Regular Meeting

The May 21, 2020 Board Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.

- Dispensed with pledge during this  virtual meeting

The vote recorded here is inclusive of all items from 8.1 through 8.6.

Coshocton Elementary School Unified Arts: Dr. Hire played a video that was submitted by the Unified Arts team that showcased the students and the successes of the unified Arts team as well as their students. Mr. Duling spoke on the video thanking the board and Dr. Hire for support as they worked through the change to teaching at home. He then thanked the families and kids and expressed how much they miss all of them. He thanked his team, each by name, and spoke about the processes they went through to bring the classes to the kids. Thank you to Aaron Mercer who put the video together for the team. The Board commented on how nice it was done. Dr. Hire thanked Jamie for coordinating the presentation.

Coshocton HS FCCLA Region 2 Competition - Due to the limit on the number of people that could be in the meeting room, a PowerPoint was provided that Dr. Hire presented. The presentation highlighted the students that participated in events and their accomplishments. There were pictures of students with their displays and awards. The Board congratulated and expressed pride in all of the students involved in the competition.

Fieldhouse Update and Athletic Trainer Opportunity: Mr. Tim Fortney presented a video of the field house update. He started by thanking Nate McColley for putting this video together with drone footage from Hasseman Marketing. Mr. Fortney stated that the process began about a year ago and that he is pleased with the results.  He stated that other than a few small items, the project is complete. He is working with the boosters to complete the projects they are responsible for such as the red and black epoxy on the floor. The equipment for the concession stand, and paint on walls was completed by the boosters. Mr. Fortney mentioned that for football, 26 of 55 lockers are funded and that he is working on completing that along with the boosters. Mr. Fortney stated that public contact was at a minimum which slowed the campaign for donations due to the COVID-19 constraints. He also mentioned that  17 to 20 lockers are funded for other sports out of 50 needed. He is also working on getting medical tables and equipment donated. 

Conversation took place about the fencing and location of the gate for athletes to enter the locker room in relation to the location of the victory bell. Mr. Fortney suggested what current goals are but said he is open to input and ideas.

A plaque, similar to what is at the Elementary School, was also discussed along with the assurance that all the names are mentioned of those that worked on making the project become a reality, especially former Board member Dr. Todd Salmans.

A question was asked about how utilities and cost savings will be handled during the "off-season" months. Mr. Fortney assured the Board that thermostats would be lowered to save on heating costs while protecting the pipes from freezing.

Mr. Fortney then shared with the Board information they requested about the athletic trainer. He stated that the District has not had a trainer for approx 20 years - since the early 2000's. Right now, when we host tournaments, we rent one from somewhere out of town. Our coaches have been our trainers for the last 15-20 years. After much discussion with the local hospital, they have recognized the need but had no one qualified with the necessary background. The Marketing director was able to work with the hospital to come up with a plan to meet the district's needs. They provide candidates to interview and are hiring a young man from Muskingum University with impeccable references. He will work for the hospital and be available to work at the high school up to 40 hours a week for the entire year at no expense to the district. A contract is being drafted now. Mr. Fortney stated that the overall goal of everyone is to provide students, coaches, and parents with the best care and service we can.  We will make revisions to our trainer program - a collaborative effort with Mr. Fortney and the hospital - looking at other programs. A pupil activity permit will be required, just like coaches, He will have to pass state and national board tests. Mr. Fortney will share the contract with Dr. Hire and Terri once he has one. He said, "It sounds too good to be true!" This is an outstanding opportunity. The Board was pleased with the report of this. Dr. Hire stated that this is exactly what we need, especially after the impact of the property tax exemption issue. This won't be just on game nights. He appreciated Mr. Fortney's efforts and the hospital's generosity.

Dr.Butcher also mentioned the fact that the District will be playing in a new league this year.

The Board thanked Mr. Fortney for the presentation.

