Date of Meeting: 5/15/2023
Format: In-person
Meeting Summary:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Three students were presented with the Lions Club Good Award. Two community members were recognized for their volunteer service at the elementary school, Diane Damicone (9 years of volunteer service) and Carrie Quotson (19 years).
Eight members of the elementary school student council gave a PowerPoint presentation summarizing their activities over the past school year. They focused on one primary activity each month as follows:
- September: Weekly announcements
- October: Red Ribbon Week for drug and alcohol use prevention
- November: Center of HOPE food drive
- December: snowflake decorations
- January: confidence week
- February: heart wreaths
- March: Shamrock grams – earned $630.55
- April – brainstorm ideas for teacher appreciation week
- May – prep for Board meeting
Treasurer Connie Baldwin presented the 5-year budget forecast. The district has done a good job of keeping expenses in line with revenue and current projections are for no negative cash balance until 2027. Since November of 2022, there has been an increase in property tax revenue. With regard to funding from the state of Ohio, the Fair School Funding Plan has reduced revenue but also expenditures. The new state budget should be in place by July 1; one proposal is to increase the base teacher salary to $40,000 statewide. This would increase expenses for the Rootstown school district.
A representative from Hasentab Architects provided an update on options for updating facilities. The Board needs to decide asap which option they want to go with. New construction of a 6-12 building with some updates to the elementary school, with 39% state funding, would require a bond issue of approximately 6.35 mills. The cost to Rootstown taxpayers would be approximately $222.25 per year on a $100,000 home. For the renovation of the current high school building with a new middle school addition, the millage would be about 5.65, which equates to approximately $197.75 per year on a $100,000 home. Board members will meet on May 24 to make the final decision. The intent is to have the issue on the November ballot.
There were no community comments this evening.
The Board approved various payments and contracts for next year. Also approved was the tentative list of 93 graduating seniors for the 2022-2023 school year.
Superintendent Hawkins and the building principals provided several updates on upcoming activities in the district. Do It For James will provide a free public presentation on Tuesday evening (May 16) to educate parents about the realities and dangers of sextortion. At the elementary school this week, high school students are teaching various sports during recess time. There will be new robotics coursework coming next year for grades 2-5. The high school prom will be on Saturday, May 20. Townhall II will host a pre-prom assembly on Wednesday. High school commencement will be on June 4 at Kent State.
Under old business, the district budget will include a set-aside for textbooks beginning next year.
Under new business, Superintendent Hawkins reported that the required nutrition standards compliance report has been completed and all USDA requirements have been met.
The public portion of the meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. and the Board moved into executive session to consider the evaluation of a public employee.
Which members of the board/council were present: All present: Jennifer Curall, Paul McEwuen, Craig Mullaly, Tom Siciliano, Amanda Waesch, Treasurer Connie Baldwin, Superintendent Andrew Hawkins
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
https://www.roversk12.org
Are minutes from previous meetings posted/available: Yes
Name of Observer: Rhonda Richardson