January 2026 Board of Education Organizational Meeting

1. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
Douglas Theaker, Board President Pro Tem

2. MOMENT OF SILENCE
Douglas Theaker, Board President Pro Tem

3. ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO NEW AND RE-APPOINTED BOARD MEMBERS
Gavyn Bazley, Treasurer

RE-APPOINTED BOARD MEMBERS
Ben Blubaugh - Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center- January 1, 2026- December 31, 2028
Mike Grady - Shelby City Schools- January 1, 2026- December 31, 2028
 


4. ROLL CALL
Douglas Theaker, Board President Pro Tem

Minutes

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mr. Ben Blubaugh, Board MemberX  
Mr. Chris Rothhaar, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Morgan Jones, Board MemberX  
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill McFarland, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Erin Stine, Board Member   
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

5. ELECTION OF PIONEER BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT
Douglas Theaker, Board President Pro Tem

Chair received nominations for the Office of President.______________moved the nomination of ___________ for the office of President. ___________ moved that nominations be closed.
_____________ was elected President of the Pioneer Career and Technology Center; a Joint Vocational School District Board of Education 2026.

Minutes

Dennis Long moved the nomination of Douglas Theaker for the office of President.  Bill Hope seconded the motion and moved that nominations be closed.  Douglas Theaker was elected President of the Pioneer Career and Technilogy Center, a Joint Vocational School District Board of Education for 2026.

Motioned: Mr. Dennis Long, Board Member

Seconded: Mr. Bill Hope, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mr. Ben Blubaugh, Board MemberX  
Mr. Chris Rothhaar, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Morgan Jones, Board MemberX  
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill McFarland, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Erin Stine, Board Member   
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

6. ELECTION OF PIONEER DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION VICE PRESIDENT
Board President

Chair received nominations for the Office of Vice President.
_____________ moved the nomination of ________ for the office of Vice President. __________ moved that nominations be closed.
____________ was elected Vice President of the Pioneer Career and Technology Center; a Joint Vocational School District Board of Education 2026.

Minutes

Mike Grady moved the nomination of Dennis Long for the office of Vice President.  Bill Hope seconded the motion and moved that the nominations be closed.  Dennis Long was elected Vice President of the Pioneer Career and Technology Center, a Joint Vocational School District Board of Education for 2026.

Motioned: Mr. Mike Grady, Board Member

Seconded: Mr. Bill Hope, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mr. Ben Blubaugh, Board MemberX  
Mr. Chris Rothhaar, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Morgan Jones, Board MemberX  
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill McFarland, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Erin Stine, Board Member   
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

7. ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO BOARD PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT
Gavyn Bazley, Treasurer

8. ESTABLISH PIONEER BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING TIME AND PLACE
Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. Nickoli that the Regular meeting of the Pioneer Career and Technology Center; a Joint Vocational School District; Board of Education be held at 6:00pm on the 3rd Monday of each month at the Pioneer Career and Technology Center Board of Education Conference room.

Minutes

Discussion was held and it was decided that the Regular Meeting for the Pioneer Career and Technology Center, A Joint Vocational School District, Board of Education will be held at 6 pm in the Pioneer Career and Technology Center's Board o fEducation Conference Room.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mr. Mike Grady, Board Member

Seconded: Mr. Bill McFarland, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mr. Ben Blubaugh, Board MemberX  
Mr. Chris Rothhaar, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Morgan Jones, Board MemberX  
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill McFarland, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Erin Stine, Board Member   
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

9. APPOINT LEGISLATIVE LIAISON
Board President

Minutes

Dennis Long nominated Mike Grady for Legislative Liaison.  Morgan Jones seconded and moved that nominations be closed.  Mike Grady was appointed Legislative Liaison for 2026.

Motioned: Mr. Dennis Long, Board Member

Seconded: Mrs. Morgan Jones, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mr. Ben Blubaugh, Board MemberX  
Mr. Chris Rothhaar, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Morgan Jones, Board MemberX  
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill McFarland, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Erin Stine, Board Member   
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

10. APPOINT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT LIAISON
Board President

Minutes

Bill Hope nominated Robyn Almanson for Student Achievement Liaison.  Ben Blubaugh seconded and moved that nominations be closed.  Robyn Almanson was appointed as Student Achievement Liaison for 2026.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mr. Bill Hope, Board Member

Seconded: Mr. Ben Blubaugh, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mr. Ben Blubaugh, Board MemberX  
Mr. Chris Rothhaar, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Morgan Jones, Board MemberX  
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill McFarland, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Erin Stine, Board Member   
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

11. APPOINT FINANCIAL AUDIT COMMITTEE
Board President

Minutes

Douglas Theaker and Bill Hope were appointed as the Financial Audit Committee for 2026.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mr. Dennis Long, Board Member

Seconded: Mrs. Morgan Jones, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mr. Ben Blubaugh, Board MemberX  
Mr. Chris Rothhaar, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Morgan Jones, Board MemberX  
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill McFarland, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Erin Stine, Board Member   
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

12. APPOINT ROUTINE ANNUAL BUSINESS
Board President

Minutes

No questions or discusstion.  Sent to vote.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mrs. Morgan Jones, Board Member

Seconded: Mr. Ben Blubaugh, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mr. Ben Blubaugh, Board MemberX  
Mr. Chris Rothhaar, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Morgan Jones, Board MemberX  
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill McFarland, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Erin Stine, Board Member   
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

12.1 Authorize Treasurer to pay outstanding bills.
Board President

that Treasurer; Gavyn Bazley, be authorized to pay outstanding contractual obligations for the year 2026 when due, including such items as utilities, bonded debt, salaries and all other obligations, including invoices for supplies, equipment and services.

