001All right. >> Okay. We need to call this meeting of G of the organizational meeting of January 6, 2026 to order. >> Okay. Uh Goodright, >> yes. >> Starcher here. Kleinhands >> here. Ner >> here. >> Uh Degan >> here. >> Okay. At this time, uh the treasurer, Mrs. Weldy, will administer the oath of office to the new board members. Jody Starcher, Bonnie Ner, and Clayton Degan. >> Right here. >> All right. Yeah, we're going to do one at a time. Okay. I think we've done No, you can go first. First, you know what? Let's watch you do it. That way [laughter] there's no hiccups here. >> Okay. Okay. >> So, um >> Yeah. Yeah. grab it. Yes, let's do that. So, uh, I, um, Jodie Starer, I, Jodie Starcher, >> do solemnly swear that
002you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio, and that you will faithfully and impartially discharge your duties as members of the Board of Education of the Worcester City School District, Wayne County, Ohio, to the best of your ability, and in accordance with the laws now in effect, and hereafter be enacted during your continuence in said office until your successful successor successor is elected and qualified and you would answer I do. >> I do. Okay. >> All right. [applause] All right. Bonnie, you ready? >> Ready. >> I You can say I and then your name. >> I Bonnie N. >> Okay. do solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio and that you will faithfully
003and impartially discharged your duties as members of the Board of Education of the Worcester City School District, Wayne County, Ohio, to the best of your ability and in accordance with the laws now in effect and hereafter to be enacted during your continuence in set office until your successor is elected and qualified. If you'll answer, I do. I do. [applause] >> All right. You ready? >> Yep. >> All right. So, I and state your name. I, Clayton Degan, >> do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio, and that you will faithfully and impartially discharge your duties as member of the Board of Education for the Worcester City School District, Wayne County, Ohio, to the best of your ability, and in accordance with laws
004now in effect, and hereafter to be enacted during your continuence in set office until your successor is elected and qualified. If you answer by saying I do. >> I do. >> Great. [applause] >> Of course. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> You're good. You're good. >> Yeah. >> Yes. The camera guy. >> Right. [laughter] Right. Right. All right. Okay. >> Social media. Is that what you're saying? >> For now. >> Did she have a baby? >> Um, not yet. >> Okay. Not yet. >> It's in I mean close. >> Very soon. >> Yeah. Okay. Very good. >> We have one. [clears throat] We have one minute that I can take a picture with her. >> Yes, of course. >> Do you want us to >> Bonnie? That was your Who was that here?
005>> No, no, no. So that is new council member Tyler Owens. >> Okay. He looked familiar. Yeah. >> So they're kind of in my extended front. >> Sure. >> Yes. Okay. >> I thought that was >> he would have been last night. >> That was nice. And the other one is one of my friends dad and she is just coming back into the country from vacation. >> Okay. >> So he came in from >> that was very nice of him. Yeah. Good. >> That's awesome. That was a nice guy. >> Oh, really? >> Christmas enjoyment. That'd be kind of cool. >> I mean, that would be >> That's what I thought it was. Yeah, >> you knew he looked familiar and I just couldn't believe it. >> Sure. >> Whatever. >> It's an open meeting.
