TCS BoE Meeting - February 18, 2026

001All right. Uh, it's 6:00 p.m. I call the, uh, Talmage Board of Education meeting to order. February 18th, 2026. First order of business is 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. >> Thank you. Next order of business is the roll call, please. >> here. All right. Uh, next order is welcome to visitors. Uh, appears as though we have two. Um >> as in the past uh at the conclusion of the meeting that the back end will all lot time for uh discussion. So that's that. I need a motion to approve the previous um okay it's a recommendation of the board of education to approve the minutes of

002January 21st 2026 and January 29th 2026 meeting minutes uh all meetings can be found digitally uh online motion >> I motion >> I'll second >> motion in a second. Roll call. >> Hi. All right. Next one is uh the final adoption of the school calendar. It is recommended that the board of education approve the second reading final adoption of the 2026 27 school calendar. Um I need a motion. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Got a motion in a second. Discussion. Anything change on this thing? >> No. The board approved the uh the calendar needs to be approved. Sorry. The calendar needs two readings to be approved, >> right? >> So, uh, this, uh, you approved the first reading. There was no comment, public comment. Uh, so we approved the second reading tonight.

003The one thing that has changed, uh, I talked a little bit about it, I think, last month is a new law went into effect related to kindergarten uh, entry. >> All right. >> So, the calendar does have a direct impact on that now. So our first day of instruction is now the deadline for a student to turn five years old to be eligible for kindergarten. So pretty much every year the board will be approving a new eligibility date. So uh this this come next year will be August 19th. So students born on or before August are turning five on or before August 19th uh will be uh eligible for kindergarten next year. I think it might be worth before we uh approve that there is one um kind of a significant thing we're doing around

004kindergarten that I think it's worth sharing with the board. It's not, you know, spelled out on the calendar here, but we're changing a uh changing our kindergarten process a little bit. I think it'll make it better. So, Miss Davis, you don't mind? >> That was on my list to share in terms Okay, great. >> But I'm I'm happy to share now. So, um, we have gone through, uh, several different scenarios in terms of when we screen incoming kindergarteners. Um, and we have lived with, um, screening in the spring for the upcoming school year for several years now. Um, and what we're finding is that it is of greater benefit if we can move the screening to the fall, which it has been in the past. We were um originally our goal was to move it

005to spring to um get families engaged sooner to give them tips and tricks um to work with their incoming kindergartenner over the summer. Um and that is still going to be our focus, but we're going to do that in a little bit different way. We're going to do we're going to host a kindergarten kickoff in May and get all of our incoming kindergarteners families into the building and and their kindergartener into the building. Um we'll have um um kind of gift bags uh for them with um townwich t-shirts um some different games and puzzles they can do with their student over the summer. Um so we'll still work to engage our families as early as we can in May, but they will be screened in August >> um right be right literally right before school

006starts. um that'll give us really um kind of in real time data in terms of where they're at. >> And um that will help inform class placement and equitable class placements. And um and we'll do a phasein day a little bit different for kindergarten. We're going to do half the alphabet on one day and the other half the second day. So they'll have smaller class sizes to start and then all of them will come together on the third day. So, that is a little bit of a change. Um, again, we're we're our goal is still to engage families as early as we can, and we'll do that. We'll just do that a little bit differently, screen them right before they come and um get the year off to a good start for for our families

007and for our incoming kindergarteners. So, >> I think that's a great idea. Engage and then uh you get a better look at them in the fall. >> For sure. >> I think we're fine. Our typical enrollment is about 160. That's about where we are these days. And we were finding almost like a quarter of the class, 40 kids weren't pre-screening. You know, they kind of didn't know they had to register. They're new to the community. So, we were finding we were kind of scrambling to screen on those first few days of school. And this this will kind of take care of that problem. So, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Any other discussion? >> Okay, let's call the role. >> Mrs. Ross, >> I >> Mr. Mr. Davis, >> I >> All right. Next order of business

008is the master agreement with Xerox and uh is recommended that the board of education approve the >> Whoops. I'm sorry, I jumped ahead. Uh next order of business is financial adoption of the 2026 No, I'm sorry. Master agreement. Yeah, it is recommended that the board of education approve the 60-month document management agreement. >> Hold on, Chief. I um let's refresh this because I'm not seeing all these 3.1. There we go. Okay, this is where we are. Sorry. Oh, okay. >> Technology. >> Yeah, I I'm missing a couple numbers there. Let's start over. All right. 3.1 Financial report. It is recommended that the board adopt the financial report as of January 2026. >> A motion. >> A second. >> Motion and a second. uh discussion explanations >> uh we're going to talk about the forecast so

009I'll save >> save it till then makes sense okay >> call >> any more discussion all right call the role >> I Mrs. I >> Mrs. Hi >> Mr. Hi. >> All right. Next is uh forecast and notes 3.2. It's recommended that the board adopt the February 4 February 4 year for forecast along with the notes as presented and there is a digital notes attached to this motion. >> A motion. >> I'll second. motion and a second discussion. >> Okay. Uh we all know what the forecast says. Basically, we've had a work session. We know uh we're in a financial uh challenging situation. Uh we've been on the levy once. We're scheduled to be on again. But what I wanted to do, and uh every every situation has a reason. What I want to do

010is recap uh why I feel we're in this situation. Uh you've you've seen this before, but I think it bears repeating to those who haven't uh seen it. Uh we've talked a lot about uh House Bill 920 and how it offsets valuation increases uh so that the district doesn't see an increase in tax revenue. uh what what this chart does, the top chart uh top part of that chart shows what the impact of that increase in valuation locally does to our state share of of state funding. So I just want to quickly go over that again so that uh folks know uh what what challenges we're facing from a state funding perspective. uh and and I won't spend a lot of time on it but very quickly the top line the valuation uh in fiscal

011year 24 you see the the 504 million185 number fiscal year 27 is the number. Now, fiscal year 27 obviously is not here yet, but we know that that number is accurate because what the state does is when the the district's valuation increases, they take a third of that each year. So, we don't feel the impact of it all in one year. So, it's taking a third of the valuation increase in each of fiscal years 25, 26, and 27. Okay. So keep that in mind. And as that again, you probably get tired of hearing it, but as local valuation increases, local taxes do not. Just keep that in mind. Uh the ADM, the next line remains fairly consistent uh in the 24 mid 2400s uh throughout this this piece. The base cost also remains fairly consistent

012which is unfortunate. Uh the base cost is the state's calculation on what it takes uh to educate a student and in that calculation the state determines uh all of the costs associated with with the school district and then it depends upon how many students you have to to come down to your base cost. But the point here is that number isn't changing which means that the state is not increasing cost figures and and we know fiscal year 27 isn't going to change because 27 is the second year of the the adopted budget. So for four years, the state is not increasing uh the the cost per student or the base cost, which I I I just can't quite wrap my head around. I mean, logically, you know, that in a four-year period of time, your

013costs are going to increase. But because of the way the state views public education, uh they have not touched those numbers and left those uh stagnant. It's it's it's unfortunate and and quite frankly quite frankly it angers uh public schools across the the state which is why there's a there's a suit against the uh the state on the way they fund schools again. Okay. Now as we look to local capacity uh that is a calculation that says okay the base cost is x in this case around what is the district's ability to pay. So one of the key factors in that local capacity number is the district valuation. So as the district's valuation goes up, the local capacity number goes up because the states in the state's mind, you got higher property valuation. You can

014now pay more of the base cost. But as we've mentioned, base cost stays the same. House Bill 920 keeps local taxes the same. So we're not, even though the state thinks we can pay more, we can't because House Bill 920. So the state share then the number uh goes down starts at 31.95 in fiscal year 24 is down to 24.89 now in fiscal year 26 and it's projected to drop down to uh 20 350 by fiscal year 27 which drops the state share percentage. That is the key figure you've heard us talk about a lot. state share the the increase in our valuation is driving down the state share percentage. So when you take the state share dollar number uh times the ADM you get the the number in the yellow that's the state share

