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Board of Education Update
Olentangy Schools

February 5 Meeting Summary

February 5, 2026 Meeting

BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT

  • Board President Brandon Lester shared that 2026 is both a capital budget year and an election year for many government offices. He reinforced the Board’s commitment to educating the community on the impact of state funding, House Bills, and other legislation on the Olentangy community and public schools across Ohio. 
  • Mr. Lester will hold open office hours for community members to visit and ask questions this Saturday, February 7, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., at the Orange Branch Library, 7171 Gooding Blvd. Delaware, OH 43015, in Orange Study Room 3. 
  • Recording of Board President’s Report

PAIRING INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH TO CREATE INCLUSIVE SYSTEMS

  • Through an internship with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Olentangy Orange senior Nikhil S. identified limitations in current cancer-scanning head devices, or “caps,” particularly for patients with thick, curly hair and varying skin pigmentation. 
  • Nikhil developed and piloted an adjustable fNIRS (functional near infrared spectroscopy) cap designed to provide more accurate, inclusive scans for all children, addressing hair- and skin-related challenges and discrepancies in results. 
  • Recording of Pairing Innovation, Technology and Research to Create Inclusive Systems presentation

OLENTANGY SUMMER PROGRAMMING

  • Olentangy’s Curriculum and Innovation and Pupil Services teams are preparing summer learning opportunities for students, designed and led by Olentangy educators and administrators. 
  • Key program areas include Summer School, Summer Enrichment Experience (SEE), Extended School Year (ESY), and Summer Intervention Academy (SIA). 
  • Registration for Summer School and SEE opens March 1 in PowerSchool, and families will be notified of eligibility and registration details for ESY and SIA in the upcoming months. 
  • Recording of Olentangy Summer Programming presentation

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

  • Superintendent Meyer recognized the custodial, maintenance, and facilities teams for keeping schools safe during extreme winter conditions and noted that, even with six January calamity days, Olentangy school year calendar and overall instructional hours exceed Ohio’s requirements by at least 19 academic days. 
  • The annual 2026 State of the Schools was on Wednesday, February 4, and brought together Olentangy students, families, staff, and community members to showcase all 27 schools and district programs, talented student performances, and impactful panel discussions.  
  • Recording of Superintendent's Report 
  • Superintendent Action Items

TREASURER’S REPORT

  • Olentangy Schools received top-tier credit ratings on its Series 2026 bonds, with S&P Global Ratings assigning a AAA rating and Moody’s Ratings assigning and affirming an Aa1 rating to the district’s bonds; these designations reflect the district’s strong financial management and fiscal stability. 
  • The Auditor of State developed Financial Health Indicators which are a series of financial information, percentages, and ratios gathered from annual financial statements filed by Ohio school districts, which are useful in predicting financial stability. 
  • Treasurer Ryan Jenkins reviewed Olentangy Schools’ Financial Health Indicator results from fiscal years 2023 through 2025. He noted that a few “red” indicators were due to a one-time $50M transfer in 2025, and higher liabilities driven by borrowing needs for facility construction to keep up with rapid student growth. 
  • Recording of Treasurer's Report 
  • Treasurer Action Items 

2027-28 DISTRICT CALENDAR DISCUSSION

  • Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jack Fette presented two draft calendars, developed in compliance with State Attendance Laws, Board Policy 8210, and employee bargaining agreements. 
  • Similarities between the draft calendars are an August 19 first day of school for K–12 students (August 24 for Pre-K), first semester ending on December 17, second semester beginning January 4, and Spring Break scheduled for March 27–31. 
  • The draft calendars vary on a three-day vs. four-day student weekend in mid-October, timing of the second-quarter Teacher Workday (beginning or end of Winter Break), and the last day of instruction (May 25 or 26 for K–12). 
  • Community feedback will be collected February 6 – March 8, with a final draft presented for board consideration at the March 10, 2026, Board of Education meeting. 
  • Recording of 2027-28 District Calendar Discussion 

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND FACILITIES UPDATE

  • Chief Operations Officer Jeff Gordon presented business management and facilities items for Board of Education approval, which were the first Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP #1) of $29,078,664.82 with Robertson Construction Services for Elementary School #18, along with the district’s membership in the INCompliance Consulting National Purchasing Consortium. 
  • Recording of Business Management and Facilities Items 

ADDITIONAL BOARD OF EDUCATION INFORMATION