Oberlin School District
Board of Education Minutes
July 19, 2005

 

Notice of this meeting was given in accordance with the Oberlin Board policy and section 121.22 of the O.R.C. The meeting was videotaped by the Treasurer for official record purposes.

Vice-Chairperson Alegant called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The following members responded to the roll call: Ms. Marci Alegant, Ms. Carol Williamson, Mr. Tony Marshall and Mr. John Hieronymus. (Dennison Smith was absent.) Superintendent Beverly Reep and Treasurer Diane Wolf were present. Student representative Ed Miller was also present.

 

Adoption of the Agenda 2005-063

Mr. Marshall moved and Mr. Hieronymus seconded the adoption of the agenda. Roll: 4-0. Motion carried.

 

Hearing of the Public

The Board asked for comments from the audience on a possible November tax issue. Mrs. Wolf shared two possible scenarios of forecasts to include some salary increases and allowances for inflationary increases in the areas of purchase services and supplies. The Permanent Improvement levy was replaced (as opposed to renewed) in 1995 and 2000. Pat Hunter asked about expiration dates on current levies. All operating levies are continuous; the 2 mil Permanent Improvement levy expires in December 2005; and the Technology levy expires in December 2006. She suggested two levies in November 2005 and two in November 2006. She stated the YesYes website is still operating and could be used again. She also stated most people at the public forum seemed to favor and income tax over a property tax. Board member, Mr. Hieronymus asked if it is time to include some of the tax revenue from the proposed Wal Mart in the forecast. Mrs. Wolf will check to see if the County Auditor has information on Wal Mart. He also asked Mrs. Wolf to provide some samples of the impact of new taxes on a $100,000 home and perhaps some income tax samples also.

Mrs. Wolf replied she would have samples for the next meeting. The income tax numbers are easier to calculate: 1% income tax on $50,000 of income would be $500 and 2% income tax would be $1,000. A family with income of $30,000 would pay $300 for 1% income tax and $600 for 2% income tax. Ms. Alegant asked about the income tax rates of other school districts. We believe the highest rate is 2% and 1% is most common.

 

Treasurer's Report 2005-064

Mr. Hieronymus moved and Mr. Marshall seconded the approval of the Treasurer's reports for June, 2005. Mrs. Wolf pointed out that June reports are final reports for fiscal year 2005. The total receipts for the year were $13,501,505 and total expenditures were $13,455,469. However, the General Fund and DPIA (the funds that appear on the forecast) receipts were $10,409,290 and expenditures were $10,518,569. There has been improvement in the deficit spending since FY 2003, however we are still deficit spending. The month of June showed large expenditures which is typical for June. Supplemental salaries are paid in June, along with an ERI payment, and other payments to complete the year. $820,000 was transferred in from Star Ohio to meet expenditures. Roll: 4-0. Motion carried.

 

Correspondences

Dr. Reep reported that she received an e-mail from Jason Rosen offering to talk to the school board about a TIF for the SCA downtown project. Dr. Reep stated that the City of Oberlin had passed a letter of intent for a TIF agreement, but some kind of agreement with the School District was one of the terms in the letter of intent. She will invite them to the August 9 meeting. She will collect questions that Board members have and give them to the SCA group in advance of the meeting. Mr. Marshall pointed out that the City has used the legal services of Squires, Sanders, and Dempsey and there may be a conflict if the Schools use the same firm. Dr. Reep agreed stating the Board previously approved more than one legal firm, so another firm would be available.

 

News of Note

None

 

Board Items 2005-065

Mr. Marshall moved and Mr. Hieronymus seconded the approval of the minutes of the June 28, 2005 meeting. Roll: 4-0. Motion carried.

 

2005-066

Mr. Marshall moved and Mr. Hieronymus seconded moving the discussion on a resolution to authorize severance pay for Maria Johnson to executive session at the end of the meeting. (If there is any action on the Resolution, it will be done in open session.) Roll: 4-0. Motion carried.

 

Consent Items 2005-067

Mr. Marshall moved and Mr. Hieronymus seconded the approval of the Personnel Report, the lowering of the daily rate paid to substitute teachers from $100/day to $90/day, the Professional Service Contract extension for EMIS Coordinator Dave Vore, the Professional Service contact with First Church for transportation, the Professional Service contract with City of Oberlin Recreation Department for summer field trips, the Lorain County General Health District Contract for 2005-2006, and the Science & Mathematics Achievement Required for Tomorrow (SMART) 2005-2006 support stipend invoice in the amount of $2,000. Dr. Reep explained the personnel report; she recognized new employees Erin Lewis, the unanimous choice for Assistant High School Principal/ Athletic Director and Kay Yasher who is resigning breakfast time at Prospect so she can accept a 20 hour per week custodial position at Prospect. Marjorie Wobser, OHS Math Teacher, worked for the Post Office and she returned to college to get her teaching degree at the same time as her youngest son. She taught in Minnesota and wants to return to the Cleveland area. Anthony Ogbuji will be a monitor and Clyde Valentine will be a 20 hour per week custodian. Dr. Reep explained that all Lorain County Schools are lowering the rates paid to substitute teachers because of the abundance of available teachers. Mrs. Shirley R. Johnson pointed out the substitutes are not part of OOEA. Teachers are protected by the union when there is a surplus but substitutes do not have that protection. The contract for EMIS Coordinator Dave Vore expired June 30 and the extension will continue the contract through July 29, 2005. The two transportation contracts must be approved by the School Board. The contract with the Health Department for 2005-2006 was discussed at a previous meeting. The contract will provide for a nurse at Oberlin Schools three days per week. The Health Department will allow the Board to increase the number of days at a later time if the Board chooses to do so. Another benefit to contracting with the County Health Department is there are many resources available should they be needed. The SMART stipend includes annual membership in a consortium with many benefits. Ed Miller asked if the Guidance Counselor at the High School would be replaced. The answer is yes, the High School Principal will begin the search immediately. Roll: 4-0. Motion carried.

