Coshocton City Schools Regular Meeting

This vote is recorded on 6.0 above.

This vote is recorded on 6.0 above.

Mr. Hilgenberg (CCEA president) had scheduled to speak publicly to the Board. When called to speak, he asked the Board to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing the employment/personnel issue of a public employee. Dr. Hire was requested to attend the meeting.

The executive session ( agenda item 7.2) was added to the agenda to record the unplanned vote to enter into executive session.

All members voted to enter into executive session. The board entered into executive session at 6:34 p.m.

Executive Session was adjourned at 7:07 p.m. and the regular meeting resumed.

None.

Dr. Butcher presented Lucas Meiser with a commendation and invited him to present his speech to the Board and all in attendance. 

Vote recorded in 8.0.

Mr. H. Tad Johnson was recognized for 30 years of service as a member of the Coshocton City School Board,

The elementary school received awards 2 years in a row.

Vote recorded in 8.0.

Plug Smart began their presentation by explaining that - in Coshocton, the HS was set up to eventually add cooling - many classrooms are already equipped. 

PlugSmart is studying drawings of the buildings to determine what the district needs. Adding a chiller would definitely need to be done but the buildings are already set up -

 They have done a deep dive into MEP drawings.

Regarding the timing of grant application = 2021 - uncertain on timing for the application. They are advising the District to have ducks lined up and be ready to submit by the 1st of the year.  They expect the grant to be paid out on a 1st come 1st served basis and for the 1st wave to be rubberstamped and pushed out the door.  If we know we want to do a project a 1:1 match will be required. They advise we submit it in January.

Plug Smart reviewed the color-coded maps of the building- Dr. Hire asked for clairfication if the purple rooms on 3 and 4 would have air?  The response from Plug Smart was yes, that is correct. Also, the cafeteria is not currently cooled and the kitchen is not. Can we look into that further? It was noted that room 412 has it's own a/c unit. It is the Planetarium. The proposal from Plug Smart is a phased in the project. Phase 1 - a $500K project  - take advantage of the grant. It was stated and agreed by all the board that this is the 1st time we have seen these numbers and it looks do-able. Mr. Johnson said it looks like something we need to get on the ball and be ready for January 1. Dr. Hire said we would look at how we could come up with the money.  Dr. Hire stated that this is good news. Mr. Johnson said it was a very good plan too. Dr. Butcher asked if there is a lot of rust in those pipes? He recalls that was a problem, then went on to ask if the Plug Smart rep was able to see if current piping was usable or needed to be replaced.  Plugsmart did not get above the ceilings, they only looked in/from the mechanical room and what was visible. 

Tad explained that pipes have a tendency to wear out on the bottom - some may need to be replaced. He is excited to see numbers and commended them on how good their plan is. AC for the classrooms would be a plus for students and staff. 10-year solution or 5 years or 40 years - depends on how much we would invest in piping. Dr. Hire asked what the next steps are to start getting ready to apply and determine the funding sources. Plug Smart will do more work and analyze an Energy Audit report. They will then come back and determine exactly what is cooled and what is not.  these early actions put us in a good position to present to the state. They will come back and present to the Board. The plan is for the Board to bless it and provide evidence of means of the match along with a nonbinding letter of intent stating that If the District was given the grant, the Board would approve. Plug Smart helps with the grant application and completes the process. They would try to get us first inline.

Dave Hire - 1st priority- broke down HVAC. This has been presented differently from the 1st time around in 2016-2017. Then, the low estimate if he recalls correctly was $3.9-4.6M. What is the difference between that and the $1.4M value? Is there something we are not getting or not thinking about? !st was possibly a full rebuild. Now we are looking at what can we use that is here. Focus on the central plant and provide what is needed. same equipment - still have issues but will have the heart of the system and hand breaks as we go along. Eyes wide open.  Mr. Johnson made it clear and would expect that the range includes a contingency clause - 10-15% add to the number. It was stated that this option is putting chilled water through what we have. Plug Smart stated that they will continue to stay in touch with the District and again said that the project needs the Board's blessing. 

Dr butcher asked if there were comments - Tad agrees that numbers are realistic and excellent plan - the big thing is put it in the classroom where kids and teachers are. 

