The annual organizational meeting of the Swanton school board was held January 12th. All public entities are required by state law to hold an organizational meeting prior to January 15th, so that is why this meeting was 'off' of our normal schedule.
There are several housekeeping items that are a matter of routine at these things, such as authorizing the Treasurer and Superintendent to accept all donations to the school district on our behalf; secure bonds (O.R.C. 3313.25); authorize the Superintendent to employ temporary personnel as needed in emergency situations (O.R.C. 3319.10); etc. etc. It is the same list of items every year.
Another point of business regards Superintendent Committee appointments. For this year, I volunteered to be on the Audit Committee, the Insurance Committee, and will also be a liaison to other area public entities (such as the townships). The Negotiations Committee will include Mr. Ueberroth and Michelle Tyson, both new school board members. (I wanted to be on this one as well, but only two board members may do so at a time so as not to violate Sunshine Laws of the state, and those two spoke up before I could. . . . maybe I can be an alternate for one of them, should that become necessary.) The Recreation Committee will include Kris Oberheim and Michelle Tyson (new members), and Mona will continue in her capacity as OSBA liaison, with Mr. Ueberroth as her alternate. Mr. Ueberroth will be a liaison to the Village, and other board members will fill that capacity in the various district groups to which they belong.
We appointed our legal counsel for calendar year 2010 with Cooper-Walinski, Ennis, Roberts and Fisher, and Squire, Sanders and Dempsey LLC. We will primarily use the services of Cooper-Walinski. This is a quality firm located right here in Toledo, and our attorney there - Margaret Lockhart - is well qualified in school law (which is a different animal than other areas of law!). I am very glad to have her on our team. If you are interested in her credentials, please go to the Cooper-Walinski website for more information (http://www.cooperwalinski.com).
But the best thing that we accomplished at the organizational meeting was to incorporate a moment of silence into our regular meetings, right after the pledge of allegiance. I am so thankful to have this! It can only bring good to our meetings.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
District Website
If you get a minute, check out the new look of the official school district website. You can find it here:
http://www.swanton.k12.oh.us/
http://www.swanton.k12.oh.us/
Friday, January 8, 2010
A New Year - but with Old Problems
On January 5th, the school board met at Park School. We held elections, and Mona Dyke was elected as board president. I was elected to be vice president.
A presentation on Park School was given by its principal, Jane Myers, and we then trooped over to Crestwood for a presentation by principal Angie Lutz. Time was allotted for questions, etc. and both sessions were very informative.
From there, we headed over to the Middle School where principal Ben Ohlemacher held a presentation in the old library. We learned a lot!
Next we went to the high school, and Steve Gfell met with us, first in the Media Center and then finished his presentation in the science lab. Again, we were given a lot of good information on the plans in place for our students.
All of that was good stuff, and the three new board members were active participants.
While still at Park School, Paulette shared with us news about a federal grant called the "Race to the Top", or "RttT". States need to apply to be considered for this grant, and each school district within each state interested in participating needed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") by four o'clock on Friday the 8th.
There is a formula already outlined, which shows that if Ohio were to be awarded grant money under RttT, the Swanton School District could potentially receive $68,000 over a four year period. Wow!
Of course, there are parameters to be met, as with any grant - but the first step was to get our MOU signed and submitted by the deadline. The school board unanimously passed a motion to instruct Paulette sign this MOU on behalf of our district.
Every school district in the state had the opportunity to participate and therefore receive a portion of the “Race to the Top” grant for the 2010-2011 school year if it is awarded to Ohio. Districts that do not sign the MOU will not be eligible to receive any of the grant money, should Ohio be selected.
Each local teachers’ union must also sign the MOU before it is submitted, and unfortunately the Swanton Education Association (SEA) would not agree to sign without additional demands in a separate MOU between the SEA and the Swanton School Board. Paulette agreed to sign the SEA’s proposed MOU with a minor change in wording, but SEA President Judy Teague, refused on the advice of their Ohio Education Association’s representative. Mrs. Baz then asked to meet with SEA officers to discuss it and was informed there was nothing to talk about.