Minutes

Result: Approved


12.2 Authorize Treasurer to invest interim monies
Board President

that Pioneer Career and Technology Center; a Joint Vocational School District Board of Education Treasurer, Gavyn Bazley, be authorized to invest interim and inactive deposits up to $25,000,000 when surplus is available at the Park NationalBank; and/or PNC Bank; and/or US Bank, NA, Shelby Branch, Shelby, OH; and/or United Bank;and/or Farmers Citizens Bank, Bucyrus, OH; and/or Argent Institutional Trust, Cincinnati, OH; and/or STAR OHIO,State Treasurers Investments Pool, Columbus, OH; and/or Meeder Investment Management, Dublin, OH; and/or Richland Bank, Division of Park National Bank, and, in all allowable investments under ORC 135.03, 135.08, 135.14, 135.032, 135.142 and 135.145 including certificates of deposits with FDIC insurance with any bank domiciled in Ohio and subject to inspection by the Ohio Superintendent of Financial Institutions.

Minutes

Result: Approved


12.3 Request Advance Payment on Current Collection of Taxes
Board President

that the Auditors of Richland, Crawford, Huron, Morrow, Ashland, Wyandot, Marion and Seneca counties be requested to issue an order to the Treasurers of Richland, Crawford, Huron, Morrow, Ashland, Wyandot, Marion and Seneca counties to pay the Treasurer of all Pioneer Career and Technology Center; a Joint Vocational School District Board of Education all funds as may be available for distribution to the General Fund and to the Bond Retirement Fund; this warrant being an advance payment of the current collection of taxes due Pioneer Career and Technology Center; a Joint Vocational School District from theFebruary and August 2026 settlements.

Minutes

Result: Approved


12.4 Authorize Treasurer to prepare Blanket Certificates
Board President

that Treasurer, Gavyn Bazley, may prepare so called "blanket" certificates for a sum not exceeding $350,000 against any specific line item account over a period not extending beyond the end of the current fiscal year. The Blanket Certificate may, but need not, be limited to a specific vendor.

Minutes

Result: Approved


12.5 Authorize Treasurer to Waive Notice Period for Tax Abatement Proposals
Board President

Pioneer Career and Technology Center School District, Board of Education moves to authorize the Treasurer of Pioneer Career and Technology Center to waive all or part of any notice period for any tax abatement proposals and to execute and deliver any related compensation agreements in connection with the same and providing compensation to the Pioneer Career and Technology Center at the same rate and under the same terms received by the applicable city, local or exempted village school district, together with each other terms as the Treasurer shall determine are not materially adverse to the Pioneer Career and Technology Center.

Minutes

Result: Approved


12.6 Approve Board of Education Expenses (Service Fund)
Board President

that an amount of $15,000 be approved to fund 001-2310-433/434, in accordance with R.C. 3315.15 ORC.

Minutes

Result: Approved


12.7 Appoint Purchasing Agent
Board President

that the Director of Business Affairs, be appointed Purchasing Agent for the Pioneer Career and Technology Center; a Joint Vocational School District for calendar year 2026 and that in accordance with ORC Section 3313.51 shall be designated as the name required on each check should the Treasurer become incapacitated.

Minutes

Result: Approved


12.8 Authorize Employment of Personnel
Board President

that Gregory D. NIckoli, Superintendent be authorized during periods when the Board is not in session to make offers of employment directly to candidates for either teaching or non-teaching positions on behalf of the Board and to acknowledge acceptance of such offers on behalf of this Board, subject to subsequent vote of ratification by the Board; provided however, that upon ratification of this Board the employment shall be deemed effective as of the date and time of the employee's acceptance of the Superintendent's offer; however, that Board of Education shall not be required to employ or continue to employ an individual who has not provided a criminal records check satisfactory to the Board or who had not satisfied any other prerequisite to employment created by law or Board policy.

Minutes

Result: Approved


12.9 Authorize Acceptance of Resignations
Board President

that Gregory D. Nickoli, Superintendent be authorized, on behalf of the Board, to accept resignations which have been submitted by employees during times when this Board is not in session, subject to ratification by this Board; provided, however, that upon ratification by this Board, such resignations shall be deemed effective as of the date and time of the Superintendent's acceptance.

Minutes

Result: Approved


12.10 Approve Authorization for Superintendent to Apply for Federal and State Grants
Board President

that Gregory D. Nickoli, Superintendent, be authorized to apply for any federal and state grants appropriate for Pioneer Career and Technology Center.

Minutes

Result: Approved


12.11 Approve Board Member Training Reimbursement
Board President

Pioneer New Board Member training, OSBA training or other education - related training workshops, to exclude the OSBA Annual Capital Conference, for Board member training reimbursements when eligible.

Minutes

Result: Approved


13. ADJOURN MEETING
Board President

Minutes

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board Member

Seconded: Mr. Bill McFarland, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mr. Ben Blubaugh, Board MemberX  
Mr. Chris Rothhaar, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Morgan Jones, Board MemberX  
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill McFarland, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Erin Stine, Board Member   
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX