001Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> 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. >> At the beginning of each meeting, we like to go over our district's mission and vision. Our mission is to create a culture of academic excellence through inclusive and innovative learning opportunities for the whole child and our vision is to empower all learners to reach their full potential in a globally competitive world. Can I please get a motion and a second for the approval of the agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you Mr. Harris for your motion. Thank you Dr. Stager for your second. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Mr. Harris, >> I.
002>> Dr. Stager, >> I. >> Mr. Valent. >> Dr. James. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Bidder. >> I. >> Can I please get a motion and a second for the approval of the minutes? >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Balant, for your second. U Mrs. Logan, there's a there is a executive session. Um, it says that it started at six, but it started at five. It's in like the fourth paragraph. >> Okay, that would be the only correction that I saw. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. James, >> I. >> Mr. Balant. >> Mr. Harris, >> Dr. Stagger, >> hi. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I. >> Next item is public participation. Mrs. Logan, do we have any public participation this evening? >> We do. Um, the first
003person who has signed in is Don Neon. Hello, I'm Donnie Neon. I'm a resident of Montgomery and my daughter attends Montgomery Elementary. Um, first off, thank you all both to the administration, uh, and the board for the work that you all do. Um I just wanted to come here tonight to express some concerns about what happened last week uh particularly with the lockdowns that I want to understand what the process will be reviewing kind of security and security resources moving forward in light of the fact that there is this ice facility that is apparently much more active than it has been in the past. Um so my my first concern is that during the lockdown um students were placed in lockdown soft lockdown is my understanding. Um and when you're in an area with a
004bunch of police activity the risks of say an accidental discharge or purposeful discharge or violence escalating amongst law enforcement and some other people out there are high. Uh, and so I would ask the board and the district to review the policies for when there is a large law enforcement presence or a multi- agency response. Is it appropriate to move those children away from exterior windows and into interior places where they would be less likely to be harmed from an accidental discharge or a purposeful discharge? Bullets can travel a long distance. Um, and I I'm not sure that given kind of the evolving and unknowns that uh happen in a situation like that that being cautious or less conservative or more conservative with the disruption is the best course. So, I just ask the board to
005review that policy. My second concern um is the fact that students were released from lockdown schools to attend the Veterans Day event. I am a veteran and I'm flattered and appreciate the support of the district uh and students, but that to me is not an appropriate risk. Uh when there is enough risk to place the school in a lockdown, uh to me it seems like even if we have fairly certain information about where we think the danger is, if if we're still at a threshold of being in a lockdown, that tells me that it's probably not a safe uh or risk-free decision to send students out of the building during a lockdown. Um, and I also as part of that process would like to make sure to the extent possible the public can understand what
006the decision-making processes are during lockdowns and how they move from different phases of lockdowns. Um, and then my third comment is in light of the information of this facility. I understand it's been there for quite a long time. Um but certainly both the usage and risk profile has greatly changed as more and more people are moved from say Butler County down through this facility or from other facilities. Number of people transiting that area has greatly increased >> 30 seconds. So >> thank you. >> Just letting you know. >> Um and so I think this is now a realized risk. This is no longer potential. This has happened and the likelihood of it happening again is increasing. Not to mention the perspective risks and disruption that protest encounter protests at that intersection in front of BH
007Green will pose. So I'd ask the board to carefully review your procedures um and work with the administration uh to come up with a plan to deal with this uh situation uh and apply any pressure you can to agencies responsible to change their operations. I namely I would ask you to contact your federal representatives uh state government liance um and whatever federal liance we have with the agency to pressure them to change their operations, change their activity at that location. It is nonpartisan common sense issue. We should not be having an ICE facility processing detainees point4 miles away from a school. >> Y thank you. >> Thank you. >> And I believe Ellen Owens has also signed up. Ellen Holmes, uh, 7330 Lane. Um, I will, uh, back up. Don, I didn't know he was
008going to be here. I, we both just left Montgomery City Council. We were asking them to not uh, participate with ICE if possible. The law has not gone through the state yet that mandates that. But my real concern like Don is we he asked if possibly this facility can be moved. I think it is very dangerous to have it so close to the schools. I mean I absolutely agree and I hadn't thought of that until he said it at the Montgomery City Council. But I wonder and I I really think it should not be so close to schools and that's all I really have to say. I think it should be moved and I don't know what uh the school uh the board has what power they have but I'm going to speak at Blue
009Ash too and see. I just think it's an excellent update and I thank you for listening. >> Thank you. Thank you. We have any other public particip one more person um sign up Sarah Ter, but I do not believe that she has >> probably >> Yeah. So um and that was the only other person that that signed up. That's it. Okay. Our next item on the agenda is um do you can I please get a motion and a second? Actually, I don't really want to have a motion in a second, but can I get a motion, a second, please, to approve the resignation of our treasur and CFO? >> So moved. Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Balant, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Harris, for your second. So, I would like to take a moment
010to share a few words about my resignation. Um, as many of you know, I had already retired when I began my service here. And from the start, we understood that this would be not be a long-term employment situation. Even so, this has been an incredibly meaningful chapter for me, and I'm grateful for the trust that you have placed in me. I also want everyone to know that me leaving this position does not present a crisis for this district. We have a highly capable fiscal office team and an excellent partnership with our operations team as a whole. Together, we have intentionally strengthened the structure of the office, built durable practices and procedures, and modernized our processes so the work will continue seamlessly no matter who sits in this seat. Sustainability and continuity have guided our efforts
