Date of Meeting: 11/14/2024

Format: In-person

Streetsboro Board of Education Meeting

Meeting Summary:

The Regular Meeting of the Streetsboro Board of Education was called to order on November 14, 2024, at 5:45 PM.

President Kristin Bedford opened the meeting with a Roll Call and the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments.

The Regular Meeting Minutes from the 10/08/2024 Regular Meeting were approved.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: Athletic Director Randy Tevepaugh introduced the championship Girl’s Soccer Team and Player of the Year winners from the Girl’s and the Boy’s Soccer Teams. In addition to excelling at sports, the Girl's Soccer Team is the athletic team with the highest average GPA, with a team average of 3.7.

Mr. Dan Stitzel presented the Chromebook Discipline Policy to ensure school finances are being used resourcefully. The district has a 1:1 policy, and every student is issued a Chromebook. To increase the longevity of the equipment, a discipline policy was necessary. Broken and damaged Chromebooks are charged to the student’s fees. In determining discipline, the staff distinguishes between accidental and intentional damage. Accidental cases are charged the fee but are not subject to discipline. The student is disciplined if the damage is deemed purposeful and there are a few repeat offenders. Disciplinary action includes parent conferences and in-school suspension. A repeat offender is given access to the technology throughout the school day but is not allowed to take the equipment home. The equipment must be checked in and out at the beginning and end of the school day. If a homework or testing assignment requires equipment going home, there is a process whereby the disciplined student may check out the equipment overnight to accomplish the necessary task. In making up the discipline policy, it was essential not to take away educational access. The role of the policy is to keep the damage down. Intentional damage has resulted from a small percentage of students, and there are repeat offenders. Keeping the equipment at the school has kept the damage down.

Ohio’s Senate Bill 29 requires that schools notify parents of all the data collected on their children. The district is building a process to collect agreements and educate staff on what they need to know to comply with SB 29. Parents are being notified to let them know of the policy. The district does monitor devices for safety and health matters. Parents must be notified when data is accessed for a health or safety issue.

The Strategic Planning process is moving forward. Of the 100 individuals invited, 95 from the community and district recently met. Many of the 95 have agreed to meet with others to work on developing the district's key goals and direction for the future. The next step includes going through the information and identifying key themes.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Mr. Brian Haines reported that this year’s expenses exceed last year’s, so the fund balance will be lower. The most significant expenses are wages and benefits. Wages are increasing, and the costs of special education are also growing. Mr. Haines thanked the community for renewing the two levies. They were needed. Due to recent property appraisals, the district will see increased funding through real estate taxes. Haines will better understand what the new appraisals will bring in after the December calculations.

CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER REPORT: Mr. C.J. Scarpino echoed Mr. Haine’s sentiments on funding constraints. He stressed that staff are careful and responsible with school finances. The district has consistently received high ratings on how healthy finances are managed. The district looks for consortiums when contracting with vendors and tries to combine staffing positions when possible. Last year, the district generated $425,000 in savings by entering into consortium vendor services agreements and co-ops and being more thoughtful about utilizing resources.

Food Service is planning a Thanksgiving Dinner. School Principals will be carving the turkeys.
Primo Sea Coating donated 20,000 containers of seal coating to the district.

Several rental agreements, including agreements with “On Your Toes,” Streetsboro Youth Basketball, Streetsboro Youth Wrestling, and Junior Rockets, are ready for board approval.
A Concert with First Snow, a TSO tribute band, is scheduled for December 7, and a concert with Fleetwood Gold, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, is scheduled for February 15.

BOARD REPORTS: Ms. Epple has been studying testing data. She reported that the district is in the top 3% of Ohio in the value-added component. The Educational Foundation has approved a grant to host an author study and virtual visit with Poet Laureate Kwame Alexander. There are currently around 190 education-related bills in the Ohio Legislature. The legislature needs to be followed closely. Construction at Maplewood is still ongoing. The Culinary Arts project is incomplete, and the kitchen is closed. The Auto Mechanic area is slated to be renovated.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS B-M were approved by all Board members.

There was no NEW BUSINESS.

There was no OLD BUSINESS.

The Board adjourned at 6:50 PM.

The following members of the board/council were present: Kristin Bedford, Tracy Campbell, Tonia Epple, Kelly Rich, Sara Scott. All Board Members were 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
https://go.boarddocs.com/oh/streetsboro/Board.nsf/Public

Name of Observer: Diana L. Skok