001All right. Good evening. I'm going to call to order the Finance and Capital Management Committee of Akran Public School Board of Education. I'm Phil Montgomery. I'm the chair of the committee. I'm joined by Member Gro. We're missing Vice Chair Harrison this evening. Also with us is Vice President Molinar, Member Kelly, Superintendent Outley, and Treasurer Bowers. So the first item on the agenda 1.01 is previous meeting minutes. Uh in the document there are two sets of board minutes. Uh one is from the October 27th, 2025 meeting. At the last committee meeting we reviewed those minutes but we didn't approve them. Uh so I'm going to and then we have the meeting minutes from our last meeting which was January the 21st, 2026. And with that I would entertain a motion to approve both sets of minutes.
002>> So moved. And I'll second. All in favor? I >> I. Any opposed? All right. The meeting minutes have been approved. Uh item 2.01, request to address the committee. Does anybody from the public want to address the committee? Seeing and hearing none, we will move on to 3.01, the January 2026 financial report. Treasurer Bowers. [clears throat] >> Thank you. Member Montgomery, tonight we're going to go over a new format, a monthly one pager. I have it up on the screen here and I've handed out I also handed out the um to the committee the regular financial report that we've been using. [snorts] Uh this new one um is prepared in the format we prepare our forecast in. It provides a fiscal year-to- date comparison of actual cash flow against the current five-year forecast through January.
003[snorts] Uh the structure of it on the lefth hand side we list our revenues and expenditure categories and end with our beginning and ending cash balance. Um each of the six columns to the right of those categories totals revenues and other financing sources and then subtracts the total expenditures and financing uses to arrive at our excess or net amount for the month. We [snorts] then add or subtract the excess to or from our beginning cash balance to show us where we're at. Uh the columns themselves, the first column is our actual [snorts] data for the month of January. The second column is what we estimate for the remaining five months of the fiscal year. The third blue column is the total of the first two columns representing our projections from our actual for the year.
004The fourth green column represents our forecast projection for the year which we just completed. [snorts] Uh the fifth orange column shows the difference between the projection and our current forecast. And the sixth purple column calculates the percentage of our forecasted amount we've recorded so far this year. [snorts] Uh so overall our revenue performance uh this year to date we have collected 204 million 967 which is about 54.8% 54.18% of what we're forecasting for the whole year. So [snorts] slightly behind. If we're dividing 12 months by um [clears throat] seven months by 12, we we have 58.33. We would be through, but we've collected 54.18. Um [snorts and clears throat] but our total projected revenue is slightly over forecast by about 930,000 because our restricted grants and aid are performing pretty well this year. On the
005expenditure side, uh our our year-to- date spending is at or about 55% of our budget. So, [snorts] we we're spending a little bit behind the 58.33 if we were being right on right on the nose. [clears throat] [snorts] Expenditures are expected are projected to exceed the forecast by 1.2 million based on January's numbers. I don't expect that to continue. We had three pays in December. Three. [snorts] We had We always have four pays a month in Akran City Schools. We have two semionthly warrants and then two bi-weeklyies, but we had three bi-weeklies during December. And I suspect that some of this overage is due to our new contract rates kicking in full gear. So that that that would account for that. [clears throat] >> [snorts] >> Um, and then at the bottom down there, our
006cash position, our net cash position. So, we're we're showing there that we are projecting $8.8 million in [clears throat] negative cash flow this year, which [snorts] is slightly ahead of the forecast by 387,000. So, we made up a little bit more ground this month. Um, that's that's all I have on our questions on this new format. Any questions from the committee? Other members of the board? Uh, I appreciate you putting the work into this. It takes the six or seven pages of the traditional financial report, uh, puts it in one that's easy to read, uh, and can see where we're moving as a district. So, thank you. >> Sure. >> All right. If there are no other questions on the financial report, we will move to 3.02, capital management construction updates. Director Folk. >> Good
007evening, Mr. Montgomery, member Jeros, and Superintendent Utley, and members of the board that are included. Uh, I would like to advance this screen to North High School as an update. This is the time period that we have reflected in the Friday notes that we are looking for a recommendation to select option three for the property layout of the new building site for the board meeting of 223. And I am going to open up uh can you there it goes. This is the blocking of the building. What this is showing you is how the building will lay out. So, as you see, I am so sorry. As you see the items that are the long block, this is all classroom space. Um, to my right, it is probably to the right on your screen. It is
