Committee/ Council Observed: Kent City School Board

Date of Meeting: 11/15/2022

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

The 11/15/2022 meeting began at 6:00 PM with roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS
Adam Benshoff, a Kent School alumni and youth football and baseball coach presented a PowerPoint. The purpose of his presentation was to express his concern about the conditions of many of the fields and facilities used by the youth athletes of the Kent community. He mentioned specifically the field at Davey Elementary and several other schools where fences are not maintained and large holes on and around the fields create unsafe conditions for the athletes and spectators. He fears that families are leaving the Kent community for districts that are more supportive of these programs. He is asking for community support so as to improve the present conditions and hopes that the tradition of encouraging youth athletics can continue. The Board was grateful to Adam for bringing this to their attention and they will pursue the issue.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Voted on and approved

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Justin Gates, Director of Student Services, introduced Kathleen Wiler, a representative of the Neighborhood Bridges Program. For background information, this 5013C program was created in Westerville, Ohio with the goal of providing specific solutions to eliminate barriers to attending school. The mission is to provide for the basic needs of students experiencing poverty and homelessness. Ms.Wiler helped to get this program off the ground with Mr. Rick Bannister, who was unable to attend the board meeting. A voice presentation by Mr. Bannister was played during which he explained how the program is implemented. Technology, social media, school counselors, and school administrators are used to connect a generous community with students and their families in need. No names are ever revealed and so far 244 Kent students have been served. School supplies, clothes, food, and personal care items are among the things that the program provides. Advocates are presently doing the job of representing the students and educating the Kent community about the program, but many more advocates are needed. Mr. Bannister stated that the graduation rate of students experiencing NO economic disadvantage was 93%, 73% for those in poverty, and 53% for homeless students. The board thanked Dr. Gates for bringing this program to the Kent community.

Superintendent, George Joseph, thanked Tiera Moore and Colin Boyle for attending the OSBA conference in Columbus.

FINANCIAL REPORT
As of 10/31/22 the General Fund will carry until property taxes are received in 2/2023. The food service funds remain in the black. Investments' interest rates had languished, but are now on target. Voted on and approved.

APPROVAL OF BILLS
Voted on and approved

PERSONNEL
Some resignations, retirements (Forestry program), and appointments were received and approved. Substitutes will require background checks before approval and there were no leave of absence requests.

CONSIDER REVIEW OF NEW OSBA POLICIES
Updates to the new policies have not yet been received so these will be considered at the December meeting.

CONSIDER BIDS FOR SCHOOL BUS PURCHASES
3 new buses will be purchased and which ones to retire will be decided at the end of the school year.

CONSIDER RESOLUTION FOR PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TRANSPORTATION
Voted on and approved.

CONSIDER RELEASE FOR PURPOSE OF TRANSPORTATION
The update on this situation is that parents will be responsible for the transportation of the 2 students who will be attending Stow Munroe Falls Schools.

CONSIDER CAREER TECH EDUCATION PURCHASES
Stokes Unitree Robotics Educational Purchases. Two robots were purchased for the electrical CTE program.
Anatomage Classic Dissection Table This virtual dissection table was purchased for the Health Career Tech program.
Dura Max Coordinate Measuring Machine. This computer-design measuring device was purchased for the engineering program.
All purchases were voted on and approved.

CONSIDER ITEMS FOR CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM
Software can collect data as to the climate and conditions within a building.
Unit Ventilator Solution Review and Testing.
Air vents were fixed in the field house. This will also be added to the elementary buildings and high school. The board was asked if they had any concerns regarding this.

CONSIDER OUT-OF-STATE / OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIPS
No field trips are planned at this time.

MISCELLANEOUS
$12,000 in donations was received from a generous Kent community.
96 students attended the Leadership Retreat and it was reported and recorded on social media that George Joseph and Tom Larkin were both seen as quite the dancers. The students in attendance were apparently quite amused and equally impressed by this.
Congratulations were offered to Rebekah Wright Kulis for her award from the City of Kent.

ADJOURN

Which members of the board/council were present: Brian Boykin, Colin Boyle, Pamela Ferguson, Tiera Moore, and Rebekah Wright Kulis. 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