001I call to order the Westlake City Schools regular board meeting for Monday, December 8th, 2025. Roll call. >> Here >> would you all join me with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for nation under God, indivisible and for all. >> We always begin with our mission. We educate for excellence, empowering all students to achieve their educational goals, to direct their lives, and to contribute to society as well as our vision. The Westlake City School District will provide a dynamic student centered learning environment. Our district will be characterized by high achievement, actively engaged learners, mutual respect, shared knowledge, pursuit of new skills and capabilities, collaborative learning, willingness to take action, a team commitment to datadriven continuous improvement through a strategic plan and
002process and tangible results. It is great to see everyone. We're celebrating a lot of things. We're also celebrating uh of course the holidays. On behalf of the entire district, we say happy holidays to all of you. Thanks for being here. Uh is there a motion to approve the agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. Roll call. Lzinski. >> Yes. >> Manukan. >> Yes. >> Ref. >> Yes. >> Lamb. Yes. You're not. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. We're going to move right into recognitions. Are we not? >> Absolutely. >> Let's do that. We have the Wet Lake Educational Foundation president with us, Mr. Mchugh, President Mchute. All the members or all recipients of >> what I'll do is I will introduce each one beginning with the highest first give a little feel and then do
003you have any questions? Well, prep just introduced me and I'm chatting to you. I am the president of the Westlake Educational Foundation. But before we begin, I'd like to say congratulations and thank you, Barb, for your time and your commitment to Westlake schools. Um, we wish you nothing but the best. I want you to know that the Westlake Education Foundation is always welcoming new members. >> Okay. Okay. Well, I'm here this evening to present our 2025 recipients. Um, this evening we total $22,569. Our mission to enhance educational opportunities and experiences of Westlake City School students in the endeavor to educate for excellence. And I believe our grant recipients this evening demonstrate her mission. in Westlake High School. I want to introduce Ellen Furley. If you can raise your hand, Detsy Donley, Rachel Kaine, and Katie
004McGlenn. They were awarded a grant for $5,789. Their project title was Pathways to Independence: Enhancing Learning and Leisure through Self-Regulation. This grant will enable multiple pieces of equipment for the Westlake High School sensory room to be purchased, including a squeeze machine, calming bubble tube, and a wall-mounted sensory path. Sensory environments will provide opportunities to develop self-regulation and coping strategies, which are essential for building independence and improving overall academics. Is there anything you guys would like to add? >> I think so. Can't learn if you're not regulated. for our kids. >> Absolutely. >> We're going to be excited to hear that I know that. >> Yeah. Be great. >> I think our students will be very appreciative. >> Excellent. Congratulations. >> Thank you for everybody and thank you, Mr. President. >> Very well. Next, we have
005Bern Middle. I'd like to introduce Julie. Raise your hand. Leila. $62. Their project title is the Lee Berneston Middle School Courtyard Project. Continuing with their grant from last year to create a permanent versatile outdoor learning environment, an additional 22 seats for an outdoor classroom will be provided with the purchase of four convertible benches, a set of four fourometic chairs, an outdoor yatsi fartle game, an outdoor tic-tac-toe checkers game, all to the Leaf Fernison Courtyard. This space will benefit daily class usage. Student clubs and organizations will all be able to utilize it. So, it'll be exciting because they received a grant next year. So, this is just adding on that. It looked like they had sent over pictures that they really the kids were really enjoying the space. >> So, again, congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank
006you so much. >> Thank you. Oh, we're very happy, >> Kathy. Next we have Lee Bernston Middle School and do intermediate librarian extraordinaire Kathy Dwis. She would award the grant for $8,300. Her project title is read, relax, renew. Project will help transform the Dober and Middle School libraries by adding comfortable seating that will promote reading collaboration and well-being. The new additions will help make the library into a welcoming student centered environment. I'm excited to see what this project will bring. I want to thank you for supporting us. It means so much and for the board. I am so proud to be part of this community work for this district because as we know in a lot of districts are getting rid of the school libraries and I love that community, the board, our district values
007our library. Um, I wanted to share a static because I'm kind of a data geek >> and today I did a little searching and as of this school year, we've only been in school maybe three, four months. We've checked out 7,000 books to school. So, we have a lot of reading going on. And I think that this is going to promote more reading. And I do have to say this all kind of came about because our partnership with the Porter Public Library helped me last year get some things going. So, we're going to build on what we had and to use. So, thank you. That's fantastic. >> Congratulations, >> Catherine. Yay. >> Here we have Dober Intermediate School, Katherine Veio. She was awarded a grant for $3,336. Her project title is the movementbinded classroom. This
008grant will focus on providing flexible options designed to allow movement improve focus for the fifth grade white team. seating tools will allow students quiet non-distracting way to continually release energy from active seating options. I feel like adults could really benefit. >> Thank you so much. Um I'm this is my second year in Weslake and it's really nice to be in a district that values their teachers and their schools, their students so much. So thank you Patty. I'll let you know. >> Congratulations. have any questions or anything that >> No, I think congratulations, but also thank you for applying to uh the foundation and some of you have applied a number of times and to continue to do that. um being involved with President Mchugh and and the board of the foundation I I think about
009um can you think of anything whether it's the process applying whatever it might be anything that you think we can do to make it even better >> I got it fairly straight >> time good Patty, also did did you mention the elementary? >> Okay, you're wait. >> I just had a comment uh and especially uh along the lines of what Kathy with with the reading. I mean, it goes along with our silhouette of a lifelong learner. I mean reading is life, >> you know, and so and all of this will contribute to that that helping students be able to >> learn and read. So it's great. >> Exactly. Hannah and Kim want forward. >> Sorry, we do have one more grant that we awarded from Westlake Elementary. >> We have Hannah. >> Yeah. Um Stephanie
010Davis was part of the grant project as well, but she couldn't make it. Tucker $54. Project title is Making Science Move, an immersive second grade STEM experience. Making Science Move will provide a one-day experience for 247 second grade students with instructional extensions with interactive and inquiry based co-ai connect kit called Build a Rocket. So, we're excited to be able to come and see that. So, you'll make sure you let us know when that day comes. >> Glad to be here. Thank you for the support. Um what we know with young learners is that uh they need to experience. So we have a lot of textbook information but to actually be involved in it, experience it and actually originated from our teacher based team discussion and with actually we talked about the process we had a
011week so we're excited to do that. Last year we did something similar. There were kids from the internet company >> company that gave us the grant. >> Yes. They gave us a grant and we were able to build kits, but the kids at that time actually took the kits home with them. >> Um these won't be going home with the kids. They will be able to be reused throughout the years and we'll just >> be able to replace certain components of them um that are within the budget. But um last year was great. The teachers really enjoyed. We all buried each other classes and the kids rotated from room to room and the teacher actually kind of set up in their own room and the kids rotated around and split into two groups of five
012um teams of five and it was it was fantastic. So, we're looking forward to it. >> Awesome. Well, congratulations. Go ahead. >> Few things really quick. Just uh thank you Patty for your leadership. Mary Essig, our past president is here as well. um really a great team on there and um I think one of the things that really stands out that I like is the way these grants are distributed. Every building is is represented and thank you to the the staff for actually taking the time to come up with a plan and request it because it's through those actions that our kids get some extra stuff. Um so it's really just uh everything working together. And to make it all possible, we do have our car raffle. >> That is it. >> The community at
013large. Without you, we would not be able to give out these grants. So little self-promotion. This is a reminder today. Today are available. Yeah. Right. school foundation. We have another with us today, Director Mangles from West Public Library. Director Mingles, you have some things to share with us tonight. Uh well, first of all, I'd like to thank the opportunity to be here for the appointment. And so on that on that note about trustes, thank you all to all serving trustees for your service. It takes a lot to do that with the library a very big responsibility as well. So I'm always very thankful for people who are willing to take on that role when library for seven years but he was filling an open uh he was appointed to fill an open position after five
014years decided that he school board and so his reappoint would only be for a four-year term trustee terms have been reduced down from seven to four the public library here at the school. I always like to mention we are school district library oversight of the library um am I drawing blank now? Um the right word tax. Thank you. Our tax are taxing authority. So schools to put it on the ballot the appointment of trustees independently. So what we go through process of looking for possibility then we go to the school board and we make a recommendation and if the school board agrees with that recommendation or appoint somebody of their own choosing uh what we forward for the school board's consideration is for Will Perry uh to be reappointed to a four-year term. Um done
015an absolutely outstanding job. He's currently board president uh for the library and has just been a great wonderful supporter leader for the library. So, it is tonight that we ask for his reappoint. >> Understood. Anything else you'd like to share with us? I would just like to say uh thank you for the partnership with schools and um pointed out a great job school over to the library. Absolutely wonderful and phenomenal. May of this year we had 62 school visits uh in one month. in one of children the library to get books at the library when they come over the library because the kids always well behaved needed to do an active project training the library evacuation plan We were that all the cooperation we did from the superintendent, the board down to the teacher level
