001[music] Good evening and welcome to the Akran School Board January 26th. That is now the 29th school board meeting. We hope that you all are warm and safe and we're happy that you're able to join us. Uh Mr. Treasurer, would you please call the role? >> Mrs. Hall, >> present. [snorts] >> Reverend Harrison, >> present. Mr. Derose >> present. >> Miss Kelly >> present. >> Dr. Molinar >> present. >> Mr. Montgomery >> present. >> Mrs. Sykes >> present. >> All present. >> Thank you, Mr. Bower. I am Barbara Sykes, president of the Aman School Board. Please stand and let's all proceed with the pledge of allegiance. 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
002all. Is there a motion to approve the regular board meeting >> from the minutes of January the 12th, 2026? >> Sorry about that. So moved. >> Thank you, Mr. Montgomery. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Hearing uh no objections to the minutes. All members are prepared. Mr. Treasur, would you please call the role? >> Reverend Harrison. Yes, >> Mr. Gerros. >> Yes, >> Miss Kelly. >> Yes, >> Dr. Molinar. >> Yes, >> Mr. Montgomery. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Sykes. >> Pres. Yes, >> Miss Hall. >> Yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Thank you, Mr. Treasure. So, I've been informed that there is no one here to speak from the public tonight. Please know that you are always welcome. So, Madam Superintendent, good evening. Um, President Sykes, members of the board, under recognitions, due to
003the calamity day today, our students that were coming to present you with your national board appreciation tokens of appreciation are not here, but we will make sure they are here um at our next board meeting. >> Thank you, Madam Superintendent. The uh treasures report Thank you, Madam President. Uh, tonight we're going to go over the December financial report. I have it up on the screen here. [clears throat] Here on page three, this is our summary of current actual activity. Now, our monthly financial reports provide us with actual and projected totals and comparisons for the month ended as well as the fiscal year to date for our general fund. Uh, this report reflects both the month of December and the first half of our fiscal year which runs from uh July 1st to June 30th. And
004in December, financial activity traded trended slightly positive for both the month and the fiscal year to date. So here on uh page three, [clears throat] the first set of blue, yellow, and green tiles compare our 2026 fiscal year-to-ate revenues, expenditures, and cash balances to the same for fiscal year-to-ate amounts for fiscal 25. [snorts] So far this year, we've received 16 million more in revenue. Uh our expenditures have been about 6.5 million less, and our cash balance is $5.2 2 million higher than through December of last year. We will go into greater detail on revenues and expenditures on pages four and five. Uh in section two, the second set of tiles there, it's comparing the first six months of this school year's actual data plus six months of projected data to the forecast. And through the
005first six months, our revenue has come in about 1.3 million higher. We have spent 918,000 less than expected and adding those together gives us a positive trend through December of $2.3 million. And we'll go into more detail on the expenses on page six. Uh [snorts] down at the bottom section three, uh there's a gray and blue bar chart uh that shows the ups and downs of our cash balance. And you can see that in January, this is our lowest point every fiscal year as we spend down our uh tax revenue we receive through the fall. Now we'll begin to receive more tax revenue through uh from February through March, which will bring that back up. Okay, so moving on to the next page, page [clears throat] four. [snorts] This breaks down that first blue revenue
006tile from the first page. Our total revenue was down about 3.5 million when compared to December of last year. And this is just primarily due to timing of our tax and increment financing money that came in earlier in November of fiscal 25 than it did this year. We got it [snorts] um sorry the other way around. We got it in November last time or December last time we got it in November before last year. Uh in section two, we see that our revenue collection through December is up 16 million more than through December of last year. Uh the biggest increase there has been our property tax revenue from our new levy we passed in November of 24. Uh all other revenue is also up by about 2.9 million than through this point last year, which