006[laughter] >> Anything else she needs to do, Clayton? Anyway, >> anything else you need to do? [laughter] >> You know, maybe make those an archway for us. >> Yeah, we should have got taken by that by that. >> I know. Let me be on >> flitting around taking photos. >> Oh, did you? Okay. >> All righty. >> All right. >> Okay. We're going to move on to section 301 and that would be the section for the election of officers. And the first officer that we would like to elect would we need to take nominations for president. >> So do a request to open nominations. >> Oh, request to open. >> Can you see that? >> I can. >> I look forward. >> Oh, there we go. >> Yeah. >> Look 2026. >> Okay. I request
007I request a motion and a second to open nominations. >> So moved. Second. I would like >> Oh, hold on. Sorry. We're going to do a >> We're voting. >> Yeah. Sorry. >> It's a I think a >> All in favor? Yeah. All in favor? >> I I >> All opposed. Same sign. Okay. Now we're good. So now you can >> Okay. So uh we need a nominations to be accepted for president. >> I would like to nominate Jody Star for president. Do we need a second? >> No. >> That we don't. >> Any others? >> Okay. I need to request a motion and a second to close nominations. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. >> Request a motion and a second to elect >> Jody >> to
008elect Jody Starcher as president. So moved. >> Second. Okay. Thank you. >> Uh Kleinhens. >> Yes. >> Um Oh my gosh. [laughter] Good. Right. >> Yes. >> Start. Sure. Do >> I say yes? >> I guess or do I >> um you can I think she can vote. I think you do vote. You're a part of the vote. >> Yes. >> Okay. N. >> Yes. >> Degan. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So, do I take over? >> Yes, you do. Oh, just that quickly. You don't even do vice president. >> Yes, you do. I take off my glasses now. [laughter] >> Need to log in to see that. Okay. >> Um, all right. So, now we'll we'll move to elections for vice president. >> Can you see? >> No, I can't. Go ahead. >> So,
009uh, request a motion um to open nominations, please, in a second. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> All right. And then all >> in favor you me. All in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. >> Okay. Sorry, Jody. >> No, that's okay. That was on me. Uh, nominations uh are now open and accepted for vice president. >> I'd like to nominate Rick Goodight as vice president. >> Any any other nominations? All right. So, uh, request a motion and a second to close the nominations. >> So, moved. Sex. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. >> Okay. >> All right. And then a request uh to elect Rick Goodwrite as vice president. >> So second. >> Who's who moved? >> I moved. >> Oh, Bonnie. [laughter] >> Bonnie. Talk very very very loud.
010Bonnie. >> Okay. Kleinhands. >> Yes. >> Goodight. >> Yes. >> Uh searcher. >> Yes. N. >> Yes. Uh, Deacon. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you. Okay. >> Congratulations. >> Yoohoo. >> Thank [applause] you. Goodness. Remember, we just do this once a year, so it's always [laughter] it's always a little clunky. All right. So, at this point, uh we'll move into new business section four. Uh the first uh item is the newspaper designation. So, a motion to approve the Daily Record newspaper as the official publisher of legal notices. >> So, moved. >> Second. Yeah. And I guess just to take this opportunity real quick to make sure everybody that's watching and all of you know what we do. These pretty much every single thing on this list is to
011be done every year is established protocols and procedures. Um and you have to vote on them um one at a time. Um this first one here on the daily record is we still by law like a bid notices and things like that. Um publishing of board meetings and things like that have to go in a newspaper still. Um, and so the daily record, um, is our local newspaper, so we still elect to do that one. >> Right. Any questions? >> All right. >> Nope. >> Uh, goodight. >> Yes. >> Starcher, >> yes. >> Uh, Kleinhands, >> yes. >> Degan, >> yes. >> Nar, >> yes. >> All right. Section 4.02. A motion to approve it. Approve to designate a day, time, and place for the regular board meetings and work sessions per the attached schedule.
