Committee/ Council Observed: Kent City School Board
Date of Meeting: 10/15/2024
Format: Virtual
Meeting Summary:
The October 15, 2024, meeting of the Kent City Schools Board of Education, held at Walls Elementary School, was called to order at 6:00 PM. A roll call and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Dr. Justin Gates’s introduction of board members and administrators. Board member Rebekah Wright Kulis and treasurer Debby Krutz were not in attendance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Anthony Horton, director of personnel, introduced Kent State professor Rose Brown. She is coordinating the program, which has brought 21 international teachers to Kent for a six-week field experience. Three of those teachers are currently working in Kent Schools. They come from Armenia, Thailand, and India. Part of their field experience includes attending a school board meeting. They offered interesting observations such as the advantage of smaller class sizes, the students seeming to have more freedom, and the fact that we have great and helpful technology. All emphasized the benefits of bringing the world to the students.
Heidi Singer, principal at Walls Elementary, welcomed the board and introduced three of her teachers who did presentations on projects happening at the school. An English teacher has spearheaded a project to improve the books available to the students. The project aims to make the reading material more current and culturally diverse. A first-grade teacher has been working on a project to improve student behavior. Better known as PAL, this successful program rewards positive behaviors. The Music teacher has been working on a Recycling project. This program aims to reduce waste by recycling soft plastics, composting materials in the Walls Garden, and disposing of food waste in an environmentally friendly manner. So far, 1,500 pounds of food waste has been collected and disposed of.
Superintendent Larkin honored Liam Curtis for achieving runner-up in the state golf tournament.
APPROVAL OF BILLS. Voted on and approved
RESIGNATIONS, RETIREMENTS, SUBSTITUTES
Superintendent Larkin honored and accepted the retirement of three teachers: Carol Bender, PE teacher; Wes Murphy, PE teacher, and Donny Spears, maintenance. There were some appointments, transfers, and applications for substitutes. VOTED ON AND APPROVED.
OSBA POLICY UPDATE
The update on this policy was presented for review and Board approval in November.
HVAC SERVICE AGREEMENT
Business director Jim Soyers asked for board approval of a 3-year contract with Gardner Company to service and maintain the district’s HVAC system. Voted on and approved.
CONSIDER AGREEMENT WITH RED ROVER
Jim Soyers also recommends using Red Rover for absence reporting and employment applications. It was voted on and approved.
CONSIDER PURCHASE OF INSTRUCTIONAL EQUIPMENT
The career technical program is requesting the purchase of three sets of computers. One set would go to the Engineering and Manufacturing Center, one to the Design Lab, and one to the Electronics Center. Jim Soyers has recommended awarding the contract to Staples for $117,000. Voted on and approved.
OSBA POLICY REVIEW
Since the passage of House Bill 33 OSBA is required to review and make changes to district policies. The Board is authorizing them to do so. Voted on and approved.
2025 - 2026 CALENDAR
The 2025-2026 calendar has been reviewed by KEA and approved. Voted on and approved.
HALL OF FAME
The nominees for the Hall of Fame were presented to the Board. Voted on and approved.
MISCELLANEOUS
$4,655.00 was received from a very generous Kent community. Voted on and approved.
Athletic Director Ben Dunlap conducted a survey regarding Kent’s participation in athletic leagues. 68% responded that Kent should pursue admittance into another league. The Metro Athletic Conference has invited Kent to join that league pending Board approval in November.
ADJOURN
Which members of the board/council were present? Brian Boykin, Colin Boyle, Tiera Moore & Alicia Crowe were present. Absent was Rebekah Wright Kulis. and Debby Krutz, treasurer. No reason given.
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