Meeting Overview
The Avon Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees met for its regular meeting and began by reviewing the district’s vision and strategic goals. The board recognized accomplishments from students and staff, reviewed operational updates, approved consent agenda items, discussed enrollment and financial topics, considered policy updates, and addressed several new business items.
Two board members were unable to attend the meeting. The board shared well wishes for Mrs. Parent and Mr. Langford, who was delayed due to travel issues.
Vision and Strategic Goals
The board opened the meeting by reviewing the district vision:
Avon Community School Corporation aspires to be a nationally recognized district of choice that embraces all students to grow and thrive for their future.
Students from Maple Elementary helped highlight the district’s strategic goals, including:
- Building a professional learning community focused on improving student achievement through equitable experiences.
- Creating systemic innovation opportunities to develop critical thinkers.
- Supporting student well-being, mental wellness, and the whole child by ensuring students are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.
Celebrating Orioles
Teacher of the Year Recognition — Amber Wetzel
The board recognized Amber Wetzel as the 2025-26 Avon Community School Corporation Teacher of the Year.
Highlights shared during the recognition included:
- Mrs. Wetzel was selected as Pine Tree Elementary’s Teacher of the Year before being chosen as the district Teacher of the Year.
- The selection process included reviewing teacher portfolios and recommendations from a community committee.
- Students and staff highlighted her commitment to creating a welcoming environment, emphasizing belonging and family after redistricting.
She was recognized for:
- Supporting students and families.
- Creating a positive classroom environment.
- Collaborating with staff.
- Showing kindness and dedication to students.
The board approved a commendation recognizing Amber Wetzel’s accomplishments. The motion passed unanimously, 3-0.
Support Staff of the Year Recognition — Mary Cantalberry
The board recognized Mary Cantalberry as the 2025-26 Avon Community School Corporation Support Staff of the Year.
Recognition highlights included:
- Mary was selected as the White Oak Early Learning Center Support Staff of the Year before being selected as the district recipient.
- She has worked within Avon schools for 17 years.
- Students and staff described her as caring, thoughtful, kind, and an important part of the school community.
- Her work supporting students through food service and daily interactions was highlighted as having a lasting impact.
The board approved a commendation recognizing Mary Cantalberry’s achievements. The motion passed unanimously, 3-0.
Great American Songbook Academy Recognition — Sophia Jimenez Butcher
The board recognized Sophia Jimenez Butcher for her achievement with the Great American Songbook Academy.
Recognition included:
- Sophia was one of 40 students from across the United States selected to participate in the academy.
- She was one of nine participants selected to perform a solo.
- She became the first Avon High School student to receive this honor.
Board members congratulated Sophia and recognized her accomplishment as another example of student excellence within Avon.
The board thanked attendees and recognized the importance of celebrating students and staff achievements.
Board members also shared appreciation for the strong start to the school year and the work of district employees.
No public comments were registered.
Superintendent Update
Superintendent Dr. Windham reported that the school year had started successfully.
Key points included:
- Staff worked throughout the summer to prepare for students.
- The district experienced a smoother start compared with the previous year after major changes involving redistricting, reconfiguration, and opening a new building.
- Staff efforts helped create a strong beginning to the school year.
Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda, which included:
- July regular and special session minutes.
- Claims and payroll.
- Personnel report.
- Transfer memo.
- Disposal of equipment.
- Donation report.
- ECA purchases.
- Second quarter financial report.
- Amended Avon High School student fees.
The motion passed unanimously, 3-0.
Unfinished Business
Enrollment Report
The board reviewed current enrollment information.
Key points:
- Enrollment numbers continue to fluctuate at the beginning of the school year as families complete transfers and records requests.
- The district reported enrollment of 10,568 students at the time of the meeting.
- Compared with August 2025 enrollment figures, the current enrollment was reported as essentially the same.
- The district continues monitoring enrollment daily leading up to the official count date.
Non-Resident Enrollment
The district reported growth in non-resident enrollment:
- During the previous school year, Avon enrolled 59 non-resident students.
- At the time of the meeting, 86 non-resident students had enrolled for the current year.
- The district noted that policy changes created a longer window for considering non-resident enrollment requests.
- The district determines placement locations for non-resident students to support staffing decisions.
Avon Online and Student Retention
The district discussed efforts to retain and recapture students:
- Some students previously attending virtual programs were transitioned into Avon Online.
- The district reported recapturing five students who had previously left Avon:
- Some families returned because of the flexibility offered through Avon Online.
- Other families had specific circumstances requiring additional flexibility.
Enrollment Questions
Board members discussed:
- Enrollment trends compared with previous years.
- Non-resident enrollment reporting.
