Committee/ Council Observed: Kent City School Board

Date of Meeting: 1/10/2023

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

2023 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

• Officers for the coming year were appointed. Brian Boykin was nominated and elected as president. Colin Boyle was nominated and elected as vice president. Voted on and approved.
• Dates and times for regular meetings for 2023 were set. There was discussion regarding board meetings being hosted in the various schools as was done in the past. Portable microphones will be available within the month which will make this more feasible. Voted on and approved.
• There’s was also discussion regarding the school calendar for next year. The starting date will be mid-August. Since there is no ongoing construction anticipated the district can resume an earlier starting date.

ADJOURNMENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

REGULAR MEETING

ROLL CALL
All present
Pledge of Allegiance said

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

• Board members and staff were recognized and welcomed.
• The mother and father of a Roosevelt hockey player voiced their concerns regarding harassment they feel their son is receiving from the hockey coach. This stems from an incident that apparently occurred while the team was in Oxford, Ohio. The parents feel that there is ongoing bullying and threats made by the coach toward their son. They have submitted written complaints and the video evidence does not match the accusers' statements. The superintendent said there is an ongoing investigation regarding the situation.
• Mr. Smith, president of the Rough Rider Sports Association expressed concerns about the ongoing ringworm problem within the wrestling program. He is requesting $1700.00 in funding for a Sterile Laser machine that will effectively eliminate 99% of the germs presently infecting the equipment used by the team. He feels, as does the Health Department that this is a health and safety concern that must be addressed. The proposed machine is transportable and can perform the cleaning process in 10 minutes. President Boykin stated that he hopes there can be funding made available to acquire this machine.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

• Voted on and approved.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

• Matt Gidovin, executive director of NEONET, an information and technology organization, recognized Debby Krutz for her continued support of the organization. It is their belief that a student’s ability to use technology will improve their education.

RECOGNIZE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS

• January is School Board recognition month. The Kent Board was thanked by Superintendent, George Joseph and presented with a gift from the Kent community. A framed picture of the Kent campus, shot from a drone was presented to each member in addition to the two members who retired last year.

CAREER TECH PROGRAM

• February is CTE recognition month. Kent Schools is very proud to be a part of the 6-district compact which supports the 28 programs within the program.

CONSIDER TAX BUDGET FOR 2023 - 2024

• There is now a streamlined form that is being used by the treasurer for the General Fund and the Bond Retirement Fund in Schedule 1. Schedule 2 can be used for all other funds such as estimated revenue and projections.
• Voted on and Approved.

CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION OF TREASURER TO MAKE INVESTMENTS

• This gives the treasurer the authority to make short-term investments for the district.
• Voted on and approved.

LIAISONS

• Tiara Moore was appointed legal liaison and Brian Boykin was appointed as student achievement liaison for the district.
• Voted on and approved.

FINANCIAL REPORT

• December 2022 was a quiet month according to Treasurer Debby Krutz. A tax settlement will be received by the General Fund in February. Interest rates from Star Ohio continue to climb to 4.19%. Last year at this time they were .09%.
• Voted on and approved

APPROVAL OF BILLS

• Voted on and approved

PERSONNEL

• Some resignations and retirements and leaves of absence were voted on and approved. Paula Shay, a library aide with the district for 30 years, has submitted her retirement request. George Joseph recognized and thanked Paula for all her years of service. Some transfers, appointments, and applications for substitute teaching were received pending background checks.
• Voted on and approved.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF OSBA RULES

• Voted on and approved.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 2023 -2024

• As it stands, Kent will have a start date of August 16th and an end date before Memorial Day. Since Good Friday falls during spring break, the Monday after Easter will be included in time off.
• Voted on and approved.

CONSIDER PAY RATE FOR SUBSTITUTES

• As in many districts, Kent is experiencing a problem with the lack of substitute teachers. Kent seems to be at the lower end of the daily rate of pay. Mr. Soyers, Business Director, is proposing that after 20 consecutive days of subbing, the pay rate would go from $93.00 to $103.00 per day starting on the 21st day. While other districts have tried this plan without great success, he feels it is worth a try in order to entice more teachers to accept sub positions. He also stated that there is a solid attendance record with Kent teachers of 90%.
• Voted on and approved.

CONSIDER PURCHASE OF CHROME BOOKS

• 395 new chrome books are needed. Edu Tech has been the district’s supplier
• Voted on and approved

CONSIDER RESOLUTION FOR CHANGE

• None to report this month.

CONSIDER DONATIONS

• 25 donations were received totaling $27,900.
• Voted on and approved.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

• The board convened to a closed-door executive session.
• Voted on and approved.

ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING

Which members of the board/council were present: All present - Brian Boykin, Colin Boyle, Rebekah Wright Kules, Pam Ferguson, and Tiera Moore

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