MINUTES OF THE MARGARETTA BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 23, 2023.

Margaretta Board of Education met in regular session at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2023 at the Margaretta Board of Education, 305 S. Washington Street, Castalia, Ohio.

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

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

Present. Present Present Present Present

The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited after roll call.

Approval of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Warner, and seconded by Mrs. Tucker, to approve the minutes from the Special BOE Meeting held on Tuesday January 4, 2023; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Board and Staff Reports Curriculum Update
Mr. Kevin Johnson, Curriculum Director, gave an update on current activities centering on establishing and updating our English and Math curriculums and he went through the systematic process and procedures he is following to accomplish this curriculum update. He also laid out the next several years cadence of which curriculums we are going to address. He then went over the $200,000 Literacy Grant (Reaching All Students) that we previously reported out on that was awarded to Margaretta and the upcoming training in Columbus for this initiative.

Townsend Community School’s (TCS) Report and TCS Margaretta Sponsor’s Report
Mr. Ryan Bohn, TCS Principal and Superintendent, was excused from the meeting and Mr. Steve Keller, TCS Compliance Officer, reported out for Ryan. Mr. Keller stated that the current TCS student enrollment was 532 and has already had 28 graduates this school year. He also reported out and shared a picture of a new mural at TCS that was painted by Beth Sage. This will serve as the backdrop for TCS’ individual graduation ceremonies. Also TCS has purchased a six passenger school van, with some TCS employees working on their van certification. He also informed the board of the new legislation, House Bill 554, which allows TCS and other dropout prevention schools to establish alternate sites in adjacent counties. TCS is currently evaluating that possibility.

Mr. Steve Keller, TCS Compliance Officer, stated that we are currently in our slower period for compliance activities. Upcoming things are the second site visit audit and the spring Epicenter uploads that ODE requires.

Mr. Kurt, in honor of National Board Appreciation Month, then presented the Board members with a framed MES students’ artwork. Mrs. Keegan stated that it was a collaboration of students from second, third and fourth grades. She stated the students used many technics to create this

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artwork including painting paper with mixed colors, drawing on the wet paint, and used stenciling, cut and torn paper to create the 3D winter polar bear scene. The board expressed their appreciation for the great artwork.

Public Participation
Mr. Gary Smith was questioning the reason for the teaching job postings for a Math and Business/Computer Science teacher and what was prompting that. Mr. Kurt explained that due to employees leaving (in late summer of 2022) of a High School Math teacher, Business teacher and an Intervention Specialist teacher, we filled them with retire/rehire or part time solutions for 2022-2023 school year and are now looking to fill them with fulltime positions for next year.

Introduction of Additional Items to the Agenda None

The 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 reminded the board that we are reviewing December’s results (the sixth month of the 2023 fiscal year). She stated that the revenue was a total of $8.2M and expenses of $9.2M 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, 2022 was $0.6M and the six months of the year generated a final General Fund cash balance of $(0.4)M (or $(1.4)M, without the general fund reserve of $944K).

Treasurer’s Report New Business
Motion by Mr. Hula seconded by Mr. Schoenegge, on Resolution number 22-23-45, authorizing the Treasurer to make Inter-Fund Transfers of funds for the current fiscal year of 2023; Roll Call: Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Motion by Mrs. Tucker seconded by Mr. Warner, on Resolution number 22-23-46, to authorize the Margaretta Superintendent to modify, amend, or supplement Ohio School Council (OSC) Policy 1.1 Section 10 Agreement, Policy 1.3 Section 11 Bylaws, and any other Agreements requiring OSC Assembly approval; Roll Call: Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Informational
Mrs. Keegan reported that she received the letter from the Ohio Auditor of State accepting Margaretta’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 audit report and is requiring no modification. With this letter, the books are officially closed for FY2022.

Mrs. Keegan reviewed the new facility reserve account details and current balance. She reported that we have allocated approximately $8.5M to the reserve and have paid out $4.5M to date, leaving a balance of $4.0M. She highlighted these are all expenses for the new facility, which include things like the architectural costs, Owners Representatives, legal expense, Mosser cost for the site and utility work, etc. She also stated that once all outstanding commitments are paid, that we will have a remaining unencumbered balance of approximately $2.5M. The next scheduled infusion of cash will be with the February tax payments from Nexus. Mr. Warner asked if we are doing to seed the land and Mr. Kurt replied, yes.

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Superintendent’s Report Old Business
Motion by Mr. Warner seconded by Mr. Hula, Second reading and motion for approval of the NEOLA Policy PO 5460 Graduation Requirements from 22 credits to 20 credits. Mr. Schoenegge asked why we didn’t lower the credits by only 1 to 21 instead of by 2 down to 20. Mr. Kurt responded that it is being adjusted down to the State of Ohio Department of Education’s requirement of 20; Roll Call: Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: nay, Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