008a threestory U set. This is the first floor of this building. And I want you to look at the big wide space in the middle if you can. And you will see everything to your right is all new built. So it will be the educational space. It will include the dining which is that kind of gold space and the kitchen and everything to in the gray. It includes your auditorium and also some other spaces. The main entrance is the big white location between the oranges at the administration. Everything in this proposal to the left is the renovation and restoration of the current gym area. So the first floor, which is currently now your kitchen and cafeteria, would be moving to the new building. But this is going to be suggested by our architects and design
009firm to now become supportive spaces for the athletic gym and outside field, and I'll explain that in a minute. It will also include your uh early learning program in the light blue. It has your special needs programs in the darker blue. and some other associated areas for classroom. Uh that white space between these two buildings will be located with outside access to the playground for the early learning program and outside access also available for our special ed students that would be located on the first floor. So then if we can go down a little bit on this, this is the second floor of the building and to your right is the second floor wing and this includes other educational spaces. I do want to advise you that the green spaces are your science labs that
010will be appropriate and regular classrooms. There is not a second floor to the other part of that wing, but they do connect along the corridor. And as you can see to the left is your renovated gym, which would be still the same capacity as the current gym. And we have talked about as we have done our meetings that um if you were building this new under a standard OFCC, you would not get the seating capacity that we have. And this gym is in very good space. Um the kind of pinkish and reddish areas become your uh art spaces. And this the pink rooms are actually art rooms which gives north and north light which is great for that kind of art. And then these are all the other art related spaces on the second floor.
011Sure. There we go. And then the last is just the top third floor of the educational space. And these are specific classrooms relegated to the program of requirement as it has been worked on with our um staff members uh at North our educational outreach and the support con [clears throat] uh contact with the principal in the community as well. So we actually are moving this building to the west, no technically to the east, near the fire station and it will be near the field that is currently there and go across the north. So that is option three. The reason I bring this to your attention is the way this is currently laid out is almost within the budget that we have of 85 million to the plus side not to the negative side. Had we
012done completely new build, we would have been over budget as you have seen in the Friday notes. And we also wanted to make sure that we tried to do some other uh option two and it still was slightly over the budget of the 85 million. So that's one of the items I wanted to show you. But the other part for option three is if we go down to the next part of this slide or go back to the original slide please and go to the property layout. This is the property layout. So there is the building on the east side near the fire station and across the north side you will see full access road coming in on the east side and going to the back. So you have delivery docks directly to the kitchen
013and custodial area along in behind. Now if you understand this print see the track that and field it's currently located on this option uh sitting on the current north building. Okay. And the property for parking stays the same. Well, my our team got a little creative and I was just handed as I walked in the door option B. So, what I would like to do is give you the one copy I have. But basically, what I want you to do is take the field and I want you to bring it towards Route 8 and Gorge and it now goes north and south and then all of the parking becomes the middle of the property. It is much more easily accessible to the building as people arrive. And if we would go option 3B, then it
014would also terrace well along that very sloping area that you have as you approach north from Gorge. So, we are hoping that we can have the committee ask us questions. We have our design team behind us if you'd like to, and we also have our owners rep. But if we can, we would like to have this move to the agenda of Monday's meeting and have the board seek approval of this on the agenda under the finance committee, which if approved allows us to be set for the CMR, which is out for bid right now to look for a CMR, which opens on the 6th of March. And this is the kind of stuff that we need to be able to give to the construction manager at risk to work with the design team. Thank you.
