Warren County School Board Meeting Highlights Student Success, Facility Updates, and Calendar Changes

At its most recent work session, the Warren County School Board discussed a wide range of topics, from celebrating student achievements to reviewing building upgrades and exploring changes to the school calendar.

The meeting opened with a special recognition of the Warren County High School DECA chapter. The group recently returned from the state DECA leadership conference with top awards and impressive accomplishments. DECA Advisor Mr. Gardner shared that this year’s team included over 60 student members and is stronger than ever.

Among the highlights, students Kaylee Presgraves and Nathan Greenwell took first place for their financial literacy project aimed at fourth-grade students. Allie Musil and Alexa Bradley, operating the school’s food business, “DECA Tailgaters,” earned first place in a state competition for school-based enterprises. Several student-run businesses were awarded gold-level certifications, and 13 students will now advance to compete at the DECA national conference in Orlando, Florida.

“This is the first time we’ve had first-place winners at the state level,” said Gardner. “And everyone you see here is returning next year. The program continues to grow.”

Calendar Survey Proposal

Later in the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Christopher Ballenger introduced a new survey designed to collect feedback from families on the idea of moving to a four-day school week. A special committee of parents, teachers, and administrators has been studying the possibility of a modified school calendar for several months.

If the change moves forward, students will attend school four days a week with slightly longer school days. Fridays could be used for optional tutoring, remediation, or other learning activities—especially for families needing childcare support.

Dr. Ballenger emphasized that this is still just a proposal. “We’re not making any decisions yet,” he said. “We need to hear directly from families.”

The survey, which will be sent to all Warren County Public School parents and guardians in April, will help determine whether there is community support for the idea. If there is interest, further planning will continue, but the earliest any changes will take place is the 2026–2027 school year.

School Climate and Attendance Updates

Board members also reviewed current student attendance rates and school climate survey results. The goal is to maintain at least a 95% attendance rate across all schools. Data shows that while attendance is strong, there is still room for improvement in some areas.

In a separate survey, students and staff were asked if they felt safe at school. Most responded positively, but there was a small decline in staff responses this year. Officials believe it may be linked to perceptions of student behavior and discipline consistency. Efforts are underway to review and strengthen behavior support programs across the district.

Facility and Maintenance Progress

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ballenger and Facilities Director Mr. Brian Helmick provided an update on current and future maintenance projects. Completed improvements include gym renovations, cooling tower repairs, and installation of new keyless entry systems in several schools.

The department has also handled more than 1,500 maintenance work orders this year. Projects planned for the summer include painting, roof inspections, boiler maintenance, and new secure front entrances at some schools.

A recent assessment showed that the roof at Hilda J. Barber Elementary is in poor condition. The board is now considering replacing it this year using current capital improvement funds, which could save money and eliminate the need for this project in next year’s budget.

Community Support and Donations

The board also accepted two generous donations. Warren County High School’s baseball and softball teams will receive a new storage shed from Nova Power Systems to help with equipment storage. A.S. Rhodes Elementary received a $1,390 donation from Kohl’s volunteers through the Benevity Giving platform. The money will be used for classroom materials requested by teachers.

Board members expressed their thanks for the community support and approved both donations with gratitude.

Looking Ahead

The board also discussed updates on substitute teacher fill rates, student resource officer reports, and budget tracking. Officials are watching spending closely and reviewing how funds are being used across all departments.

Finally, the board moved into a closed session to discuss personnel matters and student cases.

As always, school leaders reminded the public that continued community involvement is vital to the success of students and schools in Warren County.

More information about upcoming board meetings and surveys will be shared with families in the coming weeks.