012So moved. >> Second. >> Um so just a couple notes on our calendar for this year. Um we have went ahead and included um an extra meeting there. The fiscal year end meeting on June 29th. Um we try to do that as close to June 30th as possible to help um Amy as that's our fiscal year ends uh June 30th. So um we do that at central office. It's a pretty quick meeting. Um uh it's a lot of work beforehand for Amy and her team, but the meeting is actually pretty quick. You also notice that this year I just have regular meetings scheduled. Um definitely we can do work sessions, but I thought it would be more beneficial to just schedule and notify work sessions when we need them instead of just placing them on
013the calendar. Um and so that's why that's the case. We also, this will be the second year, I think it's the second year we moved to the six o'clock, right? was last year our first year. Yeah. Um and overall we we've um I think we've appreciated it, but I' i've heard a lot from families that six o'clock has been been good as this meeting is not very many people attending, but as you guys have seen, we um have a lot of students that come at the beginning and the elementary students, it's appreciated to have the earlier times. >> Okay. >> Complimentary for doing that work sessions to do them as needed. Yeah, I think that'll So, we can definitely still do that, but just no reason to just put them on there to put them
014on there. >> Agreed. >> Um, Degan, >> yes. >> Ner, >> yes. >> Kleinhens, >> yes. >> Starchart, >> yes. >> Good, right? >> Yes. >> All right. 4.03. A motion to approve the adoption of existing bylaws and policies for the operation of the school system. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> So, this doesn't change any policies. This just is the policies we currently have in place. uh keeps them in uh in effect. We have two policy updates per year typically. We can do more than that, but typically we do have two and we do two readings for those. >> Any questions? >> Okay. Uh Goodwrite, >> yes. >> Starcher, >> yes. >> Klein, >> yes. Ner, >> yes. >> Degan, >> yes. >> All right. 4.04, a motion to approve fiscal procedures as presented.
015>> So moved. >> Second. Maybe I'll let you take this one if you >> Sorry. >> You're good. >> Okay. So, um this is uh kind of just everything in one um uh one I guess voting. So, um I do a request for tax advances. Um I will have Jody sign a letter that goes to the county asking for um property or tax advances before they're actually paid. um and uh for all property and personal property taxes. Um this gives us authority to um purchase materials and make payments as appropriate. Um it talk the fourth one talks about investment in funds. Um the fifth one gives me authority to sign payroll checks and checks that go out um for our vendors. Um gives me authority to make advances from the general fund to other funds
016as necessary. Um and actually I do actually bring those to you um so you know ahead of time. Um we um uh appropriation of funds. Um I I do bring those to you but um we also put that in here. And then um the establishment of a board fund that's part of this and then adopting uh continuing contracts um is part of this as well. Um, yep. And that's that's just a to this is just standard that we do um every year. >> Let's Amy's team, >> you know, [laughter] >> do her job. Yep. >> Yeah. Right. Any questions for Amy? >> All right. >> Uh, Kleinhens, >> yes. >> N, >> yes. >> Degan, >> yes. >> Star, >> yes. >> Good. Right. >> Yes. >> All right. 4.05. A motion to appoint the
017superintendent and treasurer or an appointed appointed designate as purchasing agent property dispersement agent for the school district. >> So moved >> second. >> So when we get rid of things you have to do that as a process and so that that's part of it help allowing us to do that um within the district and then uh this also allows us to purchase things sign contracts uh you know vendor forms and things like that as well. Again, really a part of just the fiscal procedures. >> Uh, Good Write, >> yes. >> Starcher, >> yes. >> Kleinhands, >> yes. >> Nar, >> yes. >> Degan, >> yes. >> 4.06, a motion to approve a resolution to dispense with the reading of the board minutes each regular meeting provided providing they are made available to the board members
018at least two days prior to the board meeting. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> This is a actually a pretty important one because if not, it takes it would take a ton of time. [laughter] like this one. >> Um, so every regular meeting it'll be the first thing you do after roll call. >> And I'll typically have the minutes uploaded before the meeting goes live. 48 hours like live to the public. >> But at least 48 hours before that. So >> Okay. All right. Uh, good. Write >> yes. >> Starcher, yes. >> Pinehens, yes. >> Ner, yes. >> Stegan, >> yes. Section 4.07 legal counsel. So motion to approve the law firms of Gingo and Bear Law, Squire, Patton Bogs, Bricker and Graden, and Scott Scriven as legal counsel to the board. >> So moved.
