Rootstown Board of Education meeting
Oct. 19, 2026
Rootstown Middle School cafeteria
Board members in attendance:
Tom Siciliano – Board President
Amanda Waesch – Vice President
Doug Saltsman – Legislative Liaison
Matt Collins – Student Achievement Liaison
Lisa Kinter – Student Achievement Liaison
Administrators in attendance:
Andrew Hawkins – Superintendent
Ryan Hartshorne – Treasurer
Robert Campbell – Director of Teaching and Learning
Joyeanna Jones – Director of Special Services
David McMahon – High School Principal
Alexis Ayers – Middle School Principal
Mary Aey – Elementary School Principal
Meeting called to order at 6:02 p.m. Roll call was taken and the current agenda was adopted.
The Lion’s Club GOOD Award was presented to the following students: Sienna Moore (2nd grade), Lincoln Beitzel (6th grade) and Devin Wright (senior).
Hartshorne stated auditors were present at the board office that day helping him retrieve information they need. Hartshorne filed for reimbursement on certain telecommunications items and services. He stated that he attended a seminar last week that deals with tax and levy implications. The Ohio Department of Taxation has been very helpful in providing information.
OLD BUSINESS
There was discussion regarding future plans for improvement/replacement of school structures. Collins referenced a proposed 25,000 square foot building that is in planning stages. Collins stated that Stow city school has built a similar structure and encouraged possible board member and general public visits to see it before the Rootstown plan is finalized. Collins also recommended replacing the elementary school playground that is in “bad shape.” He recommended having professional company involvement to give cost estimates and begin construction summer 2027, specifically not when school is in session. He stated the school should participate in funding, such as personal donations and PTA. Collins stated that it shows the community that the board is spending money and that tax money is put to good use. He stated the playground is used by many children even after school hours.
Waesch referenced the high school roof repair previously approved in May of 2026. Unnamed delays in beginning the work has caused disruption of classrooms during this school year. She has received photos and communications from parents describing disruptions and stated the “roof is an utter disaster.” She asked if the roofing company had been contacted and asked for concessions in consideration for delays and disruptions. It was confirmed that they were contacted.
Waesch stated she received video of water pouring out of the ceiling.
“Who pays for all the damage?” she asked.
Hawkins said damage to ceiling tiles in the library were replaced at no cost. Waesch said the damage she referenced was in a classroom and asked if anyone had looked at structural damage. She stated a classroom was evacuated due to flooding and questioned student learning disruption. Waesch said she received photos of water pouring in from light fixtures. Waesch also stated she has a photo of a light fixture that fell from the ceiling near student desks. Hawkins said the light fixture was repaired. Waesch said a parent contact said her daughter was having increased asthma symptoms at school. Waesch said she personally attended a volleyball game that had to stop due to debris coming in off the roof and getting blown into the gym by a fan. Concern for athletes on an unsafe floor caused a delay of game so the floor could be cleared and the fan removed. Waesch also referenced ruts from construction vehicles causing destruction to grounds behind the high school.
“We have been extremely lucky … and I don’t like being lucky, I like being safe,” she said.
She asked how much longer the roofing project will take to complete as they were told it would be completed before the start of the 2026 school year. Hawkins projected it should be finished by “next week,” especially due to favorable weather conditions.
Collins said it was perhaps poor planning on their part. The delay could have been materials, as well as fiscal year timing in releasing funds to move the roofing project forward. Hartshorne stated that auditors do not like to see large PO’s cross fiscal years.
Waesch said that if construction must happen while a building is occupied, then there must be safeguards in place.
Hawkins restated the damage to classrooms was “small.”
Waesch said that from now on she will ask more questions. And she returned to discussion of the possible new playground recommended by Collins, stating she will ask more questions during the planning process.
Collins said the company should be asked to give a finish date for roof repair, barring inclement weather. Waesch requested the company be asked to have an objective agent come to assess water damages inside the high school building.
Saltsman suggested future community comments should be sent in advance of meetings. Waesch suggested they should only originate from the Rootstown community.
TREASURERS REPORT
Hartshorne recommended they renew the improvements from the Sept. 21, 2026 meeting, with modifications, payment of bills and appropriation.
The board voted unanimously to approve the minutes and monthly financial report.
Hartshorne recommended a $150 petty cash fund be established for the upcoming elementary book fair, which passed unanimously.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS
Motion to hire a permanent educational aide passed unanimously.
Motion to hire Jack Wood as assistant mechanic passed unanimously.
Motion to accept a memorandum of understanding with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees passed unanimously.
Motion to accept list of substitutes passed unanimously.
Motion to add 15 minutes/day for middle school cafeteria workers due to breakfast serving time passed unanimously.
Motion to add flag football as a girls’ sport. There was discussion regarding who will coach. Hawkins stated they will offer the position to teachers first before deciding. Saltsman added that there be something academic or non-athletic related for kids who do not wish to participate in traditional sports. Hawkins stated book clubs and chess club already exist. Saltsman stated they need to assure options for this population of students exist. Motion to add flag football as a girls’ sport passed unanimously.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
A new sign for outside is being manufactured and should be completed by December. The company will pull permits. JEDD is paying $30,900 of total cost.