007reflects an increase in tax increment financing. Uh in the next section down there, section two. [snorts] Actually, I just went through that. I apologize. So, on to [snorts] uh page five. This is our expenditure detail. Uh overall, our expenditures for the month were down 600,000 or about 1.9% when compared to December of last year. Salaries and benefits were down 2% which is negligible. All other expenditures were down 65% but no significant variances noted there. Purchase services on the other hand were up 21.9% primarily due to [snorts] an increase of $549,000 in pupil transportation costs. actual expenses incurred through December compared to the prior year in the section two on that page. Uh our total expenses so far this school year compared to last year. Through six months, our expenses have been 6.5 million or 3.5%
008lower than through last year. At this time, the [snorts] majority of this decrease is due to a $4 million decrease in textbooks and a $2.8 million decrease in building expenses. And we've also spent 747,000 less on supplies than last year. However, we forecasted a 1.83% to our pupil transportation cost increase for this year. But unfortunately, those costs have been up 2.3 million or 60% so far as this year. Uh through December of last year, we had spent 3.9 million on pupil transportation and so far this year, we've spent 6.3 million. [snorts] On page six, [clears throat] this is a summary of our revenue and expenditure detail compared to our forecast projections, which continue to be very accurate. Uh through six months, revenue is trending 1.3 million higher than the forecast, which is 37% of our
009forecasted $377 million. And on the expenditure side, we're also trending very close uh at 918,000 less than forecasted, which is only.24% less than our projected 387 million. So we're pretty much dead on. [snorts] that completes the financial report. We also have attached to that the monthly reconciliation. Uh this is a procedure we perform each month uh that represents all of our funds, not just the general fund. On the left hand side are our book balances. On the right hand side are our bank balances. At the end of December, we were maintaining $211 million in total cash balances. And we perform this reconciliation every month as an internal control to ensure the accuracy and completeness of our financial records, detect errors and fraud promptly and effectively manage cash flow. Now in your packets, I've also given
010you a new one pager forecast. I'm going to present this uh this is the same data I just went over in a different format. We're going to present this at the uh finance committee meeting and uh see if that is likable to everyone and then possibly be presenting this from now on. And that concludes my financial report. Thank you. >> Thank you, Treasurer Bower. Are there any questions or comments? >> Member Hall. >> Thank you, Madam President. Just one quick question. Um you were you had said transportation was up 34. It was 3.9 million last year to 6.3 million this year. And when you say transportation, is that just transporting our children or is that um I don't know is this anything extra included in there or is that transporting our children? >> That is
011just the cost of transport transporting our students. >> Okay. >> So this this is reflecting an increase in the van driver area most likely. Um [snorts] that is primarily the increase in cost there. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Seeing and hearing no further questions for the treasurer, we will move on to the superintendent's report. >> Thank you, President Sykes. I would like to bring to everyone's attention that we recently suffered a loss. It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Angela Hamilton following a courageous and heroic two-year battle with cancer. She is a beloved and dedicated member of our school community and an educator at our nim high school. She was dedicated member of the Akran public schools family and widely regarded as the selfless, kind, and generous heart of the school.
