Benjamin Logan Board Approves Bus Purchase, Accepts Grants and Donations, Recognizes Seniors of the Month

(Photo of board members during Pledge of Allegiance)

The Benjamin Logan Board of Education met February 23, 2026, with President Mark Himmeger calling the meeting to order.

To maintain a safe and reliable transportation fleet, the Board approved the purchase of two (2) 78-passenger International buses from Rush Truck Centers of Ohio Inc. in the amount of $136,864 each.

The Board recognized Ella Chamberlain and Landon Braddock as February Seniors of the Month.

The Board approved the meeting minutes as presented and approved an MOU regarding the employee salary schedule placement of Natalie Hays. The Board also adopted a resolution authorizing 2026–2027 membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association and approved hiring an additional Speech/Language Pathologist beginning with the 2026–2027 school year to further support student services.

The Board entered executive session at 6:10 p.m. and resumed open session at 6:40 p.m. The Board approved administrative leave for Jane Foreman, Transportation Director, for three (3) days (February 18–20, 2026). Spriggs and Yelton voted no. The motion passed 3–2.

In administrative reports, Mrs. Barr shared highlights from the Benjamin Logan Elementary School Science Fair and noted upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences. Mother/Son and Daddy/Daughter Dances are this weekend, and a new assembly is planned in March: “Professor Wow’s zany, high-energy FUN-Believable Science Show.” Mr. Shadley highlighted the launch of a new Benjamin Logan Middle School mission statement and RAIDER Core Values. At BLMS, the mission is to be 1% better every day for ourselves, our school, and our community by upholding Raider Core Values.

The Board approved the January 2026 finance report and other financial items, including acceptance of grants: the NASSP Student Service Grant (Empowering Student Learning) for $1,000—written by students Adi Gregg and Josey Queen; the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Grant (Logan County Agriculture) for $500 for Lora James; and the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Grant (Logan County Agriculture) for $3,500 for Shelly Lane. The Board also approved the five-year forecast as presented by Treasurer/CFO Leah Baker.

In personnel, the Board accepted the resignations of Stephenie Jordan, Teacher, and Lori Matthews, Teacher, both effective May 31, 2026 (retirements), and Chad Jordan, Custodian, effective January 30, 2026. The Board approved employment items including a food service substitute (Kassandra Larsen, effective February 9, 2026), ESC substitutes at a rate of $130 per day, and supplemental contracts for the 2025–2026 school year, including baseball, softball, track (middle and high school), weight room coordination, and high school musical tech director.

The Board approved inter-district open enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year, approved a new high school course in Digital Media Design, approved the 2026–2027 high school course selection handbooks, and approved the 2027–2028 school calendar.

The Board accepted donations supporting students and district programs, including $150 from Julie McManus for school lunches, $100 from Jonell Yaktin for school lunches, and $100 from an anonymous donor for negative meal balances. The Board also accepted $4,793.96 from FFA Alumni to the Benjamin Logan FFA Program due to dissolution of FFA Alumni, along with memorial gifts to the FFA Program in memory of Charles “Jim” Miller from the Penhorwood Family ($100), the Caudill, Bayliss, and Smyths Families ($100), and the Stratton Family ($40).

The Board approved volunteers for track and baseball and acknowledged updates related to the Belle Center Free Public Library Board of Trustees, including the resignation of Dave Johns effective January 10, 2026 (accepted at the January 12 meeting) and the appointment of Janet Moore effective February 9, 2026 to fulfill the unexpired term through December 31, 2027.

The Board entered executive session at 7:25 p.m. for the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of an employee or official, or the investigation of charges or complaints against an employee, official, licensee, or student, unless the individual requested a public hearing.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for March 16, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

(Story and photo submitted)