Sycamore Schools Board Meeting July 23, 2025

001is 8 a.m. Let's begin our meeting. Mrs. Logan, please call the meeting to order. >> Mr. Ballot, >> here. >> Dr. James, >> here. >> Dr. Stagger, >> here. >> Mrs. bidder here. Um, at the beginning of each meeting, we like to go over our district's mission and vision. And we are going to do the pledge of allegiance, but that's going to come next. It's different today. So, we're going to go ahead and just do that based off of our agenda here. Um, our mission is to create a culture of academic excellence through inclusive and innovative learning for the whole child. And our vision is to empower all learners to reach their full potential in a globally competitive world. Everyone, please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

002United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Can I please get a motion and a second for the approval of the agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. Steager, for your motion. Uh, thank you Dr. James for your second. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. Seager, >> hi. >> Dr. James, Mr. Balant, Mrs. Bidder, >> I. Can I please get a motion and a second for the approval of the minutes? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Ballot, for your motion. And thank you, Dr. James, for your second. May I ask a question to our parliamentarian? We do not have to have been present in order to approve these, right? >> That's

003correct. >> vote. Yes. Yes, I was going to ask also. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Mr. Bon, >> I. >> Dr. Jane, >> hi. >> Dr. Seager, >> I. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I. >> Do we have Next section is public participation. Do we have any public participation today? >> I was not contacted by anyone um to speak to the board. Thank you. Okay. Next item is superintendent's agenda. Can I please get a motion and a second for the approval of an agreement with Neiola Incorporated? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Balot, for your motion. Thank you, Dr. James, for your second. Mrs. Logan, >> can I just ask a quick question? >> Sure. >> I thought that we were going to

004wait for the whole board to have another discussion before putting this on the agenda. >> Um, my plan was always upon the 23rd. I mean, we can shelf it and wait till the next but >> is there a reason we would need to sh >> just because um I literally was under the understanding we're going to have a discussion about it um with the entire board before voting on it rather >> the discussion today >> well without Victor or Mr. Harris. Sorry, I don't I'd rather have him here also for his input. >> I apologize. I didn't That wasn't what I thought we were doing. But >> I would I mean I I guess what I would say is if we have um if there is an interest in Neola, which I I believe that

005the board the consensus of the board did seem to indicate that um even waiting necessarily might you know, it might delay it, which would be fine to have the whole board here, but I I do think that at this point, um, you know, that would just delay the ability to get moving with it because it's going to be such a long process. So, I I'm personally in favor of having it today. Um, because I I do think there's a I think the sooner we can work on it, the better. And I do think there's a consensus to move forward. So, okay. >> That's what my feeling is to you. I mean, we could talk about it right now. I mean, it's on the subject. >> Sure. >> I mean, does anybody I mean, let's what

006what can you talk about what your would be a good time to do it. >> One of my concerns is some of our policies I looked over at like Indian Hill and some of the other districts in the area. They're very pre-programmed policies that they're sharing. Ours are very tailored to Sycamore. Like we have some that are standalone only for sick mark policies. They don't seem to have any of those throughout. They are all similar throughout every district. >> I'm just concerned that all the work that has gone in over the decades of having the policy manual that that's going to go away and it will only be whatever they're going to cover legally >> with their policy manual. That's my concern. So we have um even with OSBA I don't want to throw out

007a percent because I I would have to talk to OSBA but let let's just say there's a high percentage of our policies that are just standard policies that exist from legal that this is the policy you move forward right so those would be the policies that when we discuss in policy committee we say these are legal policies we have to use this policy to move on then there's a subsection of policies that we call sycamore policies right those are policies that >> are policies by law that we have to have but Then what we do is we have a discussion and we might change some things within that policy to fit the culture or the community whatever that is and then we have a really tiny where there's maybe a handful of policies that we

008just have right um now what I would say is that handful of policies um probably should be administrative guidelines and not necessarily policies but they're policies because in the absence of admin guidelines we have those to guide what we're doing or whatever that may be. Um, so when you look at other districts and you look at Neiola, um, there there likely is probably a similar mix. Um, but it doesn't mean that we can't still have those. Um, and so our goal over the next year of this process is going to be to look at what we have, look at what they have, and start bringing those together. And there might be opportunities where we sit down and say, "Hey, we have a sycamore policy here." Um, meaning we have a standard policy that we've sycamorized.

009it doesn't make sense to have that anymore. We're going to revert to this one. But there might be opportunities that we say, for instance, um >> we've done work with our legal um policy ACACR, right? It may not make sense to go with Niola. We might say, "This is the one that we want. This is what we're going to use." And we would do that. So, >> um that's just the work that we have to do. >> And I can kind of speak a little bit. I've gone through this process moving and it wasn't OSBA, it was a a different um policy group that we moved from that to Neola. Um and there were policies that we decided we wanted to keep even if it didn't look like a Neola policy. Um but the thing

010that Niola is good about is their numbering and all of that. they can find a similar one and so the numbering will still make sense. Um but they are very happy to work with districts to say no this is your policy and if you want to keep something that speaks more directly to what you are about then we're happy to work with you to make that happen. But but I've worked with them and I agree every district has its own unique policies that they are concerned about and Nola will work with you and as we work through that like Mr. Levelville said we will make sure that we take care and keeping the ones that are important and are a priority for Sycamore. >> That was talked about during the presentation that we would have.

011>> Yeah, I think that was a question to Norm actually. Yeah, >> that it's just I wanted discussion outside of the sales pitch is what I wanted. Um because the sales pitch is obviously a sales pitch. >> Sure. >> Um >> trying to make sure we're >> headed. >> Yeah, thank you for that. One one of the things too that um that's different from OSBA with Niola is Niola warranties their policies. So if you use their policy that they vetted through legal and something happens that they they help us, right? Because they've they've warranty that. OSBA doesn't really do that. They rely basically they do the policy then they rely on our legal to protect us from those policies that were created. Um, so the only thing that, you know, Norm when he was talking

012to us basically said is that when you go away from Nola, you just have to be okay knowing that you're defending that policy if something were to happen, which I think we're all very aware of because that's kind of our mode that we work in right now. >> And then I'm going to ask an obvious like probably a painful question as a followup. Why in the four years that I've been on the board have we not had the development of administrative guidelines? Yes. I'm just gonna ask it because it's, you know, somebody people have been actually asking me about that because they've been hearing about the policy after the pitch. >> Yeah. >> So, >> I mean, I think it's one of those things where um they don't come with OSBA, right? So, they're not

013kind of a package deal. We've leveraged our regulations in OSBA. So, for instance, if you look at policy AC, there's an ACR. The AC the R the regulation kind of guides us. Um it just hasn't been the culture of Sycamore to have administrative guidelines. And it's one of those things where if we were to do it, it doesn't make sense to be going through every policy for us to individually craft those. It makes more sense for those for an organization to craft those guidelines and then tailor those guidelines for us. So it would be an extremely heavy lift. And one of the reasons I think we actually um we brought up the idea of NOLA maybe two years ago. Um so halfway through the four years we brought this up and the main driver for

014that discussion was administrative guidelines knowing that they would help us develop those and um life got in the way. You know how it goes and >> yeah well the reason was because we had just we had just done all and we said let's wait like we literally just did it and it took two years. We were saying instead of just starting again and doing it let's give it more time. But I wouldn't I mean it's not that we didn't have we might not have had written we might not have had published administrative document guidelines but the district absolutely had administrative guidelines right I mean that's the rule of the administration so it's not that we didn't have them as a district it's just this way it's more transparent they're actually written out and the community

