The Calhoun Board of Education met for the LSIC (Local School Improvement Council) meeting at the Arnoldsburg Elementary School on Tuesday, October 14th, 2025. Following the LSIC meeting the Regularly scheduled October meeting was held in the Cafeteria at 5:30 p.m.
Under Delegations, Shari Johnson Publisher of Ridgeview News addressed the Board saying:
“I have been involved with Calhoun County Schools for:
- 9 years as a student
- 17 years as a parent
- 14 years as a grandparent
- 5 years as a substance abuse prevention project director
- 3 years as a news publisher
Each of those experiences has brought me feelings of joy, accomplishment, pride and unfortunately frustration and multiple times a broken spirit for myself, my kids and my grand kids. My broken spirit came every time I experienced attitudes of superiority and un-supportiveness when I came to the school either to help, or for help. When a family member of my own faced expulsion and the Superintendent of School didn’t offer to guide or help the parents, but rather was permitted to reduce the parent sobbing tears, it caused me great disgust with the entire school board who sat silent and did not come to their defense. School board procedures have been questionable for some time.
I sat outside of another child’s school expulsion during an executive session and heard a revolting, belittling and screaming rant from Kelly Whytsell to a parent who was told their child had little to no hope to be better.
What else concerns me is that the behaviors of Calhoun faculty doesn’t seem to warrant any attention at all until it get’s to the point of being a felony.
I am going to give you a list of some recent or fairly recent events (within the past few years and unfortunately within the last few weeks) that have not been handled as it should have been. I sincerely hope you will take the information and rather than stuff it in a file, put a plan into action to fix the problems.”
That list of allegations were that of offenses and inappropriate actions within the school that had been given to me from students, parents and school faculty. The list was sent to the Superintendent and the Board members this morning. Ridgeview did not make it public because many of the allegations (although I believe them to be true) are just that allegations. I am giving the school the opportunity to fix some matters and address their actions. If not, we’ll review publishing the list again.
Student Recognitions were made for GSA Exceeds Standards
• English Language Arts:
➢ Gracelyn Baker
➢ Kinsley Burch
➢ Thorin Gungle
➢ Lydia Hill
➢ Paislie Jarvis
➢ Axton White
• Math
➢ Gracelyn Baker
➢ Isaac Fitzwater
➢ Thorin Gungle
➢ Lydia Hill
➢ Paislie Jarvis
➢ Kyson Sampson
Winners of the 2025 Calhoun County Youth Livestock Show and Sale were also recognized:
➢ Kallah Reip – Grand Champion Market Rabbit and Grand Champion Market Hog
➢ Camry Parsons – Reserve Grand Champion Market Rabbit and Reserve Grand Champion Feeder Heifer
➢ Trinity Probasco – Grand Champion Market Goat
➢ Karson Propst – Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat
➢ Kylee Stewart – Grand Champion Dairy Goat Doe and Grand Champion Pen of Market Chickens
➢ Kamryn Stewart – Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Goat Doe
➢ Kelsey Snider – Grand Champion Feeder Steer and Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef
➢ Hallie Mace – Grand Champion Market Beef
➢ Raelyn Arnold – Grand Champion Market Lamb
➢ Cyrus Helmick – Grand Champion Pen of Pullets
➢ Hoyt Helmick – Reserve Grand Champion Pen of Pullets
Financial reporting was as follows:
- General Fund Invoices – $ 91,302.89
- Supplements – $ 186,021.84
- Transfers – $ 185,967.41
- September 2025 Financial Statement
Transportation Request approved for the National FFA Convention, Indianapolis IN, Oct. 28-Nov 1, 2025, Annie Jones –Teacher, FFA, Personal Vehicle
Volunteer Requests approved for the following:
- Eliza Burch
- Beth Nicholas
- Sara Houchin
- Vonnie Gail Butler
- Tara Teykaerts
- Kim Mace
- Paige Toney
- Wade Mace
- Alicia Swearingen
- Jacqueline Blankenship
- Tina Persinger Hamrick
- Jessica Metz
Breanna Chang, was hired as a Substitute Teacher, effective September 16, 2025
William Mitchell was hired as aBus Operator, effective September 26, 2025
Ivy O’neal, hired as a Substitute Bus Operator, effective September 19, 2025
Jaelyn Jett was hired as a Substitute Teacher, County Job ID 38143
Crystal Jarvis hired as a Substitute Multi-Classified Aide II/Supervisory Aide/Bus Aide/Specialized Health Care Procedures, County Itinerant, Job ID 50007
Jaden Swearingen, hired as aSubstitute Mechanic, Job ID 53469 pending background check
Shane Ingram Jr. hired as a Substitute Mechanic, Job ID 53469 pending background check
1. Katie Jones Hired as Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach, Job ID 52813
2. Adam Parsons, Authorized / Certified (Non-Paid) Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Job ID 53846 (pending certification)
C. Termination of Contract Due to Failure to Renew Certification
- Christopher Cunningham, Substitute Teacher
- Dylan Spears, Restricted Substitute Teacher
XI. Employee Hearing – Discipline Without Pay
1. Ratification of Unpaid Suspension
XII. Expulsion Review
1. 2024-25-08
XIII. Adjournment
- Future Board Meeting Dates:
- Wednesday, November 12, 2025 (Regular/LSIC) Pleasant Hill Elementary
- Wednesday, December 17, 2025 (Regular/LSIC) Calhoun Middle High School
- Monday, January 12, 2026 (Regular) Calhoun Board of Education
- Monday, February 16, 2026 (Regular) Calhoun Board of Education
- Monday, March 16, 2026 (Regular) Calhoun Board of Education
- Monday, April 13, 20265:30 p.m. (Regular) Calhoun Board of Education
