001Sorry. >> 5:30. >> Everybody ready? At 5:30. [cough] [clears throat] >> I'd like to call our November 19th meeting to order. All rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> Oh, roll call. Sorry. >> Oh, roll call. >> Sit back down. >> Little little out of sync since we're missing a board member >> exercise. Okay, please call >> Mrs. Mrs. Sequin >> here. >> Mr. Starfin >> here. >> Mr. Gabart >> here. >> Mr. Hower? >> Not yet. Mr. Parker >> here. >> Okay. Now I'll rise for our pledge of allegiance. Sorry about that. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Well, welcome. I'm going to introduce our board members.
002Um, to my far right, we have Mr. Brent Parker. To my immediate right, we have Mr. Mike Gart. To my left, we have Mrs. Annie Karsten. Um, our superintendent, Miss Anne Slash, and our treasurer, Colleen Abhalt. And my name is Elaine Seuin. All right, so it looks like we have a exciting board recognition tonight. um eighth grade football championship team who is going to be introduced by Mr. Sorca. >> Yes, Matt Sorca, the middle school athletic director. [applause] >> Um you can grab it right off of that if you want. Yeah. >> Sorry, you wouldn't make it there faster than I would. You could just take it out of the holder. [laughter] >> You can't. >> Sorry. >> Leave it in the holder. [laughter] >> All right. Can you >> Oh, no. I'm not. >>
003All right. Can you guys hear me? Fine. >> All right. So, thank you guys for coming. I know everybody's here to talk about our SWC championship team. I appreciate the support. Um, I'm going to introduce two of our coaches and then we have a couple players that we're going to introduce. I know this time of the year is kind of tough for our kids because some have basketball training, some have other sports that they have to go to. So, we have a handful of kids here. But to start, I want to say a few things about our coaches. Um, I watched our coaches uh take this group from start of seventh grade to the end of eighth grade and our kids made tremendous growth throughout the last two years. Um, that's a group that has
004come together. I know start of seventh grade kind of a little shaky to start um but we at the end of the seventh grade uh season we really made a lot of growth and then this year finished with a record of 70 and one. >> Wow. >> So to introduce two coaches [applause] Brett Beal and Jacob Hammond. [applause] Wait, I think there's some more that just walked in. We'll catch up. >> All right, Sean. >> Sean Coglin. [applause] Sean also coaches basketball for us, so he was coming here right after practice. >> Well, sorry. First of all, thank the board for having us this evening. Um, thank uh Mr. Sorca. Um, I really want to thank him the last two years. Um he's put a lot of time and effort um into making sure that
005this program can get you know built from the ground um up. You know I know we haven't had a lot of success on Friday nights but the talent is there. It is coming. So just be patient with it. Just give it some time. Um and you know he meets we football is a very very demanding sport in terms of all the equipment and you know stuff that we need. So he does a great job of u making sure that we have what we need to make our kids as successful as possible. Um, as you said, you know, starting with this group as seventh grade, you know, last year we went six and two. We won our last five straight games. You know, didn't lose at all this year. So, it was just a really good
006way, um, you know, to show that the program's there. Um, I also want to thank Coach Hammond. You know, initially he went into this year being a seventh grade coach and then we had some guys drop out and like, I you have got to help me. I need somebody else um with me and he stepped in. Um took over our defense and the last four games our defense gave out one touchdown. So like we were really you know really [applause] and then you know halfway through the year with coach Coglin um I you know kind of joked that like when once he came in we our defense like didn't give up any yards because coach Hammond and I could really focus on that and he could run the scout team. Um so that was a
007big part. um you know with our team you know we really preached um a lot of you know just basic things you know whether it's from fundamentals doing the same drills every single day you know to get the kids you know having that routine and then really preaching that team like what Mr. Sura was saying like they really came together you know really like you know acted like a family by the end of that eighth grade year which is what you need for a um successful football program. Um so with that being said turn it back over to uh Mr. Sorca and introduce the players that were able to attend. >> All right. So, starting us off, Landon Cross. Landon, you're going to come up here. [applause] Zayen Gossip. [applause] Jesse Lear [applause] >> Avery