Fall Renewal Levy: Ms. Eyerman stated that she has information that Felicia had from Bricker and Eckler and that she has had a conversation with Becky Princehorn with Bricker and Eckler as well to get caught up on discussions so far.  She will bring that information and any data she has to the June 4th work session in preparation for a more in depth discussion about the topic.

FY21 Budget Reduction Plan: Ms. Eyerman stated that she and Dr. Hire have been having extensive conversations about a budget reduction plan and will continue to do so.  When estimating future cuts, she modeled 5, 10, 15, and 20% cuts to state foundation payments and mirrored those numbers in property tax delinquencies.  All of those models are being looked at. She stated that she and Dr. Hire are having collaborative conversations and listing opportunities to reduce spending while having the least impact on the education of our students. Neither want to have a knee jerk reaction, but want to be prepared and intend to have a plan in place should any one of these scenarios come to fruition.

The vote recorded here is inclusive of all items from 11.1 through 11.6.

This vote is inclusive of all items from 12.1 through 12.7.

This vote is inclusive of all items from 13.1 through 13.12.

Open Discussion: Mr. Hunt took this opportunity to ask Dr. Hire about putting together a possible focus group with parents and teachers to discuss what didn't work, and what did. Dr. Hire agreed and said it was a  great point and that they are doing a gap analysis at this time to determine what should have been taught and what wasn't. Dr. Hire stated that this is a series with staff to begin to gather some of that data, saying that they still need to get feedback from parents. They want to know what was too much, what wasn't enough, as well as how do parents feel about it.

Mr. Hunt suggested that they possibly add more interaction, possibly through Zoom/Webinar. He stated that his kids love seeing their teachers and classmates, and there is value in that. He did state that he recognizes that small children's needs differ from older.

Important to note- moving forward we need to finalize how things will be sanitized; types of learning; how we make sure people are safe; who has parents at home, who doesn't; and how can people connect, among other things. All will have to be considered and he is worried about social-emotional learning and inequities that are happening.

Mr. Johnson asked about students that do not have help at home. Will we see students held back and repeating due to work they missed?  Dr. Hire said probably not and we will look at promoting and then supporting where needed. 

The Board had a discussion about different types of situations and ways some didn't have the same support and equipment or services. Dr. Hire said some students were fine working from home and some need to be here.

Dr. Hire also wanted the Board to know that we are going to have to spend money this summer to plan - people are not going to give time out of goodness of heart on their off days. CARES money is hopefully coming. There is need to buy technology.  He stated that we don't know all of the answers but there are many conversations. These are some of the things we know we have to work through and are expecting to see a very busy summer.

On grading policy or remote working - Dr. Hire thinks staff did a great job but if this becomes the new normal, it will need to be different. Mr. Hunt said that is what he thinks too.

Mr. Clark asked about all of this causing a loss in enrollment as students move to online school options. Dr. Hire said he thinks it is a possibility due to the parent fear factor. He stated that there are surveys published that support this. We have to be ready for the remote part - if 100% remote, Coshocton City Schools still need to provide that. We are currently looking at learning management systems and ways to teach in a different way. Education will have a new norm.

Dr. Hire passed out a document listing 12 "GREAT THINGS" that are happening around the District. He pointed out that the CHS yearbook was dedicated to the Food Service staff for all the extra work they did. He said Thank you to Jennifer for coordinating all of the feeding of students since the school buildings closed.

He shared that Commencement is on Sunday. He wanted to again draw attention to the staff and say how proud he is of our staff. He is proud of the staff and students giving back to the community. He stated that our staff has had tremendous support from their administrative team. 

Dr. Butcher reminded everyone of the commencement at  2:00 p.m. on Sunday. All 5 board members will participate - each taking an hour to be outside greeting and congratulating the graduates.

The senior parade is Friday, tomorrow night, at 7:00 p.m.

SHP will participate remotely to talk about the HS plan at the June 4th work session. Mr. Bennett will need to call in for the June 4th work session, he will be out of town.

Mr. Johnson mentioned that Mr. Raach from the Coshocton County Career Center stated in a meeting that he may be retiring to spend more time with family.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25.p.m.