016is always very well uh appreciated. >> Super. I'd like to um move to uh to move on this resolution to approve West Lake Porter Public Library Trustee Will Perry for the 2026 to 2030 term. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Glad you found somebody who wants to remain with you. >> I know somebody's kind of sad. Roll call. >> Yes. >> Lamb. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Director Mel, it's always a pleasure. Thanks for joining us. >> Thank you very much. And um I would love to take the rest of the meeting, but as you know, there's no rest of the wicket, so I must go on to the next thing. >> All right. >> Yeah, let's do it. Let's do it. And then maybe it's a resolution of appreciation. And if I
017may, uh I'd like to read it. Board member Lazinski. Mrs. Barbadinsky had served as a member of the board of education for the West Lake City School District for the past 14 years and whereas her leadership has been instrumental in the district being recognized by the state of Ohio as a leader in educational excellence and financial reporting and where under Mrs. Linti tenure and support. The community supported the building of the new Wetlake High School, the new Lee Bernathan Middle School, the Wetlake Elementary School, as well as the significant renovations to Dober Intermediate School, providing modern, safe, and conducive learning environments for our West Lake staff and students. And whereas Mrs. Lenski brought her 30 years of teaching experience to the board as well as her leadership in serving for four years as board vice
018president and three years as board president positively impacting the district relationships with our educational leaders and wherein superb service leadership and commitment have brought enduring benefits to the youth and citizens of West Lake City district and where The dedication, vision, and concern for the education of our youth have been invaluable to the district for the fulfillment of its responsibilities. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the West Lake Board of Education adopts this resolution of appreciation, commending Mrs. Barbara Lzinski for her dedication, faithful service as a member of the board of education of the Westlake City School District and does hereby express sincere appreciation to her on behalf of the students, staff, and citizens of the West Lake City School District. Further be it resolved that this resolution be duly recorded and spread upon the minutes
019the 8th day of December 2025 and the treasurer is directed to deliver a copy of this resolution to Mrs. geek to get some of our discussion going. I'd like to move the this resolution. Is there a second? Second discussion. If I may, I just want to say Barb Lazinski, thank you. Thank you for the extraordinary number of years you've served on the Westlake City Schools Board of Education. Thank you for the extraordinary number of years you have served public education. You join the board at a turbulent time. Look where we are today and know the good you have accomplished. We all know forest man champion the common school believing it would integrate classes instilled shared values and provide equal opportunity making it essential for healthy democracy. Thomas Jefferson believed an education was necessary for self-government,
020proposing broad free public education as foundational for America. You know, you're a hero to your children and your grandchildren, but know that your fan base is much larger. When I think of the decades during which you have made a difference to literally thousands of lives, I'm one of those fans for sure along with hundreds of others. I look up to you and I'll continue to think of you as I seek a role model as I continue to be a leader in this district. I have always appreciated your deep knowledge of education and administration. along with your keen sense of what is best for students, what is right for the district. Your candid words and observations bring and brought focus to important issues. Your humor brought necessary comic relief in some tough situations. So, thank you
021and God bless you. Further discussion. I also have something written here. Uh you want to hear it now or in my report. I'll do it while family is here. be overstated and for the past 14 years exactly why service quite literally school buildings has been either built or renovated. That's not a typical legacy. a once in a career legacy for 10 out of those 14 years. So valuable force experience retired public school who served North for decades truly understand what a classroom I'll use you know you service words. but powerfully. And then you cannot absolutely say exactly what she thinks when sometimes with a little more words ever. people who matter most to her schools to this community. You have left a lasting mark and we are all better for it. Thank you. >> Further
022discussion. >> Do I get a rebuttal? >> I don't have anything prepared, but the last two years have been uh amazing to to be able to to work with you and to learn from you. And who in the right 14 years ago would have run against you? years to have you on the school board and uh I just want to say thank you very much for everything. >> It's been hard to believe it's been five years on school board with you and you for years before then with all of our curriculum. Uh it's been a lot of fun and you will be missed. Uh but you know please enjoy the High heat. the oldtimers >> working together on the board. We were probably like this. We were probably like this. at one point. Other times
023there was uh probably a much much more um great work with you. issue as relates to Monday nights here and our uh our little chats once. >> Oh yeah. >> So you come along to briefly add real quick. Um I don't have anything prepared as well and each of the the board members here and Dr. has spoken very well and I just mine is simple. I just want to say that um you've been the quintessential board member to work with. Um you're honest. Uh you're straightforward. You're willing to learn. Um and it has been a privilege and honor uh for me to work with you for these past 10 years. You will be greatly missed here, but we wish you the very best as you go forward. And you're always welcome back here at Wesley.
