The following actions were taken by the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center Governing Board at their regular meeting held December 20, 2016.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Ron Crawford. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
A representative from the Treasurer of State’s Office was on hand to offer congratulations as well as a brief overview of OhioCheckbook.com, as NwOESC is now on board with this statewide initiative.
The following items were approved under the consent agenda format:
•Approved Financial Transactions
-Approved Annual Service Agreement Addendums with the following districts for the 2016-17 school year per R.C. 3313.845:
•Defiance City School
•North Central Local School
•Patrick Henry Local School
•Pettisville Local School
•Pike-Delta-York Local School
-Cat’s Science Club to provide to NwOESC, 21st Century (Delta MS), Extended Learning Opportunities involving STEM Programs for the period of 11/1/16-5/28/17.
-NwOESC to provide to Anthony Wayne Local School District, Instructional Services at the Liberty Education Center for the 2016-17 academic year.
-NwOESC to provide to Anthony Wayne Local School District, Hearing Impaired Classroom and Related Services for the period of 10/5/16-6/15/17.
-NwOESC to provide to Central Local School District, School Nurse Services for the period of 8/15/16-6/15/17.
-NwOESC to provide to Defiance City School District, School Nurse Services for the period of 9/1/16-6/15/17.
-NwOESC to provide to Stryker Local School District, School Nurse Services for the period of 8/15/16-6/15/17.
-NwOESC to provide to Stryker Local School District, Student Services Specialist for the period of 8/15/16-6/15/17.
LEAVES
FMLA and Disability
RESIGNATIONS
Deanna Wann, Paraprofessional, effective 12/6/16
•EMPLOYMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
CONTRACTS
Certified Administrative
Name – Contract – Length
Seagrave, Stephen D. – ADM-1 YR – 12/5/16-6/30/17
Classified Limited
Name – Contract – Length
Bernicke, Angela R. – CLASS-1 Yr – 12/5/16-7/31/17
Steffens, Jerrica – CLASS-1 Yr – 12/6/16-7/31/17
Yoder, Elisabeth K. – CLASS-1 Yr – 12/20/16-6/30/17
21st Century Program Assistant
Ayersville – Tori Michel
Defiance – Jayde Hanenkrath
Swanton – Dawn Sullivan
21st Century Specialized Education Assistants
Patrick Henry – Kathy Sonnenberg
Substitute Paraprofessionals
Kayla Beattie, Dale Becker, Stephanie Bowers, Toni Dorosz, Julie Flint, Emily Lammers, Janel Markley, Bethany Rost.
Substitute Teachers
Ashley Anton, Dale Becker, Toni Dorosz, Mitchell Fisher, Jennifer Florence, Debora Gensler, Megan Gerig, Polly Weaver, Jill Young.
•Approved proclamation. The superintendent recognizes each board member for their dedicated service to the NwOESC governing board, as January is Board Member Appreciation Month in the State of Ohio. School boards lead the way for education, and we want to thank our educational service centers’ governing board as well as those serving on area city, village, local, and joint vocational boards of education for the vital leadership and support for schools they provide for schools.
Proclamation
WHEREAS, it shall be the mission of the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center to assist in providing all students with the best possible education; and
WHEREAS, the governing board sets the direction for the Educational Service Center by envisioning the educational future of the communities we serve; and
WHEREAS, the governing board sets policies and procedures to govern all aspects of the Educational Service Center; and
WHEREAS, the governing board keeps attention focused on progress toward goals and maintains two-way communication with all segments of our communities; and
WHEREAS, serving on a governing board requires an unselfish devotion of time and service to carry on the mission and business of the Educational Service Center; and
WHEREAS, the governing board must respond on behalf of the communities to the educational needs of students; and
WHEREAS, the governing board voluntarily accepts the above-mentioned responsibilities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center does hereby proclaim January 2017 as School Board Recognition Month in Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Williams Counties. The Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center encourages all citizens to publicly and privately thank all school board and governing board members for their dedicated service to our children. School Boards: Leading the Way for Education!
•Approved the Agreement with Cumberland Therapy Services, LLC for School Psychologist Services which includes contributions to STRS for the period of 12/5/16-5/26/17.