015can actually look at them that's the difference so it I mean I I I have been asked those questions too but >> that's >> for me I mean I having listened to the presentation and we've been talking about this for quite some time. I've had a couple presentations and again I've never been opposed to it. I just felt the first time I just felt like it was too soon. We just did this, right? Like we just did that. Um but now I just think with a changing landscape and the way that the legislature is literally changing our policies on changing the law like every other day it feels like >> legally we are at risk every single time they do it if we don't change it. Um, I think that to me is a a

016very important thing. I like that they are legal, you know, they have a legal background to what they're doing. They have over 500 districts, so it's not like in Ohio, so it's not like this is like a new, right, >> like random thing that we're doing. And um, I feel like it's the right time, but I do want to be able to individualize as well. I mean, the board can always do that. They're board policies. So, the board could say, "No, no, no. we want this or we want that or we, you know, we care about this word and we want to make sure we're inclusive of this language or whatever. We have that right always. >> Absolutely. And that doesn't get taken away from through Niola, but Niola is giving us a good solid

017background, I think, to move forward. I think the other thing you can expect to get from Norm once we get you know kind of up and running is >> kind of a schedule of events like here are the checkpoints here are the times because obviously these are board policies these are not administrative policies so we will want to check in with you along the way to make sure that the implementation the connection is happening and that things aren't being lost. I I think some of it the customization is great and we still need to be able to have that customization but I also think some of our customization has also got us in trouble with some of our policies are too customized. So I think there's a balance there of okay which ones are the

018right flow and I think knowing that Norm sees policies I think he said he's pretty widespread area around this area that'll help us figure out like what's that balance but these are still you know this is one of the most important things you do. So I think it's >> critically important that you're asking good questions and you know letting our community know that you care deeply about these policies because they do govern our district. So, um, I think we can get Norm to give kind of a here's the list of checkpoints or things that you're going to expect throughout this whole year and then that way we're in constant communication with you about those components. >> And just a reminder to the public also, Mr. Levelvel and um, Mrs. Logan are and myself and Dr.

019James were part of a policy committee that also encompasses building administration. Mrs. Spencer comes, Mrs. Tommpkin comes. Um, so I just want to remind everybody that this is not just coming before the entire board. It's also being vetted through another group first. So just a reminder to the public because that was a huge question that I've been asked since last month. So I just want to remind everybody that that is part of the process and that's why I want to have a public discussion about it. So >> I do think there's even one more piece. I mean, I agree with everything that's been said, but you know, while this might be new to Sycamore, it is not new to administrators that we have that administrators on our team that have worked closely with Nioli, Neolia

020at se several of the districts um who have experience with it and have knowledge of it and have worked with it and understand the power of it to really implement um here at Sycamore and the great things that it can do for us moving forward. So I think that's it's great knowing that we have people that have experience with it. Um and and I trust those administrators opinions. So >> and also another important part is that we are still members of the Ohio School Board Association. This is um that part is still exists and then the policy development or the policy updates will come from Neiola probably you know a little bit maybe a little bit faster and a little bit easier. Um although I do think I mean I've talked to other school board

021members that have Miola and they said you still do at the beginning when you set them up you still have to put in quite a bit of work. It's not like you just say here's your policies. >> That's right for it. Like have work >> just like what we did Mr. B just like what and and Dr. Steer what we did at the beginning. We there's still a lot of work that will be coming from this which is why I said let's right away but >> I think we're ready. And um >> so um just two things for you. one um I did talk to Norm yesterday um and you know obviously pending board approval him and I started the conversation around how can we start mapping out what this work looks like. So um

022him and I have another call set up for this coming week so that we can um create somewhat like Mr. L was saying a draft of here's what we think the process should look like um to be able to tackle this. Um we talked about how we um want to start with personnel first. um that's going to probably be most important to us just because it's probably the heavier lift. Um but it's the most clean, right? What we can and can't do based on Ohio revised code and that kind of stuff. The other question that came up when he I I think somebody I can't remember who on the board had asked it, but it was, you know, what do we do with our contract with OSBA when it comes to the policy side of

023it? Do we bridge and have both contracts for one year? he went back and um he talked to the folks at Niola and really talked through like what does that look like and um what what we're planning to do pending approval is that um we wouldn't renew our contract with OSBA. That doesn't mean any of our policies go away or anything like that. It means that those updates would stop flowing in, but the Neola updates would. And what we would do is we're working through the big batch. we would then take those new ones and he said we would still have the con naming convention for the entire year of OSBA right so the OSBA does letters like a AC that stuff um nola's numbers he said what other districts have done is when they

024approve that new nola policy because it comes from the state or whatever it slides in and they give it the OSBA kind of naming convention the A so it's still let's just use ACR because that's the top of my head it would still be AC Right. Um, but then when you look at the policy, it would be the NEOLA format and then we would the second year we would flip the switch and then the numbering conventions would go over. So you would for a year basically have a hybrid between >> Okay. >> two different policies. >> Can I ask that that piece of it be vetted with our legal team as well? >> Absolutely. >> Just to make sure that that's the direction that they recommend. >> Sure thing. Absolutely. >> I mean I I

025I agree. I don't want to pay for two. >> Um but I just want some legal >> Yeah, absolutely. I will. And then um do you need either Dr. James or myself to join any of your calls with Norm? >> So that was my other question. >> Yeah, great question. So the plan is is that um Norm and I are going to map out what we believe the best process will be and then I'm going to pull the committee together with Norm. He's going to come and we're going to say here's what we think the approach should be. We'll get feedback and then tailor it from that point. >> Okay. Y perfect. >> I just think a big kudos to Mr. level and the whole policy team because when I think of where we were

026four years ago with policy and I'm sure I'm looking at three of you, you remember the meeting where we sat through hours. I heard a laugh back there. Hours of policy where we were trying to go through every policy and it was brutal. >> Did that more than once >> versus what you all are doing which is you're taking the updates and you know Mr. level is super organized. So, this is I don't know why he loves policy so much, but I'm so thankful he does. Um, >> clear is kind, >> but he just it's so great to work through it in small chunks and really focus in on the policy versus trying to take a huge batch of a hundred policies at one time. So, thank you to you and the team for >>

027absolutely >> this work. >> Team effort. I'll get it. And then also thank you to the people who pop in when we have questions in the whole specific areas because there's a lot of people who do that also the from the administrative side. So it's not just everyone who's there all the time but it's also the people who just do the popins and give us huge like information that we need on the committee. So >> anybody everybody appreciate it. >> Okay. >> All right. Mrs. Logan please call the role. Mr. Ballot. >> Hi. >> Dr. James. >> Hi. >> Dr. Steager. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Spitter. I Can I please get a motion, a second for the approval of an agreement with Hamilton County Developmental Disability Services? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you,

028Dr. Steer, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Balant, for your second. Mrs. Logan, or would you Mrs. Spencer, did you want to say anything? >> No. >> Okay. >> I saw you coming up. >> Okay, moving on. Right. >> I sent her an email with the question yesterday. >> Mrs. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. Steager >> I >> Sir Balant. >> Dr. James. Hi. >> Mrs. Bidder. >> Hi. >> Can I please get a motion and second for the approval of an agreement with I Iron Corp. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you Dr. Seager for your motion. Thank you Dr. Harris or Doc. Sorry. >> Sorry Dr. James for your second. I still haven't really had a call yet. I just wanted to mention that um this um contract is

