MINUTES OF THE MARGARETTA BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 19, 2024.

Margaretta Boardof Education metinregular session at 6:30 p.m.on Monday, February19, 2024 at the Margaretta Board of Education, 305 S. Washington Street, Castalia, Ohio.

Regular Board Meeting
Mrs. Tucker, Board President, then called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. requesting roll call by Mrs. Keegan:

Mr. Hula: Mr. Lippert
Mr. Schoenegge: Mr. Sutorius: Mrs. Tucker:

Present Present Present Present Present

The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited after roll call.

Approval of the Minutes
Motion by Mr. Sutorius, and seconded by Mr. Hula, to approve the minutes from the Organizational Meeting and Regular Board of Education Meeting held on January 8, 2024 and the working session on January 13, 2024; Roll Call: Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Board and Staff Reports
Townsend Community School’s (TCS) Report
Mr. Ryan Bohn, TCS Principal and Superintendent was excused from the meeting and Mr. Kurt shared Mr. Bohn’s report and stated that TCS has 34 graduates for the 2023-2024 school year, and 486 current students as of February 19, 2024. On February 16th Mr. Bohn visited Lorain County Community College (LCCC) to review potential spaces for TCS students. Mr. Kurt also stated that there is public transportation that goes to LCCC to facilitate the TCS students’ transportation. They are also completing the second window of STAR testing for this year. TCS has a second and third van on order to cover some of their transportation needs. Mr. Sutorius asked how that may affect Margaretta, and Mrs. Keegan stated that it should reduce some of our actual costs and help us to more easily cover Margaretta’s transportation needs. TCS is also reviewing and getting proposals to blacktop the student/teachers’ parking lot. Mrs. Tucker asked who will have to maintain the parking lot and Mr. Kurt stated it is Margaretta’s property and we have the responsibility to maintain it and that asphalt will be easier to maintain then the current parking lot. Mr. Kurt stated that the highest student counts are 86 students from Fremont, 73 students from Norwalk, 46 from Sandusky and 41 from Bellevue. Mr. Tucker asked how many are from Tiffin (Mr. Kurt stated 24) and asked about Willard (Mr. Kurt stated 20).

TCS Margaretta Sponsor’s Report
Mr. Kurt, stated that we had our monthly TCS/Margaretta meeting to review current events and we continue to attend the TCS board meetings. He stated that everything is going very smoothly and he is getting ready for the second site review of TCS soon.

Public Participation
Mr. Gary Smith passed out a flyer and report about Lifewise and their current activities that the outside program is doing. Mr. Smith also thanked the school for allowing the program.

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Introduction of Additional Items to the Agenda None

Treasurer’s Financial Report and Schedule of Bills
Mrs. Keegan presented the schedule of bills, bank reconciliations, fund balances, etc., that were included in the Board’s packages for review. Mrs. Keegan stated that the fiscal year to date revenue through January (with 58% of the fiscal year complete) was a total of $9.2M and expenses of $10.3M resulting in a decrease to the general fund balance of $(1.1)M. The beginning cash balance in the total general fund as of July 1, 2023 was $1.0M so at the end of January the general fund balance was $(66,365). Mrs. Keegan went through the variances in the year over year comparison, with the major variance in the revenue being the Nexus tangible personal property taxes of $(534)K due the company paying at 66% of the tax bill in 2022 and only 40% in 2023. Mrs. Keegan also mentioned that this is our traditional low general fund balance period due to the timing of our significant revenue stream from local property taxes. The county property tax advances have just started to flow in February accounting for the first half taxes that are due on February 21st.

Mrs. Keegan also reviewed the current status of the Food Service Account and stated that the program has had some significant head winds to overcome this year with the inflationary increases in thepriceoffood, theloss of thefreecommodityproducts(freshfruits andvegetables) from the government, milk carton shortages, and having to pay for the one-time installation costs of the new Point of Sale (POS) system with Payschools this year. Even with all those obstacles that they are facing, they are still currently sitting with a positive (in the black) cash balance in FoodServicesof$56,831. However thehigher costs as referencedabove, were addressedagain later in the meeting, which has prompted the district to request a higher adult breakfast and lunch price for employees’ meals.

Treasurer’s Report Informational FY2023 Excess Cost
Mrs. Keegan reported out on the Excess Costs that she billed the other school districts that have students who are open enrolled into Margaretta with special needs. She gave the board our detailed breakdown of all the 37 open enrolled into the district students that totaled $456K billing to their home district. She also stated that we in turn get billed from other districts charges for our resident students that are open enrolled outside of our district and that we were billed $100K for nine of our resident students, which leaves Margaretta with a net cash inflow of $356K. She also explained the difference of billing at a school wide average cost per student (also known as a per capita basis) versus calculating each student specifically and billing at the student specific rate (which is what Margaretta does to maximize our recovery). Mrs. Keegan thanked Mrs. Kathy Hall for all of her insight and help to identify students’ specific costs to properly bill the schools

Beginning the FY2023 Catastrophic Cost Recovery
Mrs. Keegan also stated that right behind the reporting of Excess Cost, the district will be putting together our detailed costs incurred for our resident district students that are high cost special needs students. Reporting out on our Catastrophic costs to educate our resident students will get us a portion of the excess cost to educate our special needs students (above the standard state foundation payment amount per student). Catastrophic Cost reporting does

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not give the district a full reimbursement of our costs (like is the case with Excess Cost). It is only a small percentage of our total costs.