Planning for Veteran’s Day next month. There will be a Hero Hike on Nov. 10 and a Veteran’s Parade along the bus lane on Nov. 11, with breakfast to follow.
The reunification room will be discussed in detail on Oct. 30. Much planning has gone into this project. A reenactment will be done in collaboration with staff and sheriff’s office. Rootstown will be the first in the county to do this. Many law enforcement vehicles are expected around that day.
There was recognition of new principals and the individual positive leadership styles and programs now in place. Many administrative decisions have been based on hard data and programs that offer direction, purpose and future good outcomes in terms of learning and positive culture.
REPORT FROM CAMPBELL
Gifted student work was done on Oct. 9, as well as staff development for staff who work with the students. There was also a meeting with first and second year educators. Third grade testing was Oct. 20 and 21. Fifth grade gifted sweeps will happen next month. Teachers will use a website called Power BI, which is designed to show deep levels of student performance. This will pinpoint strengths and weaknesses by standard. The goal is to fully understand why students miss certain questions, but not others. Teachers are also using a website to look at both gifted students and students with disabilities to find where they struggle.
REPORT FROM AEY
The Kent State University wrestling team visited the elementary. Fifth grade student’s wax museum was successful. The building goal this year was to reestablish climate culture and building norms. The sunshine committee has taken off with FISH philosophy. The staff is relaxing and having good interactions with students, producing lots of joy and laughter. Shout out to Tara Langston, who led the creation of a supply room for elementary teachers. The Scholastic Book Fair kicked off that day. Conferences are this Thursday and next Thursday. Halloween parties are next Thursday. The library is leading a service learning program called Hands of Gratitude, where students will be assembling 3D printed hands. The hands get delivered to third world countries, but there are also children in Cleveland who will use them. Students also write the recipient a note.
REPORT FROM MCMAHON
Subgroups have been identified among students using systems and methods described by Campbell. Looking at fifth period study hall student time, the school will use the time for plugging students into intervention programs that will begin second semester. There will be monitoring and fluid opportunities. He will report future student growth to the board.
Homecoming was a huge success with no incidents.
NHS has over 30 applicants, which reflects a large increase over previous years. The induction ceremony is at NEOMED on Nov. 11. Chili cook off is next Thursday at lunch time. The high school craft show is Nov. 14. Google Classroom is operational.
REPORT FROM JONES
Initiatives are in place to address mental health issues with students. Students from upper level buildings are receiving training and coming to the elementary to help with high needs children. Special needs students are offered specials that allow more inclusion. Jones met with a professional outside the district, who stated she could see through the writing of IEPs that the district truly cares about its students. Rootstown received 3.92 out of 4 score on its special education profile.
FACILITIES
Hartshorne stated he will request reimbursement through a federal program that will reimburse the district for various public communications related items like internet service providers and bandwidth upgrades annually. General reimbursement is 50%. Last year’s reimbursement was $66,000. He has also worked on updating budget reports that will be sent out monthly to administrative staff. Increased accuracy should help with future budgeting. Hartshorne attended a seminar where an attorney there discussed tax levies. The attorney suggested that if a district wants to see potential earnings through a proposed income tax levy, they can contact the Ohio Department of Taxation to receive good estimates. The turnaround was quick and he has the information.
Waesch commended principal reports and asked for the reports to be emailed to all board members.
Saltsman attended a Rootstown Township meeting on Oct. 13. The township is hiring a company that, in an effort to access grant money, will investigate the current traffic plan to learn how students are coming to school, including safety features of sidewalks. This is part of the Corridor 44 project, so they can get funding for sidewalks and streets. JEDD requests the district remain in communication with them and the township. After the meeting, there was also a discussion that two township trustees had about this potential space/property and looking at different options for use that could also include the township. It could include the township razing the building at their expense and then putting in a multiuse facility that would also offer office space for the district. Saltsman suggested board members encourage more dialogue with township members on the subject and he encouraged board members to attend township meetings. Saltsman recommended that when the facilities committee has a better scope of the district projects in possible collaboration with the township, they may have a better idea of what the levy should look like.
Collins mentioned air conditioning should be first installed in the elementary before considering it for the proposed 25,000 square foot facility. Collins stated they need to convey to community members the importance of comfort for their “5 and 6 year olds” before they improve other buildings in the district. Saltsman asked Collins to bring up the subject for open discussion at the next facility meeting. Collins recommended teacher input, as well. Collins suggested removal of a pavilion that is in disrepair.
NEW BUSINESS
“Where are we on getting a trainer for the high school?” Collins asked.
Hawkins stated they have reached out to Summa, UH and Akron Children’s Hospital with no definitive response. Waesch stated she spoke with an employee at Children’s, who said they would find a sports trainer for the district if requested. Collins suggested that the stipend for cheerleading advisor could be routed to a stipend to be offered to a potential trainer and the district could try to get a staff member to volunteer for the cheerleading advisor position. Siciliano suggested using a teacher may violate union policy.
Siciliano suggested planning to attend the OSBA Capital Conference in November. Waesch suggested all principals would benefit from attendance.
The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.