015>> And I know I asked this in one of the core meetings. Um the field as proposed is regulation. It's wide enough for soccer, right? It was all >> it's multi-purpose. So you could do football, you could do soccer if we ever brought lacrosse, you have marching band, you have a variety of uh items that will do. And I will advise you um North in general that field that is currently when it's not in use for our teams, it is a community asset as well. So we've had peeweee teams in other places and we would certainly consider that kind of use in the future for the North Hill community. >> Is the track also regulation? >> It is. >> They're they're nodding. Yes, >> it is. Yes. >> Do you want do you want to
016bring us the the 3B? >> Yes. Uh, while she's doing that, any questions from other members of the board? Nathan? >> I know. I'm definitely more favorable toward 3B because I think if we are going to take this big project and build a new school, we should have competitive fields, especially for a community that prioritizes soccer, prioritizes these sports. So, definitely leaning more toward 3B, especially if that one still is still within the budget. What is the budget difference between 3A and 3B? >> There isn't one right there at the moment because it's just the orientation of the field. >> It's just the orientation of the field. And the other thing is, and most people don't think of it this way, many of our uh fields go east and west. If you truly do football,
017it should be going north and south because you shouldn't be kicking in the sun. So, that's one of those orientations. If we could do it, it would be best to try and put it that way. And I certainly would recommend that the parking be more centrally located to the entrance of the building as well. >> I think that's a more critical component of it is that it's a win-win. We get the field the way it's supposed to be, but we also get the parking closer to the building. >> Absolutely. >> Any other questions for Mrs. Folk? >> Only question I had to was now the gym is on the one side of the building and then we have the three stories of classrooms on the other. >> Yes. What is the potential walk time like
018if someone if a freshman's on the third floor and has to get to gym class? How long is that walk? >> It actually is. They only have about 3 minutes between classes and we've we've talked to Mr. uh Morrison, the principal, so he understands that main corridor. I will advise you as we were sitting in the meeting last week, my one question is where's the elevators? And they looked at me and said, "Oh, think of it near this." and it's kind of that black dot and I said no I said elevators you will need two elevators in this building because of the division of the way it is because the gym will remain on the second floor and we want full access to that gym so that is also in the process of being added
019to this design okay >> Dr. Moner, >> sorry. And I think I was confused. So the second floor gym, it is still inside. The students don't have to go outside at they do not they'll go across that main corridor that connects the two buildings, but it will be a rena ad. You know, it will re refurbished uh once we get everybody moved into the new building. And hopefully that we're going to meet that date of August 2029. And then the the it is going to be what Dr. Molar, you've heard the term self- swing. So, we will move the students to the new part of the building and they are well aware that they will have the auxiliary gym to use for their events because there will be a second gym for the first time
020on this property in that new building and then they will be able to go ahead and do the demo and renovation for rent renovation of the building and then demo north as we go through this. That's why this project will go through 2030. Okay, one more and then can you please remind us which pathways are at North High School or somebody I I know HVAC is there? >> Yes. And that's one of the sections located in the one part of the building and we also have a healthc care pathway that Akran Children's Hospital partners with and we have a business and technology uh pathway as well there. You also um have uh child care is there and it only not only teaches the students how to do child care, we actually have child care facilities
021there and so they get to also work with our ELP students that are located. And we currently have full day and half day located inside the building, which is why that one quarter to have easy access to the playground was made between the two buildings. Yeah, I I know the last time I visited North High School, I visited the space that was renovated through one of our partnerships. Um, and so my request, if it's possible or if there is still time as we put the renderings or the possibilities of the renderings online, if we could also list which pathways that this building serves. And I think that context could be very important as to why certain areas are so large and so so prominent. And also it might signal to any potential um donors who
022might have an idea of ways to help enhance our spaces while we're still in this um decision-making time. >> Thank you. >> So I was able to pull it up quickly. So the Akran Children's Hospital Academy of Health and Human Services, which is bio biomedical science, early childhood education, healthcare management, and patient care. And then the Signate Jewelers Academy of Global Technology and Business, which is marketing and entrepreneurship, heating, HVAC, and then IT networking and IT game design. >> Yes. So, if any of them want to also help make any of our spaces great. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? And as director Folk said, there's members of the project team here if we have specific questions for them. Uh, President Sykes has joined us. I know President Sykes, if you have any
023questions. >> A quick one. Yeah. Now, is does this also come with a fieldhouse >> at this time? It is not part of the actual design, but that isn't something we we couldn't consider as we render this out a little bit more. This is just the block placements at this point. >> Okay. >> And it's what can be contained within the budget that we have. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? Is there a motion to recommend option 3B to the full board for consideration? >> So moved. >> I'll second that. All in favor? I >> I any opposed? >> Thank you. >> I have one other update for you. Uh just a quickie on Piper. The budget has moved into the design phase for costs now that the schematic designs are completed. And