024So, please stop by on Monday night when we're here. You know, I think that the easiest or or the best way I can put it. Thank you. I appreciate >> the refuts. >> Well, I just because um I will I will admit that um so proud of the West Lake School and of all everybody, the board and um Todd and Scott and all your administrative staff and the teachers. It's just uh um like Kathy Dwis said, I'm proud to be in Westlake and just proud of everything. Uh probably the most fun or gratifying thing was that I had the opportunity to give four of my grandchildren their high school diplomas when they graduated from Weslake High School and that is certainly a lasting memory. Uh you mentioned the building of the of the schools and
025it was so so fun to have my own hard hat. Right. >> The school, your mom even got to come along one of the the visits. It just um felt like I was really, you know, important walking everything. And I really didn't know what I was looking at half the time. It was just a lot of a lot of fun and and a a lifelong memory for me. Um moment is probably when we hired Dr. and Mr. Hopkins because you have truly been um uh you you're superantive in your jobs and what you do and I really appreciate that that uh you haven't caused anything like >> so easy working with you. And so that it was a joy to uh to hire the two of you. >> Mr. Hopkins explanation of when we talk
026about the 20 mil floor your forecast, but you um you have to explain everything, you know, to people that aren't normally involved with it. and you just were always very patient. You explained it and appreciate you doing that um because it helped us all. Um you guys >> been great and um maybe I will join the education foundation. You never know. >> Tuesday at the >> now I have the so that other subject. But no, I will miss you guys. I'll be thinking of you and uh um I appreciate the time that I that I had here. >> We are going to pass the resolution. We'd like to give you a gift um and take a picture or two and then um if your family would like to meet you later on, we'll let them
027head out of the meeting. What do you think of that? >> That's fine. >> Roll call. Yes. >> Yes. Lamb. >> Yes. >> You're not motion >> over there. >> Where's over there? >> [snorts] >> It's grabbing. >> Oh, okay. We are going to continue with our meeting. If you'd like to head out, feel free. >> Thank you for coming. >> Don't feel don't feel you have to say >> government. You got it. >> You're the acceptable. We are going to move on to informative reports. Dr. God, >> um wasn't sure when we were going to specifically do that. So I I did have that prepared for Barb. Uh but the report was really holiday season. This is where really hit their throat. Uh teams are up and running. Um the the winter season has
028started. We have our Friday concert. We had a concert last week. We actually have a fire concert tonight. And we have a band on Thursday of this week. Classroom parties, a lot of those different type of things um throughout our school district are occurring and getting rolling. Really of the year, the fun of what's happening in school. The rest I'm going to hold until uh my superintendent recommendations. Uh just to touch on a few of those items for everyone to know. >> Super. >> Mr. Hopkins, can we move on to the treasury? >> Of course. I just have a few items I'd like to bring to your attention tonight. Uh one is uh update on where we are with our annual audit. Uh we do have that going on. Um all of our financials were
029reported uh in a timely manner uh and filed with state uh before uh the end of November. Uh we're now on to uh preparation of our annual comprehensive financial report up um and the review by the audit. Uh I expect it to be done by the end of this uh calendar year. Uh the one exception to that is while the requirement is the end of the calendar year, there are changes here because of the government shutdown with the information that was supposed to be out for the federal audit. Each year we're audited on some of our federal programs. So that might be delayed a little bit. Uh they're they're [snorts] trying to get it done before uh the end of the month, but I'm not sure how that will finalize, but we'll work through that.
