Certification by Treasurer of Compliance with Meeting Requirements Rules

Transcription

1 Geneva Area City Board of Education July 17, 2013 The Board of Education of the Geneva Area City School District met in regular session at 7:00 p.m., July 17, 2013, at the High School Auditorium. Roll Call: Present: Absent: Visitors & Guests: Mr. Behm, Mr. Brashear, Mr. Foote, Mr. Trice, Mrs. Wilt, Superintendent Zappitelli, and Treasurer Lillie None Principal Wetherholt; Laura Jones, Director of Food Service; GATA representatives; newspaper reporter and other citizens Certification by Treasurer of Compliance with Meeting Requirements Rules Pledge of Allegiance Correspondence Agenda Modification Hearing of Public President Foote led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Treasurer distributed OSBA pocket calendars and covers to all Board members and the Superintendent. Several modifications were made. Sandra Menor, 3107 S. Myers Rd., Lot #2, Geneva, said she was told the scrap metal from Memorial Field only got around $7,300. She wondered how that could be since several people at the last Board meeting said it was worth over $100,000. She said she understood that Midget football had offered to buy the visitors bleachers, and she wondered why that wasn t allowed to happen. Ms. Menor asked why the fence was removed along Cowles Creek. She noted the construction of baseball and softball fields on the agenda, and wondered why we needed two of each. She also asked about item 5 on the agenda, the levy for ongoing permanent improvements. Mr. Lillie explained that the District checked with the demolition contractor, PJ s Snowplowing & Lawn Care, to see what he had received for the scrap metal. According to the delivery receipts, PJ s received an average of $ per gross ton of scrap metal on 31.5 tons delivered for a total of $7, Mrs. Zappitelli informed Ms. Menor that the bleachers were included in the demolition package, so they belonged to the contractor. Mrs. Zappitelli noted that the District was working with the city to take over Memorial Field, and they wanted the perimeter fence removed except for along the cemetery. Mrs. Zappitelli also explained that the District participates in the PAC, and they 1

2 schedule the varsity and junior varsity games to be played simultaneously. We have not been able to accommodate that without adding the extra fields. Mr. Lillie explained that permanent improvements are capital improvements and equipment that last five years or more. The District currently uses this fund to purchase two school buses each year to keep the bus fleet safe. The PI fund will be used to pay for the demolition work at Memorial Field and the resurfacing of the east parking lot and south drive at the Middle School. Other purchases have included replacing other District vehicles and equipment for the buildings. Shawn Shannon, 3189 State Route 307, Austinburg, wanted to know what the scrap metal value was before the work was quoted and who decided that the value for scrap metal was sufficient. Mr. Lillie responded that the District had no idea what the scrap metal value was before receiving quotes. It was up to the contractors submitting quotes to assess what cost they could recover on the scrap metal in order to keep their quote competitive. PJ s was awarded the demolition work based on the lowest quote. In checking with them, the price of scrap metal varied daily and ranged from $210 per ton to $255 per ton on the loads they delivered to the scrap yard. Mark Thompson, 2129 Lafevre Road, Geneva, stated that the Board was irresponsible in not bringing the quote to the public. He also wondered why we didn t get a professional engineers quote on the scrap metal. It was reiterated that the demolition didn t require a formal bid procedure because the quote came in under the $25,000 bid threshold, and the scrap metal was figured in the contractor s quote. Rick Arndt, 6370 North Ridge Road West, Geneva, wondered who owns Memorial Field and was the District involved in talks with the city of Geneva about the property. Mrs. Zappitelli replied that the Board owns Memorial Field, and the District was in talks with the city with the goal of restoring the field to public use. Dan Whitmire, P.O. Box 315, 2807 State Route 307, Austinburg, reported on the findings from his public records requests. He had a contract for PJ s demolition work which was never voted on, and there were no weight slips for the scrap metal. He stated that the Board was abdicating it s authority in making decisions. Insurance information he had showed that flood insurance through Glazier Insurance Agency was currently only covering the field house. He asked that the Board not send him any more response letters. Shawn Shannon stated that there are many parents who have to get junior high students to SPIRE. He feels the District should bus them there. Willard Raymond, 5549 Roxbury Avenue, Geneva, mentioned that his parents, aunts, uncles, and kids all graduated from Geneva and his grandkids are now starting to attend Geneva Schools. He hates to see the community divided 2

