District Navigation

Main Navigation

BreadCrumb

District Logo
Board of Education Update
Olentangy Schools

April 11 Meeting Summary

April 11, 2024 Meeting

BOARD PRESIDENT'S REPORT

  • The Board of Education, District Leadership Team, Facilities Committee, and Finance and Audit Committee continue to analyze resource alignment and student enrollment projections following the failed March levy. 

SHALE MEADOWS BOOK CREATOR

  • Fifth-grade teacher and Shale Meadows Elementary’s building technology coach Jenny Shoaf introduced Book Creator, a digital tool that allows students to create digital books through accessible, easy-to-use templates with built-in integrations, fluency support, and creativity tools. 
  • ​School Counselor Kristi Litzenberg uses Book Creator in her counselor lessons to build student empathy through storytelling, connections, student voice and choice. 
  • ​Fifth-grade Shale Meadows Elementary students presented their books on What it Means to be a Monarch.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT 

  • The District Leadership Team continues to discuss options following the ballot issue not receiving enough voter support, which may include:​ 
    • Continued redistricting to balance student enrollment
    • ​Modular classrooms at elementary buildings​ 
    • Temporary overflow of students out of schools at specific grade levels​
    • Larger class sizes 

TREASURER’S REPORT 

  • Treasurer Ryan Jenkins reported the results of the District’s dependent eligibility audit last fall. The District verified 3,700 dependents with less than 1% of dependents unable to be verified. Olentangy will continue ongoing dependent verification for both new hires and existing employees. 
  • ​Mr. Jenkins will present the first reading of the Five-Year Financial Forecast at the April 25 Board of Education meeting, which will delve into how key financial factors will impact District operations, the impact of the March 19, 2024, levy failure​, and how to proceed for a future ballot ask. 

2025-2026 STUDENT HANDBOOKS

  • Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jack Fette presented proposed student handbooks for the 2024-25 school year.

2024-25 STUDENT FEES

  • Dr. Fette presented middle school and high school student fees for the 2024-25 school year.​ 

FIRST READING OF BOARD POLICY 4138.01

  • Dr. Fette presented the readoption of Board Policy 4138.01 – Suspension Without Pay/Termination Policy for Non-Union Classified Employees. This policy ensures non-union classified employees have additional procedural safeguards in place in the event of termination or suspension without pay. 

TECHNOLOGY REPLACEMENTS, UPDATES, AND SOFTWARE PURCHASES

  • Technology Director Robert Sexton reviewed the technology purchases and investments on the board agenda, which included replacement devices (predominately Chromebooks), replacement software (LightSpeed Suite: targets student safety, privacy, and security), and new software (Book Creator). 
  • ​The technology team will be completing a district-wide network refresh, preparing the network and devices to open Peachblow Crossing Elementary, and developing an overall technology plan. 

INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCE PURCHASES

  • Curriculum and Instruction Director Vince DeTillio walked the Board through his team’s process for recommending the purchase of two instructional materials. Curriculum materials are selected to address gaps in curriculum and teachers’ current needs, ensuring district dollars are spent on items that maximize student learning. 
  • ​Assistant Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction Mindy Shultz presented a purchase recommendation of the final step in the comprehensive elementary math curriculum adoption, Bridges 3rd Edition and Concept Quest. The curriculum is designed to build students’ conceptual understanding of math through real-life applications, hands-on activities, and problem-solving tasks while emphasizing critical thinking skills and mathematical reasoning.  
  • ​Assistant Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Kristin Bourdage recommended the adoption of McGraw Hill’s Middle School Social Studies resources that engage students in the inquiry process. 

ADDITIONAL BOARD OF EDUCATION INFORMATION