Board of Education Livestream - 02/23/26

001I guess I have to turn my mic on. Good evening and welcome to the board meeting of Akran Public Schools, February 23rd, 2026. Roll call, please. Mr. Treasurer. >> Miss Hall, >> present. >> Reverend Harrison, >> present. >> Mr. Gerose >> present. >> Miss Kelly >> present. >> Dr. Bolinar >> present. >> Mr. Montgomery >> present. >> Mrs. Sykes >> present. >> All present and accounted for. >> Thank you. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Is there a motion to approve the regular board meeting minutes from February 9th? >> So moved by member Hall. Is there a second? >> Second. >>

002All those in favor? I >> I'm sorry. I'm taking the treasur's job away from him. >> Is there any discussion? >> Hearing no discussion, Mr. Treasure, would you please call the role? >> Miss Kelly, >> present. >> Yes. >> Dr. Molner? >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sykes? >> Yes. >> Miss Hall? >> Yes. >> Revan Harrison? >> Yes. Mr. Dro, >> yes. >> 70. >> Thank you. Having no recognitions, Madame Superintendent, this evening. >> No. Uh we had a special board meeting. So, we need uh is there a motion for uh this minutes to approve the minutes of the special board meeting on February 18th, 2026? >> So moved by member Jerose. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Is there discussion? Mr. Treasury, would you please call the role? >>

003Dr. Molinar? >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sykes? >> Yes. Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> abstain. >> Mr. Jerose, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Motion carries 601. >> Thank you, Mr. Treasurer. There seems to be a request to address the board. Uh, member D. Rose. >> Yes, Madam President. There are two people today who signed in to address the board. The first person is Isaac Williams with the affiliation of the Akran public schools with a topic of being addressed coaching. >> Madam President, excuse me, while we wait, I want to let you know that Myron Lewis informed me that he will not be in attendance today due to being ill. So, he's signed up. >> He signed up on Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank

004you, member Hall. Appreciate that. Hello, Mr. Williams. >> Good evening. >> Thank you. Uh we are happy to have you here. Remember you have uh three minutes. However, if you seem to go over the three minutes, I will not stop you. I want you to finish your statement. Uh I would just ask that uh you would u make sure that the matters that you are speaking are those that are before the board. Thank you and welcome, please. >> Okay, go ahead. >> Good evening. I'm Isaac Williams, uh head girls basketball coach at Firestone High School. Uh thank you for allowing me to speak today. I'm here to formally appeal the decision to suspend me for the remainder of the season and not to renew my contract following the incident. On December 18th, 2025 and the

005meeting held January 23rd, 2026, I was notified of this decision on February 6th. My appeal is based on three points. Lack of due process, mislication of the policy, and conclusions not supported by the evidence. First, the process was not fair. At the January 23rd meeting, I was presented with written statements and video evidence for the first time. I was not giving access to this material in advance, nor was I giving time to review it before being questioned. Meanwhile, administration had access to the same evidence for more than a month. I was expected to immediately answer serious and detailed questions based on evidence I had never seen. that denied me a meaningful opportunity to respond and undermine the fairness of the process. Second, the claim that I failed to deescalate the situation is inaccurate. Before any

006physical contact occurred, I took deliberate steps to avoid the conflict. Number one, I clearly stated that I did not want to engage in the conversation and I had a 24-hour policy that I do not talk to parents. Number two, I removed myself by going to my office and closing the door. Number three, I attempted to shut the door to end the interaction entirely. These are all recognized dees deescalation strategies. They demonstrate an effort to disengage, not escalate. characterizing this conduct as a failure to deescalate does not align with the facts or with professional expectations under board policy 3210. Third, the decision focused improperly on my emotional response after I was assaulted. Multiple written statements confirm that an assault occurred. Video evidence shows the individual walking away, removing their jacket, then returning toward me while I

007was absolutely doing nothing. Although the initial contact is not on video, the assault itself is clearly cooporated. After being assaulted, I was visibly upset. There is no policy that dictates how an employee must emotionally respond after being physically attacked. Importantly, I did not strike, push, or assault anyone. My reaction was limited to visible emotion only. This incident also raises serious staff safety concerns. The focus should not be on disciplining the victim while minimizing the assault assault itself. Furthermore, the resignation of Todd Wamus combined with the lack of clear, timely, and transparent communication from Chase Canfield further demonstrates that the investigation was improperly conduct conducted. These circumstances raises serious concerns regarding procedural integrity, oversight, and whether the process adhere to standards of fairness and due process required in matters of this seriousness. Finally, I needed the

008committee to understand the personal impact this decision has had. These girls are my life. I have coached, mentored, and tutored them for the past three years. I have I have invested in them far far beyond the court. Academically, emotionally, and as young people, being separated from them has affected me mentally, physically, and emotionally despite being removed from my position, I have continued to provide game day meals for them, and I see them in passing. But I have I have been instructed to have no communication with them, which has forced me to act like a stranger to young women I've helped raise and guide. That has been incredibly painful. This has been one of the most difficult periods of my life. I have struggled to sleep. I carry the weight of being cut off from students

009who rely on me and trust me without having done anything to harm them. I share this not for sympathy, but to shine a light on what's truly at stake. This decision has consequences beyond discipline. It impacts real relationships, real students, and real lives. In closing, I am respectfully asking for fairness. I'm asking that the documented assault, clear my efforts to de clear efforts to deescalate and the procedural deficiencies be fully and objectively considered. I am requesting reinstatement and removal of this suspension from my record. I want to be clear of all misconduct and fully reinstated to my position and my contract be renewed for next season. At 403 today, I learned that coach Reggie Floyd, I learned that coach Reggie Floyd, who was the interim head coach right now currently, is in the emergency room

010and the girls have no coach at all right now currently. We have a game on Wednesday and it's very important that I get back. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Williams. Uh the board would not respond, but we'll assign through the superintendent the appropriate person for followup. Madame President, we have a second speaker tonight, Dr. Sandy Crawford from the University of Akran with a topic of National Trio Day. >> How are you? >> Good evening. Welcome, Dr. Crawford. >> Thank you for your time. Good evening, members of the board. I just want to bring to your attention that this week's marks the um national trio day and that we do have TRIO at the University of Akran. We have the following programs. Education talent search which serves over 732 students annually, Upwardbound Classic which serves

011over 110 students annually, and Upwardbound Math and Science. Although these programs nationally are being challenged, we want to stand firm with our Akran public schools and continue our relationship with recruiting students from your schools and supporting and sharing the achievement of the students who are attending our university via these programs. We are recognizing um our uh relationship with our school counselors and local community individuals by offering and celebrating National Trio Day through um the following events. We are hosting um Akran families and students at the um University of Akran basketball game where they'll be featured um as TRIO guests and parents um highlighting the achievement of our students. But we are most proud and excited to have our trio day breakfast which is this Wednesday, February 25th. And we have nearly 100 um school counselors

012from Akran public schools and surrounding school districts who will be joining us. And the purpose of the um breakfast is to show our appreciation for our partnership with Akran public schools and the school counselors, the teachers and the principles. We value our relationship. We want to continue to be strong with TRIO programs. And on this National TRIO day, we want to recognize you for your partnership and your support of TRIO programs at the University of Akran. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Crawford. >> And Madame President, that is the last of the two who have written a request to speak to the board. Do we would you like to >> address the board? Yes. >> Hello. Would you uh just let us know who you are, please? And you have uh three minutes, and we

013appreciate if you would try and stay within those three minutes. Uh, my name is Daine Per. So, uh, couple questions far as education. This was Black History Month, right? What did y'all What did y'all teach in the schools for Black History Month? What did we tell them? Harriet Tubman, the Underground Railroad. What did we tell them? Rosa Parks on the bus. Is that what we told him? Is Harriet Tubman her real name? Absolutely not. And I say this because when is the truth going to start coming out? When are you going to teach our children to take care of themselves? When are you going to teach our children to be survivors? How to beat the system instead of trying to fit in somewhere? When are we going to tell the children that what you want

014them to be nurses or something like that? Those aren't even professional careers, which makes it hard for schooling to be paid for now because it's not considered professional. What are we feeding our children? I'm pretty sure I can guarantee nine times out of 10, I bet none of you are eating right. And I bet none of you are eating according to your biological makeup. When it comes to melanated, neurommelanated and phenomelanated beings, when are we starting to teach our children about the financial system, about banking, about trust funds, about checks, about balances, you know, when are we going to start? Did you guys ever see My name is Enlightened Son on the book. Did you guys see the water test I did? I guess nobody saw the water test, right? You might want to go