3 over this Memorial Field issue. He didn t think that the negative attacks directed at individuals were appropriate at Board meetings and shouldn t be circulated on social media, especially those telling people not to do business with people on the Board. He thought we all needed to have some class. Mr. Foote noted that the Board has made decisions that are in the best interest of the students and taxpayers. The Board is trying to return Memorial Field to public use. Approval of Minutes Mr. Behm moved, seconded by Mrs. Wilt, to approve the minutes of the regular session on June 26, 2013, as presented by the Treasurer. Roll Call: YES: Behm, Brashear, Foote, Trice, and Wilt. Motion carried. Financial Report Mr. Brashear moved, seconded by Mr. Trice, to approve the June, 2013 financial report as presented by the Treasurer. Roll Call: YES: Brashear, Foote, Trice, Wilt, and Behm. Motion carried. Approval of Invoices Mr. Behm moved, seconded by Mr. Brashear, to approve the June, 2013 invoices as paid and listed by the Treasurer. Roll Call: YES: Foote, Trice, Wilt, Behm, and Brashear. Motion carried. Informational Items - Current Investments (see addendum file) Legislative Report A-Tech Report None was given. Mr. Brashear reported that the Knoedler School of Practical Nurse Education will have their graduation on August 13, OSBA Capital Conference information is out. A-tech students in the Grand Valley multi-media program were selected to be the official student documentary team at the conference. Report of the Superintendent RttT Update Mrs. Zappitelli presented a summary of our Race to the Top Scope of Work Goals and Professional Development Goals for year four. Food Service Laura Jones, Director of Food Service, gave a summary of our Report food service operation along with a look at plans for the school year. Highlights for the year included successfully opening new kitchens at Austinburg and Cork, the second Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Grant at Geneva Platt R. Spencer, implementation of new nutrition guidelines for all schools to be compliant with new regulations, and training all cafeteria staff on food allergies and procedures. Food Service also implemented bar code cards at GPS for breakfast, was awarded a technology grant for the next school year and piloted a School Lunch program at Assumption School beginning in March. 3

4 Plans for the school year include installing fingerprint readers from technology grant, implementing the next phase of new nutrition guidelines for all schools for breakfast and lunch, and training all cafeteria staff on new federal guidelines. An Alternate School Food Authority Agreement with Assumption School for the Lunch Program will be considered. Upon Mrs. Jones s recommendation, Mr. Trice moved, seconded by Mr. Brashear, that lunch prices be increased by ten cents for the school year, bringing them to $2.60 at the elementary and $2.85 at the secondary schools in order to offset increases to food prices. Roll Call: YES: Behm, Brashear, Foote, Trice, and Wilt. Transportation Discussion Mrs. Wilt commented that her proposal was just that, a proposal. She wanted to generate discussion and changes to resolve the numerous busing issues that have been brought to our attention. She wants at a minimum the following changes: - All elementary students picked up and dropped off at their residence, their mail boxes, or a parent-designated area. - Group stops for middle and high school students with the following exceptions: 1. Walking distance to be less than ½ mile. 2. Streets must have lights and sidewalks. 3. Stops will not be within 500 feet of a sexual offender s residence nor be on the walking path of the student. Mrs. Wilt claimed that at least two stops were in front of offenders homes. - If the exceptions cannot be met, student will be picked up and dropped off at their residence, mail box, or parent-designated area. She realizes that there probably won t be any cost savings, but she doesn t put a price on a child s safety. As for actual figures, she will leave that to Mrs. Zappitelli or Mr. Lillie and the transportation department since they were given a copy of the proposal. The cost savings from Mrs. Zappitelli s new contract should be a good start in covering the operational (drivers salaries and fringes) cost increases. If money is still needed, Mrs. Wilt can suggest other areas to cut, but specifics would have to be discussed in executive session because it would involve salaries of non-classified employees. Mrs. Wilt asked what is the cost per child to bus them to school and is that amount worth the child s safety? Lastly, Mrs. Wilt expressed that she knows we are here to educate the children and that is our primary concern. But she wondered how can we educate those children if they are not safely transported to and from the schools? Mr. Behm said that he has been adamant in his complaints about buses stopping at every driveway or door-to-door pick up. He had received numerous complaints about that. 4