008McKenna [applause] >> Spencer Scott. Congratulations. [applause] >> Did we have any other football players come in last second? >> Good job. >> Okay. >> Oh, over there. >> Congratulations. >> Eddie Jones. [applause] >> Good job. >> One more. >> Got a few more. catch one. Congratulations. >> Good job. >> I think we had some behind wins this year, so it makes sense. Second half, let's go. Good job, >> Gerai Hair. [applause] >> Mr. Keef, anybody else coming down? All right. All right. Well, thank you guys for taking time. Um, I do want to just give these kids another round of applause for all their hard work. [applause] >> All right, so players, we're going to go out in that hallway and down the hall. If you guys just wait for us in the hallway, we'll
009show you where to go. And then school board, thank you guys for taking time to acknowledge your >> students [applause] for the board. >> Congratulations. >> And Mary's going to high school. >> We have a copy of this. >> She's getting it. >> Okay. >> All day. Okay, here it comes. >> That's exciting. >> Maybe that that's our pipeline, right? So, that's exciting. >> Yes, very exciting. >> Yeah. Okay, moving along. >> Thanks, Amy. I'll do it. Thanks. >> Um, visitors comments. Um, >> I think there was one. >> Yeah, we do have one. Um, >> I'll just I'll just briefly uh touch on visitor comments. The school board encourages and appreciates citizen interest in meetings of the board of education. Normally, the board meets twice during the month and will make accommodations to allow
010public participation. Person wishing to address the board up to five minutes may place their name on a sign-in sheet at least five minutes prior to the start of the meeting indicating the topic they wish to address or make a written request to the treasurer's office one week in advance of the board meeting to speak for up to 10 me minutes. Each meeting participant will be invited to speak directly to the board. So their remarks may be clearly heard and questions may be asked. Um so that that's good. I'll move forward. So we do have one um speaker today, Miss Linda. I'm going to try to pronounce it right. Aaga. >> Aen. Okay. Uh teacher at Northwood Middle School. >> [snorts] >> President, members of the board, superintendent, >> is that on? >> Can you >>
011Yeah, I don't think that's Is it on? >> Yeah, it is. >> Okay. >> Pardon me. >> Is the light on? >> Just tap it. >> I don't think it's on. >> Okay. >> How about now? >> There we go. >> Okay. My [snorts] name is Linda Aginyaga, the president of the Yria Education Association, and I'm here on behalf of more than nearly 500 certified educators who serve the students and families of our district every day. EA leadership recently met with the superintendent, treasurer, and district administration to discuss the serious financial situation city schools is now facing after the failure of issue 17 on November 4th. We understand the gravity of the moment. We understand the financial pressures created by state and county funding instability and we understand the obligation this board carries in ensuring
012the financial health of our district. But we also understand the human impact of the choices before you. The district has present is preparing to present options for 900 I'm sorry 9 million dollars in cuts the deepest cuts in more than three decades. We have heard clearly that 80% of the budget is tied to personnel and we know what that means. Our teachers, counselors, specialists, intervention [music] staff, nurses, and support professionals are at risk. We have already seen four administrative positions eliminated since May and eight certified retirements submitted. We know additional retirements and resignations will continue to come in the months ahead. Tonight, the Yria Education Association asks firmly and respectfully that before any recommendation involving staff cuts is considered or approved, this board joins us in ad advocating aggressively at the state level for fair,
013reliable school funding. A situation is not the result of irresponsible spending or mismanagement. It is the result of a funding system that places districts like ours in repeated cycles of crisis. Cycles that force communities back to the ballot, force districts to contemplate devastating reductions, and force employees to brace for the possibility of losing their livelihoods. These cycles are unsustainable, demoralizing, and harmful to students. We do not want to see any staff cuts. Not one. Our educators are already stretched thin. We consistently do more with less. Larger class sizes, increasing student needs, escalating behavioral and mental health demands, and growing state mandates. Cutting staff will not only harm programs and services. It will directly harm the children of Yria. We have lived through this before. The devastation from 2008 cuts still lives in the memory of
