Board Meeting Recap for August 2026
Forest Hills School District is utilizing these articles as a way to communicate specific action taken at regular Board of Education meetings throughout the year. The Board of Education met on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at Mercer Elementary School to discuss a variety of topics relevant to students, staff and the community.
The official agenda and related attachments for this meeting can be found on the FHSD BoardDocs page here. You can watch a full recording of the meeting on the district’s YouTube page here.
Board Shout Outs
Board members shared a number of positive highlights from across Forest Hills School District, recognizing students and staff for their accomplishments and contributions to their schools. You can click the following link to view the full shout out section, which begins at 4:21 during the meeting livestream.
Members celebrated the many opportunities available to students through athletics, arts, extracurricular activities and student-led initiatives, as well as the strong sense of community present in schools throughout the district.
Several shout outs highlighted successful back-to-school events and thoughtful efforts to help students and families transition into the new school year. Board members also recognized special milestones, including Maddux Elementary’s 60th anniversary, new and improved spaces designed to support students, and ongoing projects that enhance the student experience. The Great Oaks programs were also recognized for strong enrollment and full programming.
Board members expressed appreciation for the flexibility, collaboration and dedication demonstrated by staff during the start of the school year, including those who supported one another through challenges caused by recent storms and power outages. The district’s custodial teams were also recognized for their extensive work preparing buildings for students and staff, while the annual staff convocation was celebrated as an energetic and inspiring kickoff to the new school year.
Superintendent Update
Superintendent Suzanna Davis provided an update on the district’s preparations for the new school year and shared highlights from the Board of Education’s June retreat. The retreat provided an opportunity for the board and superintendent to align around district priorities and clarify their connected but distinct roles. The board establishes what the district should accomplish through governance and policy, while the superintendent is responsible for determining how those goals are achieved through district management. Superintendent Davis emphasized the importance of a collaborative relationship between the board and district administration as they work together to serve students and the community.
Superintendent Davis also reflected on a successful opening to the school year, including the district’s annual staff convocation. The event brought together staff and students from across FHSD and featured student MCs, performances by Anderson and Turpin students, the Anderson marching band and color guard, cheerleaders, and stories from alumni, students and staff about the lasting impact of their Forest Hills experience. She noted the overwhelmingly positive response from staff, who left the event feeling inspired and energized for the year ahead.
The district’s phase-in days also provided intentional opportunities to support students as they transitioned into the new school year. Elementary students continued with smaller class sizes during the initial transition, while the district introduced a new approach at the secondary level focused specifically on supporting students entering transformative transition years, including seventh and ninth grade. Superintendent Davis shared that early feedback on the approach has been very positive. She also recognized administrators and certified and classified staff members throughout the district for going above and beyond to create a welcoming and successful start to the school year.
Board Action
The Board of Education often reviews and votes on a variety of actions that impact different departments throughout the school district. For specific information about any of the following items, you can find the meeting agenda and attachments here.
The following items in the consent agenda were approved by the Board of Education.
Superintendent Action Items
- 8.1 Human Resources Report
- The report covers a variety of topics including retirements, resignations and appointments of different staff members. You can view the report and find related attachments here.
- 8.2 Resolution Declaring Impractical Transportation (Revised)
- This resolution lists certain non-public schools where transportation has been declared impractical. Families of students attending those schools will be offered payment in lieu of transportation, pursuant to state law. You can read the resolution here.
- 8.3 Overnight Field Trip
- This item approves an overnight field trip listed in this attachment.
- 8.4 Contract Inspired Vision Services LLC
- This item approves a contract between FHSD and Inspired Vision Services LLC that provides orientation and mobility services, in accordance with students’ Individualized Education Plans. The contracted time is not to exceed 110 hours for the 2026-2027 school year at a cost of $137 per hour for a total estimated cost of $15,070.
- 8.5 Outdoor Education Program (Camp Kern)
- This item approves the dates and fees for the district’s outdoor education program at Camp Kern, which is available to fifth grade students. You can find additional information in the meeting agenda here.
Treasurer Update and Action Items
- 9.1 Treasurer's Report
- Treasurer Alana Cropper presented the June and July reports which provided information on various items including:
- Donations
- General Fund Summary (Revenue and Expenditures)
- Permanent Improvement Fund
- Investment Income Snapshot
- Past Month Reconciliation
- Certification of Funds
- Permanent Appropriations
- You can read the detailed reports and access the June and July Cash Position Reports here.
- Treasurer Alana Cropper presented the June and July reports which provided information on various items including:
- 9.2 August 2026 Financial Forecast
- Check back soon for specific information about the August 2026 Financial Forecast report and presentation. You can find the report and related slideshow presentation here.
This completes the meeting’s consent agenda.
Board Discussion and Action
The Board of Education discussed a number of different topics during this portion of the August 19, 2026 meeting. You can click the following link to view the full discussion period, which begins at 1:26:05 during the meeting livestream.
Board members discussed the importance of maintaining a strong, collaborative relationship between the Board of Education and district administration, including clearly understanding the distinct roles of governance and day-to-day management. Members reflected on the June board retreat as an important opportunity to establish shared expectations and ensure the Board remains focused on setting the district’s vision and priorities while supporting the superintendent in carrying them out.
The Board also discussed the evaluation process for the superintendent and treasurer and expressed support for using research-based evaluation tools developed by the Ohio School Boards Association. Members noted that these tools align with established best practices and provide a consistent framework for evaluating district leadership. The Board plans to establish goals for the coming school year as part of this process.
Additionally, the Board discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration with community partners and highlighted its commitment to continued professional development and effective governance. All five board members recently earned the Ohio School Boards Association Aptitude Award, which includes training and assessment focused on school board governance and reflects the board’s commitment to continually improving its leadership and service to FHSD students and the community.
Item 10.2 involved the Board of Education selecting a delegate and alternate delegate to represent the district at the Annual Business Meeting of the Ohio School Boards Association, which will be held on November 16, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. The board selected Jeff Nye as delegate and Erin Walczewski as alternate.
Approved Minutes
The Board of Education approved minutes for the following meetings, which you can view by clicking the link associated with each meeting. After clicking the appropriate link, you will need to then click “View Minutes” under Agenda Item Details, next to the category titled “Minutes.”
- Regular Meeting - August 4, 2026