011and those foundations are firmly in place. I'm not going to shy away from acknowledging that the district has important work ahead. A new levy request will be forthcoming, but it's something we've been preparing for and discussing for more for over a year. We've taken the time to hold financial retreats to engage consultants and experts to dive deeply into our capital projects needs. We reaffirmed our financial spending parameters and elevated the transparency of our financial reporting to the community. We have also stayed current with the complex and involving legislative environment around property tax relief and we've been proactive in our advocacy. In short, the district is informed, prepared, and positioned well for what comes next. As for me, I will be transitioning into a role that allows me more flexibility while still supporting public education. I
012will be working as a consultant focusing on mentoring and supporting school treasurers, providing coaching and serving districts in interim or treasure record roles when needed. It's work that aligns with my experience and also gives me time to spend with my family. What gives me the greatest confidence in stepping into this next chapter is the team here. The people in our fiscal office, in our operations division, in our leadership and across this district, they're exceptional. I believe in them completely and I know the work will continue at a high level. I am more than happy to support the transition in any way that is helpful and to continue to be a resource in the future. I have friends here and I truly care about the people who make Sycamore such a special place. This district is
013doing amazing things for students. The student opportunities that this community values and provides are envied across the state. I believe that commitment will continue and that generations of students will benefit from the work being done today. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this district. It has been my honor. Thank you. We were incredibly fortunate to secure Mrs. Logan as our financial chief even after her initial retirement. Her decades of proven leadership and commitment to long-term fiscal stability have left us in an excellent position and will allow us to have a successful transition. We're thankful for her dedicated service to the district and to our taxpayers. And on a personal note, uh Mrs. Logan, I just want you to know that we appreciate everything that you've done for this district. It has been
014an honor to work with you. Um, and I really appreciate always being a person that I can go to to ask questions, to get guidance from, and as a very calm voice on this on this team. So, thank you. >> And uh, like to take a quite a personal privilege to say the same thing to reiterate those things. I don't think you often get a chance to get thanked in public in front of a lot of people. And so, I'd just like to say thank you to Jenny. good luck in your future and uh we appreciate all you've done. Thank you. >> Denny, I just want to add most people have no clue what the treasurer does every >> running fiscally and you keep us strong fiscally. um you know you came into the district
015several years ago, we were in a good place and you made us better and I think anybody who comes into any organization it makes it a better place when they leave should be very proud of the work that they did. Um and I agree you have built a very strong team underneath you. Um and you know only good things will continue at Sycamore. So from a personal standpoint I'll miss working with you. I'll miss your knowledge base. Uh, from a professional standpoint, we're still in good hands and I'm very confident about the future of our of our financial office. Um, and I wish you and your family nothing but the best and I'm a little envious that you're going to be spending more time in North Carolina. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Logan, I just
016wanted to say from the comments I get from the public about you is the biggest thank you from people about making the financials approachable to the everyday person. Um, so many people have reached out and said, you know, I'm going to say thank you for making sure it's accessible to everyone and being willing to answer questions and just being a calm hand in the office has been really nice to have you around. So, thank you so much. And since we're leaving together, it's going yeah make a little bit easier for me than others. So, thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thank you, Miss Logan, for your contributions. not only to the district but people in the state look to you for advice and guidance. That has to feel good for you. For us, it feels even
017better because we knew that the state legislators were hearing from a knowledge base, a real deep knowledge base about school funding. I cannot thank you enough for the contributions that you've made to this district and to the state and we hope that you will stick around in terms of helping us and supporting us uh any way possible. We're going to uh count on that. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. And I just want to say from our administrative team, our executive team, we have learned so much from watching you operate and kind of all the professional things that we're responsible for and some of the things that I think uh you made us better at and um I think I can speak for our whole team is that we
018are better because you came here and spent time with us. you taught us um what's important and one of the things that I always envied about you is every time we had a difficult decision to make you said what's the impact to students and staff and I think that's the legacy that you leave here is um and all over the state is that the students and their education has been at the focus of all of your advocacy efforts um and your continued advocacy efforts because you're not going away um you're just going to work in a different role. We all have your phone number. So, we don't plan on not calling you. Um, and you know, I I'll just say for me personally, um, I've learned so much um, just about being a high level
019executive from you and, uh, I will be a better leader because of working alongside you. So, um, thank you for everything you've done. >> Thank you. >> Once an aviator, always an aviator. >> Yes, that's right. That's right. Thank you. >> Okay. So now you have to call the on your own. >> Call the >> Mr. Balance. >> Hi. >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi. >> Dr. James. >> I. >> Dr. Seager. >> A reluctant. I >> Mrs. Bidder. >> I. >> Thank you. >> Can I please get a actually we don't have a motion on this one. Next item is the superintendent's agenda and we're going to talk about um first >> I think he's got a ladies can >> Oh, there's another. Oh, yeah. Sure. >> Absolutely. >> For publication if >> Oh, sure.
