Geneva Area City Board of Education Organization Meeting January 3, 2018

Geneva Area City Board of Education Organization Meeting January 3, 2018 The Board of Education of the Geneva Area City School District met for the Organization Meeting at 6:30 p.m., January 3, 2018, in the High School Auditorium. The meeting was called to order by President Pro-Tempore Dana. Pledge of Allegiance Oath of Office Mr. Arndt led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Oath of Office was administered by the Treasurer to Richard L. Arndt and Richard L. Dana, Jr. and by Board Member Edward A. Brashear to Jamie M. Ortiz. Roll Call: Present: Visitors & Guests: Mr. Arndt, Mr. Brashear, Mr. Dana, Ms. Fisher, Mrs. Ortiz, Superintendent Kujala, and Treasurer Lillie Principal Wetherholt; Assistant Principal Markijohn; GATA and 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 the meeting notification rules. Election of Officers Mr. Dana recommended that Mr. Brashear continue in the role of President for 2018 because of the levy campaign, so he moved, seconded by Mr. Arndt, to nominate Mr. Brashear for President for 2018, and Mrs. Ortiz 01-18 moved, seconded by Mr. Brashear, to nominate Mr. Arndt for Vice President for 2018 and to close the nominations. Roll Call: YES: Arndt, Brashear, Dana Fisher, and Ortiz. Motion Budget Hearing A public hearing was held on the proposed budget for the Geneva Area City School District. Mr. Lillie explained that the proposed tax budget must be adopted by the Board by January 15 th each year and filed with the county auditor by January 20 th in order to be in compliance with provisions in the Ohio Revised Code. The tax budget is the financial plan for school district operations during the next fiscal year and provides for the levy of taxes and the appropriation and expenditure of funds. The information provided in the tax budget enables the county budget commission to issue the official certificate of estimated resources. Notice of the public hearing was provided in the Star Beacon on December 23, 1

2017, and two copies of the proposed budget have been on file and available for public inspection in the Board office for at least 10 days. Mr. Brashear asked if anyone from the public come to the office to view the budget, and Mr. Lillie responded that nobody came. Nobody from the public had any questions about the budget. 2018-2019 Budget Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Dana moved, seconded by Mr. Arndt, approval of the budget, as presented, for fiscal year 2018-02-18 2019. Roll Call: YES: Brashear, Dana, Fisher, Ortiz, and Arndt. Motion Hearing of Public Mr. Brashear announced that at his time, before proceeding with action on a proposed levy, we would allow public comment. Bill Sturm, 4405 North Broadway, Geneva, wondered who would collect the school district income tax and how would it be collected. Mr. Lillie responded that the Ohio Department of Taxation would be responsible for collecting the tax the same way it collects the state income tax, through employer withholding, individual quarterly estimated payments, and annual returns. Mr. Sturm asked if it would cost the district more to collect the SDIT than the county charges for collecting property taxes. Mr. Lillie answered that the state retains 1.5% of collections to cover administrative expenses, while the county deducts about 2% from property tax collections. Mr. Sturm asked if taxpayers would have to file another form for this income tax. Mr. Lillie explained that an annual return is required for a school district income tax. Antony Stagg, 440 W. Main St., Geneva, questioned whether the Board, with the planned cuts to busing, would stop purchasing new buses and equipment and possibly sell off some buses. Mr. Brashear explained that the Board had a planned cycle of purchasing two or three buses each year, but already took action at its November Board meeting to not purchase buses this year due to our financial situation. With the possibility of raising new revenue through a levy, the Board would hopefully be able to restore busing, so it wouldn t make sense to sell any buses now. Resolution #1- SDIT 03-18 Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Arndt moved, seconded by Ms. Fisher, that the Board approve the following resolution: A RESOLUTION DECLARING IT NECESSARY TO RAISE ANNUALLY AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT PURPOSES AND REQUESTING THE STATE TAX COMMISSIONER TO ESTIMATE THE RESPECTIVE RATES AT WHICH IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO LEVY (i) AN AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX AND (ii) A 2

