Geneva Area City Board of Education February 20, 2013 The Board of Education of the Geneva Area City School District met in regular session at 7:00 p.m., February 20, 2013, at the Cork Elementary School cafeteria. At 7:00 p.m., the regular meeting was called to order by Mr. Foote. Roll Call: Present: Absent: Visitors & Guests: Mr. Behm, Mr. Brashear, Mr. Foote, Mrs. Wilt, Superintendent Zappitelli, and Treasurer Lillie Mr. Trice Administrative Assistant Horvath; Principals Candela, Doherty, Haskins, Penzenik, and Wetherholt; Assistant Principals Anderson and Markijohn; Bill Mullane, Supervisor of School Improvement; Laura Jones, Director of Food Service; Ed Leitch, Director of Maintenance and Transportation; Charlotte Leonard, Bus & Route Supervisor; OAPSE representatives; newspaper reporter and other citizens Certification by Treasurer of Compliance with Meeting Requirements Rules The Treasurer reported that we were in compliance with meeting notification rules. Pledge of Allegiance Correspondence Agenda Modification Hearing of Public President Foote led the Pledge of Allegiance. There was none. No modifications were made. Dale Koren, 119 Greenridge, Geneva, noticed a sign was put up announcing a bus stop on 534 and wondered if that was the last resolution. Several citizens, Lisa Delgado of 5628 Old Orchard in Harpersfield, Shane Dye of 5068 White Rd. in Rock Creek, and Heather Sigel of 6062 S. River Rd., said they were here to find out what s going on with Memorial Field. Don Branford, Willoughby Hills, graduate of GHS Class of 1975, noted that his class had donated their time to paint the grandstand. Rick Arndt, 6370 North Ridge West, Geneva, was curious as to how the Memorial Field property was acquired and if there were any guidelines to receiving the property.
Beth Carney, 223 Grant St., Geneva, misses watching football games and listening to the band from her home. Approval of Minutes Mr. Behm moved, seconded by Mr. Brashear, to approve the minutes of the regular session on January 16, 2013, as presented by the Treasurer. Roll Call: YES: Behm, Brashear, Foote, and Wilt. Motion carried. Financial Report Mrs. Wilt moved, seconded by Mr. Behm, to approve the January, 2013 financial report as presented by the Treasurer. Roll Call: YES: Brashear, Foote, Wilt, and Behm. Motion carried. Approval of Invoices Mr. Behm moved, seconded by Mr. Brashear, to approve the January, 2013 invoices as paid and listed by the Treasurer. Roll Call: YES: Foote, Wilt, Behm, and Brashear. Motion carried. Informational Items - Current Investments (see addendum file) The Treasurer reported that the first real estate tax advance was received on 1/31/13, in the amount of $993,801. A second advance of $1,697,086 was received on 2/14/13. The Treasurer also distributed a FY2013 budget and actual comparison through January 31, 2013, showing revenue and expenditures running very close to the forecast, except for supplies/materials and other objects. Legislative Report A-Tech Report Mr. Behm reported that the Achievement Everywhere budget has been introduced and there is still a lot to be sorted out. It doesn t appear that Geneva will receive any increased funding. Mr. Brashear reported that A-Tech students from the Masonry, Carpentry and Electrical Programs will get hands-on training and experience working on remodeling, facility repairs and construction at the former Jefferson Elementary School, obtained by Jefferson Village for the Jefferson Police Department. The Hughes-Roller Building Company was selected for a Design-Build project to add a school entrance at Building B to provide a safer and more secure environment for students and the district. The administrative offices will be moved to the front of the building during this project. A-Tech is also looking at implementing ALICE as an upgrade to lockdown procedures. The Annual Open House and Spaghetti Dinner will be held Thursday, February 28 th in Building B. Report of the Superintendent RttT Update Mrs. Zappitelli noted that the Race to the Top update was distributed and focused on understanding student growth measures as a part of the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System.