020Yeah, we can do another participation. Sure. >> Okay. Gotcha. Hi, my name's Never done this before. I'm Sarah Troy. Um, my daughters go to Maple Dale. I'm on Dear Shadow Lane. Um, I'm late because I was actually at the Montgomery Council meeting. You guys have probably heard this before, but um, I'm a worried parent after the lockdown and um, there were quite a few people, which I'm thankful for, asking them to keep our schools safer than what they were last week. um asking them for a response. So, I love you guys. I love the school. I love that you educate my daughters. Um I was a little unsettled when some of the kids were let out of the lockdown that I heard from some of my neighbors and I know that this is new territory
021for the schools. So, um I hope to hear a response from you guys as well. And I really encourage I live in Montgomery so I encourage them to respond. I mean, not to sometimes it feels like it's blown off. Um, that they don't they don't want to be partisan. They don't want to get political. They don't want to Yeah. Um, so we're definitely worried and I'm looking forward to hearing more how you guys are keeping our kids safe and I appreciate everything that you've done. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> And Gina, is it Daily? >> Thank you. in a day. Um, I want to start by thanking you all. You work very, very hard. I know you have a lot and I appreciate it. Um, and I also want to thank you for
022always keeping our kids safety at the forefront. Is fantastic at that. Hands down. The communication is always very, very good. Um, I hate that there are lockdowns, but when there are, I I appreciate that the communication is there. Um, I'm I'm actually coming from the Montgomery City Council meeting. There were about 12 of us who got up and spoke about what happened last week um with ICE and the community and um asking all everybody to come together to put pressure to move the ice facility away from schools. It ICE has no business being anywhere near any school anywhere anywhere in the country. It's ridiculous that that we could potentially have many many lockdowns over the next however many years. And lockdowns are terrifying. I mean, they are terrifying to the children. They are terrifying to
023parents, the staff. There's I I we we're asking Montgomery City Council, Blue Ash City Council. We're asking Sycamore School Board. We're asking Brett Lansman. like just please figure out how to put the pressure on somebody to move the ICE office away from the schools. And that being said, I'm asking you, I don't have children at Sycamore anymore. my last one graduated in May. But for the for on behalf of everybody else who does have children still here, um you may already have this, I don't know, but if you don't, make sure that there's some protocol that is very clear and handed out to all the parents so that we know exactly what happens if ICE comes on property, if I knocks on the door of any of the schools, if ICE demands to see a
024staff member, a teacher, a student, whatever. um just how are we going to keep our community safe? That's that's the main thing. And I know safety is a big deal. So just make sure there is a protocol and that it is well established and everybody knows what it is and I already you know they're already in Cincinnati and I anticipate it's just going to get worse and we're a magnet. We have kids from 40 countries. We have a lot of kids who can't speak English. >> 30 sec 30 seconds. >> Okay, I'm done. No, I'm just letting you know. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And please just keep doing best job possible and please just keep our kids our community safe, including their families. And thank you guys. >> Thank you, >> Mrs.
025Bidder. >> I know we don't typically comment, but there was something that Mrs. Daly pointed out that I just I want to affirm that we do have a plan. uh we we have distributed information to all of our administrators. They are very well aware of how they're supposed to handle it via board policy and um guidance from our legal counsel. Um we'll have to discuss with our legal counsel if that's something we're willing to res release to the public um and to our community, but I just wanted to reassure you that we do have a plan. Um we do uh talk about this plan and we've actually had um some conversations with our administrators leading into this school year about how they would handle such a thing. So, but I appreciate you bringing that concern
026forward and if you're talking about it who doesn't even have students in school anymore, then that means there's concern in our community and we'll have to talk about what communication we need to get out to share with our families and our constituents. So, but I appreciate all of you that have spoken so far, but um you hit a couple of things that I just really wanted to make sure we didn't let any of you leave here without hearing that. So, appreciate you indulging me and letting me stop in there. >> And I I I will also just add to what you just said. You you have shared that with community members several months ago. So, this is this and has been in place for several months. So, it isn't something that we have publicly made
027available to everyone in our community, but it has been in place for several months and we have consulted with legal counsel um in advance. So, I just want to remind you of that. Um so, maybe we can work on how to communicate that. >> And Mrs. Daily, as someone that doesn't have kids in our schools, this is off topic, but I would love to pick your brain on how do we stay connected to the community members that no longer have connections in our, you know, natural connections through athletics or events or activities. So, would love to pick your brain at some point. Yeah, >> Logan, do we have any have one more? Uh, Jean Phillips. Um, I'm here because because of the ICE incident last week, I wondered how our district was going to be
028dealing with it and all, but now that it's here, >> can you come over this? >> Sure. >> And we don't we're not going to publicly comment on anything else. We just did that as a rarity, but >> Well, that's great. >> And you have three minutes and then just stand there so that people on the camera can see you as you're being >> address. >> Yeah. And tell us your name again. Phips and I live at 7604 Trail Drive. My kids have both gone through the district. We love you guys. We love the school. You know, so grateful so grateful for you guys serving and doing all of this. Um so that that ice incident did and the lockdowns brought up the concern of the facility being so close to our schools and um
029so I'm just putting that out there to you guys that it is really scary to think the impact that if there's multiple lockdowns what that will have on our children who are in our schools who need to learn. Um what I was and then the other thing that we just came from this Montgomery City Council meeting is that there's just concern because our district our kids trust our police like they have good relationships with our police and we're just there's a lot of concern if police starts aiding ICE because of the violence kind of that we've seen with that and it's tricky because like they just pointed out at that other meeting it's such a partisan issue right like how do you but I don't hopefully our police can be involved or not be involved,
030but that we can keep all these relationships going because they help us at the Sycamore schools, too. But what I wondered about was with our protocols, um, and thank you for mentioning we had them. There were a couple of specific things that I've had in my mind for a while, but like is the warrant when they come in, do they have to stay in the administrative offices? like some schools they can I think go into the school but do they have to stay in the administrative offices and then do they have to have the a warrant I'm sure I know they have to have a warrant and I'm sure we have that standard but is it the complete name because evidently sometimes they will ask some there's just different standards I've read some schools have
031different standards with do they have to say the complete name can the administrators help them with the names and things like that um and then just if they're outside, what are our what are the legalities and this with them being outside school and you know we all are just mortified by the thought of parents or children who have color >> in their skin being removed from cars in front of our children who are you know we try to have healthy good spirit and how do we protect everybody from that stuff? So thank you. >> Thank you. Q Logan. Do we have any additional? That was the last one. Okay. The next item is the superintendent's agenda and we have a discussion of policy first read for the 6,000s which is our um these are our
032financial policies. Mrs. Logan, would you like to just give us a general? >> Sure. Um Mr. level kind of explained at the last meeting how we're going through each section to um in our transition process to fully look through like this includes all of the 6,000. So, we have reviewed all of the financial policies and they're before you as a first read. As he mentioned though, we're not planning on doing like a first read and a second read with an approval. um we'll do several reads and then the approval at the end al together. So they're before you tonight as a first read. I know it's a lot but if there's any of these that um you want to have further discussion on please reach out to us. It's a process um and we'll get
033there but I know it's a lot. >> Thank you. I still like that we're using on the first one the use of the faximile signature. >> I know like Yes. >> Sorry. >> Seem very outdated but um Yes. >> Okay. Well, we will um I think that's a good I think that's our plan was to reach out individually have questions because there are so many of them >> and these are not being approved at this time. These are first read, second read, but not being approved until next year at a much later date. So, this is a great opportunity for you to review them before you and then next >> That's right. That was our goal was to get through all of the financial policies. >> Okay. All right. So then um the next one
034is discussion of policy for the 3000s. Um does anybody if you want to any this would be our second read for this section and we did talk about this at the last meeting. >> So if anybody has any questions on this these are again not being approved >> but >> these were reaching out to Mr. level if you had questions. >> And just for our community at home, 3000s means professional staff. >> So that all the policies around professional staff. >> Okay, I'm going to go ahead to the next one because this one is uh we are now at a second read. So can I get a motion and a second for the second read and approval of policy? >> So moved. >> Thank you. Okay. >> Thank you, Mr. Valent. And thank you Dr.