012Please keep her family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. While we mourn her passing, we also celebrate the lasting impact she made on so many lives. Also, I would like to um highlight a former student. Yesterday, January 28th, marked the 40th anniversary of Judy Resnik's death on the Challenger, which took place January 28th, 1986. Judith Resnik was one of Akran's very finest. She was an incredibly gifted electrical engineer, software engineer, biomemed engineer, pilot, and Nassau astronaut. She was the fourth woman, the second a um American woman and the first Jewish woman to fly in space. Resnik was the 16th woman in history of the United States to have attained a perfect score on the SAT exam. She earned her PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland. Her
013former APS students and teachers, sorry, teachers spoke so highly of her and she often was said that she and her education in the Akran public schools where she attended Fairlon, Perkins, and Firestone were a critical part of her growth and development. We would like to thank Adam Mater, Chrissy Sims, and Karen Stippic for authoring um some materials that is located on our APS social studies website. And I would like to conclude by bringing attention to the fact that we've had some very challenging last two weeks. The decision to cancel school was made with much thought for the safety of our children and families. Today, we sent home a letter to our families explaining the state's calamity guidelines and how many hours each school has left. So, I did want to share that document with the
014board. That's what that is. So, if I could just provide you with some highlights that under Ohio House Bill 59, there is no longer a specific limit on the number of calamity days a district can use. Districts are now required to meet a minimum number of instructional hours per school year rather than a set number of days. According to the Ohio Revised Code, schools must meet the following minimum instructional hours. Grades K to 6 is 910 instructional hours and grades 7 through 12 is 1,01 instructional hours. So the question has been, does Akran public schools meet these requirements? Yes, we exceeded the Ohio state's required minimum instructional hours. So, our families have received a document via email regarding how many instructional hours are left at their school. And also included is the plan for if
015we do need to make up any instructional calamity days. Due to tomorrow's forecast of -3° and a wind chill of -15 degrees, we will not be in session. We look forward to welcoming our students back on Monday and we are encouraging all of our families to ensure their students dress warmly. Thank you. >> Thank you, Superintendent. Uh are there any questions or comments? Hearing no questions or comments, we will move on to the report of our committees. Member Montgomery Member Montgomery for the finance and capital management. >> Thank you, Madam President. The capital finance and capital management committee meeting [clears throat] occurred on January the 21st where we discussed several items regarding the district's finances. Uh as treasurer Bowers mentioned, he reviewed the finance report he just discussed with the board as well as the
016implementation of a new one pager for the board that he distributed. Uh among the items that we discussed were the recommendation of the committee for the full board to consider on tonight's agenda, the contract with um Beaver [clears throat] Constructors for the Book uh High School uh Pressbox as well as Westfield Consulting Group as the owner's representative for the North High School school replacement. And our next meeting will be February the 18th at 6:30. >> Uh thank you, Member Montgomery. We will take these one at a time. So, uh, is there are you going to make a motion to, um, approve the Beaver Construction contract? >> Yes, I would make that motion. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> The motion has been made and there's a sess a section a se second. Any
017discussion? Member Harrison. [clears throat] Um, thank you, Madam Chair. I have a question about the guaranteed maximum price. Um, we had um some thorough discussion in the committee meetings. Um, we were given a price. Um, but I was a little confused. Um, a question was asked if the project goes over $2.5 million. Are we the district responsible for the overage? The answer was yes. And so I would like some explanation as to what is the guaranteed maximum price uh for this project. >> Thank you. Member Harris and member Montgomery, would you like to answer or would you like someone from >> No, I think so. The guaranteed maximum price is 2.5 million. Anything I believe the discussion was that anything that would create an overage would have to be approved by the board as a
018change order. So the scope of work for the 23 packets was it director fault? Uh 23 packets is the 2.5 million. So anything that's a change in scope would then have to come back to the board as a change order. That is my understanding. >> Member Harrison. >> Yes, that that was my understanding as well. Um but with a se the construction manager at risk um and this was in a previous project. It was explained that a guaranteed maximum price meant that the U construction manager at risk was responsible for the overage. And I just want a clarification. I just want to make sure that um I either way if we're responsible for the overage or if the construction manager at is the 2.5 the guaranteed maximum price for the district >> unless anything changes