014this district and we cannot afford to repeat that history. We ask the board to number one advocate publicly and persistently with our state legislators for a funding system that does not put the weight of district solveny on the backs of employees and families. Number two, communicate clearly to the community and to lawmakers that the cuts under consideration are driven not by choice but by a state model that continues to fail districts like Yria. Number three, exhaust every possible alternative including retirements, attrition, restructuring, and long range financial planning before considering reductions in force. Number four, center transparency and collaboration with staff as decisions approach. The lives and careers of real people hang in the balance. We appreciate the superintendent's commitment to avoiding fear-based communication and her openness about the challenges ahead. We also appreciate that final
015decisions will not be made tonight. But as you begin this next phase of deliberation, we need you to know that the EA stands firmly against personnel cuts. We ask you to join us in bringing that unified message to Columbus. Stop forcing communities to choose between solveny and stability for students. Ayria's educators show up for this district every day. We ask that our district show up for us now and fight alongside us for the fair and fully funded schools our students deserve. >> Thank you, Linda. >> Very good. [applause] >> Pass them down to the end. Just keep passing them down. Yeah. >> Sorry, I failed at the one thing I used to be good at as a teacher is passing out papers. I forgot. >> Um, you good? You need one more. All right. >>
016Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Linda. Uh moving along. Um we do have a presentation. The treasure and the superintendent um are going to present now. >> Thank you, President Siguin. Um thank you, Linda. Um this is not a great time for public ed and and your words mean a lot. Um it's never easy. Um this is year 34 for me and I've lived through this before. Um as some of the board members have as well and some of you. Um it is never ever our intention to reduce staff. Um we know um that each of you no matter your role touch our kids daily and our families and that's the last thing we want to do. I think um Linda hit it on the head that this is a a problem in
017Columbus and unfortunately a bit local now but a problem in Columbus that needs to be fixed. Um just in the last year the superintendents in Lorraine County have set sent multiple correspondents and we meet monthly with the legislators. They know where we stand and we will continue to advocate um firmly with them. This is an issue with public education funding, period. So, thank you again, Linda. And we'll start off this presentation. Um, the last thing, the one thing they always told us is don't read to someone, but I really truly believe I need to read the first few slides because I don't want to paraphrase and not hit every point that's in the slides. So, I apologize. That's not usually what we do, but I'm going to read the first free uh few slides to
018you. First of all, the e executive summary of this presentation. The city school district is facing significant financial challenges following the failure of two levy issues in 2025. And due to the continued reductions in state, federal, and now local funding sources, the levy requests, if approved, would have generated approximately $6 million over a 10-year period, stabilizing the district's finances and allowing the district to preserve its current services for more than 6,000 students that it serves daily. The loss of federal, state, and local lost revenue and recent losses at the polls now forces the district to take immediate action, ultimately reducing about $9 million in 2026 27 to f to maintain financial stability. These decisions will be deeply difficult but necessary to ensure that the yriious schools remain solvent and able to provide essential educational services
019to students. We approach this work with compassion and integrity, guided by our longstanding commitment to protecting the learning environment for students, maintaining the equitable access to programs and services, and being transparent and accountable stewards of public funds. The financial context. Yria Schools relies on a combination of state, federal, and local revenues to fund school operations. Over the past several years, the district has experienced reductions in all three areas. State funding has not kept pace with inflation, salary obligations, or the rising cost of special education and student services. Homeowners now carry 67.5% of the prop school property taxes, which is up from 46% years ago. The state has yet to update the inputs to the fair school funding formula to ensure schools are fully funded at the current expense levels. Federal funding, particularly pandemic related relief,
