MINUTES OF THE MARGARETTA BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 27, 2023.

Margaretta Board of Education met in regular session at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 27, 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 Mrs. Tucker, and seconded by Mr. Schoenegge, to approve the minutes from the Special BOE Meeting held on Wednesday March 8, 2023; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Board and Staff Reports
Townsend Community School’s (TCS) Report and TCS Margaretta Sponsor’s Report
Mr. Ryan Bohn, TCS Principal and Superintendent, stated that the current TCS student enrollment was 527 and already have 45 graduates this school year. He also informed the board with new HB554 legislation, which allows TCS and other dropout prevention schools to establish alternate sites in adjacent counties. TCS has signed a lease with Pontifex in Fremont to utilize the facility as an alternate learning site and will be doing a soft opening in mid-April. He also stated that the building renovation project will take place between June 12th and August 18th. He also stated that end of course testing will take place between April 10th and April 18th.

Mr. Steve Keller, TCS Compliance Officer, stated that we had our monthly TCS/Margaretta meeting to review current events. He also stated that Margaretta will be working with TCS to complete an abbreviated second site visit. Mrs. Keegan also mentioned that the board will be asked to approve four resolutions at this meeting for TCS and she described the background of those resolutions and agreements.

Public Participation
Lifewise Academy Presentation - Shannon Wilson
Mr. Kurt introduced, Mrs. Wilson who explained the Christian K-12 Curriculum option (including the ability to earn college credits) of Lifewise. Mrs. Wilson also stated that it is 100% parents’ choice and it will not cost the school district anything. They will be using the Wayside Temple across from the elementary for the K-5 students and the United Church of Christ location for the MS/HS students. Mr. Kurt also mentioned that students will be able to go to Lifewise during the library rotation at the elementary and MS/HS students could waive their study hall time to go to Lifewise. He also stated that the students will be escorted to and from the Lifewise locations.

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Introduction of Additional Items to the Agenda
Mr. Kurt stated that we had added an additional item for the employee resignation under Personnel Actions for certified staff.

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 stated that the revenue through February results (with 67% of the fiscal year completed) was a total of $12.6M and expenses of $12.6M resulting in a decrease to the general fund balance of $(13,032). The beginning cash balance in the total general fund as of July 1, 2022 was $631,329 and the eight months into the fiscal year generated a final General Fund cash balance of $618,297 (or $(325,952), without the general fund reserve of $944K).

Treasurer’s Report New Business
Motion by Mr. Warner seconded by Mr. Hula, on Resolution number 22-23-59, to approve the Shared Service Agreement with Townsend Community School (TCS) for Science tutor and EMIS Coordinator during the 2023-2024 school year; Roll Call: Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Informational:
Residential Catastrophic (Cat) Cost Students Summary - Mrs. Keegan explained that just like the excess cost process for student open enrolled into Margaretta, the Catastrophic Cost process is for our special education students that are Margaretta residences. She stated that we had 28 students that had costs greater than the amount funded by the state that were eligible for Cat Costs reimbursement. The total unfunded out of pocket cost incurred for the 28 students was $922K. We are anticipating an approximate reimbursement of $369K of the $922K, so we will end up incurring $553K that the district will being funding out of the general fund. The question was raised when we will know the final amount the state will reimburse us. Mrs. Keegan stated that ODE will get in all the school district’s reports and requested dollars and then they will determine the percentage of reimbursement we will get based on the overall state budgeted dollars versus the requested amount of reimbursements.

Superintendent’s Report New Business
Motion by Mrs. Tucker seconded by Mr. Warner, on Resolution number 22-23-60, to approve an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) agreement with BGSU Firelands College for the purpose of providing opportunities for students to enroll in the dual credit College Credit Plus (CCP) Program for the 2023-2024 School Year; 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, on Resolution number 22-23-61, to approve the second amendment to the ground lease for Townsend Community School (TCS). Mrs. Keegan stated that the ground lease was expiring and that the negotiated amount of rent was increased from $200/month to $450/month effective July 1, 2023; Roll Call: Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