030But so far, they've brought no uh items to my attention. things are looking good at this point and I will keep you a breath of the uh updates as much as possible. Once I hear about a potential post audit uh meeting, I will let uh Don and Joe have traditionally attended but uh the entire board is invited to attend as they are meetings of the auditor's office, not a school board. So uh I will get that out to you. Uh the past few years we've done somewhere around the 28th 29th. Uh so we'll see. Hopefully we can do it earlier but I will let you know. >> Thank you. Um the next is um in uh over the past number of years I've been u looking at the option of bringing a frame clock to
031West. Um recently uh the big beautiful bill was passed in uh DD and a provision of that bill is uh no taxes on overtime and uh as the employer uh we are required to track uh overtime and required to track um how much of that overtime it will be tax exempt for the employee and then report it on the W2 annually. um under the big beautiful bill uh this calendar year it's backdated to retroactive back to uh January 1st of this year uh there's no way we can come up with those numbers uh at this point so they are offering to employers a safe harbor provision and we will take that safe harbor provision and report uh under the safe harbor but uh going forward starting on January 1st we need to have an accurate
032way of of reporting um what is tax deducted over time and the reason I refer to it as tax example where time is well we pay time and a half for a number of pieces because of our time frame. Okay, example Saturdays are time and a half more than eight hours in a day is time and a half. Mondays for holidays are double time under uh this tax exempt exemption of overtime only federally eligible overtime will be tax exempt which is over 40 hours worked in a week. So maybe Saturday will be overtime uh exempt for the employee. Maybe not. Maybe a Friday night football game would be overtime exempt. Uh maybe not. If they didn't meet 40 hours or work 40 hours that week uh while they're paid under our contract overtime, it would
033not be uh tax exempt under the law. So to track all of this is going to be a a challenge that I'm not sure how we can overcome without the assistance of technology. And so I'm looking at moving forward with uh the implementation of time tracking software and the potential for time clock um starting in 2025. It wouldn't happen on January 4th. we have to uh work through and implement it working with our staff through uh our open beach union uh and trying to make sure everything works for people. This is not put in place because we feel our staff is doing something incorrectly. Uh this is solely being put in place uh to help us meet the requirements of the new federal law. I know Mr. Craft you had your hand up. I know
034you mentioned it already, but all of those unusual tweaks and changes and of course it's retroactive to January. What a tough scene, right? >> It's it's an interesting position for all employers to be in. Not >> sounds like a nightmare. I like the way you Um you know we're fortunate right now um later on in the meeting I am asking the board to approve uh a new pay payroll manager for the district. My current payroll manager is retiring at the end of the school year and so this will allow some overlap between the new and the old. It's promoted to someone in my office already. Um, but it would also allow me to take my current payroll manager, Robin Murray, and say, "Here, let's get Mary trained, but then as she's working through, now I
035need you to focus on implementing the the and uh and then be at the court system for Mary over there period as we work to work out the bugs, work through the game." Again, um our intent is not to go down to the granular level and, you know, sleep and punch in a minute late. That's not the intent here. Uh the intent is to uh be in compliance with the law, specifically this new overtime law, and then work with our staff to make sure that they're comfortable with it and make sure that we're reporting accurately. >> When do we have to have it implemented by? >> So, we have to start tracking January 1st. Okay. So, um the the sooner we can implement a time software, the better, but we will start in my office
036trying to keep paper records of it starting January. Uh we're currently, as I mentioned, they're offering a safe harbor provision for calendar year 2025. They have at least initially stated they will not offer the safe harbor for 2026 or beyond. So, because of that, I have to >> Thank you. Any other questions about that? And then uh finally, it is December here. It's our last meeting of the year, scheduled meeting of the calendar year. I do want to wish everyone happy holidays and hope you guys enjoy your family and a little bit of rest and relaxation as we celebrate this time of year. Thank you. Thank you. We hear the public. The public may address the board during the periods of meeting designated for public participation. Each person addressing the board shall give their name
037and address if several people wish to speak was allowed until the total time allotted is used. During that period, no person may speak twice until all who desire to speak have had the opportunity to do so. Period of public participation may be extended by a vote of the majority of the board president voting. Does anyone wish to address the board? Seeing none, I'm going to move on. We've had the opportunity to review minutes. All those in favor of approving those minutes say I. >> Those opposed say no. Minutes are approved. We're going to move on to the president's recommendations. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um in front of you tonight, I just have two of them. I briefly uh a I've uh just about Mary Sutter is my current house payable clerk. I am asking
038to promote her into the payroll position. The house payable clerk uh also helps with payroll. So she has a number of years of experience working directly with my payroll manager and a good understanding of the payroll software already. So I look forward to uh moving her into this new position. And then B, I have a settlement agreement uh in regards to a student who's eligible under the uh individual disabilities education improvement act. Uh so that is for the board to review. If it so pleases the board uh I can combine both A and B uh into one vote if you choose. Is there a motion to approve treasures recommendations A and B? So move second >> discussion roll call. >> Yes. >> Lamb. >> Yes. Motion carries. >> Dr. Gagan, we'll move it superintendent. >>
039Absolutely. Thank you. Um and donations, we have one gift to recognize. It's an anonymous donation donated $272 to the Washington DC trip at Lee Berneston Middle School. Um, the other who I'd really like to point out would be letter B uh which is revising the um Wick High School handbook and there are two revisions. One in regard to uh career technical education. This is something that was required for us to um approve courses for weighted grades as you would AP courses. And then the second one is a change in regard to the cell phone policy. Um, this is something that we we passed policy for the ban in the elementary school, the intermediate school, and the middle school. And we held off on the high school uh because we were hoping that the state was