019in the scope of work. Member Harrison. >> Yeah, I would like the administration to answer that. >> Good evening, President Sykes, Vice President Molnar, and members of the board. Superintendent. Yes, that is correct. If it is the guaranteed maximum price if voted on tonight is the maximum price and it is expected that we will meet that scope of work. If something should happen that is unforeseen and it does need a change order. No additional cost could be expended by either the construction manager at risk or the district without the board's additional approval and explanation. Member Hall, >> just one quick question. Um, okay. >> I know at our last meeting in December when we touched on this, we were also talking about the bathrooms and things like that. Um, could you just quickly just explain
020exactly what's being built? >> We are actually building first. We will demolish the current press box and concession stand, which are one unit. Once those are demolished, we will be making and constructing a concession stand on the first floor with the press box on top. We will upgrade the current track from centered asphalt and put the utilities for the additional building which will be located at the southeast corner of the stadium property which will include restrooms for both male and female including handicap change tables etc. And it will also uh contain a storage location on the building that will allow the field as uh turf that is currently stored inside of the building for the stadium field to be stored in this building along with athletic equipment. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. Seeing
021and hearing more no more questions. All right. So the question is shall um Mr. Montgomery motion be passed the motion to approve the the Beaver construction contract for the guaranteed maximum price of 2.5 million. Mr. Treasurer will call the role. >> Mr. Derose? >> Yes. >> Miss Kelly? >> Yes. [snorts] >> Dr. Molinar? >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sykes? >> Yes. Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Thank you. So, the second M uh motion, Mr. Montgomery, was motion to approve the Westfield Consult Con consulting group as the owner's representation for the Northill replacement project contract. Is there a second? >> I second. >> Hearing a motion and a second. Is there discussion? Any questions? No discussions. Seeing and hearing no questions nor discussions,
022the question is shall the motion pass. The treasurer will call the role. >> Miss Kelly? >> Yes. >> Dr. Molnar? >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sykes? >> Yes. >> Miss Hall? >> Yes. >> Reverend Harrison? >> Yes. >> Mr. Derose? >> Yes. Motion carries 70. >> Thank you, Mr. Treasurer. The instructional policy and students achievement committee. >> Thank you, Madam President. The instructional policy and student committee student achievement instructional policy and student achievement committee met on Tuesday, January 13th. Uh we met to establish our uh goals and procedures and our plan for the year. Um, one of the biggest differences in the instructional policy committee this year than possibly in some of the previous meetings is we are going to focus on uh active discussion on upcoming initiatives and prioritizing items
023that require upcoming board action. And so all of our committee meetings will be preparing us for items that will be sent to rules committee and the um upcoming board agendas. Um so uh we also came up with our meeting schedule of when uh the rest of the meetings for the year are and the instructional policy committee uh the administrative side is going to also bring us a yearly scope of work so we can be um aligned and prepared of what's coming for the year. So with that in mind our next meeting our first official meeting where we're going through instructional policy items will be this coming Monday. And so that agenda is up in board docs already. Um so Monday, February 2nd, we'll be meeting at 4:30 here in the boardroom. >> Thank you. >>
024Legal and contracts committee. >> The legal and contracts committee met on January 21st. We heard from Dr. Gogggins with the Akran NAACP about a need to develop better policies and procedures around security resource officers or SRO's as well as student discipline as well as a request for a better utilization of our community learning centers. The outcome from that discussion uh was that the administration agreed to meet with Dr. Gogggins regarding his concerns. Our instructional policy committee accepted the invitation to discuss policy and procedure regarding disciplinary actions so that school buildings safety team members, teachers and SRO's can be on the same page on how to manage procedures and conflict in the building. Dr. Lass shared the partnership that we have with United Way and the six family resource centers and the great work that they
025have been doing. Uh those six resource centers for the record are Helen Arnold, David Hill, Hire, MC Elbright, McEbrite, excuse me, North High, and I promise school. And I wanted to thank our part our members of the media from Signal Akran and Andrew Kyper for publishing an article about Akran School's family resource centers on January 22nd to get the word out to the community that these do exist. At that meeting, we we requested a 12-month overview of contracts that need to be renew that renew or expire each month by our February meeting. This will prevent lastminute votes and rushed decisions on contracts. We also received a brief answer regarding our absurdly high pupil transportation expenses and are aware that we are over budget this year. So, further discussion and action will be taken to address