015look on my page and see what I how I tested the water to see how many chemicals were really in the water since they said it's just lead free. But we didn't talk about burillium. We didn't talk about the chloride. We didn't talk about chlorine. We didn't talk about none of those additives that the water company has admitted and the city of Agram mayor's office admitted to putting in the water. You know, excessive amounts of calcium. you know, that messes with the pine pineal gland, which is, you know, can be calcified. I don't think we study anatomy enough. I don't think that the children know what's the best way to detox. See what I'm saying? I don't think y'all looking at me like I'm just completely oblivious and these are all scientific facts. So, when

016will they be implemented for our children to be survivors? How to start a fire? If a war break out right now, how many of y'all can survive without healthcare? Suma is private. If I'm not correct, that means insurance rates are through the roof. Can any of y'all heal y'all yourself? Absolutely not. You would probably run to the doctor not even knowing. Is that what your grandmother did? I think not. I think she went into the kitchen. You know, just some simple onions in a saka definitely draw the toxins out of a body. I really don't think we study enough. You know, I don't think that you, you know, we're still telling people that the heart is a solid object and it's not. It's a tube. It's a seven-sided object at that. I think our school

017system is far behind. I wonder why our children have to go to school for 8 hours a day and overseas they only go to school for 4 hours a day and they're more successful. >> Technology is way more advanced. I don't know. I'm just trying to figure out when is something going to change in our school system, not just in the children because it starts with you guys or us included cuz they're watching us. Correct. So if y'all not eating right, how the child going to eat right? If y'all not talking right, how the child going to talk right? Are we teaching children about our rights? Because right now we're having a big problem with the police. and our children. >> Thank you. I think we're getting close to three minutes. >> Oh, that's fine.

018I'm I'm all right. But thank you. I I'll see y'all next next time. >> Okay. Thank you. The superintendent's report. Greetings, Madame President, members of the board. Um, I wanted to go over some of the budget items with you at this time. Um, I would just like to share that first. I would like to thank our staff who have put in a lot of time and effort into um helping to ensure that we come up with what the district need in order to sustain itself and yet move the district forward. So, at this time, I would just like to go over um some highlights from our reductions that are being proposed as part of the $11 million reductions. And so I'm going to start with personnel optimization and I have this broken down into some

019categories. So when we're looking at reducing um personnel, we have some subsets within the category of reduce administrators. We currently have some retired administrators that are working in a variety of capacities for the board. It is at this time being suggested that we reduce what we spent last year by half. And I would like to provide just a little bit of background regarding our retired administrators. If you would think of some of them as being subad administrators, like teachers have subs. We have some administrators that have to take a leave of absence. And so we have a subad administrator that goes into those positions um to fill in while they are out. the principal, academy principal, dean is not able to fulfill their responsibility. And so that reduction that is being recommended at this time

020is $471,000. And moving on to the next item, we have a CCAA specialist position that we're recommending for reduction. We have several um coordinator positions in our special ed department that's being recommended for reduction support administrators that are being recommended in the amount of just over $1 million. We have a director position due to the change in title and benefits. that is the cost um the savings that we would realize if the position moves forward under the other um position that says uh director. This was also a savings due to a change in title from executive director to director. And then we have a savings um under assistant superintendent due to a change in title and benefits. So as far as our reduction under the category of administrators, we have just over $2 million. Are

021there any questions? If not hearing that, I'll move on to the next category. which is other staff. We have some mentoring positions that we are looking to reduce. One online, one that's at the building level, and one that acts as a sub in a subp position, not at a mentoring position, but in a subp position, but has been assigned to cover um some classes. And we're recommending that for next year, this position is reduced. So under the category of other staff, that would be $257,000. Under staffing, we're looking at some reductions through our CCAA programming. Just over 1.2 2 million in reductions there. Looking at about 13 positions and then support class, uh that would be five positions at four um $455,000. Okay. Are there any questions there? We currently have um what's in bold

022print is the total the grand total for that category. As far as um we have some positions that are referred to as TSS. They're currently vacant. These positions that are being presented this evening are not filled and we would not propose filling them. uh reassignment of pair of professionals. There are 10.5 positions that we would like to reassign into other positions that would save the general fund. The treasur's department experienced a restructuring and that is the savings from that department. So overall for personnel, we're looking at just over 6 million in reductions. Moving on to operations, one of the items that we would recommend reducing is outside services and that is specifically the use of pest control. We have uh employees that are certified who could do the job internally and that would be a

023cost savings of over $114,000. Energy management expansion. Currently, Garfield has LED lights. All of our new schools moving forward will have the use of LED lights which are energy efficient. And so just for uh the one school was just with a couple other schools. They're not totally LED, but there are some LED lights within the building. And so just um our one school, Garfield, there was a savings of um just under $40,000. And so next year our goal is to um add two additional buildings under contract renegotiations during field trips. We used to have to um have a mechanic on site for a shift 8 hours and now uh he will be the mechanic is paid for a minimum of three hours but do not h have to be on call and not physically there.

024So that would be a savings of just over $53,000. transportation. Under this transportation, we're looking at keeping our maintenance vehicles on site and not going home in the evenings, except for there are some certain positions that would be permitted. Overtime, we're looking to reduce 11.5% which will be just under a h 100,000 I'm sorry8 823 um000 as a savings and we um are currently experiencing continuing savings this year just being mindful uh we already took 10% off the top this year and we're looking to take another 11 and again not that we're not um providing overtime but just being mindful of when overtime has to be used. Under technology, we currently have over 5,000 Chromebooks in stock and so we do not um expect to purchase any additional Chromebooks next year. So that gave us

025a savings of $1 million. AT&T copper lines. If you need more information on this, I'm going to have to call Nate up, but um changing uh to a air dow for building our building fire alarms would save us $70,000. The next item is budget reductions. Every department will experience a 6.5% reduction in their budget except for the athletic um department, transportation, environmental management which includes utilities and our tra our transportation and our maintenance department are exempt from these reductions. The rest of the departments are included and that will be a 1.9 um reduction 1.9 million. Okay. Then I'll move on to um programming. Uh this year um there's a new law that the state of Ohio is going to create a list of curriculum that they call high quality curriculum. And so this was our

026year to purchase curriculum. We put that off waiting for math curriculum to be specific, waiting for the state to identify which vendors they consider high quality curriculum providers and then we will as we go into our adoption the following year, we'll be sure to reference that list of high quality curriculum providers. And so we would ask the vendor as well to let us split the cost of our adoption into two payments. One that would go over fiscal year uh 27 and the other fiscal year 28. The next item is optional 12th grade ACT testing. the budget has been reduced to reflect what we have been spending and so we would take um a reduction of $25,000 to that budget 10th grade PSAT and our national merit scholarship qualifying test. We would reduce that line item.

027students would still be encouraged to test, but again, we're aligning our budget to um pass students who have participated in the criteria to qualify to take those assessments. Cogat, which is our gifted testing, we're looking at saving 20,000 there because we will go back to online testing instead of paper pencil. extended time. Currently, we offer $2,000 for to cover training cost and that would not be extended as employees are on extended time already. Extracurricular, we're revamping our summer school programming. So, we did look at a reduction of $100,000 there. Soar, we're looking at reducing um a classroom and the savings would be $105,000. And then under programming support, uh an an additional savings of $165,000. And then these are our overall categories. The goal again is to save a minimum of 11 million and so

028far we have hit that target. This data does not include reflect our spring staffing process. So we have not taken any reductions um through our spring staffing at as of this moment. implementation timeline. Goal is to implement um personnel reductions through attrition when at all possible. Again, to continue to look into energy management expansion, reduce overtime and external services when at all possible for fiscal year 26 and 27. We currently under uh the leadership of our treasurer and our board members will be participating in a performance audit that will give us additional information that will empower us to make additional staffing adjustments. We're looking for opportunities to optimize transportation routes. Uh at the board's pleasure, we will be looking at opportunities to consolidate facilities and to continue our review of program effectiveness. Some issues that

