The following actions were taken by the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center Governing Board at their regular meeting held December 15, 2020 via face to face and remote meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President Nona Rupp.
REPORTS:
•OSBA LEGISLATIVE LIAISON: Mr. Brian Baker shared legislative items of interest. Ohio legislators are finishing committee meetings and hearings as the 2020 comes to an end. The Senate passed House Bill HB 210, which requires preschool programs and other entities licensed by ODE to screen and test prospective employees for tuberculosis as well as annually test certain employees for a five-year period.
The Senate passed HB 450, which requires fiscal officers of school districts and other local governments to provide certificates of transition to their successors, and modifies the duties of school district treasurers to ensure delivery to a treasurer’s successor all papers related to the affairs of the district. The bill returns to the House for a potential concurrence vote.
The Senate passed SB 372, which creates the Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission that would find opportunities to provide resources for schools to effectively teach about the Holocaust and genocide. An executive order was extended requiring all persons to stay at home from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM.
•OSBA STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT LIAISON: Dr. Christine Smallman shared several items of interest related to student achievement. For some students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), remote learning may have certain advantages, such as not forgetting their Chromebooks or their assignment on the bus.
However experts say the challenges of the diagnosis make it unclear whether the condition is outgrown or simply becomes better managed. A fourth grade teacher in Florida discovered that Candy Land was created in the 1940s by a teacher trying to entertain quarantined children during the polio epidemic, so partnered with a colleague to create a life-size version for the classroom.
Students move across the room-size board as they do interactive lessons. According to a study by researchers at Boston College and the University of Maryland, a spike in screen time among children during the coronavirus pandemic may be tied to a lack of child care and family stress.
•CFO/TREASURER: Mr. Homer Hendricks shared the annual audit is moving through the review process and should be finalized in early January. He also discussed the Assistant Financial Officer position and how those responsibilities were being handled. Mr. Hendricks also reviewed the mid-year program cost estimate update that will be distributed to districts in January. He concluded by presenting information on the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation dividends that have been received over the last three years.
•DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION: Mrs. Jill Gilliland reported that 15 NwOESC classrooms have implemented remote learning plans thus far. Having a full time teacher available to sub, along with utilizing paras when available has allowed us to keep classrooms open and fill some vacancies.
Supervisors are working with districts to clarify the use of the alternate assessment decision making tool, and how to address questions about meeting graduation requirements. ODE Special Education Profiles will be released in two phases in December and April of this school year.
•DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION, & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Mr. Josh Clark reported that the professional development department is excited to roll out the “12 Days of Snack Size PD” professional development initiative. For twelve days beginning on December 3, a new Snack Size professional development offering will be released.
Teachers and administrators can find these new offerings on the NwOESC social media pages and on the NwOESC website. Additionally, the professional development department will be looking to add more trainings on prevention-related topics. Mr. Clark reported that, unfortunately, the Franklin B. Walter awards night scheduled for March will have to be cancelled due to the rise in COVID concerns in the Northwest Ohio area.
A plan is already in place to still create a virtual experience for the winning student and educator. Information concerning the logistics and process for the virtual awards recognition has been sent to area school counselors and high school principals. Mr. Clark also reported that he and Stacey Parrish, along with the education consultants, will be embarking on a professional development plan/instructional strategies initiative with the Independence Education Center with the first professional development day on December 18, 2020.
•DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS: Mr. Chad Rex reported that 50 Chromebooks were setup and deployed to the Wauseon MD classrooms. The ESC technology department worked with Wauseon’s technology department to ensure each student had a Wauseon Google account.
Mr. Rex shared that he is thrilled to support the teachers and students by getting these devices in their hands. Mr. Rex also highlighted that he helped lead the monthly Technology Leaders network meeting on November 20th via zoom.
The next meeting is scheduled for December 18th. Recent discussion has been focused on security. Another main technology item that Mr. Rex shared was that a Clevertouch interactive display was purchased and setup. A training for staff, along with NWOCA, that will be using it for professional development has been scheduled for December 17th.
The technology department also met with NWOCA and Clevertouch to discuss networking questions. NWOCA is implementing networking infrastructure requirements. Relative to operations, Mr. Rex informed the board that there were two project update meetings with Dynamix this month. Everything is on schedule. HVAC mechanical issues are being addressed at the moment. HVAC controls will immediately follow. Dynamix is working with the Village of Archbold on the solar array plans. The lighting contractor will complete the LED conversion project in the next few weeks.
Lastly, Mr. Rex shared that the part-time custodian position was posted. The application window closed on December 14th. We hope to complete interviews by January 18th.
Approved the following items under the consent agenda format:
•Minutes from the regular board meeting and finance-audit committee meeting held November 17, 2020.
•FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
•DONATIONS
-Farmers & Merchants State Bank to the Franklin B. Walter Celebration and Scholarships – $1,000.00
-Loyal Order of Moose-Defiance Lodge to the IEC Activity Fund – $250.00
-Mike and Laurie McCann Good Citizen Fund to the IEC Activity Fund – $250.00
-Bon Secours Mercy Health Inc. to the Henry County High School Quiz Bowl – $200.00
•AGREEMENTS
-Above Pete’s Garage to provide to NwOESC, 21st Century (Patrick Henry Elem), Extended Learning Opportunities Services for the period of 1/4/21-6/30/21.
-Above Pete’s Garage to provide to NwOESC, 21st Century (Swanton MS), Extended Learning Opportunities Services for the period of 1/4/21-6/30/21.
-NWOCA to provide to NwOESC, Fiscal Support Services, for the period of 12/2/20-6/30/21.
-Project Respect to provide to NwOESC, 21st Century (Holgate MS/HS), Positive Youth Development Services for the period of 1/1/21-6/30/21.
-NwOESC to provide to Anthony Wayne School District, Instructional Services at the Liberty Education Center for the 2020-21 academic year.
-NwOESC to provide to Ayersville Local Schools, Superintendent Search Services for the period of 12/10/20-position is finalized or until agreed upon by both parties to terminate services.
-NwOESC to provide to Defiance City Schools District, Speech Language Pathologist Services, for the period of 10/29/20-6/15/21.
-Affiliation Agreement between The University of Toledo and NwOESC to place student teachers in the classrooms of NwOESC, in effect for an initial period of three years, beginning 1/1/21 and will automatically renew for three additional terms of one year each.
•RESIGNATIONS
Ciepiela, Kayleigh, Office Coordinator, effective 8/27/2021; Smith, Michelle, Assistant Financial Officer-Human Resources, effective 12/4/2020
•EMPLOYMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
21st Century Teachers-Defiance Middle School – Jenna Gibson
21st Century Drivers-Wauseon Middle School – Erin Cheesbro
Substitute Paraprofessionals-Allen Banks, Anne Healy, Malinda Lugbill, Hilary Opdycke, Carolyn Ward
Substitute Teachers-Noah Badenhop, Allen Banks, Loren Davenport, Kerry Vandock, Jeffrey Keim, Christopher Kirkum, Amy Leitch, Hilary Opdycke, Katherine Timmes-Short, Christanne Turner, Michael Weaver
Van Driver- NwOESC – Jodi Posey
•Approved the following policy recommendations:
Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) Policies: po6114 Cost Principles – Spending Federal Funds Replacemeny; po6325 Procurement – Federal Grants/Funds Replacement
•Established the following for the 2021 Organizational meeting: Tuesday, January 26, 2021, 6:30 p.m. in NwOESC Conference Room; PRESIDENT PRO TEM: Diane Wyse
•Approved a proclamation recognizing each board member for their dedicated service to the NwOESC Governing Board, as January is Board Member Appreciation Month in the State of Ohio. NwOESC wants to thank our Educational Service Center’s governing board as well as those serving on area city, village, local, and joint vocational boards of education for building the future of public education.
INFORMATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
-NwOESC Business Advisory Council – Reviewed minutes from 09/08/2020 Quarterly Meeting
•SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: Kerri Weir shared that the Pettisville Superintendent search is underway to secure a new superintendent to replace Interim Ken Boyer effective August 1, 2021.
Ayersville Local Schools will be beginning their search soon, also aiming for a fall 2021 target. Holiday activities have been underway with staff, including a building-wide spirit week and annual Independence Education Center Christmas Breakfast/Celebration for students.
A special thanks to Troy Slattman and his wife Stephanie for going above and beyond with the IEC event to provide our students a memorable Christmas. Northern Buckeye Health Plan (NBHP) recently announced that going forward, annual wellness/biometric screening services will be administered by Activate Health & Wellness Clinics. With this change, screenings will be available to those employees and spouses with NBHP health insurance.
However, all ESC staff will be encouraged to complete an annual health screening through our Wellness Initiative. Grant/initiative with incentives to those that do so by the end of the school year. Safety Plans and Emergency Management Testing continue to be a focus of NwOESC.
In addition to our stand alone sites (NwOESC Main Office, Independence Education Center, Northwest Ohio Opportunity Center, Delta Preschool, and Defiance Preschool), efforts are coordinated with member districts that house NwOESC preschools. NwOESC Consultant, Stacey Parrish helps to ensure requirements are met and submitted to ODE in a timely manner.
The main office table top exercise this year (suspicious package), was used to help the team identify strengths and needs in our operations and processes and will be expanded upon in future testing scenarios.
With the holiday season upon us, the NwOESC will be closed to the public December 21 – January 8 in efforts to help curb the spread. Essential functions will continue and fingerprinting services will be by appointment only during this time.
Structured events such as meetings and trainings in our facility may still occur face-to-face as determined necessary by directors/supervisors with physical distancing and other safety practices implemented. A report detailing the impact of COVID-19 on staff and students was shared.
•Entered into Executive Session for the purpose of consideration of the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee, or official. No further action was taken.
•As all of the business of the evening was complete the meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
The next meeting (organizational followed by regular) is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center, 205 Nolan Parkway, Archbold, OH.