015of base cost. So it's it's 7,832 in fiscal year 24 and it keeps dropping every year because our valuation increases, state share decreases, and we're losing money every year. So as you see, by the end of fiscal year 27, we've lost $2 million in base cost funding uh for for two reasons basically. because our valuation went up which didn't generate any more money and the the state base cost did not increase because the state refused to increase the cost per student. So over that period of time our in the in the fourth year in fiscal year 27 our state share base is $2 million less than it was in fiscal year 24. That's in a nutshell why we're in the situation we're in and why every school district that's not on the 20 mil floor

016is in the same cycle as their valuation increases. And this last reappraisal was significantly higher than most. It it pushed 30%. Uh in fact, here we are in in 2026 and it's another reappraisal year. I don't know what to expect, but I don't think it's going to be. It happens every three years, but I don't think it'll be as as significant as the last one was. So, that's why we're in the situation we're in. And I've I've put the website there uh to to show anyone who wants to to pull that website up. These are where these numbers come from, straight from the state department of education. These are this is not the entire state formula. It's the base cost state formula. It's the top half of the state formula. There's also other funding and

017one of the big pieces of the funding is is what we call categorical funding. The biggest categorical piece is special ed. Okay. So what I've done is I've taken the total special ed calculation for fiscal year 26. Part of that calculation is the state will determine what your funding should be and then take it times the state share percent. What you see in the bottom. So the 3,658 382 number uh right left of the uh the beige uh highlight is what our categorical special ed funding is for this year times now what our state share is at 30.22% generates $1.105 105 million. If our state share was what it was back in fiscal year 24, the 38.75, that same $3.6 million funding number would generate $1.4 million for the district. So, not only does the

018state share affect base funding, it also affects categorical funding. And in this case, we've lost another $312,000 in categorical funding because of our state share dropping. So as as your state funding drops and your local revenue doesn't increase and your costs continue to go up, it's only a matter of time to end up where we are today. So, >> do you have other examples of categorical funding? Transportation, >> uh, career tech, gifted, uh, >> all of them. >> Yeah. All all of the categoricals are are affected by your state share. So, which is why that that percent is so significant because it affects obviously the overall number, but every line item in your state funding >> is is multiplied times your state share percent. >> Did you have this categorical funding in October on this?

019because I sent this to our state reps back in October and I looked it up and looks like 26 27 changed just slightly but I didn't >> probably uh I what I did is I the first uh variation had a different ADM number. It had the 25 ADM number. I updated it to the 26 ADM number which is >> Yeah. >> Well, I like this additional categorical funding section. If you don't mind, I'm going to send it to our >> Please do. Yeah. No, it's uh again it's it's significant loss. >> Uh >> yeah, they need to see it like this per district. >> Yeah. >> And I'll be happy to send it to them again. So, >> okay. With that good news, we'll go to uh more good news and that is the forecast

020uh which again we had a work session last week so none of this should surprise you. Mhm. >> Um I'll just highlight a couple of items that the forecast reflects. Uh one thing that that did change significantly, it's not a not a change in in functionality, but just how we track uh it was brought up at the work session. If you look at uh other local fiscal year 25 was 1.773 million. It dropped to 1.078 078 million. As I explained last week, that's just a a difference in the way that we're tracking and handling employee health care contributions. Uh we used to dump them into the general fund uh and then we'd pull them out and they would we would put them over in the O24 fund. We're sending those contributions right now directly to

021the O24 fund. And the offset of that is down on the retirement uh and insurance costs. The very bottom line under there on expenditures drops from 7.704 million in 25 to 7.105 million in 26. I felt that reflecting just the board cost, the net cost in our expenditures was a better representation of our true cost rather than offsetting the cost uh with with employee contributions at the at the local revenue and then the total growth. So, it's just a change of of the way we're we're doing uh those those costs or those contributions, I should say. Uh again, as we've talked, uh fiscal year 28 is is the goal here. It's the third year uh to hit a positive number. Uh if you scroll down just a little bit, it's the last column uh next,

022well, second to last column on the right. This used to be a five-year forecast. As you know, the state shaved a year off of it. Uh I quite frankly don't uh pay much attention to fiscal year 29 either. I mean it's it's there but it's so far out there that so many factors can change. Again a a a forecast is is there to show trend. It's not an exact science. There's so much information that we don't know. In fact, even with fiscal year 28, that will be the first year of the next state budget. So that I don't even want to venture a guess. You would hope that after four years of no increase in the base cost calculation, they would increase that, but this forecast does not does not include that. So I don't

023I don't count on the state to do anything for public any longer. So, uh just some quick facts uh that this are included in this uh a freeze on salaries uh both in fiscal year 27 and 28. Uh we have a 2% buildin increase in the health care costs. We, you know, normally in in most fully funded plans, you'll find anywhere from 8 to 10 to 15% we've been able to hold it down to two. We don't want to underfund our program. So, I have I could have slashed that to zero to find a few more dollars, but I don't want to underfund the the program. So, there's a 2% uh there uh built into our costs, which is why the uh the retirement insurance costs is not an identical offset from the uh from

024the employee healthcare contributions. So, uh again, no anticipated increase in state funding. Now, the the significant parts of this, and we've talked about it before, is a reduction in staff. Uh built into this uh forecast is a uh number of eight certified staff reduction and four classified uh staff pairs if you will uh are built into the the reduction in salary costs. Uh again we it's it's early. We don't know how many retirements we're going to get. We don't know uh what that looks like. I'm a little surprised that the state changed the adoption to February because if you pick a month that we know as little as possible, I think maybe it's February. Uh but that's the the new requirements. Uh the other big number that uh we're looking at, and Steve talked about

025it before, is is bus routes. This reflects a a reduction of 15 bus routes. Um where that number ends up, we don't know yet. Uh we also don't know. I've used $60,000 savings. I know our bus runs are more than that, but we also have transportation funding. So again, a forecast showing trends, a lot of unknowns at this point. Uh but that's where we're at with with this document. It's not pretty. I'm sorry, but it is what it is. >> So, just to recap, it >> it's reducing because the numbers are not negative as we expect them to be negative without all these reductions, right? >> The forecast, the goal is just to be in the black for the next three years for the state. And that includes eight certified staff, four classified pairs, 15

026bus routes, and 27. And then two additional certified staff and 28s. >> Yes. >> Right. >> Two additional certified 28. Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. If if status quo if if we don't show and maybe I should have created a a secondary uh projection. We don't reduce any staff, don't reduce any bus routes. We're we're in the negative in next year. So we're we're up against it. Have we gotten a date on the bus route plan? >> It should be within the next week. He's close. There's a couple different iterations he's running right now. >> I I liked what you said last week, Todd. The way to avoid all this is let's pass a living and and go from there. That's that's the answer to all this confusion and all this angst, all this uncertainty.

027Okay, that's uh that's pretty gloomy. Any more discussion? Uh just that um these things that we have to do to be in the black to be able to pass the states whatever. That's not to say that if we pass a levy, we won't still possibly look at cutting some bus routes. And some of these changes, we could maybe make marginal changes um that would be appropriate. Um it's just these drastic changes are what we literally have to do if we can't pass a levy, >> right? And and for those of you who were around, I guess Kim, you would be the only one who wasn't, but if your third year is is in the red, they call you say, "Okay, we're going to sit down and we're going to go through a plan and and

028it's an extensive process." And at the end of that plan, which is basically they would end up doing what we're doing now, the board would have to adopt uh the new revised plan anyway. So that's why we make the changes to make this a black thirdyear balance. >> This forecast just makes it our plan, not the state's plan. Right. >> Okay. >> Now I Well, but I don't really want to say this, but our next adoption will be in August, which means that our third year will be fiscal year 29. So, which is even more important that we we pass in May and and eliminate the deficits that are forthcoming. >> Okay. Anything else? And roll call. >> Mr. Lowry. >> I. >> Mrs. Platis. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Ross. >> Hi, >> Mr. Davis.