•Approved 2017 membership dues to Ohio School Board Association including subscriptions to OSBA Briefcase (hard copy) and to School Management News (hard copy).
•Approved an OSBA Legal Assistance Fund Consultant Service Contract pursuant to R.C. Section 3313.171 for the period of 1/1/17-12/31/17.
•Approved the substitute custodian pay rate for the 2016-2017 school year.
•Established the following for the 2017 Organizational meeting:
DATE: Fourth Tuesday, 1/24/2017
TIME: 7:00 pm
LOCATION: NwOESC Conference Room
PRESIDENT PRO TEM: Mr. Ron Crawford
•Entered Executive Session to discuss the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee or regulated individual.
INFORMATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
The following policies/updates were reviewed by the board, with action anticipated for the January meeting:
Policy 6210A – Operating Balance Management (NEEDS NUMBER ASSIGNED) – technical revision
Bylaw 0100 – Definitions – revised
Bylaw 0160 – Meetings – revised
Policy 1530 – Evaluation of Administrators – revised
Policy 1619 – Group Health Plans – new
Policy 1619.01 – Privacy Protections of Self-Funded Group Health Plans – revised
Policy 1619.03 – Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – new
Policy 2460 – Special Education – revised
Policy 3220 – Teacher Evaluation – revised
Policy 3419 – Group Health Plans – replacement
Policy 3419.01 – Privacy Protections of Self-Funded Group Health Plans – revised
Policy 3419.03 – Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – new
Policy 4419 – Group Health Plans – replacement
Policy 4419.01 – Privacy Protections of Self-Funded Group Health Plans – revised
Policy 4419.03 – Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – new
Policy 6144 – Investments – replacement
Policy 6605 – Crowdfunding – new
Policy 7540 – Technology – replacement
Policy 7540.01 – Technology Privacy – replacement
Policy 7540.02 – Web Content, Services and Apps – replacement
Policy 8330 – Student Records – revised
REPORTS
OSBA LEGISLATIVE LIAISON: Mrs. Nona Rupp shared that several bills made their way through the legislative process and are awaiting the governor’s signature. These include HB 410 related to truancy, SB 3 related to relief from certain requirements, and SB 235 related to property tax exemptions. Additionally, career/vocational school board appointments may revert back to previous requirements.
OSBA STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT LIAISON: Mr. Brian Baker reported on schools using music to teach math skills and concepts as well as on the utilization of texting in mentoring programs.
SUPERINTENDENT: Mrs. Kerri Gearhart shared recent holiday events including a multi-county gathering of students with hearing impairments coordinated by Michelle Kruse and a Christmas breakfast and celebration at the Independence Education Center coordinated by Troy Slattman, Holly Leupp and other IEC staff. One-hundred and six staff and spouses participated in biometric screening this year. The Activate Clinic renovation is almost complete with the clinic set to open in early 2017. Safety plans for all locations have been reviewed and submitted as required. The agency technology assessment is close to completion, with preliminary recommendations targeting increased coordination and proactive approaches to support departmental efficiencies and effectiveness. Discussion on difficult to staff position was held.
CFO/TREASURER: Mr. Homer Hendricks shared the annual audit report is nearing completion. Mid-year program cost updates are in process, with anticipated distribution to districts in mid-January. The topic of employee certification will be addressed at an upcoming meeting with area superintendents and treasurers by legal firm Ennis Britton.
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION: Mrs. Jill Gilliland reported that all NwOESC preschools reviewed to date have earned 5 Stars on the Step Up to Quality rating system implemented by the state. A few preschools are still remaining in the review process, but excellent results are anticipated. A big thank you is extended to the preschool coordinator, supervisors, teachers, paraprofessionals, district administration, and other support staff for their efforts.
DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Mrs. Kris Dobbelaere shared her thanks to the board for their work and commitment to board service.
As all of the business of the evening was complete, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm. The organizational meeting of the board will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at the NwOESC office located at 205 Nolan Parkway, Archbold, OH, with the regular meeting to follow.
INFORMATION PROVIDED