029being covered by a a job coach skills trainer grant um that we received from the state of Ohio that covers the cost of this. Um ever since they opened up the opportunity for this grant, we have applied and been given the grant. Um so as long as they continue to offer the grant, we will continue to apply. Uh and we typically get this two times a year. So, just wanted to give you that information because that was on the agenda. >> Thank you. No, thank you for the work in getting the grants. >> Thank you for letting us know. It's great. >> Okay. Mrs. Logan, please call. >> Dr. Stager, >> hi. >> Dr. James, >> hi. >> Mr. Balon, >> hi. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I can I please get an approval of an

030agreement with the new path child and family solutions? >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James for your motion. Thank you. Mr. Valent for your second. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. James, >> I. >> Mr. Balot, >> I. >> Dr. Seager, >> I. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I need more coffee. >> We all need that. >> Can I please get motion for an approval of an agreement with the Schaefer Education Solutions? >> Moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Balot, for your motion. Thank you, Dr. Steer, for your second. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Mr. Balant, >> I. >> Dr. Seager, >> I. >> Dr. James, >> hi. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I. Can I please get a motion and a second for approval of an agreement with Best Point Education

031and Behavioral Health? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Ballot, for your second. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. James, >> I. >> Mr. Balant, >> I. >> Dr. Seager, >> I. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I. Can I please get a motion and a second for approval of an of an agreement with learn 21? >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Balot, for your second. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. James, >> hi. >> Mr. Balant, >> I. >> Dr. Steager, >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I. >> Can I please get a motion and a second for SEAOU military recruit award program? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. Steer, for your motion. Thank you,

032Mr. Balot, for your second. >> I'll just give a quick update on um this one and also the OPCOU as well. So, um this the it's not the state of Ohio, but it's Department of Veterans Affairs that has a program that incentivizes school districts to hire, um folks that are coming straight from the military. So, we basically what this would have to be is a um somebody leaves active duty and their first job outside of active duty is in our school system. Um we currently have three individuals that would fall under this. They're all classified. We don't have any certified employees. Um but in an order for us, so basically part of that program is that they get a bonus um and then we as a district get some money as well for that recruitment.

033Um, in order to do that though, in order to issue a bonus to an employee, it's outside the collective bargaining agreement. We needed theou that would allow this to occur. Now that we will have this in place, what I will do is start the process of the paperwork with the employee to submit um stating that we were their first employer, do the verification, and then that way they can get their bonus and then we can get the money as well. So, this has been some work in process and in talking to legal um they really suggested we memorialize it in anou um just to make sure that we're right and then we'll um during negotiations we'll have a conversation about if this program continues do we put this in the contract. >> Quick question for

034um SEA members are they going to have a special certification um through the state of Ohio to teach in the district? Um these would be fully licensed individuals. Okay. Yeah. This >> they'd be licensed before going into active duty and then renewing their inactive duty and then however that Yeah. So um it's probably a little bit different of a path for a certified individual than it would be a classified. So for example, we have um right now we have a secretary, a custodian, and um a bus driver that are eligible for the bonus right now. Okay. So the pathway is much easier to go from active military to that than if you were to be a teacher. Now it could be a case that we have um somebody that comes out of active military that

035has a degree and then we enter into a supplemental lensure. Let's just say they're they teach Latin, right? That might be a case. Um so you know again I I probably see this more happening with our classified and folks than I do are certified. But for me, it was making sure that we had both our collective bargain agreements aligned so that it at least gives the ability to It's a great recruitment tool. I mean, it really is, especially for our classified staff that we have hard to fill positions and >> and it's good to support our >> active military active military to get jobs. >> I agree. >> And Sycamore so a win-win. >> Y thank you. >> No problem. >> Thank you for that update. Okay, Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr.

036Stager, >> hi. >> Mr. Balant, >> hi. >> Dr. James, >> hi. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I. >> Can I please get a motion in a second for OBCOU military recruitment award program? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Balant, for your motion. Thank you, Dr. Stager, for your second. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Mr. Valent, >> I. >> Dr. Stager. >> Dr. James, >> hi. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I. Next item is other, Mr. A couple of quick things. Um, congratulations to Tony Shaver and all of our educators that are part of the Synnovation Lab team. They are being recognized by the Martha Holding Jennings Foundation tomorrow night um in Cleveland um for their um extremely um appreciated efforts um and some of the really important things that obviously they do here. Um

037it's amazing that we are weeks away from the start of school. Um I can't believe that opening day August 11th is around the corner. So um coming back off of vacation, it feels like a whirlwind to that first week of school. So um our first official day for students August 14th. Um so uh we have transition days that we work through. So it's going to be a nice slow progression into school. Uh the 50th anniversary alumni water polo game is August 9th. So um important to catch that at the Seager Family. Um and then um one other thing of note, our new um Chris Colmes field at Seagar Family Stadium will be opening August 16th. Um so just some key events and I'll repeat these coming up. Obviously, it's still a little bit a ways

038away, but um those are things that we'll want to get on all of your calendars, especially opening day. We have a great speaker uh coming in to kind of kick off the year. Um and you know, we have some other activities leading up to that. Um we have some surprises for staff. So, just trying to make the day fun, but also educational and um lots of learning, but one of the most important pieces of that opening day is just watching staff get reconnected. Um, so making sure that we allow time for that as well. So, um, excited to have everyone back, nervous and scared because we have to obviously get ready for everyone to come back, but, um, still an exciting time and the the campuses are starting to feel real again because you start

039to see students returning to campus, not just in small pockets. Now it's, you know, if you go to the high school right now, there's tons of kids coming in for events and activities and getting ready for the school year. So, uh, lots lots of exciting things coming, but, um, probably one of my probably top five things that go on as the start of the school year. Um, you know, just like graduation's one of those events, it's coming back as one of those events as well. So, exciting exciting times. Yeah, I saw that uh the high school is going to let the students uh decorate or paint their parking spots or something like that. Maybe they've done that in the past, but I thought really >> they have not done that in the past. I was

040going to bring that up, but I didn't want I don't want Mr. Porter being upset with me because Mr. Porter asked for that, but I didn't hear like a really strong plan of like how do we recover from that? because it's great that we paint them, but I was worried about and I always I I have to always revert back to like Mr. Levelvel's role and go, well, what's that going to cost us? Like, is it going to cost us to recover them? And uh Mr. Potabomb has done this in other districts. And he's like, no, they paint over it. I'm like, so who buys the paint? They do. So, it costs us nothing. >> Yeah. >> Correct. >> Like that. So then he said the other thing that you and again it it wasn't

041presented this way the last time I heard it but with this time he's like it's a huge community event like it is >> when I think of like something that we're trying to bring that spirit to campus. He's like oh there'll be tents out there. It'll be like and I said well who's approving the designs? >> That's all on us. We're going to take care of that. I'm like sounds great. something fun and creative and it's like decorating your locker or something, you know? But I think that's really >> it's just for color to the parking lot for seniors. But >> I know maybe from an operations standpoint it makes you nervous, but I do think it's a really cool I understand that. But I also think it's just really fun. It's a fun thing

042for the kids and people need to have some fun. >> I love over the numbers or the line. They have to be so far away from the lines. >> Yeah. I said, "Who's >> they have to pay?" So you're telling them they have to paint inside the lines. They have to >> and they're actually if you usually go to other schools, they're usually really well done. >> Yeah, >> I think great pride in it. I said it's >> like the families want to come and do it with them. So, >> yeah, I think it's really cool. >> It's amazing. >> Drag them in. >> All right. Okay. Can I please get a motion in a second? Or I'm sorry. Will you finish? >> I'll finish. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Um, can I