020which we all knew as ESSER funding, right? They and other one-time funds have expired, leaving gaps that must now be absorbed by our general fund. The pandemic may be over, but the challenges it created have not disappeared. Our district still faces significant need. Yet funds that supported these services are no longer available. local revenues, failure of the two levy attempts in May and November 2025 and following the county county's decision to double the homestead exemption which led to an unexpected loss I'll say on October 11th of an additional $1.5 million a year for city schools. Expenditure obligations such as staffing, transportation, and utilities continue to rise while re revenue remains unpredictable. Systemic funding challenges. It is important to recognize that these financial pressures are not unique to the area city schools. Across the state, across
021the state, school districts are grappling with an over reliance on local property taxes to fund essential educational services. This is a statewide problem that cannot be solved at the district level without significant legislative and state level funding reform. School districts must operate within the current system [clears throat] which limits local flexibility even when costs continue to grow. The AI schools has a long history of sound fiscal management and has consistently been recognized for transparency, efficiency, and accountability in financial reporting. Prior to the current current funding losses, the district maintained balanced budgets and prudent reserves in accordance with state and board policy. Before the district's unsuccessful levies in 2025, it had not pursued new operating funds for over 15 years due to sound financial management. And if I could add in there, the typical cycle is
0223 to five years for new money. This plan reflects the district's continued commitment to responsible financial stewardship even amid unprecedented funding challenges beyond our control. Last one I'm reading to you, I promise. Uh impact of reductions. The most difficult part of this process is recognizing the impact on our staff, students, and community. These reductions will affect dedicated professionals who contribute daily to our student success, and they will directly impact student learning and the school environment. These changes are not performance-based. They are a result or excuse me are a direct result of lost funding, failed levies in 2025, and systemic challenges beyond our district's control. The district is committed to providing clear communication and transition timelines to help ease uncertainty for impacted staff and to keep our school community and the broader public well informed. We
023are deeply thankful for the professionalism, compassion, and resilience of our staff during this difficult time. We know that these reductions will touch everyone, staff, students, family, and our community. Moving forward, the district will remain focused on providing quality educational experiences for its students even as we continue to navigate these unprecedented school funding challenges. >> All right, thank you. All right, [clears throat] I am going to explain why are we here and how did we get here and to help explain why the previous 4.9 mil emergency levy is no longer [clears throat] sufficient if and when the right time to put on a levy on the ballot. Even with reducing the $9 million, there will still be a need for new operating money or additional reductions in the future. And I'll be outlining the financial pressures
024that are affecting the district, including House Bill 96 and the state legislation and emergency levies. These take into consideration when making the decision on how much to place onto the ballot. When a school district asks for a levy and it fails, the district still has the same rising costs like salary, utilities, transportation, and special education. These costs don't stop just because the levy did not pass. In fact, they usually go up every year. By the time the district comes back the next year, the district now must add another year of inflation and increase operating costs. and reserves are reduced and they need to reestablish a cash balance in order to maintain the district's financial stability and credit strength. Um I don't believe that we would be going out for any bond issue anytime soon, but
025it's very important to have a high credit strength and a high financial indicator according to the auditor of state because even if you don't have to go for a bond, you do want to refinance some of the bonds like we did two and a half years ago and we refinanced it and saved the the community over a million dollars. Rebuilding financial stability. The first levy would have let the district keep up. Once it failed, the district fell behind. And now it takes more mills just to get back on track. Because of this, the original 4.9 mills no longer covers what is needed and the gap has grown to catch up and stay financially stable. The amount needed becomes higher. Another factor that happened is when I first presented my forecast in September to I presented
