Committee/ Council Observed: Kent City School Board

Date of Meeting: 6/20/2023

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

The June 20th, 2023 meeting began at 5:30 PM with roll call & the Pledge of Allegiance. Tom Larkin, assistant Superintendent, introduced the Board members, administrators & staff who were present. Janice Swan, principal at Longcoy Elementary, addressed the board to thank them for their support & a great school year.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Voted on & approved

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Guest speaker David Myers, from the Rotary Club of Kent, was introduced by George Joseph to present plans for Safety Town in Kent. He presented renderings of building plans that will be constructed on the vacant plot of land next to Holden Elementary. These plans will also be available at the Heritage Festival in July. This will create a permanent location for Safety Town & provide a safe space for children to participate in the program. Fundraising efforts are underway & no definite cost for the project has been established.

FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer, Debby Krutz, presented a summary of the financial status of the district, with a more detailed report to come next month at the close of the fiscal year. At this time some of the funding needed for Roosevelt Athletics & the swimming pool is in the red requiring advances be made to cover expenses until state & federal funding is received. Investment interest continued to increase at a rate of 5.20% in May. There is a rate pause this month, but more increases are likely.
Approval of financial reports & bills
Authorized resolution authorizing the treasurer to proceed with fiscal year-end closing
Approve temporary appropriations resolution for the 2024 fiscal year. This is an annual resolution to spend starting in July.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

Consider Review of grade 3 Social Studies instructional materials for approval next month. These materials are more current & up to date & will be voted on for approval next month.

Consider a review of 3 OSBA policy updates for approval next month

APPROVED APPOINTMENT OF THOMAS P LARKIN as the new Superintendent, effective August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2026
Mr. Larkin gave a very emotional acceptance speech expressing how honored & humbled he was to accept this appointment. A great round of applause followed his speech.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE RESOLUTION FOR THE KENT FREE LIBRARY BUDGET FOR 2024
Open hearings were held to discuss the budget & the need for additional funding to cover salary & insurance increases.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE ADOPTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR AP GOVERNMENT CLASS
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE AUXILIARY SERVICE CONTRACT WITH SUMMIT EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER
This is an annual contract to provide 2 positions for St. Patrick’s School.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE AUXILIARY SERVICE CONTRACT WITH PARTNERS FOR SUCCESS AND INNOVATION (PSI)
This annual contract provides 25 - 36 hours of nursing, psychological & mental health services.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT WITH COLEMAN HEALTH SERVICES
This is an annual contract with the agency to provide mental health services.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE STUDENT INSURANCE PROGRAM
An annual program is offered to students who wish to purchase additional insurance. A board member raised the question as to how many students take advantage of this program. Mr.Jim Soyers stated that he would collect that information & report back.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE QUOTE FOR DAVEY AUDITORIUM REPAIRS
Moisture is being detected in one of the auditorium walls at Walls Elementary. Champion Roofing came in with the lowest quote. The district has been pleased with their previous work.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE PARTICIPATION IN THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
This is an annual contract
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TRANSPORTATION
Since it is impractical to provide transportation to Holy Family School in Stow, payment will be made to those families whose students attend there.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE INSURANCE RENEWALS
Insurance costs are increasing. Liberty Mutual & another company will be utilized for cyber.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE QUOTE FOR INSTRUCTIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE CTE PROGRAM
More MacBooks are needed & will be purchased from Apple.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE QUOTE FOR EXTENSION OF FOOD SERVICE CONTRACT WITH ARAMARK
This is their first 1-year extension & there will be no increase in cost.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE EXTENSION OF LEASE AGREEMENT WITH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
This lease is for the parking lot at Central School. While some churches are also using the lot, it was deemed easier to just lease with one agency & FCS can sublet to the churches.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE QUOTE FOR SOCCER FIELD IMPROVEMENTS
Lewis Landscaping will handle this project, as they have done a great job on other athletic fields in the district. Complaints from parents were received that because of drainage problems, the fields presented a safety issue for the players.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE HANDBOOKS
This is an annual item. Eight different additional handbooks for the 2023 - 2024 school year have been submitted
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

APPROVE FIELD TRIP FOR SENIOR CLASS
A trip to Chicago in March of 2024 is planned for 60 - 90 senior students. 20th Century Tours will be handling the arrangements.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

DONATIONS
Approximately 26 financial donations totaling $41,724.99 was received from a very generous community.

PERSONNEL
Two newly hired Intervention Specialists working at Longcoy Elementary were introduced to the board. There were some requests for leaves of absence, appointments & transfers. No subs were presented at this time.
VOTED ON AND APPROVED

EXECUTIVE SESSION
The board adjourned to executive session to discuss personnel issues.

ADJOURN

Which members of the board/council were present: Brian Boykin, Colin Boyle, Pamela Ferguson, Tiera Moore & 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