New Board, new focus for 2026

2026 has already seen significant change, and the year is only a few weeks underway. One early example is the board turnover in January, which shows signs of transition and a more positive new direction.

The newly elected board members were sworn in at the start of the meeting. Unlike the 2021 board turnover, new members Jeff Nye, Erin Walczewski, and Jeremy Ward were joined by family members, including children and partners, during the ceremony. The oaths were administered in a setting that reflected a sense joy & excitement among those present. Following the swearing-in, the board elected Dr. Wendy Strickler as Board President and Dr. Simmons as Vice President.

The meeting then moved to the legally required Tax Budget approval. No members of the public offered commentary, a point Treasurer Alana Cropper noted humorously, stating that this has been consistent with her experience over the past 30 years.

An audio recording of the meeting is available and runs approximately 42 minutes. For those unable to listen in full, a summary of the session is provided below.

Overall, the meeting reflected a shift in focus toward students and the broader community. Board members provided explanations for agenda items, actions, and votes, outlining their reasoning and planned next steps.

Key takeaways from the session include an emphasis on developing a clear Strategic Plan, which has not been led or finalized since 2021, and an increased focus on transparency in board decision-making. Board members stated their intent to prioritize monitoring district progress and conducting employee evaluations, with the goal of improving the District Scorecard rating, which declined by half a star under the previous board’s leadership. The board also emphasized the importance of rebuilding community engagement and reinstating practices that had previously been reduced or discontinued. Board President Wendy Strickler highlighted a commitment to improving communication moving forward

——-MEETING SUMMARY—————

• Decision to sustain the rate for board compensation at $80 per session 
• Expanding calendar to include a monthly working meeting open to the public
  • Tuesday 2 weeks prior to the standard monthly meeting at Central Office at 4:30pm
  • Standard monthly meeting will still be the third Wednesday at Mercer
• Discussion of the financial future
  • Levy discussions not likely needed until 2028/2029
  • Typical levy cycles are 3-4 years … 2028/2029 would be a 5-year cycle
  • Last levy passed with significant community support in May 2023
• Operational activities
  • Liaison appointments for 2026 were voted upon
    • FHFE: Wendy Strickler-Biederman, Jeff Nye additionally as board member
    • Safety committee liaison – Erin Walczewski
    • Legislative liaison – Jeff Nye
    • Student Achievement Liason – 12:45 mark – Jason Simmons
  • Committees for 2026 (using initials for roles for simplicity)
    • Finance committee: Chair – JS, Member – EW
    • HR committee: Chair – JN, Member – WSB
    • Policy committee: Chair – EW, Member – JN
    • Teaching & learning committee: Chair – WSB, Member – JW
    • Technology & Facilities: Chair – JW, Member – JS
  • Vote to continue partnership with Business Advisory Counsel with Hamilton County Education Service Center (HCESC)
  • Board Service Fund – fund set aside to cover expenses for board training for event training that benefits the academic, financial or operational functions
    • Typical practices is around $5-6K
    • OSBA covers our expenses as members of the OSBA board
    • Unused funds revert back to General Fund
    • Passed unanimously
  • Unanimous vote to continue the membership with OSBA
    • OSBA represents 700 school boards across 611 Ohio school districts
    • OSBA is an non-partisan organization – learn more here
  • Tax Budget discussion
    • 2026-2027 school year: July 1 2026 – June 30 2027
    • Purpose: Establish need for tax revenues to be collected via existing levies
    • With new law – Hamilton County Auditor will review annually that we are using the funds; excess funds will be returned to the county
    • Bond retirement fund – services the debt from the 2014 bond issue
      • New Wilson
      • Updated buildings & facilities
      • Fund 002
      • Voted upon by the community so it has it’s own fund
    • PI – Permanent Improvement Fund – 003 
    • List of all outstanding debt …
      • General Fund supports debt for Operations Building
      • Bus purchases in 2017 
      • Capital projects fund ends December ‘26 which will return $330 K annually to the general fund
    • GFOA recommends 60-90 days cash on hand by end of the year
    • We typically are about 90-100 days 
    • Districts don’t get inflationary increases per House Bill 920
    • Budget passed unanimously
  • Confirmation that Superintendent Hook accepted the extension offer 
  • Standing Authorization of the Treasurer & approval to ask for the funds
    • Enables Treasurer to perform the duties tied to the role
    • Secure advance payments from the Hamilton County Auditor 
    • Around $30M is our typical advance payment
    • Explanation around the 26 minute mark in the audio
    • Both Passed unanimously
  • Standing Authorization for the Superintendent
    • Hiring personnel, attending board meetings, student activity functions
  • Added an additional legal partner; Bricker Graydon and Wyatt
    • This brings the total corral of available resources to the district to 5
    • Reason given is to give the board additional flexibility
  • Board Discussion
    • Jeff Nye asked Larry Hook for a litigation update – Hook says they have it planned for Exec Session on Jan 22 following the normal meeting
    • Jeff Nye confirmed acceptance of Hook’s extension offer
      • Approved by the prior board in December 2025
      • Objections from two of the board members and incoming board members were raised
    • Jason Simmons asked about the update for the Strategic Plan
      • Hook offered to meet as a “Cabinet”  says it needs a little clean-up
    • Wendy Strickler welcomes again the new board & speaks to her optimism
      • She seeks continuous improvement and a chance to work with members that see the value in Forest Hills and it’s success
      • Priority 1 – Monitoring District Progress & readiness for the next district scorecard
        • Under the last board, the district’s score fell from prior years
        • See summary on the district website here
        • Completing the Strategic Plan – something the last 4 years did not see 
        • Working to support the staff, their efforts to support the students
        • Employee Evaluations 
      • Priority 2 – Policy
        • Board will be reviewing and implementing policies
          • Primary board function – learn more here
        • Ensuring all the policies empower educators
        • Ensuring strong leadership in place and are building a thriving work culture
      • Priority 3 – Re-establishing relationships with the community
        • Engaging better with the Forest Hills council
        • Reverting back to Building Liasons to represent & be accessible (Not surprise visits!)
        • Board Communication
          • Emails will receive a response
          • Emails will comply with sunshine laws