040going to give us more leeway in order to self-govern what happens at the high school. uh with um hall travel and lunches were the two that we were hoping that that so here's this here's the rowation that school districts have is for the reporting purposes we have instructional day includes traffic and lunch the whole time and lunch however when they pass this legislation, um they consider instructional day to include all travel and lunch. So that's where we were getting an inconsistent message and we were hoping that we were going to have that flexibility, but the Department of Education and Workforce came out and indicated that their intention is from bell to bell. So whether it's field trips, hall travel, um lunchtime, their intent is that this legislation includes um those cell phone restrictions. So and
041the other part was that we need to have it in place by January 1. Um we did wait. We wanted to see that flexibility. The flexibility did not come. So unfortunately that's the the path that we have to go with that. Um the other resolution to point out with um Paul Wilson, Amanda Muslman, uh Jean Perry, as well as um the high school uh the the administrative team with Rob Woods as well as all the teachers. They do a great job revisiting this course catalog and really trying to find courses um that are not as popular that you can set aside and then have bring it continue to bring in new courses uh to adjust as our with our changing age. Um some of the courses there's now uh going to be EP business uh
042EP personal finance as well as um AP cyber security uh and also in our phys department um adding introduction to um officiating sports and that's a really a really cool one to because you know uh whether it's youth leagues or even in our high school leagues trying to find people to actually officiate um can be a significant challenge. Um and plus it could be fun. It could lead to summer work for some of our high school students who may want to work in some of those youth or travel leagues. Um so it's really kind of a I thought a a cool offering that they put in there. But a lot of thought has gone into the forest catalog and and I think there's some really good um items inside there. Um We're approval for some
043salary increases, employment of classified subs, uh athletic supplemental contracts, uh as well as event workers, and approving a volunteer. That's the the bulk of the rest of it. Um uh if if it's okay with the board, um nine separate. I don't know if you'd like 9B to be separate as well or if you're okay together. Um 9D through 9 I would be acceptable. >> Thank you. Is there a motion to approve superintendent's recommendation in 9A? >> We uh always say thank you. Thank you. Thank you to uh our generous donators uh folks uh giving to the district. Thank you so much. >> Roll call. >> Lamb. >> Yes. >> You're not. Yes. >> Craft. >> Yes. >> Lazinski. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Is there a motion to approve superintendence recommendations 9B through 9?
044>> Moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Say that. I do not like the cell phone policy update, but I understand we're required this by state of law from Ohio for our students in the room. legislators on this is not something we are required to do. um they lovingly slipped into the budget bill classes for students to be able to email text messages. And so in high school can't help out there and students do not have access to their personal emails on their Chromebooks. So this is something that I've very close to. I do reach out to our local legislators regarding this. But I will vote for this because I am required by state of law. Okay. So I just want to be on the offerings, especially that summer financial literacy and summer health offerings to
045give a little more flexibility. I know this is something that we we offered it the one year we had the bubble between the sophomores and the freshmen. Um, but people have been asking for it since then and the officiating sports is something that's very much needed especially with helping bring in more. >> It is disappointing that Columbus continues to uh ignore the home rule uh type of philosophy. So the only way things get done is pick up the phone, send them an email, things will things won't change unless people start saying things. So if you don't say anything, this is what happened. >> I have a feeling that that that may change. They may uh ease up on the the lunch time in the hallways. My problem is not letting students use their cell phones
046like on a field trip on the bus. Now, I just want to put my final word in here. having taught middle school and and estimating the kids on field trips. This was before cell phones, but it can be rather um I can't even think of the word when you listen to middle schoolers singing a 100 bottles of beer on the lot be able to use their cell phone easier to pay >> to pay >> where um when they head out for food and a number of locations they only take that to pay. >> Oh, >> I think one of the things that and and like John mentioned, you know, the local control um fills the gaps with all of these um situations that arise. So, and and what I would say is that I think
047you could still do tap to pay and and it's not like they're going to come rushing in and say, you know what, you took out your phone and and you tap to pay and it was but I think their >> I don't know the data auditors going after board members super >> but it's what was expressed was their intention. you know, when you look at um a field trip, if you're going to go on a field trip to the Natural History Museum, the environment, what it is that you're going, you shouldn't be scrolling on Instagram, you know? I mean, they should be if you if you are going to leave and go on a field trip of a museum or some sort of thing like that, they should engage in whatever your field trip or
048whatever it is that the thing that you planned. It's the lack of local control that gets us because it is those nuanced areas. Now they do have carveouts for medical um where they where if somebody uses a device to control their to monitor their blood sugar or different types of things like that those carveouts are there but the biggest frustration is that like you said somebody's trying to get an internship for the summer or you know uh um work text or or send something to say can you can you be there at 4 or you know a different time or something like that. those type of things get taken away from us because of blanket resolutions and and I think that the biggest frustration >> I do appreciate that there is a note in the