029we're going to face moving forward that will have an impact on our budget is declining enrollment. So we are looking at strategies to attract students back to Akran public schools and also any changes that takes place at the state level that would impact our funding. Hopefully they'll return to the fair funding formula. If not we will definitely keep you posted on any reductions we experience. Thank member Hall. >> Thank you, Madam President. Um going over this, I noticed there's a lot of um reduction on student student facing people that are actually hands-on with our students. And I know we talk about the declining that you just stated, declining enrollment with some of our students by taking away so many positions and doing other things with them. How do we make that promise to our community

030that our kids are going to have what we need? You know, we're already dealing with the reading below third grade level, but we're taking all of these things away um from our students. Um now, some things I I'm agreeing with the 5,000 Chromebooks that we already have in stock. Great. We don't need that. But um I mean, we need the books, but if we have it in stock, why stock up more? And I know you guys have done a lot of work with this and I appreciate this and I don't want to sound like you guys aren't working because you are. But I just don't know if I can agree want to keep our students, bring more students to the district. It's looking like a lot of things are being taken away from the student

031the physical student on a day-to-day. Member Hall, I I accept a challenge to try to stay away from the classroom, but I also know that by 2028, we have to reduce our budget by I believe our treasures at 58 million. And so we have to make some tough decisions with keeping the integrity of the classroom. I mean, I think of how far we've come and our curriculum team is very cognizant of being mindful of not trying to go backwards. We do want to move forward. So, we do keep that in mind as recommendations are brought to the table. >> Thank you. Just a followup, >> member hall. >> Um, how much how much reduction is coming from central office? So, if we go up to the first box, starting with the retired administrators that co

032that are working in central office positions, we're looking at almost point a half a million there. Do you see right? >> Just 500,000. That's from central office. Just 500,000 >> from just this one area. >> Okay. Well, I guess for the entire central office, how much are we saving >> here? Because we see what we're going to >> saving in the schools, right? People that are facing our students. >> Yeah. >> But >> right now >> here in this office. Yeah. This department >> right now we're at two um 2,94,821. >> Okay. Thank you. >> That's where we are right now. So the numbers that's in bold print is under that section. That's what we're saving. >> Member Jeros, >> when was the administration planning for the board to take a vote on this plan?

033>> Last year the administration voted in June. This year I would like for us to vote by March. uh the first board meeting in March. The reason for that is if there are staff involved, more staff involved in the process, there is um a transfer process that we would like to them to have the opportunity to participate in. So, if they're being forced into an involuntary transfer, they would have an opportunity to transfer and see what jobs are available and select from those positions. >> Excellent. So, you're not looking for a vote tonight. >> Rose, did you have a followup? >> I do have a followup. Yes, >> member. >> So, you're not looking for a specific vote tonight. You're looking at presenting this to the public to allow the public to have a chance

034to provide feedback to board members in order to ensure that their thoughts, their priorities, their interests are taken into consideration before moving forward. >> Correct. Thank you. >> Any additional questions? Hearing none, is there additional part of your report, Madam Superintendent? >> I would just like to um share two items. >> Okay. And I'm sure that uh Dr. Chapman could be a big cheerleader for this. And this is our spelling bee is coming up. >> Yeah. >> Um we this is the 101st year of the spelling bee and we're excited to be joining it again. So our district-wide spelling bee will take place on February 24th right here. The doors will open at 5:30 and the program will begin at I believe 6 o'clock. 6:30. Okay. Mhm. >> And I would like to um invite

035our community out because that would give yet another opportunity for them to uh talk with me directly about things that impact them in the schools, whether it's our budget, whether it's our building project, whatever is going on, uh they have the opportunity to discuss it with me. The next uh community conversation will take place with me alone and unless any of the board members are welcome to join would be on February 26 to 7:30 at North High School. And Madame President, that does conclude my report. >> Thank you, Madam Superintendent. Um treasures report. Treasure Ber. >> Thank you, President Sykes. Members of the board, tonight we're going to go over the January financial report. We're looking at a new format here. You were given in your packets the the format you're used to receiving, which

036is the several page financial report, and then we're using this new one pager tonight. Um, this is prepared in the format we prepare our forecast in. Um, it's a fiscal year-to- date comparison of actual cash flow against the current five-year forecast through January 26. So, structurally on the left, you'll see we have revenue, other financing sources, expenditures, other financing uses, and then cash balance at the bottom. It's very simple. It's just revenue plus other financing sources minus expenditures and other financing uses is our net or excess line 6.01. And then you have our cash balance at the beginning of the year and our ending cash balance. Now there are several columns. So I'll go through those just to give us an idea of how they all work. Uh the first column is our actual data

037for the month of January. Second column is what we estimate for the remaining five months of this fiscal year based on the data we've had so far in this fiscal year. The third blue column is the total of those first two columns which represents our projections from our actual data for the full year. The fourth green column represents our forecast projection for the year which we just submitted to the state. It's due 228. But that's that is using all the data we had up through December. And then that sixth purple column calculates the percentage of our forecast amount we have recorded so far this fiscal year. And you can see that we're 58.33% through the year. That's just, uh, six month seven months divided by 12. So, uh, as far as the data goes, um,

038our year-to- date actual revenue so far this year, we've received $24.9 million, which is about at 54% of the fullear forecast. We're projecting a total of 379.2 2 million which is slightly over we're slightly over that forecasted number right now by 930,000. You can see that in the so that orange column there is kind of the the the difference between what we thought as of our forecast in December and what January fleshed out. we have a some differences already which is kind of interesting if you if you like numbers but um on the expenditure side um our spending so far this year is at 213.6 million or about 55% of our budget so just below that 58.3% um some overages uh we projected to exceed the forecast by about 1.2 2 million after last month.

039I think that's going to come back on us. They'll come back down for us. We had three bi-weekly pays last month, which is more than we usually see, and that will have skewed those numbers a little bit. Um, on the purchasing services side, there is a bright spot. projected to come in at about 573,000 over budget and that's due to some lower expenditures on buildings and um textbooks and things like that. Um so far our cash position we're we are seeing a negative cash flow this year of about 8.8 million. This is slightly better than our projected amount that we had at the beginning of the year. Um, but we're projecting right now that we're going to end at 81 million about 81 million. President Sykes said that's all I have for now. >> Okay.

040Thank you. Uh, Treasurer Bar, are there any questions? Any comments? Hearing none. Thank you. Uh, committee reports this week. Let's start with student success celebration committee. Chair Hall. Thank you, President Sykes. Um, what a celebration. Um, we had on February 18th at 5:30 had a packed house full of students, parents, teachers, grandparents, principles, staff, and board members. Um, in attendance was Krauss CLC. Um, there was a student there who has a 3.5 GPA for the past two years while navigating personal challenges. So, you know, our kids have personal challenges just like we as adults and you know, we just have to show up for our kids and I just want to shout out Krauss for that. Um, we also had STEM um high school leadership recognition. We had King CLC. Um, there was a student

041there that had a 4.0 since kindergarten. Uh, he began kindergarten when the principal began her role. So, they've kind of grown up together, which I thought was really awesome. We also had King Student Council present with their t-shirts on and representing their school and all the work that they're doing as well as they donated $5,000 towards um some of our upper classmen's. Um we had Elliot also in the house. There was a student there, young lady who wrote a book and she read us some of her a part of her insert from that book. The book is called Love Me Then Leave Me and it's on Amazon. So, I encourage everyone to go on Amazon and take a look and purchase it. Um, if you feel the need to support this student, we also had

042Barber CLC. Um, and also there was a student there that won the spelling bee last year. Um, also kind of get off topic, uh, Barber since I'm talking about Barber, they celebrated their Black History event today at their school and it was the adults singing to the students and the students singing back at, you know, participating. So, it was wellreceived and I watched some of those young kids just clap and this little light of mine, they, you know, twisted it up a little bit and um it was just amazing to see the interaction with the kids. Um our next meeting will be on March 18th, which is my birthday, at 5:30. So, I just put that plug in there. Um and that's all unless other committee members have more to input. Thank you, Chair Hall.