026it September 17th, got it approved and send it over to OD. In October 11th, the governor's um budget let the county commissioners do a piggyback on their homestead and home center roll back and owner occupied tax relief. They were allowed to double it. So, what that happened with the school district's revenue is that we had to forego $ 1.5 million. So my first forecast in September that was presented our third year we were still in the black. We only had about 42 days of cash. But then when you after the commissioners did their update we are now in the third year in the red and according to OD we are um in fiscal oversight status being the third year negative. >> Something quick to that. >> You may. >> All right. Just uh we may
027piggyback a little bit ourselves. Um but what that the state reimbures the single homestead um that has always been in but in the House Bill 96 the governor allowed them to double that but we would still only get the single reimbursement. So that's the 1.5 million >> correct and it's 1.5 million every year. So and we are that's on a calendar year we are based on a fiscal year but if you look at it in the next four years it's a loss revenue of over $5 million. All right, the other one I might get into the weeds, but I think it's very important to to stress this. We originally had an emergency levy that was on the ballot. So when a district is on the 20 mil floor, the tax law in Ohio free certain
028millage so that district can't go below the 20 mills. Because of this, even if property values increase, the district does not automatically get more money from the 20 mills. Any new fixed mill levy placed on the top of the floor can still be reduced and rolled back under the Ohio tax law when value rises. This makes the fixed millage levy unpredictable and the district may not get the revenue that it is expected. So we rein put on an emergency levy because a fixed mill would not be beneficial for a district on the 20 mil floor. >> Was this one of the ones that overrode? >> Um yes. So on my next slide, the state legislators took away district's ability to place an emergency levy on the ballot. So we are no longer allowed to put
029an emergency levy on the ballot. An emergency levy asks voters to approve a specific dollar amount. In our case, there was 6.4 million rather than a mill. No property I'm sorry. No matter what happens to the property values, the district receives the same dollar amount. Revenue is stable and budget planning is more accurate. When a district is at the 20 mil floor, a fixed mill levy does not reliably increase funding. A fixed sum emergency levy guarantees a stable amount of money each year which makes it safer and a smarter option. So when the option to go back onto the ballot, we are no longer allowed to do emergency. We would have to do a fixed mill levy. So we would have to increase the millage to offset the reduction factor. The next slide I have
030in here is it's an internal update of the forecast. If we um do not go on the ballot, if there's no new money coming in, it shows into consideration the county commissioner's cut and then $9 million of savings of cuts. Uh you would see in fiscal year 27 that we will have about a 26% cash balance, which is not the recommended 30%, but it gets the district out of fiscal oversight. So $9 million in reduction does not negate the need for additional money in the future. So either a new levy or deeper reductions. So what happens without any new money? Continued cuts in programming and staffing over and above the $9 million that will be reduced. Increased likelihood of state oversight and fiscal warning statuses where the state will come in and then determine what
031needs to go. And then as it was mentioned last year and even during this year during the levy cycles, the district must cut its budget by up to $9 million if the levy in May and November fails to pass, which unfortunately they did. With additional financial challenges at hand, the district will now need to implement these cuts and further decide whether to seek new funding from the community or pursue even deeper reductions. Uh we would need guidance on the direction from the board on which one to proceed. So we could recommend a reduction plan for approval moving forward. Is that the end? No more pages. That's it. >> Okay. All right. Thank you guys for that uh hard information. Um does anybody want to start for our board or have any comments or do you
032want me to start or so? So it sounds like we're looking to see whether we would be putting a levy on. >> Yeah. So the emergency of this is because on December 10th is when we would need to put a resolution on the ballot if we wanted to go for for May. So that's why there's like a time crunch. Um obviously whatever direction you decide to go, we will do, but we would need to know sooner than later because we need to get all the paperwork written up for the res resolution for December 10th. >> And did and you did and how much would the new levy need to be? So currently we would have to put an 11.9 mil levy on if we went in May. >> Wow. Okay. And what was our last