043please get a motion and second for the personnel consent agenda? 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, >> hi. >> Mr. Balot, >> I. >> Dr. Seager, >> I. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I. >> Can I please get a motion and a second for the approval of month end financial reports June 2025? >> Second. Thank you, Dr. James, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Balot, for your second. >> Okay, so um we have finished fiscal year 2025. Um at our final meeting in June, we reviewed a lot of things and um made some decisions at that time, not knowing exactly what the final budget was going to look like um to kind of ensure

044um and and protect our financial security at that time, if you will. Um, and so the report before you identifies how it it looks at the end of the year making all of those decisions that we made. Um, the monthly report for June looks a little different. And what we've done is if you look at the the revenue slide, um you're going to see that we've added a dollar variance, a percentage variance to each one of those line items and then a comparison to last fiscal year. So you can kind of see, you know, how close were we um to our estimates on the revenue side. Um, with operating revenue, we were a half a percent off. Um, when you look at total revenue overall, it was less than a percent off. So, it was

045pretty close. >> Good. Kudos to your team. >> Pretty close. So, then when we look at the expenditure side again, when we look at and and I know Mr. balance reminds us of this point and it's a very good point. Operating expenditures and total expenditures are different and we should look at those differently. So when we look at operating expenditures um the variance there.1% over what we estimated u during our May forecast. When we look at total expenditures overall, we're off by four and a half%. But remember, I spoke about some decisions that we made and we advanced money for the baseball softball um fields and we transferred our 30% that we were not anticipating doing during fiscal year uh 25. We were anticipating doing it in fiscal year 26. So by moving that back

046one fiscal year, it kind of threw those estimates off a little bit. >> Is your variance based off the May? You said it was based off your May forecast. >> That's correct. Yes. >> It's not based off where we were where you thought we were at the start of the year. >> No. So when we do the forecast and going to talk about those dates, but when we did the first forecast in November, those estimates were based on the November forecast. Then when we update it in May, then the estimates change to align to the most recent forecast. Um, one of the things that we can also do is I could add a another column on here that shows November forecast estimate to just kind of show that variance as well. >> I personally like

047that for the reason >> yes, >> obviously things change between November and May. Mhm. >> We should know pretty much by May where we're going to finish. >> We should. >> So, to me, this is a little misleading in the fact that you're looking at where you thought you were going to be in May and then two months later where you are, but where did we think we were going to be in November to where we ended up to me tells more of a story. >> Got it. We can add that column. >> When did we and I can't remember when did we decide on the baseball softball? So that was at our all this is doing and what we decided to do at our our final board meeting in June and I can't remember

048the exact date was it 25third >> 23rd can't remember right or >> um during that board meeting uh we decided to instead of doing the transfer to um the fund to to fund the baseball and softball or 30% %. We were planning on doing that this fiscal year and we did that in June. >> Y >> and we also advanced the 70% that will be we'll be getting those monies through those donations but we advance the total amount to that fund so that we can finish the project. But we decided I mean but we made that decision. Well before that >> you did all this all we did was decided to do it in June versus >> because because state budget >> and it made sense at that time to do it. >> It still

049makes >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Still makes >> we were already obligated to do that. We just moved it to June. >> They had changed back our cash. >> They had changed that budget item or it wasn't vetoed more or less. >> Correct. There was still on the the latest we had at that information we had at that time was there was going to be a maximum 40% cash balance. Um but we didn't know where it was going to end up with the governor and he did veto that line item but who knows what will happen. Um and so then on the operating cash the last page and I um apologize for uh oh I guess we have switched that Brody is so quick he's already corre corrected something. So the ending cash balance for

050June 30th um is here cash balance as a percentage of expenditures is 36%. Um remember we just talked about the maximum that the state was they were looking at 40%. Before that the house was at 30. So we are um we were trying to make those decisions to to keep ourselves in a a financially stable place. Um and we achieved that. Um and we are above our our uh board policy which says we will have no less than 25%. So for fiscal year 25 we were above our policy which was is 25%. So that's where we ended up for the end of June. So any questions over this information? I just have some overall general comments. >> Yes. >> Um, you know, so appreciate all the effort. Um, you know, we started, if you remember

051back when I started asking questions, you know, we were in the 12 and 14% to where our expenditures were going up. We were very confident they would come back down and they did. So, I appreciate that. I'm not sure they came all the way back down to where we thought they might. We were looking in that 7% is what we had talked about. Um, you know, obviously there's we we've talked a lot about why these numbers are high and there's good reasons and there's valid reasons and we've made the right financial decisions to move money like we did and I've supported every one of those. My concerns are though um if you look at last year where we were and I'll ask the board does anybody remember what our percentage increase was last year? >>

052Off top my head now. I think was it six% >> around five%. You know, now here we are sitting at um 8.7%. So year-over-year in the last two years, we've continued to have significant increase in expenditures. Cost of things are going up. I understand that. But we can't continue down this trend. We've talked about this. We talked about board financial parameters and I know it's on >> Yes. >> next slide to talk about as well. Um, you know, but I just have concern moving forward that, you know, this board has to to start to look at keeping our expenditures back in line. We cannot continue to expend uh to spend money at the rate we have in the last two years. Our cash balance has gone down significantly. Again, it's not a bad thing, but

053we can't keep we can't keep taking money out of cash reserve. Um, or we're going to dig our hole too deep. If our expenditures go up too much, you're either going to have to ask for a significantly higher levy or the levy cycle is going to be significantly decreased. And that is two fundamental changes to the way uh we've approached our community. We've kept our levies lasting long and we've kept our levy ask reasonable. So my concern is if if we as a board do not bring our expenditures back in line um that we're going to have frequent uh levies or the ask is going to be significantly higher. I know we're you're going to ask for a financial retreat in September. You know, my ask is we have to start looking at this budget

054now as if we had a financial parameter. So we might not set those numbers until September. Um, but I don't want to get to, you know, through two or three months of higher spending and then say, "Okay, we have to come back down." Um, we've talked about that high threes, maybe 4%. You know, and I I would suggest that we start the year off thinking that that parameter is already in place. Um, because continued expenditures over the next couple years that we've seen in the last few years really concerns me. I I would like to add some comments too. So, um, Mr. Ballot, I think you make very very valid and important points, but I would like to ask a couple questions. Sure. >> So, you know, it's my understanding that we are nearing the

055end of a levy cycle. Basically, we said we would do five years. We're almost extending it to probably 10 years, right? Our promise was five. We're almost doubling it in the last four years. Wouldn't naturally we would in order to because costs are going up because every prices are rising and because our our levies stay at that same funding level, wouldn't we naturally have to pull money from our cash reserve in order to extend the time potentially from the levy? That's my first question. So, this is a natural part of nearing the end of a levy cycle, which is pretty incredible to do to almost double it. So there's that. That's a great kudos to this board and to this administration really. Um and then the other thing is aren't we pulling we are pulling

056permanent um improvement plans out of our general fund, right? So this is the real issue that is not it's not that our I mean our operating expenses are going up as well. So it's not that we're we have to pull out of our general fund for permanent improvements on some cases um because we are also nearing the end of that levy. So, aren't this isn't this sort of a natural consequence of and why we don't want that cash reserve to be touched by the legislature because we that's how districts like Sycamore extend the amount of time for levies so that we don't have to keep going back to the v voters over and over and over. And really the real risk is our legislature pulling the rug out from underneath a district like Sycamore. Um

