001The regular meeting of the board of education of the pir local school district is called to order at 5:45 p.m. in the Tarbook Center conference room. Roll call, please. Mia here. Mr. is absent. Mrs. Graham >> here. >> Mr. Light here. >> Mrs. here. Please stand. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Are there any committee reports? >> Thank you. >> We'll do safety next time. >> Okay. Um, administrative update, Mr. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Chesker. Um, it's been a busy month here. Let's start off with power of pens. Congratulations to our seventh grader, Anu Sil, who represented Perry Middle School at the regional power of the pen tournament on March 7th. Uh she received
002the medal certificate and will be invited to attend the state tournament at Ashlin University in May. Her coaches, Mrs. Dinger and Mrs. Seafick, are beyond thrilled for her. Congratulations. Staff engagement open house. During our professional development day on February 13th, our staff was able to tour some of our amazing career education spaces that provide awesome opportunities for our students. Staff members had a great time checking out PEEP service learning at the elementary school, the career exploration lab at the middle school, the welding hub, the home renovation site, the certified nursing assistant classroom, and the automation hub at the high school. Several of our staff members even got to weld. It was a great opportunity for staff to explore some of the career experiences available to our students that they may not otherwise get to see.
003And it really was neat to see like the crossover of the different buildings that elementary uh teachers often get stuck in their building. high school student or staff get stuck in their building. So, it was a really welldesigned uh day by our staff. As far as the county spelling be, congratulations to Alons Mark, our district spelling be champion. He placed fourth in the county county spelling be uh which took place at Auburn Cur Center on February 10th. Um we had elementary literacy night. Thanks to everyone who came out and joined us for our elementary schools literacy night this past Wednesday which wrapped up their one school one book activity. students and parents alike had fun socializing, playing games, and visiting the book fair. A special thanks to all of our staff and volunteers who once
004again organized this event. Um, Buckeye Boys, Girls Estate, it's an annual event that our some of our females and male students, they have different events that go on get to attend. Um this past week, Tom Anderson came out to present uh and representing American Legion Post uh a plaque showing appreciation to the school for the support that they provide and helping select students and making it possible with the communication. Um we do thank our students that attend every year and uh the American Legion Post 697 who do a great deal in making that possible. As far as our high school music department, I'd like to give a shout out to the department for the busy month that they had during the month of February. On top of hosting multiple districts for the LCMA choir concert
005on February 28th and 28 schools this past weekend, including 35 band and choir performances for the OMA District 7 large group adjudicated event. The department also hosted their first ever informance, which was a hybrid educational event and performance that showcased our students learning in an open rehearsal featuring our high school treble choir and band. Each group rehearsed on stage in front of an audience for approximately 30 minutes. Uh during their spring concert in April, those who attended the informance will be able to see the growth from rehearsals to the performance. Um exciting news, special thanks to our athletic boosters for the new scores table in the competition gym. Uh these the athletic boosters provided the funds to be able to purchase this uh new item for our high school gym. Uh the former table was
006over 20 years old and this table will enhance the look of our events in the gymnasium for years to come. Until that old table uh passes its time, we will be using it at the middle school um as long as it lasts. uh PSL DC trip. Our PLO students had an incredible 48 hour trip to Washington DC which was entirely student planned and led designed for students interested in teaching and public service. Students met with Senator Husted and Congressman Joyce staff regarding Department of Education funding attending a behind-the-scenes capital tour visited two gold ribbon service learning schools to the Naval Academy and volunteered at the Capital Area Food Bank DC Central Kitchen. As always, we appreciate our PSL staff, Mr. Soder, Mrs. Trentelli for making these opportunities possible for our students. Um, as you know,
007the Chicago trip is an annual piece. This was planned by students and uh they were able to check off a lot of boxes there and had a great time. Um, as far as our staffing process, it's that time of year. I'd like to give a special thanks to our principles and the leadership team for their work over the past month in completing our annual review of staffing needs for the upcoming school year. This process includes analyzing enrollment projections, student course requests, and overall student needs to ensure we're maximizing our current funding levels. Perry has followed this thoughtful and data driven approach for staffing for many years for many of the past years. Um, as um I know I've been involved in the process for the past 15 where appropriate, we also explore shared service opportunities
