Kent City Schools Board of Education
Date of Meeting: 1/13/2026
Format: Virtual
Meeting Summary:
Prior to the regular meeting, an organizational meeting was held to swear in newly elected board members John Avouris and PJ Errera and to set the days and times for board meetings for the 2026–2027 school year. Alicia Crowe was sworn in as president and Rebekah Wright Kulis as vice president. The organizational meeting was adjourned.
The regular board meeting began with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Assistant Superintendent Justin Gates introduced board members, administrators, and staff. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved.
Superintendent Tom Larkin introduced a representative from the Portage County Retired Teachers Association, who presented grants to three teachers. Makenzie Brody, an eighth-grade teacher at Stanton Middle School, received a grant for her entrepreneurship class involving a food truck business. Ellen Budd, a music teacher at Davey Elementary, received a grant for left-handed guitars. Kristen Cappin, a speech teacher at Davey, received a grant to support the Communication Buddies project.
Jon Secaur, representing the Master Gardeners of Ohio, awarded grants to support school garden projects. Kristen Ross, a teacher at Longcoy, received funding to support the Longcoy garden project, and Garrison Mullen from Holden received funding to continue the Holden garden project.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:
Karen Rumley, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented information on the district’s process for selecting instructional materials. The state provides an approved list of materials, which the board reviews, approves, and adopts. When needed, a committee is formed to align materials with state guidelines. The process typically begins in the fall, with approvals occurring in February.
January was recognized as OSBA Board Appreciation Month, and board members were presented with awards and gifts in appreciation of their service.
ICE POLICY DISCUSSION:
Board member John Avouris raised questions regarding the district’s policy on ICE presence in schools. Superintendent Tom Larkin explained that district safety procedures would be followed. Visitors would be buzzed in, state their purpose, and be escorted to the office. If an administrative warrant were presented, the district would not be obligated to comply, no access to students would be granted, and agents would be asked to leave. If a judicial warrant were presented, the district would comply. Tom Larkin, or Assistant Superintendent Justin Gates if Larkin were unavailable, would manage the situation in the least intrusive manner possible. ICE has not had a presence in the district to date.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Tax advances are expected in February. Bills were reviewed and approved.
RETIREMENTS, RESIGNATIONS, LEAVES, SUBSTITUTES:
Anne Prusak, an English teacher at Roosevelt, and Karen Rumley announced their retirements. Both were honored for their years of service.
OSBA:
A proposed change regarding expense reimbursement will be reviewed and brought to the board for approval in February.
LEVY:
The board considered a resolution to place an operating levy on the May ballot to fund day-to-day district expenses. The last levy was approved 13 years ago, and the most recent bond issue was in 2020. It was noted that $300,000 in state funding was cut this year, with additional cuts expected annually. No building closures are planned. The resolution was voted on and approved.
CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTION:
A resolution allowing the treasurer to make investments was voted on and approved.
PRESCHOOL TUITION:
Preschool tuition will remain at the current rate, with no increase. Approved.
SAFETY ROUTE:
In cooperation with the City of Kent, the Safe Routes project will continue, with each entity contributing $5,000. Approved.
CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION:
February was designated as Career Technical Education Month. Approved.
COLLEGE CREDIT:
The opportunity for students to receive college credit through Kent State University will continue. Approved.
FIELD TRIPS:
No field trip requests were presented.
DONATIONS:
Twenty-one donations totaling $19,000 were received from the Kent community. Approved.
EXECUTIVE SESSION / ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned.
The following members of the board/council were present: Alicia Crowe, Rebekah Wright Kulis, David Myers, John Avouris, PJ Errera (all present)
Were any media representatives present? Unknown
Was there a public notice of the meeting that included the time and place of meeting: Yes
Was an agenda of the meeting or handouts available to visitors: Yes
Are minutes from previous meetings posted/available: Yes
https://go.boarddocs.com/oh/kentcs/Board.nsf/Public
Name of Observer: Mary Myers