057because I do think we are I do believe our district I mean yes we have to keep course correcting and we have to keep asking ourselves and staying on these numbers and we should have financial parameters absolutely but when you're nearing the end of a levy cycle like this and doubling a levy basic promise it seems like this would be the natural result but I do agree we got to we now have to say okay if we're going to go to the community and ask for a levy we have to be able to say we're going to stick to our promise the promise we had before we stick to it so that we can extend it once again. >> So, so first of all, the first question about the levy cycle absolutely like the levy

058cycle you get the revenue comes in and so your revenue is up here, your expenditures are down here and you build some cash over time as you go along. You don't get inflationary increases on your revenue, but you are incurring inflationary increases on your expenditure side. So eventually those lines start overtaking each other and you have to start drawing from your cash and when your cash reaches near that limit that you all have said this is our minimum cash balance we don't want to go below 25%. when you get close to that line, which is why we've been talking about we're going to have to do something about this cash balance because it's going to decrease um in the next few years. So, yes, drawing upon your cash balances does trigger action by the district

059to say we probably need to talk to our community about additional revenue. Absolutely. Um then secondly I I do want to also say the financial parameters to your point I believe we have already started making those plans as if we are going to be doing a financial parameters plan and here's what I mean by that if you recall in our discussions around staffing and to Mr. levels. Kudos to you and your team putting that staffing dashboard together so we can actually really track what are what are our expenditures and our projected expenditures on our biggest expense. We are a service business. Of course, our people are going to be our big biggest expense, but we have already started doing a lot of work this past year on making sure that we are what is what

060was the term that you were talking about? >> Responsible staffing. Um, we've been that was our motto this past year and in making sure that we're ready for those students coming back. So we have been operating as if we are working with a financial parameter um you know with those ex trying to top down the growth of those expenditures. >> Remember we as a board collect all of us collaborated with you in November. >> Yes. street to actually create those parameters to begin those discussions on what >> absolutely should that be done and and the percentages that we were thinking of because if we looked at our average that we were projecting it was a 4% increase and we said what if we looked at 3 and a half% or 3.75 um and so we've

061been looking more at can we do three and a half% and so budget discuss discussions, discussions internally. That's where our minds are as well. Um, and I think the last piece really is just formalizing something like that to make that commitment to our community, but I think we're ready to do that. I think we are. We were waiting on what is going to happen on a state level, you know, what's what's happening there. Now, we kind of know those answers. Um, but we're we're in a place and we've been planning so I think we're we're ready for that. >> But if you look at the if you look at the expenditures, the increase is is coming from wages, benefits, purchase services, materials, and supplies. It's not capital improvement that's driving this budget. Correct. not on

062the operating side, but I will say that part of what has impacted your cash balance has been transfers to the permanent improvement and doing your permanent improvements out of your general fund because you don't have a separate permanent improvement levy that separates it all. It is coming >> talked about in the financial tree is the is the way we want to go. But if you look at just the other expenditures line, >> that's not what's impacting it. >> No, the the increases over the past years, your operating expenditures have gone up as well as total expenditures. So, we need to course correct on both. >> Um, but it but it is a an accurate statement to say that your cash balance has been impacted by your permanent improvement. >> I agree. >> Cost. >> Yeah.

063I when I was listening to both of you talk, it's both and. >> Yes, it's really all of the above because when I think of the reports that we've gotten from Mr. Levelville and Mr. Zimmerly about bus purchases, you know, things of that nature. Think about how much a bus has gone up in the four years you've been on the board. >> I mean, it's it's exponentially more to buy a bus. So, we what are we doing? we're buying less buses, which isn't great, but it's still part of our planned expenditures, our planned process. And then if you think about to Mrs. Logan's point, everything that you do, everything that we we have to fund is a people oriented business. Well, our levy cycle when it comes in is you're stuck at a certain level.

064Well, people's salaries go up eventually. We have that need to course correct of yes, we can't keep spending at that level if we don't bring in that much money or we have to ask the community for additional funds. And but my point is the closer you get to that 25% on your cash balance, >> the you either have to ask for more of a levy. Yes. >> Or the expected levy cycle is not going to be five or 10 years. >> Yes. That's that's what I'm saying. >> Yes. And the but the problem is unfortunately even if we do everything right as a district, which we have really been doing a we've been doing a good job at at extending this time frame for coming to the to come to the community for a levy.

065The problem is now the legislature is also adding in and weighing in um which could cause us to have to do it either way no matter what. their decisions >> that these decisions would potentially impact districts like ours could potentially make us have to do these levies very often. >> Their decision are taking away local control. So, we have to be very aware of the changes that are made there that are going to impact our local decisions here. Um, and in a district where we are we're funding our schools locally. Thank you. We appreciate any money coming from the state. We welcome that. But our citizens are funding our local schools here. And so, but what's happening is they want to make all the decisions. They want to take away less of our control to

066make decisions, but they still want you to pay more for the schools. So, I'll get off my soap box. So, um the next slides though are um relative to Mr. Balon already alluded to it. Um we have some big things that are are coming up in a very short amount of time. So, we've talked about the financial parameters. we need to bring that back and discuss um really formalizing that and and making that commitment to the community. We've got permanent appropriations. Our budget has to be finalized in the month of September. Um which should align to those financial parameters. The financial forecast that we used to do in November is now switching to October 15th, which means we need to talk about the five-year forecast in the month of September in the month of September.

067Um, and then that aligns to the future levy that we've been talking about. So, all of these things are kind of hitting us very quickly, which brings me to um the need for I'm requesting we have a financial retreat. Yes. >> In the month of September to discuss those items that I highlighted as well as our capital planning um and staffing that we've done at other retreats. But there's just a lot happening. Um, the other thing I want to bring up about the financial forecast, it's moving from a five-year to a three-year. This year we are um it's due in October and February. Next year it will be August and February. So hang on because it's getting crazy. >> Still will end. >> Yep. the school year dates are still the same, but they're just

068changing how they want us to do all this reporting. So, but my recommendation to this board is going to be whether they um require it or not, we're still going to do a five-year forecast. >> Be my request, too, >> because if we're asking our community and we're committing to them, hey, we're asking for a levy and we're going to make it last. We can't just do a three-year forecast. So, we're still going to be doing longer planning. Yeah. So, >> yeah, I'm highly supportive of a financial retreat. So, >> okay. >> Yes. >> But talk about some dates now. >> Wait for Mr. Harris to be here, too. That's my other question. >> I guess we could talk about them and then >> could offer up a couple of dates to him. >> Have

069a couple of ideas. I think it's a good idea if if it's okay. Everyone look at your if you give us >> Saturday morning. >> Um >> yeah. Yeah, we could do we've done Saturday mornings before. Um and that seems to work well. Um I don't know what the 13th looks like. would not be my favorite date, but >> okay. I can make it work. >> I could do the 13th. I It's not favorite date. >> Okay. I could do the 27th or the 13th. I cannot do the 20th or the 6th. 13th or 27th. >> I can do any Saturday up until about 1:00. So, >> I think I'm okay on >> What What are we thinking timing wise on the Saturday? Like >> I'm thinking 8 to 12, 8 to 1, which is

070kind of what we did last time. >> 13th or 27th. offer the 13th. >> Yeah. 13th week. >> Okay. We can check with Mr. Harrison. Yeah, that's what I say. Check with Mr. Harris. Okay. >> Uh 27th. I would prefer not, but >> yeah, I agree. I mean, I just can't do the 20th. >> Okay. So, we're going to go we're going to hope that we're going to hope that this 13th works for Mr. Paris and we're going to say like 8 to 12 something like that. Yeah. And obviously everyone in public in case you heard this it's going to be known to you where it's going to be in the time and all that other stuff since somebody's going to call me I'm sure asking. All right. Okay. Mrs. Logan, do you have anything