019>> Second. >> Um we just so you know, we probably 80% of our council is through Gingo and Bear. Um that's our general council employment um education law. Uh we use Squire specifically for bond and construction. Um it's kind of a niche that they have there. So if we would go out for a levy at any point, they help us develop all that. Ricker and Graden is really just a backup to be honest. Uh Squire is a very large firm, but at times can be um not as quick as we would like because of that. And so sometimes if you had an immediate need with those issues, it's good to have a backup. We haven't actually used BR Bricker and Graden since we put them on the uh form. Uh and Scott Scrubbin does our
020special education. So, occasionally I talk to her, but primarily uh our special education director Diana McMillan is who uh works from this uh Miss Dos from Scotts Scrubin. >> Great. So that doesn't preclude you from [clears throat] should some unusual problem arise. It doesn't I mean you could go to another firm outside of these forms >> for for sure. You would just have to sign a vendor form. This is just allows us to do it without anything extra because you guys are proven our work with them. >> Yeah. So, Squire Patton Bogs would be a massive firm, but they must have an office in Ohio for us to >> They have several and they used to and they still do um they used to do general education counsel. Um our attorney that we use, Emily
021Spiebeck, was at Squire. They don't really do much general counsel anymore. She is now with England out of Hudson. So, that's what led us to move there as well. >> Great. Good. Any questions? All right. Uh, goodight. Yes. Starcher, [clears throat] >> yes. >> Minehens, >> yes. Nare, >> yes. >> Stegan, >> yes. >> All right. 4.08, architects. So, looking for a motion to approve the designation of the following as architects to the board. Fanny Howe and GPD group. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> Um, so we uh GPD um same same concept as architects. We use GPD really for our facilities planning and if we would move forward with building a building, they have been involved. Uh that actually still has to go through another procurement process, but they've been the ones involved. Fanny
022Howie has done a lot of our more recent projects that are um uh smaller. Not that they don't build buildings as well. We've just use them for like the pool renovation, roofing, electrical upgrades, and things like that as well. So, both really good uh firms in Ohio. There's there's several, but we've enjoyed working with both of them. Are these >> so they're architects? Are they also engineering firms or do we need an engineering firm when the architect presents ideas to us? >> Um good great question actually. Um both of these companies have in-house engineers. Um in most areas, not all like um but in most areas of engineering they do. Um some of the smaller uh architectural firms outsource a lot of their engineering to to third parties that now when you select them they
023tell you who those parties are. >> Yeah. >> So we wouldn't expect if they if they draw us a building it's engineered. >> It is. Yes. They have the people to do that. [snorts] >> Any other questions? >> All right. >> Nope. >> Okay. >> Uh Degan. >> Yes. >> N. Yes. >> Kleinhens. Yes. >> Starcher. Yes. >> Good. Right. Yes. >> All right. Section 4.09. Um the FY 2027 tax budget. A motion to approve the FY 2027 tax budget as presented. >> So move second. >> Maybe I'll definitely let you take [laughter] this one. Um so this is um the tax budget that I prepared and basically as a requirement um in order to receive uh tax um allocations um we have to submit this to the county budget commission and um basically it's
024for all funds and actually the law changed this year. We have to report three preceding years, current year and fiscal year 27 to say we have the need for collection of tax tax receipts when they come in. So it kind of is a big document but really we're I'm reporting on all of our funds not just the general fund. um just to show this is what we expect to um you know these are our re expected revenues our expected expenditures for all the funds and um our resulting cash balance. So um this is one of the great things about our for our forecasting and budget software is I can um generate this right out of of the text budget right out of there but did some tweaking to this. So, I know it's a lot
025of numbers, but this will once you approve it, we'll submit it to the budget commission. Again, it's all estimates because I don't really know where we're going to land in 27 at this point, but basically, it's just showing we have a need for property tax collections. >> Very good. >> Questions? >> No. >> All right. >> Okay. Um, Kleinhens, >> yes. >> Goodight, >> yes. >> Uh, N. >> Yes. >> Degan, >> yes. >> Starcher, >> yes. 4.10 a motion to approve the treasurer CFO as the public records officer. >> So moved. >> Second. >> This obviously we have to do this every year. I mean do you have anything to say about it can be a lot of work for Amy at times? >> Yep. I get all public records requests that [clears throat]