049handbook that if they need to use their cell phones to please get a path to come down to the counseling office though I definitely you know hope students utilize that and do not escalate when they're asked to put cell phones >> that's an exception >> that is yeah they they are allowed to go down and do that there >> has the alliance taken a stand >> funny it's Well, to me it's interesting. We are um there's school districts that have implemented it and just love it. They say that it is they're they're seeing kids engage with each other in lunch. So, it is something that I don't know if they're going to the messages they're going to get because you are going to listen I send my kid to be in school not to be
050on their phone. And so it's something that I think you're not going to hear like a unanimous voice in in that because I think we'll we'll say I think my kids are on home too much and and I do want to reduce screen time and we do try and monitor at home. So I I think it's um depends you know on your perspective with it. Wonder if legislators are allowed to use their cell phones when they're dabbled into the floor of the house. I think at this point you're saying yeah I think at this point we're saying we will follow the law >> um I see what you're saying there is going >> you know lifted penalties you know and and the the joke is they're not going to be repelling through the ceiling you
051know, somebody open their phone. Yeah. you know, but um yeah, >> you make a real good point though about having kids interact with with each other because um last week my husband and I were at dinner and there was a family of four sitting across from us and they were two young little boys and mom and dad and all of them were on their phone and I wanted to yell across at them and say put those phones away and talk to each other because there was no interaction among the family and they went out to dinner together, but they're all on their phone. So, that would probably be good to have the kids at lunchtime talking to each other. >> Well, I also give I give uh Mr. Woods a lot of credit because he
052trying he you know what he's brought in things like uh um boards uh hoob tables ping pong tables and so bring in activities so that you know and and to make that time uh so that it it's kind of like a balance to be able to do things and and hopefully promote that that sort of thing. And you do touch on the other side of it because of course we've had families come to the district to say we have no control over our child with regard to phone. You must help us to get that child off the phone. So I don't I don't think and I think even as u said >> you know limiting in the classroom and those kind of settings is fine but at least give us the choice >> about the
053the cafeteria hallways and that was that's the part that's the most frustrating part is that that was removed. Yeah. >> And >> the local control. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Further discussion. >> Roll call. >> Wasinski. >> Yes. >> Manukan. >> Yes. >> Craft. >> Yes. >> Lamb. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> At this point, we have another hearing of the public. Does anyone wish to address the board at this time? Then we're going to move out to board comments. Board comments, >> right? >> December 17th is the council lunchon. I believe I forwarded the email to everyone and they wanted to attend. Um I know Mr. Lamb and myself are going to be there. Um the orchestra concert was last week and I heard there was not attend, but I've had
054multiple people send me messages that the Home Alone score was video that I'm going to watch. I have a moment. I did a whole loop. >> The band is this Thursday. >> Thursday the 11th. Now we have Rotary that night. Rotary. >> We'll do >> we'll have a great time. >> I'm excited. I didn't miss our last board meeting and had an opportunity to talk about ODA. Uh just a couple of things that I attended. I had the good uh fortune to attend with Mr. Hen's uh session on energy budget. It was actually quite fascinating. a gentleman gave a 15minute synopsis of really energy uh throughout the planet. Uh we're obviously a state that produces uh natural gas and you would think that you know we may have prices here within state that would be
055relatively low but of course we have a massive LNG liquid natural gas export uh so there's a lot of demand for that natural gas and uh energy is expensive. I know we have relatively new buildings that will help with that. Uh but just an interesting point that he mentioned and I had a good followup conversation with Mr. House as well. Um >> would it be worth looking at solar? >> No. And that was covered. >> I was going to say especially with the tax re on that one, >> right? >> Maybe. >> But but something Mr. But I'll continue to monitor it. You know, you have that uh freak February. It shoots up to 75 degrees for about three days and >> Joe Craft just is wandering through the building says, "Wow, can't we crank
056the air?" And you know, it's about 2 in the afternoon and you turn on the air and everyone's heading home and that cost you about5 to $10,000. But again, Mr. House, say I am all over that kind of stuff. And um pretty fascinating conversation. I would like to get together at some point, Mr. Wilton with you with regard to our intern program which I think is fantastic, growing, ever expanding. Um there is a district uh I believe outside of Cincinnati where many students wanted to participate. I think about as this program continues to grow and they were unable to engage in some of those employers though a company was actually set up within the school. Um it was a company that was part of the internship programs where you have a CEO, a PO um
057but talking about continuing this um uh still having that faculty leadership but allowing the students to run it and they were actually going out there finding new employees to bring in and it just kind of snowballed and continue to grow. Just giving you a touch of that I think you're right. Yeah. Did you attend that? >> Um, I saw. >> Awesome. Thank you. But it was um it was interesting. The students actually came to OSBA to present. Uh did an awesome job. It was a lot of fun. Um you also had the opportunity to hear from uh someone talking about the demon. You know, the demon comes up from time to time. If I may, just to keep it uh kind of focused, I did uh write this. I just want to read this to
058you very quickly. I talk about the rick demon today. Please know I'm not casting any stones. I'm still working on getting the plank out of my eye. I'm not going to tell you, hey, there's a speck in your eye. Um, if it's uh helpful and healthy for our students and our community and our country and the world, I want to absolutely have a dialogue on it and uh make constructive decisions about it. I'm open to anyone and everyone that wants to have that conversation. If it's a big deal to our students and our citizens, it's a big deal to the board of education. And of course, my phone number is on our website if any citizens want to reach out to me. The demon, yes, the demon comes up from time to time. Not often.