071else on this particular >> No, I think I'd like to talk about Okay, that's fine. >> All right. So, now we need to approve this. So, yes. Can you please call the role? >> Dr. James, >> I. >> Mr. Balant, >> hi. >> Dr. Seager, >> hi. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I can I please get a motion and a second to accept donations? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, M. Dr. James for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Valent for your second. Mrs. Logan, >> real real quick, I just want to say thank you because there's over $50,000 in there. If everybody, you know, who took action, >> thank you to everyone, particularly the PTO's and the boosters, the athletic boosters have really gotten behind all of our um re remodels, rebuilds at the

072athletic facilities and has contributed a lot of money. So, thank you. >> Yeah, thank you. Thank you to the junior high clubs and yes scholarship donors there too. >> Yeah. Yep. We truly appreciate it. Okay. Doc uh Mrs. Logan, can you please call the role? Dr. James. Hi. >> Mr. Balant. Hi. >> Dr. Seager. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Bidder. >> Hi. >> Okay. We are going to move to other board business. And the first thing we're going to do is a legislative update. Uh Mr. Harris is not here today. Um Mrs. Logan has graciously agreed to give us a legislative update um because Mrs. Logan has been attending multiple um legislative meetings and on behalf of Sycamore. So maybe you could give us a general update of what's happening and what might how it might

073impact Sycamore. So, we do have a a new state budget um the the governor signed um by June 30th. Um and then I think what was it like right before midnight there we also knew what the vetos were. Um I will say our our governor had a lot of courage and he vetoed things that we were hoping he would. Um, unfortunately since that time on Monday of this week, uh, the House convened to override some of those vetos. They did take action on one of the items. Um, that item really doesn't impact Sycamore at this time. Um what that veto did is it takes away uh the ability of those districts who are basically at the 20 mil floor who have emergency levies. Emergency levies are really fixed sum levies and they don't count towards

074the 20 mil floor. So they took away some ability for some of those districts to do those kind of levies in the future. Um, we have heard that there are lots of other things that they're planning on overriding. So, we are just waiting to see what um comes next. The Senate still needs to convene though and approve the overriding of the V veto as well. Um, and they have not scheduled that yet. So, but the governor right now um his veto stands for that 40% maximum cash balance which was the major thing that we were looking at and concerned about. So, um that for now has been sidelined. So, we're going to continue to to operate um the the way that we're operating which is by our board policy. Um, I will also say that

075there are still quite a few um legislative efforts that are happening to change the way that we pay and can collect taxes as a school district. So, that is the biggest um warning that we're looking at and we're paying close attention to. Um there's some impending bills in the House right now that would um you know take away inside millillage, all sorts of things. But we we have a job to do and it's educating kids. And so as those things happen, we'll let you know and we'll change course if we need to. that for now. Um, we're just going to keep operating. Um, but that's where we stand right now. Um, there's still, even though we have a new budget, there's still a whole lot of unknowns. It's a weird time. I've never seen anything

076like this before. Um, I hope to never see anything like it again, but I have feeling it's this is here for a little while. So, >> Mrs. Logan, I saw um I saw a social social media post from a school district um in our region um and the superintendent shared something about funding coming in um for afterchool programs um funding for like tutoring and other things that the federal government was supposed to provide but then didn't in July. does anything first of all what does that impact Sycamore and was that change like what happened with that related to our school district um on the federal level um we you know I keep saying we're kind of in limbo we're kind of on hold we are on hold with the on at the federal level as

077well and I think Chad can tell you this too and anybody's worked in federal grants Um, we usually know exactly what well pretty much what our allocations are going to be. We have substantially approved dates so that we know we can spend money when our new fiscal year starts in alignment with what those allocations are going to be. We don't know every things are on hold. We don't know for sure if we're getting federal dollars and in what way we're getting federal dollars. It is a weird weird spot to be in. As I said before, we're educating kids. We're we're still doing all the things that we need to be doing. Um but we're not sure that the federal government is going to follow through on its promises with federal funds. So, we don't know.

078And how does it impact Sycamore? It impacts us, especially our special needs population. That's where we receive the most federal funds, but we do a lot of our professional development is through our federal funds. Um, you know, and our >> food services, too. >> Food service reimbur I I I don't I think that one is a little bit more secure. I think those funds are going to come through, but it's it's mostly the title monies that are kind of kind of up in the air. So, I don't know. Um, we're watching patiently. We're ready to go as soon as they give us the go-ahad, but even at the state level, they're saying we're just not sure what's happening. >> A right now on hold type of issue. Um, it's not a you're not getting it.

079Correct. It's on hold and it's a delay. >> So, are plans on hold as well? Plans for those monies that we were promised? >> Um, well, the way that we're we're spending those monies, um, we still need to do all of those services. We're basically required to do all of those services. So, we can't really stop doing them. So, if we don't get the those funds over $2 million, it's going to hit our general fund. >> And I did reach out to our federal level leg legislators based on the fact that um AASA, which is the superintendent association for kind of the national one, um had kind of encouraged us to reach out and gave us contacts. And so I did that. Never heard anything back. Um, I did see um last night that AASA

080put out a bulletin saying that the education department will release some frozen grants supporting after school and summer programs, >> which is not us. >> It doesn't really help us, >> right? It's not us. that was 1.3 billion. But um that was basically after some uh senators sent a letter to the administration saying these need to be released. Um so I I would say our advocacy needs to continue um trying to put pressure to release >> yes these funds because it again freezing funds without a plan of how those students are going to be served is irresponsible. Um, and so I, you know, if they want to look at it differently, then bring us to the table and let's have some conversation about how that would look versus just freezing it and taking it away.

081>> Give us a chance to plan before the monies are frozen. >> So, we'll continue to do that. We'll continue our outreach and, you know, continue to hope that we'll see some additional release of funds, but to Mrs. Logan's point, we will have to take a hard look at some of the things that we are doing. We just had this conversation yesterday. It's why it's fresh. Um, we'll have to take a look at some of the things we're doing and we may not be able to do some of those things. You know, it may be that we have to cut back on professional development. Um, some of the things that we had planned to do that have additional costs that we would have normally funded from title funds, we may have to decide we're not

082going to do that for this year. So, we're caught kind of caught between a rock and a hard place because we've planned for these things and you all know we planned for these things multiple years out like curriculum changes. We planned for those changes. We knew what was coming. We wanted to make sure our teachers felt supported. This nips away at that core of being able to make sure they feel that that additional support. So, um, it's difficult, but I think we've got to keep we got to keep advocating for our teachers and our students. Um, that's why we're here. So, >> and our anyone in the public watching can know that you can also reach out to your elected representatives um at the federal level as well or two state senators and your state

083represent or your federal representative um because I mean the like we have to provide the services to the students. Um I mean we already know IDEIDA is not fully funded already as is. We aren't getting a lot of money from the federal government as is and then to take away the little amount of money that we receive. Um it can be really challenging for our school districts. I mean not just Sycamore really everyone. >> Yes. >> In the entire country. So hopefully that holds. Um hopefully it it gets over here pretty quickly because schools are counting on it. >> Yes. >> Right. It needs to be released. >> All right. Well, thank you for that update. Anybody have any questions before we move to the next item? No. >> Okay. >> All right. So, the