029>> Hi, >> Mr. P. >> Hi. >> All right. Now, we're at 3.3. It is recommended that the board of education approve the 60-month uh document management agreement with Xerox Business Solutions at a minimum monthly lease payment of $7,979. Um, the contract is subject to the terms of the master agreement between Xerox Business Solutions and Equalis Equilus uh group. Talmage City Schools is a member of Equilus Group and uh public sector group purchasing consortium and could you explain what the public service >> Yeah, I'll let Mr. uh Mr. Man fill in gaps, but essentially what what happened so We have a lot of big Xerox machines here in the motion first. >> Yeah, sir. >> Well, okay. >> Good point. >> Let's do a motion. Motion. >> I'll second. >> Got a motion and a

030second and an >> Yeah. So, we have a I mean, we have a lot of big copy machines in the district. We use them, you know, quite a bit. Um so, and we're essentially it's a lease, it's a p lease purchase type of program for our equipment. In addition to that, we pay um kind of you know an ongoing amount per copy. Um so that it's all about the toner usage. So I won't bore folks with too much around document management. What I will say is that um you know it's a pretty it's a pretty big contract. It's lower than it has been in the past. Um historically uh we've used a thanks to Kurt Gwyn who is obsessed with reducing paper usage in this district. Um, we we do use less paper than we

031used to. I used to literally buy a truckload of paper every year. A trailer would bring a truckload of paper and we'd store pallets of it. Uh, we're we're down to about 10 pallets a year that we use. Still sounds like a lot, but keep in mind we have 2500 kids, eight 300 staff members using paper and quite a bit of paper. So a uh with any contract like any public contract like this of this size, we have to meet the state bidding requirements. So Aqualas is a purchasing consortium that basically goes out uh they do this for a lot of different school districts. Goes out and they do the competitive bidding for us and get really good pricing and that's uh what they've done here with Xerox. So Mr. Manion and Mr. Gwyn did

032the heavy lifting on that this. I don't know if Mr. Man you want to add anything to that. >> Yeah, some of this just involves kind of downgrading machines or upgrading machines where we have, you know, higher numbers or lower numbers than than are really capable for that machine. Um, I mean, Steve kind of made a point in terms of kind of highlighting that we get best pricing just in comparison to our most recent which was through Xerox. Um, I think we're about $300 less a month uh with our last cont or with this contract than our last. Um, so we really tried to sharpen the pencil as much as we could knowing that we still need this product. And uh, going with Xerox also is an added benefit because we have those machines in

033our buildings already and we don't have to completely swap out with new machines from a different provider. So that's all I have. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other discussion? A roll call then. >> Mr. Davis. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Pottis. >> I. >> Mrs. Ross. >> I. >> Mr. Lowry. >> I. >> Mr. Pell. >> Hi. >> Next order of business is 4.1 resolutions membership for 2627. It's recommended that the board approve the resolution to renew membership with the Ohio High School Athletic Association for both Townage Middle School and Townage High School for the 2026 and 27 school year. Copies of the resolution are attached. A motion. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Any conversation on this? pretty straightforward. >> Do it every year. This is

034our um the Ohio High School Athletic Association. So, it's all about our leagues. >> Great partnership. >> Yep. >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Ross, >> I. >> Mr. Davis, >> I >> Mr. Lowry. >> Hi, Mr. >> Pass. >> I. Next order is 4.2 is an overnight out of town field trip for varsity softball. is recommended that the board of ed education approve an overnight out of town field trip for ths varsity softball team to Ripken uh complex in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee March 22nd to the 26, uh to compete. Um a athletes are responsible for the transportation to the complex. Coaches will provide meals and uh supervision upon arrival. Approximately 20 athletes will be attending. A motion. >> Mr. Paselli, I'll uh motion to adopt 4.2 through 4.7 in consensus and we can

035discuss them all together. >> That would be perfect. >> Seeing that I'm losing my voice. >> I'll second that. >> I'm glad you did that, Mr. Davis. I I will tell you so by board policy the board must approve every overnight trip. That's why you're approving these even though you are not paying for these. These are all paid for uh by the athletes and the participants. There will be some cost for robotics. We'll get that to the in a minute. It's it's good it's a good reason that there'll be some cost for robotics. Um but the the other trips again uh you know the softball the this is our annual uh spring trip for softball and baseball. Uh this is Mr. Manion's annual Chicago and DC trips with again financed by the kids. The robotics

036trips. This is middle school and high school. They qualified for states. So it's just a tribute to our K uh 12 STEM program. So our robotics kids did a recent competition and now they're going to compete for the the state title in robotics. So we're excited for them to do that. So that's what we have tonight. >> Okay. >> Mr. Mr. Manion, I don't know if you want to add anything about middle school trips. I know it's great tradition. >> Pretty straightforward. Okay. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Davis. >> Hi. >> Mr. Lowry. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Splatis. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Ross. >> Hi. >> Mr. Pastor. >> Hi. >> All right. Um, next item is 5.1. Oops, I'm sorry. 4.8. 8 course guide. Um it is recommended that the board of education approve

037the 2026 27 townage high school course guide. Motion >> motion. I'll second. >> Okay. Some discussion. >> Sure. Proud of the effort that our PR, you know, that Mr. and his his team and the counselors here at the high school uh put together. Um this is our course guide for next year. So the kids right now are basically in the midst of selecting their courses for next year. Um we are telling the kids though however there may be changes in courses if if we don't pass a levy in May. >> So I think that's the important element for for folks to understand. There is some you know some some some changes in the courses. I don't know Mrs. Davis is there anything you want to highlight in terms of the course guide? >> Actually that's

038part of my updates too. >> Okay. We're getting ahead of you. Yes. >> Okay. But that that's that's the story with the course guide this year, guys. >> Okay. Uh roll call, please. >> Mr. Davis, >> I >> Mrs. Blis, >> I. >> Mrs. Ross, >> I. >> Mr. Castelli, >> I. >> All right. Next are personnel items and I'd entertain a motion to uh do 5.1 through 5.10. Motion to run these all together. >> I'll motion. >> Got a motion. >> I'll second >> and a second. Okay. Any discussion on any of them in particular? >> I I guess I'll ask Mr. Manion. I'll give him credit. he's really done a lot of heavy lifting to kind of fill our substitute roles play a key role for us as um so Mr. Mr. Manion,

039I don't know if there's anything you want to point out with our sorry uh is just to point out our our lean nature in terms of custodian and kitchen staff uh and maintenance. And so when one of them are out, there's not a whole lot of backfill opportunity for some of our other employees to take those uh minutes to make sure we have our buildings clean and things done. Um, so we've been trying to work really hard to find uh those that might be interested in filling in those roles. Uh, when we have those rare opportunities with employees out. So, um, you'll see we we don't typically have a whole lot of substitute custodian opportunities. Um, we are approving one of those tonight. Same thing with kitchens. We can always use people that are willing

040to help in our kitchens uh for those kind of odd hours of the day. So, uh, those are the two and and that I would pull out. Great. Thank you, Mr. Manion. I also I'll point out Tracy Nicodemus uh is resigning from her position at the kitchen. Tracy's been at Townmidge for 15 20 years. I mean, she's been here a long time. I longer than I have. Uh really does a great job for us. She will continue to be a bus monitor. She's just stepping away from the from the kitchen uh effort. So, uh but thankful to Tracy for many years of serving our kids uh in the cafeteria. I I see a lot of leaves in there, too. >> Well, yeah. It's uh we we've got a we got a bit of a baby

041boom. It's awesome. It's awesome. We welcomed Arlo Cedar this week. I went our teacher at art teacher at uh the elementary school. There's been been a lot of new ones added to the Talmage family. And here's here's a few more for for coming up. >> Very good. Uh roll call. Mr. Davis. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Ross. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Platis. >> Hi, >> Mr. Lowry. >> Hi, >> Mr. P. >> Hi. >> Next order is central office reports. >> I I'll uh we'll swing through the directors first. So, Mrs. Davis, I I know we gave a preview of yours already, so you can Yeah. >> All right. Um, as you know, we had our um, February professional development day for staff on Friday. Um, we did a little bit of a different format this

042time around and had more building specific um, professional development sessions. Um, at the middle school specifically, the hot topic was AI. Um, some really great sessions there by um, multiple providers. Um, additionally at the high school, we had sessions here around data analysis, um, taking a close look at our Ohio State test results. Um, additionally, we had authentic learning coaching happening. We had, um, a required training around signs of suicide. So, many of the staff went through that training as well, which is a required training for staff. And um they also had some sessions around AI as you would expect. Um at the elementary we had again authentic learning as you know that's a part of our strategic plan and has been a major focus for our district. So we had authentic learning coaching happening.