SCHOOL DISTRICT INCOME TAX ON THE EARNED INCOME OF INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TO PRODUCE THAT AMOUNT. WHEREAS, this Board finds that the amount of taxes which may be raised within the ten-mill limitation by levies on the current tax duplicate will be insufficient to provide an adequate amount for the necessary requirements of the School District and that additional moneys will be required for that purpose; and WHEREAS, in order to assist it in determining whether to submit to the electors of the School District the question of an additional ad valorem property tax pursuant to Section 5705.21 of the Revised Code or the question of a school district income tax pursuant to Section 5748.02 of the Revised Code, this Board wishes to know the respective rates at which it would be necessary to levy (i) an ad valorem property tax and (ii) a school district income tax on the taxable income of individuals as defined in Section 5748.01(E)(1)(b) of the Revised Code to produce an additional amount that will be adequate to meet the necessary requirements of the School District; and WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 5748.02(A) of the Revised Code, upon receipt of a certified copy of a resolution of this Board declaring the necessity of raising annually a specified amount of money for school district purposes, the State Tax Commissioner is to estimate both the ad valorem property tax rate that would have to be imposed by this Board in the current year and the school district income tax rate that would have had to have been in effect for the current year to produce an equivalent amount of money; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Geneva Area City School District, County of Ashtabula, Ohio, that: Section 1. Declaration of Necessity. This Board finds, determines and declares that it is necessary to raise annually the additional amount of $3,330,000 for school district purposes and to levy either an additional (i) ad valorem property tax outside of the ten-mill limitation or (ii) a school district income tax on the taxable income of individuals as defined in Section 5748.01(E)(1)(b) of the Revised Code for that purpose. Section 2. Certification. This Board requests the State Tax Commissioner to estimate and certify to it both (i) the property tax rate that would have to be imposed by this Board in the current year to produce an amount equivalent to the amount specified in Section 1 from an additional ad valorem property tax and (ii) the income tax rate that would have had to 3

have been in effect for the current year to produce an amount equivalent to the amount specified in Section 1 from a school district income tax on the taxable income of individuals as defined in Section 5748.01(E)(1)(b) of the Revised Code. Section 3. Certification and Delivery of Resolution to State Tax Commissioner. This Board intends to submit the question of such a levy, the proceeds of which would be used for the purpose of current expenses, to the electors of the School District at the May 8, 2018 election. Accordingly, the Treasurer of this Board is authorized and directed to deliver or cause to be delivered a certified copy of this Resolution to the State Tax Commissioner before the close of business on Friday, January 26, 2018. Section 4. Compliance with Open Meeting Requirements. This Board finds and determines that all formal actions of this Board and of any of its committees concerning and relating to the adoption of this Resolution were taken, and that all deliberations of this Board and of any of its committees that resulted in those formal actions were held, in meetings open to the public in compliance with the law. Section 5. Captions and Headings. The captions and headings in this Resolution are solely for convenience of reference and in no way define, limit or describe the scope or intent of any Sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs or clauses hereof. Section 6. Effective Date. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and immediately upon its adoption. Mr. Lillie noted that copies of the resolution and the latest estimate from the Ohio Department of Taxation were distributed to Board members. The resolution specifies that an additional amount of $3,330,000 is needed for school district purposes based on earned income. The State Tax Commissioner is expected to certify the rate needed to raise this amount as 1.25%. Roll Call: YES: Dana, Fisher, Ortiz, Arndt, and Brashear. Motion A-Tech Board 04-18 Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Dana moved, seconded by Mr. Arndt, that the Board approve the following resolution: 1. WHEREAS the Ashtabula County Technical & Career Center (A-Tech) has a vacancy on its board; 2. WHEREAS Geneva Area City School District is a member of the Ashtabula County Technical & Career Center and is authorized by the 4

