Celina Board of Education Receives Construction Update, Approves Year-End Business

The Celina Board of Education received an update Monday night on construction of the new 7-12 school building, approved year-end financial and personnel items, and heard presentations on district improvement efforts and Head Start initiatives.

Construction Continues on New School

Facilities Director Phil Metz reported work continues throughout the new building, with the third floor essentially complete and cleaned while crews finish painting on the second floor. Cabinetry, plumbing fixtures, electrical work and ceiling installation are progressing on the first floor.

Mechanical systems, lighting, fire alarms, stage controls and technology infrastructure are also being installed throughout the building.

Outside, crews are completing grading, preparing asphalt, installing light poles and developing new traffic patterns. Metz said the goal is to have a new bus loop available this fall between the middle and high school buildings, allowing buses to load and unload students in a centralized location while creating additional staff parking.

Gessler Outlines District Improvement Strategy

Superintendent Brooke Gessler presented an overview of the district's long-term continuous improvement plan, explaining that student achievement depends on strong systems rather than any single curriculum or initiative.

Gessler said the district is focusing on improving instruction, attendance, behavior and mental health supports while aligning professional development and curriculum with measurable district goals. She said another presentation will be given later this summer after Ohio releases the official state report cards.

Head Start Seeks Disability Waiver, Plans Nutrition Grant

Head Start Director reported the program recently completed a federal review and is developing continuous improvement plans.

The board approved a request for a federal disability waiver after the program fell below the requirement that 10 percent of enrolled students have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Langenkamp said lower birth rates and changing demographics have reduced the number of eligible children, leaving the program with seven children on IEPs instead of the required 15.

Langenkamp also announced plans to apply for a federal nutrition grant that would fund construction of a greenhouse, raised garden beds and gardening education for children and parents.

She also shared details of a recent invitation to Washington, D.C., where she met with federal Head Start officials to discuss national priorities for the program.

Resident Questions Athletic Complex Funding

During public participation, Theresa Howick questioned the district's decision to use Local Facilities Improvement (LFI) funds toward the proposed athletic complex.

Howick said community members were originally told LFI funds would be used for projects identified on the district's approved LFI list and argued the athletic complex was not included. She also raised concerns about rumors involving future plans for the existing football field and field house, saying she hoped those reports were unfounded.

Board Approves Financial and Personnel Items

The board unanimously approved a number of year-end business items, including:

• Final Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations and budget modifications.
• Temporary Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations.
• A $20,000 athletic trainer services agreement.
• Fiscal Year 2027 insurance coverage, with officials noting premiums declined approximately 5 percent for Tri Star Career Compact and nearly 3 percent for Celina City Schools.
• Numerous donations benefiting Tri Star programs, the high school band, FFA, art students, athletics and the summer food program.
• Personnel recommendations, contracts, supplemental positions and summer staff.
• Tentative bus routes and no increase in breakfast or lunch prices for the 2026-27 school year.
• Adoption of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework, now required by state law.
• Multiple Head Start personnel and compensation items.
• Purchase of a residential lot for a future Tri Star student-built house project.

The meeting concluded without an executive session, and board members were invited to tour the new school construction project.