Garaway Board Adopts School Calendars, Honors Long Serving Members
At its December 15 meeting the Garaway Board of Education adopted school calendars for the 2026 27 and 2027 28 school years and recognized two longtime board members for their service. The decisions affect family schedules, district operations, and the local budget, and the board also approved staffing, curriculum purchases, facility maintenance agreements, and a major community donation.
The Garaway Board of Education on December 15 approved the district calendars for 2026 27 and 2027 28, confirmed personnel changes and purchases, and recognized outgoing board members April Beachy and John Shrock for years of service. Beachy was honored for eight years on the board, and Shrock for seven years and two months. Board members also announced their organizational meeting will take place January 5.
The approved 2026 27 calendar sets the first student day for August 18, 2026 and the last day for May 28, 2027. The board noted winter and spring break dates as part of the adopted calendars. Calendar timing shapes family childcare needs, after school programming demand, and seasonal retail patterns in Holmes County, particularly for working parents who arrange vacation time and for local employers who adjust staffing around school schedules.
Administratively the board accepted the retirement of Kathy Maurer, assistant to the treasurer, effective April 1, 2026. That planned departure creates a near term staffing vacancy that will require internal reassignment or recruitment, which can carry one time hiring costs and longer term wage implications depending on replacement strategy.
On facilities and community collaboration the board accepted a donated picnic pavilion from the Dundee Parent Teacher Organization, a capital contribution that reduces the district s immediate out of pocket capital needs for outdoor amenities. The board also approved preventive maintenance agreements for district facilities, a recurring investment intended to limit emergency repairs and control long term capital expense volatility.
Governance choices included renewing membership with the Ohio School Boards Association and continuing participation in its legal assistance fund, a risk management decision that helps stabilize legal costs for policy and labor disputes. Curriculum actions included purchase approvals for special curriculum materials and a suicide prevention curriculum, reflecting district prioritization of student mental health and specialized learning needs.
The board completed routine personnel and volunteer approvals and recognized November students of the month. Taken together the actions show a focus on operational stability, student wellbeing, and community partnership as Garaway prepares for the next academic years.
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