035James for your second. And these are the three uh that we've discussed with Mr. Levelville at the last meeting and the meeting four actually because they were added. >> Yeah. And these are the ones that there is some urgency around getting these approved. >> That's why we're taking these up. >> Policy. Yeah. Policy 5136 personal communication devices. just basically guidelines when students may possess or use personal communication devices, clarifies restrictions, privacy expectations, disciplinary responses, and exceptions. So, it it reflects our current practice and there may be upcoming legislation that affects it, but for now, as written, this reflects our practice. Uh policy 8305 information security outlines data classification expectations, cyber security protocols, annual staff certification requirements and procedures for breach reporting, vendor compliance, and ransomware events. And then policy 8640 uh transportation for non-rine trips
036defines vehicle driver and supervision requirements for field trips and other district sponsored travel outside regular routes. notes when exceptions require superintendent approval. >> Superintendent designate approval as I looked down. Mrs. Lawson. >> So those are the policies for >> that we um I know that we talked about all these policies in our last meeting. Um, I did I will say that um a couple I actually attended a transportation um training at the Ohio School Board Association and I noticed thankfully to see in here that it says for approved drivers. Um it was reiterated that our drivers are approved to drive buses or to drive vans or both. But um that is clearly in the Neola policy which is excellent. >> Yes. And um as it would be, of course, we would have it there. But
037um does anyone have any questions on any of those three policies? >> Yeah. >> Anything? >> Just a reminder also to everyone once the all NELA policies are put in place, the student handbook will also follow suit to follow the policies. Just so everyone remembers that in the public before you ask the questions. Okay. Um, Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Mr. Ballot, >> I. >> Dr. Jane, >> hi. >> Mr. Harris, >> hi. >> Dr. Seager, >> hi. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I. Can I please get a motion, a second for approval of recision of policies? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Harris, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Ballot, for your second. And just so people know, this is taking away old policies that have just been passed for
038the new policies. So that recision means to take away. I looked that word up over the weekend, >> so I knew it. >> It means to take take away. >> Yes, >> good job. We already passed policies for Neiola for these policies. So now we have two. >> Yes. >> We have to take away these policies because otherwise we have two policies. We we are also at the next board meeting. We have reached out to legal counsel because what we're worried about is are there other policies that we're not sure of that need to be rescended. So, um, we're going to be bringing forward to you at the next board meeting a resolution that would say that that if we miss one, that the ones that we are adopting will be the ones that take
039precedence even if we forget to resend one. So, that's coming forward at the next board meeting. >> Yep. >> Okay. and it would be okay to do that even though we haven't approved voted and approved the NEOA policies. So, as we're approving them, because we do have some that are more urgent than others, like the three that we're doing tonight, but as an example, if there's a policy that um that we might forget to resend, we believe that it's necessary to have that blanket resolution that kind of covers us. We'll still plan to do the recision of the policies as we go along, but we just thought a blanket or a a blanket resolution to just kind of cover us in case we'd forget >> and it wouldn't trigger unless we pass a resol or
040we pass a policy that actually was there were two in it. There were two. So, for example, in this case, we have a we're doing a recision of four policies. Um, two of which we just actually passed tonight. >> So, yes, the other two passed last time. So, that automatically resends those. >> Right. >> Okay. >> All right. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Mr. Harris, >> I. >> Mr. Balant. Dr. James. Dr. Seager. Mrs. Bidder. I can I please get a motion and a second for approval of an agreement with Thompson Reuters. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James, for your motion. Dr. Steer for your second. >> And just really quick, this is a um program that we use to help us with residency verifications. It's proven to be
041very valuable. >> Thank you. >> Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. James, >> hi. >> Dr. Stagger. >> Hi. >> Mr. Balant. >> I. >> Mr. Harris. >> I. >> Mrs. Bidder. >> I. Can I please get a motion and a second for approval of purchase of chairs for the Sycamore High School auditorium? >> So moved. Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Balot, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Harris, for your second. >> As someone that sits in that auditorium frequently, I'm very excited about this opportunity to have all new seating. Uh, and you know, people forget, you still hear hear people say the new theater at the high school. >> The new theater is 20 plus like probably I think 25 years old roughly about. So, it's time for some new seating. So,
042>> when will this occur? >> If I had to guess, knowing how busy that theater is, it's going to have to be a very small window in the summer. >> Summer. That's what I expected. Yeah. >> Okay. >> And this will replace all of the Yes. I asked that same question because I was really shocked that that was it >> because I was like is this everything and Mark said yes. So Mr. Zimly said yes. I I was very impressed with the price that he was able to secure and >> we've worked with Farnum Equipment Company uh in the past and they're a good company. So very excited for the project. >> Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Mr. Balant. Hi. >> Mr. Harris. Hi. >> Dr. James. Hi. Dr. Steer. Hi. >> Spitter.