043That just seem unfair. Oh, your birthday. This season's out there. >> Okay, I'll remember that. I'll remember that. I remember. Thank you. Uh, rules committee member Kelly. >> Thank you, President Sykes. Uh, I would like to report out that the rules committee did meet on February 17th. Um the committee members present during that meeting was the chair president Miss Sykes and the vice chair uh president Dr. Molinar and myself uh where we went over various recommendations that were sent um by the administration to be approved for today's meeting. I also would like to share that um or reshare that the rules committee was established to help support the governance of this board and the agenda that is presented to each of us and the commi and the community, excuse me. The next um rules committee

044meeting will be March 3rd here at this location at 6:30 p.m. I also want to share with the public that we welcome you to sit in during the rules committee with us so that you are a part of the process of creating this agenda. That next meeting date is again March 2nd at 6:30 p.m. Thank you. >> Thank you, member Kelly. policy committee. Chair Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam President. Madame President, the rules committee met I mean, I'm sorry, the policy committee um has six policies that we would um ask that the um full board would vote on. Um the policy all the six policies all cover transportation. And I would ask that I um be able to present the policies one at a time and give you and the board um and the general

045public some information on the policies. >> Absolutely. >> Uh my first policy will be policy uh 4162. That's the drug and alcohol testing of CDL license holders. Um this is an update um to our current policy that has been offered by Niola. Um, and this policy covers um our regular and substitute bus drivers as well as other staff members who hold um commercial drivers license and they may operate a commercial vehicle. Um this policy is for the testing of the presence of alcohol um and um other controlled substance and I will not list a controlled substance uh but it is for the um testing of CDL license holders for alcohol and drugs. >> Thank you Chair Harrison. So the motion is for passage of of item 41 41.62. Is there a second? Second. >> Is

046there discussion? Hearing no discussion, uh the question is shall uh rule 41 policy 41.62 pass. Uh the treasurer will call the role. >> Miss Kelly? >> Yes. >> Dr. Moler? >> Yes. >> Dr. Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sykes? >> Yes. Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Gerros, >> yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Thank you, Chair Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, my next policy is policy 4162.01 4162.01. >> Mhm. And it is um essentially the same policy, but it is drug and alcohol testing of employees without commercial driving's license. Without commercial driver's license, it tests for the presence of alcohol and elicit drugs as well. >> So the motion is uh chair Harrison 4162.01 for passage. Is there a second? >> Second by Mrs. Montgomery.

047Is there any discussion? >> Member Hall. >> Thank you, Madam President. Just a quick question, Member Harrison. Um, does this also include pop-up drug test, too, where someone can be sent to take a drug test if there's any speculation of someone being um, you know, something in their system or so. >> So, the policy does not explicitly address a um random pop-up test. Um but I will defer to the administration if that is something um that we have. Madam chair, uh the policy does not explicitly address that. >> Okay. So did the administration want to comment? Do we want to just go ahead with this and then look at whether or not we want to do anything with popups? Yes, madam director. Um, >> just a real quick question. I guess it was just it

048doesn't have to be so in-depth. I just wanted to know, >> you know, do we do the pop-up drug test and if that's included in this. So, it was just a yes or no question. >> Do we do pop-up drug test? >> Yes, it's called random selection and yes, we do for CDL and this new policy would allow that also. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. All right. So, are there any other questions? All right. So, the question is whether 41.62.01 shall pass. The treasure will call the role. >> Miss Kelly? >> Yes. >> Dr. Molner? >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sykes? >> Yes. >> Miss Hall? >> Yes. >> Reverend Harrison? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dro? >> Yes. >> 70. >> Chair Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam

049chair, our next policy is policy 8600 86000. Okay. >> And this is our transportation policy. So to answer um member Hall's question, I think this would be the bones of that particular um policy. Um and this policy covers our standard transportation. It's a Neola update. Um, and it directs the superintendent or a designate um to for students attending state charter non-public schools under the same general standards as public school um students. Um, and it gives us the directions of the 30 minutes or less that the students um had their traveling time to and from school. So, this is the base policy that we have as a school district. >> Thank you, Chair Harrison. So the motion is 8600. Uh uh so is there a second passage of 8600? Is there a second? >> Second. Member

050Hall. Is there any discussion? So the question is shall uh policy 8600 pass? The treasur will call the role. >> Miss Kelly? >> Yes. >> Dr. Molner? >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sykes? >> Yes. >> Miss Hall? >> Yes. >> Reverend Harrison? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rose. >> Yes. >> 70. >> Chair Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Madame Chair, our next policy is 8600. 8600.04. And it's a bus and alternative vehicle driver certification. This policy outlines what is required um to operate a bus or an alternative vehicle that transports students. Um, and this also, um, prevents anyone who was not certified or their certification is invalid due to Ohio law. Um, and it also outlines the age of a driver that the drivers must meet. So, this policy itself um,

051outlines the qualifications and what uh, invalidates a driver. So, I would ask that we would pass this. Madam Chair, >> thank you, Chair Harrison. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, member Hall. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, the question is, shall policy 8600.04 pass. >> The treasure of Colorado. >> Dr. Molner? >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sykes? >> Yes. >> Miss Hall? >> Yes. >> Reverend Harrison? >> Yes. >> Mr. Jerose? >> Yes. >> Miss Kelly? Yes. >> 70. >> Thank you, Chair Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Madame Chair, the next policy is 8640. 8640. This policy covers transportation for non-rine trips. This policy covers transportation for nonrine trips. Um, and it's such as field trips and other district sponsored events. Field trips, other district sponsored events.

052Um I would say this also covers the sports and um this one is for the passenger vans or um other um independent contractors that we would utilize. Um, and it outlines um specifications um that the buses must have and the pre-trip inspections and um state regulations. And in this particular one, it also outlines um the our legal council has helped to craft this one in a way that we are not also we're not only following state law, but we will be following federal law as well. If we have a passenger um van that is um more than nine passengers and I would ask for it passage. >> Thank you, Chair Harrison. Is there a second? Second. >> Second, Merose. Any discussion? Seeing none. So, the question is, shall policy 8640 pass? The treasurer will call

053the role. >> Dr. Molinar, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Jeros, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> 70. Thank you, Chair Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And our last policy for the today is policy 8650 >> and that's transportation by alternative vehicles. Um when school bus transportation is not practical practical, the board may use boardown or contracted alternatives. Again, our independent contractors. Um this p this policy outlines the number of students that could be transported at one time. Um in question with this policy is also um and a part of this policy in the previous policy is um when there when it's practical when it's practical we will not deny students transportation based on

054the inability of their organization to pay. However, we will when it's practical if there is a third party involved, if this is a sponsor trip that we will make every effort um to um pass that expense in that particular >> funding source. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, the motion is that 8 that policy 8650 pass. Is there a second? >> Second. Member Hall second. Are there any discussions? Hearing none. Seeing none, the question is, shall policy 8650 pass? The treasurer will call the role. >> Dr. Molner, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. Gerros, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> 70. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the next policy committee meeting will be

055March 2nd >> in this particular boardroom, Reverend Dr. Curtis T. Walker, boardroom at 5:30. And I thank you. >> Thank you, Chair Harrison. Legal and Contract Committee, Chair J. Rose. >> Yes. The Legal and Contracts Committee met on February 18th from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. We had two resolutions in the works. The first one, we had a guest speaker, David Chance, who spoke on House Bill 42. And for reference, House Bill 42 is to require certain agencies to collect and report data concerning the citizenship and or immigration status of persons with whom they come in contact with. And so after his presentation, we as a committee did a full reading of a resolution condemning this bill as our priorities as a school district is to help prepare young people for a successful future. This would

056put an undue burden on our district to put resources toward this endeavor and also conflicts with our values of inclusion. And that item is number 8.4 on your agenda. And at the meeting, we did have a unanimous 30 vote to support both resolutions. But we'll just start with House Bill 42. >> Thank you, Mr. Rose. So, the motion is to pass uh item 8.4 four where the resolution is opposing Ohio Ohio House Bill 42. >> Correct. >> Is there a second? >> Second pass. Um member Harrison. Uh any discussion >> hearing none and seeing none. Uh the question is shall the resolution pass opposing Ohio House Bill 42. The treasurer will call the role. >> Miss Hall. >> Yes. Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Dro, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr.