- The number of students still appearing on enrollment lists while awaiting records transfers.
- The importance of accurate enrollment reporting because student counts affect state funding and graduation reporting.
Cost Savings and Efficiencies
The district reported an increase in federal Title I funding.
Key points:
- The district received a $277,354 increase in federal Title I funding for the 2026-27 school year.
- The additional funding will support academic interventions and student supports for grades K-5.
- The increase was described as equivalent to more than four fully funded beginning teacher positions.
Board Policy Updates
The board considered second readings of policy revisions.
Updates included:
- Two policies revised due to changes in state law.
- Student attendance policy language was updated after a board member raised a concern during the first reading.
- A duplicate public records policy was recommended for repeal because another updated policy covered the same topic.
The board approved:
- Revised policies 3230 and 4320.
- Repeal of policy 8310.
The motion passed unanimously, 3-0.
New Business
Duke Energy Easement
The board considered an easement request involving Duke Energy and property near Willow Elementary.
Discussion included:
- Duke Energy requested an easement south of Willow Elementary.
- The easement would connect existing utility access to a road corridor.
- The agreement involved a small piece of district property.
- Duke Energy would provide payment for the property and attorney fees.
The board approved the easement and authorized execution of necessary documents pending legal review.
The motion passed unanimously, 3-0.
Avon High School Student Handbook Amendments
The board reviewed proposed handbook changes involving parking and cell phone expectations.
Parking
Discussion included:
- High school administration plans to monitor student parking areas.
- The goal is to ensure students park in assigned areas and help identify who is on campus.
- Progressive discipline may apply for continued violations.
Cell Phone Policy
The board discussed implementation of the updated cell phone policy.
Reported outcomes:
- On the first day of implementation, approximately 50 phones were confiscated.
- By August 7, the number had decreased to approximately 15 phones.
- Board members discussed observations of students being more engaged socially during lunch and in hallways.
The board approved the amendments to the Avon High School 2026-27 student handbook.
The motion passed unanimously, 3-0.
High School Facilities and Lease Hearing
The board held a public hearing regarding the fourth amendment to lease documents connected to future facility projects.
District leaders reviewed the long-term planning process for Avon High School facilities.
Facility Planning Discussion
Topics included:
- The district’s 2019 master plan for expanding Avon High School capacity.
- Growth in athletic participation and extracurricular programs.
- Aging facilities approaching 30 years old.
- Need for additional space, improved field access, and facility upgrades.
Discussion areas included:
Athletic Facilities
Potential projects discussed included:
- Additional turf fields.
- Improvements to baseball and softball facilities.
- Turf conversion of soccer fields.
- Replacement of football stadium turf.
- Expanded bleachers.
- Replacement of press boxes.
- New locker room and restroom facilities.
The district discussed challenges with current facilities, including:
- Limited field availability.
- Weather-related cancellations.
- Growing participation in athletics and activities.
- Limited practice space.
Transportation Center Improvements
The district also discussed potential transportation facility improvements:
- Expanding service bays to accommodate more buses.
- Improving storage areas.
- Updating offices and restrooms.
- Reviewing traffic flow and safety.
Project Cost Discussion
District leaders presented a maximum conceptual budget estimate of approximately $70 million for the combined projects discussed.
The district emphasized:
- Estimates were conceptual and expected to change as design work progresses.
- Future steps would include selecting design professionals and developing more detailed costs.
The district reviewed feedback from community meetings:
- 65 stakeholders attended the meetings.
- 39 participants provided feedback.
Feedback was generally positive regarding:
- Expanded capacity.
- Student opportunities.
- Indoor practice options.
- Program flexibility.
- Campus safety and cohesion.
Concerns focused primarily on:
- Parking.
- Traffic flow.
- Student safety.
- Lighting and neighborhood impacts.
- Long-term operational costs.
Financial Discussion
The board reviewed financing information.
Discussion included:
- The projects would be funded through debt service funds, not referendum funds.
- District leaders stated that previous construction projects were completed while reducing the debt tax rate.
- Financial advisors indicated the proposed debt could be issued without taxpayer impact based on current projections.
- The district reviewed long-term debt capacity and future facility maintenance needs.
A public hearing was opened for comments related specifically to the lease hearing. No public comments were received, and the hearing was closed.
Board Member Items and Closing Discussion
Board members recognized:
- The work of district employees in preparing for the school year.
- The partnership between the school corporation and community organizations.
- Staff efforts supporting students and families.
Additional appreciation was expressed for:
- District staff involved in technology transitions.
- Community partnerships related to shared facilities.
- Amanda Maxwell’s work coordinating donations for the district’s back-to-school celebration.
The meeting concluded after board closing items.