033one? Four. >> 4.9. >> Okay. So more than double. >> Mhm. >> Um >> I mean I I can start with my thoughts. Um I think we're in a horrible situation. Um no fault of our own. Uh but due to the the funding of the the state and the county, you know, we're in this position that we're fixed um we're faced with a deficit in our future. I do believe our schools are excellent stewards of our monies. I completely um believe that. I think that our programs, our staff, our administrators, I think they're [clears throat] um you know, like no other. So I think this is you know very very disappointing. But I also feel that the community has spoken um for the past two um levies that we went out to them. So I
034don't feel that if we could not pass the 4.9 levy at this point, we're going to be able to pass an 11.9 or I don't know if it was exactly 11.9. It was >> Yeah. So, my personal opinion is I don't feel comfortable um putting a resolution to put a levy on in May before we make said cuts, whatever. We need to determine what those are. >> Um I think the community wants to see that. Um comments that I had gotten back was was they, you know, they weren't supporting our levy at this point. they needed to, you know, with property taxes increasing and it it wasn't the time and so I feel like May is too soon after them saying no two times in a row. Those are my thoughts. >> Are you ready
035for me? Oh, thank you. Um, I think, um, being here for my second time, uh, because I've been through this before with everyone here, [snorts] I have to say that I really would have to commend all of our staff, administrators. I think that everyone does a great job. I think that they go above and beyond. I've seen everyone go that extra mile. I mean really I say that from the bottom of my heart and my heart goes out uh to everyone here because I don't like being here. I've had some really sleepless nights thinking about having to be here again from the bottom of my heart. Um, I would have to say that when you start talking millage rate and when you start talking um, just what it means when the values go up, I've
036I've lived that for 20 23 years working in the auditor's office. And I've had so many districts that have had to go through this and I've watched that for 23 years. So, I know that it's not easy at all. And I would really have to say that I've listened to the seniors and I know that it's very difficult. [clears throat] I've heard them say how difficult it is to pay those taxes and now just the seniors are getting that relief. That's that's that homestead is just speaking to the seniors that are paying the taxes. It's not speaking to everyone. Um, so I know that that brings some relief, but not to all of the homeowners. So, I take that into consideration as well. And I I think that uh the consensus is that we've won
037out twice and we've been rejected twice. [cough] So, [clears throat] I I really don't believe that if we were to go back out again right now that they're going to support us at this time. I don't believe that they're going to support us. I don't know if you can hear me. Um, I feel like they're that it would be too soon. I feel that they want to see uh some action on our end. I believe that that's what they're looking for. U as a matter of fact, that's what I'm hearing. That's what they're saying to me. Um, so I don't believe that we would get their support if we go back again in May. I just don't believe that they're going to support us because they haven't support us the last two times. [clears throat]
038So, I can't I can't I can't um support that going back on now. >> Anyone else? >> I echo the same uh sentiment. It's not a good place to be, but being told no twice in 2025 and now asking for double what we asked for just this month, I just don't see it passing. I see it getting uh just demolished, saying, "Why are you doubling it now?" Um, people aren't going to understand all the stuff that's happening. State levy, an emergency levy versus a fixed thing. Like we they want to see something done before we come back to them for a new month. I have to agree with everything that's been said. I I don't know what we're going to do. 11.9 is is one big jump from four 4.5 >> 4.9 >> and now
039there's a petition out there to get rid of all property taxes and if that passes I don't know what happens to any everybody the city the police the fire u it's going to be a mess state has to do something I have to agree we we can't do 11.9 9. Now we've got to do some cuts. >> Colleen, could you could you explain one more time? Because to anybody just hearing it, that's that's so dramatic. >> 4.9 >> to 11.9 and in a matter of months in a matter of from November >> to springtime. It's it might be hard for >> everyone understand. >> The the main ones that come out are when we did the 4.91. This is prior to knowing that the county commissioners were going to cut the 1.5 million. So, right