084next item is a voucher impact and lawsuit. We said that we um at a previous meeting we said we would bring the subject back up again um after the budget. So, the budget has occurred and I think that um it's time to begin having this conversation. I know that um this could be a conversation that isn't just for one board meeting, but I just wanted to begin a conversation. Mrs. Logan has you've been reached out, someone has reached out to you to just give you some information, and I asked Mrs. Logan to please share some of that information. Um people have in the community have reached out to me. I know all of us have probably received emails and um been asking about if we should join this um vouchure lawsuit and um as we've

085said in the past I per I personally as one board member feel like we should in order to join in with the other school districts because clearly public education funds are being um taken away at the state and the federal level. So, I believe that we should be joining together with the other school districts because it's all of our public education funds and we should be part of that as well. But, um, I would like Mrs. Logan just to give some information about what you've learned, um, about the process. Um, I do know that someone had reached out to me. I do not know if this is accurate or not, but I'm going to go ahead and just share what I had heard that in some school districts, even like teachers unions joined in on

086helping to fund because you have to pay some money to be to join the the lawsuit. And um in some school districts, the unions, the teacher union for that school district actually helps in some way to help fund it because it is a collective joint group effort, right, from the school district. So, I'm just throwing that out there as a something that someone has recently informed me of. >> So, can you back up for those who are not aware of what this is all about? >> Yep. >> Back back that up a little bit with information. So, um, way back when there was a a group of schools that came together, and it was the Ohio ENA Coalition, the Equity and Adequacy Coalition um that that came together um with the Dough Lawsuit. they've kind

087of now um morphed into also now um vouchers hurt Ohio and but it's $2 per pupil to join that group. Um and they have been successful um in Franklin County. Um, I think it's going to be a long battle. Um, and Mr. Lewis and I looked at the the districts who have joined. Um, there are a few like Upper Arlington. Um, and what was the one? >> Lakota here. Who else? >> Um, Beexley. >> Beexsley. So there are a few that were are kind of similar um to Sycamore. Do I think that there will be more now that they've been successful with the one lawsuit? It's possible. Do I think that there might be more districts join um because of what's going on at a state level with the budget? All of these things are

088possibilities. Um but it is one way to join other school districts and fight the the vouchers that basically are taking. Um now I do want to say used to be um all scholarships and things like that came to us and then they were deducted from us. These are directly funded to parents to help pay towards tuition to a private school. um used to be in the very beginning the student you either had to have like a failing school district um for a student to be eligible or there were income levels. It has grown so much now that the income levels the the ability of people to get these um vouchers. It's not difficult to get these vouchers at all. And most of these students now have never attended a public school. It doesn't matter whether

089the school district is failing, whether they've done a good job or not. Um, and so I think that's what has kind of >> Do you have any specific sycamore how this has impacted us? >> Ballpark number. I I looked that up on exactly how many students and I >> I don't you can get back >> I'll get back with you but the amount of students that have increased from the beginning is it blew my mind to look at the number of students that are receiving these vouchers in Sycamore. Right. So there are quite a few families who are um taking advantage of that that voucher here in our school. If you remember I think um dur I don't know if you may well the board may have not have heard the presentation sack gave a

090presentation about private versus public and one of the numbers that they collected was how many students are attending private school that live in sycamore and they also did a study of why and most of it was legacy um it wasn't a huge sample size but the number of students was around I think it was around 8.90 I >> like 891 students attend private school that live in Sycamore. So then if you think about the size of the voucher, the the total amount and multiply that by 8.91. But again, I think that's to to Mrs. Logan's point, it's not money that is coming into the district and being taken out. It's directly funded, but it's certainly taking out of the public school. >> That's correct. And I think as we've talked about this in the past,

091one of the biggest issues is that they talked about this was going to be the expansion of school choice. Mhm. >> Well, I heard it from a legislator at the state at a legislative breakfast that I went to that and this was a massive like OSBA, BASSA, O OASBO combined group and one of the legislators said, "Yeah, we've expanded it by 4%." He said 96% of the students that were already attending and affording private school are now getting vouchers. We expanded at 4%. It wasn't like any of the private schools opened their doors and said, "Yes, let's take all students that want to come here." It It wasn't that. It was. And I think that's the when when people look at vouchers hurt Ohio, you're taking money away from students that don't have the ability

092to pay that. And I, you know, I've said this a couple of times. You're you're you're making the halves get to have more >> versus you're taking away from the, you know, have nots like, well, we don't have that kind of funding. So, I think that's the >> without accountability for this, right? >> Without accountability, >> without any accountability. Um, you know, I heard a legislator say to me, I think Jenny was sitting there. I I got pretty fired up with Representative Oddioso because he said he's a private school guy. He worked at St. X for 30 plus years or something. I I love that you believe in what you do at St. X, but you can't sit there and argue that you're providing for all students to be able to go there. You You

093can't say that. And and I said, "All I'm asking for is the same accountability. Have the St. X students take the tests and the report cards that we have." He's like, "We have an accountability structure. It's called the Arch Dascese. I have a school board. I don't need then we don't need your report card." Like, it doesn't make any sense. Like the the argument doesn't make any sense. So, if you're going to again make it equitable, then make everyone accountable to the same standards, which I think has been a probably a 30-year argument of longtime argument. But I would say even on top of that, it was just looking at why are some of the people joining, why are some of the people not joining? Because that was one of the questions that we we

094discussed is why are some of because you know when we look at our comparables like I think as a district we compare ourselves to Madiraa Marrymont Indian Hill Mason >> Loveland >> Lovelin Kings none of them are a part of this >> not >> well I think that's some of the research that we need to do with our colleagues is why have you not joined and come back to you with that answer >> because I am curious why when you look at our comparables. None of none of Marrymont none of them have joined. >> What one? Didn't Wyoming join? >> Wyoming joined I think pretty recently. >> Yeah. >> But so they >> and Lakota like from a local standpoint of comparables. >> I would say those are the two closest comparables out of >>

095I mean most of the other ones are smaller districts that are probably being just crippled Yeah. by and I hear some of my colleagues and I feel bad for them. Um I I I grew up in St. Bernard Elmo place. I've heard Dr. Webb talk about the impact that this is having on their school district and it is crippling to them. I it's just hard because it's I don't know that this fundamental thing is crippling our district from a standpoint of financially or you know I I'll say our enrollment's as high as it's ever been in 20 plus years. So I I am concerned about spending the money on this versus what would we not spend it on because when I think about the state of Ohio and it's just my again these are not

096necessarily Superintendent Lewis opinions. These are more Chad Lewis opinions. The Dal case has been found unconstitutional multiple times. Yet nothing has been done. So >> case school funding >> school funding we've been through it. how I mean this has been a I mean I remember in grad school we talked about this and >> and nothing has happened nothing has changed the funding model is still the same so >> putting 12 grand into this just because they've had a victory well they had a victory on the D Roth case nothing happened nothing there's been no accountability to change the funding model so my confidence level that just because this has happened that this is going to change I mean I listen to legislators at our legislative breakfast said vouchers aren't going away. Attacking us as legislators

097about vouchers is only going to make us want to take more money from you. >> So this lawsuit specifically is for what >> to to show that this is unconstitutional >> and and so to stop it completely vouchers completely or what's the goal? Um, well, that's a good question. I think it's like >> it is to to rule it unconstitutional. Um, >> and just out there for people in the public who um have children who need the John Peterson scholarships, that's not considered part of the voucher program. That's a separate fund in the state of Ohio. I just want to make sure everyone's clear on that. um that's important thing to some people who need that funding to support some services that they receive. Um but the vouchers I agree that we need I I'm

