Streetsboro Board of Education Regular Meeting
Date of Meeting: 2/13/2025
Format: In-person
Meeting Summary:
The Regular Meeting of the Streetsboro Board of Education was called to order on February 13, 2025, at 5:45 PM.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: A Community Member spoke to create awareness of the upcoming Polar Plunge held at Cleveland Edgewater Beach House on Saturday, February 22, 2025. The event supports the Special Olympics. Community members, BOE, faculty, and staff are encouraged to participate by taking the plunge, sponsoring a plunger, or donating.
The Minutes from the 01/09/2025 Regular Meeting, 1/24/2025 Special Board Meeting, and 1/28/2025 Special Board Meeting were approved.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: Two Intervention Specialists from Defer Intermediate School reported on new activities being undertaken with their students. The students have been periodically taking part in community outings. The outings allow students to practice functional skills in real-life situations. The teachers worked with the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities for the classroom to attend monthly swimming outings at the DD facility in Ravenna. The swimming outlines allow the students to participate in an activity that matters to them. The Streetsboro Fire Department visited the classroom and spent time with the students. Students were allowed to check out the equipment, wear the gear, and go inside the fire truck. Students also took a trip to Morning Star Farm in Windham. Activities at the farm included a hay ride and interacting with barnyard animals. Other activities included participation in the Portage DD Santa Shop and watching a holiday movie, The Polar Express, in the High School auditorium. An upcoming trip to We Rock the Spectrum is being planned. This is an indoor playground that offers sensory-sensitive activities. Anyone with ideas for an outing to benefit these students is encouraged to contact the school district.
Superintendent Cynthia Deever advised the board that work continues on the website update. It will eventually be a more user-friendly portal for families.
The next newsletter will be going out in March.
One hundred responses were received from participants in the Strategic Planning process. A meeting of about 20-30 people is planned for March 19. The makeup of this meeting must be a majority of community members (at least 51%) over district faculty and staff. This group will review themes and create the goals. Eventually, an action plan will be developed to work towards those goals.
The district is working on a Student Academic Initiative. Many athletes receive recognition, and Superintendent Deevers feels it is essential that students be recognized for academic success. The High School will hold its first Academy Signing Day on May 2, 11:30-3:30.Students going into the military will also participate in the signing day. There will also be a special meal for academic achievers with their parents.
Best safety practices are under constant review, and several practice fire drills have been conducted.
Two student trips are in planning: Costa Rica in 2026 and Spain in 2027.
The girl's soccer team is planning an overnight trip to Columbus.
Board policies are under review for new laws requiring student release time for religious matters. One policy update is that anyone interacting with students and giving religious instruction must first undergo a background check. Regarding planning for HB8, Parents Bill of Rights, the district needs more specifics on what that will look like practically.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Representatives from EPC (Educators Preferred Corporation) presented information on a voluntary early separation plan to incentivize early retirement to free up budget dollars. The goal is to replace high-cost positions with less expensive entry-level spots. EPC has been in business for over 40 years and has worked exclusively with school districts since 1989. They will work with the district on creating and managing early buyouts. It is a one-time offer. They come in and provide counseling and will sit down one-on-one with each interested individual to review the plan. An individual booklet is produced for each employee. Employees can meet with educators who have also gone through the process. The board may elect to keep someone for a year after opting in to give time to find a quality replacement. Offering an early retirement plan and contracting with EPC is subject to the board’s approval.
There will be a levy on the ballot this May. A levy is needed to address rising costs. 85-86% of the budget goes to cover salary and benefits. The district is actively looking at ways to reduce costs. The 5-mil levy in May is projected to bring $3,885,000 annually. Homeowners will see an increase of approximately $145.00 per $100,000 market value.
CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER REPORT: There is a request for more cameras, subject to approval. Vegetation and Fertilizer Contracts are up for renewal and are needed to keep the ballfields. Currently going through food service RFP walk-throughs. An application has been submitted for a Safety Grant. The grant will cover the costs of strobes and speakers that the board approved earlier if awarded.
BOARD REPORTS: A lot is going on in the State government. Many updates and alerts are being posted. DeWine submitted an update on the budget, with the possibility of decreases in school funding.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS B to Q were approved by all Board members. The April Regular Board meeting was moved to April 17.
There was no NEW BUSINESS.
There was no OLD BUSINESS.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:53 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