OTES Update Proposed Plan Food Service At Assumption William Mullane, Supervisor of School Improvement from the Ashtabula County Educational Service Center and RttT Consultant for Geneva Schools, gave a powerpoint update on the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES). The powerpoint will be available on our website. Laura Jones, Food Service Director, presented an overview of a proposed plan for food service with Assumption School. Mrs. Jones reported that after researching other districts and analyzing the cost versus revenues to our food service program, the Alternate School Food Authority Arrangement would be the most profitable for Geneva Schools. This would involve creating a temporary position to deliver and serve food prepared by the High School Cafeteria staff. Class rosters and money would be returned to Geneva High School to enter into the point of sale system. The Food Service Director would use lunch applications to enter free and reduced reimbursement claims. Mrs. Jones reported that her cost analysis shows a potential profit of over $2,700 for the last three months of school if we can achieve 50% participation. The Treasurer informed the Board that the catering method would afford less risk and cost and have a greater likelihood of profit. His analysis showed that using the full-service arrangement would lose money at 30 lunches and barely break even at 40. It would take 50 lunches per day to generate a decent profit, and Assumption had currently averaged only 23 lunches per day. Upon Mrs. Zappitelli s recommendation, Mr. Behm moved, seconded by Mr. Brashear, to enter into the Alternative School Food Authority Arrangement with Assumption School for a pilot program effective March 4, 2013, through the end of the school year to determine if the program proves profitable for the future. Roll Call: YES: Wilt, Behm, Brashear, and Foote. Motion carried. Memorial Field Update Mr. Foote read a prepared statement regarding Memorial Field. In order to clear this matter, the board feels some history needs to be addressed. Sometime around the year 2000 the decision was made to participate in the Ohio School Facilities Commission program to construct new school buildings for our district. In order to determine public support, a study was conducted and the following themes emerged: 1) Taxpayers would support if community schools would be built. Meaning Cork and Austinburg. 2) No athletic facilities were included in the project. 3) Tax would not exceed 6 mills. Understanding the public view, previous boards voted to move forward with the OSFC in order to construct the buildings we now have in place. However, realizing there was a need to improve athletic fields which were in use at the time, discussions took place with school officials, community officials and other community leaders. Memorial Field was an important factor in those discussions.
Athletic field and track needs have changed dramatically over the years. Realizing the possible need to meet these demands, research was done. Conclusions were made, for financial reasons as well as practical reasons, that Memorial Field may not have been the most suitable location to meet those demands. Moving forward, discussions took place to construct athletic fields at the high school location and without taxpayer dollars. However, those discussions took a turn and the construction of the Spire Complex began. When presented the opportunity for Geneva students to compete at a world class facility, at a cost of $20,000 per year, it became apparent this would be in the best interest of our students. In 2010, a sports usage agreement was entered into between GACS and Spire for sports previously held at Memorial Field such as football and track. The usage fee agreed upon was $20,000 per year, which was the calculated amount the district was spending annually to maintain Memorial Field. We would add that Spire has been generous to allow use of the facilities for soccer as well as graduation at no additional expense to the district. In July 2011, the Board and Spire entered into two additional agreements for Spire to use Geneva High School after hours and to develop the property around the building. Due to a change in circumstances, both contracts were officially terminated in January of this year. Also in January, the Board and Spire agreed to extend the sports usage agreement for an additional five years. This will extend the agreement to 2020 and the fee remains at the $20,000 per year. This board has decided and has been forthcoming that Memorial Field unfortunately does not meet the long range plans of our district. Finances and practicality of Memorial Field use is not prudent. These decisions have not been taken lightly and have been made considering what is in the best interest of our students. However, understanding the heritage and tradition of Memorial Field, this board is working to bring the field back to public use. Since the fire in March of last year, steps have been taken and continue to be taken that will hopefully ensure public use of Memorial Field once again. We realize that this process is taking longer than the public would like to see, as it is for us. However, a systematic approach needs to be taken in order to determine what is in the best interest of our community. Ed Leitch, Director of Transportation and Maintenance, presented an update of the plans for Memorial Field. Mr. Leitch reported that specifications had been prepared and the District would be taking quotes for the demolition of the grandstand, press box, bleachers and fencing. Insurance claim money would be used to pay for demolition.