057Molner, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Chair. >> And the second House bill is House Bill 671. So, so, so for some information, the purpose of the bill is a direct response to a lawsuit by districts arguing that voucher programs drain necessary funds from public schools, a claim bolstered by a 2025 ruling that found the Ed Choice program unconstitutional. This bill would have districts who sued the state over vouchers or funding formulas would have their state funding placed in escrow. And so when they lose in a court, they want to punish the school districts who were involved in in being involved in the lawsuit. We did have a resolution read aloud and complete at our legal and contracts committee meeting and it was a

058unanimous 300 vote to support these resolutions here at the board meeting. >> Thank you, Mr. Gerros. So, uh, the motion is that, uh, the resolution opposing Ohio House Bill 671. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Uh, Mr. Montgomery second. Uh, is there any discussion? Hearing none, uh, the treasurer will call the role. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sykes? >> Yes. >> Miss Hall? >> Yes. Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Gerros, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Mner, >> yes. >> 70. >> Thank you, Mr. Treasur. Does that complete your report? >> There's It does not. No. Okay. A few other things discussed. We are still working on the 12-month contract renewal and expiration report so that we are ahead on upcoming contracts that renew or require board action.

059In addition, we did discuss director contracts that are requiring a decision by March 1st. The contract and relevant details were mentioned about being provided by February February, excuse me, yeah, February 20th or Friday. We still have not received them yet, but we anticipate trying to make sure we have that information to make the right decision moving forward. We also discussed two IT contracts with IT director Mr. Ruan and the committee voted unanimously 300 to support these contracts to the board tonight. We also received an update on the van driver contract update and the basically the outcome from that was the administration will seek to ensure there is an understanding by the board regarding staying put and what the ramifications are or making a conscientious decision to move forward and renew the contracts by our March

0609th regular meeting. The next legal and contracts committee meeting will be March 18th, 2026, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Dr. Reverend Curtis T. Walker boardroom. >> Thank you. Uh, instructional policies and student achievement committee. >> Chair Mullinar. >> Thank you, Madame President. Um, instructional policy has not met since our last board meeting, but our next meeting will be next Monday, uh, March 2nd at 4:30 here in the Reverend Dr. Curtis T. Walker boardroom. Um, but our agenda is already up in board docs. So, anybody that wants to join us and wants to come prepared or wants to know whether or not you can skip this one, I guess. Uh, the agenda is up either way. Um, and I'll give a quick rundown now also of uh some of the exciting things we're going to

061talk about next Monday. Um, there is a continuation on student discipline uh conversation that's been brought up. Um, also we're gonna hear an update about summer school and how to the programs we'll have and how to sign up for summer school. I know that a lot of summer school we other schools had snow days today but summer programs are filling up. So um we also will hear I don't know if it'll be Dr. Lash or Dr. Chapman uh talking about our rescended um adding in our DEI policies. Um and also as we just passed the resolution to oppose House Bill uh 42, um we did our one part, but it's still in there. And so we'll um have some resources that we might be able to communicate to our representatives in the state house there

062also. So come see us next Monday. >> Thank you, Chair Mulla. Finance and Capital Management Committee Chair Montgomery. >> Thank you, Madam President. The Finance and Capital Management Committee met on February the 18th at 6:30. We received a financial update from the treasurer for January, which we just reviewed with the full board. We also received an update on capital management and construction projects. The Book Stadium renovation project, the uh current stand and press box was demolished on February the 16th. So, that uh continues to move forward. As for Piper and Miller South, we will have a groundbreaking on March the 19th at 11:00. We have uh in miscellaneous finance updates, the treasurer informed us that the performance audit is about to be underway and that kickoff meeting with the auditor estate is this Wednesday for

063the board members that can attend that. Uh the last thing that was on for construction updates was the North High School construction project. And it is the recommendation of the finance and capital management committee to present to the full board here tonight that we select option 3B for North High School as the layout. And for board members, that is the layout that has the football stadium running north and south so we're not kicking into the sun. And it also realigns the parking lot to where it will be closer to the front door and not in the front quarters. So, uh, with that, Madame Chair, I would make a motion to accept option 3B as the North High School layout. >> Thank you, Chair Montgomery. Is there a second? >> Second by Chair UR. Is there

064any questions? Member Hall. >> Thank you, Madam President. Um, just a quick question. Um, I'm looking on the exhibit that you provided um where the existing building remains. So while the construction is under it way to build the new school, the students will be in their in the same building while um the new building is being built. >> Correct. So option 3B uh is keeping the 1970s uh building. That's the black current version. They will build the new construction and director Faulk, you can correct me if I misspe, but we're going to we'll build the new construction in yellow. And then once that is done, they'll shift and then they'll start tearing down the old building. uh that isn't staying. Is that right? Director F. Yeah. >> Member Hall. >> And just to follow up,

065what will go in that place once that the old building is torn down? Will that then be additional parking? Will it be something that the students can utilize? Um I see like that's the prek entrance. So there'll be a playground, which is awesome for the kiddos. But what's going to be in that empty space? Because the building is already huge. So, if we're tearing that down, it seems like we're pushing the building back a little bit more or wait >> the building is >> I'm so sorry. I apologize. >> Have you finished asking a question? >> So, yeah. So, I just want to know what's going to go in that existing place and um is there something that we can utilize in the future because this is a growing district. So, do we plan on

066building something in the future um or what do we plan on doing at that space? Director F. >> Thank you, President Sykes. Uh, Miss Hall, the building is moving to the east of the property, so it's going towards the fire station, and that is where the current field is. It then circles around, and as you said, it has the playground in between the new build and the building which currently houses the gymnasium section that we are going to retain and renovate. in the current location where the building is, as Mr. Montgomery has stated earlier, that will be demolished and become the parking lot. And then the field will go north to south closest west to Gorge. So, while there are some spaces around this particular building that may allow us to have some spaces in

067between to grow in the future, the actual campus will house,00 students. That's what it's being built for. >> Okay. grades 9 through 12. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Are there any other questions? Member Mullen. >> Thank you, Madame President. Um, first I want to reiterate that it was stated during the committee that these diagrams will be posted on our district website uh hopefully this week and a couple of days uh for community and partner review. Also, um, Garfield, who we'll hear about their exciting day today later, was built with their partners and pathways in mind, and that was one of the things we had for that building. So, if we have community members and invested partners and pathways with any questions, that contact information will also be on this page on the website of who

068they are. >> That is correct. >> Need to contact. That's wonderful. And I have another question or actually my first question. >> I'm sorry. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Um, as this if this building project advances, the next step would be that is anticipated would be the RFP for the CM. >> We current we currently have an RFQ which is a which is a little different. It's a request for qualifications in which uh proposed vendors may submit. It is closing on March the 6th which is a a week from Friday. At that time, those vendors will then start the process to be vetted by the internal APS team in also with our design and our owner's representative and legal counsel to then uh f find how we would vet those through the process. We hope

069to certainly could shortlist somebody. It rarely happens. and then hopefully bring those forward eventually to the board so that we can rank the uh actual vendors and then begin contract negotiations in April. >> Member Mona, >> thank you. And so to confirm the RFQ is currently open, will close on the 6th and um could the board please uh receive the criteria for that evaluation before uh making a decision? Thank you. >> Thank you, >> member. Oh, just one more question. Um, I see that we're getting a new athletic field and I just want to know, does this also include a press box, bathroom, concession stand? I just don't, you know, I I know what we're going through with BTO and they've been active for many, many years with no running water and things like that.

070So, this new athletic field, what will it have? It actually is a a practice field. It is replacing it. It will be multi- uh type. You can do soccer, football, lacrosse, marching band. It will not currently have an outside fieldhouse and it does not currently have to your question about outside rest rooms because we are building within the $85 million budget that came from the levy and that currently is not part of the budget. It doesn't mean it couldn't be considered as we move forward, but the budget does not contain it at this time. >> Just one final. I'm done. Um, so I'm just ask two quick questions and my one followup. One, what um time trying to hurry up. Um, where does one go to to the restroom when they go to these games?

