The Warren County School District Board of Directors reviewed a wide range of facility, finance, personnel and curriculum matters during its committee meeting Monday, including cafeteria renovations, potential new revenue opportunities, staffing updates, technology purchases and the formation of a new football booster organization.

Among the facilities items, board members reviewed a proposal to renew the sewage treatment permit at Eisenhower, a routine permit renewal required every five years.

The board also discussed a design services agreement for renovations to the Sheffield Area Middle High School cafeteria serving line. The project would replace approximately 50-year-old serving line equipment and include electrical upgrades.

Board members also reviewed an agreement with ConnectEd Services to market district property to wireless providers interested in constructing cell towers. Administrators emphasized that the agreement does not obligate the district to approve any future tower leases but could improve cellular service near schools while generating additional revenue at no cost to taxpayers. The agreement is intended to improve communication for students, staff and first responders.

Finance committee members also reviewed the district’s agreement with its 403(b) retirement plan administrator. Business officials said proposed fee changes would affect mutual fund providers rather than district employees or the school district.

Additional finance items included tax exoneration requests, monthly financial reports, the district nutrition report and monthly donation and grant reports.

Personnel recommendations included one teacher resignation, three leave requests, nine employees attaining tenure, two voluntary transfers, one involuntary transfer, retirement incentives and retirement sick leave payments.

“We’re in a way better position today than we’ve been in the past in terms of filling positions,” said Superintendent Gary Weber, noting the district has attracted more applicants while filling many vacancies before the start of the school year.

The board also reviewed support staff changes, renewed its memorandum of agreement with the STRIVE program at the Warren County Career Center, approved the posting of several co-curricular positions and considered athletic supplemental contracts.

Board members also considered a request to establish the Dragon Nation Football Booster Organization to support Warren Area High School football.

Discussion centered on ensuring middle school programs continue receiving adequate support alongside varsity athletics. Board members said younger athletes should have equal opportunities to benefit from booster fundraising efforts.

Questions also arose regarding the proposed organization’s nonprofit status after board members reviewed documentation describing previous lapses in federal filings and organizational paperwork.

District administrators said the board’s role is limited to recognizing booster organizations that comply with district policy and applicable laws. While the district can intervene if policies are violated, officials said booster groups remain responsible for managing their own finances and operations.

Administrators acknowledged the football booster organization has experienced turnover among officers and coaching staff over the years, contributing to organizational challenges, but said the current effort is intended to establish a more stable structure.

The curriculum and technology committee reviewed the district’s transition from BoardDocs to the Keystone Agenda management system, along with the transfer of board documents, minutes and policies.

Board members also approved the sale of obsolete technology equipment, allowing the district to recover some value rather than disposing of equipment through electronic waste recycling.

The board reviewed a previously approved Microsoft licensing agreement totaling $93,390.50 for the 2026-27 school year.

Members also approved accepting a fourth international exchange student at Warren Area High School through the High School in the USA program.

Additional curriculum items included new family and consumer science textbooks for grades 6-8, renewal of the Turnitin plagiarism detection platform, renewal of the Get More Math and IXL instructional software programs, new elementary math manipulatives funded through Title I, professional development services and renewal of the CTE-360 career and technical education platform.

During discussion of Turnitin, board members raised broader concerns about the increasing role of artificial intelligence in education and the growing number of online instructional subscriptions.

Weber said Turnitin has been used for years to verify original student work and proper citation practices, with AI detection becoming an added feature rather than its primary purpose.

He acknowledged AI presents new challenges for educators but said it is important that students learn to use emerging technology responsibly while understanding proper research and citation practices.