026this matter. We heard a presentation from Director Ruan and Ms. Quant on the school litics in uh Inc. purchase agreement. Our committee voted unanimously 300 to recommend a yes vote on the upcoming item number 24.2. And lastly, we discussed briefly the replacement hire of the director student and family services position. No decision or recommendation was made and I recommend this item be discussed further in executive session due to this being a personnel matter. Our next meeting will be on February 18th, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. That's my report. >> Thank you, uh, member McJurro. So, we will take the item of director of student and family services up in the executive committee. Uh, let's move on to um policy committee. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um the policy committee met um on Tuesday, January 13th. Um
027in that meeting um well myself uh Mr. Chair, Dr. um I mean Carmea Kelly, member Carmea Kelly is vice chair and Dr. Molnar. The policy committee um reviewed the standard operating procedures that we will proceed with um in this coming year. Um, we also discussed the uh need to move older policies off the agenda. Um, we've had a few policies that's been on there for more than a year. So, we discussed that we needed to move those policies. Um, we introduced two new policies. Um, retire rehiring of administrators. That would be a new policy and an administrative leave policy. Um, we introduced that policy. We also introduced a replacement policy to the public records, public information. Uh, and so our next meeting will be this Monday, February 2nd, um, at 5:30 here in the Reverend
028Dr. Curtis Walker boardroom. Thank you. >> Thank you, Member Harrison. I I actually has have a request for the policy committee that I will uh place under new business. >> Yes, madam president. [laughter] [gasps] >> Those are the those are the reports of the committee. Uh except we have a student success celebration committee. >> Save the best for last. Thank you. >> Yes, absolutely. [laughter] >> Um good evening. Um the student success celebration committee met on Wednesday, January 21st, and it was a great evening. It was quick, but it was a wonderful event. Um we kicked off by recognizing a student from Windmir CLC, Mr. Holt Witchman, um for his excellence in both wrestling and academics. This student trained six days a week and still earned um honoral status. That's very impre impressive and setting
029a good example. Um, we also celebrated Firestone CLC senior Troy Weiss. Everyone knows Troy. And he's also a student board member. Um, whose talents were showcased on the Kelly Clarkson show. We watched a short video. Um, and it was truly exciting to see one of our students represented um, here at Akran Public School and on stage as well as um, I don't recall the um, the gentleman, but he is a BTO graduate. Let me get that on the mic. Um, he's a BTO graduate and he is a fashion um, design. What was it? Dr. Jackson. I'm sorry. What was his name? Oh, no. I'm sorry. I thought you said um, not Dr. Jackson. My apologies. Mrs. Chapman. I thought you said his name out loud, but I didn't hear it. No. >> One more time.
030>> Well, >> Paul Tay as well. Yes. Thank you so much. Thank you for that. >> Um, so congratulations to Troy for being honored on the Kelly Clarkson Show. Um, we also recognize three students from NIP STEM High School who earned first place and third place in the Congressional App Challenge sponsored by Congress Amelia Sykes. Um, these students at STEM were um Baston Noalk, uh, Caxton McGraw, and Luke Hinkleman. Um they also submitted a video of an app that they created and we're looking forward to STEM highlighting that app and maybe implementing it into the schools as well as all the other schools in Akran public schools. Um, our next meeting will be held on February 18th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. Um, overall, this meeting was beautifully reflected by the board's commitment and celebrating student
031excellence and uplifting in many ways our student comm community, our students continue to make us proud. Each story reminded us that success in Akran public schools comes in many forms and worth celebrating. If you know of any children or um child or schools that are doing something exciting, please let us know. You can reach out to uh Mrs. C, Angela Carter, or myself um or any other committee committee members. Thank you. >> Thank [snorts] you, Member Hall. And that was a fun time. It really was a fun committee. And I would encourage everyone to come by whenever the student success celebration committee is meeting because it is really fun. and absolutely wonderful to to see the students and and hear about their accomplishments because they are outstandingly fantastic. [laughter] So, we'll move on to the
032uh approval of the consent agenda. There has been a request to remove items from the consent agenda. Item 21.8, 22.5, 10.6, and 11.2. Those items will be discussed under new business understanding that we are moving those items. And so now the uh motion will be to approve the consent agenda with those items that I that have been requested removed. So is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> So moved. >> Thank you. [laughter] Uh is there a second? >> Second. Thank you, member Hall. Uh, seeing and hearing the motion and the second, the question is, share the consent agenda be approved. All members will prepare to vote and the treasurer will call the role. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >>