Student Busing Issues A discussion was held regarding elementary students pick-up and drop-off issues. Mr. Brashear asked Mrs. Wilt about the amended transportation policy she sent the night before. He wondered if the changes were checked against the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code. Mr. Behm asked if increased stops would necessitate additional buses and a change in school start times. Mrs. Wilt noted that grades 10-12 would no longer be bused in her model and reiterated that her concern was for the safety of elementary students. A discussion ensued of where busing was and where it is now. Pete Japikse, the Associate Director of Pupil Transportation for the Ohio Department of Transportation, had met with the District around 2007 to inform us that our busing program was one of the least efficient in the state, and we faced reductions in our transportation funding if we didn t address the problems. Cuts were made at that time to reduce the number of routes and the route times. Additional cuts have been made as the student population and ridership has decreased, and after the failure of two levies. Mr. Brashear noted that 62% of voters told us no more money we need to be leaner. More research and analysis would be needed before an amended transportation policy could be considered. 2012-2013 Upon Mrs. Zappitelli s recommendation, Mr. Brashear moved, Appropriations seconded by Mrs. Wilt, approval of the appropriations as presented, for fiscal year 2012-2013, to be considered permanent appropriations upon receipt of the Certificate of the County Auditor that the Total Appropriations from Each Fund Do Not Exceed the Official Estimate of Resources. General Fund appropriations are approved by the second digit of function and the first digit of object. All other appropriations are approved by fund. Roll Call: YES: Wilt, Behm, Brashear, and Foote. Motion carried. Personnel 2012-2013 Upon Mrs. Zappitelli s recommendation, Mrs. Wilt moved, seconded by Mr. Behm, the following personnel actions for the 2012-2013 contract year: a. F.M.L.A. Marilyn A. Huya, Teacher, leave of absence, beginning 02/04/13 through 02/22/13. This leave will be designated under the Family Medical Leave Act. Stacey L. Neczeporenko, Teacher, leave of absence beginning 03/11/13 through 05/17/13. This leave will be designated under the Family Medical Leave Act. Jennifer J. Scarniench, Teacher, leave of absence beginning 04/15/03 through 06/05/13. This leave will be designated under the Family Medical Leave Act. b. Extended F.M.L.A. Bernadette Zundel, additional leave of absence beginning 02/01/13. This leave will be designated under the Family Medical Leave Act.
c. Amended F.M.L.A. Annah M. Haeseler, Teacher, amended leave of absence beginning 01/17/13 through 04/26/13. The first twelve weeks of this leave will be designated under the Family Medical Leave Act. d. Retirement Resignation Susan M. deridder, Teacher, effective 07/01/13 Mrs. deridder has been a teacher with Geneva Schools for 30 years. Donna J. Cerjan, Bus Driver, effective 05/01/13 Mrs. Cerjan has been employed with Geneva Schools for 31 years. e. Resignation Kathy L. Mullins, Housekeeper, effective 02/08/13 Ray Montero, Substitute Housekeeper and Substitute Custodian II/III, effective 02/15/13 f. Temporary Contract Pegi J. Shupska, Special Needs Assistant, Geneva Platt R. Spencer, hours-tobe-assigned, effective 02/19/13 g. Change of Contract Patricia C. Hynd, Housekeeper, 7 hrs./day, from Middle School, 10 mos./year to High School, 12 mos./year, effective 03/01/13 Shari D. Rooney, 9 mos./year from Cafeteria Worker, 2.25 hrs./day, Geneva Platt R. Spencer to Educational Assistant, 3.5 hrs./day, High School, effective 02/25/13 h. 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) Extra-Curricular Walter S. Lininger - Assistant Varsity Boys Track 2) Homebound Tutor Jessica M. George, effective 01/24/13 Regina A. Juncker, effective 01/16/13
3) Substitute Teachers Nichole R. Boruta Emily A. Ernes Courtney A. Lange Nicole J. Metzler Rachel M. Unsinger Dana C. Walker 4) Cafeteria Substitute Lorna S. Masek Tonia S. Varckette Roll Call: YES: Wilt, Behm, Brashear, and Foote. Motion carried. Other Mrs. Zappitelli reminded everyone of the public auction of the Spencer property on March 20, 2013. An additional waiver day will be used on May 13, 2013 for safety and security training for all staff. This will include training on ALICE, the Perry Nuclear Power Plant, CPR, First Aid and AED. Aiden Richmond, a Cork Elementary student, earned a state championship in the Elks free-throw shooting contest. The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for March 27, 2013 at Geneva Platt R. Spencer Elementary. This is a week later than usual. Executive Session Upon Mrs. Zappitelli s recommendation, Mrs. Wilt moved, seconded by Mr. Behm, that the Board hold an executive session to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee. Went into executive session at 8:56 p.m. Returned from executive session at 9:37 p.m. Roll Call: YES: Behm, Brashear, Foote, and Wilt. Motion carried. Adjournment Mrs. Wilt moved, seconded by Mr. Brashear, to adjourn the regular session at 9:38 p.m. Roll Call: YES: Brashear, Foote, Wilt, and Behm. 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 February 20, 2013.