Board Meeting Recap for December 2025
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, December 17, 2025 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.
Special Recognitions
The Anderson Chamber Choir delighted the community, board members and administrators by performing "The National Anthem", "Silver Bells" and "Deck the Halls”. Students performed under the direction of Mr. Stacy Haney, Choir Director of Anderson High School.
Superintendent Update
Superintendent Larry Hook recognized the service and dedication of Board President Bob Bibb and Board Members Mark Bell and Sara Jonas, each of whom will be completing their current terms at the end of this calendar year.
Mr. Bibb and Mrs. Jonas were elected in 2021 and have served the FHSD community, students and staff for four years. Mr. Bell was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Board of Education in March 2025, and he has spent the past several months serving in his role.
"The Board of Education is a critical component for any community," Superintendent Hook said. "It’s a job that demands a lot from those who are selected to serve, and it requires deep commitment to public education and to the community as a whole."
Superintendent Hook recognized each of the departing members for their willingness to serve this school district, their passion in carrying out their duties and their efforts to maintain a high level of excellence throughout Forest Hills School District. He thanked them all for their commitment of time and energy to Forest Hills School District.
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.
Human Resources
- 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 here and find related attachments here.
Business Operations
- 9.1 Resolution to Award Contract (Turpin Natatorium AHU)
- This resolution is an intent to award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Triton Services, Inc., for the Turpin Natatorium AHU Replacement project at an estimated cost of $599,000.00. You can read the resolution here.
- 9.2 Resolution to Award Cooperative Purchasing Contract (Turpin Stadium)
- This resolution is an intent to award a cooperative purchasing contract to The Motz Group for stadium turf and track improvements at Turpin High School at an estimated cost of $1,262,483.00. You can read the resolution here.
- 9.3 Resolution to Award Cooperative Purchasing Contract (Nagel Stadium)
- The resolution is an intent to award a cooperative purchasing contract to The Motz Group for stadium turf and track improvements at Nagel Middle School at an estimated cost of $1,780,333.00, which includes contingencies. You can read the resolution here.
Teaching and Learning
- 10.1 Overnight Field Trips
- This item approves planned and possible overnight field trip requests which you can find here.
- 10.2 Abre Service Agreement
- This item approves a one-year service agreement with Abre, effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, for a total cost of $88,147.39.
- Abre is an integrated system that consolidates and streamlines key student data to allow instructional teams to guide proactive, tiered intervention support. This platform strengthens decision-making, increases consistency across schools and supports our commitment to meeting the needs of every learner.
- You can view the service agreement here.
Treasurer Update
- 11.1 Treasurer’s Report
- Treasurer Alana Cropper presented the November report which provided information on the following items:
- Donations
- Five-Year Forecast
- General Fund Revenue
- General Fund Expenditures
- General Operating Cash Balance
- Permanent Improvement Fund
- Investment Income Snapshot
- Past Month Reconciliation
- Permanent Appropriations
- Amendment to Permanent Appropriations
- Appointment of Cashiers
- You can find the November Cash Position Report here.
- Treasurer Alana Cropper presented the November report which provided information on the following items:
This completes the meeting’s consent agenda.
Board Discussion and Additional Action
The Board of Education voted to approve a one-year extension of the contract for Superintendent Larry Hook. The Board participated in a detailed discussion about this contract prior to voting 3-2 in favor of adoption, with Board Vice President Strickler and Board Member Simmons voting against. Topics of discussion included the recent evaluation process of the superintendent and treasurer, guidance and input from legal counsel, considerations related to newly elected board members beginning their terms in January and more. You can watch the full discussion beginning at 43:03 in the board meeting livestream.
During the main discussion period, thanks were shared with departing board members for their service, collaboration and dedication to the school district. It was also an opportunity for Board President Bibb and Members Bell and Jonas to share closing remarks at the final meeting of their terms on the board.
Board members also provided celebratory updates on activities happening at different schools in the district, including the Anderson Raptors football team’s runner-up finish in the Division II state football tournament and the staff vs. students dodgeball tournament at Nagel Middle School. They also highlighted 9United’s recent Shop & Share community fundraiser, spelling bees at each elementary school and the Anderson Chamber Choir’s performance at the beginning of the meeting.
You can click the following link to view the full discussion period, which begins at 1:04:14 during the meeting livestream.
Finally, the Board of Education voted to appoint Wendy Strickler president pro-tem for the organizational meeting that is being held on Saturday, January 10, 2025. This is a procedural appointment until the new Board of Education can select formal leadership positions during that upcoming meeting.
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.”
- Technology and Facilities Committee Meeting - November 6, 2025
- Regular Meeting - November 19, 2025
