Coshocton City Schools
Thursday, March 26
- 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Coshocton City Schools, in partnership with families and community, will empower individuals to become literate, respectful, responsible, and independent lifelong learners in an ever-changing global society.
It is recommended that the Board of Education adopt the agenda.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following meeting minutes:
Board of Education presentation of an Emergency Response Commendation to Aaron Mencer
This meeting is a meeting of the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the School Districts business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. There is a time for public participation during the meeting as indicated. Those addressing the Board will be allotted three (3) minutes.
None scheduled for this meeting.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following items:
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the February Monthly Financial Reports as presented.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the donations presented.
It is recommended that the Board of Education accept the Summary of Amounts and Rates Required from General Property Tax as determined by the Budget Commission and Authorizing the Necessary Tax Levies and certify them to the County Auditor per the attached Schedules A&B for the fiscal year commencing on July 1, 2026
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the attached FY2025-2026 Appropriations and Estimated Resources to be filed with the County Auditors Office and presented after County Auditor Approval.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following business items:
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the attached Memorandum of Understanding with Coshocton City Recreation and Kids America to support our youth programs over the summer months. This understanding has been in place for more than 10 years, but this MOU now documents the agreement and requires that the agreement be revisited and approve every 3 years.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following items:
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following resolution
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.17 as well as Article 11 of the Master Agreement between the Coshocton City School District Board of Education (“Board”) and the Coshocton City Education Association (“CCEA”), 2023-2026 (“Master Agreement”) provide for the Board’s ability to layoff, abolish and/or reduce in force teaching employees due to decline in student enrollment, return to duty of regular teachers after leave of absence, suspension of schools, territorial changes, or lack of funds; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent has determined that due to lack of funds and decline in student enrollment, teaching employees need to be reduced and/or their positions otherwise abolished; and
WHEREAS, Article 11 of the Master Agreement provides that in implementing reductions in force of teaching employees within the CCEA bargaining unit, the Superintendent shall make recommendations based upon teaching field(s) impacted by such reductions; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent has determined, for the reasons set forth above, that four (4) positions within the teaching fields of Intervention Specialist - 6th Grade Teacher on Special Duty Assigned Duties (1), Preschool Teacher with Special Assigned Duties (1), Daycare Program Teacher (1), and Home Instructor/ Behavior Intervention Classroom Instructor (1) within the CCEA bargaining unit need to be reduced in force effective May 22, 2026, and the Superintendent is now bringing forth this recommendation for official action and approval by the Board;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.17 and Article 11 of the Master Agreement between the Coshocton City School District Board of Education and the Coshocton City Education Association (2023-2026), the Coshocton City School District Board of Education hereby approves the Superintendent’s recommendation to reduce in force four (4) positions within the teaching fields of Intervention Specialist - 6th Grade Teacher on Special Duty Assigned Duties (1), Preschool Teacher with Special Assigned Duties (1), Daycare Program Teacher (1), and Home Instructor/ Behavior Intervention Classroom Instructor (1) of the Coshocton City Education Association’ bargaining unit, with such action to be effective May 22, 2026;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Coshocton City School District Board of Education hereby directs its Superintendent and Treasurer to issue written notice of same to the affected teaching employees forthwith with an accompanying explanation of any rights and/or reconciliations as required.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.172 as well as Article 11 of the Negotiated Agreement between the Coshocton City School District Board of Education (“Board”) and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees and Its Local #387 (“OAPSE”), (2025-2027) (“Negotiated Agreement’) provide for the Board’s ability to reduce in force employees for reasons of abolishment of positions, and for financial reasons; and
WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.172 in conjunction with Article 11 of the Negotiated Agreement provides that in implementing reductions in force of employees within the OAPSE bargaining unit, the Superintendent shall make recommendations within each job classification affected by the need to reduce in force; and
WHEREAS, the job classifications of Educational Assistant (Student Monitor 3 hours) is recognized as part of the OAPSE bargaining unit per the terms of Article 2 of the Negotiated Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent has determined, for the reasons set forth above, that one (1) Educational Assistant (Student Monitor 3 hours) classification of the OAPSE bargaining unit needs to be reduced in force and the Superintendent is now bringing forth this recommendation for official action and approval by the Board;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.172 and Article 11 of the Negotiated Agreement between the Coshocton City School District Board of Education (“Board”) and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees and Its Local #387 (“OAPSE”), (2025-2027), (“Negotiated Agreement”) the Coshocton City School District Board of Education hereby approves the Superintendent’s recommendation to reduce in force one (1) Educational Assistant (Student Monitor 3 hours) classification of the OAPSE bargaining unit with such action to be effective May 29, 2026;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Coshocton City School District Board of Education hereby directs its Superintendent and Treasurer to issue written notice of same to the affected non-teaching employee forthwith with an accompanying explanation of any rights and/or reconciliations as required.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following personnel items pending required paperwork, licensure, and BCI/FBI Background checks. Salary placement is per the negotiated agreement subject to verification of degree and experience:
It is recommended that the Board of Education authorize a stipend payment of $7500 to Justin Smith for additional assigned hours/days worked to help fill the void of an assistant principal at CES while continuing to carry full time hours/duties as Athletic Director during the 2025-2026 School year.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the attached 2026-2027 school year calendar as presented.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve an overnight filed trip for the FCCLA State Leadership Conference at the Ohio Expo Center, Kasich hall, 717 East 17th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43211 - April 16-17/2026.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the attached Superintendent Contract for Mr. Matthew Nicholas for the period of April 1, 2026 through July 31, 2029 as presented.