043We also had um some same goal training. I know Roy is going to mention we're transitioning to same goal for the purpose of um documenting our reading improvement monitoring plans and our multi-tered system of supports. So we introduced staff to using same goal for those two purposes which we think will really streamline the process of both of those. Um so we had that as well. Um I already mentioned kindergarten kindergarten screening, excuse me. So, we're excited about about that and the idea of the uh kindergarten kickoff and then again screening in fall and have um and for those of you who don't know when we screen we do academic screening, letter identification, all of what you would expect, but we're also screening for um occupational therapy, speech and language. So, there are a lot of

044components to that screening. Um so we'll be doing that in the fall, but we do intend to continue um something that has been really wellreceived is kindergarten graduation. So having their own special graduation ceremony, we intend to continue that. That's something we started um about five or six years ago now. So, um, lead teachers, we have finalized, I know I've shared with you previously, uh, learner profiles tied to our, uh, the Talmage Way has been the main focus. And, um, we have a final draft of those learner profiles for our elementary and for the middle school. And those lead teachers will be piloting those learner profiles in their classrooms. At the high school, we're still fine-tuning those learner profiles. As you can imagine, at the high school, it's a little more nuanced. So, we're going

045to continue to work on those learner profiles, but the intent being that lead teachers will be um we'll be piloting those in the fall. And um some of our elementary staff are even going to pilot this spring because they're excited to use those. Um the idea is that it gives us information about how students learn best. It also provides opportunity for them to self-reflect, to reflect on their learning, how they learn best, also to try to hone in on what their passions might be. Obviously, we want to steer them in the right direction in terms of employment, enlistment, or enrollment. Um, and that, believe it or not, that starts as early as the elementary. So, we want them to we want them to discover their passions and kind of help guide their decision- making based

046on those passions. So, that's really the the goal of the learner profiles. Um, math and social studies content committees continue to meet this year. Again, I mentioned before, we are not in a position where we are adopting any additional resources, but it's about um using our resources um as effectively as possible and getting creative about filling any gaps that we've identified in terms of instruction. Um, and then we also uh today was exciting. We had CTE uh program visits. Um, you've heard me mention before, I'm super excited about our fashion merch merchandising uh, design and innovation program that we'll be starting for the 2627 school year. You see, >> yes, that's and if you have not looked at those back here, oh my goodness. So, anyway, I'm I'm, as you can tell, pretty passionate about

047that. So, um, we're excited about that program. And that'll be um in addition to the marketing program that we already have um our um future um entertainers program as well. Um so we're excited about expanding that and um the feedback so far I anticipate a lot of interest in that in that program. So we're excited and we're grateful for the partnership with Kent State as well. Um they've been really integral to developing what this will look like for our kids. So we're excited. So, I think that's it. >> Oh, course guide. I said I would mention that we um have met uh Mark and Trina, Steve and the counselors. Um we've talked through the course guide. Um we have been really proud of the courses we have been able to expand and offer here at

048the high school. Civic engagement is one of those that is so wellreceived um by our kids. Uh, adultting is another one that's been really wellreceived, learning how to do their taxes, how to apply for college, all of those life skills. Um, so we've been really proud of all of the courses we've been able to add. Unfortunately, this year we didn't add any additional courses. There's a lot of unknowns as you're all aware. Um but we uh also talked through what um courses would potentially not be able to be offered um if we weren't successful um in May with the levy. Um so that caveat has been shared with the students. Obviously we hope that we can continue to offer the you know amazing courses we've been able to offer thus far. We continue to have

049ongoing conversations about college credit plus CCP, as you know, is something that continues to change the landscape of of what high school looks like for our students. So, we're we have a goal of continuing to expand those offerings. Um, obviously, CTE, we're already expanding uh through the compact as well. Um, also advanced placement is an ongoing conversation. if we have enough student interest in those advanced placement classes, we do offer those. If we don't, unfortunately, they're not they're not offered. That's always been the case. Um, but those are just considerations we take when we're looking at that at that course guide and and scheduling. So, >> very good. Thanks for all that info. >> Y, good evening. Uh so some quick updates from student services. Um I know we've talked a lot about money so

050I'll try not to go too much into that other than to say you know we talked last month we're we are in the season of access cost and threshold cost. Uh we talked last month about access cost being uh the district's ability to submit um kind of for a reimbursement of of some of the cost uh for students who are placed within our district and we're educating but we are not the district of residents. Um we've completed that and they're still bringing in we don't quite have all the money yet. Um they haven't updated everything yet but that's in the process. threshold cost is where our own students um where we are the district of residents and we're educating our students um as uh Mr. Hostler and I talked about last month um for any

051students that exceed a certain threshold um a certain cost we can um submit for reimbursement. So that that window opens uh March 2nd. So we'll be working on that over the next couple months um to look at reimbursement for that. I think it's interesting though as Mr. Hostetler did a nice job, you know, with his forecast kind of talking about the categorical funds and it was interesting to see he had kind of highlighted fiscal year 24 and 26 because uh that was something I was looking at too with our funds. It's important to note that while uh the state share um does impact categorical cost, it it impacts things like access cost and threshold cost. So as an example, if we just to make it in simplistic terms, if we took all the students that

052we submitted last year and let's and their cost and let's just say we resubmitted those same exact students at the same cost for this year, we would see a reduction in funds, you know, reimbursement returned to us simply based on the because the change in the share as Mr. Hoseller showed. So that's important to know. it affects in in such a variety of ways. Our uh IDEIDA money um through our our CCIP since uh from fiscal year 24 to 26, we've had a an 8,000 increase in funds. That's it in three years. So, um and again, those those are directly impacted. despite the fact that we've seen, you know, some increases in uh supports and services, uh we continue to be kind of a flatline or in some cases we've lost funds. Um so um

053or a reduction in funds that that are being awarded to us. So those are just important things for the board and the community to understand. Um we uh did complete a um a budget revision um for our federal programs. I think this was our third revision. Um this is uh carryover money um that was just approved uh today I think. Um so just an FYI on that. Um throughout the year we um often do revisions to um our federal programs like Title One, Title 2A, IDA and so on. Um so that most recent was was approved. So we're excited about that. Um we are also in the process um of working with our non-publix um right now they are submitting participation in federal programs. So just so the board understands um any non-public school where

054a townish student attends those non-public schools um have the option of choosing to participate in federal programs. So, uh, Cornerstone Community School as an example, they're within our district, but, uh, St. Patrick and Kent or St. Joe's and Waterlue or something like that. Uh, we have we have Townage students who are residents who attend those programs. Uh, if the students are eligible uh, for a federal program like Title One, um, those those nonpublics can choose to participate in the federal programs. Um and then we have to work with them um to participate in that process. And some of the smaller non-publiclix we we pull we work in a pool. So we'll work with Kent and Waterlue and Mador and things like that. Akran and Kaga Falls, we'll work with those districts to pull the cost

055um to support that student need. Um in other cases like when we work with Cornerstone those those funds um we support that directly by ourselves. Um so just know that that participation window is open. We're working through that right now and then anybody who um chooses to participate and is eligible to participate we will start the process of consulting with them on on how services are delivered. So um we're working through that. Courtney talked about uh same goal um with MTSS and and the RIMs. Um yeah, we we had mentioned this to the board last month, too. We're looking at kind of fully rolling out um you know, in its full capacity, same goal for next school year. So, we kind of did uh training in the uh the PD session last week and then

056we'll be rolling out um further training for staff because not everybody received um the full training, but that'll be coming so that everybody's ready for next year. Um as we look ahead, um Courtney and um and Steve talked about um uh kindergarten and the changes to kindergarten both in terms of the screenings and the start dates. Um we still will have our March 1st uh March 1st will still remain though the the window where we open up for enrollment for kindergarten that will stay same. So that's coming up in a couple weeks. Families can start to enroll. Um uh our process for early entrance kindergarten will also continue to be the same. The only difference will be rather than um that October uh that August 1st cutoff we will be consider anybody any student who

