MANSFIELD — Gary Feagin is stepping down from the school board, but his passion for Mansfield City Schools isn’t going anywhere.
“I won’t be on the board any more, but I will be continually supporting Mansfield City Schools,” Feagin said Tuesday during his final board meeting. “I bleed Tygers and I will continue to bleed Tygers.”
Feagin, a 1974 graduate of Mansfield Senior High School, was first elected to the board in 2016. He spent one year as the board’s vice president.
Feagin ran in November as a write-in candidate, but was not re-elected. His term ends Dec. 31.
Board President Chris Elswick said people don’t often realize how much time goes into serving on a school board.
“Mr. Feagin gave us nine years. It’s exemplary and we appreciate it and we thank him,” Elswick said.
In addition to typical school board responsibilities, Feagin has volunteered to teach financial literacy and economics through Junior Achievement, coached basketball and helped the district pass levies. He’s also mentored many students.
Superintendent Stan Jefferson said Feagin’s service to the district can be summed up in two words: servant leadership.
“Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated unwavering commitment, thoughtful leadership and a genuine passion for supporting students, staff and the entire school community,” Jefferson said.
“His guidance and steady presence has made a lasting impact. We are sincerely grateful for the time and energy and care you have devoted to our school.”
Jefferson presented Feagin with a plaque and award in recognition of his tenure.
“I’d like to thank the board. I’d like to thank the city of Mansfield for their continuous support,” Feagin said.
Other board matters
The board also:
- Recognized Springmill STEM students Kinley Schuldt, who earned a perfect score on her third grade math Ohio State Test last spring
- Approved a policy update on class rank and grade point averages. The change brings the district into alignment with new state law, which requires that schools weigh certain career tech courses at the same level they do Advanced Placement (AP) and College Credit Plus courses. The career tech courses eligible for such weighting will be Career Technical Assurance Guide (CTAG) and Industry Recognized Credential Transfer Assurance Guide (ITAG) courses, which provide college credit for students who earn specific industry-recognized credentials aligned with in-demand occupations.
- Approved an updated school bus stop list for the 2025-2026 school year. Supt. Stan Jefferson said the list consolidates some stops and will take effect after students return from winter break.
- Approved on a pupil services liaison agreement with Nancy Winston, a retiree, at $60 an hour, not to exceed $16,500 for the 2025-2026 school year
- Approved on an agreement with the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center for the 2025-2026 school year for student participation in academic challenge, the spelling bee and ArtaPolooza. The district will pay $150 per fourth and fifth grade academic challenge team, $200 per sixth grade academic challenge team, $150 each for up to nine spelling bee contestants and $150 for districtwide access to ArtaPolooza.
- Approve a contract with Maxim to provide services to medically fragile students at an hourly rate of $60 per hour for LPNs and $70 per hour for RNs
- Approve contribution amounts for the district’s new health insurance plan. The district will kick in $881.20 per employee per month for a single plan, $1,373 for an employee plus children plan, $1,792.60 for an employee plus spouse plan and $2,492.30 for a family plan.