040off the bat, we were already we were short. We decided 4.9 and put the resolutions on in the summer and it was 3 weeks before the election. There was no way we could change what was already done. So, that that's one reason why that it went up. Another reason why that it went up was because we can no longer do the same levy that we were planning on doing, which is the emergency levy. We would have to do a fixed sum levy because they took away the emergency levy. So then we have to kind of factor in the reduction 920 factor of even though you ask for this much that would be the voted [clears throat] millage but they change it to affected millage and they roll it back. So when to to try to
041offset that that's why they ask a little bit more and then also because we dipped into our reserves so to try to build those back up. >> Okay. What is that practically? What does that mean? 119 versus 4.9 if I >> was like $38,000. >> Yeah. I want to say was it was just under $35. Yes. 35 >> for $100,000 home, >> right? >> Correct. Yes. >> A month a month. >> Additional a month. >> Yes. >> It was 14 with the 4.9 and with the 11.9 I believe it's just under 35. >> Yes. >> So it's like $20 $21 a month. >> Okay. >> more than right. Okay. So, >> anything else? >> Yeah. What I hear for right now and and I'm assuming Len says it too, but there's also four of them
042that said it. I'm hearing that no levy will be placed on the ballot coming up and that we were going to work to do a $9 million reduction and then that will come back in here and and and lay that out. >> Yes. Yes, >> we're talking in the fall. >> So, the timeline I I'm sure um knowing all of you sitting there want to know the timeline. Um we will start working on looking and getting um input and then it would be our hope to do it as soon as we can after the first of the year um to let people know um as much as possible. um we would bring um those recommendations to the board um on what the the suggested um reductions are. I want to assure you it'll be done
043with um as I said integrity and heart and um really looking at alternatives to try to do the least amount we can to you know um meet that 9 million. Um it's never easy. Um, we did the six million back. Gosh, it must be about 15. I think it was 2010, 111, somewhere in that range. >> And it was 12. >> Yeah, 12. >> 12 cuz I came in 13. >> Okay. >> So, you did it in 12. >> Um, that was difficult. And, uh, what I would the advice I would give to all of you is to write your legislators and make them aware of what's going on. Um, it is a problem that only they can fix. Um, and I'm being honest with that. Um, it something has to happen um to fund
044schools a different way. They do have the fair I'm going to say a few things. I'm sorry. The fair school funding plan, but understand they aren't funding it for what it costs now. to educate a student. They're funding it for what it cost in 2022. And I think all of us have experienced, whether it be at the grocery store, the gas pump, or wherever, that what we paid in 2022 isn't what we're paying right now. So, if they want to do the right thing in Columbus, they're they're funding the fair school funding as as Colleen has taught me over the years, but they're doing it at a level that isn't 2025 and what it costs to educate a student. So, please um write your legislators and let them know how you feel or call. We've
045called um but >> Colleen, >> yes. >> Have we seen our expenses tracking over that period of time, several five years? Have we seen them pacing with inflation, exceeding inflation, or slightly under inflation? What have we seen? >> Our expenses are in line with inflation. That's not the the the problem. The problem is the funding that comes in is not is not keeping up with the inflation inflation, >> right? >> Okay. Any more comments? >> No. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. So, uh, moving on. While the meeting minutes have been posted, do we have a motion to approve the board minutes? >> I'll make a motion. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. All right. Any questions? Have no questions. Calling, please call the role. >> Mr. Grabart. >> Hi. >> Mr. Gurfin.
046>> I. >> Mr. Hower. >> I. >> Mr. Parker. >> Hi. >> Mr. Seuin. >> I. Motion carries. Okay. Board of Education items. We do not have any treasurer action items. >> To accept the financial report for the month of October 2025 with the bank statements, reconciliation, and investment reports attached. and to also acknowledge and express all the following donations. I apologize. I'm not going to read them all, but they are very important to us and I thank you very much for all the following donations. >> Okay. Thank you. Do we have a motion to approve the treasur action items as presented? >> So move. >> Do we have a second? >> Does anyone have questions? No questions. Madam [snorts] treasur, please call the role. >> Mr. Parker, >> I. >> Mr. Hower. >> Hi.