057is August 20th to December 31st that family can um request um early entrance testing if they're interested in early entrance to kindergarten. The rules around early entrance kindergarten have not changed. It is still a it's still considered by the state a whole grade acceleration. So to be eligible for early entrance, uh you have to meet the requirements for whole grade acceleration. Okay. Um so we have that. Um just uh a couple other little things. We're in the process of um uh our Medicaid audit. Um we talked last month about a little bit about that with the board. So, uh, we work with, um, a firm that that audits our Medicaid, um, our school Medicaid, uh, program, uh, because we submit for reimbursement for Medicaid. We're in the middle of that process. We always, um, do

058a nice job with that. Um, so we don't see any problems with that. And last is we'll be meeting next Friday with um, some of the building administrators and our district team. uh we have to update our one needs assessment um and our one plan. Uh this is kind of something the state's put in in more recent years where we have to outline uh goals um that we want to work at as a district so that we're tying that to how we're utilizing our funds. So, uh we'll be updating that because we're in a three-year co uh we're a cohort and it cycles through every three years. This is our three years. So, uh, it's a bigger process, but, um, we'll be doing that over the next couple months, and we'll just keep the board

059updated. Any questions? >> Thanks for the update. >> Mr. Manion, >> no worries. Uh, just a couple things from me. Um, with Tracy stepping away from the tees kitchen, we'll be replacing that uh, employee here hopefully in the coming days. We've had quite a bit of interest, so we're excited about um making that transition. Um maintenance custodians are kind of getting into the spring season. We start practices in like a week. Um so we are working to try to get all of our spaces ready for the spring. Um and kind of praying for no more snow. Um we are also hosting the next Summit County safety security event. That's going to be March 31st here at the high school. um several districts in the area. We've met, I think, two times prior to to this

060meeting that's coming up. Um just to talk about kind of the the newest the newest things that we can consider as a district to make our district safer uh and just learning from past events uh that people have encountered. Um other than that, I want to give kind of two uh just appreciation statements tonight. So, we have had some uh busing call offs and and Jen and Linda have done an amazing job with the transportation department of of juggling kids and and the amount of changes that are going into every single day are just pretty pretty impressive that they are able to figure out how to make that work and get kids home. We have had a couple of delays, so we apologize for that. Um, but all in all, we have been uh incredibly

061lucky to have the two of them at the at the front of making those decisions. And then finally, just Dennis Wood um stepped up to kind of handle some of our with Jamie Wade resigning um recently. We've had some snow come in and so he's kind of stepped up to to handle the plowing needs that we've needed to is uh take care of in our lots. So just those two. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jeff. Dennis is normally the one of the day custodians at Townidge Elementary School. So we are thankful to Dennis for doing that. no relation. So, I'm not um and then I I wanted to point out pitch hitting for uh Mr. Mr. Gwyn tonight. This is Tim Blau. So, I don't know if everybody knows Tim. Tim's been How long been

062at the district now, Tim? >> Yeah, a while. So, he's network administrator. Does a great job for us and thankful to him for staying tonight. Kurt had ended up being pretty much full reconstructive surgery on his ankle. Um, so he's he's hoping to be back next week, I think, maybe at at least on one leg by then. So, uh, so, um, again, thanks to thanks to Tim for pitching here. Um, so Tim, can you bring up, it doesn't really matter if you can't, but you can bring up my slides. I just had a couple things I wanted to point out um, as good news. I did, you know, we won't talk about bad news anymore, but I did attach some of the uh work session slides from the other night to this agenda just so

063if the public's interested, they can look at uh some some of the slides that were also shared uh last last week uh around our spending and some of our plans going forward. Primarily, what I have is great some some great news. Uh so, first of all, again, wanted to shout out to Courtney in particular. She she was the mastermind behind PD day and really the driver. A lot of people did a lot of work, but I just I want to celebrate Courtney for for just a really successful day uh making it worth our teachers time. The Family Consumer Sciences Community Leaders of America, that's what FCCLA stands for. I keep forgetting that, but we've been involved with FCCLA for a long time. Uh and this year we are hosting that event here at Townage High

064School. So I think there's, you know, dozens and dozens of schools that will be coming here to Townage on uh on Saturday. I'm one of the judges. I know they a lot of a lot of other business leaders in the community will be here as judges this weekend. So big shout out to to Stephanie Kimmy Tran and and everybody that was involved in setting that up here. Stephanie Kaiko uh setting that up here at Townage High School. Um winter sports, it's like all playoffs for everyone. It's pretty amazing run that our winter sports are having. So the girls uh basketball sectional final is ho is here on Saturday. So um yeah, we're we're going to try to still do FCCLA at the same time we have our sectional final. We'll figure that out. Um the

065bowling are we have four bowlers that made it out to districts. So they are also in a final this weekend. Uh we have nine swimmers which I think might be a record for us. Um made it out to districts. They'll be they'll be uh competing at at Cleveland State on Friday. Our cheerleaders are finishing their season this weekend at the state competition down in Sunbury, Ohio. Um want to celebrate the duel in the school. So, big shout out to Keith B. U, we hosted the Springfield Wrestlers uh last week. It's a great event. A lot of our kids here at the high school during fourth block. Got to see our wrestlers in action. It's a a sport that continues to grow. Uh and it's a special group of kids this year. So, uh really really

066cool event and we beat Springfield, which is, you know, the nice nice bonus, too. wheelchair basketball. We get a buy for the playoffs, but the they are hosting a playoff game. Their first playoff game will be March 2nd. So, uh I think we'll be uh heading right towards states. I don't I don't want to jinx them, but they're they're again having a great season. And then our boys are also hosting uh a sectional final here. Uh basketball boys are ha hosting it here next Friday, the 27th. and what we we already mentioned uh robotics and our robotics program and tribute to our STEM staff for all the great things happening around robotics. So that's that's the good news here. Um and we're I I will tell you personally I'm very happy that the weather is

067a little bit warmer than it was the last time we had a board meeting. Uh so uh that's that's what I have tonight. I don't know if the board has anything else you wanted to talk about. I just wanted to ask how is staff morale like with all of this >> talks of cuts and such. >> It's a hard time. It's a hard time. >> Sure. You know, and you know, es especially for uh we certainly um there's you know, folks that are really feeling vulnerable right now because of the possibility of of a reduction in force. Um we have amazing staff. Mr. Brian can talk about it. We've we've seen this move. A lot of our staff have seen this movie before in Townage. Unfortunately, it's a cycle that happens. It last happened back

068in 2019. We failed a levy before we passed one back in 2019. So, a lot of our staff have endured that in the past. So, uh but it's hard. You know, I would say within education, this time of year is a hard time of the year. You know, the days are short. It's cold outside. Um and and it's you're you're trying to get your kids and see the progress and and uh make get them to the end of the school year and and um so you have all that going on in your mind right now as a as a teacher and then and then to have this kind I I call it the cloud that's blocking the sun right now because there's a lot of amazing things that are happening in the in the district

069that we need to remind ourselves to celebrate because there are a lot of great things happening with amazing teachers, amazing staff, you know, great stories for kids. Starting to hear from our from our high school seniors are going to they're going to be going next year. There's a lot of celebration uh that accompanies that. So, um but yeah, I'm not I'm not going to cover up the fact that there is that cloud right now that that is hanging over with with the the stupid way Ohio finances schools and and how we're a victim of that right now. So, >> and then you had mentioned earlier in the meeting that there might be a cost to us for the robotics. >> There may be some cost. It's a is state, you know, it's a it's basically

070like a playoff game for sports. So, it's a similar um >> So, we don't know that. >> We'll rent like rent. I think there'll be a van rental. Mr. Day drives the van. So, he'll rent the van. So, whatever a rental minimal cost. >> Yeah, it's minimal. I think there's a registration fee for those that that get into that tournament so that they can provide what they need to as a tournament, but it's it's pretty minimal and pretty comparative to the amount that we pay for our other tournaments throughout the course of the year. >> Yeah. >> And then back to the FCCLA event, did they get enough judges? Do you know? >> I I don't know. >> They they needed 70. >> I know. I I think they I think they did. I think