026come to the office and I work with anybody who I need to get information for um and keep a record of them because the auditors will come and ask me about who I got records requests from and then they want to see the response and it has to be within a reasonable time. And I do I mean we do work with our attorneys sometimes to say is this really a reasonable request because sometimes they're not reasonable and they're asking for this you know wide range of information and um so I do ask for you know talk to Gabe or um our attorney about that but um you know it just has to be within a reasonable time that that we um respond with information. Do you if someone asks, do you have to prepare the
027thing for them if it's already available or do you have to tell them that's already available, you can go find that? >> Um, I would probably do both. I say this is where in the future where you can find this information, but I might give it to them as well. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Yeah. >> Uh, Goodight. >> Yes. >> Starcher, yes. >> Kleinhands, >> yes. Ner, >> yes. >> Stegan, >> yes. >> All right. 4.11. Uh looking for a motion to approve the resolution authorizing the superintendent to accept resignations on behalf of this board. >> So moved. >> Second. >> So these last two are really kind of the HR components to allow me to um you know manage things in between meetings. Um so if we get a resignation
028from someone um when I acknowledge that and accept it, we usually do that through email. Most people do. can send it to us. Um, that allows me to move forward. You still I still bring it to you and have you approve the resignation, but it allows us to move forward with, you know, hiring and things like that or at least starting the posting process and not having to wait for next meeting, >> but you can't resend it. >> Correct. >> Card is a card play. >> Yes. Yes. We we changed that a couple years ago to because the risk if not is you could have a situation where somebody could resign. We accept it. we start the process to fill that replacement and then if the board meeting isn't for three weeks and they then
029say, "Oh, I changed my mind." That can kind of create a challenge. So, and we make sure that our people know that too that like you know even like I we have retirees that that are thinking about I'm like you take your time. Do not send me that until you know you want to. Right. >> Um so, >> great. >> Okay. >> Y uh Degan. >> Yes. >> Mayor. Yes. >> Kleinhands. >> Yes. >> Starcher. >> Yes. >> Good. Right. >> Yes. >> All right. And then 4.12, a motion to approve the resolution authorizing the superintendent to hire staff between board meetings. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Same concept. Um but you guys do um you do approve every um every hire. um and uh um would actually be in that situation. Even if
030you felt you didn't want to approve a hire and they' started in between, they could still do that. They would just stop at that time. So, it's a little different than the card, you know, card like card play concept, but it allows us to keep moving in between months. >> Okay. >> Good. Right. Yes. Starcher, yes. >> Kleinhens, >> yes. Degan, >> yes. >> N. >> All right. Moving to section five, committee assignments. assignments. Uh looking for a motion to approve the 2026 committee assignments and areas of responsibility appointments. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Uh so place these kind of based on previous experience uh maybe some of your interest and uh you know feedback that you gave that might uh uh work in this way. Just a couple things of clarity. So, um,
031in terms of primary versus alternate, um, you know, obviously our hope is if you're primary, you can attend whatever event meeting it is. However, none of you do this as your primary employment. And so, that's why we have alternates. There's going to be times where you're not able to, you know, uh, come to a business advisory meeting or, you know, a policy meeting with Yola or something like that. Like, that's, you know, it's it's not expected that you are. So that's why we have both. The other thing that's different here is committee versus area of responsibility. It really um that that the change uh is um a committee assignment by law and we'll talk more about sunshine law and things like that um you know when we move into our retreat. Uh a committee has
032to follow um open meetings act. So it has to have a it has to have a you know agenda and notification. um you know those those few that we have we do that with and they're pretty simple. Uh areas of responsibility allow you to be involved. Um obviously you'll note there's no more than two of you because then it would be an actual meeting, right? But it allows you to to partake in some of those things in general like communications meets once a month during the year because we work with our uh PR firm to do that. uh you know finance um uh facilities you know policy safety and security even legislative those are those are once to twice a semester typically u now they can be more right I mean you know uh facilities