New Business
Motion by Mrs. Tucker seconded by Mr. Warner, to approve the softball teams out of state trip at Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach for April 4th-8th of 2023; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Motion by Mrs. Tucker seconded by Mr. Warner, on Resolution number 22-23-47, to authorize the continued membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) for the 2023-2024 School Year; Roll Call: Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Informational
Mr. Kurt stated that he found the School Based Mental Health Services Federal Grant and spoke to Mr. Ruf, North Point ESC Assistant Superintendent, and brought it to Mrs. Hall and Mr. Wise’s attention. Mr. Kurt stated that this will help with students’ social emotional issues. He then congratulated Mr. Keven Wise and Mrs. Kathy Hall for applying for and obtaining the grant. He stated that this grant will benefit 14 schools and support 17 school counselors, psychologists, or social worker positions, that it is designed to be a cost sharing grant (i.e., the grant pays for 75% of the new employees’ wages and benefits and the school district pays 25%), and it is for $1.2M in year one increasing to $1.6M in year five for inflation. Mrs. Tucker stated that this is crucial for our students and that the transition from fifth grade to the middle school in sixth grade is a big transition. Mr. Steve Keller also stated that a Middle School Counselor will be a huge help to the Assistant Principal. Mr. Kurt stated with a dedicated MS counselor, they will be able to also help with Career Exploration and guiding the students into a productive path. Mrs. Keegan also stated that Mrs. Heather Wiley our current counselor has been utilizing an evidenced based ROX program with teenaged girls and that she had participated in a Boot Camp that explored local careers available to our students and this will give the MS counselor time to fully implement some of the ideas and programs.

Nexus update
Mr. Kurt stated that Nexus had filed a legal counter to the Lorain County Auditor’s appeal and highlighted six points that in Nexus’ mind makes the auditors appeal invalid. Mr. Snodgrass, the Lorain County Auditor, then countered Nexus’ response. Mr. Kurt stated that it is in the hands of the Board of Tax Authorities (BTA) and we have verbally heard that they are to review it on February 11th.

The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) had requested all Superintendents to share with their boards, ODE’s letter and resolution on their position on the Title IX changes. Therefore, Mr. Kurt shared hard copies with each board member.

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

Motion by Mr. Hula seconded by Mr. Schoenegge, to approve the Non-Teaching Limited Employment Wage schedule, updating the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, effective January 1, 2023; Roll Call: Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Certified
Motion by Mrs. Tucker seconded by Mr. Hula, to approve the hiring of the Track and Field Middle School Girls Coach, Mykenzi Greenler, for the 2023 Spring Sports:; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Motion by Mr. Warner seconded by Mr. Schoenegge, to approve the following volunteer coaches for the 2023 Spring Sports: Softball Assistant Volunteer, Samantha Lane and Track and Field Assistant Volunteer, Angie Tucker; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: abstain, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Classified
Motion by Mr. Warner seconded by Mr. Schoenegge, to approve the hiring of the following coaches for the 2023 Spring Sports, pending completion of all state and local requirements:
Softball: Head Coach - Dale Dawson; Varsity Assistant Coach - Walt Snyder; Junior Varsity Coach - Ashley Elber; Baseball: Head Coach - Ray Neill; 50% Varsity Assistant – Dan Hedberg; 50% Varsity, Assistant - Chris Cullen; 50% Junior Varsity Coach - Matt Gundlach; 50% Junior Varsity Coach - Steve Craig; Track and Field: Girls Head Coach-Kasey Haerr; Assistant Girls Coach – Taylor Parkhurst; Boys Head Coach - Tim Tucker; Middle School Girls Assistant Coach – Courtney Orshoski;
Roll Call: Mrs. Tucker: abstain, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Motion by Mr. Schoenegge seconded by Mr. Hula, to hire Kelly Salyers as a Handicapped Bus Driver, effective December, 2, 2022; Roll Call: Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Motion by Mrs. Tucker seconded by Mr. Schoenegge, to approve the following volunteer coaches for the 2023 Spring Sports, pending completion of all state and local requirements:
Softball: Volunteer Assistant - Chip Motolik; Track and Field: Volunteer Assistant Track Coach - Mike Costein; Volunteer Assistant Track Coach - Barb Bouy; Volunteer Indoor Track Coach - Ted Patrick; Volunteer Assistant Track Coach - Ted Patrick;
Roll Call: Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Motion by Mrs. Tucker seconded by Mr. Schoenegge, to approve the resignation of Terri Meyer, Bus Driver, effective September 30, 2022; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Motion by Mr. Hula seconded by Mrs. Tucker, to approve the hiring of Roberta Crum and Joanne Rutger, Substitute Bus Aides for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year, pending

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completion of all state and local requirements. Mr. Kurt clarified that the agenda stated the 2023-2024 school year and that it needed to be corrected to the 2022-2023 school year; Roll Call: Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Motion by Mr. Warner and seconded by Mr. Hula to enter Executive Session to discuss the appointment or employment of public employees; Roll Call: Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

The Board entered Executive Session at 7:29 p.m. with Mrs. Keegan, and Mr. Kurt remaining in the Executive Session.

Motion by Mrs. Tucker, seconded by Mr. Hula, to return to open session; Roll Call: Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

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

Adjourning at 8:30 p.m.

Next Meeting will be the Organizational Meeting, which is scheduled for Monday,
February 27th, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at the Margaretta Board of Education, 305 S. Washington St., Castalia, Ohio

Respectfully Submitted

_________________________ Brian Sutorius
Board President

______________________ Diane Keegan
Treasurer

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