5 Mr. Brashear replied that to ask us what price we would place upon a child s safety is futile. None of us here will respond with any dollar figure that would satisfy the question. What we need to do instead is direct our efforts to the balance of safety and serving our children s best interest. Mrs. Zappitelli reported on a specific bus that made 11 group stops and was full. Students are let off the bus at 8:15 a.m. for the breakfast program. Based on the student addresses, if the bus stopped at each house, this route would increase to 73 stops and would add at least one hour to the route in both the morning and afternoon. Parents might be concerned that instead of being on the bus for approximately 20 minutes, many students would be on for at least an hour. Students wouldn t arrive at school until after 9:00 a.m., and instead of getting home around 3:30 p.m., many would arrive home around 4:30 p.m. Elementary routes can t currently start any earlier because of the High School runs. Additional District concerns would be the cost of adding two hours a day to this route, which would be around $12,000. This would be multiplied by all routes needing this kind of adjustment. These increased stops would add additional wear and tear on the bus and increase full consumption. Actually, the District would have to consider adding another bus to the route to get students to school on time. Adding buses to the fleet would create additional costs, including $80,000 per new bus, increased maintenance costs, and additional driver costs. During the school year, our bus routes were reviewed by the state and found to be inefficient and costly. The District faced losing state dollars available for transportation costs, so measures were taken to streamline routes to make them more efficient. Cooperative Upon Mrs. Zappitelli s recommendation, Mrs. Wilt moved, seconded by Purchasing Program Mr. Behm, approval of the following resolution with the Cooperative Purchasing program for the school year: OHIO SCHOOLS COUNCIL WHEREAS, the Geneva Area City School District Board of Education is desirous of participating in certain of the cooperative purchasing programs of the Ohio Schools Council, a council of governments organization under the laws of the State of Ohio; and WHEREAS, the Geneva Area City School District Board of Education has reviewed the Agreement and Bylaws of the of the Ohio Schools Council and agrees to abide by them; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Geneva Area City School District Board of Education authorizes its Superintendent to initial the Agreement and Bylaws of the OHIO Schools Council and for its Treasurer to pay the annual fee. Roll Call: YES: Brashear, Foote, Trice, Wilt, and Behm. Motion carried. 5

6 0.85-Mill Permanent Improvement Levy Upon Mrs. Zappitelli s recommendation, Mr. Brashear moved, seconded by Mrs. Wilt, that the Board approve the following resolution to proceed with placing a 0.85-mill permanent improvement tax levy renewal on the November 5, 2013 ballot. A RESOLUTION PURSUANT TO SECTION OF THE REVISED CODE SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THE QUESTION OF THE RENEWAL OF AN EXISTING 0.85-MILL TAX LEVY FOR THE PURPOSE OF GENERAL ON-GOING PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS. WHEREAS, on June 26, 2013, this Board adopted Resolution No pursuant to Section of the Revised Code declaring it necessary to renew an existing 0.85-mill tax for the purpose of general on-going permanent improvements and requesting the Ashtabula County Auditor to certify the total current tax valuation of the School District and the dollar amount of revenue that would be generated by the renewal of the existing 0.85-mill levy; and WHEREAS, on July 2, 2013, the Ashtabula County Auditor certified that the total current tax valuation of the School District is $344,510,750 and the dollar amount of revenue that would be generated by that 0.85-mill renewal levy would be $184,058 annually during the life of the levy, assuming that the total current tax valuation remains the same throughout the life of the levy; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of Geneva Area City School District, Ashtabula County, Ohio, that: Section 1. This Board hereby finds, determines and declares that the amount of taxes which may be raised by the Board of Education of the School District within the ten-mill limitation by levies on the current tax list and duplicate will be insufficient to provide an adequate amount for the necessary requirements of this School District, and that it is necessary to renew, for five years, an existing 0.85-mill ad valorem property tax outside of the ten-mill limitation for the purpose of general on-going permanent improvements. Section 2. The question of the renewal of an existing 0.85-mill ad valorem property tax outside of the ten-mill limitation, for five years, for the purpose of general on-going permanent improvements, beginning with the tax list and duplicate for the year 2014, the proceeds of which renewal levy first would be available to the School District in the calendar year 2015, shall be submitted under the provisions of Section of the Revised Code to the electors of the School District at an election to be held therein on November 5, 2013 (or such other date as is established for the primary election in calendar year 2013), as authorized by law. That election shall be held at the regular places of voting in the School District as established by the Ashtabula County Board of Elections, or otherwise, within the times provided by law and shall be conducted, canvassed and certified in the manner provided by law. Section 3. The Treasurer of this Board be and is hereby authorized and directed to give or cause to be given notice of that election as provided by law. 6