071they have a lot of volunteers, but I I a lot >> I think they're in they're in good shape. Okay. So, >> thank you. >> Okay. Um, I see no old business, no new business, and this is where we open it up to communications. So, if anybody would like to speak, you could step up to the microphone, uh, state your name and, uh, uh, about five minutes. and have any takers. >> Rock, paper, scissors. >> So, Barb Mace, I'm at 654 Deerwood. Um, I had a few big areas of interest. um the transportation potential transportation things. Um uh I think it was mentioned last week about um students walking and is is there any kind of legal requirement for sidewalks and and other safety requirements that you know about already and are discussing? Um, and

072then I wanted to ask about the um alleviating the traffic problem. I know you've already um trying to address with the police department, but I was wondering if there was any consideration, and I don't even know if it's feasible about opening the Elm Drive um where it used to be an entrance to that campus. Um, I don't know. I thought that the last time Dave Klein and I spoke about the widening widening of East Avenue that was on like the schedule for either 26 27. So, I'm concerned about that with the, you know, with all the um talk about the cutting and the busing and um so transportation was one thing, the curriculum and I the I love when I get to come and hear what's happening in the school and not just be focused

073on the money. And so, Miss Davis, I um was especially interested in um the new some of the new courses. Is there a place to go where people can see the great things that are being done that way? >> You're referring to the new courses at the high school. >> Yes, the the course guide would have those. We didn't add any new courses this year. Um, but we, like I said, we're really proud of the ones we've been able to offer previously. And in that course guide, it will give you descriptions of, for example, the civic engagement course that I mentioned in adulting. Um, just those are just two of the newer ones. We've we've >> But where where would we where would we see that information, you know, >> in the course guide that's

074um attached to the board agenda? It's also on the website. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> I'm glad you brought that up, Miss M. So, I think we can do uh we can do like a little infographic that celebrates some of the recent courses we've added over the last few years and just let folks know the types of courses that kids >> Yeah. I think it's really good for the community to see. >> Sure. you know, I mean, I know they see some things like the robotics and and um I've seen a lot of the entertainment stuff um recently, but it's good to see how education's evolving and >> you know, um so and then on the curriculum, um I wanted to ask if you how far along you are in any kind

075of analys analysis about the block scheduling and what that might do. I mean, if you're just getting off the ground or if you're further along. Yeah, that's something we've been working on for a few years now. So, I'm glad you brought that up. So, block scheduling for folks that are watching um has been a tradition at Townage for 30 years. Townage and particularly at Townage High School. And basically the way the block works um I think it's important for people to understand is essentially kids are taking a full course work of uh worth of work in just each semester. So in a traditional schedule, you know, you might have like algebra 2 and you'd have it all year long from, you know, in a in a seven period day, you'd have algebra 2 all year

076long. Whereas a block schedule because there's longer periods um they're 80 minute periods uh with the block basically the kids will take algebra 2 for one semester and then they'll move on to some other some other class in the second semester. Um so it's been a great it's been a tradition for us and it facilitates a lot of good things for us in terms of it enables us to fit in our career tech programming really well. Career tech for example is a half-day program. Some of our kids will travel to Kent for half the day and then they'll take two blocks here at the high school. So, it fits that really well and it same has happened now with CCP. There's some problems with the block though too that the district is looking at and

077one of those things is flexibility. Um, having kids being able to have more choices in terms of uh electives and those sorts of things. They get kind of boxed out. Um, I the prime example I'll provide you, Miss Mazize, you're very familiar with this probably is band. So, usually kids that take band, it's a fourth block class. So, if there's a really cool class those other those kids want to take that only happens during the fourth block, the band kids are kind of like, darn, I can't take it because I want to take band. So, that's one of the downsides of the block is some of that flexibility. Um, so one thing we have done over the last few years is create uh kind of a flexi block in that fourth block that enables those

078band kids, for example, to take additional coursework. Um, I say all that just to kind of set the frame that it's just been an important part of what we do here in Townage City Schools for a long time. Um, we are looking at alternatives. Um there are a number of other schools in our area, Twinsburg, Aurora, Hudson, who you know have had or have been on the block in the past and have come up with modified schedules that kind of balance that that some of that flexibility that we're looking for as well as efficiency in terms of um in in terms of of uh of staff deployment. So we are looking at that right now. Mr. her has a task force together. Um, we're looking at implementing something new. I don't know what that is

079yet, but the 2728 school year. So, basically one more year. You know, it's really the tricky thing also I want the board to understand too is we're a 26 credit high school. The state of Ohio requirement is 21 credits. So we require our kids to earn more credits than most high school. It's not uncommon for districts to do that. You know, Townage has had that tradition for a long time and it's just basically having that rigor and making our kids work a little bit harder and exposing them to more electives, exposing them to more things. There's a lot of good reasons why we have exceeded the state requirements on that. the block schedule by allowing students to earn eight credits a year, which is a lot if you think about it. Eight credits a year

080is kind of facilitates our kids getting more credits. So, we are as part of this effort also looking at that 26 credit requirement, seeing if we could step that down a little bit and that would enable us to provide a little bit more flexibility for our kids. But again, that's a big cultural shift for us as a district. Um, and then it would also be like a phase in type process. Like we can't just go from, you know, Tangas has to get 26 credits and then the kids right behind her only have to get 22. You you you'll be phasing that those changes in here at the high school. So, I know that's a lot, Miss Maize, but that's I I just wanted the community to have a good sense of um number one, a

081lot of the van advantages and good things about the block and then also some of the downsides and what the district is doing to try to try to again come up with a schedule that's best for kids as well as efficient for taxpayers. um when you were talking about the electives and the course guide um and that you might have to I mean pull back on some of the electives um have you um let's say what have you already identified those electives that you might cut and have you considered pulling them now um and allowing students to pick them up later if you would be able you know if the levy passes and you know that you don't have to make any cuts. >> Yeah. at this point at this point again it's a huge

082function as I mentioned at the work session it's a huge function of of departures that that's that plays a big role in what electives may be affected um you know and and and again our counselors they're very aware of some of the classes that might be affected and they're working with the kids on that I will also tell you and we do this every year there will be classes in the course guide. And this does not not just when we're in financial trouble. There'll be courses in the course guide that we end up at, you know, after the principal and his team reviews. Well, there's only six kids in that class. >> Sorry for those six kids. And we'll redeploy them into something else. So that's that's a very common approach for us if we

083have to pull a course um here in the spring just as long as we notify the kids before next semester. So on the class size um I wanted to ask I know it looked like the enrollment number and I don't know you know it was just a pure mathematical um equation that you came up with the class size what with CCP and um what is the class size at the high school and you know they're saying that it's so much studies are showing that you really need to lower the class size at the earlier levels um where they get their foundational um work and um kind of have that cemented. Um, so I was wondering if if you're looking at making a shift so that we can reduce where we know we have like I

084don't know I've heard that maybe the bubble going through is in fifth was it fifth grade now uh sixth grade that one I >> that's that's fundamentally what we do I mean that's that's what we do that's that's exactly what we do is is balance exactly that we have, you know, we have uh class sizes here at Townage High School with well over 30 kids. That's something we would not allow at Townage Elementary School. So there's we already will have larger class sizes at the high school level. So um and and I you know I'm with you. I mean we're we're trying to keep the class sizes at the elementary school at that 25 or lower and we're leveraging that that bubble that that you you mentioned. um you know, we're leveraging that as part

085of that process. >> So, what what do you think the high school is the average at the high school? >> It's it's going to range. It's it's going to range. I mean, some of the basic, you know, basic English classes are going to have, you know, over 30 kids, math classes are going to be bigger. But then once you get into like a, you know, a a specialized class, a statistics class, a higher level class, you're going to have lower uh you know, 20 or lower >> over 30 some some of the some of our you know bigger bigger uh core classes will have 30 kids in it. Yep. Absolutely. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um and then I think um Jeeoff I wanted to ask about the on the finances the dollars required for

086the instructional spend. Are you seeing as big of increase in um the needed funds for instru classroom instruction or is it in some of the other areas like because of our utilities and you know the non-instruction spend >> everything everything goes up. Do you have any kind of >> I don't have it broken down uh in the way I think you're looking for but every category of our our expenditure side of things goes up our utilities goes up uh salaries and wages go up simply by the nature of more advanced educated staff and more experienced staff u benefits go up you know there's there's nothing that doesn't uh doesn't increase over the years. >> I mean, are they all like at the pace of maybe a year ago inflation rate or is it, you know,