071actually at North currently because they have certainly used that field for many years. If they have requested the use of the field, they've gone one of two ways. They have gone into the building to use the restrooms near the cafeteria and we have also uh had portaotti supplied or porta johns whichever you used and as we obtained the variance for boal that was one of the things that if we had a large event the new license for that also says we would do those options if we needed to. >> Okay. Thank you. No that's yeah that concludes it. Thank you. Thank you, >> member Harris. >> It's going to be quick. Um, so um more of a statement than than than a question. I I would um I know we have a budget for North,

072but if we can look at um maybe the infrastructure of um that future thought of we can put running water out here. We we don't run into what we run into at Bookto where we can't do it. We have to do certain things. So, if we can look at when we're put when we're building this school, look at okay, at some point we we we want to put we have a regulation field. We have all of these things in place. If we can look at the fact that we can put running water and uh a sewage system in there while we're building. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> director. Um that's part of the planning process that we will go forward as we move forward with the actual field development once we get into the

073design of the building as well. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Meal remembered her final question. >> Final question. I remembered it. They made me laugh so I forgot about it. All right. >> But you stated practice field. So this is not going to be a competitive field. It's just a practice field. It is replacing the current practice field, but in the structure, it will be a full field. It could hold middle school games, but it is not what I would say uh necessary full stadium as you have currently at Bokeal and Elllet. We have not designed it yet. So, this is what we're doing. Now, we will probably have some bleachers and stuff there, but I it isn't the full stadium at this time. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank

074you. All right. Uh there is a motion on the floor, believe it or not. Uh the motion is to support option 3B of the construction for North High School. It has been properly second. If there's no additional questions or comments, uh the question is, shall the motion pass? The treasurer will call the role. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. Mr. Gerros, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molner, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. 70. >> Thank you. And I just acknowledge that the principal of North High is here. Good to see you. >> The last thing is the next meeting will be March the 18th at 6:30. Thanks, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Thank you, Chair Montgomery. Uh item 23, approval of

075consent agenda. Is there a request to remove any additional items from the consent agenda? Is there a request to remove any item from the consent agenda? Um well, you can just correct me if I'm wrong. I'm looking during our discussion of um the reduction. Um 223 is the Verizon cell phone not to exceed 21,000. Um I don't know if I could can I ask the question before we remove it or >> is it on the consent agenda? is on the consent agenda. >> Now you can ask that it be removed from the consent agenda. We can put it under new business and we can ask the question. >> Thank you for that. So I would like to request um 223 be removed from the consent agenda. >> Okay. >> Please. Thank you. Okay. Are there

076any other requests to remove any items from the consent agenda? Hearing and seeing no other additional requests. So the question is shall the consent agenda be approved? >> Is there a motion? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> The treasurer will call the vote. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Gerros, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Mr. Molner, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Thank you. Uh, under um item 24, leave of absence, safety team member. Is there a motion to approve the leave of absence of a safety team member? >> So move. >> Uh, the motion by member Montgomery. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion?

077The treasurer will call the role. >> Mr. Jerose, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molinar, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> abstain. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Motion carries 601. >> Thank you. Item 25 on the resolution accepting in kind non-cash donation from the LeBron James Family Foundation in the amount of $2,365,43946. Is there a motion to accept the resolution? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? Member Hall. Is there any discussion? No member. >> Thank you, Madame President. I just want to acknowledge and thank the LeBron James Family Foundation um for their relationship with our district and their support. And um our district is having tough times. All public districts are having

078tough times. You saw in the superintendent report 11 million of hard decisions and 2 million I'm going to read the whole thing. 2,365,43946 of um thank you and gratitude uh for the LeBron James Family Foundation. Thank you. >> Yes, member Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I too want to thank the LeBron James Family Foundation for u this donation. you know, we're facing real tough times and uh public education today and um the dollar amount is one thing, but the family support that is offered um you know, we went through a rough spell maybe two or three years ago with um Akran public schools and and the name of the family LeBron James family foundation, but certainly want to acknowledge all that they do um for Akran public schools, all that they do for

079our students. And when we think about the children, we think about um the learning that happens in our buildings. When we think about um the relationships that are formed in our building, um sometimes we forget about um what the children go home to and they go home to situations that may be difficult that prevents them from learning um when they get to the classroom. So, we want to thank uh the LeBron James Family Foundation for not only supporting our children in the schools, but we want to thank the foundation for supporting our children out of the schools. We want to thank um our principal. We we know it's not always easy. Um but we thank you for the love and support that you show the children. Um and it certainly takes a village and the

080LeBron James Family Foundation have been a great protector of the village. So, I want to thank them. >> Thank you, member Harrison. Member Hall, >> sorry about that. I think I was starruck because I was just sitting here just in amaze that this young man from Akran, born and raised here in Akran, is giving back. You know, we have so many people from Akran that have met that celebrity status that just proceed with life and that's okay. But for this to be a young man um raised through the struggles have shown his ability to not only be an amazing basketball player, an amazing human, amazing parent, and an amazing community member is something to just be so proud to just call Akran home. And when I go places, they say, you know, where you from?

081I'm from Akran. It used to be, oh, is that where you guys have hay rolling down the stream? I'm like, what? Now they're like, "Oh, LeBron James." I'm like, "Yeah." You know, I'm I'm so proud um of this young man and you know, the LeBron James Family Foundation, their staff, how they want to educate our community. They could have their resource center just for their families, but they open it up to the community to get therapy, to get food, to get medical. Like, this is amazing. They're also opening um a house to educate people on home ownership. you know, it's he doesn't want anyone in our community to fail. And if anyone can't support him, shame on you. Um because this is for our community. This is what we call home and we need to

082take care of it. So, thank you, LeBron James. Thank you for the family foundation for just moving our community forward and pouring money into our community for our kids. Thank you. >> Thank you, Member JRO. >> Yes. I'd like to echo the praise of our colleagues. So, thank you so much for all the support you do for our students. We talk a lot about the whole child approach to education where it's not just what happens in the classroom. It's about the supports all all year round. And so when we look at some of the items that are being enceded is projects and maintenance programming and student support, family support, staff support, the I promise to which is a GED program for the parents and the families, athletics, student support, student housing support, and all of

083these things are so essential for a well-rounded student. So we can't thank you all enough for the great support you have for the members in this community. >> Thank you. So the question is shall the resolution be accepted uh in the in kind resolution non-cash donation from the LeBron James Family Foundation in the amount of 2,365,43946. The treasurer shall take the role. Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molinar, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> abstain. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Gerros, >> yes. >> Motion carries 601. >> Thanks. Business affairs item 26.1. Unit Solutions enduser license agreement renewal from April 1st, 2026 to March 31st, 2031 not to exceed $51,575. Is there a motion? >> Motion by Mr. Montgomery. Is there a second?

084>> Second by member Hall. Is there discussion? Yes, me. Mhm. >> Thank you, Madame President. Um, so this item is a renewal. It was removed from the consent agenda so we could better understand how the AI component functions because that is a new piece of this and um we want to be good stewards and uh particularly around the potential bias and transparency in how vendors are surfaced with an AI tool. Um, and so I just want to say I appreciate our administration's clarification that the tool does not select vendors. It simply sorts options with staff retaining full responsibility for purchasing decisions. Um, because that distinction is important and I uh they also said there are reporting capabilities available. So as we update our procurement policies and reintroduce elements of our DEI work, uh we can

085continue attention to training and thoughtful implementation of use of AI and access. So thank you and that is my discussion. >> Okay. Thank you. Is there any additional questions or discussion? All right. The question is shall item 26.1 pass? All members prepared to vote. The treasurer will call her up. >> Dr. Mr. Molinar, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Jerose, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Thank you, Mr. Treasurer. Item 26.2, Frontline Technology Group LLC doing business as Frontline Education Site License Renewal Haze Access Tracking Program. a contract from March 29th through March 29th, 2026 to March 29th, 2027 not to exceed $89,43,77. This is uh the question is, is there

086a motion? Uh, Pastor Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Madame chair, in this particular item, um we do have a um policy that is coming through the policy committee um with um capital asset management for and I see that this is a renewal of this contract and um and speaking with the committee um I think that this particular um item um would be better served going through committee. I've talked with the committee members and we're in agreement that we would like to see this go through committee um so that we could be sure that this aligns with um the new policy that we are um establishing um to enter into a contract for a year um while we're trying to um make sure that we can account for equipment. Um I think um we would

087be better served sending this through committee. So I would ask that this would go through the policy committee. >> Okay. So the motion is to refer to policy committee. Is there a second? >> Second by member Hall. Is there any additional discussion? Seeing none. So the question is shall item 26.2 be referred to the policy committee. The treasurer will call a role. >> Mr. Montgomery. Yes, >> Mrs. Sykes. >> Yes, >> Miss Hall. >> Yes, >> Reverend Harrison. >> Yes, >> Mr. Jeros. >> Yes, >> Miss Kelly. >> Yes, >> Dr. Molner. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. 70. >> Thank you. Item 263, Greater Akran Chambers in cooperation and agreement with between the Akran public school system in support of the Greater Akran Chambers Academy of Innovation and Industry at Garfield CLC as part of

