BELOIT — The West Branch Board of Education approved several updates to district policies Tuesday.

The board voted unanimously to adopt new special education model policies and procedures in accordance with state and federal mandates. Resident Svetlana Herron questioned whether the policies and procedures had been written by the district or if they were the model policies from the state.

Superintendent Micki Egli confirmed they were the state’s recommended model policies. Egli explained that the state publishes updated policies and procedures for special education which it requires school districts to re-adopt each year, and that while the district technically can write its own, the laws and regulations surrounding special education in Ohio are “extremely complex,” which is why she had recommended using the state’s model.

The board also approved a resolution to adopt a new cybersecurity program and incident reporting plan which board president Mikki Kanagy said the district was required to adopt and have approved by the board prior to Sept. 30 by Ohio House Bill 96. Egli explained that the policy is intended to act as a safeguard both students and the district, and that specific updates to the cybersecurity frameworks permitted by House Bill 96 to tailor the program to the district’s needs will still need to be developed.

Other policy matters included a technical correction to board policy 0131.1 which governs the price at which district projects must be put out for a competitive bid by law. The update raises that threshold from $50,000 to $77,250 through Dec. 31, after which it will be adjusted 3% annually. Egli explained that the threshold is set by the state not the district, and that technical corrections allow the board to remain in compliance with state requirements without having to pass revisions to board policies every year.

During the hearing of public comments Herron thanked board member Bryan Hobbins for withdrawing from board candidacy in the upcoming November election and once again called for Kanagy and Egli to resign their positions. The board also heard from resident Jeri Cameron who asked how the district had made the decision not to replace three teaching positions at the Early Learning Center.

The board also received pushback from the West Branch Education Association on the decision to hire a Sports Performance Coach, with Candy Rockwell stating that the union opposed hiring what it felt “was an unnecessary position” while three teaching positions at the Early Learning Center were being cut due to budgetary constraints. Treasurer Adam Fisher explained that the Sports Performance Coach positions was paid for using state funding which could only be spent on student wellness initiatives. Egli said the position would primarily work with students having difficulty balancing athletics and classwork.

Other matters approved included an update to the district’s EMT Coverage Contract with the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department. Egli said that the change, which adds additional dates for the department to provide the district with EMT services at a cost of $100 per game would not increase the district’s expense with Kanagy explaining the additional dates for Damascus were previously being covered by the Beloit Fire Department.

The board also approved several personnel and administrative matters.

Personnel matters approved included: the resignations of aide/nutrition staff Olivia Dawes effective Aug. 25, and maintenance supervisor Sean Fritz effective Oct. 10; the retirement of custodian Kevin Williams effective Dec. 31; the hires of aide/nutrition staff Kelsey Wilson, courier Cathy Tedrow, custodian Curtis Julian, nurse aide Genna Case, home instructor Carla Stoffer, and Sports Performance Coach Morgan Martin for the 2025-2026 school year; certificated and classified substitutes for the 2025-2026 school year; and athletic supplementals for the 2025-2026 school year.

Administrative matters approved included: bus routes for the 2025-2026 school year; bids for the wellness center project; authorization for the 8th grade to travel to Washington, D.C., May 27-29 2026; in lieu of transportation payments for the 2025-2026 school year; continued membership in Ohio Schools Council, Stark County ESC, and Advanced Purchasing Company and their cooperative purchasing programs for the 2025-2026 school year; cafeteria bids for the 2025-2026 school year; and a special services contract with the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

The meeting concluded with an executive session for the discussion of the appointment and compensation of a public official and to consider matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or rules or state statutes with no action to follow.

The board of education will meet next at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 21.