A-Tech plan on file with the State Board of Education to appoint an individual ( Appointee ) to fill the vacancy; 3. WHEREAS the Geneva Area City School District has reviewed the statutory requirements for making the appointment, including those in Ohio Revised Code 3311.19 (as amended ) and its requirements that JVSD Board members have experience as chief executive officers, chief financial officers, human resources managers, or other business, industry, or career counseling professionals who are qualified to discuss the labor needs of the region with respect to the regional economy; and the requirement that JVSD board members represent employers in the region served by A-Tech and be qualified to consider the state s workforce needs with an understanding of the skills, training, and education needed for current and future employment opportunities in the state; and the requirement that JVSD Board members be selected based on the diversity of the employers in the territory served by A- Tech. 4. WHEREAS Geneva Area City School District has performed and documented its due diligence in considering the Appointee s qualifications; including the Appointee s qualifications to meet the legal requirements to serve; 5. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Geneva Area City School District appoints Edward Brashear to the Ashtabula County Technical & Career Center Board for a three-year term of office to commence on January 11, 2018 and expires December 31, 2020. Roll Call: YES: Fisher, Ortiz, Arndt, Brashear, and Dana. Motion 2018 Membership Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Ms. Fisher moved, OSBA seconded by Mrs. Ortiz, that the Geneva Area City Schools Board of Education continue its membership in the Ohio School Boards Association 05-18 for 2018 at a cost of $5,511 including electronic copies of the Briefcase and School Management News subscriptions and the annual Virtual Transportation Supervisor subscription at a cost of $250. Mr. Dana questioned that due to our financial situation, is the OSBA membership a good value. Mr. Lillie responded that our entire management team and the Board receive many services for the membership dues, including legislative representation, information and research on issues critical to school management, and access to experts in policy, labor and management relations, insurance, communication, school law, transportation, and school funding. Mr. Kujala added that our three telephone calls to OSBA attorneys this past year saved the District $750. Roll Call: YES: Ortiz, Arndt, Brashear, Dana, and Fisher. Motion 5

2018 OSBA Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Dana moved, seconded Legislative Liaison by Mr. Arndt, that Ms. Fisher be appointed as Legislative Liaison to the 06-18 Ohio School Boards Association for 2018. Roll Call: YES: Arndt, Brashear, Dana, and Ortiz. ABSTAIN: Fisher. Motion OSBA Legal Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Dana moved, seconded Assistance by Mr. Arndt, approval to join the OSBA Legal Assistance Fund at a cost of $250. Mr. Arndt asked if we utilized this service during the past year. Mr. Lillie stated that while we haven t tapped into it directly, the LAF provided support in four cases involving matters of statewide significance during 2017, including school levy and tax issues, school records and student privacy, and school board liability, that contributed toward favorable judicial decisions that can impact our district and students. Roll Call: YES: Brashear, Dana, Fisher, Ortiz, and Arndt. 07-18 Motion OEPI Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Arndt moved, seconded by Mr. Dana, that the Geneva Area City School District renew 08-18 its membership with the Ohio Education Policy Institute (OEPI) for 2018 at a cost of $1,000. Roll Call: YES: Dana, Fisher, Ortiz, Arndt, and Brashear. Motion Signature Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Dana moved, Authorization seconded by Mr. Arndt, approval of legal and facsimile signature authorizations for 2018 checks and warrants by the Treasurer, or the 09-18 Treasurer and Board President as provided by law. Signature on employee contracts may include any member of the Board of Education and the Treasurer. Roll Call: YES: Fisher, Ortiz, Arndt, Brashear, and Dana.. Motion Roberts Rules Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Arndt moved, Of Order seconded by Mr. Dana, that Roberts Rules of Order and the Laws of the State of Ohio be used during the 2018 calendar year in regard to Board of 10-18 Education meetings. Roll Call: YES: Ortiz, Arndt, Brashear, Dana, and Fisher. Motion Treasurer 11-18 Upon the Superintendent s recommendation, Mrs. Ortiz moved, seconded by Ms. Fisher, the following for 2018: 1. Authorization of the Treasurer to approve, upon recommendation of the Superintendent, expenditures within the limits of appropriations as established by the Board. 2. Authorization of the Treasurer to pay the warrants in advance in order to take advantage of discounts, where applicable, within the limits of the Board adopted appropriations. 6

