volunteer: Chad Epure (HS soccer coach).
— Summer Food Service Program, $17.44/hour: Tabatha Beverly and Matthew Sexton.
— New one-year certificated contracts: intervention specialists Elizabeth Howland and Kristina Marion.

• The board accepted the resignations of teachers Jenna Horick (retirement), Rebecca Johnson and Laura Schoultheis, administrator Diane Michael (retirement) and speech therapist Stephanee Teufel, effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year contract; and special education supervisor Heather Murphy, effective June 30, due to retirement.

• The board approved changes of status for the following staff, all effective with the 2026-27 school year: Dave Dietrick, from middle school assistant principal to high school assistant principal, step 12; Jason Fox, from teacher to middle school assistant principal, step 0, one-year contract; and Laura Jacky, from MA to MA+15.

• The board approved leaves of absence for teachers Deborah Howard (effective April 2-20) and Laura Jacky (May 14-Aug. 9) and for secretary Brandi Miller (July 25-Sept. 7).

• Per the request of the Hillsboro Christian Academy Head of School, the board approved several HCA staff members: teacher Joyce Ford, retroactive to April 9; summer school aides ($20/hour, June and July) Katherine Alvarez, Bell Horton, Carlee Puckett and Andy Teeters; and summer school tutors ($45/hour, June and July) Cayla Cook, Rachel Karnes, Katrina Puckett and Emily Schelling.

According to Davis and Teeters, payment for these individuals comes out of Hillsboro’s grant funding.

• The board approved the Worker’s Compensation Group Plan for calendar year 2027 with Sedgwick. The contract fee is $2,070, with an estimated worker’s compensation premium of $68,295.

Both figures are an increase over 2026, as Teeters said this year’s fee was $1,940 and the premium was $54,182.

“We’ve had quite a few claims this year,” he said.

• The board approved a contract with Miami Valley Educational Computer Association (MVECA) for July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027. Davis said this is their standard annual contract for “all of our computer services.”

• The board approved a motion to use the Set Balance Year-End Program to set appropriations to expenditures.

“This is something we do every year that's required by the state auditors,” Teeters said. “If I can't get the books to balance, then it'll bring them in balance by running a certain program. I haven't used it for years, but it has to be approved by the board before I can use it, if I have to.”

• The board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center and Greenfield Exempted Village School District for providing services for a Hillsboro student beginning April 17 through the remainder of the 2025-26 school year. Davis said this is for “a Hillsboro resident that is going to Greenfield Head Start, and they need speech services.”

• The board approved a transportation contract between Hillsboro City Schools and FRS Transportation for the transportation of two special needs students to and from Clermont Educational Collaborative from Aug. 18, 2026-May 27, 2027.

• The board approved a contract service agreement between Cincinnati Center for Autism and Hillsboro City Schools for a special needs student from Aug. 12, 2026-June 30, 2027. 

• The board approved a contract for an attendant at Clermont County Educational Service Center North for one student for the 2026-27 school year at a cost of $47,586. In a separate motion, the board also approved SoComm Services for two students at the Clermont County ESC North for the 2026-27 school year at a cost of $51,455 per student.

• The board accepted gift coupons for staff appreciation week, valued at $350, from Mayer Management Taco Bell of Hillsboro.