Auditor of State (AOS) opinion
Mrs. Keegan stated that AOS’s desk review was completed and it stated that our fiscal year end statements for the period ending June 30, 2023 were acceptable and required no modifications.

August 23, 2023 Storm Damage insurance claim details
Mrs. Keegan shared out a detailed spreadsheet of the costs that were incurred from the storm damage on August 23rd. The current claim that she submitted to our insurance was for a reimbursement claim of $79,750.50 (after the $500 out-of-pocket deductible). She stated that there are two remaining bills still outstanding and will submit them to our insurance company when available. She explained that these necessary repairs occurred over a four month period to try and rectify all the issues the storm had caused.

This same storm took out the MES wind turbine and the district is working through the issues to determine next steps for the turbine’s future.

Current and historical TCS billings and allocated costs summary
Mrs. Keegan gave a summary of TCS billings that as their sponsor, we are able to bill TCS. She gave a breakdown of what we have billed and what we have incurred as costs to sponsor the community school over the past five actual years and annualizing this fiscal year’s costs and billing amounts.

New Business
Motion by Mr. Sutorius seconded by Mr. Schoenegge, on Resolution number 23-24-45, to approve expenditures that have exceeded the $3,000 threshold of the “then and now” provisions of Ohio Revised Code Section 5705.41(d). Mrs. Keegan stated this was for the FFA fruit purchase and the OG training costs for the Science of Reading, that were not pre-approved before the purchase and costs were incurred; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Motion by Mr. Hula seconded by Mr. Sutorius, on Resolution number 23-24-46, authorizing the Treasurer to make Inter-Fund Transfers of funds for the current fiscal year of 2024. Mrs. Keegan stated this was a transfer for an overspent federal grant; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Motion by Mr. Sutorius, seconded by Mr. Schoenegge, on Resolution number 23-24-47, to approve the renewal of Corporate Health Center consortium drug screening agreement for the 2024 calendar year; Roll Call: Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Motion by Mr. Sutorius, seconded by Mr. Lippert, on Resolution number 23-24-48, to authorize Ohio School Council (OSC) to advertise and receive school bus and/or van bids for the district’s behalf for spring 2024. Mrs. Keegan stated that we are not currently planning on buying a bus this year, but wanted to have the process approved in case we change our minds. Mr. Sutorius asked if this would put us behind in bus purchases and Mrs. Keegan and Mr. Kurt reminded the board that we just bought two vans and seven new buses in the last two school years through ESSER funds, Bus Purchase Grants, etc.; Roll Call: Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

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Superintendent’s Report New Business
Motion by Mr. Sutorius, seconded by Mr. Schoenegge, to approve the graduation of Lucas Carter, effective February 8, 2024, having completed all State and local graduation requirements. Mr. Schoenegge question who this was and if all our obligations are complete. Mr. Kurt stated he had completed all requirements and is officially graduating; Roll Call: Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Motion by Mr. Hula, seconded by Mr. Sutorius, on Resolution number 23-24-49, to authorize the continued membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2024-2025 School Year; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: Abstained (as he stated in honor of Mr. Gary Borchardt), Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Motion by Mr. Schoenegge, seconded by Mr. Hula, on Resolution number 23-24-50, to approve the Lorain County Community College (LCCC) College Credit Plus (CCP) dual enrollment MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) for the 2024-2025 school year. Mr. Kurt stated that Mr. Kevin Johnson, Curriculum Director, reviews each of these CCP requested MOU’s to vet and validate them before bringing them to the board; Roll Call: Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Motion by Mr. Sutorius seconded by Mr. Lippert, to approve adult school lunch prices to $4.50 and adult school breakfast price to $2.25, effective March 1, 2024. Mrs. Keegan referenced the earlier conversation that we are experiencing higher food costs and since she has been here (since 2017) and before there has not been an increase in the adult breakfast and lunch prices. She also stated that Mrs. Keller was able to obtain a Food Service spreadsheet to calculate appropriate prices. The two calculations that helped us determine our recommendation were breakfasts of $1.90 and $2.30 and lunches for $3.95 and $4.70; Roll Call: Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Personnel Actions
Motion by Mr. Schoenegge and seconded by Mr. Hula, to approve FMLA/unpaid leave requests; Roll Call: Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Motion by Mr. Sutorius, and seconded by Mr. Lippert, to appoint Paul Schoenegge, as Margaretta’s OSBA Student Achievement Liaison for the 2024 Calendar Year; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: Abstain, Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Motion by Mr. Sutorius, and seconded by Mr. Lippert, to approve the 2024-2025 salary schedule for the Secretaries and Central Office employees; Roll Call: Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: Abstain, Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Certified
Motion by Mr. Sutorius, seconded by Mr. Hula, to approve the third diving team coaching for Lauren Drossman, Varsity Head Margaretta Dive Coach and three (3) other schools’ Dive Coach for the 2023-2024 swim session. Mrs. Keegan stated that we had the third team was added later than the first two teams, which caused us to miss the third team for her contract. Mrs. Keegan reminded the board that we have all the three schools shared service contracts signed and approved, we just needed to still update Mrs. Drossman’s contract; Roll Call: Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

