Committee/ Council Observed: Kent City School Board

Date of Meeting: 10/21/2025

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

The October 21, 2025, meeting commenced at 6:00 PM with a roll call, recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, and introductions of administrators, board members, and staff. Previous minutes were voted on and approved.

This meeting was hosted by Walls Elementary, which is celebrating its 60th year as an elementary school. Principal Albricht introduced gifted specialist Chip Hawks, who shared the project that the Walls film club has been working on. This project has incorporated academic rigor, differentiation, and communication while literally unearthing the culture and history of the school. On October 31 at 3:45, a time capsule buried 25 years ago will be opened. Former principals and an archeology professor from Kent State will be present for the ceremony. Fifth graders previewed their work on this project with a short film, which revealed that Walls was originally called Northeast Elementary School.

Kyle Kutinsky, RHS Environmental Studies and Forestry CTE teacher, was honored as the 2025 teacher of the year in his field. Over the last year, the program has planted more than 500 trees and protected 225 black walnut trees in Ravenna.

FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Erin VanMeter presented a detailed financial report. The state is not altering the structure of the budget, but Kent will be receiving $319,000 less in line items from the state this year. To somewhat offset this reduction in funding, Kent will receive a performance-based supplement of $180,000. This will affect the next budget. Voted on and approved.

PERSONNEL
A lengthy list of retirements was presented. Some leaves of absence, transfers, and subs were requested. Voted on and approved.

ACTION ITEMS

• Consider a resolution with Huntington Bank.
• Options for a commercial credit card are being discussed. Voted on and approved.
• Consider quotes for digitally encrypted radio bus systems. Kent received a safety grant of $13,000 and will probably retain the company they are currently working with. Voted on and approved
• Consider payment instead of transportation.
• Additional students are requesting payment where transportation is not feasible Voted on and approved.
• Consider the Central School parking lot.
• Extending the lease with Family and Community Services was proposed. They do all the necessary maintenance on the lot. Voted on and approved.
• Consider a memorandum of understanding agreement for Title 1
• Another school has requested to be served by Title 1. Voted on and approved.
• Consider adoption of the school calendar for 2026-2027
• Teachers were presented with two options and voted on the one presented. Voted on and approved.
• Consider adopting a snow day/snow hours policy.
• The state requires that the district have an online plan on file if the number of days or hours exceeds the number granted by the state.Voted on and approved.
• Consider the adoption of OSBA policies.
• Policy revisions were previously presented in September. Voted on and approved.
• Consider the application for a girls' flag football club at Roosevelt
• The request has met all the requirements. Voted on and approved.

Field trips
One request was received for the Roosevelt Leadership Retreat. Voted on and approved.
Miscellaneous
Donations totaling $2,026.92 were received from a very generous Kent community. Voted on and approved.

Tiera Moore officially submitted her resignation to the board. She will be moving to Summit County.

Adjourn

Which members of the board/council were present? Colin Boyle, Alicia Crowe, Tiera Moore, Rebekah Wright Kulis, David Myers

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

https://go.boarddocs.com/oh/kentcs/Board.nsf/Public

Name of Observer: Mary Myers