059It comes up from time to time. If it's important to the people of Westlake, I know it's important to board of education. From a priority point of view, I know the board of education may have some priorities that supersede the demon and that does not make it less important, but some of those other priorities include establishing through education the next foundation of the United States of America. Keeping the mind and spirit of our students healthy along with their families, battling a national government that seems to want to demolish public education. finally battling a state government that seems to want to demolish public education. But if it's important to the people of West Lake, I know it's important to the board of education. The demon do sports teams years ago were known as the Dover Men,
060abbreviated the demon, hence the name. It's a mascot. It's not a real demon. It's a symbol of the heritage of Westlake. Doberman. Mayor Kluff when he was a school board member kept the demon. Nan Baker when she was on the school board kept the demon. Local comparison. Rocky River has a mascot described as a robber who attacked. St. Ignatius had a mascot that kills and eat people. as a former student at St. Rayfields at the mascot. It's one that conducts raids like a pirate or a bandit to thieves and plunder. Duke has a blue devil. A question was asked in the board meeting. How does the board reconcile with God having a demon mascot? To begin, I reconcile with God most minutes of most days. I have not had a calling to work on this
061change. I'd be the demon as part of Dober Township heritage. Additionally, we all face real demons each day. They're not green, nor do they have horns. These are demons from which we would protect should protect our children each day. And we do. I'm open to any wants to have this conversation. If it's a big deal to our students and citizens, it's a big deal to the board of education. My phone number is on the website. Further board comments. >> I'm gonna move on board. We have a second reading. Please, Mr. Hopkins, do we want to do anything other than acknowledge our second reading of the policies? >> No, there's no need to. >> Okay. We have a resolution to approve board policies. I move to approve board policies. Is there a second? >> Second. discussion.
062>> Yeah. And not really wild about the cell phone update, but I understand it's state law. >> Further discussion. >> Roll call. >> Craig. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. We are now going to nominate um and elect the officer president pro 10. Um >> if I can step in please. >> Yep. So this is uh here the president pro 10 will serve from the January 1st until the or beginning of the organizational meeting at which the board will uh appoint a president vice president for the calendar year. Uh so at this time I would just ask for nominations uh for uh those who wish to serve uh for president pro 10 for the 2020 uh five and I apologize this is an error on the agenda but be as noted it'll be for the 2026
063organization >> nominate Joe Craft. >> Second we didn't need a second. Yeah I think that was ready to nominate him too. I think that's just a logical move to Here we >> is there any other nominations? >> All right. So, we will go through and uh voting on the first nominee for the position of president prom for the board of education again for the 2026 organizational meeting. Joe Craft as president prom. >> Yes. Craft. >> Yes. Lamb. Hi. Lazinski. >> Yes. >> Pa. >> Yes. >> It is resolved that uh under provisions of Ohio revised code 331314 board member here un named Joe Craft received the majority of the a yay vote staff by the board is hereby declare president promma for the board of education. Congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you. And we want
064to set a date uh for that organizational meeting. What uh Mr. Hopkins you had a date in mind right? Yeah, we if we stuck with our calendar of the second Monday of the month under uh our revised code, we are required to meet uh for a couple reasons by January 15th uh so that we can have those resolutions passed. Uh so if we check with the calendar of using the second Monday, I believe that's January 12th. Um so I might throw that out there if that works for everybody. >> Am I permitted to look at my phone at my But we organiz >> well we do the organizational meeting and then because I do the tax budget typically there as well I have for like meeting right afterwards. The organizational meeting typically take rule one
065by the other but I do add well >> we do yeah >> roll call um there is no need for the high we don't get paid for two meetings though >> the 12 >> whatever >> my I'll move >> second at 7:12 p.m. for the last time. Mr. >> Is it? >> Yes. >> Henley. All right. >> Anybody up here for you?