The Ohio Hi-Point Career Center’s Board of Education met on Wednesday evening and discussed several items on the agenda, including the recognition of the February Students of the Month and various employment and internship agreements.
Right off the bat, the board heard from two community members, Connie Hall and Lea Del Hurley.
The ladies addressed the group expressing concern about a letter that Dr. Rick Smith has recently submitted to the Ohio Power Siting Board, in what was taken as a letter of support of the pending project, Grange Solar, at Indian Lake.
The ladies mentioned that they felt that Dr. Smith was not supporting the project, and asked the board if they would consider retracting the letter from the record at the OPSB.
It was mentioned to the ladies that it was not a line item on the agenda for the evening, and Dr. Smith made the following statement:
Dr. Smith and Brad Richardson presented to the board, the Operational Plan Review.
To put it plainly, the district is going to do a revamp of its education standards, budget, and programming.
After much research, the pair felt that Ohio Hi-Point isn’t in line with other Career Centers in the region, and are looking to upgrade the experience for students, staff, and parents, along with community members.
The process will include streaming lining testing, integrating core curriculum and labs together, and making a 5-year plan for the buildings and grounds.
The nearly 45-minute presentation to the board seemed to leave the board invigorated with excitement as they up their game.
Dr. Smith then announced the February 2025 Students of the Month: Jordyn Green from the Health Careers Academy at Waynesfield-Goshen High School and Katelynn Wireman from Graphic Media Arts at Bellefontaine High School.
The board also approved several internship agreements with local businesses, including Belle Beauty in Bellefontaine, Elev8 Strength & Conditioning in Marysville, Hardbody Athlete in Plain City, Marie’s Candies and Springhills Auto Sales in West Liberty, White’s Service Center in Urbana, and Worthington Steel in Worthington.
In terms of employment, the board approved the hiring of Jennifer Leasure as a substitute teacher and substitute school nurse, effective February 3rd.
Several resignations were also accepted, including Tamera Cooper, Work Based Learning Coordinator, effective June 30th, Philip Corwin, Assistant Technology Coordinator, effective February 28th, John Marshall, Agriculture Education Instructor, effective February 17th, Jamie Riley, Intervention Specialist, effective June 30th, Robert Walker, Facilities & Grounds Director, effective April 15th, and Connor Brandt, Assistant Technology Coordinator, effective March 7th.
The board approved the employment of Chelsea Minter as a CT Financial Assistant for the remainder of the school year, from February 10th through June 30th.
Additionally, the board approved the 2026/2027 District Calendar, which includes up to five calamity days, with make-up days scheduled for January 18, 2027, February 15, 2027, and at the end of the school year.
The board announced that Brad Richardson, current Assistant Superintendent at Ohio Hi-Point Career Center (OHP), will become the next superintendent of OHP, starting on January 1, 2026.
This announcement comes after a six-month transition period that will begin in July 2025.
During the transition period, Dr. Rick Smith, the current superintendent at OHP, will divide his time between Ohio Hi-Point and the Miami Valley Educational Service Center (MRESC), where he will also serve as superintendent.
Dr. Smith will work closely with Brad Richardson to ensure a smooth transition and maintain ongoing educational support for the school, students, and community.
Dr. Smith comments on the meeting and the upcoming transition, above resignation, and his passion for education:
Richardson brings nearly 20 years of experience in education, including the past nine years at Ohio Hi-Point.
During his time at OHP, Richardson has held roles such as Career Tech Supervisor, Career Tech Director, and Assistant Superintendent.
He has managed around 70 career tech programs across multiple locations, handled multi-million-dollar budgets and grants, and worked on enhancing work-based learning initiatives to strengthen the connection between education and industry.
Richardson talks about the excitement of the change and why he is taking the role:
The next Ohio Hi-Point Career Center Board of Education meeting is set for March 19th at 7 PM.
