Board of Education Regular Meeting

Kaitlyn Ashbrook reviewed current programming in the district such as gifted, cluster model, intervention, co-teaching, and support. She discussed the areas of expertise that new staff members brought to our district as well as the knowledge, tools, and skills of current staff that will enhance student success.

Dr. Hire discussed the conversations and requests with OFCC regarding the HS project. They need the Board to declare their intent to move forward with the project if that is the action that the District wants to take at this point.

The Board discussed and made the decision to move forward, the motion was made with the Business items discussion. The action taken  - the motion to move forward, any further discussion, and the vote is recorded in Section 11 Business Items, number 11.13.

Jarret Kelly with Plug Smart attended the meeting to present a PowerPoint presentation regarding the current status of the Chiller project. He stated that it was behind schedule due to Trane not being able to get the Chiller delivered yet.  He also mentioned Johnson's Plumbing and the great job they did in the limited space they had to work at, stating that they were great to work with. he ended informing the Board that the Chiller will be delivered on Monday. All equipment necessary to install will be on site so the project can move forward to get improved airflow into our buildings for the staff and students that will be here.

Jarret then moved into a presentation on further recommendations to the Board to save energy and be more efficient by installing a control system. There were three options available to the District. He stated that District personnel had already reviewed this proposal with him. He knows that the Board will need to approve any further expenses incurred and the path they can choose to take if they decided to move forward with his proposals.  They could approve a change order for Plug Smart to continue the project or they could approve a Resolution of Urgent Necessity to obtain quotes from vendors and choose the vendor that offered the best options for the District. The option to bid the job was declined because of the amount of time it would take before the work could be completed. The Board desires to have the least amount of disrupted time to the staff and students in this school year. 

After extensive discussion among the Board members, staff members involved and Jarret, the Board made a decision to move forward with Option 1 and Option 2 but not option 3. This decision would put the control system in the classrooms on the 4th floor. The Board also chose to motion to approve a Resolution of Urgent Necessity. Plug Smart will submit a proposal but so will two other vendors. This will be funded by ESSER III funds and will require a Prevailing Wage. Dr. Butcher stated that they would make a motion and vote on their intent to move forward when they got to the Business section on the Agenda.

***The  motion to move forward on the Controls project and approve the Resolution of Urgent Necessity and the vote is recorded in Section 11-Business Items, number 11.12

Dr. Hire stated that he has asked the administrative team to wear masks so we can mitigate the virus. Our goal is to keep kids in school and provide opportunities for extracurricular activities. He stated that masking gives us that chance. He went on to say that if kids are not masked they will be quarantined if they are in proximity but If they are masked they can stay in school if they are not showing symptoms. 

Dr. Hire included the policy stating that they must make the decision. Dr. Hire requests that the Board propose that staff and students wear masks to protect our kids. This is different from previous thoughts but circumstances have changed - health departments and governors all state that we should be wearing masks but not making mandates. At this time we do not have the same flexibility to teach students if the school were to be closed. 

Mr. Hunt asked about the student that has to stay home - quarantined. Dr. Hire stated that we would accommodate the students that are quarantined They still have one-to-one devices as well. 

We do know that this variant is more contagious. Ms. Laura Roberts, the district nurse explained that if a student is tested with the positive result with no mask, that student and all that were in proximity with no mask will be quarantined. 

Dr. Butcher asked if spacing protocols that we had last year were still in place. Dr. Hire responded that we are planning for all students to eat in the cafeteria. We are not doing block scheduling or the every other day schedule. But all of the extra cleaning protocols will continue. 

Dr. Butcher referenced the Ohio Department of Health flow chart and asked Laura Roberts of all of the kids over age 12 in the county, how many are getting vaccinated? She said not many. She held 2 clinics at the school and they vaccinated 60 kids. OHSAA, OEA, and medical experts are saying the same thing. Get vaccinated, wear masks indoors. 

Mr. Bryant, the community member that spoke earlier, asked Dr. Butcher if the School Board has the authority to say students and staff must wear masks. Dr. Butcher stated that the Board had the authority to put a policy in place. Board member, Mr. Tad Johnson thinks Mr. Bryant was hitting the nail on the head. He would have no problem requesting all to wear masks but he agrees that no one likes a mandate. He stated that everyone has the right to do whatever they want. He told of his experience in Las Vegas that everyone had to wear masks. Dr. Butcher asked Mr. Clark what his opinion is. Mr. Clark stated that he thinks we need to make a statement that we want masks to be worn and try to get people to do it. He also shared an experience from out of town and the number of positive cases of vaccinated individuals. Mr. Clark said he has been contacted by parents that want the kids to mask. Mr. Hunt stated that he is in favor of a mask requirement but he feels like it is the family's choice for their family but for the overall well-being and keeping ALL kids safe.- based on the information in the flow chart, we don't have a choice. Dr. Butcher stated that he would rather make the choice now to be proactive and relieve some of the rules later than not do anything and have regrets. 

Dr. Butcher stated that the Board would make a motion when discussing the items in Section 11 - Business.

***The  motion to move forward on a mask requirement resolution and the vote is recorded in Section 11-Business Items, number 11.14.

Ms. Eyerman discussed the attachments regarding substitute pay for teachers, classified positions through Rachel Wixey and bus drivers with the Board, sharing current pay rates as compared to surrounding Ohio districts. She stated that her intention was to present this to the Board and ask if they are agreeable to consider an increase to all substitute rates. if so, she would bring back options to review, motion, and vote on next month.  All members of the Board were in support of a presentation in September to increase substitute pay rates.

Ms. Eyerman went on to discuss Board member pay rates, showing the documents that support the fact that Board members have not had a raise since 1987 at which time they were approved to receive $80 per meeting. She stated that the Ohio Revised Code allowed for up to $125 per meeting not to exceed $5,000 a year. She then explained that no current members could receive this raise if voted for until their current term expired. if they were re-elected they would receive the new rate as would anyone that was elected. Dr. Hire mentioned that this has been addressed at Organizational meetings in the past but it didn't go anywhere. Since we will have two positions up for election this year, it is a good time to look at it again.  The Board was in favor of having this topic on the Agenda in September.

Vote recorded on 10.0.

Vote recorded on 10.0.

Vote recorded on 11.0.

Vote recorded on 11.0.

Vote recorded on 11.0.

Dr. Butcher stated that he was glad to see this opportunity for our students back again this year.

Vote recorded on 11.0.

Vote recorded on 11.0.

Vote recorded on 11.0.

Vote recorded on 11.0.

Vote recorded on 11.0.

Vote recorded on 11.0.

Vote recorded on 11.0.

Vote recorded on 11.0.

Mr. Tad Johnson shared concern with the amount of this contract and the items it covered. Mr. Jake Conrad did explain that the contract covered a set number of preventative maintenance visits as well as the cost of parts included. Mr. Todd Johnson also stated that Johnson's Controls contracts were reduced this year because we now have a new Chiller. Mr. Conrad stated that this was only for a year and felt it was important because with the new chiller going in and the new controls, we don't really know what we are up against. After we get through this year we can reassess.

Mr. Tad Johnson was in agreement with that plan. He would however like to see a local company be able to have the work in the district instead of a big company from Columbus.

The Board of Education discussed the options and the prices that have been proposed if they choose to move forward with Urgent Necessity as opposed to the pricing from Plug Smart.

Jacob Conrad informed us that the proposal from Control Systems of Ohio is near $20,000 less than Plug Smart. The quote did include the prevailing wage. All vendors (CArrier Automated Logic)

Vote recorded on 12.0.

Vote recorded on 12.0.

Vote recorded on 12.0.