033yes. >> Mr. Jerose, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molinar, >> yes. >> Motion carries 70. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Treasurer. Uh, all right. So, we are now at business affairs. Uh, so we do have a number of items under business affairs. Uh, one item has already been discussed. And uh just as a reminder, we will have uh uh member Jeros, you can can repeat that that motion again if you don't mind as it relates to the the one item that reported out of your committee. >> Yes. So I move for the board to approve the number 24.2 School Litics Inc. purchase agreement. >> You want to go into a little bit more detail on that? >> Sure. Yes. We had a presentation by director Rugan on a new software
034program that they shared with us. The project will be uh more cost-effective than the current software program. It seems to have a great opportunity for engagement not only within the district and for the staff but also with the families and the community. So I do recommend that we move forward with this. This makes our district happy. It's more cost-effective. I think it's a win-win. So the question is shall the amendment u so can we have a second >> second >> hearing the amendment and a second the question is shall is there any discussion member Harrison >> I just want a clarification on the number >> not to receive $140,000 for the contract >> the item number oh item is number 24.2 two >> 24. Okay. >> Are there any additional questions or comments? Hear no
035questions or comments. Their question is shall item 24.2 be passed. All members are prepared to vote. The treasurer will take to >> Mrs. Sykes. >> Yes. >> Miss Hall. >> Yes. >> Reverend Harrison. >> Yes. >> Mr. Derose? >> Yes. >> Miss Kelly? >> Yes. Dr. Molnar, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Thank you. So, we have a 24.3 approval of the business affairs recommendation the administration. We are looking at Good evening again. >> Good evening. >> We are looking at item 24.1 which is the purchase of orthopedic buses for the district. We need and put out an issue for response in an RFP as the we are increasing the amount of orthopedic students that need specific service by wheelchair. We received one vendor back in a response and
036we are asking that we get approval to allow these buses to move forward if approval is given tonight. We see these buses arriving in 20 to 24 weeks which means they would be available for the highway patrol to come in and certify them in order to be operational for the 2627 school year. And this was part of the original budget for FY26 in order to that was originally planned to purchase these. Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Director. Are there any questions? >> Member Hall. >> Um, so two quick questions and I'll just say them all together. Um, what is the cost on this? And then Oh, I'm going to get the second one answered. Um so the cost on this and then are we able to modify our current buses to handle um this
037lift or do we have to p I mean is it nec I don't want to say is it necessary my question is are we able to modify our current buses that we have to kind of cut some of this cost but still service our children. All right, the first question is the total cost for the two buses is $362,000 and so each bus came in at approximately 181,000 a piece. And your question is, can I take a standard bus and modify it? And the answer is no. There are very specific mod actual rails and items that are in orthopedic buses in order to properly secure the wheelchair for the child. and the buses are actually uh put together with the proper lift and mechanics to do that and they cannot be modified from a bus
038that's already been made standard. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> member Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. My question is simply with the with the lead time 20 weeks are are we is is that a standard um orthopedic bus or do we custom these to APS? No, actually actually um a standard time frame usually comes to board at this time and that has been up until co >> and all school buses at during CO due to the lack of mechanic ability to build and stuff used to take almost two years. So we are absolutely thrilled that we can get a response in 20 to 24 weeks. Thank you. Mhm. Seeing no more questions or discussions. >> Is there a motion? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Hearing the motion and
039second. The question is, share the cardinal bus sales and service contract in the amount of $362,000 for two athopedic buses be passed. All members are prepared to vote and the treasurer will take to the vote. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Dro, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molinar, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Thank you. So, I believe there was another item. Was it schoolistics? Nathan just >> we vote on that with 24.2. So we've already passed that. >> All righty. >> Sorry. >> What about transportation? >> I think the other item was transportation. No. Oh, okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Right. All right. So we'll move on to unfinished business. And un unfinished
040business, we have a number of items that was moved from the consent agenda to unfinished business. So we have item 21.8, 22.5, 10.6, and 11.2. It's 20 21.8 21.8 Eight is authorizing contract with parents for transporting their children to and or from school 2025 2026. Are there any questions? Is there any discussion? Hear no questions and having no discussions. The question is, share the contract with with parents for transporting their children to and from school 20 the school year of 2025 through 2026 be passed. All members are prepared to vote and the treasurer will call the role. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Dro, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Mr. Molinar. >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sykes. >> Yes. >> Miss [clears throat] Hall. >> Abstain.