043I can I please get a motion a second for out of town field trip approval? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Balant, for your second. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. James, >> I. >> Mr. Ballot, >> hi. >> Mr. Harris, >> hi. >> Dr. Seager, >> hi. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I um Mr. Lewis, he's other here. >> There's too much going on. not to have another that's that's my bad. That's probably my oversight. So, um just a couple of things. We did a ask us anything session uh last week. There were about 90 people on it. Um so, um I think that's pretty successful. We'll certainly look at doing that again uh very soon. And I think I would tell the
044community stay tuned because we're going to be coming to you a lot with things that we need to educate you on and get you prepared uh for um you know there could be a lot of changes at the state legis with state legislation over the next 24 to 48 hours. So you know that it really could impact public schools uh dramatically. So um we will be prepared to be um in conversation talking about going out into the community. Uh we're going to talk to the community about healthier school start times. Um December 4th is going to be the in-person session. Currently it's scheduled at Summit Park in their community room. Um if for some reason we got a sense that we're going to have more than 60 people there, then we'll move it somewhere back
045in the district. But we tried to think of somewhere centrally located where maybe more people uh would come. Um but we'll see what what the interest is. And then on December 11th, there'll be a virtual option. So, um, the community may be aware, we sent it out, um, we sent a letter, uh, all of the Hamilton County superintendents and treasures. Actually, I just saw it covered on the news multiple times that uh we all signed a letter talking about the dramatic impact of um some of the I'll just say poor legislative decisions that they're making and the impact on public schools, the negative impact on public schools and how catastrophic it could be for uh some of the school districts. So, uh, we were happy to join our colleagues in supporting that effort and, um,
046we will continue our conversations with legislators and, uh, building those connections. Um, the hard thing for Sycamore, our local legislators are all against these changes, but that's not the, um, majority of the state right now. So, u, but we will not stop our work. We will continue to uh advocate for not only Sycamore but all of public education because it's critically important. Um tonight we had a national honor society induction at the high school. 159 students being inducted tonight. >> Wow. >> So that just tells you again our students are doing phenomenal things. Uh the junior high had their performance uh last week. It's all Greek to me. It was an amazing performance. Uh the students did a great job. And I I will say every time I get to go in that theater, it
047makes you feel good that we have such great facilities for our students to uh perform in. So, just a reminder, too. Um I'm sure I don't have to remind the students, but parents, uh the kids are all yours next week. Um we have a staff professional uh learning day on Monday and then uh the remainder of the week uh no students and no schools. So I hope everyone has a safe uh break over the holidays and get to spend time with family and friends and loved ones and um remind the students what it's all about is you know being being grateful and showing gratitude um to everyone around you. So, um, last thing, I just want to thank the board, and I know you're going to talk about it, but I just want to thank
048the board for a great OSBA conference and, um, your engagement, and I know it's an intense couple of days with lots of activities and events and things for us to do, but it was a great time building connections with all of you. So, thank you again for that. And, Mr. GZnell, thank you for being there. It was great to uh spend that time with you and looking forward to getting to know you uh more as we work together. So, thank you for allowing me to have an other non-aggenda item. >> Thank you. Please get a motion and a second for the personnel consent agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Harris, for your second. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. James, >> I.
049>> Mr. Harris, >> hi. >> Mr. Balant, >> hi. Dr. Steager, Mrs. Bidder, >> I can I please get a motion, a second for approval of October 2025 monthly financial report. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. Steer, for your motion. Thank you, Dr. Dan, for your second. >> So, uh, once again, Brody and I are going to tag team tonight. Um, it's going to be a brief conversation, but we're going to start. I know Christian's gonna uh pull up a a calendar that I've put together, but um our report tonight is focusing on the month end for October 2025, which is the first quarter uh or the first month of the second quarter of our fiscal year. Um, so just to kind of I I think it's worth repeating when we look at our financial
050report every month, what it does is it takes a look at we are basically looking at our five-year forecast every month. We're taking a look at what did we estimate, what actually has occurred, what is that variance um compared to last year um and what are the explanations where do we think we're on target basically. So um and we review those variances and then of course we we go over any questions that you might have. So, I thought tonight would be a good time also as we reflect what have we what have we approved, what have we looked over um and achieved so far this fiscal year, and then what do we have ahead of us? So, this arrow basically presents a year at a glance for the fiscal year for 2026. So, I'm going
051to start back in June. So, at our June 25th board meeting, you approved temporary appropriations, which is your budget for the year. Then on September 17th, you approved permanent appropriations. You finalized that budget. Then October 8th, you approved the financial forecast and you also reaffirmed financial parameters which set um the spending growth, the maximum spending growth um on average for the next five years at 3.5%. Moving forward in January, you're going to have the tax budget to approve, which used to not mean much of anything, but now it means a lot. And we're going to talk about that with some of the legislative stuff that Mr. Harris is going to go over during the legislative update and what has actually happened just even today. Then in February, you're going to look at the forecast again
052and you're going to do an updated forecast. Then in March, you're going to accept the rates and amounts, which are the millage rates that will come back from the county budget commission after they look at your tax budget. Then in June, you're going to approve the final appropriations for this year. You're going to approve temporary appropriations for the fiscal year 2027. And I added something on there. Um, you know, we've talked a lot about possible levy. If you're looking at a levy for November of 26, I would recommend that you would put that first resolution on in June, which would be a resolution of necessity, and you would really set the the terms of what that levy ask is going to look like. So, I thought this was worthwhile to just kind of put on