It is recommended that Board of Education approve the resignation of the Interim Superintendent effective March 31, 2026.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the Position and the Job Description of Assistant Superintendent moving forward. This position will replace and absorb the duties of the Director of Curriculum and Federal Programs.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the removal of the Director of Curriculum and Federal Programs from the Board Approved Job Descriptions,(file 119). This position has been absorbed into the Job Description of the Assistant Superintendent.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the attached Assistant Superintendent Contract for Dr. Trista Claxon for the period of April 1, 2026 through July 31, 2029 as presented.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the resignation of the Interim Director of Curriculum and Federal Programs and Middle School Principal effective March 31, 2026.
It is recommended that the Board of Education enter into Executive Session to consider the employment and/or dismissal of a public employees.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.081 provides that the contract of a nonteaching employee may be terminated by a majority vote of the board of education for the employee's violation of written rules and regulations as set forth by the board of education, or for incompetency, inefficiency, dishonesty, drunkenness, immoral conduct, insubordination, discourteous treatment of the public, neglect of duty, or any other acts of misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance; and
WHEREAS, the Coshocton City School District Board of Education ("Board") employs Jessica Smith (“Smith”) as an Educational Assistant under a nonteaching continuing contract pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.081; and
WHEREAS, the classification of Educational Assistant is represented in the OAPSE and Its Local #387 bargaining unit pursuant to Article 2, Recognition, of the Negotiated Agreement between OAPSE and the Board (2025-2027) (“Negotiated Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, Article 13, General Employee Provisions, Section 9, of the Negotiated Agreement provides that bargaining unit employees may be suspended or terminated for just cause; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2026, Smith was notified in writing by the Interim Superintendent of the Interim Superintendent’s intent to recommend to the Board that Smith’s nonteaching continuing contract with the District be terminated, effective immediately, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.081 and Article 13, Section 9 of the Negotiated Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the notice issued by the Interim Superintendent to Smith on March 16, 2026, included the grounds for the Interim Superintendent’s recommendation to the Board that Smith’s nonteaching continuing contract be terminated, which are dishonesty and neglect of duty, and as more specifically set forth in said notice; and
WHEREAS, the notice issued by the Interim Superintendent to Smith on March 16, 2026, included notice that Smith was entitled to a due process hearing before the Board at the Board’s regular public meeting on March 26, 2026, regarding the grounds set forth in the March 16, 2026, notice, prior to the Board taking any official public action on the Interim Superintendent’s recommendation for termination; and
WHEREAS, Smith appeared for the due process hearing before the Board at the Board’s regular public meeting on March 26, 2026, and was afforded a full opportunity to be heard on the grounds as stated above and as set forth in the written notice issued March 16, 2026, prior to the Board taking any official public action on the Interim Superintendent’s recommendation that the Board terminate Smith’s nonteaching continuing contract effective immediately pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.081 and Article 13, Section 9 of the Negotiated Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed and fully considered the recommendation of the Interim Superintendent regarding these matters, as well as all evidence and testimony presented to the Board during the due process hearing, and Smith’s record of employment as a whole; and
WHEREAS, the Board has determined upon said review and consideration that the conduct of Jessica Smith as established during the due process hearing, is sufficient grounds to support the termination of Smith’s nonteaching continuing contract with the District effective immediately on the grounds of dishonesty and neglect of duty, both of which are grounds for termination of Smith’s nonteaching continuing contract under Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.081 and Article 13, Section 9 of the Negotiated Agreement;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.081 and Article 13, Section 9 of the Negotiated Agreement, the Coshocton City School District Board of Education hereby acts to approve the Interim Superintendent's recommendation to terminate the nonteaching continuing employment contract of Jessica Smith effective immediately on the grounds set forth above herein and as set forth in the notice issued by the Interim Superintendent to Jessica Smith on March 16, 2026;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Coshocton City School District Board of Education hereby directs its Treasurer to issue written notice of this action forthwith to Jessica Smith by certified U.S. mail, and further directs its Superintendent and Treasurer to resolve any remaining items under the administration’s control with respect to the employment of Jessica Smith with the Coshocton City School District.
It is recommended that the Board of Education enter into executive session to conference with an attorney for the public body concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action.
Regular Meeting - April 30, 2026
Special Meeting -
It is recommended that the Board of Education adjourn the meeting.