098just wondering if Sycamore can be an example as one of the stronger districts maybe I'm just toying with some stuff out loud right now um to support the entire state of Ohio. I mean that is I mean that is the argument really the argument is that the reason why school districts that are in our group don't join is because Sycamore is not joining right so if we join they would join um the argument is the more >> we don't know that no of course we don't that's just the argument but I mean that's that is something um I do think that um one of the biggest things for me um is as public as board members our job is to advocate for public education we are that that is part of our duty that is

099why we are elected. That is our role. We are supposed to be advocates for public education for students in Ohio. And $12,000 to advocate for that I think is not that much money. Um and our community members want to know what we are doing as elected officials. We represent them and there's a significant number of people in Sycamore who care deeply about public education and they want to see us stand up and do the right thing. And even if you know we lose or even if right it gets unconstitutional and then Ohio still says you know what we don't care we are on the right side of the argument here which is don't take public money don't if you want to have a private if you don't want to go to the public pool and

100you want a private pool in your backyard don't make the public pay for your private pool right that's not how this works like if you want to we shouldn't have public money taken away from our public schools and sent somewhere else that doesn't have the same accountability. Yes, we may lose. Yes, it may not work. But we are standing up for our taxpayers. We're standing up for our our citizens of Sycamore community because taxpayers don't want that, right? Our community members are reaching out. That's why I'm bringing it up at the board because I'm getting a ton of people reach out like what are you going to do? What are you sick going to do? Why are you not joining this? Right? So maybe an answer because we kind of should get some more answers

101of like what would happen like what I mean those are the arguments that I've been given which I find convincing but we can have someone present to us and just tell us like here's why you should do it. Um here you know just to give us more details what impact does it have for Sycamore? >> Like what are the logistics of it? Like do we have to pay $12,000 a year? Like what do we have to do? Um we can get more information we get more and we can also talk to our colleagues too. >> That's hear what school districts are looking at >> or your arguments pro that we have to do what other people are doing to hear some others. >> Yeah, I like pros and >> I really like Dr. James question

102of what's the goal of the law. >> Yeah, >> I think that's a really good question. >> And if it's unconstitutional then there are no more vouchers. So, >> and I don't know that that's a good thing. >> I don't think it's I think it's it's pretty I think it's pretty there's there are I've heard like years ago I've heard theation and I think it's it's more than that. I mean there's like levels to it. >> Um it's pretty in-depth. It's a stratified thing. It's not just find it unconstitutional and then there's no more vouchers. It's not I don't think that's what it is, >> right? Um so I think it would be good to have the facts of what it actually does. Could we do that? Could we or everybody agree like have a

103presentation have somebody? >> Yeah. And also >> with colleagues in other districts have like a meeting where we actually have it as a conversation. >> Yep. We can do that in the future. Um and also vouchers for Ohio. There is an actual website out there if you want to go and research that. It has the school districts who have joined uh their mission statement. It's got a lot of information there. So, I would encourage you to look at that as well. Um, and then we'll gather more information and bring it back. >> I do think to, you know, just when we look at our community and we say, "Community, will you please help fund this district?" And we say, at the same time, we're not going to listen to you and fight for you as

104a taxpayer. There there's a give and take there that maybe we're not considering. and the people who are going to who really really care about public education are going to be the ones who help us fund our district, right? So, I think we need to consider where we live and we need to consider the um just the the feelings of our voters and not everybody will feel that way of course, but I do think it's something that we should look into and we have to show the committee we are looking into it. If we decide not to do it, then we have to, you know, this is why we're not doing it. We have very clear reasons. it doesn't make sense for us, right? >> Here's why. Versus just saying we're not doing it >>

105because we don't want to do it. We should like inform ourselves, I think. >> Yeah. Get all the pros and cons. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um and I believe we have about participation. >> Yes. >> Um Ellen Owens Lane. Thank you for letting me uh address the board. The first thing is I am upset about this. I was on the website yesterday and as you know I'm here every meeting and it said that the meeting was at the board office. Okay. I don't have Wi-Fi at my house. I have to do a personal hot spot. So that's what I was planning for today. And it said you would be in executive session from 8 to 9. I got a call this morning at 7:30 from a Sycamore uh resident and it said because she

106was going to appear today uh to speak and I had what she says because she just got out of uh uh she can't walk. Um but my point is I got I had no notice. >> Ellen, can I ask though? Do you did you receive the email because you're on the list to receive notices? No. No. And I went on the the uh like I said went on the website and it said we're going to meet at Maplesale at the board office. Excuse me. So that was what I was and that you would be in executive sessions for one hour. Um that's why I walked in at quarter to 9. I thought I was here in plenty of time. I I ask please because I'm here and I'm sure there are other people as Mary

107said uh I was going to try to come but I think the meeting starts at 8. That is what I'm asking. Okay. Now I'm going to switch to uh constituent statement and this goes perfectly it's perfectly in line uh with what you're talking about. Um, and uh, I'm speaking for Mary Lewis, and I've never met her, but, uh, we talked yesterday. Her name is Mary Lewis. She lives at 535 Cooper Road, and her statement is, I am here as a taxpayer to urge the board to join the Ohio voucher lawsuit. I do not know this person. I have not said a word to her and wish to express my strong objection to the use of my taxes to fund private schools. This is not why I voted for the Sycamore school levy. I have two

108grandsons who graduated from Sycamore School. They received excellent education in preparation for university. One graduated this year from Cal Paulie where he studied engineering and the other graduated from the College of the Atlantic in Maine where he studied marine biology and ecology. Private choice in schools existed before the voucher program and it will continue to exist without vouchers. is it this I'm sorry just not the tax paid by senior citizens like me and I would like to add that I think I presented to you about vouchers in May and you have I gave all the information that I you know couldn't speak of in three minutes so thank you very much for letting me address >> thank you >> I also want to make sure the community knows I I know she said the person's

109name is Mary Lewis, I am not related to that person. I just don't want somebody thinking I'm like sending people to have statements read to the >> not a relation to me. But >> I I know you didn't and trust me, someone out there that heard it would probably be like, "Oh, it's Chad's grandma." I I will um just one more item under other um when we maybe you can answer this and I can help facilitate this too. When we make a change um I know we have an email we're sending out to let people know and then we are giving notice. I know we're doing that. Um what can we do to help facilitate that it get changed on the website. Should I I mean I can also just double triple check to make

110sure. Should I reach out to say that it got changed on the website as well? >> It did get changed on the So on the board page. >> Okay. >> Um if you go to our website on the board page, the notice is there. So So when I send the email out and the people who've requested that notice get that email of the notice, then it goes directly on the board web page as well. So it's on there. Um and then on board docs um if you looked at this meeting um it's on there as 8 am as well. >> Okay. So it just when you send out the so basically it's like an automatic thing. It's now updating on our website really automatically. And then is there is there a calendar that also exists

111on our website that we that >> there is is or no? I know there's a places where you might >> but this is part of the issue. There's so many places to make sure that it's changed. Um, but the calendar, um, I know I checked that yesterday. It it did, sorry, it did reflect the, um, 8 a.m. So, there's a calendar, a district calendar, the board web page, board docs, and then the notice that that is emailed out. So, um, >> yeah. Okay. >> Well, thank you for that. Um, we are, it is always a process to make sure that we have our board meetings um, absolutely noticed and on our website and all of our changes um, to the public. So, we will always continue to make sure that we do that. Um, so

112thank you. Are any other things for other board business? other. Okay, the meeting is adjourned. >> Thank you.