008with neighboring districts to remain fiscally responsible while maintaining strong programs for students. Our district has been a leader in the area of shared services for well over a decade and we will continue to pursue these opportunities moving forward. Um update on the scoreboard. Special thanks to TJ Rockwell and Jim Smith for their continued work with exploring the best scoreboard replacement for Alumni Stadium. Our current scoreboard is 20 years old and many parts are no longer supported for replacement. Mr. Rockwell will be working over the next 30 days to secure commitments for sponsorship with a goal of offsetting as the majority of the cost as possible. um over the next 10 to 15 years through sponsorships. Um as far as our shared visioning process, Ariana, Alan Kellogg, and I have completed um time with 11 different
009groups, eight different adult groups, and three different student groups. Um it's been very good to hear the voice of all of our stakeholders in those settings. Um a lot of different common themes are starting to present themselves. Our hope is to break down all that information in the next couple months. um work with our business advisory council and um and share out what has come forward as sort of our promises, what makes Perry special, our priorities moving forward and then what our our students need for their future. Uh this is a process. It's not something that we do and 10 years later we re recycle on it. The goal would be every three to five years circle back around with all the stakeholders and and get voices involved there. Um we do have a community
010night this Thursday. Um, we have 31 people that have RSVPd so far. So, we look forward to going through that very similar process with community members on Thursday night in our high school media center. And finally, some athletic highlights. Uh, girls basketball team advanced to the district final for the fourth year in a row, but uh fell to Gilmore Academy 4235. Nonetheless, a great season for our girls. uh swimming, Broaddy Hicks, Noel Griffith, and Traxxton Richards actually in diving for Traxxton advanced to the OSA state uh swim and dive championship for the second year in a row. Brody finished sixth in the state in the 50 freestyle. He graduates this year holding every individual period individual swim event record. Quite an accomplishment, quite a sliver. wrestling won the sectional tournament at Kentston, then followed that
011up with winning our first ever division 2 district championship at Kentston. Uh the following weekend, we advanced four wrestlers in two alternates to the OSAA state wrestling championships. Anthony Trenelli, Chan Schlow, Antonio Spone, Trent Taylor, Landon Rnik, and Dante uh Penko were state qualifiers for the boys. We ended up with three pirates on the podium this past weekend in Columbus. Chance Schlow took third, Trent Taylor seventh, and Anthony Shinelli took eighth. Congratulations to all those qualifiers. As far as girls wrestling, they finished third out of 31 team at sectionals, advancing four girls to the districts and ultimately two on to the state championship. Patty Cornwall and Gigi Dominish were our state qualifiers. Both finished on the podium in fifth place this past weekend in Columbus. And finally, indoor track state championship. Emily Mecher state champion
012was a state champion in shotput at the indoor meet. Hazel Cannonan finished fifth in the 400 meter and Traxxen Richards finished third in pole and six in long jump. Once again, congratulations to all of our athletes uh for their continued success and and representing our school in a in a great manner. So, and this uh this concludes my administrative update. >> Thank you, Mr. Public participation. Um Schultz, >> I was going to go with the second half. That's okay. >> Yep. No problem. Thank you so much. >> Um consent agenda. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Gra. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. M. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pellis for tenants report. >> Thank you. Item A, approval of 2627 phase in schedule. The
013board has asked to approve the 26 27 phas and schedule below for grades preschool through 4 as recommended by the local superintendent director of student services and building principal. Special note here, this is the same uh phase and schedule that we ran this year um with grades one through four, one of them starting one day and the other half starting the next day. And then preschool and kindergarten is what we have followed uh the past several years. Item B, personnel approval of leave of absence in accordance with the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement. Ohio Revised Code and the applicable leave balance. The board is asked to approve leave of individuals listed below as recommended by the local superintendent, director of student services, and building principal. Item C, personnel approval of LPDC member
014change. The board of education has requested to approve the employment changes resulting from the retirement of the individual listed below for the supplemental committee positions indicated for the 2526 school year is recommended by the local superintendent and director of innovation and learning. D personnel approval of appointment curriculum hours. The board has asked to approve the employment of the individuals listed to complete the curriculum work at the rate pay uh the rate of paying $36 per hour and for the maximum number of hours indicated as recommended by the local superintendent and director of innovation and learning. E personnel approval of appointment independent study. The board has asked to approve the employment of the individuals listed for the second semester independent study supplemental position and rate of pay indicated for the 2526 school year is recommended by