Dr. Hire informed the Board that things have gone smooth students and staff are great. Of course, there were a few hiccups, some issues with getting the platforms operational for all students, but this week all students K-5 are now on Edgenuity. Dr. Hire provided a chart to the board reflecting class sizes. It provided information regarding who has face-to-face classrooms and student counts as week as students working on line and student/teacher ratios. 

He also provided the Board a copy of an email from Jennifer Andrews with the transportation scenario at this time as we bring students to and from school. This is changing daily as students need transportation or coming back to face-to-face. Buses may get to 1/3 or 1/2 of seats with more than one student in them. Dr. Hire thinks it was a great idea that we split 1st day into two groups to get students and staff acclimated. He said that District staff members are staying positive for the most part. and keeping safety at the forefront and working on educating kids. 

Dr. Hire opened the floor to Board member questions?

Dr. Butcher asked about ventilation at HS - Dr. Hire responded that the new Hepa units and ventilation in place, providing filtration and cleaner air for staff and students.

Dr. Hire also told the Board about the new nurse from the hospital providing services at the HS. She has been very responsive to Laura about informing and communicating. 

Everyone is being very conservative right now. We had a sports team that needed to hold on practices but got a letter today that said they could resume. 

Mr. Hunt asked about students using the back doors citing a safety issue.  Mr. Skelton, present virtually, explained that the building leadership was made aware of the problem and it was resolved - as of yesterday, these students exit the front door.

Dr. Butcher stated that he has to commend administration, teachers, everybody - he reads news a lot from across the country. He knows that we are trying to "build the plane as we are flying it" and that we are going to have hiccups. he stated that he is thankful for those taking leadership roles and commends them on the job they are doing.

Mr. Tad Johnson asked about video equipment/recorders in classrooms stating that when they break we have to go out for PO to reorder can take a month or 6 weeks to get a new one. He asked if we can have extra on the shelf for immediate replacement. Terri Eyerman stated that she would work with Jason Olinger to determine how we can best accommodate the classroom needs.

Mr. Sam Bennett states he sees the lawncare workers when walking and offered kudos to them for the job they are doing.

Dr. Butcher asked it Board members need a code to log in. Members were directed to a letter sent to them by OSBA with login information. If they have not already, they will need to register on the OSBA website

Removed from action items on the agenda upon the opening of the meeting and vote to approve the agenda. Will add to a future agenda after approval by the Board at the Jefferson County ESC.

Grades 6-12

Grades K-5

Dr. Butcher asked how these are working

Dr. Hire explained we just started this week. Mr. Meiser is handling this. Staff worked virtually with students until the platform was working and now they will get into the routine - Edgenuity is much more interactive and will serve the students/staff well.  Dr. Hire stated that he is glad we have dedicated staff for these programs. 

Dr. Hire also explained that the online learning platform companies have been so overwhelmed with the increase in interest that staff is not getting training at times. CCS does have an in-service on Monday - we have supplemental programs and content for face-to-face teachers to utilize in classrooms or a modified hybrid model as well. Edgenuityalso has workbooks and monitors the activity online, not just time on line. ES school teachers will be more involved with the students. HS students have many more choices for classes and the teacher has more of a monitoring and supportive role. 

Mr. Johnson asked how staff attendance has been. Dr. Hire responded that it was not too bac. He said there is a shortage of bus subs - Jennifer has had to drive, but the situation will be improving. Staff attendance and student attendance are relatively good. The District is required to track and report all of this data and will report on that. We have had a few people out - asking what we are going to do if we cannot find subs. 

Dr. Butcher commented on programs stating that he has read that many districts have dumped programs they have purchased not being supported by the company. He commended that the staff did research and picked a good product everyone is happy with.

This is a revised policy on fees fines and charges. 

Approve the plan for this school year

Annual requirement-

The vote is recorded on 13.0 above.

Dr. Hire explained:

CHS is now 37 hours over the minimum required hours.

CES is 34 hours over.

The District can use remote learning for calamity days.

He explained further that the ES students arriving early anyway. The buses were arriving while students are standing around. These time changes also help with the transition, sanitizing rooms. etc.

Dr. Hire encouraged the board to look up on the ODE website. Students can earn these Seals toward diplomas. 

Also included is the Athletic handbook previously not listed in bullets above.