Two for June

The school board had two meetings in June.  Our regular meeting was held June 15th, and a special meeting was held the next evening, on June 16th.  Rick Ueberroth was not in attendance at either meeting.

At our regular meeting, we had several guests in attendance but no one spoke during the "Hearing of the Public" portion.  Board President Mona Dyke presented Melinda Albring with a commendation for her EMIS Professional Award.

We went into executive session before any other official business that night, to discuss employee employment.  Upon our return, all items in the consent agenda were passed with the exception of two things that the board had only received that evening and wanted more time to review before taking a vote.  These were the final appropriations for fiscal year 09/10 and the temporary appropriations for 10/11, required by law.

Under the recommendations of the treasurer, the board voted to keep student fees and cafe' charges at the same level as last year.  A job description for "Fiscal Secretary" was submitted for our consideration, but since we had only received it that evening, we decided to address it at the Wednesday meeting. 

The board approved agreements with the WGTE Educational Resource Center at the 'standard level' of fees for next school year.  We also approved the agreement with Healthcare Process Consulting, Inc. for next year as well as the maintenance agreement with SimplexGrinnell for the fire alarm systems at all buildings.

The board also approved a resolution for collaboration between the district, NWOESC and the Family First Council for a Family and Civic Engagement team in keeping with board policy.

A discussion on setting the graduation date for next year was held.  We talked about holding graduation on a Friday evening (like this year) versus on a Saturday afternoon, and the pros and cons of each option.  Kris Oberheim suggested taking a look at setting it on the weekend following Memorial Day weekend, and we decided to have the seniors' parents take a quick survey to learn their preference.  The survey taken for the 2010 graduation date had ended up being almost evenly divided between holding it on Friday night versus Saturday, because of the holiday.  Mr. Gfell will send out the survey by email, and we will make a decision at our July meeting on the matter.

A short discussion was held with principal Angie Lutz concerning Extended Day services proposed for before and after school care of children.  We have the space in our current buildings and would incur no additional cost for preparing them for use by such a program.  The board does not find it appropriate to have these services unless they are completely paid for by a grant or can be completely self-funded through fees collected.  If we can begin with at least a "break-even" financial situation, it could work.  Mrs. Lutz has visited similar operations in our area, and many are able to turn a tidy profit.  We will find out in July whether 21st Century grant money will be available to us for this purpose, and will decide whether to move forward at that time.

Next, we talked about whether or not to bring back class advisors in the high school.  Currently, we have a Student Council Advisor, but the district has not had class advisors for many years.  These positions are outlined in the SEA contract and include a 4% supplemental salary to those who hold the positions.  It was presented as a positive method with which to raise morale and school spirit, should we implement them.  The board decided that a more detailed list of job responsibilities should be prepared by high school administration with the SEA for our July meeting, so that all are on the same page and level of understanding of exactly what these advisors would be expected to do.

Committee reports were given on strategic planning, Board Docs, and random drug testing for extracurricular activity participants. 

Superintendent Paulette Baz told everyone that the problem at the new track continues - there is water leaking underneath and causing the problem, but we haven't been able to discover where the water is coming from.  We won't repair the track until the underlying issue can be determined and addressed first.

This meeting adjourned around 9 o'clock.  

Our Wednesday night special meeting was called to discuss Mona's idea about forming a financial advisory committee, and we also addressed the two appropriation items that were moved from Tuesday night's  meeting.  We had only one guest that evening. (and she wasn't taking anybody's picture with her phone . . . )

In preparation for our discussion, other school districts were asked whether they had a community-based financial advisory group and a handful provided written material on the particulars of their group. 

In general, what we agreed was that this group would be a Superintendent's committee, made up of community members with financial aptitude and interest in working in an advisory capacity to the Board.  It would not be a decision-making unit, but would offer recommendations and suggestions on financial matters with impact on our district.  We wanted its members to be 5, and a few people have already expressed an interest in participating.  Contact will be made with them soon, to verify whether they remain interested.   