087>> uh >> higher, lower? >> I haven't looked specifically at uh those different areas to compare to inflation. I just know that uh our costs are continuing to rise and most of our costs are fixed. There's some we can do something about, there's some most we can't. >> Okay. And then my last u on the the health fund, where where did where does the money where did the money come from that built up that five I think I've heard five million as >> over the years? We've been self-funded for a number of years. Uh every year, every month we pay into it. we pay a quote unquote premium to ourselves. >> Uh the balance increases as the result of of sound fiscal management and and uh instituting different programs to save money and simply our

088claims are less than what our contributions are. So that five million though was built up through the employee contribution. That's like the 15% or whatever and then the school, >> right? >> It's the other the rest of it. >> Yeah. The school district pays 85%. This employee pays 15%. So all that goes into the the fund and then from that money we pay our own claims and we pay medical mutual to administer those claims. Is there any latitude in in what you keep as a balance in that fund or >> uh there's no minimum requirement if that's what you're asking? >> Yeah. >> And there's been years uh in in my 21 years here uh we weren't self-unded the entire time. We we had some some years where our experience our claims were high uh

089and we looked at uh companies would come in and say hey we'll fully fund your program for this premium amount which was less than what we were expected to pay to to stay above water knowing we knew that you know they would come in and low ball the first or second and second year or so and then they would hit us with the high increases but we utilized that we leveraged the low premiums for a a couple of years and then when they hit us with with a higher increase in a fully funded program, we went back to selfunded and we've managed uh that balance over the years to very excuse me a successful outcome to where we are now. Is there a pension uh split as well that you can I mean >> the

090pension is through the either state teachers retirement system or school employees retirement system and by law we're required to pay in a certain percentage into those systems. >> What percent? >> Uh for STS the employee pays 10 uh the employer the board pays 14. STS the employer pays 14 and the board pays 14. But that's that's strictly the we don't manage the pension systems. >> Uh those two those two systems are separate. >> Yeah, I know mine's so small that they've said >> Barb, >> you might want to take it out. >> That's that's >> I'm Thank you very much. I appreciate it. >> You're very welcome. Uh, one of the questions I had was I saw the policy changed with dropping off and picking up kids at the elementary and that's in effect now.

091>> Yeah. So, let's just make make clear what we did there. What we were having a pro there's a lot of problems and we have a team that's working on the traffic at uh at Townage Elementary School and the middle school. So, kind of it kind of ties into Miss May's question a little bit. Um there's a lot of things we want to try and especially in preparation for heaven forbid we have some additional riders next year. Um but the the one problem that the board uh everybody may have seen this week was we have the window to pick up kids. So the basically the dismissal bell at Townidge Elementary School rings at 3:15. That is the earliest a child can exit that building. Uh, and usually it's 3:15. The earliest they're coming out is

0923:20. For whatever reason, people were showing up at 2:45, sometimes earlier, and literally just sitting in the parking lot waiting for um, you know, reading a book, waiting waiting for uh, waiting for the bell to ring. And that the problem that caused for us um is that if a family for example um their child got sick at the end of the school day, towards the end of the school day, nurse calls and says, "Johnny's sick. Come and get him right away." That person would drive and show up at 2:45 and they can't get anywhere near the building. So um that was just it was just create creating a ma major problem and uh so we as a team got together and one of the thing the really the only change you've seen so far more

093to come is we have prohibited families people from coming to pick up and wait in the town elementary school line before 3:00 and it's pretty amazing the difference that has made I will tell you in terms of the line and the backup out to you know historically Literally, there would be East Avenue would start to feel the pain at 2:55, a full 25 minutes before >> 220. >> Well, that's that's that's the middle school. I don't think that's the every day, Miss Mace. >> Every day was was 255 was the elementary backup. And um that, you know, and they literally they're just sitting there. It's kind of like if Giant Eagle opens at 7:30, do you go at 7 to wait in the parking lot until it opens up? No, you show up. So, um,

094so the, you know, and one of the little bit of the frustration has been is, you know, credit to our elementary school team for, you know, one of the key things and why dismissal at the middle school is so much quicker is we don't, you know, basically we release the kids at the middle school. find your parents, go to your car. At the elementary school, we got five-year-olds there. We are connecting that five-year-old with that parent. That is happening. So, safety remains the top priority for all of those kids. So, we that's why we have those tags that families have in their cars and we match the kid to the tag every kid. So the 600 700 car riders that we have that happens every day which is a pretty amazing achievement. But what's really

095amazing for it is again that dismissal starts at 3:20. We have pretty much it all cleared out by 3:35 which is pretty impressive. And the thing I've we've tried to communicate to families for five years now is come at 3:40. the window to pick up your child is all the way to 3:45. And you know, it's it's funny. There's number of people that I've told that it's like just just come at 3:30. The line is already gone. You drive right up, you pick up your kid, and you go. It's Giant Eagle. It opens at 7:30. You walk right into Giant Eagle. You get your bread, you come right out. It's the same thing. You don't have to wait for a half hour anyway. So, it was just frustration of mine, but um it still it

096still remains um you know, I'm I'm proud. I mean, again, we can clear that clear it in 15 minutes. It's just a matter when those folks show up. We are we have started looking at uh for next year if if you know, number one, there's a couple of additional things we're thinking about and it does involve Elm Drive, which is open. There is no gate at Elm Drive anymore. That is open. We block it though because that's where our bus bus uh pickup for our middle school is presently. So that is blocked at the end of the school day. But we're we're thinking about you know getting crafty with the use of some of the more of the pavement on our our um on our property. Uh again without trading off again the most important

097thing is that safety uh and connecting those kids. So a lot lot going. Thankful to Mr. Manion. his his brain's much more logistical than mine is. Um trying to sort out best ways to get kids off the campus. Um this is a problem. Every school district in the state of Ohio, you know, people don't remember that Dunbar, it would stretch all the way out to Southeast Avenue and the Summit R Summit Racing used to complain about the traffic in front of their property because of the Dunar traffic. So we've we've had this before. Um, honestly, I think it's better than ever because of the car rider app. It's just a matter of getting families to um, you know, g getting families and and us getting more efficient with the way we do things there. >>

098Very good. Thanks for that explanation. Any other questions? All right. I'd entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> That's okay. My name is >> for 14 15 years. We talked about the busing. Um I think you know you said you wanted to cut out busing then now you're saying cut it out a couple routes you know take away 10 routes or whatever. But I think that the bus routes need to be re-evaluated. I know for a fact my granddaughter rides the bus. She is on a bus that is jam-packed. There's arguing, fighting, pushing, bullying. It all goes on in this bus. The bus she previously rode last year goes by the house with 10 kids on it. I They've got to be looked at. My neighbor's grandson gets on with 10 kids.

099I mean, I think the routes need to be redone or looked at so that they're more efficient that we don't have all these buses going with 10 kids on one and 40 of them on another and all they're doing is arguing and fighting. >> Yeah, I I will tell you that that is a constant process. I I'd have to look at those specific things, Miss Benington, but the um you know, we we are constantly rebal rebalancing the buses and making sure they're balanced. You I would say a low number of kids may be an indicator that's a special ed bus. Just just saying they're regular elementary school kids. The one that's the my daughter's in junior high. I mean, granddaughter's in junior high, so they're all Yeah. fifth through 8th. And then my next door

100neighbor, her son's in fourth grade, so that's an elementary school bus. And it's not special. And her the bus that originally picked her up last year, her best friend's in rides by my house with like 10, 15 kids in it. I don't know. That's why I said I think the routes need to be relooked at or I mean you could probably eliminate three buses right there. Well, >> because of the number of kids on the bus and where they're going and the route they're going. I mean, they ride right by our house. >> Yeah, I Yeah, I I would tell you there's probably more information that you don't have in terms of how those are routed. And I mean, that's something that our bus garage I mean that's we have this software called Versatrans that

101monitors how many kids are on each bus and making sure they're all balanced. So, I don't know what's happened with that one. I could certainly look into that now that I know you live on how road. ask, you know, about about a a bus that goes by. >> It's just it's just strange cuz my granddaughter said, "My god, get me off the crowded bus. Let me ride the 10 people bus that rides by the house." >> Okay. >> But I mean, I still think there's issues with the driving in and out of the elementary and the middle school. I mean, for example, my granddaughter was in a book club and they got out the time the elementary school got out. So, I would have to leave a half hour early just to even get in