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Motion by Mr. Warner seconded by Mrs. Tucker, on Resolution number 22-23-62, to approve the third amendment to the renewal contract for TCS, this amendment is to add the Pontifex Fremont site for students to attend TCS; 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, on Resolution number 22-23-63, to approve the 2023 Renewal Contract between TCS and Margaretta as the sponsor for an additional five years; Roll Call: Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Motion by Mr. Hula seconded by Mrs. Tucker, to approve the renewal of Northwestern Ohio Educational Research Council (NWOERC) organization for the 2023-2024 school year; Roll Call: Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Informational
Nexus update – Mr. Kurt reiterated to the board that Lorain County Auditor, Snodgrass did appeal again to the next level court, The Supreme Court and it has yet to be added to their docket. He stated the site and utility work has been completed. He stated that Mosser has pulled two of their three trailers off the site and plan to leave the third one onsite. The team is continuing to look at all options for the project to continue, however at the date of the board meeting the project is on a hard pause.

March 24th - End 3rd Grading Period – Mr. Kurt reminded the board that we have just finished the third grading period.

Met with Firelands Health - gymnasium sponsor & training agreement – Mr. Kurt stated that Mrs. Keegan, Mr. Kurt and Mr. Drew Grahl went to meet with the Firelands’ team about the new gym sponsorship and the purchasing of the Firelands’ trainer services. It was decided that given we have another round of appeals and the new school facility is on a hard pause, that we would wait to change trainers until the project is back on track. The district will stay with NOMS trainer service.

Pool Information – The pool heater went out and was unable to be repaired. The new pool boiler is estimated at $33K or as high as $61K depending on the efficiency level. Mrs. Keegan stated that we have spent approximately $7,800 in approximately one and a half years and that hopefully with a new heater, which will cut down on the maintenance calls and cost. Mr. Kurt also stated that the new system would also be transferrable if there were a new pool down the road.

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

Certified
Motion by Mr. Warner seconded by Mr. Schoenegge, to approve the final Agriculture Education 5th Quarter Funding of $5,505 for 2022-2023 School Year and distribution to VoAg, Alison Butler and Kevin Kremer; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

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Motion by Mr. Schoenegge seconded by Mr. Hula, to approve the hiring of Keith Taylor, as an event worker, retroactive to February 11, 2023; Roll Call: Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.
Motion by Mr. Warner seconded by Mrs. Tucker, to approve hiring Kate Dulgar, Mathematics Teacher, for the 2023-2024 school year, pending all state and local requirements are met; 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 hiring Corey Britton, Intervention Specialist, for the 2023-2024 school year, pending all state and local requirements are met. Mr. Britton and his two daughters and wife Meredith were in attendance. Mr. Britton stated that he was very excited to be back home and the board welcomed him back home as well; 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. Hula, to approve the resignation of Christy Protzman, Speech Language Pathologist, at the end the 2022-2023 school year; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Classified
Motion by Mr. Schoenegge seconded by Mrs. Tucker, to hire William Jacoby, Intermittent Groundskeeper for the spring, summer and fall 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. Hula, to hire Marilou Neill, kitchen sub for the 2023-2024 school year; Roll Call: Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Motion by Mr. Schoenegge seconded by Mr. Warner, to approve the hiring Dan Gearheart, Bus Mechanic for the 2022-2023 school year pending all state and local requirements are met; Roll Call: Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Motion by Mr. Warner and seconded by Mrs. Tucker, to approve hiring Michael Billman, Fleet Mechanic Skilled for the 2023-2024 school year, effective July 1, 2023; Roll Call: Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

Motion by Mr. Warner and seconded by Mr. Hula, to move into Executive Session under R.C. 121.22(G)(5) for discussion of matters required to be kept confidential by state statutes; Roll Call: Mr. Warner: aye, Mr. Hula: aye, Mr. Schoenegge: aye, Mrs. Tucker: aye, and Mr. Sutorius: aye.

The Board entered Executive Session at 7:00 p.m. with Mrs. Keegan, Mr. Ted Kastor, and Mr. Kurt remaining in the Executive Session.

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

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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 Regular Meeting will be Monday, April 17, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at the Margaretta Board of Education, 305 S. Washington Street Castalia, Ohio.

Respectfully Submitted

_________________________ Brian Sutorius
Board President

______________________ Diane Keegan
Treasurer

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