053that calendar. So, um, before turning it over to Mr. Buren, uh, I wanted to also just state that our current cash position remains strong at 47.4 million, representing approximately 44% of annual expenditures and 155 days of cash on hand. It is well above the board's minimum target in policy of 25%. So, now Mr. Buren is going to go over the financial um report and Mr. Long if you could. Yeah, >> it's all you now Brody. >> All right. Thank you. Good evening. We do have the first, you know, the slide that bears our bing forecast which Mr. Logan said, you know, we will update in February. >> Um so we can go ahead and flip to the revenues. Uh so for the revenues, I bet there's going to be questions on that 28.5% increase. And
054this is where although we did anticipate that there was going to be an 18% increase in state revenue with the new banium budget, uh we now believe that that was a little bit uh too conservative in that estimate. >> Um you know, with October that that October number two payment is significant. That's when we get our new um that's where we know really where we're going to land. Um, and it turns out that not only were we too conservative, but some of the simulations that the state even had out there was too conservative as well. So now with that payment, we do anticipate our state funding to be around 30% uh more than last year, two and a half million, but that uh does represent about a million more than what we anticipated initially. So
055that will be built into uh February's update. make sure we have enough. >> And is that year-over-year like we would then expect the same next year to to to maintain the same or does that potentially change? >> No, next year we do believe that that would hold true. What I think the the part that has been a little challenging for trying to estimate that number this year is we had a couple of new pieces that they included last minute into the budget which is the enrollment growth supplement which we were eligible for as well as the achievement supplement, student achievement. and we were eligible for both of those with the but they were brand new so we were all kind of trying to figure that out together. Um but we were happy to see that
056they underestimated and we underestimated it. So >> the enrollment growth next year >> um we do we do expect to get it this year and next. What we have projected though in the forecast is that the following year which is a new bienium budget um there are three bianium budgets that are part of the five-year forecast but the next bianium budget because that enrollment growth supplement and the achievement supplement were brand new in this bianium bud budget. We are not projecting that that it would be included in the next bianium budget. I remember you telling us something. >> Yes. So that 1.4 million we we reduce state foundation funding by that in the following year. Thank you. >> Yes. And then on uh the state chair of local property taxes, we will say that we
057did I said last month that we had a delay in that receipt and that just shows that that receipt was posted and we did get that state share of property taxes. Um any other questions on the revenues? Go to the expenditures. Uh so expenditures through October, uh 35.3 million or about 31.6% 6% of annual estimates which is where we would expect to be. Um the personnel costs are tracking as expected. Um I think last time we we stated that September is the September 5th pay is the big pay for not only us but most districts in the state. That's when the uh new new contracts start for the teachers. Um, so when we when we look at wages overall and and we did we did detail out that in July and August as wrapping up
058the the the previous year's contract for teachers, that's that summer stretch pay. Um, so we kind of wanted to pull that out again and look at just September and October. And when we look at all wages for September and October, we're about 2.7% increase over last year. And when we look at the certified salaries, it's only about a 1.2% 2% increase for September and October, which we pulled out that niche last month as well, and that's consistent. Um, we do want to keep our, you know, we we do want to continue uh focus focusing on looking at the personnel cost. Um, and just making sure it aligns with our assumptions, which we did today. And we feel we feel pretty good by looking at >> what our assumptions are and and forecasting that out. And
059then when it comes to to benefits, we did just wrap up open enrollment. Um we will see what the impact of open enrollment was in January because that's when the new premium rates will come into effect. Uh so we'll see, you know, how many we have new enrollies in family plans or whatnot. Then we'll see, you know, we'll see what that effect is or if we didn't have as many sign up and opt out. Uh and then a little bit of that will go with the responsible staffing that we've that we've talked about um just a little bit there. But is there any other questions on the on the expenditure side? >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. Thanks, bro. >> Any other questions? Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr.
060Stagger, >> I. >> Dr. James, >> hi. >> Mr. Ballot, >> hi. >> Mr. Harris, >> hi. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I. Can I please get a motion and a second for donations? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Balot, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Harris, for your second. Thank you very much to everyone who has made donations to Sikor Community Schools. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Mr. Balance. >> Hi. >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi. >> Dr. James. >> Hi. >> Dr. Steager. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Kitter. >> Can I please get a motion and a second >> in accordance with board policy DJF? Motion to approve the payment of prior fiscal year invoice to HGC construction company exceeding $3,000. Salo. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James, for your motion. Thank you,
061Dr. Do you here for your second? >> Exactly what it says. We have an invoice that was presented to us um by HGC that they actually as they were auditing things, they found that they had forgotten to send us an invoice. >> Shucks, they found it um and forwarded it to us. And so because it's a prior fiscal year and we had closed that purchase order, we need to go through this. >> Thank you. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. James. >> Hi, >> Dr. Steager. >> Hi, >> Mr. Balant. >> Hi, >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Bidder. >> Hi. >> It didn't want to move. >> Okay, we're in other board business. Um, thought we could go over some of the highlights of the OSBA capital conference. >> I guess
062I'll just I'll start and then some people just jump in. Okay. Um I we had a really wonderful um Ohio School Board Association training. Our multiple members of our of our administrative team were there and our school board members. I thought it was very u it's a great learning experience for all of us to really get a refresher and updates on what's currently happening in our state. The the the information that we need to know as board members. Um everything is constantly changing and it's it's just such a great opportunity. I think it's excellent program for everyone. Um we divided and conquered. We went to many different um events. Um I think we were able to go to um trainings on navigating school levy minefield to success administrative uh guidelines for discussing financing. Uh we