015the local superintendent and building principal. F personnel approval of appointment. The board is asked to approve the employment of the individual listed for the position indicated pending successful completion of required employment paperwork, verification of proper lensure, training, and background check as recommended by the local superintendent and director of student services. Um, in that box below, it should say uh that we'd like to add and amend it that there would be an added probationary period that would run from March 17th to June 2nd, 2026, which is a standard part of the negotiated agreement. Item G, personnel approval of appointment non-athletic supplemental 2526. The board is asked to approve the employment of the individuals listed for the 2526 non-athletic supplemental position and rate of pay indicated pending successful completion of required employment paperwork. Verification of proper lensure,
016training and background check is recommended by the local superintendent and building principal. Age approval of appointment non-athletic supplemental 2627. The board is asked to approve the employment of the individual listed for the 2627 non-athletic supplemental position and rate of pay indicated pending successful completion of required employment paperwork verification of proper lensure training and background check as recommended by the local superintendent building principal. I personnel approval of appointment athletic supplementals. The board is asked to approve the employment of the individuals listed for the 2526 athletic supplemental position and rate of pay indicated pending successful completion of required employment paperwork, certification, training, and background check as recommended by the local superintendent and athletic director. J. Approval of appointment prep stipen. The board has asked to authorize a chief financial officer to compensate the certificated licensed teachers listed
017who are entitled to the $1,000 contractual stipen for their work during the 2526 school year as recommended by the local superintendent, chief financial officer, and building principal. K. Personnel approval of appointment head custodians. The board is asked to approve the following employments employees as summer head custodians according to OPC 367 contract article 5.09 as recommended by the director of maintenance and operations and the local superintendent L. Personnel approval of appointment. The board is asked to approve the individuals listed for the summer 2026 position and rate of pay noted pending successful completion of required employment paperwork, certification, training, and background check as recommended by the local superintendent and director of maintenance and operations. M. Personnel approval of appointment substitutes. The board has asked to approve the individuals listed for the 2526 daily substitute position listed as
018recommended by the local superintendent and personnel acceptance of resignation. The board is asked to accept the resignation from the individual listed from the position noted as recommended by a local superintendent. Follow approval of modified exempt employee benefits EEV. The board has asked to approve the updated exempt employee benefits and the uh fis fiscal year 27 through 28 exempt salary schedules as recommended by the local superintendent and chief financial officer. P approval of modified administrative employee benefits AE. The board has asked to approve the updated administrative employees benefits and the 2728 administrative salary schedules as recommended by the local superintendent and chief financial officer. Q approval of policy second reading. The board is asked to adopt the new/revised board policies listed as recommended by the local superintendent. And R approval policy first reading. The board is
019asked to consider the following revised board policy as a first reading for future action as recommended by the local superintendent. Draft policy is available for review below. And this concludes my superintendent report. >> Thank you, Mr. Porcel. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. Mrs. Greger. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yes. >> Mrs. Presley. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Capo. Chief financial officers report. >> Thank you. A. Approval of financial reports. The board is asked to approve the financial reports from February 2026 as recommended by the chief financial officer. B. Tax budget resolution. The board is asked to accept the rates listed below as determined by the Lake County Budget Commission. Authorize the necessary tax levies and authorize the chief financial officer
020to certify them to the county auditor as recommended by the chief financial officer. C contracts and agreements benchmark education. The board has to approve the two-year purchase agreement with benchmark education for Ohio required HQIM leading curriculum at Perry Middle School. Perry local schools has entered into will will enter an agreement with Ben education for $16,233 for fifth grade ELA has budgeted from the curriculum budget and recommended by the director of innovation and learning in the chief financial officer to meet acceptance of grant funds. The board is asked to accept the following grant funds and approve the appropriations for such grants to be placed in the indicated indicated accounts as recommended by a chief financial officer. And this concludes my chief financial officer's report. Thank you, Migl. Is there a motion to approve? >> Some second.
