Committee/ Council Observed: Kent City School Board

Date of Meeting: 8/15/2023

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

The meeting began at 5:30 with a roll call & the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Dr. Justin Gates introduced Board members, administrators & the newly appointed Superintendent, Tom Larkin.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Voted on & approved.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS
T J Williams was introduced as the new assistant principal at Stanton Middle School. He comes with a very impressive resume & a wealth of experience. Mr. Williams also introduced his family & expressed his gratitude for the position & looks forward to joining the school district in this capacity.
Lindsay Zenker was introduced as the new assistant principal at Roosevelt. She too brings an impressive background & is anxious to assume her new position at the high school. Her family accompanied her to the meeting.

FINANCIAL REPORT
Debby Krutz, treasurer, presented a detailed summary of the district’s finances beginning with the new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023. The General Fund & the Permanent Improvement fund are solvent having received $535,000 in tax advances. A turf replacement fund was established for $40,000 to ensure funds are available for maintenance & future replacement of the field turf. The uniform school supply fund had received an advance of $84,000 & the swimming pool fund had received an advance of $53,000 at the end of last school year. Both advances have been repaid. The operating budget will be approved at the September meeting. Interest on investments continues to rise with the federal interest rate being raised by 1/4%. Star Ohio investments were at 5.13% & are now at 5.61%.
Voted on and approved

APPROVAL OF BILLS
Voted on and approved

RESIGNATIONS AND RETIREMENTS
Some resignations, retirements, transfers & appointments were received. Substitutes will be approved pending background checks. No leaves of absence were received.
Voted on and approved.

OSBA POLICY
The revision is new & will be reviewed & voted on next month

TEMPORARY ADVANCES
Some temporary advances were approved at the end of the last school year. They have now been returned.
Voted on and approved

DELEGATE TO CAPITAL CONFERENCE
This conference is held annually in Columbus in November to be attended by a school board member. The appointment of the board representative will be deferred until next month.

RESOLUTION TO CHANGE ACTIVITY FUND
It has been recommended that the Rider Zone receive $600 in funding.

ESC AND NEOHIO
The addition of a new specialist is needed.
Voted on and approved

NONSCHEDULED SALARY SCALE
The position title of Secretary has been changed to Administrative Assistant.
Voted on and approved

CONSIDER TITLE 1
This is an annual budget consideration that services students at St Patrick’s as well as students in other districts such as Streetsboro, Tallmadge & Woodridge
Voted on and approved.

CONTRACT FOR PARENT MENTOR SERVICES
This program services Kent & the Woodridge school districts.
Voted on and approved

PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES
A psychologist will be serving the Kent & Streetsboro school districts 3 days per week.
Voted on and approved

BUS STOPS
Bus stops for the 2023 - 2024 school year were presented.
Voted on and approved.

EQUIPMENT STORAGE
A no-cost agreement was reached with Miller Construction Co for the storage of equipment used in ongoing projects.
Voted on and approved

RESOLUTION IN LIEU OF TRANSPORTATION
3 students who are currently attending out-of-district schools will be monetarily compensated in lieu of transportation.
Voted on and approved

HANDBOOKS
Handbooks for the 2023 - 2024 school year were presented.
Voted on and approved

OUT OF STATE AND OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIPS
Annually, the Expedition Program requests approval for their field trips.
Voted on and approved.

MISCELLANEOUS
Donations totaling $10,145 were received from a generous Kent community. Most of these donations were in honor of Dr. Ferrara, who had recently passed away.
Voted on and approved.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board adjourned to executive session.

ADJOURNED

Which members of the board/council were present: Brian Boykin, Colin Boyle, Tiera Moore, Rebekah Wright Kulis and Alecia Crowe. All present

Was there a public notice of the meeting that included the time and place of meeting: Yes

Was an agenda of the meeting or handouts available to visitors: Yes

Are minutes from previous meetings posted/available: Yes

Name of Observer: Mary Myers