3. Authorization of the Treasurer to request advances of the 2018 tax collections and/or settlements, and to invest Board funds, or to borrow necessary funds to meet the Board s requirements in compliance with the limitations and regulations of the laws of the State of Ohio up to an amount sufficient to meet the needs of the district until the next regular meeting. 4. Authorization of the Treasurer to post interest income directly to the OSFC Maintenance fund; Permanent Improvement fund; Private Purpose Trust Funds (formerly Expendable) and Permanent Funds (formerly Non-Expendable); Auxiliary Service funds; and student-managed, active Student Activity funds. 5. Authorization of the Treasurer to accept donations, to be reported to the Board at the next regular meeting. Roll Call: YES: Arndt, Brashear, Dana, Fisher, and Ortiz. Motion Uniform Accounting Upon the Superintendent s recommendation, Mr. Arndt moved, System seconded by Mrs. Ortiz, approval for the Treasurer to add new funds, receipts and appropriation accounts as necessary to comply with the State- 12-18 mandated Uniform School Accounting System within all existing funds and any new funds approved by the Board of Education, according to the approved budgets for State and/or Federal programs. Roll Call: YES: Brashear, Dana, Fisher, Ortiz, and Arndt. Motion Application for Upon the Superintendent s recommendation, Mr. Dana moved, Supplemental seconded by Ms. Fisher, authorization for the Superintendent to apply Monies for supplemental Local, State or Federal monies including but not limited to, Local Professional Development, Title I, Title II-A, Title III-LEP, Title 13-18 IV-A, Title V-B Rural, Part B-IDEA, ECSE-IDEA, SchoolNet, SchoolNet Plus, Career Education, OhioReads, Safe School Helpline, and Ohio School Facilities. Roll Call: YES: Dana, Fisher, Ortiz, Arndt, and Brashear. Motion Board Service Upon the Superintendent s recommendation, Mr. Arndt moved, Fund Account seconded by Mrs. Ortiz, that $10,000 be set aside from the general fund to be placed in the Board Service Fund account for 2018-2019. Mr. Dana 14-18 asked if we have come close to spending this amount in the past year, and what happens to the money that is not spent. Mr. Lillie responded that we have not spent very much of this appropriation, but it is available to pay any expenses actually incurred by Board members in the performance of their duties. Any part of the appropriation that is not spent will be 7

available to appropriate for any school district purpose in the next year. Roll Call: YES: Fisher, Ortiz, Arndt, Brashear, and Dana. Motion Treasurer, Supt., Upon the Superintendent s recommendation, Ms. Fisher moved, President s Bond seconded by Mrs. Ortiz, that the Bond for the Treasurer be established at $100,000, and Bond for the Superintendent and Board President be 15-18 established at $50,000 each for the 2018 calendar year. Roll Call: YES: Ortiz, Arndt, Brashear, Dana, and Fisher. Motion Official Newspaper Upon the Superintendent s recommendation, Mr. Arndt moved, seconded by Mr. Dana, the designation of the Star Beacon as the official 16-18 newspaper for the publication of those notices required by law to be made in a newspaper. Roll Call: YES: Arndt, Brashear, Dana, Fisher, and Ortiz. Motion 2018 Meeting Times Upon Mr. Kujala s recommendation, Mr. Arndt moved, seconded by Mrs. Ortiz, that the regular meetings of the Board of Education for the 17-18 2018 calendar year be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Auditorium, except for the June meeting which will be held on June 27, 2018. Roll Call: YES: Brashear, Dana, Fisher, Ortiz, and Arndt. Motion Adjournment Ms. Fisher moved, seconded by Mr. Dana, to adjourn the organization meeting at 6:59 p.m. Roll Call: YES: Dana, Fisher, 18-18 Ortiz, Arndt, and Brashear. Motion The foregoing is a true and accurate record of the minutes and proceedings of the organization meeting held by the Board of Education of the Geneva Area City School District on January 3, 2018. 8