Edon Northwest Local Board of Education addressed a straightforward agenda when convening in regular session Tuesday, July 14, 2015 in the School’s Media Center.
President Jamie Schaffter called the early evening meeting to order with members Brad McCrea, Dave Wehrle, Dave Haase and two guests in attendance; not answering roll was Aaron Hake.
Presented that evening were highlighted July Reports to the Board including:
Superintendent John Granger:
•Shared with Board members a newly composed Classified Employees Manual for their review. Compiling not only what the District is already doing/how it operates, the handbook also contains useful information that speaks to employees’ rights and responsibilities and explains what’s available to them i.e. insurance coverage, sick leave, etc.
Treasurer Bill Blakely:
•Submitted his standard monthly SM2 Report indicating revenues were down sixty thousand dollars and expenses up two hundred thirty-one thousand dollars for the same twelve-month period as last year; the District is tracking a two hundred ninety thousand dollars shortfall from a year ago.
•Shared deficit spending by the District has now extended into a fourth straight fiscal year; each year has progressively gotten worse. It is hoped this trend ~ with the State’s new Biennial Budget and District taxpayers stepping forward to pass the Earned Income Tax ~ will be reversed and the District will be “back in black” in two years.
•Noted just over sixty-three days cash is available in the general fund to operate the District should no further cash be generated; a concerning level towards fiscal caution had the State Budget and Income Tax not been passed.
Buildings/Grounds/Transportation Committee:
•Shared the new football and track scoreboard had arrived (some District monies assisted Edon Athletic Boosters with wiring/electrical costs); the old scoreboard will be relocated at the practice fields; the high school gymnasium floor refinishing project has started and newly resurfaced football/track complex and bus garage parking areas have received a protective coating.
•Heard the annual “back-to-school” bus drivers meeting will be held next month; transportation directors are reviewing the possible elimination of one former route and accommodating the change without adding much travel time for students.
•Learned repairs to both elementary playgrounds are being completed in-house at an estimated cost of $3483 for recoating materials (Permanent Improvement Funds to cover) and the tiling project is progressing along well. Two new catch basins were recently installed outside the main building entrances; gravel curtain drains will be put in alongside entry sidewalks as well.
In action taken, the Board:
•Accepted, with thanks, June Cash Donations from Church Women United Thrift Shop ($1000/Senior Scholarship); Various Individuals ($309/Softball Car Wash) and Various Individuals ($202.43/Volleyball Chicken Sales).
•Awarded an administrative contract of three years to Michelle Molargik effective August 1, 2016 through July 31, 2019.
•Approved limited One-year New Teacher Contracts with Aubrie Ridinger (High School Intervention Specialist; Step 0/BA) and Sharon Hunt (Family Consumer Science shared position; Step 10/150 hours and over twenty years experience) for 2015-2016.
•Approved the agreement with Montpelier Exempted Village Schools for shared Family Consumer Science teacher costs during the 2015-2016 school year. (Employed by the District; reimbursement from Montpelier Schools at the end of the school year.)
•Approved Classroom Teacher’s Aide Contracts for 2015-2016 with Jack Gensler, Cheryl Jacobs (Title I), Sharla Kirkingburg, Sue LaDuke, Madison Muehlfeld, Noreen Piechocki, Susan Shellhorse, Lynette Skiles, Edith Stilner and Thomasina Zuver and Library/Media Center Aide Contract with Karen Wilson. (Required positions are based on classroom needs; no new district positions were added.)
•Approved a supplemental contract with Amanda Reiter (Guidance Counselor/twenty summer days) for the 2015-2016 school year.
•Approved employment of substitute teachers and substitute paraprofessionals from Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center (NwOESC) 2015-2016 lists; also included were any addendums to the original lists.
•Approved the agreement with Edgerton Local Schools for Four County Career Center bussing (a cost-savings plan) during the 2015-2016 school year. (Reimbursement from the Edgerton District is determined at the end of the school year; last year’s amount totaled approximately $12,000).
•Approved Student Fees and Lunch Prices for the 2015-2016 school year; information will be posted on the District Website. (Fees remain comparable to last year’s; lunch prices saw no increase.)
•Approved the Technology Services Agreement with NWOCA (for email archive, etc.) effective July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.
•Approved the Subscriber Agreement with Discovery Education effective September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016 at a cost of $1025.
•Agreed to allow Matt Buendia use of Leanne Field for the 6th Annual Alumni Flag Football fundraiser during Edon Days 2015.
•Approved minutes from the June 23 regular meeting, June’s Financial Reports, the Certificate of the Total Amount From All Sources Available for Expenditures for FY 2016 as presented by Treasurer Blakely.
Prior to adjourning for the evening, Board members emerged from an extended Executive Session ~ called for the expressed purpose of discussing annual superintendent and treasurer performance evaluations and employment and compensation of personnel ~ and approved the amended Classified Employee Salary Schedule. Included were a zero percent base increase and the addition of Steps 7-12 to the previous six-step scale: Steps 1-6/earnings increase; Steps 7-11/no earnings increase; Step 12/earnings increase/top of salary schedule.
The next regular monthly meeting of the Edon Northwest Local Board of Education will be held Tuesday, August 11, 2015 in the school’s Media Center beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Lucinda Held-Faulhaber
May be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com