024please be reminded that March 19th at 11:00 is the ground breaking ceremony. [snorts] And I am happy to report that on Monday we demoed the press box and concession stand at Bokedoll and we are full bore on site. So, thank you very much for those additional updates. >> All right. Thank you, Director Faulk. All right. Next up is miscellaneous finance updates. Treasurer Bowers. I just have one update tonight. It's on the performance audit. Uh so far on February 10th, we received a request for information and readonly access to Munis for some audit uh staff on the on the audit. Um 2:25 is our entrance conference. That's Wednesday, February 25th. at 10:30 here in this boardroom. And we've also received that same day there will be planning interviews on the initial financial planning and HR piece,
025transportation and facilities. Uh I know I received an invite to that opening meeting. Hopefully the entire board did and if you could make it, please try to attend. I think hearing the scope of work for this performance audit is going to be good for everybody and also for the audit team to get the board's input as to uh what we hope to accomplish as a part of this. So uh please attend that if you can. Uh the only item that I would add is just to note and I know the treasures referred to this uh the the five-year forecast uh was is due to the state by the end of the month that has been filed on our behalf. It was on our consent agenda at the last board meeting. Uh so that has been
026filed with the state and we will continue to uh work with the treasurer as we uh update that and get the monthly updates from him as to our financial forecast. Uh okay, next up is I uh it's a new item I added to the agenda kind of as a just in case if something comes from the rules committee. So item 4.01 is items referred from other committees. I don't believe I received anything uh that was referred to from the rules committee uh as of yesterday's meeting. So we have nothing there. Uh is there any old business to come before the committee? Okay. Uh 6.01. Any new business to come before the committee? >> Yeah. Um well that's okay. We uh are there is there any other questions from members of the board? Dr. Molnar. >>
027Thanks. Um I was just wondering I know for the last few months the board's been discussing an 11 million reduction. And so I was wondering if there was any update for the community about any board action related to this issue. >> Uh before I turn it over to either Superintendent Otley or Treasure Bowers, as I mentioned, the 5-year forecast was filed with the state and that was inclusive of an 11 million reduction uh in the forecast. So for appropriations, when uh this committee and then the full board reviews the appropriations for fiscal year 2027, uh the forecast has that reduction in there. I know the administration is working on a plan to be uh put forward as to what's included uh in there, but of it is my opinion that we've done the actions that
028we've needed to take up until now in terms of adjusting the forecast with the with the treasurer and approving that to be submitted to the state. And with that, superintendent, if there's anything you want to add. >> Thank you, Chair Montgomery. So yes, administration is looking into um making some adjustments to our budget alloc allocations across personnel operational efficiencies, facilities optimization and also programming optimization. And we can certainly provide um at an upcoming meeting go deeper into what those um adjustments to our allocations will be. Any other questions? Sure. >> Yep. >> Now, with those budget allocations, have you engaged with other members of the community, whether it's our business partners, nonprofit partners, philanthropic partners, and see what they believe could be cut or maybe where they could maybe supplement some of those reductions? Uh
029to see if they could supplement. No, that would be wonderful. If we have any community partners that would like to do so um please let me know. We are definitely open to discussions. Uh the process has been we have worked with our um administrative team in addition to of course our treasurer to look at our current spending, how our reductions have been made from the state and how again we can redo our allocations so that we can fit within this $11 million reduction that has been submitted to the state. And >> and then when do you see that being presented to the public of what those cuts are? the reallocations um upon review. I would say I would like to go deeper first with the board and then if we would like to come out
030of executive session then share it as early as Monday. The other thing I would just add from what I uh said initially like we will have as the plan gets rolled out if there's any changes to administrative contracts or teacher contracts those will obviously come to the board for action. So it's not like there isn't more action to be done. It's just up until now uh we've we've done the piece that we needed to with the budget allocation. So there is more to come. >> Correct. Right. And and my point is just that $11 million of cuts, that's a big chunk of our entire system. And again, these $1 million come from the taxpayers. And so I'm just hoping that there is more transparency, more awareness as to what these cuts look like so that
031the community members can weigh in because of course if we if we have the cuts and they're presented, if we needed to share that at a ward meeting, if we need to talk to the community about this, having it all under wraps does not allow us to engage the community as effectively as we should because again, we're accountable for making sure the community is aware what the district is doing with their finances. And so the longer we wait for the public to know what they are, the longer it takes for us to get feedback and make an accurate decision. So that's why I was curious on when is it going to be presented to the public, how quickly is it expected that the board make any sort of decision. I know member chair Montgomery mentions
032that we've done everything maybe we should. I don't know if that is the full expectation of what we have left, but that's what my questions are is just making sure that if we're going to make $11 million of cuts or reallocations, what are they and when will the public see them? >> Yes. >> And I think the answer was the 23rd of February. >> As early as Monday. >> Correct. >> Uh anything else? Uh we have no need for an executive session and with nothing else to come before the committee, I would ask for a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> I will second. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? We are adjourned at 657. Thanks.