063had a great um discussion on AI and the impact on schools which I' I found really great. We had a good lunch with the alliance association so that we could get updates to property tax and school funding issues from actual legislators um and other leaders in our state to tell us what we need to be looking for. And then um just really good um discussions on um different laws, recent laws um and legislative issues that are somewhat controversial but also hitting public schools throughout the state of Ohio. And it was it was really in-depth and kind of gave some great feedback on how to manage those types of situations. We also had a sunshine mall um training. we had um managing transportation issues. Transportation is a huge issue now for a lot of school districts
064and funding and I found it I love going to the conferences. So, anyone else want to weigh in? I know I pretty much hopefully said it all, but >> I would agree with you. Um you know, some of us also attended uh sessions around how to be uh more effective as a team, uh build teamwork, um and work together. All right. Okay. Next item was legislative update. Mr. Harris. >> All right. Just going to come. >> So, >> state of Ohio is doing some things. >> So, there are four big bills that I think they were discussing today and either looking to vote on in the next couple of days. Um so house bill uh 335 um would do something would get rid of inside millillage and that's the part of millillage that we get
065property value increases um the amount to this which I thought was really interesting um they say it would cut inside millage the amounts would be 135 million in 2026 250 million in 2027 and 378 million in 2028. eight. Now, that sounds all really good, but this is what local governments depend on to fund schools, police departments, and things like that. And the state is not offering any new money to replace those hundreds of millions of dollars that are going to disappear. Um, so that could really hit schools especially really hard since a majority of your property taxes um goes towards schools. um any um approximation on what that would impact Sycamore? >> So I believe the final version now I I did try I tried to watch um the Senate Local Government Committee meeting today
066where they reviewed all four of these that Mr. Harris mentioned. They both sides proposed amendments and then they tabled and it was hard. It was like a tennis match and it was hard to keep up. But they did pass all of them out of the Senate Local Government Committee. I don't know if they took a vote on the Senate floor today. I apologize, but I know it is moved through. I do know there were some amendments. I believe the final version for 335 will cap the inside millage growth to inflation for all jurisdictions. So I believe the final version will not wipe it out but it will cap the growth. If you recall like inside millillage is the only millillage where we actually get inflationary growth. And so now what this will do is let's
067say for example we saw in the last revaluation um home values went up by 25% on average that inside millillage which is capped to 10 mills for the whole county you would see the the 25% growth there but everything else is reduced back. What this now will do is it will take a look at the inflation and it'll say it can only grow by the rate of inflation overall. So those dollar amounts are what you would expect to get versus what we'll now see. So we're still going to get some growth. So hey, >> it's better. It's better than wiping it out. So I believe the final version >> is is better. Um but it it will it will limit growth of that. So >> at least until the constitutional amendment to abolish property taxes.
068>> Yes. >> Which is moving through and getting signatures and everything like that. So till that happens, we're where we are. Um and that would be devastating obviously for all local municipalities there. Um, you talk about throwing out the baby with the bath water, that would devastate communities if they got rid of property taxes. Um, the next one is, got to look at my number. House Bill 186 uh would cap uh future increases for districts at the rate of inflation. And I think that may have been what Mrs. Logan was just talking about. Um, also set the 20 mil floor for um um districts and everything like that. Um, and if it's an overpayment at that 20 mil floor, you would give that money back to the taxpayers. >> Yeah. >> Um, so again, I
069think that hurts districts like Sycamore who have been really financially responsible of money and saving money and put it in the bank and redistribute that money. And I think that would cause um, in my opinion, probably a lot more levies, a lot more asking for levies and lead to a lot of levy fatigue with PE school districts continue asking for money every two and three years. Um, so it really penalizes districts that save money. Well, um, House Bill 129 would change the mill on the 20 uh, the 20 change the math behind the 20 mil floor. Um, emergency levies don't count towards that 20 mil minimum now and it would count towards those um, things there. >> And um, House Bill 309 would actually give the county budget commissioners new power to lower the property
070taxes. So again, taking money away from districts who are uh fiscally responsible and giving that back to taxpayers and things. And again, I don't think anyone is against tax relief. I think there are probably better ways to initiate tax relief. Um you know, getting rid of property all property taxes is probably not one of those ways. And so, you know, but I think there's just a strong movement to do this. Um and again attacking public education still spending uh billions and billions of dollars on vouchers and things like that at the expense of public schools. So if we can ask anything is people to get involved get involved. Talk to your legislators, phone calls, emails, visits of them to um have them understand, you know, education is the last great equalizer in America. And you
071know, American schools educate, they have an obligation to educate every single child. And uh taking away the means to do this would, you know, would be would be the most hardest hit for our children a lower social economic income. So this is something that we need to really get serious about fighting and getting people out to talk about. >> Well, Mr. Harris, I think it's important to point out to our community, they're doing it where we live in a state that's already 45th out of 50 in school funding. >> They're not funding our public schools at a rate that keeps up with the rest of the nation already. And they've lowered it since it was not unconstitutional. And I lowered the percentage that funding >> public and I think I think the total we heard
072if they got rid of the property tax I think it was $53 billion or was it 53 I know it was >> it was more than it was a lot >> I can't remember >> you can't replace and with no means to replace that. So that means again police fire all kinds of local services would just not be funded. Well, and they if you remember at the well you >> at the lunch. Yeah, we were >> alliance lunch and they mentioned the replacements if you did it in a different tax method >> would be a 10.9% income >> sales tax. Sales tax >> income tax. >> I thought the income tax was 12 >> 20% was income tax or um sales tax. >> Yeah. So an in the income tax would be higher than California
073>> and then the sales tax everybody would just run across the river and buy goods in Kentucky. So >> I mean these are not solutions. these are, you know, I'll just say causing issues. And I think that was the probably the thing that I appreciated most about all of our superintendent and treasures is we are not um saying we don't want some kind of tax reform. It just can't be with tax reform with no plan behind it. >> So taking away taxes is great for everybody. I'm sure we would all love to pay less, but not at the expense of >> roads >> collapsing all of our systems, right? And that's what it would do. >> So, sorry to jump in with you, but >> no, >> I'm passionate about it as well with you