The team would also be advantageous in community support of things related to our school district.  Sometimes people get upset about things that they honestly just don't understand or have limited knowledge about.  This advisory team could help the community gain further knowledge about school finances, and that is always a good thing.

The final appropriations for 2009/10 were approved, as were the temporary appropriations for 2010/11.

The job description for a Fiscal Secretary was presented for our consideration.  Treasurer Cheryl Swisher explained in greater detail some of the scope of her vision for the position.  The board made a modification to the job description, to have it be a "4 to 8 hours per day" position and then gave our approval.  Cheryl asked permission to post the job, and a majority of members granted it (no formal vote was taken).

The board then went into executive session for the treasurer's evaluation.  When we returned, the board voted to grant the treasurer a 3% increase to her salary and added 5 vacation days, to bring her in line with other administrative positions of our district.

This special meeting ended shortly after 9 o'clock.

Thanks, Rick!

Many are aware that a beautification process for Swanton is being headed up by Rick Kazmierczak, and that part of it includes school grounds.

I was not able to help on June 5th when Phase I was implemented as I had family issues to deal with - but I hope you have time to take a drive by the high school to see what was done that morning (before the rain hit!).  Volunteers did a lot of work that day, and the results look great!

Phase II and III will come later - no doubt just as good as the first!  Many thanks to Rick Kaz for his vision and hard work in helping to bring this together, as well as to all the men and women who volunteered their time to make it happen. 

May 2010 regular meeting

The regular meeting of the Board of Education was on Tuesday evening, May 25th.  As we have been digitally recording our meetings with equipment and software at the Board office, I didn't bother to bring my own, little recorder.  Unfortunately, I found out today that a problem had occured with the system and thus we only have 45 minutes of our entire meeting recorded.  Bummer!!  Not that our meetings are all that entertaining, really, but to help inform those who are interested in what's going on at the Board level.

This particular meeting was slightly different, in that we had asked Treasurer Cheryl Swisher to give a public update and explanation of the 5 yr. forecast before the Board that evening.  There are two versions required by the state, one is due Oct. 31st each year and the other is due May 31st.  We thought it would be a good idea for the May version to be explained to the public prior to our vote on its submission.

Cheryl spoke about a half hour on the forecast, with large screens that showed her spreadsheets.  She was very clear about how federal and state funding is less and less (the "bad news") while our property tax revenue is not nearly as low as originally predicted (the "good news").  As part of the summary at the end of her presentation, she reminded all present that we have very little control over what comes into the district - our revenue - and there is simply no clear path to predict what the state of Ohio is going to do for schools.  The only category over which we have any control is expenses, and many items in that category are also out of our control, such as gas and electricity prices, etc.  She reminded the crowd that fully 82% of our entire budget goes to salaries and benefits.  While the district is constantly looking for ways to save money here and there (such as purchasing through consortiums for lower costs, reducing building budgets where possible, etc.) the bottom line is that salaries and benefits are where we spend the lion's share of our money.

As President of the BOE, Mona Dyke presented several retiring teachers with our traditional purple marble apples and certificates of appreciation.  A presentation was made by Rob Upham on the desire to establish a travel soccer league in Swanton, separate from Swanton Rec. 

The board went into executive session to discuss a student concern, and following that we discussed items relative to negotiations. 

Based on my review of past history in our district, and reinforced by Cheryl's presentation, I suggested that certain numbers be revised in the 5 yr. forecast.  However, the vote on the 5 yr. forecast was to accept it as presented - I was the only "no" vote on that issue.

We amended our policy on graduation requirements to allow a student who is waiting for his/her scores on a second OGT test to process across the stage.  We have had a case in the past where former policy did not allow a student to do so, and when the re-score arrived it was shown that the test had been passed - which meant the student missed out on walking across the graduation stage because the state was tardy with providing pertinent information.  No other change was made to the policy (#5460).  