088the college and career academic program beginning February 23rd, 2026 through February 22nd, 2029. Incan donations from the Greater Akran Chambers of Commerce $50,000 each year. A minimum of $50,000 each year. Is there a motion to accept? >> So moved. >> Uh second by first by member Halls, second by member Montgomery. Is there any discussion? Pass Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I I would really like to discuss this item, but I'm mindful um I have been told um and sometimes I can look and see the disappointment in people when I stand up and talk about Garfield. Um and I'm going just say don't hate, just elevate. Um so uh uh you know we had the um program this morning at Garfield where we had the greater Akran Chamber. We had Representative Annie McFaden from

089um United Way um our superintendent um Mary Alley um we had board members there um and it was just a >> students oh we had I I even forgot them. I'm get I'm getting to them. Um but we had a collection of business um owners, operators um in at Garfield today. So with this partnership with the greater Akran Chamber and Garfield High School um I think benefits the Akran public schools tremendously. I know we put a dollar amount on um the resolution. Um but the dollar amount um you can't put a price on experience. You can't put a price on the internship. You can't put a price on the relationships and how this will impact our students. Um I had a chance to talk with one of the business owners today and after touring Garfield

090um he agreed with me about the air was just exceptional. But after touring Garfield um he said this is the partnership that we've been looking for. He said, "We have a partnership with an adjoining school district." Um, and some of those interns are making $30 an hour. He said, "We don't want to just teach kids how to push buttons on a machine, but we want to show them how the machine operates." So, I think this partnership with the greater Akran Chamber, our business community, um the community that supports our children is going to be a wonderful partnership and I'm just happy that it's at Garfield. want to thank the students that that showed up, the student ambassadors. Um, for those who missed it, we had the culinary team that had an exceptional um, breakfast, um,

091brunch. Um, and I think Garfield really is the model school that we want to achieve. Our students are great, our staff are great. Okay. >> Um, it it's just great. So, so thank you, Madam Chair. >> Member Hall, >> I'll make sure not to go over three minutes. No, >> no. I just want to say this is an amazing opportunity for Greater Aran Chambers to partner with our schools. Um, you know, we're here in Akran, so it's important that Akran businesses support our Akran schools. That brings more residents into Akran to grow our community. and I will definitely, you know, be a congratulator for Garfield. My father's a graduate of Garfield quarterback as he tells everyone and I'm a product of him. So, it came from Garfield. So, um I just would like to just

092say congratulations to um the students at Garfield and thank uh Greater Akran Chamber for this big deal. Thank you. >> All right. Hearing no additional comments. Uh the question is shall item 26.3 pass? The uh treasurer will call the role. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Gerros, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molner? >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Thank you. Item 26.4, four multiple vendors service contract snow plowing snow plowing from November 4th 2025 to April 30th 2026 to increase the amount from 60,000 to an additional $90,000 not to exceed $150,000. Is there a motion to accept item 26.4? >> So moved. Uh motion by member Montgomery. Is there a second? >> Second by

093member her hall. >> Any discussion? >> Member Hall. >> Um so I'm looking at this with an increase of 90,000 um for snow plow and landscape and all of everything else. What's the difference from what we've been doing to what we're going to be getting with the $90,000 increase? the snow that we just had. >> It's the snow plow. >> We probably had that years ago, you know. >> Not like we just had, but the director will answer the question. >> Thank you. Actually, last year we spent $82,000 on snow removal. We tried to be conservative this year knowing what the budget was and the prefall forecast and old man winter got the best of us. So we at this time had obviously a very bad week of 12 in of snow to remove and

094we still have some of the season to go through. So we need to have this increase to pay and service those 46 places we do this at and we would like to move forward to so that we can pay the invoices we currently have. Thank you. >> Member Hall, >> you automatically knew I had a followup. Um just really quick. Um, so all of these companies are the snowplow companies that we voted for last year. >> That is correct. >> Okay. Cuz they say like lawn care. So I just wanted to make sure it's not like the summer. >> This is just snowplow. >> Snow plowing. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And just a note there's two from an >> there is. >> I know that was a concern for me hall last

095year. Two from an >> Thank you. >> Okay. So the question is shall unless there's additional comments or questions. >> Just the one question I had is in the future do we plan to again overbudget for these items because I know it's easy to want to make the budget smaller to make sure the numbers work but then if they keep coming back with well we didn't expect this now we need more money. Is this going to be are we going to expect 150,000 in next year's budget to make sure that we plan accordingly to what could be expected? >> Only God knows. Director, >> you could ask. >> We will certainly start planning our budget accordingly. Uh, member Derose and taking into consideration that we do not want this to happen again, we will plan

096accordingly to us hopefully have a better estimate going forward. We also plan to put out the RFP in a timely fashion so that we also don't come back in November. We hope to have it to hopefully at the end of September, early October when we can actually get seasonal costs correct. >> Thank you. >> All right. Did you >> Oh, you had a comment, Treasure. >> Okay. All right. Uh we like to hear from you whenever we can, Mr. treasure. The question is, should item 26.4, multiple vendors service contract for snow plowing, uh, pass? Uh, the treasurer will call the role. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Gerros, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molinar, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >>

097yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Thank you. Seeing no unfinished business, we will go to new business. Uh under new business, the item moved from the consent agenda 22.3. Um member Hall. Thank you, Madam President. I just had questions regarding the Verizon bill. It looks like it's cell phones not to exceed 21,000. I just want to just ask, have we done our due diligence to make sure that who has cell phones? for, you know, they're using it, not just random cell phones in the district that we're paying a bill for. And are we able to cut back on some of these phones if they're not being utilized? >> Good evening, honorable board members. Um, to answer your question, yes. Um, only specific staff receive a cell phone provided by Akran public schools. I can provide

098the board with a comprehensive list. Unfortunately, I do not have that at this time. Um, but we were excited to to note that um the new contract um provided to the state of Ohio does reduce that cost by about $6,000 per year. So, we're anticipating the annual cost to drop from 21,000 down to um 15,000 per year. >> So, so then are we still voting not to exceed 21,000? Are we keeping a cushion since you just received the $15,000 and I see that it's in there too. So, are we voting on just 15,000 or are we going to be voting on not to exceed 21,000? >> That's a good question. As the new contract runs from February 24, tomorrow through June 30th of 2027. So, it is longer than a fiscal year or a calendar

099year. Um, >> member Hall while they're coming. >> I think it would just be like a quick simple yes or no. You know, if we need to just keep it at 21 or do we take it down >> it? Yes. At this time in order to cover the extended time period. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Are there any additional questions? So the question is sh 22.3 the Verizon ris contract uh from February 24th 2026 to June 30th 2027 not to exceed 21,000 I shall shall that pass. >> Did I get a motion? >> So moved. >> Is a second? >> Second. So >> we have motion from member Hall and a second from member Harrison. Um, are we all ready to vote? If so, then the treasurer will uh call the role. >> Miss Hall,

100>> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Jeros, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molner, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Thank you. Under new business, is there any new item that any of the board members would like to bring to the board's attention? Member Harris. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I would like to report out um from a um advocacy day that um member Montgomery, member Kelly, and myself attended at the state house in Columbus on February 11th. Um the um event was hosted by the Greater Akran Chamber and the Chamber of Stark County. Um they have formed a union, the Akran Canton Advocacy Alliance. Um and in that particular um session that uh meeting at the

101state house, we had an opportunity to talk to some of the legislate legislators. We also had a chance to hear from um the speaker from the Senate. Um and we covered a couple of topics that were very important to public education. Um a lot of the comments were centered around taxes, property taxes in the state of Ohio. Um and I think there's a reality that we have to face as public school districts. um that um changes are coming and we have to be able to move with those changes. Um we also heard from the chair of the ways and means committee um and what was shared about public education was um K through 12 schools. Um currently the thought is the prevailing thought is that we have too many school districts, we have too many

102school administrators and we have too many school buildings. Um and one of the pro thought thought process was that some of the stronger school districts um needed to absorb some of the um not so financially strong school district. Um and so there had to be a way of consolidating school districts. There has to be a way of consolidating buildings and we need to reduce administrators in some of these buildings. Um I think that this is where we are in public education and it's going to take everyone to advocate um for public education. Um what I heard was we're going to take money out of public education and force you to do something different. Um and of course that is vouchers but there's also other things our funding is being reduced. Um, so from that advocacy

