Board Meeting Recap for October 2024

Forest Hills School District is utilizing these articles as a way to communicate specific action taken at regular Board of Education meetings throughout the year. The Board of Education met on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Mercer Elementary School to discuss a variety of topics relevant to students, staff and the community.

The official agenda and related attachments for this meeting can be found on the FHSD BoardDocs page here. You can watch a full recording of the meeting on YouTube here.

Special Recognitions

The Forest Hills Foundation for Education highlighted a variety of teacher grant projects that were able to be funded with the support of the Foundation’s donors. The organization also reminded the community that tickets are on sale now for the highly anticipated Denim and Diamonds event at Belterra Park on November 17, 2024. Guests will be able to participate in both a silent and live auction and enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, all while benefiting the Forest Hills Foundation for Education and its efforts to support students and staff in FHSD. You can learn more and purchase tickets here.

Superintendent Update

Superintendent Larry Hook discussed recent updates that have been made to the district’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan. This document guides FHSD’s efforts to responsibly and effectively maintain facilities across the district, and it is updated to reflect adjusting needs, costs and priorities. Superintendent Hook explained that the district is being aggressive in the first few years of the plan to attack as many critical improvements as possible. You can click here to find the latest information about the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan and learn which projects are expected to be completed in the coming years.

The superintendent also provided an update on the All In Food Drive benefiting IPM Food Pantry, the district’s upcoming Parent Academy night, efforts to support and develop student leaders and the upcoming high school theatre productions.

Board Action

The Board of Education often reviews and votes on a variety of actions that impact different departments throughout the school district. The following action items presented by department representatives were voted on together as part of the “consent agenda.” For specific information about any of the following items, you can find the meeting agenda and attachments here.

The following items in the consent agenda were approved by the Board of Education.

Human Resources

• 7.1 Human Resources Report
  
  • The report approves a variety of topics including retirements, resignations and appointments of different staff members. You can view the report here and find related attachments here.
• 7.2 FHSD Academic Calendar 2025-2026
  
  • This item approves the 2025-2026 Academic Calendar for FHSD. The calendar was presented at a public hearing on September 26, 2024. You can view the calendar here.
• 7.3 FHSD Organizational Chart
  
  • This item approves the FHSD Administrative Organizational Chart, which you can view here.

Teaching and Learning

• 8.1 Overnight Field Trip Request
  
  • This item approves an overnight field trip request for Anderson High School. You can view information about the trip here.
• 8.2 Clermont County Educational Service Center - CEC/South
  
  • This resolution approves a contract for services between CCESC and FHSD to provide educational services for a special education student at an estimated total cost of $64,646.27. You can view the resolution here.

Treasurer Update

• 9.1 Treasurer's Report
• Treasurer Alana Cropper’s September report provided information on the following items:
  
  • Donations
  • Five-Year Forecast
  • General Fund Revenue
  • General Fund Expenditures
  • General Operating Cash Balance
  • Permanent Improvement Fund
  • Investment Income Snapshot
  • Past Month Reconciliation
  • Approval of Certification of Funds
• You can find the September cash position report here.

This completes the consent agenda.

Committee Reports

Board Members provided updates on the committee meeting listed below.

• Human Resources Committee
  
  • Committee Chairperson Wendy Strickler provided an update on the October 7 meeting. This meeting was held to discuss staffing levels and related topics. Dr. Strickler explained that the district is below desired staffing levels for bus drivers, bus monitors and food service workers. She also discussed staffing trends over previous years for certified positions.
• Technology and Facilities Committee
  
  • Committee Member Jason Simmons provided an update on the October 8 meeting. At the meeting, the committee discussed various technology work completed over the summer, technology projects that are currently taking place, permanent improvement fund activity and an updated Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan detailing anticipated projects through 2029.

Board Discussion

Board members discussed a variety of topics including recent successes and highlights in the school district, the evaluation process for superintendent and treasurer and other items. You can view the full discussion period which begins at 1:14:10 during the meeting livestream.

Approved Minutes

The Board of Education approved minutes for the following meetings, which you can view by clicking the link associated with each meeting. After clicking the appropriate link, you will need to then click “View Minutes” under Agenda Item Details, next to the category titled “Minutes.”

• Regular Meeting - September 25, 2024