The Swanton School Board and administration had looked forward to establishing a committee consisting of equal numbers of teachers and administrators to work on the proposal if this grant was awarded, in a continuing effort to become an “Excellent” school district. Some teachers’ unions from neighboring school districts (such as Evergreen) did not require an additional MOU and willingly signed the ODE Memorandum of Understanding as written. Other local districts agreed to a compromise on the additional MOU language and signed together. Those districts will thus be able to receive funds from this Federal grant if it is awarded to Ohio, while Swanton will not.
It is especially disheartening when you realize that many of the components of the “Race to the Top” grant are already being done with full SEA participation at our High School and Middle School as part of the “High Schools that Work” program. It would have been extremely helpful to have had that extra $17,000 in each of four years of the “Race to the Top” grant timeframe.
A presentation on Park School was given by its principal, Jane Myers, and we then trooped over to Crestwood for a presentation by principal Angie Lutz. Time was allotted for questions, etc. and both sessions were very informative.
From there, we headed over to the Middle School where principal Ben Ohlemacher held a presentation in the old library. We learned a lot!
Next we went to the high school, and Steve Gfell met with us, first in the Media Center and then finished his presentation in the science lab. Again, we were given a lot of good information on the plans in place for our students.
All of that was good stuff, and the three new board members were active participants.
While still at Park School, Paulette shared with us news about a federal grant called the "Race to the Top", or "RttT". States need to apply to be considered for this grant, and each school district within each state interested in participating needed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") by four o'clock on Friday the 8th.
There is a formula already outlined, which shows that if Ohio were to be awarded grant money under RttT, the Swanton School District could potentially receive $68,000 over a four year period. Wow!
Of course, there are parameters to be met, as with any grant - but the first step was to get our MOU signed and submitted by the deadline. The school board unanimously passed a motion to instruct Paulette sign this MOU on behalf of our district.
Every school district in the state had the opportunity to participate and therefore receive a portion of the “Race to the Top” grant for the 2010-2011 school year if it is awarded to Ohio. Districts that do not sign the MOU will not be eligible to receive any of the grant money, should Ohio be selected.
Each local teachers’ union must also sign the MOU before it is submitted, and unfortunately the Swanton Education Association (SEA) would not agree to sign without additional demands in a separate MOU between the SEA and the Swanton School Board. Paulette agreed to sign the SEA’s proposed MOU with a minor change in wording, but SEA President Judy Teague, refused on the advice of their Ohio Education Association’s representative. Mrs. Baz then asked to meet with SEA officers to discuss it and was informed there was nothing to talk about.
The Swanton School Board and administration had looked forward to establishing a committee consisting of equal numbers of teachers and administrators to work on the proposal if this grant was awarded, in a continuing effort to become an “Excellent” school district. Some teachers’ unions from neighboring school districts (such as Evergreen) did not require an additional MOU and willingly signed the ODE Memorandum of Understanding as written. Other local districts agreed to a compromise on the additional MOU language and signed together. Those districts will thus be able to receive funds from this Federal grant if it is awarded to Ohio, while Swanton will not.
It is especially disheartening when you realize that many of the components of the “Race to the Top” grant are already being done with full SEA participation at our High School and Middle School as part of the “High Schools that Work” program. It would have been extremely helpful to have had that extra $17,000 in each of four years of the “Race to the Top” grant timeframe.
December 2009
I had my parents up from Florida over the holidays, and I got behind on several things as a result. To keep you up to date, below is a summary of our December school board meeting that was prepared by Paulette Baz, Superintendent.
*******************
In an effort to inform the staff of board of education meetings, I am sending you this update from the December BOE meeting that took place Tuesday, December 17th at 7 PM at the board office.
During the public participation portion of the meeting, a community member spoke about Earth Day and the Citizens Action Network and another community member thanked the 3 board members who will complete their service on 12/31.
The board approved the minutes from the November 17 and 24, 2009 meetings, the financial reports and investments, transfers/advances, and the revised Budget and Objectives from the HS NHS. The BOE approved the appropriation resolution and amended certificate and the 5/3 depository agreement.
During the reports/recommendations of the Superintendent, the board approved the personnel recommendations of the superintendent.
