From quality space in the new Kenton Middle-High School (KMHS) to a redesigned cybersecurity classroom to forward movement on a public safety building, the latest meeting of the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center (OHP) Board of Education took a look at new and improved areas around the district.
The meeting, which took place on Wednesday, Nov. 19, started with Craig Bales, Kenton satellite programs.
“It’s not a presentation,” he told the board, “so much as showing you pictures of our spaces.”
With the completion of Kenton’s new middle/high school for sixth through twelfth graders, Bales was pleased to share the size and scope of the rooms designated to OHP programs. Originally slated to open after Christmas, the school received equipment early and will be ready for students on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
Brad Richardson, OHP superintendent, then presented photos of the cybersecurity classroom redesign on the school’s main campus, which was recently completed just in time for their recruiting days this week.
“It was an okay space,” Richardson said, “but we wanted it to have a unique look with a more techy edge.” This led to new paint and graphics on the walls, new furniture, TVs and neon lighting on desks.
Last, the board approved two resolutions related to the new public safety building. The first allowed the schematic design phase to continue.At the moment, Richardson admitted, “we have a lot of estimates and guesses.” He hopes they will be at over 50 percent when it comes to estimating the cost by next month’s meeting.
The second resolution amended the owner-architect agreement, increasing the amount approved for the building project from under $400,000 to $439,000. An additional $43,730 was necessary for plans not factored into the original cost estimate.
Treasurer Action Items
The board approved the October 2025 financial statement along with the following interest and investments:
• HNB Gen Op Investments: $26,533.06; HNB Bldg Fund Investments: $480.52; HNB Bond Trust: $2.57; Star Ohio interest: $34,742.07; Middlefield Bank interest: $128.69; Richwood Bank interest: $1.42; Total: $61,888.33;
• a modification moving $25,000 from the district fund to the tech fund; and
• increasing appropriations by $10,000, which will allow the Mechanicsburg BPA CTSO to spend the money they’ve already collected.
Superintendent Recommendations
Richardson presented the following for approval:
• internship agreements with Chroma Salon, Marysville; D&K Electric, LLC, Mechanicsburg; Richwood Bank, Marysville; Sunny Compound Pharmacy – Midwestern Compound Pharmacy, LLC, Plain City; Thompson Fine Home Improvements, Bellefontaine;
• certified staff employment, teacher’s supplemental contracts and extended days to Bryson D. Roberts, HVAC-E instructor, and Breezy C. Yinger, school nurse;
• certified substitute employment to Rebecca Stahl and Alexander Sulit;
• the board accepted the donation of a 2003 Honda Element, valued at $800, for use in automotive programs from Lawn Doctor Property Treatment, LLC, Huntsville; and a donation of $250 for the A.B. Graham OHP FFA program for CTSO activities or student sponsorships from Stephanie Sells, DeGraff;
• uncompensated unpaid leave of absence for Cindy Harlan for Nov. 11 and 12;
• resolution waiving the 30-day notice requirement to pass a CRA project agreement with Marysville; and
• out-of-state professional development for Wesley Hunsucker, career tech supervisor, to attend the AASA Igniting the Future Summit at the Mansfield (Texas) ISD, March 9-11, 2026, at a cost of $1,375.
Other district news:
• The board recognized Olivia Newland, EMT/fire, Ridgemont High School, and Brady Bond, graphic media arts, Bellefontaine High School, as the November 2025 OHP Campus Students of the Month.
• During Richardson’s district report, he shared information regarding the school’s recent success at the FFA National Convention, where they saw the most students earn national degrees than they’ve had “in a long time.”
• Experience days were held on Nov. 20 and 21, which Richardson called the “Super Bowl of recruitment.” They expected 1,400 area sophomores would attend the event. Applications for the 2026-2027 school year launched on Thursday as well.
• Richardson told the board he anticipated seeing the new welding trailer arrive on campus early next month. He said they’ve decided to call it a “career education lab” so it can be changed to suit any career focus, if needed. In the meantime, it will have eight welding booths plus one designated as a handicap space.
• Leslie Bradley, an instructional coach with the Department of Teaching & Learning, shared an update as well. She said she focuses on three areas when working with OHP teachers: lesson planning, class management strategies and ways to check for understanding.
According to Bradley, OHP had 22 new teachers this year. She hopes to help them in several ways, including visiting classrooms and creating a “coaching café” series of mini personal development sessions.
Richardson pointed out the school has over 40 instructors who came to the school directly from their industry and without formal classroom experience. The department helps them make that transition.
The next OHP regular board of education meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m.