047>> Miss Garfin. >> I. >> Mr. Gart. >> Hi. >> Mr. Siguin. >> I. Motion carries. Uh do we have treasurer other? >> I have no other and no report. >> Okay, moving on then to superintendent action items. >> Thank you. First of all, to approve the contract with Kao service agreement for the education of students as detailed in the enclosure. Also to approve the home instruction tutor at the tutor hourly rate as listed below. Um you'll see this athletic overnight field trips. Um, just want to point out one thing. The all OSAA sponsored tournaments. The reason we kind of do a blanket one is because as you know in tournaments you could win a day and have to play two days later in the next round and we don't always have a board meeting
048in between that to put on. So we kind of do this just to get your approval. Okay. >> And that concludes my action items. >> Okay. Thank you. Do we have a motion to approve the superintendent's action items? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Madam treasure, please call the role. Miss Gurfin >> I. >> Mr. Gubart. >> Hi. >> Mr. Hower. >> Hi. >> Mr. Parker. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Seuin. >> I. Motion carries. Uh, personnel superintendent action items. >> Thank you. First of all, to approve the retirement of the following certified staff. Uh, Ken Fenick, who has been with the district for 35 years. So, thank you, Ken. We wish you well in retirement, and thank you for your wonderful years of service. Beth Gowen. I think Beth is here in the back.
049Um, she is our wrestler and teaches at Eastern Heights. She has been in the district I think 32 years. Um, as I have it, but uh, thank you Beth. Um, I went to junior high with Beth way back in the day. Um, so that'll tell you how old I am, too. Um, and then John Wallace, who I also saw in the audience. Thank you, John. Social studies teacher at Aileria High and a coach. He has been with the district for 26 years. >> 28. See, I said that, Shane. Where are you? Um 20. I said I thought it was 28, but we had 26, but we'll give you 28. That's up to STRS, right? [laughter] Um, also to approve the appointment of the classified staff as described below. um to approve the resignation of the
050following classified staff as described below. Uh to approve the appointment of two more daily subs. Um to approve the unpaid leave of absence as of for the following classified staff members to approve the following athletic supplemental contracts for district certified or classified staff or non-district coaches. And that concludes my personnel action items. Okay. Thank you. Do we have a motion to approve the superintendent's personnel action items? >> I'll make a motion. >> Okay. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. If no questions, please call the RO. [clears throat] >> Mr. Gart, >> I. >> Miss Chrisarfin. >> I. >> Mr. Hower. >> I. >> Mr. Parker. >> I. >> Mrs. Seuin. >> I. Motion carries. Okay, moving along. Do you have a superintendent report? >> Real short here. First of all, I wanted
051to say congratulations. We haven't had a board meeting since, but went to the outsiders at the high school. Um, the things I'm listing here, these are the things that that help make so special. Um, and got to see a wonderful group of uh high schooler high school um, thespians, I guess, is the word for it. Um, and they did a fabulous job. It was really entertaining. And, uh, uh, Mr. Graves and his whole team did a fabulous job. Also went to the honors um assembly. We had over 600 students at the high school that received from merit roll to honor to high honor. And it was wonderful to see and I know um I thought I saw Miss Johnson. She did a great job. and and we also had a student that won the Princeton
052book award that was announced at the honors award, Zoe Pole. So, congratulations and wonderful job to all those high schoolers. I am Monday night. I was in Columbus for a meeting, but Monday night, I know we had several of our um cabinet representatives at the National Honor Society inductions and uh they said it was wonderful and congratulations to those students that are in National Honor Society. Um, this coming weekend, one of my favorite show movies, Sister Act, is being put on by Eastern Heights Middle School, 7:30 on Friday and Saturday at the high school. It's a musical if you'd like to go. Um, I'm sure it'll be wonderful as always and uh, look forward to seeing that. Um, and I think the winter sports are starting to be in high gear and all the concerts.
053I know the weekend of I want to say December 12th is the um music extravaganza uh for band orchestra and choir and then we also have a bunch of the school-based uh you know holiday concerts I'll say. >> So thank you everyone who's involved again making this such a special district and and our talented kids and and teachers and staff. Thank you. Okay. Um, do we have anybody want to speak on a board item or have any comments? >> Okay, moving on then. Um, no executive session. Okay, then we will wrap. We will move to >> I'll make that motion. >> Join the meeting. >> Second. >> All right. Mr. Gart, >> beat me to it. >> Okay, please call the role. >> Mr. Gart, I >> Mr. Mr. Surfin. >> I >> Mr. Hower.
054>> Hi, >> Mr. Parker. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Sein. >> I motion carries. Meeting adjourned.