7 Section 4. The Treasurer be and is hereby directed to deliver a certified copy of this Resolution, Resolution No referred to in the first preamble to this Resolution and the related County Auditor s certificate, to the Ashtabula County Board of Elections, not later than August 7, Section 5. It is hereby found and determined that all formal actions of this Board and any of its committees concerning and relating to the adoption of this Resolution were adopted in an open meeting, and that all deliberations of this Board and of any of its committees that resulted in those formal actions were in meetings open to the public, in compliance with the law. Section 6. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and immediately upon its adoption. Roll Call: YES: Foote, Trice, Wilt, Behm, and Brashear. Motion carried. High School Softball and Baseball Fields Delegate OSBA Sealed bids for the construction of a new baseball field and a new softball field north of the current fields at Geneva High School were opened and read by the Treasurer on Friday, July 12, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Board office. Mrs. Zappitelli noted that the bid contained two alternates. The first was to provide home and visitor dugouts at both fields, and the second was to provide fencing from the dugouts to foul line poles and around the outfield. The base bid provided backstops and fencing to the dugouts. Extra fencing and dugouts could be addressed later. It was also discussed that the fencing could be extended just past the bases for the protection of the crowd. This work could be done by change order or purchase order later. These improvements will be charged to the permanent improvement fund. Upon Mrs. Zappitelli s recommendation, Mr. Behm moved, seconded by Mrs. Wilt, to award the base bid only to PJ s Snowplowing and Lawn Care at the price of $169,000. Roll Call: YES: Trice, Wilt, Behm, Brashear, and Foote. Motion carried. Mr. Behm moved, seconded by Mrs. Wilt, to appoint Mr. Brashear as delegate and Mr. Trice as the alternate to represent our School Board at the annual business meeting of the Ohio School Boards Association on November 11, Roll Call: YES: Wilt, Behm, Brashear, Foote, and Trice. Motion carried. Class of 2020 Upon Mrs. Zappitelli s recommendation, Mr. Behm moved, seconded by Stu. Act. Acct. Mr. Brashear, that a Student Activity Account be established for the Class of 2020 ( ). Roll Call: Roll Call: YES: Behm, Brashear, Foote, Trice, and Wilt. Motion carried Personnel Upon Mrs. Zappitelli s recommendation, Mrs. Wilt moved, seconded by Mr. Trice, the following personnel actions for the contract year: a. FMLA LOA Melissa A. Hull, Teacher, leave of absence beginning 08/22/13 through 11/01/13. This leave will be designated under the Family Medical Leave Act. 7

8 b. Resignation Joel D. Dixon, Teacher, effective 07/03/13 Katie A. Malasky, Tutor, effective 07/08/13 Gerald A. Sorber, 8 th Grade Football, effective 07/12/13 c. Change of Contract Elizabeth A. Gurley, from Tutor, hours-to-be-assigned, to full-time teacher, Geneva Platt R. Spencer, effective 08/22/13 Raydquel A. Myers, from Tutor, hours-to-be-assigned, to full-time teacher, Geneva Platt R. Spencer, effective 08/22/13 d. I recommend the hiring of the following personnel on a one-year contract, to be paid according to the adopted wage guidelines, subject to meeting certification requirements of the State of Ohio, as well as a satisfactory physical examination, background check and/or other training, if applicable. 1) Teacher Michelle L. Rawlins 2) Tutors Hours-to-be-assigned (Contingent upon funding) Anne L. Corlew Paula C. Crews Celeste M. Fenton Amanda M. Gibson Sarah A. Hoffman Jeffrey R. Hull Jessica L. Kirk Cheryl S. Ramsey Karen A. Sly Brenda S. Unsinger 3) Adult Substitute Secretary & Educational Assistants Victoria L. Allen Virginia M. Barnes Katherine S. Cooper Christine S. Cruea Marie S. Desmarais Theresa M. Grimmett Anne P. Hayes Denise L. Kase Amy D. Richmond Shari D. Rooney Marcia A. Scafuro Kimberly A. Schwegler Pegi J. Shupska Donna A. Sulecki Tracy A. Zanzig 4) Substitute Housekeepers Kimberly J. Bailes Bonnie L. Balaban Danielle P. Goroncy Denise L. Kase 8