074and >> I know we feel the same way you do. So, >> sorry I had to give you all that sunny news. So, >> thank you. >> We're going to keep working. It's going to get better. >> Well, the I do have one good piece of news. Um, in Hamilton County, the Hamilton County Commissioners were considering the piggyback of um the homestead exemption um and the um owner occupied the 2 and a half%. And again, we're not against doing some property tax relief, but there there's no um there's no um way to backfill those dollars that all the jurisdictions around in Hamilton County would lose. The state allowed every county to to do that piggyback um approach with no money no money from the state level to replace that. So, um I think you know
075that I went Mr. Buren went with me and and I spoke twice to the county commissioners along with several other um school districts. Hamilton County did not do that. I think there were 14 counties in the state who did it, but Hamilton County was not one that that moved that forward. Um, so there's some there's some good news >> advocacy. That was >> that that worked. So we'll keep trying. Yes. >> And that had a very specific amount that we knew what Sycamore would lose if that went through which Right. >> Yeah. >> That's great. Good news. >> Okay. Uh, next item is the SAC update. >> Uh, yes. We met on November 10th and um the group started working on their projects and um looking at the questions that they wanted to answer for
076each of the projects that they are studying. At our last board meeting, there seemed to be some confusion um about in particular the study on vouchers Ohio and um this project or this study uh was given to SAC um in October and we created questions for them to answer. Typically when we give a topic to be studied, we are not asking them to just give us a yes or no. Uh in terms of um whether they agree with the um in this case whether they would recommend yes or no for us as a district to join that initiative. um instead they were thinking that they were um going to investigate this a little bit more in terms of um is this the best move for the district? If not, why not? So that they could
077come and really give you an informed decision. So, I'm going to recommend unless the the board um really is opposed to this, um I'm going to go ahead and recommend that we continue to have that study uh on the books to present um the results of that study in March. um because we really don't have a whole lot of time together to study that uh project thoroughly if we're going to ask them to um report earlier than March. So, are we okay boardwise if everybody is okay to allow that group to continue their study? >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes, I'm okay with it. I think um Mr. Lewis, are we allowed to are we can we have a little bit of a discussion about some of the other guidance that we received just in general
078on the subject and should we give that to sack as well? I did share it with Zach with that work group and and I didn't give them any context other than this is what we received and >> so >> as part of their discussion >> so for the board I think we all you know we all have been trying to understand um this you know the impact of vouchers we know has has made a dent and is going to potentially make a very serious dent on public education in future years and we've we're learning and we will thankfully get more information in March from SAC, but we're constantly getting information from um from different organizations related to school boards in the state of Ohio on um how on what types of things to advocate for
079because we are getting school districts including Sycamore are getting really kind of hit at multiple levels financially and vouchers is one of them, but there are others. There are many others. property taxes. Um we have you know different you know cash balance you know whether we can have a cash balance what our levies can be what you know there's so many there's so many of them so we um reached out to our legislative >> um what's the >> lobbyists and also just um Ohio we we have an alliance um of similarly situated school districts and they gave us some good guidance some additional information that I the board needs to consider as well and Mr. Lewis has prov or has already provided that with sack. I think that's the place where it needs to go
080but at the end of the day um there are a lot there there is an Ohio auditor that also looks at our school district. There are many different organizations or entities in the state that will look at everything we do and we have to really choose what route we want to go and where we want to place our energy. So, I think all of us agree that we don't want public money taken out of our school districts. We all agree that we want to advocate for our school districts. We have to we really have to choose wisely and make a decision in an informed way of where we choose that where we place that energy. So, I think that'd be great if you could >> add that. Those are great points and I had like
081some of those points I hadn't actually reviewed until I the Ohio school board conference and now I think we need to digest that as well. >> I would agree. >> All right. Um we need to set a date. We want to create it a work session um because we want to talk about financing our district and we had said that we would all get our we know we have a meeting um on December 10th is our next board meeting but we'd like to see if we may because we have Mrs. Logan here until the end of December. We were wanting to see if we might be able to create a work session. So can everyone take a look at your calendar? Mr. Lewis or Mrs. Logan, do you have any specific ideas or >> The
082only idea that I'll throw out is I'm not sure what our agenda is going to look like on the 10th, but would there be a possibility of um and I don't know about exe executive session topics that night, but you know, would there be a possibility of saying, "Hey, we're going to start an hour earlier like the first hour of our business meeting would be a work session on talking about you know possibilities for that next levy request. >> So you're saying like start execut you you would start a public meeting for session around 6. >> Yeah. >> Do executive session before that. >> Yeah. So maybe do executive session at from 5 to 6 and then at si from 6 to 7 do the work session just on financial stuff and then start your
083regular >> topics at >> I would just I would just caution that we might need more than an hour executive session. So I would just ask the board 4 or 4:30 I think we would have to start with executive the potential for executive session. Can you look at your calendars on December 10th and see if you would be available at 4? >> I just know December is so hard to try to find another date if >> I don't get out of school until like 3:45. So >> you're still at your five is your earliest, right? >> I could probably I could probably be here by 4:30. >> We'll provide you some a meal. How's that? >> I could do 4:30. >> 4:30. >> Yeah, we could maybe do 4:30 to 6. that probably would work
084would work and then for if if we needed it for executive session and then >> 6:00 pm >> to 7 would be our work session. So it's still work obviously still meeting but it's considered a work session >> and then we kick into our regularly scheduled public business meeting. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Easier than I thought. >> That was okay. There you go. Good. >> We liked it. Right. Yeah. Last item is other. Anyone ordered? Nothing. All right.