The Milford Exempted Village Schools District (MEVSD) Board of Education held its regular meeting on February 20, 2025, focusing on student achievements, district financial updates, and future initiatives. Below are the key highlights from the meeting:
Featured Artists & Fine Arts Recognitions
Boyd E. Smith Elementary students showcased their artwork, including mosaics, ceramics, and woven baskets.
Milford Band & Choir students recently traveled to Chicago, performing at Ben Davis High School and the Field Museum. Staff praised their outstanding behavior and performances.
Milford Drama Department has sold over 600 tickets for their upcoming production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. A pre-show Hogwarts "Yuletide Feast" will take place Saturday March 15, @ 5 p.m.
Principal Mina Espy introduced Eagle Experts, a student leadership team that promotes positive behavior and community involvement.
Communications Committee
The board reviewed and discussed the Communications Committee which included community feedback from listening sessions following the Earned Income Tax vote. Key themes included:
Economic concerns
Desire for clearer levy communication
Engaging more with community members who do not have students in the district
Social Media Policy (KGA) – First Reading:
The board is considering a formal policy to moderate comments on district social media accounts, ensuring constructive and on-topic discussions.
The policy allows the district to disable comments on posts when necessary to prevent misinformation and personal attacks.
Legislative Advocacy:
The district is urging the Ohio legislature to fully fund years five and six of the Fair School Funding Formula. That page with more information about advocacy can be found here.
Board Retreat Takeaways
From the Board Retreat, four new initiatives were outlined:
State of the Schools Event – An annual event highlighting district achievements and future goals.
"Ask Me Anything" Tables – Board and administration members will set up at events for direct community engagement.
Community Partnership Program – Strengthening school-business connections for student career exposure.
Eagle Ambassadors – A volunteer group of parents and community members dedicated to sharing positive district stories.
District Financial Report
Treasurer Doug Acrermann provided an update on district finances:
Deficit Spending: The district continues to make cuts to purchase services, reflecting a significant reduction in spending from last year. Seen here
The District will move forward with the State Performance Audit which will provide insights and look into District spending in the following areas:
Financial Management
Human Resources
Facilities
The District also received a $35,000 quote for a separate transportation audit; however this was denied as an evaluation of its services would be included in the State Audit.
Curriculum & Technology Updates (Decision Log Found Here)
Math Curriculum Adoption:
The district is transitioning to new math resources for grades 6-12, balancing cost-effectiveness and quality.
Selected programs include Amplify Desmos, Envision (Savvas) & Carnegie Learning, saving money by leveraging pilot discounts and teacher-selected resources.
Technology Refresh Plan:
The district is phasing out staff desktop computers (8+ years old) and student BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies.
All Middle School students (grades 6-8) will use district-managed Chromebooks with a $50 technology fee, reducing family costs over time.
Security upgrades include password management enhancements and multi-factor authentication.
Milford Middle School Construction Update
The project remains on track for August 1 completion despite weather challenges.
Recent progress:
Brick veneer nearly complete (April 1 deadline).
Classroom ceiling grids and lighting installed.
Gymnasium ceiling painted & HVAC ductwork in place.
Learning stairs taking shape – Concrete pouring expected before next board meeting.
Cafeteria ceiling painted with color accents.
Flooring installation starts next week.
Personnel & Staff Engagement
The district is expanding special education services to better serve students with moderate to intense needs.
Teaching positions are being reduced due to declining enrollment, with minimal class size impact.
Employee engagement efforts include:
Gallup surveys for teacher/staff feedback.
Exit interview analysis to improve retention.
Donations & Recognitions
Milford Schools Foundation donated funds for a hydroponic nutrition garden.
Anonymous donations covered negative school lunch balances.
Former teacher James Keeman contributed to the Roy Ferguson Scholarship Fund.
Retirements:
Lisa Fetick (29 years of service).
Jacqueline Miller (21 years of service).
Upcoming Initiatives
March 13 – Eagle Ambassadors Interest Meeting
Week March 10 – First edition of the new Community Mailer
May 6 – Remote Learning Day due to Election Day polling locations
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2025.