 

Treasurer's Items 2005-068

Mr. Marshall moved and Mr. Hieronymus seconded the approval to transfer $80,797.00 from the General Fund to EMIS Fund 432, effective June 2005. Mrs. Wolf explained this transfer was discussed at the previous meeting, but it was not formally approved. Roll: 4-0. Motion carried.

 

2005-069

Mr. Marshall moved and Mr. Hieronymus seconded the approval of an advance of $8,883.68 from the General Fund to Ohio Reads in June 2005 and the return to the General Fund in July 2005. Mrs. Wolf explained she had requested the funds in June; however they were not received until July, so it was necessary to advance the money. Roll: 4-0. Motion carried.

 

Superintendent Items 2005-070

Mr. Marshall moved and Mr. Hieronymus seconded the following Resolution: The Ohio Department of Education allows school systems to grant high school credit for courses taught in 8th grade as long as the teacher is high school certified and the curriculum taught in the 8th grade is equivalent to the high school curriculum. This resolution authorizes the administration to grant high school credit for all 8th graders participating successfully in 8th grade physical education classes. Dr. Reep explained that a Resolution must be submitted to the Ohio Department of Education. There will still be physical education classes offered at the High School; more of these classes will become electives as students begin to earn credit in the 8th grade. Roll: 4-0. Motion carried.

 

Information Items

The proposal for the part-time social worker at Eastwood and Prospect Elementary Schools for 2005-2006 was discussed. A similar arrangement was used last year and it worked very well. This person reports to the Principals at both buildings.

 

Board Reports

Lorain County Joint Vocational School Representative- John Hieronymus reported they are working on the evaluation of the Superintendent.

Ohio School Board Association Legislative Liaison- Carol Williamson, no report.

Oberlin Schools Endowment Fund Board of Trustees-Marci Alegant, no report.

District Site Committee-Tony Marshall, no report.

Technology Applications in Education Committee- Dennison Smith (absent), no report.

College and Public School Partnership- Tony Marshall and Marci Alegant, no report.

"Town and Gown" Committee- Carol Williamson, no report.

Policy Committee- Tony Marshall and John Hieronymus, no report (plan to meet in August).

CIP Report- Dr. Reep the News Tribune had some District Report Card data today. There is more detail information on sub-groups available in the board office. She is thrilled with the progress at the High School and Elementary Schools. There is work to be done at the Middle School. Mr. Hieronymus asked if the all-day Kindergarten has helped to close the gap. These students will be in the 3rd grade this year, so the October and March tests will be a good way to measure the effectiveness of the program. Dr. Reep also reported the District had collaborated with the Urban League and the Writing Center at the College and had received a Ninde Collaborative Grant. This grant will pay for a part-time counselor to help prepare students and families for college.

Student Liaisons- Ed Miller reported he had received a call from the new football coach, he is looking for players. Mrs. Reinhold added the fullbacker's club is meeting and planning fundraisers. They have talked about pre-game dinners. One of the fundraisers might include special seating in a section of the bleachers. Dr. Reep suggested they put a proposal together and share it with the Board. They also need to keep in mind that soccer uses the same field and bleachers. Pat Hunter asked about trying again to have a spirit bus.

 

General Board Concerns

A board member asked when the next student representative will be appointed. Mr. Thomas answered that he would check with the Student Council, the person may be already chosen. Mr. Marshall asked if the homework policy and student discipline information can be included with on the follow up section of the agenda. Ms. Alegant stated the playground at Prospect looked as though it had been neglected. It needed to be weeded and mulched and swings need repaired.

 

Hearing of the Public

Paula Jones stated she had a concern about 6th grade Math. She should make an appointment with Dr. Reep to discuss her concerns.

Pat Hunter asked for an update on the track project. Dr. Reep answered they had raised about $125,000 which is half of the total project, estimated at $250,000. There was some discussion about the Nike and NFL Grants. The NFL Grant was submitted, but returned saying Oberlin was not part of the Cleveland Browns territory. The Nike Grant was not completed due to concerns with Nike business practices. It is possible those practices have been changed.

 

Future Meetings

August 9, 2005, 6:00 p.m. Study Session

August 23, 2005, 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting. Building walk-thru 4:30 p.m.

Dr. Reep asked the board members to check their calendars to see if August 19 would work for the Administrative retreat.

 

Adjournment

Ms. Alegant adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. to executive session to discuss compensation of personnel, no action to follow.

 

The above minutes are a true and correct reflection of the July 19, 2005 meeting.

Marci Alegant, Vice-President
Diane Wolf, Treasurer