Board of Education Special Meeting

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following Resolution: 

     WHEREAS, on Thursday, October 21, 2021 the Coshocton City Education Association informed the Superintendent of the Coshocton City Schools of its intent to strike at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, November 1, 2021; 

     WHEREAS, the Board of Education is committed to continuing the educational program of the District for the benefit of the students and the community; 

     WHEREAS, the Board of Education is committed to continuing the District's educational program in an orderly and safe manner; 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education authorizes the following Resolution: 

     The Superintendent is authorized to take any and all steps he deems necessary to continue the educational program of the school district in an orderly and safe manner. 

Due to the threat of a withdrawal of services by the employed teaching personnel of the Coshocton City School District as evidenced by the notice of intent to strike effective 12:01 a.m. on November 1, 2021, and served on the Superintendent by the Coshocton City Education Association and because of the Board of Education's commitment to the continuation of the educational program in the Coshocton City School District the Coshocton City School District Board of Education finds it necessary to pass the following resolution: 

Section 1:  Absences 

Effective November 1, 2021 all nonteaching absences must be substantiated by written proof of the need for the absence from duty.  Proof shall include documentation as requested by the administration.  Pay will not be granted for unauthorized absences. 

Section 2:  Pay and Compensation 

The Superintendent and Treasurer are authorized to take any and all action(s) necessary to comply with the provisions of O.R.C. §4117.15(C), which prohibits a public employee from receiving pay or compensation from the public employer for the period engaged in any strike. 

Section 3:  Substitute Teaching Employees 

The Superintendent is authorized to hire substitute teaching employees and to pay substitute teaching employees $200 per day, plus mileage and/or lodging. 

Section 4:  Temporary Employees 

The Superintendent is authorized to hire temporary employees for the duration of the withdrawal of service at the rate now in effect for regular employees and/or such rate as is agreed upon by the temporary employee and the Superintendent for the Board of Education. 

Section 5:  Leasing of Equipment 

The Superintendent is authorized to purchase, obtain, lease or otherwise utilize and pay for the services of any and all equipment that the Superintendent deems necessary during this emergency situation.  Said equipment may include, but is not limited to, motor vehicles, communication devices and other items. 

Section 6:  Closing of School Facilities 

The Superintendent or his designee shall be the only district employee authorized to close any school facility. 

Section 7:  Contracting for Security Service 

The Superintendent, or his designee, is hereby authorized to enter into individual contracts for the provision of necessary security services as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Superintendent. 

Section 8:  Delegation of Authority 

The Superintendent is authorized to cancel and/or reschedule any classes, educational programs, school event/activity whether extra-curricular or otherwise, on the Coshocton City School District Calendar as may be deemed necessary by the Superintendent. 

Section 9: Authorization of Legal Counsel

The Board's legal counsel, Bricker & Eckler LLP, is authorized to act on behalf of the Board to prosecute and defend legal actions of all types in any forum whatsoever as the Superintendent in his discretion deems to be in the best interests of the school district, Board employees and the students.

Section 10:  Rescission of Authorization 

The provisions and authorizations contained in this resolution are effective immediately, and shall remain in force until the conclusion of the strike, as determined by Coshocton City School District Board of Education, unless earlier rescinded by action of the Board of Education. 

Section 11:  Compliance with O.R.C. §121.22 

It is found and determined that all formal actions of this Board concerning and relating to the adoption of this resolution were adopted in open meeting of this Board, and that all deliberations of this Board were in compliance with all legal requirements including O.R.C. §121.22. 

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following Unauthorized Access to school Property Resolution:

Be it resolved that the following policy be adopted:

In the event of a strike, as defined by R.C. 4117.01(H), by certificated/licensed personnel, those employees participating in the strike shall, for the duration of the strike, be subject to all Board policies and regulations governing non-employee access to school buildings and presence on school grounds.  The Superintendent or his designee is authorized to take appropriate action, including the filing of criminal trespass charges, to deal with unauthorized entry or presence on school grounds or in school buildings, and/or interference with the ingress or egress of persons and vehicles to and from school grounds and school buildings. 

The provision and authorization contained in this resolution is effective immediately, and shall remain in force until the conclusion of the strike, as determined by Coshocton City School District Board of Education, unless earlier rescinded by action of the Board of Education. 

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following Picket resolution: 

BE IT RESOLVED that the following policy be adopted effective immediately:

Pickets Prohibited

School property of the Coshocton City School District is not a public forum, and no person is authorized to enter upon school property for the purpose of indiscriminate dissemination of information through picketing.  No person shall picket on school property.  The Superintendent or her designee is authorized to take appropriate action, including the filing of criminal trespass charges, to deal with unauthorized picketing on school grounds or in school buildings.

It is recommended that the Board of Education enter Executive Session for the purpose of: to prepare for negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment with no action to follow.