Coshocton City Schools Regular Meeting

Mr. Fauver presented virtually to the Board. The presentation provided an update on the current status of face-to-face and remote learning. He also discussed challenges that staff, students, and parents are working together on and commended the MS/HS staff and students for their hard work.

Dr. Hire noted that the plan passed overwhelmingly in the House. The Senate stalled it, holding it to move with the budget bill next year  Despite all of the pressure school personnel, the developers, and supporters of the plan are putting on the senators it doesn't look like it will move. 

We are hoping that they will move forward. Dr. Hire state that he has reached out to senators asking them to push the plan forward. They have all replied but apparently, it is stalled.

New color designations today - we remain red. 

All of the PPE, equipment, supplies, and protocols we have in our buildings are helping us with the lack of spread in our buildings.

Mr. Fauver mentioned that the HS face-to-face students only see their teachers one time a week due to Block scheduling, they are present two days but have an odd period one day and even the next. 

Dr. Hire provided a quick overview on the current number of active cases at:

ES 2-staff and 2 students

HS no staff and one student

- and the total overall cases so far:

ES -  6 staff and 6 Students

HS - 7 staff and 15 students 

The quarantine number's - Current active - impact

ES-6 staff and 48 students

HS - 2 staff and 44 students

2 student groups A & B and separation helping to keep to a minimum in the recent surge.

Mr. Hunt asked if people are looking at the numbers as they make decisions to bring remote kids back to the buildings for more face to face.

Dr. Hire responded - Not if the county goes purple, as long as still red, our intent is to try to get more face to face. We will be bringing a few more teachers back from remote to face to face. Gets more cramped when we are trying to bring kids back - no hard and fast rule at this time. There are so many transmission and incident rates outside of the school we are being cautious. 

Dr. Hire stated that he told the staff we will continue to talk about being open and have kids in the building as much as possible.  He stated that our nurses are doing a great job. He counts on Laura Roberts to be keeping all of this straight and she is doing a great job at it.

After listening to Mr. Fauver's and Dr. Hire's presentations, Tiffany Swigert commented on how great our teachers are doing. She is very thankful. She wanted to share that before she began - 

Tiffany Swigert, Executive Director of the Port Authority, presented virtually providing basic information about Enterprise Zones with a PowerPoint that is attached to the meeting agenda She also had Paul Bratton from MFM online to answer any questions the Board may have for him - MFM manufactures weather barriers. Tiffany began by explaining that Curtis Lee's(Coshocton County Commissioner) father retired from MFM, his uncle sold this operation to Robert Simpson. As a final ask of a county commissioner that served as our County Commissioner for many years - Tiffany would like for him to be able to put his name on this document before the end of 2020.  She explained that if the Board found this important, they would need to act before the next board meeting the second week in January. She stated that she would like the board to discuss the options and determine how they are going to go through with this if Curtis Lee would be a signer on the agreement. Mr. Bratton added that MFM and the Simpson Foundation have been around and supportive of the Coshocton City Schools and the community. They love the community and have always been a big supporter of the kids. They are our future.

Dr. Butcher asked if and when this goes through, what is the anticipated timeline to start moving dirt.  Mr. Bratton said they are prepared to begin moving dirt in the spring. They will need to take care of a few items first. No contracts have been awarded as of yet but they are prepared to start that. 

Dr. Hire asked what the timeline was on phase I and phase II as referenced on the abatement. Mr. Bratton and Tiffany responded that the plan is to start in January and hopefully have the first phase completed in 2021. In Jan 2022 they plan to start the 2nd phase with completion in November 2022.

Tiffany talked about the 21 new jobs with the payroll close to $1 million (using the future approximately $47K per employee) She talked about how critical it is to Coshocton County to have those employees. She stated that with the Jobs Ohio incentive, one of the things that are considered is the promised new jobs and the employees have to be hired within a timeline.

Mr. Clark stated that he is concerned about if we okay this to MFM then Wiley's or another business looking at Coshocton will want the same, which to him is worrisome. Tiffany responded by saying that as a tool, this can be valuable to grow businesses. The unemployment rate in Coshocton County is in the 6.5-6.7 range. Holmes County is in the 2.7 range. They built a plan to be a prosperous county. We have to look 25 years out. The concessions are securing a future for our kids and their kids and also retaining the workforce. 

Mr. Johnson stated that he is concerned about the100% for 12 years. He has seen 75% for 10 years and he has supported that in the past. 

The Board had an extensive discussion about the pros for the community and the financial impact on the District. 

Tiffany added to the discussion that if the Board was in support and wanted to do this before the end of the year it could require a special meeting if they want Commissioner Curtis Lee's signature on it. 

Dr. Butcher commented that at the career center meeting earlier today, the board did give Mr. Raach the authority to sign the documents and the same could take place here.  Providing that all documents Dr. HIre receives are as stated this evening. Dr. Hire would have the authority to sign. He could share the documents with the Board.

Dr. Butcher then asked to clarify that the $38K current property taxes the district receives would not change but assumes that the new improvements may double the value of the property.  Dr. Butcher sees the employment, could be $300K (65%) and stated that w are setting a precedent.  Mr. Hunt stated that he hopes that happens. The board had a very in-depth conversation about the district income and how it is impacted moving forward. Indirect wealth. If MFM were not here at all then we would not be receiving any property taxes and potential. Dr. Butcher stated that when he first read the document he thought the company and county were playing one side against another. After further research, he believes that Mr. Battan is going to bat for this community and that he wants to stay here and that he knows what the company is thinking. Dr. Butcher then asked the Board members what other information they need in order to make a motion that Dr. Hire has the authority to review the documents, and if that was what the Board wanted to do.

After more discussion about the agreement and the impact on the school district as well as the benefit to the community and county, the board members agreed that they would support moving the agreement forward in time to Have Mr. Lee's signature on it.

Dr. Butcher then made a motion to add this to the agenda and vote on it. (the motion and vote are added to the Business section of the minutes)

Vote recorded in item 10.

Ms. Eyerman explained that Diane Olinger, an alumni swimmer that started a girls swim team at Coshocton City Schools has asked to start a student academic scholarship for swim team members. She stated she would make annual donations to fund the scholarship. She will work with the guidance office and the scholarship committee to develop the criteria for the scholarship.  Approval of this fund will provide the ability to deposit her donation as soon as it arrives.

Vote recorded in item 10.

Thank you to all of those that donated to fund the Thanksgiving dinner. Mr. Fauver stated that this year, there were more donations provided than in any other year so far.

Vote recorded in item 11.

This resolution was discussed in detail at prior meetings. No discussion took place at this meeting.

Vote recorded in item 11.

The partnership has been a topic of discussion at past meetings.

Vote recorded in item 11.

This resolution and commitment by the Board were discussed extensively at past meetings. No discussion took place at this meeting.

Vote recorded in item 11.

This is an annual agenda item. There was no discussion.

Vote recorded in item 11.

Dr. Jere Butcher was nominated and appointed President Pro-Tem for the January 14th, 2021 Organizational Meeting. 

Dr. Butcher made a motion to give Superintendent, Dr. Dave Hire the authority to sign the Enterprise Agreement when it was received from the Port Authority in its final form; the authority is contingent upon the documents received stating exactly as the Board heard during the meeting. Dr. Hire was instructed to receive and review the documents, send a copy to each Board member and if all language was as stated and understood, sign the document on behalf of the Board. 

Vote recorded in item 12.

Vote recorded in item 12.

Vote recorded in item 12.

Vote recorded in item 12.

None scheduled