033when we you know at times has definitely been more than that we've met a few times with finance so it can be but we we would obviously you know call those out as as we go so happy to make any changes as well if this is not you know what you guys think I can work for you. Do want to make a note just because it's probably by far the biggest commitment um here is Jod and Bonnie uh with the career center. Um appreciate you know we are the only school that has two seats on the career center board. Um and it's uh it's a ton of time because it's truly just it's being on a whole another board uh school board. Um we're so thankful for our career center. Lynn is doing a great
034job out there. Uh love working with her. So excited for um you guys to be a part of that, but definitely appreciate your willingness to do so. >> Great. And I think just as far as everybody getting engaged with that, Diane really manages that. >> Yes. Yes. Like if we have meetings, she sends out the invites and things like that you added to the to the distribution list. >> Diane's everybody's best friend. Just like right now, she brought the food. >> Yeah. Yep. So, okay. Any other >> Thanks for doing that, Bonnie. >> Yes. >> The career center. Thanks for doing that. >> Yeah, no problem. It looks like a great opportunity. >> Yeah, >> good. >> I do think I I Did you get the term expirations? I I actually think these are flipped
035>> because I think actually now that I noticed that because she's taking Ryan's spot and I think I just finished my three years, so I'm starting a new term. I just I just noticed this. So, I do think we need to update this because you're filling out you're finishing out Ryan's >> last term and then she can start again she like >> does that mean that I started actually we might need to check on that because I don't remember starting a year before Ryan >> I think you guys started >> oh you know or did I take you to >> I did I did I did okay >> well we can make a note of that we'll make >> we'll just want to >> flip those I yeah I think you'll just be committed for
036one year and then next next January we can reconfirm if you want to stay. All right. Any other questions on that? >> No. >> All right. >> Okay. Uh Goodwrite, >> yes. >> Star, >> yes. >> Kleinhens, >> yes. >> Nare, >> yes. >> Deacon, >> yes. >> All right. So, we are going to adjourn this meeting. >> So, let's go back to that committee. >> Oh, yes. Um, so we voted on that. For what reason? >> Um, well, we haven't. Well, you did vote on that. >> We just voted on it. >> It seems to me like these are not board committees. They are >> committees or superintendent committees. There's difference. >> Well, there Yes. I would I would say and it's a good question. I know what you're saying, right? Technically the BOE
037areas of responsibility I don't actually think you have to approve it's on the same document I I think if we are holding it as an open meeting I I'm I'm thinking we have to approve the committee assignments we some of that inherited no I don't think they were doing it wrong we had always approved committees in the past two years ago we started changing it to areas of responsibility um based on some guidance we got from legal >> so we don't have board committees You have four board committees. >> Those are board committees. >> Those are four board committees. >> Yes. >> Okay. Yeah. >> I'm sorry. Go ahead. Finish. >> No, go ahead. >> Nope. You You were already talking. >> Well, okay. So, for those obviously the second one, I mean, all those
038are newspaper worthy, right? >> The first four are. >> Okay. >> Yes, >> that's my question. >> Yep. The first four are. >> I guess that's was where my question was going to be, though. Do we put out notices about those? >> Well, like we don't on the tax incentive. >> They do for us because we're just a part of like Worester Growth and it's its own body that we do, right? Like we do have to do is business and the career center does their own. Yes. Okay. So, somebody is Yes. Yes. >> Not kind of pseudo board committees. >> Yes. >> The only one that's really a board committee is the first one. >> Correct. >> Yes. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> All right. >> No, but that's interesting. >> All right. Are we
039good? We already voted, right? So, we're we're good there. All right. >> Discussion after the vote. [laughter] >> All right. Uh, so moving to section six. Uh, looking for a motion to adjourn uh, the board of education organizational meeting. >> So moved. >> Second. [clears throat] >> Uh, Degan, >> yes. >> N, >> yes. >> Kleinhands, >> yes. Star, >> yes. >> Goodight. >> Yes.