9 Deborah L. Browning Ann M. Craig Linda A. Kovach Kimberly A. Schwegler 5) Cafeteria Substitutes Katherine S. Cooper Karen A. Cordova Christine S. Cruea Marie E. Desmarais Theresa M. Grimmett Cheryl K. Kinney Lorna S. Masek Shari D. Rooney Kimberly A. Schwegler Pegi J. Shupska 6) Substitute Bus Drivers Virginia M. Barnes Katherine S. Cooper Christine S. Cruea Theresa M. Grimmett Anne P. Hayes Cheryl K. Kinney Catherine L. Tromm Danielle M. Workman Roll Call: YES: Brashear, Foote, Trice, Wilt, and Behm. Motion carried. Revised Calendar Other Items Upon Mrs. Zappitelli s recommendation, Mr. Behm moved, seconded by Mrs. Wilt, the following change on the Calendar for the Geneva Area City School District for the Parent/Teacher Conference scheduled for November 11, 2013, to be moved to November 12, Mrs. Zappitelli informed the Board that the consensus was not to move the date to November 14, 2013 in order to avoid conflict with events already scheduled. Roll Call: YES: Foote, Trice, Wilt, Behm, and Brashear. Motion carried. Mrs. Zappitelli updated the Board on the progress at Memorial Field. Work was delayed because of the flooding that occurred at the end of June. The property was still being kept locked up because it is a demolition site. The only fencing left to be removed included the sections along the east and north sides of the property. Visitor bleachers have been removed from the site and the grandstand is gone, with site work progressing around that area. This includes determining how to control or redirect the water flowing from the hillside south of the press box. We are getting pricing on a plan to add about 60 feet of drain tile to redirect water south to the wooded area which drains to existing catch basin. Once the water concern is addressed, the area will be graded and seeded. Electric lines will be terminated as per the specs. The water line will be relocated to between the two concession stands on the east side of the field. There are two sets of bleachers along the north end of the field which will be left there. Mrs. Zappitelli also informed the Board that Geneva Midget League Football want to practice at Memorial Field. They currently practice at Carraher Field and play their games at SPIRE. They would like to enter into a contract with us, and eventually the City, to practice at Memorial Field. They have offered to pay for maintaining the field and the utilities. In exchange, they would have use of the field for practices, the concession stand, the press box, and the restrooms. They do not have a need for 9

10 bleachers because they play their games at SPIRE. They met with the City earlier this week and then called me. City Manager Jim Pearson doesn t feel that their field usage will affect our partnership with the city. Mr. Trice mentioned that Memorials there would be exposed. How can we preserve the Memorials? What about Carraher Field? Mrs. Zappitelli explained that midget football had been practicing at Carraher Field, but they had to take down outfield fences and put them back up after practices. We are keeping a close eye on the Memorials at the field and the contractor knows that they are not to be touched. Mr. Behm asked if we will be able to put some landscaping at Cork and Austinburg? Mrs. Zappitelli answered that we will be reviewing the funding model with the construction manager to see what can be added. Executive Session Upon Mrs. Zappitelli s recommendation, Mr. Brashear moved, seconded by Mrs. Wilt, that the Board hold an executive session for discussion of negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment. Went into executive session at 8:53 p.m. Returned from executive session at 9:11 p.m. Roll Call: YES: Trice, Wilt, Behm, Brashear, and Foote. Motion carried. Adjournment Mr. Foote moved, seconded by Mr. Trice, to adjourn the regular session at 9:12 p.m. Roll Call: YES: Wilt, Behm, Brashear, Foote, and Trice. Motion carried. The foregoing is a true and accurate record of the minutes and proceedings of the regular session held by the Board of Education of the Geneva Area City School District on July 17,