Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein called the meeting to order at 6:31pm.

Board members shared the following:

• HHS Dance Team are State Champions in Pom and Hip Hop


• HHS Cheer took 3rd place at state


• Welcome to Noah Gibson


• Big thank you to both City and FTIS crews to snow removal


• HMS production of Willy Wonka Jr. will run January 24-26


• Kindergarten registration begins January 21


• Booster Bash is February 1

Superintendent Brian Robinson thanked the Board and presented each member with a gift.

FTEA Treasurer Stephanie Ewald recognized and expressed appreciation for the Board members and their service to the school district.  Each board member was presented with a gift.

• 2024 Holiday Card Artwork

The Board recognized and thanked Highlands High School student Parker Greene whose original artwork was selected for the district's 2024 holiday card.  Parker discussed her inspiration for her work and was presented with a check for $50 and several keepsake cards.

Congratulations to the HHS Dance Team on their State Championship wins in Large School Hip Hop and Overall Pom. 

The Board congratulated the HHS Dance Team on their State Championships in both Large School Hip Hop and Overall Pom.  Team members included:

Team members were presented with Certificates of Achievement and "Champions" t-shirts.

The Board recognized the following students for being chosen NaviGo Scholars for the Spring of 2025:

• Ethan Adhikary


• Lauren Battle


• Abigail Berling


• Wyatt Carbone


• Camren Losey

The Board congratulated the students and presented each with a Certificate of Achievement and a "Champions" t-shirt.

• Lighthouse Team Board mtg

WES Lighthouse Team members shared the Lighthouse concept and projects with the Board.  Students included:

• Carson Allen


• Audyn Cook


• Renae Eberenz


• Paityn Frakes


• Theo Gaskins


• Johanna Geisshuesler


• Gabby Hunter


• Owen Menefee


• Whitney Ofori-Attah


• Kaden Ries


• Evelyn Tremper

The Board was impressed with the team's success and presented each student with a "Rich in Tradition" t-shirt.

No community members requested to speak.

Order #2606 - Motion Passed:  Appointment of Julie Kuhnhein as Chairperson, Clem Fennell as Vice Chairperson, Brian Robinson as Secretary and Andrew Remlinger as Treasurer passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach and a second by Mrs. Sarah Foster.

• Board Meeting Dates for 2025 - Draft

Order #2607 - Motion Passed:  Approval to hold the regular monthly Board meetings for 2025 at 6:30pm on the second Monday of each month and hold regular monthly working meetings at 4pm on the Thursday prior to each monthly meeting with exceptions as identified on the 2025 Board Meeting Dates list passed with a motion by Mr. Noah Gibson and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Order #2608 - Motion Passed:  Approval to donate stipends for the regular monthly meetings into a special fund for targeted purposes to be identified by the Board passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

• Board Committees 2025 - Draft

Order #2609 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the 2025 Board Committees List passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach and a second by Mr. Noah Gibson.

• 2025-2026 GENERAL FUND Draft 1-8-25

Order #2610 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the Draft Working Budget for the 2025-26 school year passed with a motion by Mr. Clem Fennell IV and a second by Mr. Jeff Beach.

Jerry Wissman shared with the Board that construction continues on the Tower Park project despite the weather.  Crews are currently working on foundation for the building.  At this point, Morel feels we are still on schedule.

• Morel Pay App 6

Order #2611 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #6 to Morel Construction Co. in the amount of $523,296.00 for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Project passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

2025-2026 School Year

The recommended beginning and ending times for the school day are as follows:

The day at each school includes 375 minutes of instruction and 30 minutes for lunch for a total of 405 minutes for each day. The high school may have 2 shortened days during the exam schedule for a total of no more than 2 hours each day.

This school year, we continue to include 6 shortened days when classes will begin one hour later than the typical schedule. The time will be used for Professional Development and will allow teachers time to collaborate on common issues, including curriculum and assessment across grade level and to address school-wide issues. The elementary schools will have classified staff available to work with students whose parents need to keep them on a regular schedule.  All late arrival days will be on a Wednesday and there will be three per semester. The proposed dates are September 17, October 15, November 19, January 21, February 18, and March 18. 

Our total instructional time exceeds the state minimum requirement of 1062 instructional hours. The number of hours above the state minimum is at least 25 hours at all schools.  Although the state no longer allows districts to bank time for early dismissals and school closures, the time does allow the district flexibility in case delays are needed.

The Preschool Program Calendar will consist of a 3 hour day, 4 days per week. During the 2025-2026 school year, the preschool program will be placed at Moyer Elementary.  The recommended instructional day for preschool is Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 11:00am for the morning session and 11:45am to 2:45pm for the afternoon session.  It is recommended that preschool begin on September 2, 2025 with two transition days (August 27 and 28), and end on May 7, 2026, to allow time for required screenings, testing, and parent meetings.

• Calendar 25-26 Final Proposed Draft 01102025

Order #2612 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the 2025-26 school calendar, the length of the day at each school, the beginning and ending times for each school, the preschool calendar, and the shortened exam days at HHS and shortened days for PD at all five schools passed with a motion by Mr. Noah Gibson and a second by Mrs. Sarah Foster.

Order #2613 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the tuition rates for the 2025-26 school year for Grades K-12 at $3800 In State and $7280 Out of State, an additional tuition charge for Preschool of $315 per month, and to require a non-refundable application fee of $50 and continue the procedure to require a $250 non-refundable deposit for new tuition students to begin participation in athletics/extracurricular activities (all fees will be applied to tuition if the student attends an FTIS school) passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

• Resiliency Poll Board Report 12-24 Bd Report

Jamee Flaherty shared the Resiliency Poll data with the Board.  Data shows the district is trending in a positive direction.

• CDIP January Board Meeting

Keith Faust shared CDIP Phase III with the Board.  He reviewed the goals that have been set for achievement in specific areas by 2029.

The Board shared that the Breakfast Committee will deliver breakfast sandwiches for late arrival on January 15.

Order #2614 - Motion Passed:  With all Board members having had the opportunity to review and pursue any questions about all of the items contained therein, approval of the consent agenda passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach and a second by Mr. Noah Gibson.

• Minutes - 12-09-2024 - Board Meeting
• Minutes - 01-09-2025 - Working Meeting

• 6 2025 BOE REPORT

• FOOD SERVICE SUMMARY 2025 SCHOOL YEAR

• 4th Month Attendance 24-25

• 6 2025 PAYMENT REGISTER

• 2024-2025 Q2 Fall Report

• FY2023-2024 FA School District FINAL

Highlands Middle School

• 8th Grade Bake Sale
• Penny Wars

Employment of the Following Classified Employees
Dawn Carson – AP Secretary – HHS
Rita Inlow - Cafeteria I – HMS

Employment of the following Paraprofessional Employee
Keith Thompson – Boys Assistant Track Coach – HHS

Employment of the following Extra-Service Position
Katie Simon – Detention Monitor – HHS 

Change in Classified Position
Mary Ellen Bush – Cafeteria I to Cafeteria Manager – HMS

Resignation of the following Classified Employee
Roberta Kraus – AP Secretary – HHS

Resignation of the following Paraprofessional Employee
Tye Lembright – Girls Head Golf Coach – HHS

Resignation of the following Extra Service Positions
Nina Kearns – Girls Varsity Assistant Coach – HHS
Katie Stewart – Detention Monitor – HHS

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein adjourned the meeting at 7:39pm.