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Motion by Mr. Hula, seconded by Mr. Sutorius, to approve the hiring of the following 2024 spring sports coaches: Softball: Samantha Lane – JV; Track and Field: Mykenzi Greenler - Girls JH; Conar Burns - Boys JH, Assistant; Marnie Hallett-Szymanski - Boys JH; Roll Call: Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Motion by Mr. Sutorius, seconded by Mr. Lippert, to accept the retirement of Mary Jane Bible, Preschool Itinerant Teacher effective at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, Mr. Kurt stated that Mrs. Bible worked for the district for 10 years at Margaretta, but also worked through the Northpoint ESC as an itinerant teacher for our students prior to Margaretta having their own preschool program; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Classified
Motion by Mr. Schoenegge, seconded by Mr. Sutorius, to accept the retirement of Sandra Martin, Special Education Office Aide effective at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Mr. Kurt stated that she has given the school district 20 years at Margaretta. Mrs. Tucker had the pleasure to work with Mrs. Martin and she stated she was very organized and very helpful to Mrs. Tucker; Roll Call: Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Motion by Mr. Sutorius, seconded by Mr. Schoenegge, to approve Sara Jackson, as a Pre-Employment Transition Services Provider (Pre-ETS OOD Grant program) as a Pilot Pre-ETS OOD program for the 2023-2024 school year. Mrs. Keegan stated that this is a State funded program through the OOD and this is to prepare students for future employment opportunities after graduation. All the cost for this activity is reimbursable through this state funded program and prepares our students for future careers; Roll Call: Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Motion by Mr. Schoenegge seconded by Mr. Hula, to accept the retirement of Ruth Duskins, Custodian II, effective May 31, 2024 after 32 years at Margaretta; Roll Call: Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Motion by Mr. Sutorius seconded by Mr. Lippert, to approve the following 2024 spring sports volunteer coaches: Baseball: Rodd Lane and Steve Snyder; Softball: Jennah Yost and Chip Matolik; Track and Field: Brian Stimmel, Max Szymanski, and Barb Bouy; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Motion by Mr. Hula seconded by Mr. Sutorius, to approve the hiring of the following 2024 spring sports coaches: Baseball: Chris Cullen - 50% Varsity Assistant; Dan Hedberg - 50% Varsity Assistant; Matt Gundlach - 50% JV; Steve Craig - 50% JV; Softball: Walt Snyder - Varsity Assistant; Track and Field: Taylor Parkhurst - Assistant Girls; Aaron Canada - Assistant Boys; Courtney Orshoski - Girls JH Assistant; Roll Call: Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Motion by Mr. Sutorius, seconded by Mr. Lippert, to approve the hiring of Prestin Elek and Joann Rutger as substitute custodians for the 2023-2024 school year; Roll Call: Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

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Informational
Mr. Kurt gave the board the information on the Margaretta Achievement Hall of Fame that is scheduled for the Friday Boys Basketball game. The new inductees will be announced between the JV and Varsity ball game and a reception following the game at the Village Pizza House.

Mr. Kurt also thanked the board for allowing him to go to San Diego, California for the National Superintendents meeting and he discussed that the major topic was AI, culture and relationships, and Safety and security measures. He stated he will give a more through report out in the future.

Mrs. Tucker, Board President, thanked everyone for coming and stated that they can always let the board know if they have concerns or questions.

She also stated that the board is going to begin to send congratulations cards to the different teams and Margaretta organizations for their different accomplishments and start sending birthday cards to employees from the board going forward. Mr. Gary Smith suggested that we not forget the academic side as well as recognizing the sports going to state, etc. Mrs. Tucker reassured Mr. Smith that is the intention of the board to recognize all accomplishments.

Motion by Mr. Hula seconded by Mr. Sutorius, to adjourn the meeting having no further business to come before the Board; Roll Call: Mr. Lippert: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mr. Sutorius: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mrs. Tucker: aye.

Meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.

Mrs. Tucker informed the public that the next BOE Regular Meeting is scheduled for
March 18, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at the Margaretta Board Office, 305 S. Washington St., Castalia, Ohio 44824

Respectfully Submitted

_________________________ Angie Tucker
Board President

______________________ Diane Keegan
Treasurer

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