Committee/ Council Observed: Kent City School Board

Date of Meeting: 9/19/2023

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

The 6:00 PM meeting began with roll call and recitation of The Pledge of Allegiance.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
A detailed summary and explanation of the district’s Report Card was presented. The district received an overall rating of 4.5 reflecting great improvement and growth on all levels. The focus on the Elementary Level was on gap closure on all 5 levels. The literacy plan was instrumental in helping to achieve the highest level of growth met in all categories. All areas met or greatly exceeded the standards at the Middle School Level. The High School also exceeded the standards in all categories. Superintendent Tom Larkin praised the teachers and staff for their hard work in achieving such a high rating. He also would like to share this information with the community.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS
Assistant Superintendent, Justin Gates, introduced all administrators, staff, and guests who were present for the meeting. Corey Fowler, 5th and 6th-grade choir director, and 12-year district veteran, was introduced. He, along with 3 of his students, presented the new Digital Media Production and Journalism project. 21 students will be involved in this project. The concept involves moving away from print journalism into a more updated digital format. This will include The Colonel, the high school’s newspaper, and eventually having announcements presented in video format.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Voted on and approved

SECURITY
Jim Soyers, Business Director, updated the board on the Raptor System for Visitor Management. Staff will be issued access cards to enter the building. Visitors will be buzzed in through two doors and given an ID to wear while in the building. These are to be returned upon leaving the building. The Raptor database will alert the presence of any sex offenders or otherwise inadmissible people who attempt to enter the building. The resource officer and principal will be alerted to any situations requiring further intervention. The presence of a resource officer at Roosevelt and Stanton Middle School has increased the security at these two schools. Kent police officers are frequently visible at the elementary buildings.

FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Debby Krutz presented a summary of the district’s finances, with a more detailed report coming later in the meeting. A balance of $450,000 remains in the Improvement Fund. Investments remain on a short-term basis as interest rates continue to climb. In August, the rate was 5.48% and has risen to 5.6% in September. Voted on and approved

APPROVAL OF BILLS
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

PERSONNEL
Consider Board Designee Pursuant to ORC3319.07A. Anthony Horton has been appointed as Director of Personnel. Voted on and approved

RESIGNATIONS AND RETIREMENTS
Some resignations, leaves of absence, appointments, and transfers were received. Substitutes will be approved contingent on background checks and certifications. Voted on and approved

APPROPRIATIONS
Treasurer Debbi Krutz reported that revenue from investments exceeded the estimated $720,000. The budget was balanced, but there was an increase in the cost of services. She itemized where the money was being spent. The majority, totaling 64% of the expenditure, goes directly to Instruction. 31% goes toward support services. This includes utilities, health services, speech, counseling, etc. Costs have increased from 53 million to 56 million. The American Rescue Plan which helped to cover some of the expenses, is set to expire. They are anticipating an increase in revenue for 2023 - 2024 due to the increase in real and personal property taxes and the interest income will continue to be positive.
Voted on and approved

CONSIDER RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT TAX RATES FOR THE KENT FREE LIBRARY
Voted on and approved

CONSIDER SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
A citizen has sued the district, claiming that the district has a deficient policy of informing the public of Board meetings. The policy has been updated and now all board meeting dates and times will be posted on the back door of the Board of Education building. Voted on and approved

REVIEW OF APPROVAL OF BUDGET FOR STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND
There are 23 student activity clubs at Stanton and 60 at Roosevelt asking for funding. Voted on and approved

CONSIDER APPOINTMENT OF DELEGATE TO OSB CONFERENCE
Alecia Crowe will be the delegate from Kent, and an alternate will fill in if she cannot attend. The conference is scheduled for November 13, 2023. Voted on and approved

CONSIDER RAND AND ASSOCIATES
This is a renewal of a 3-year contract for the company that provides the financial statements for the district. Voted on and approved.

RESOLUTION FOR PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TRANSPORTATION
Voted on and approved

CONSIDER RESOLUTION TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR BUS PURCHASE
The district will be receiving bids on the purchase of a new bus. The purchase of an electric bus will not be considered at this time as the technology is still too new but will possibly be considered in the future. Voted on and approved

CONSIDER RESOLUTION TO UPGRADE POSITION
Upon the retirement of Janet Kramer as a Secretary, it is proposed that the position be elevated to Secretary II. Voted on and approved

CONSIDER BIDS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
If a project is warranted and exceeds $50,000, bids must be received. Voted on and approved

CONSIDER CONTRACT AMENDMENT FOR NURSING SERVICES
Akron Children’s Hospital provides nursing services for the district. Longcoy School requests an additional 15 minutes of nursing services for a student in the AM and PM. Voted on and approved

CONSIDER APPLICATION FOR A NEW RHS CLUB
Application has been made to start a coders club at the high school. This would involve computer science, and coding and the students hope to be involved in competitive events. Voted on and approved

CONSIDER ADOPTION OF OSBA POLICY UPDATES
These policy updates were presented at the previous meeting. Voted on and approved

CONSIDER MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH KEA
Voted on and approved

CONSIDER MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH NOTRE DAME COLLEGE
This adds Notre Dame to the other colleges with which the district is already associated. Voted on and approved

CONSIDER TITLE I MEMORANDUM OF APPROVAL
This is pooling resources with St Patrick’s, and other districts and now adding Field and Rootstown. Voted on and approved

CONSIDER OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIPS
None at this time to consider

MISCELLANEOUS
$10,729.92 was received from a very generous community.

ADJOURN

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