All items on the Consent Agenda were passed as presented.  We also talked about Mona's idea of creating a financial advisory committee, made up of community members with an interest and affinity for finance to look over our books with the Treasurer and advise the Board of their recommendations for our district.  A special meeting was set for June 16th to talk details of this proposed committee, such as suggested members, clarify its role, etc.

The tentative agreement with our secretaries' union (SSSA) was approved unanimously.  It is a 2-year contract that grants a 3% raise in year one and a 2.5% raise in year two.  Plus, it gets this union off the same timeframe as the teachers' union, which should be better for everybody.

One thing discussed under New Business was the Ohio Improvement Process, which I have talked about in an earlier blog posting.  The Superintendent asked that the Board approve the goals established by the leadership team, which we did. 

There was no report given on Swanton Rec, as the meeting was cancelled because its Director was unable to attend.  A report on Parents Club was given by Kris Oberheim and Cheryl Swisher.  Purchases for the elementary buildings were decided upon by the Club. 

Mona is moving forward with looking at everything involved with the Ohio School Facilities Commission, who will soon be telling our district when it is our "turn" for state money to build a new - something.  Deciding exactly "what" is part of the process she is investigating.  A walk through the 3 older buildings will be set in June, and we would like community members to also be involved.  If you have an interest in this, please contact the Superintendent so that you may also participate in the walk-through of any and all buildings you wish. 

I am a card-carrying member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and thus I am VERY interested in the original, 1904 building.  I have a big problem with the state criteria that insists their money only comes if old buildings are demolished.  There are, in fact, other options - and I will be contacting our local history groups and genealogical society members to get them involved in saving our community's historical heritage embodied in that building. 

 

A short report on "Board Docs" was given - this is the system whereby the board could go paperless instead of needing to print off 80 to 120 pages per person each meeting. 

I gave a quick update on the committee that is handling our district's drug policy.  In cooperation with the SACC, a survey is being given to kids in grades 8 to 11 this week.  Data obtained from that survey will be used to help us consider our strategy.  Parent meetings will be scheduled, and Great Lakes Biomedical was chosen as the vendor to help us with random drug testing of kids involved in extra-curricular activities.  We are also looking into other areas where random testing might be appropriate, and will discuss those ideas with parents at those meetings.  Community involvement is crucial in protecting our kids from the evil of substance abuse. 

The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. - wow!   Out before ten o'clock!! 

Who??

If you have been reading this blog for very long, you might notice that I often do not refer to other people directly by name.  Actually, that is my normal method - it is rare that I name someone within my writings.

That is because I want anyone happening to read this to know that I am commenting on an action or statement, and not on the person. 

I am perfectly comfortable agreeing or disagreeing with another person's actions or words - I can like a person and have absolutely no agreement with him or her on an issue. Conversely, it has also happened that I found myself agreeing with someone on an issue who would never be found in my circle of friends.

I realize that some folks operate on the "hate who I hate, or I'll hate you, too!" method - but I do not. That has angered some folks, but that is how I choose to do business. If that puts me in the minority, then so be it.

So if you read something here and think you recognize who I'm referencing, that is from your own sleuthing and not from me naming them or picking on an individual - unless there is good reason to do so.  That - as I said before - is rare.

Recently someone said they had been told, "well - looks like you're 'safe' this time!" in a conversation about this blog.  But I had not mentioned ANYONE's name.  Matter of fact, I haven't done that for several months now. . . 

Anyway, it is a deliberate choice on my part on when to name someone, and it is also a deliberate choice when NOT to name someone.   I hope that helps to clear up any misunderstanding out there!

After the vote . . .

A friend brought to my attention that I really hadn't stated on this blog that, once a vote is taken by the Board of Education members on an item, that vote stands and must be followed by everyone district-wide - even those board members whose personal vote might not have been one of the majority cast.

So to use myself as an example, if I vote differently than the majority of the BOE, I must still follow the final vote - whatever it is. 

Majority rules on the BOE, just like most everywhere else.