Committee/ Council Observed: Kent City School Board

Date of Meeting: 5/17/2022

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

The May meeting began with the roll call, Pledge of Allegiance, and introduction of board members and staff by assistant superintendent, Tom Larkin. Roosevelt sophomore, Vivian Blatnik shared her poem that had been published in Dear Vaccine: Global Voices Speak to the Pandemic.
Minutes from the last meeting were then approved.

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
A guest from the Health Department, Jalessa Caples did a presentation on tobacco and e-cigarette usage among middle school and high school students. Kent is the only district in the area to have a smoke-free policy. Her presentation included ways in which students are concealing their usage and that more anti-smoking materials need to be distributed to students. It was revealed that although the 3 smoke shops in Kent say they are not targeting kids, in reality, this is not the case. By offering candy and bubble gum flavored cigarettes they most definitely are enticing kids. Devices that detect cigarette smoke are being installed at the high school.

FINANCIAL REPORT
All tax revenue for this fiscal year has been received until July. The General Fund has a sufficient balance to cover the permanent improvement needs. Investment return is at .50% which is up from last year. Expenditures are also up from last year. All current bills were approved

FIVE YEAR FORECAST
November to May update. The district is required to show 3 years of history which shows the district is on target. Federal stimulus funds which are scheduled to dry up soon were used to purchase chrome books. The chrome books are used by the students for state testing so they must be current and secure. The budget also included the purchase of 3 new busses to replace 3 busses currently in the fleet. Receiving these busses has been delayed until January

PERSONNEL
Resignations and retirements were announced and approved. 1 leave of absence, new appointments, and transfers were announced and approved. Substitute teachers and new appointments were approved based on background checks.

APPROVAL OF STUDENT CONDUCT CODE
The Student Conduct Code will be maintained as is, except the district is looking for more creative and less punitive ways in which to discipline. Consequences will still occur. It was expressed that the dress code is the more challenging rule to enforce and the language in the code needs to be clarified.

WORKMANS COMPENSATION
2019 saw a large number of accident claims.

HEALTH INSURANCE
There will be an increase in costs expected in insurance next year. These costs are covered in the 5-year forecast.

INTER-DISTRICT AGREEMENT WITH EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER
Approved extended school year services and staffing for special needs students.

QUOTES FOR GPS
A 5-year contract was renewed with Synovia to provide GPS for the district’s fleet of busses

FOODSERVICE
The district is following state and federal guidelines. Parents can access the menus to see what is offered to their children. No-bake sales during the school day.

MODULAR CLASSROOMS
Currently, there are 2 modular classrooms at Walls Elementary. These were slated to be returned at the end of the school year. Since it was determined that these classrooms are still needed, the board approved the funds to purchase them.

RESOLUTIONS
The district has a credit of $33,181.47. These funds will be used to cover the cost of a “hot box” which will cover the water pipes which are above the ground in front of Roosevelt.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDING
A presentation was given as to how these funds were used to combat learning loss during Covid and the pandemic.

JOB DESCRIPTION REVISION
The job description for the Elementary Grade Level Chairperson was revised.

PARENT MENTOR CONSULTING PROGRAM
Corrections and revisions to the program will be presented in August.

CALENDAR
The calendar for the 2022 - 2023 school year that was approved in March has been revised. It was determined that the calendar included more days than were required by the state. The last day of school will now be June 1 instead of June 2, 2023.

FIELD TRIPS
No overnight or out-of-state field trips have been requested.

DONATIONS
Donations of $38,673.21 were accepted. These donations came primarily from 3 foundations and alumni classes. The community continues to be very generous.

ADJOURNED

Which members of the board/council were present: Brian Boykin, Colin Boyle, Pam Ferguson, Tiara Moore & Rebekah 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