021>> Any discussion? >> The tax rates are just something we approve every year based on >> Yeah, it's the tax budget we approved in January. It just was certified by the the budget commission. >> Okay. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Light, >> yes. >> Mrs. Per, >> yes. >> Mrs. Ci, >> yes. Mrs. Grego, >> yes. Any unfinished business? Any new business? We did have a resignation of our rec board representative. So, we will need to decide how we're going to move forward with that, if we're going to accept um applications again or if we're just going to go because it was that long that we had applications. So, I don't know if anyone had any thoughts. can reach out to the people that applied before. >> Do you want to open it up
022and try to have a >> I had someone reach out to me because these are public knowledge. >> Yeah. >> And it was a previous representative you guys had. I think Jesse, you had nominated him. Tom had >> um had reached out and said he would like to serve back on it. >> Okay. >> I told him that I would discuss bring it to your everybody's attention tonight. >> Yeah. We had another applicant as well. So, I think if I think if we like open it up and make a decision at the next meeting, >> I think that that would be some time for people to decide if they were interested and then we could move forward then if anyone >> we had probably three or four people. >> A few so far now that
023have just heard about it. So, I'd like it it's fair if people know. >> So, for Monday next meeting. >> Yeah. When is our >> So, we have next Monday is our a work session or until April 13th which is our next regular meeting. So it's I mean when's the next board meeting? >> Not sure but >> yeah because it's right after fall festival. So it's going to be the first Monday. So it'll be the first Monday in April is it would be April 6th I think then. >> Yeah. I think it's best not to rush it though. So let's give it and if if we get an onslaught of things before the next meeting we're ready to make a decision then we can. And if >> you know if not >> how do you
024want to communicate? >> So can we communicate like on our whatever Mr. K thinks is appropriate what we've done in the past and then we could put it out there to you know I think asking for a week or so is probably >> so via parent square and social media >> wherever people and we just did communication survey so we know we know where people like to get their information from hide those things. >> Okay. Um, where are we? Correspondence and announcements. There will be no cl no classes held March 30th to April 6th for spring break. The next regular board of education meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 13th, 2026 at 5:45 p.m. in the Car Center conference room. We didn't have any communications or anything to support the board and um public participation.
025Thank you. Um, good evening members and board of education. I understand that the data center developer has proposed to you all purchasing a walking path eastment located on Champion Farms property and in exchange the developer has um reportedly offered funding equivalent to some of the things our district wants. scoreboard uh hearing aids in the classrooms and after reviewing the district's most recent five-year fin forecast including both the favorable and unfavorable scenarios uh showing the projected deficit spending. I believe that the prop proposal deserves some thoughtful consideration. Constructing and maintaining a walking path is not simply a onetime cost for our district. It would require ongoing liability insurance, construction funding, maintenance, and long-term o operational oversight. Additionally, there could be some required additional costs relative to what they have to do for the areas affected by
026the wetlands, the drainage ditches, and the water features. specifically permits that might have to be engaged to the US Army Corps of Engineers as well as a couple of uh EPA permits that would need to be pulled. Um, these costs typically fall on the person installing these enhancements and they can be extremely costly and my fear is that using education tax dollars for the recreational infrastructure during a time when the district is projecting financial challenges could understandably raise some concerns for taxpayers. In addition, I think that our community is very fortunate to already have excellent outdoor resources including Lake Erie Bluffs, Elite Park, Lake Nature Reservation, Bey Landing, Union Point, Blair Landing, the outdoor wide to name a few. And all of these are providing the residents with excellent opportunities, resources, and walking trails. So
027in accepting this easement proposal or at least entering into fair negotiations about the same school district while demonstrating a positive first step in um establishing a constructive relationship with the developer. This would also serve as a financial a small financial windfall to our district. Building that relationship with a developer early could help facilitate some really meaningful discussions about the future pilot program which is the payment glue of taxes program that they are currently working on and it's is my understanding should be available shortly. This could play an important role in supporting our district's long-term financial stability as well as the educational opportunities for our students. So, I just ask you all to please seriously consider this and thank you for your time and your continued service to our students and families. >> Thank you. >>
