The Kent City Schools Board of Education held its last regular meeting before the start of the school year on Aug. 18, 2026, at the district office building. After a slight technical delay, Board President Alicia Crowe called the meeting to order.
In attendance were Board Vice President Rebekah Wright Kulis and members David Myers, John Avouris and P.J. Errera. Also at the meeting were Superintendent Tom Larkin, Assistant Superintendent Justin Gates, Treasurer Erin VanMeter, Director of Personnel Anthony Horton and Director of Business Services Jim Soyars.
Larkin immediately asked Crowe for a moment of reflection. He announced that the day prior, a Roosevelt senior passed away after a long battle with a medical condition.
Following that moment, Gates introduced the members of the board and school staff who were in attendance before the board approved the minutes of the previous meeting.
With some excitement, Larkin offered a reminder that 3,000-plus students would be starting their new classroom journey this week. He reminded the board that their next meeting would get them into the schools, as well. That meeting is set for Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. at Davey.
VanMeter had, by her own admission, a very brief Treasurer’s Report. She first offered a financial report, but cautioned that it did not take into account real estate receipts, as those have not been received. Still, all members of the board approved the report. She next asked for approval to pay the district bills for July. The board approved the request with Kulis and Errera abstaining.
Next up was Horton, who asked for approval for a number of resignations, leaves, appointments, transfers and substitutes. This was unanimously granted.
The Five-Year Financial Forecast was the centerpiece of the meeting. VanMeter provided a very matter-of-fact look at the district finances, which she said will be hampered by the loss of $1.1 million in state funding and $202,000 in federal grants. She shared that there may also be a downturn in compact funding, but that was “TBD” as the members of the compact were still meeting to discuss options.
VanMeter said that the district could also lose an additional $67,000 in federal funding if the government followed through on its plan to no longer support Title 2 and Title 4.
All of this led up to a look at projected income and expenses.
“Our expenditures are outpacing our revenues,” she said. “We passed the levy, and it helps, but we are still facing state funding cuts.”
On its current trajectory, VanMeter said the district will need to cut $2 million next year.
“This will most likely come from purchased services,” VanMeter said.
She commended Horton for finding $500,000 in savings when replacing staff who retired and left, and she said she hoped that type of savings can continue.
“I wish I had better news, but we’re going to look at things, cut some stuff and see what we can do,” she said.
The next item on the agenda was to choose a delegate and an alternate for the OSBA Capital Conference business meeting. Errera volunteered and Myers stepped up as the alternate.
The board then approved a contract for Parent-Mentor Services. Gates said this contract is possible through a shared grant with Woodridge. Both districts are currently looking for individual grants for this service for the future.
Soyars presented the 2026-2027 bus stop list, which the board approved without comment. They also authorized Soyars to advertise for project bids when the work is estimated to be over $50,000. As an example, he cited the planned overhaul of the fire alarm system at Davey next summer.
Approval was also granted for transportation agreements with parents of students for whom it is not feasible for the district to bus to school and for a contract with a new vending machine company for the high school. The district will receive 25% of the net profits of that machine.
The board also unanimously granted approval to an agreement with Davey Tree that would enable the cross country team to run on their campus. Summit ESC was approved to provide specialized services for 20 days at Stanton, and a memorandum of understanding was put into effect with Rootstown for Title I services at St. Pats.
Next Horton asked for, and was given, approval to enter into contracts with Ashland and Liberty universities. These would enable students from those schools to be student teachers in the district.
Changes to North Mantua Street were the final item on the agenda. Larkin explained that the district had previously entered into an agreement with the city and Davey Tree for the widening of that road.
“It’s going to become a boulevard,” he said.
In order for this to happen, an easement is needed with school property. There is not a cost to the district for this work. Larkin explained that the city and Davey had secured almost all of the necessary funds and this was just an agreement to move forward. Approval was granted unanimously.
With no additional business to discuss, the meeting adjourned.