103day, I would encourage all of our parents, all of our community leaders, um, to become active and lobby these legislators. Um and also make sure that we know um we all have politicians coming to us for one reason or another and whether it's a vote, whether it's money. Um but we need to make sure that we know that there is a commitment from everyone who desires public office that they will support public education. Um and again that rings in my head. We have too many school districts, 611 school districts in Ohio. We have too many buildings and we have too many administrators. Um, and so I think as we move forward, we need to keep that in the forefront of our minds because that thought process is the prevailing. They have the numbers right now,

104those who think in that way. Thank you. >> Thank you, member Harrison. Any additional comments? I >> Go ahead. It's on something different. >> Okay. I would just just say that when you when we heard our superintendent talk about the cuts, the 11 million cuts that uh she is uh struggling and you you can hear it in her voice how painful it is. It's painful for all of us. And the reason why we have to make these cuts is because we are not receiving the fair funding monies that we agreed, sit down, discussed it over years and came up with the fair funding formula that we would receive. And then we received it for one year. And then after that the governor's bill, the governor's submitted uh his budget with 2020 2022 numbers I believe

105as opposed to 2026. And so we are finding ourselves having to cut because we are not receiving the monies that it was agreed upon that we should receive. And why was it agreed upon that we should receive it? Because the constitution says it. Because the state of Ohio says that public schools are to be adequately funded. And that's where we come up with fair funding. And because we are not being adequately funded, then that's why some schools are suing the state of Ohio uh because we're not receiving those fair funding numbers. And we passed this legislation, this resolution, because now we have a legislature that says now we're going to withhold your money because you are using your constitutional rights. We have three three levels of government. And when we feel that there is there

106is something that should be answered then we have the right to go to the courts that's our constitutional right also and to have the legislative body which I absolutely respect would have the nerve to say now we're going to withhold your money because you are using your constitutional rights to ask a question of one of our branches of government government called the judicial branch just just set settle this for us to answer this question and now the nerve of them to say we're going to withhold your funds because you have the nerve to ask the question. So when you see our superintendent sit here and struggle with this, it is because it is unconstitutional that we are not receiving the money that we supposed to and we need to fight for our children. When we

107fight, we win. If we don't fight, we lose. So, I am down 100% for public schools and we shall continue to fight or at least I will anyway. That's my Amen. Okay. Okay. So, I just wanted to announce um the National Association of Black Student Educators will be hosting a parent summit on Thursday, April 30th. Um and thank you um Superintendent Otley for um hearing me and um also believing that this is important for our students. So we are we have the opportunity to allow 45 students to take advantage of the opportunity to attend the parent summit in Columbus. Um we did find a bus with grant funding. Um so APS will be transporting 45 parents down to Columbus um to take advantage of the summit. It is a free summit, so it's not costing

108the district anything to educate our parents. Um the event is from 8:00 to 4:00, so we'll get the parents down there and we'll get the parents back. Um so again, thank you so much. Um I think Mrs. Stansancy Sykes will be working with the family liaison and also PTA. But if there's parents that are listening that would be interested in this, I would um ask you to reach out to your family liaison and get signed up to this. we want to fill up our seats. There's other districts that come and they come. I've sat in on a couple of sessions and I'm like, "Wow." And for the past two years, I'm like, "Why don't we have our parents?" So, this year, I spoke up and said, "We need to do this. We need to make

109this happen." So, again, thank you, Superintendent Otley. Um, we do need some donations for food. I know it's going to be early in the morning for transportation. I'm transporting these parents down. So, just looking for some continental breakfast, muffins, things like that. Thank you. Please get with me if you're um interested in donating some type of perishable items so that the parents going down there won't be hungry. Um and then one last thing, I just want to keep Jackie Silus Butler in our prayers. Um she had to bury her son today. Um if you all know Jackie, she loves our children. She works tirelessly to make sure our kids have scholarships to go to school. And you know, I just want to keep her in our hearts and just please just keep her in your

110hearts, too, cuz nobody wants to have to go through this. Thank you. >> Thank you, Member Hall. Vice President Molinar, is there a need for an executive session? >> Yes, Madame President. There is a need for executive session. I motion to recess into executive session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 121.22G1 22G1 to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official or the investigation or charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licency, or regulated individual. 121.22G6 details relative to the security arrangements and emergency response protocols for a public body or public office. if disclosure of the matters discussed could reasonably be expected to jeopardize the security of the public body or public office. >> Is there a motion to go into executive session? >> So moved by

111me Hall. Is there a second? >> Second by member Gerro. The treasurer will take the role. >> Reverend Harrison. >> Yes. >> Mr. Derose. >> Yes. >> Miss Kelly. >> Yes. >> Dr. Molner. >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sykes. >> Yes. Miss Hall. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. 70. >> We are in executive session at 7:22. We will return in an hour if it appears that we are going beyond an hour. The Akan Public Schools Board of Education remains in executive session. We shall return at 900 p.m. Action will be taken when we return. The Akran Public Schools Board of Education will remain in executive session for 30 minutes and return at 9:30. Thank you for standing by. The board of education remains in executive session. A resolution is being prepared

112and we will be back as soon as it is ready. Thank you. Are we back? We are back in session from executive session. There is uh action to be taken. So is there a motion to approve the IT cyber security agreement number one as presented? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Is there a second? Hearing a motion and a second. The treasurer shall call the role. >> Mr. Dros, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molinar, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. Motion carries 70. >> Thank you. Uh is there a motion to approve the IT Cypus security agreement number two as presented? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Hearing a motion uh to a motion and

113a second. The treasurer will call the role. >> Miss Kelly? >> Yes. >> Dr. Molner? >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sykes? Yes, >> Miss Hall. >> Yes, >> Reverend Harrison. >> Yes, >> Mr. Jeros. >> Yes. >> 70. >> Thank you. Is there a motion to approve the resolution appointing a referee to conduct the hearing request under Ohio Revised Code 3319.16 as presented? >> So moved. >> Second. Hearing a motion and a second. There any discussion? Not the treasurer will call the role. >> Dr. Molinar, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Gerros, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> 70. >> Thank you, treasure. Uh at this time the board has considered

114the appeal submitted by an employee under board policy 4362. The board has reviewed the superintendent decision and the materials presented under the policy. Is there a motion under policy 4362 to reject the superintendent decision as presented? >> Madam chair, I make a motion that we reject the decision as presented. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Is there discussion? Hearing no discussion, I will read the resolution into the record. Whereas the board of education of the Aken public school district board maintained board policy 4362 anti-harassment which established procedure for filing, investigating and appealing complaints involving alleged harassment. And whereas an employee submitted a complaint pursuant to policy 4362, which was reviewed and investigated consistent with the procedure set forth therein, and whereas upon completion of the investigation, the superintendent issued a written decision in accordance

115with policy 4362. And whereas the employee subsequently submitted a timely appeal to the board as permitted under policy 4362. And where else the board has reviewed the permitted politic the records some consistence of the complaint the investigative summary and the superintendent decision and has considered the matter within the scope of his authority under policy 4362. And whereas the board finds that the superintendent decision is not supported by the record and is inconsistent with the requirements and standards set forth and policy 4362. Whereas the board further finds that the allegation brought by the employee meet the definition of sexual harassment as outlined in policy 4362. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the board of education of the Akran public school district, Summit County, Ohio, that one, the board hereby rejects the superintendent February 3rd, 2026 decision

116issued under policy 4362. Two, the board hereby directs that this matter be returned to the superintendent to evaluate the matter consistent with disciplinary actions up to and including termination. Three, this action constitutes the board's final decision, the final determination regarding the appeal submitted under policy 4362 and four that the treasurer is directed to provide written notice of this resolution to the employees in accordance with the policy 4362 adopted this 23rd day of February 2026. The treasurer will call the role. Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Jeros, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molnar, >> yes. >> 70. >> Thank you. The next meeting will be Monday, March 9th, 2026. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> So

117move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> In a motion and a second, the treasur will Any discussion? The treasurer will call the role. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Derose, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molner, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Motion carries 70. We are journ at 9:59 p.m.