028Okay. Is there anything else? >> Um, just as an aside, we don't typically go back and forth in public participation. It's more of a, you know, hear your concerns and we reach out later. But I do know that there has been some misinformation out there. So, I just want to correct some of the information that's been out there. Um, the 5-year forecast is always going to show that there's a deficit in the next few years. If you look back at the 2024 forecast, I think it was, it showed that we would be in deficit spending this year. So, it's always a tool that we use in moving forward and making our decisions and where we're going to spend our money and staffing and all the things that we're going to spend money on to keep
029the district solvent. Um, I know that a lot of times it comes up and it can look a little bit scary as far as whether you know it's it's in the red in a couple years, but that it is a tool. So, we have some time to adjust. And there are also some factors that we're not allowed to consider into that. So, we're not allowed to consider any retirement than that. Um, we're not allowed to factor in. There are some legal issues that we can't I mean, Miss Cable can speak a little bit better to it and she'd probably be happy for the conversation. >> Yeah, we can only put in what we know right now, not what we might do or plan to do. So any addressing, you know, that would come won't be
030until it's actually been accomplished. So if you look back even like 22, 21, some of those years, it showed deficit spending in all five years. And we always managed to balance the budget going forward. And so it's important even though it looks like it's deficit spending, we're not like in dire straits necessary. >> Yeah. And and the other thing was and I think that it came across maybe in our minutes in didn't quite translate as as the conversation was in the meeting with the favorable versus unfavorable forecast. It's um there were we're always Mrs. Capo is always financially conservative. So there's a best case scenario and a worst case scenario. And so our looking at that our discussion had been we want to keep the community informed but we don't want to unnecessarily alarm anyone.
031And sometimes if if we come out and say let's go with an unfavorable one and it we know it's going to cause shock to the community and it's not likely to happen but we can prepare for it and know it's possible while simultaneously putting out our conservative forecast. So we're aware of both possible scenarios but we don't want to unnecessarily like these things happen every two years we're in the bianual budget talking about finances and the worst case could happen and and the best case could happen. So, we want to be mindful of it without constantly saying like, "Oh my gosh, the sky is falling." So, that's something to keep in mind because I I felt like that didn't really translate through our meeting minutes maybe as accurately as the discussion had been. Does anyone
032feel any differently about that? >> And I think across the state, you're going to see a lot of things happening, you know, with the property tax things and all the things that we're talking about. We're always mindful of that and the impact and the potential impact of the school. And you know, we're looking around us at a lot of districts going through levies and and and really like I mean neighboring districts that are really in dire financial situations. So we are mindful of that and and we do keep an eye on things and we've been communicating with the village monthly um having meetings and discussing you know where things are with the data center, discussing pilot programs, discussing the impacts that things could have on the school. So, it's something we're very actively involved in
033and just um wanted to point that out like make sure that that's clear that the five-year forecast I mean they've even just changed some of the laws with it of things and and things that have to be factored into it. >> Right. So, >> this year has been fun. >> Yeah. So, it's it's a little bit even more conservative than it has been in the past, but we certainly we are >> I just like to present it just so that the board is aware like this is a possibility, not a likely possibility. Perhaps we should have been more clear about that. Yeah, we said um >> we've had very, you know, success with being able to continue that freeze and we're confident that we'll be able to continue to work with our state team to
034minimize any any damage there. We do appreciate though like the other considerations and people coming out and speaking to what's on their mind and and giving us that additional perspective. So, thank you so much. That was like one of the big things when it was presented talking with the school board. Every single one of us wanted to fund it in a creative way and work with, you know, TJ and find ways instead of just looking at that and just writing a check immediately. We all feel just like you've said is so critically important that not only the children we have today, but the children we're going to have four years from now and five years from now. And I don't want to think about that because my kids all start crying because they're not going
035to be little anymore. But we are all cognizant of that. So I very much appreciate it. Okay. Um everyone anyone else? Okay. Um pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 121.22G2. I move that the board adjourn to executive session for the purpose of considering the sale of property at competitive bidding since disclosure at this time would give an unfair competitive or bargaining advantage to persons whose personal private interests are adverse to the general public interest. Is there a second? Second roll call, please. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ga. >> Yes. Mr. Lake. >> Yes. There will be no um formal actions after executive session.