Under new business, the board set the date for the organizational meeting and appointed Mona Dyke President Pro-tem for the organizational meeting. The board also approved the OSBA annual membership dues, and subscriptions. The board also set the pay for the new board members (1/2 of the state rate which is currently $125).
During the comments/statements from the board members section, Mona and Cindy thanked Dennis, Jeff and Mike for their service. Mona and Jeff also had additional comments.
Executive session was held for Employee Employment and Negotiations. No action was taken after executive session.
On 1/5/2010, a special board meeting will be held for the organizational meeting followed by a special meeting---tour/presentation at each building. The January regular board meeting will be on 1/12/10.
*******************
In an effort to inform the staff of board of education meetings, I am sending you this update from the December BOE meeting that took place Tuesday, December 17th at 7 PM at the board office.
During the public participation portion of the meeting, a community member spoke about Earth Day and the Citizens Action Network and another community member thanked the 3 board members who will complete their service on 12/31.
The board approved the minutes from the November 17 and 24, 2009 meetings, the financial reports and investments, transfers/advances, and the revised Budget and Objectives from the HS NHS. The BOE approved the appropriation resolution and amended certificate and the 5/3 depository agreement.
During the reports/recommendations of the Superintendent, the board approved the personnel recommendations of the superintendent.
Under new business, the board set the date for the organizational meeting and appointed Mona Dyke President Pro-tem for the organizational meeting. The board also approved the OSBA annual membership dues, and subscriptions. The board also set the pay for the new board members (1/2 of the state rate which is currently $125).
During the comments/statements from the board members section, Mona and Cindy thanked Dennis, Jeff and Mike for their service. Mona and Jeff also had additional comments.
Executive session was held for Employee Employment and Negotiations. No action was taken after executive session.
On 1/5/2010, a special board meeting will be held for the organizational meeting followed by a special meeting---tour/presentation at each building. The January regular board meeting will be on 1/12/10.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Basic School Finance
A training session on the basics of school finance was held for our newly elected school board members on Tuesday evening, November 24th. Treasurer Cheryl Swisher had prepared handouts for each person and we spent a little over two hours going over her materials.
We did not directly address the Five Year Forecast that evening, although it was mentioned in passing a few times. The main focus that night was to familiarize the new board members with the financial packet that is part of each monthly meeting. General topics were:
We did not directly address the Five Year Forecast that evening, although it was mentioned in passing a few times. The main focus that night was to familiarize the new board members with the financial packet that is part of each monthly meeting. General topics were:
- What are the accounts?
- Where does the money go?
- Where does the money come from?
- The Board's role in the financial process
- Review of board reports
- Questions
Of course, out of a school district's expenses, fully 85% is on salaries and benefits. Board President Jeff Michael reminded everyone that the difference between the salary we had originally offered to the SEA and the final contract is $1 million annually - which goes on forever, each and every year. He made the point that salaries and benefits are the largest expense over which a school district has any control, and that decisions made on contracts have an everlasting effect - good or bad - on a district.
Cheryl spoke about the differences between the various types of funds and how certain funds can only be used for specific purposes. For example, the Permanent Improvement fund holds money that cannot be used for operating the district, by law. It can't even be used for repairs of our buildings! She used the example of a broken pane of glass in a school building window. PI money cannot legally be used to repair that broken pane of glass - but it COULD be used to replace the window completely!
There was a short side discussion on the prospect of a new Middle School. Our "turn" for receiving state funds is coming up soon, but in order to qualify for a new building the enrollment must be at a minimum of 350 students - we are currently at 312 in the Middle School.
Cheryl explained the Board's role, and suggested we ask the right questions:
- What is our district's current millage rates?
- Are any levies expiring and when?
- When is our property going to be reappraised and how will that affect us?
- What are the assumptions in the Five Year Forecast?
- How is our health insurance funded and how does it compare to other Districts?
She was very thorough in her presentation, and shared a lot of valuable information. In her summary, she cautioned that the school board must keep the overall financial picture in mind when approving contracts and staffing, and must make certain that what is approved is allotted for in projections shown in the Five Year Forecast.
This first training session was very well done, and a subsequent session on the Five Year Forecast should also be enlightening for the new board members.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