102line to get in there and then you can't cut because they'll get you. >> Yeah, they will get you. >> You know, believe me. Uh, and I keep hear people say, "Oh, I'll just add another lane. That's a million dollar lane. >> I know. And I agree. I mean, it's it's money to do that, but it's like you need another passageway or another lane or some way to get in there. >> Do we do we >> I know. I know. That's what I said. And And the same thing with the busing. If some kids are walking, you've got I know for a fact how has no tra no lights on the street at all. It's black over there. I mean, and then there's not sidewalks in some spots and trying to get around the that

103even that little circle at the end of how to Monroe. You take your life in your hands driving up there, let alone walking. >> I I would suggest those are all good suggestions. We need more sidewalks. Talk to your council person. You have a mayor I mean that's a mayor now that >> referring it back to the city then >> really likes sidewalks push them to put more sidewalks >> we've and we've been told how supposed to have street lights but it's not happened >> because I mean that's black over there I wouldn't want anybody walking over there you don't trust them and I and I will tell you I have the exact same concern you do of having our kids walk You got to have crossing guards more. That's more money there, too. >>

104Everything about it from a safety standpoint. >> The reality is each bus route is one teacher and we as a district need to make a decision because of the bind we're in. Do we cut teachers or a bus? >> And I agree with that. But I mean there you you've got to look at the busing situation, too. Like I said, what's going to cost the city more if people get into the street lights, the sidewalks, crossing guards, or whatever. I mean, it's going to cost somebody more money because you got to have it. You got to have the kids safe walking. >> Again, >> pass the levy. That's the That's the underlying problem here. We need more money. We need our state representatives to represent us. And I will tell you this, I wrote to

105the state representative. I also wrote to Trestle and I also wrote to DeWine. And I did get a reply back from the state from the state representative today. >> Yeah. >> That I emailed. >> I went on a rant one day and just started emailing everybody. But >> but I mean, yeah, I know. Keep going. And I I am I I was complaining about the property taxes and the um school funding, >> right? >> And me coming from you talked about property taxes. I'll get on this and then I'll get off. Um I'm I'll be 67. My house is paid for. my husband died which paid off my house and it's a lot to have an increase in a property tax. I mean it's not if your house is financed. I've worked in a mortgage

106servicing department. You get raised 20 bucks maybe because your taxes went up. 20 bucks is a lunch. You know, you just eliminate that and you move on. But me, it's not a lunch. It's like $300. And $300 is a lot when you're on a when you're on social security >> a year. But still, it it's still >> Well, yeah. But it's still extra money out of my pocket that I don't have to have out right now. So, believe me, I'm really on for that. People over 65, they don't have to pay property taxes. But that would hurt too with you. What would you do if they passed that with older people not paying property taxes? What will that do with the levy? >> I I know. That's what I'm saying. What What I mean, it's

107>> Yeah. >> Right. And that that was in my email about they have that on there >> that it's supposed to be coming up. It's about three. What is it? Your property ta taxes can't be more than 3% of your income. >> Yeah, I I will tell you from my standpoint. So, what we as a district can control is that is how much we spend per pupil and the type of academic we're working hard to do that and the best we can and we can always get more efficient. We know that and um you know it it's really unf fortunate because I I feel I feel you there's a lot of people that share that with me. We got there's a gentleman that writes Jeff I think monthly and tell tells him about how his

108property taxes are affecting him and >> and they've gone up a lot. >> No. Yeah. We we hate that. Um and um so you know we we're we're trying as hard as we can to control that and and I know the board that's why this ask you know if you look at um Barbaron is asking for 11 mills uh Kent is asking for 9.8 mills coming up >> sto back on the board too >> may you know and and we're asking for 5.6 six, which is one of the lower ask and because the board recognizes this hurts, >> right? >> Just take, you know, asking for um and uh believe me, >> we wish we weren't asking. We wish we didn't have to. >> And I agree and I understand that and Tomage is a

109good school system. I mean, that's basically why we moved here many, many moons ago. >> Yeah. And I'm one of those grandmas who watch Well, my little ones will be four, so we'll be going to kindergarten next year. >> All right. >> And then my granddaughter's in the middle school. So I'm the one during the day that's going to be driving if I have to drive and going two different ways. >> Any more questions? >> No, I'm done. >> Okay. >> Thank you, >> John. >> All right. Very brief. Uh name is John Bryan. I am the vice president of Tomage Teachers Association. Uh there was a question about teacher morale and I like what you said too, Steve. There's a cloud over uh mostly with our young teachers because they're all right. Am I

110going to be the position that's going to get cut? Uh the other big terrifying fear is that our class sizes go up uh with less teachers. That's another big fear and that's exact you know what you were addressing there uh Miss Maize which I think is so important. All the research says that K12 should be no larger than 20 students. And um I just want anyone who's watching, have you ever been to a birthday party with 12 of these kids? Now imagine I have 27 and I've had 30 students in my classroom as a fifth grade teacher. In fact, I had your son Jacob many year 25 years ago, I think. Um well so our young teachers and then going to the property tech they're overpriced of even buying a house now our young teacher

111couples so they have a lot on their plate in regards to that the elementary I can speak personally we don't have enough classrooms we're out in the common areas which were supposed to be laboratory type things so to have more students because we lost teachers it's terrifying and then going to also the electives what Do we cut? We have to cut something. And this is the hardest thing I think as a district. Do we cut busing? Do we cut our program? Do we cut teachers so our class sizes are larger? So, it's a horrible thing for townage teachers and administration to make these decisions. And you know, I'm And the other big thing teachers are worried. We're getting hit with the same grocery prices, property tax increase, but we're not getting a cost of living

112raise because of how the fun the state funds us. Those, and I said this last time, are the ones we need to be angry with. They sent $1 billion to parochial private, and charter schools. We have a rainy day fund of 1 billion, the highest we've ever had, which can be used for rainy days and helping schools out. But for me, it's a big push to break up public education. When you do that and you keep because our job has always been to create great citizens. They can read, they can write, they can vote. You know that they are our job is to make great citizens, right? And now there's a I've seen it coming for years, especially being in the union. I see this legislation. They purposely want to break up public education, right?

113You keep people at the mass uh in unintelligent. They're easily controlled. You know, we'll watch Jerry Springer to get our facts, right? Um so that's the big thing. But I've talked to my friends and you know the property tax. I've never not voted for a a school levy because I want to keep my property value up high and I was speaking with my friends and we were talking about you know what I'm a product of Akran public schools. I got a great education there. I was so proud. I learned so much but someone took care of me and passed those property taxes back then. And some people are so struggling and I get that. But if we want to continue to have great citizen, remember these young kids are going to be, you know, changing

114our diapers in the medical facilities at some point. I want them to be able to do add some math up and convert some medicines for me, please. But we do have an advantage. We know cursive they don't. We can pass little secret messages. Jennifer, save me your tapioca pudding. Can you give that to her? All right, I'll be here all week, folks. Anyway, um so it's very it's a very trying times. However, Talmage teachers are resilient. We're not giving up hope. We're going to be out there canvasing. It's a hard pill to swallow, but we need to pass this levy. And it's not a huge levy, but you know, but we teach it. We're hurting just as bad. And they're going to do a reval on property taxes. It's that I still haven't gotten my

115certified number that I have to pay and I'm a little terrified about that. But, you know, teachers and every we're in the same boat. We're spending all that money at that grocery store. So, anyway, I just want to, you know, kind of give you the side of the teachers, but these ladies gave some excellent points. And I think too, we need creativity from our community here. How what other things because we we hate making these hard choices. All right. Thank you. Thanks. Thanks, John. We're going to need all of the teachers on board to help us here. Uh we need to to push this levy through. It's got to be it's got to be a real group effort. So, thank you. All right. Now, a motion to >> I'll make a motion. I >> have

116a motion. >> Second. >> I have a second. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Ross. >> I. >> Mrs. Bas. >> I. >> Mr. Lowry. >> Hi Mr. >> Davis. >> Hi. We are adjourned.