041>> Motion carries 601. >> Thank you. That was 21.8. The next item moved from the consent agenda to new business is 22.5. 22.5 is Lewis Landscaping and Nursery Incorporated Service Agreement. So the question is whether or not the item should pass. >> Is there a motion? So moved. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Discussion. Member Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I have a couple of questions on this particular item. This particular item um I know is necessary. um is a landscaping contract that will um service our athletic fields. Um but my my question um is with a couple of them. The uh Kimmore Stadium is a full stadium. I mean is a full um let me say a 100redyard playing field with um with in endzones as addition to the 100yard playing
042field. That contract is for $2,487. The Garfield um CLC field is a 60ard field, but that contract is $4,989. Um, and so I I'm trying to gain understanding as to why more field would be less than a 60ard field. So is there someone from the administration that can answer that or attempt to answer that? >> Thank you, Madam Director. >> Thank you. Um good evening. Each one of these fields were actually looked at by the landscaping company. Some of them have different bases, some of them have different terms of actual time frame. In the case, this is a contract that has been renewed for annual maintenance and their mo more most recent review of these fields stated what we needed to do for each field and this is the price they quoted. So all to
043your point, yes, one may be shorter than the other, but it is the base of the field and the prescription that they said that they needed to bring these field up to full compliance is the way we re obtained the quote. >> Member Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. That that would bring me to my second question. Um, I submitted an email last spring concerning the Garfield CLC field which um was um I don't want to say unserviceable because they have to they have to play on the field or they have to practice on the field, but it was full of rocks and um different materials and and so is this prescription um And I spoke with the athletic director, but unfortunately it snowed the next day and it continues to snow, so we haven't
044been able to well, he hasn't been able to take a look at it, but I wonder is that prescription to get the rocks out before they seed it? >> Yes, that was part of the process that they would go ahead and do that as well. So, we are trying to minimize the gravel and stuff that came with the property and that comes through the service and they will be putting top soil, etc. to improve that service as well. Thank you. >> Okay, >> member Hall, >> just a quick question. Um, thank you, Madam President. Um, again, kind of to piggyback off of member Harrison. Um, with the Kimorf stadium, it's that's a beautiful stadium and, you know, I ride past it quite a bit and it just looks so dead. You know, they have a
045a box, they have a concession stand, they have all like kind of the bells and whistles. It's just we need to like put more into it. And then I see when we have Fire Stones Field, that's more of like a practice field, right? Not a competition field. >> Yes, that is correct. >> Okay. So, I'm not sure what exactly they're doing at each stadium, but I just feel like Kenmore could be a little bit more represented um [snorts] to just be brought up a little bit more. >> This is the maintenance of the actual property field [snorts] only. This isn't to do your bleachers or other items. This is to maintain the grass surface and to bring it up to plain stature. >> Right. Right. Right. Right. I just, you know, driving past >> it
046just look it looks bad. The field, you know, that that whole stadium just looks bad and it's in a neighborhood where our residents can get out to and then the students have to travel all the way across town just to be there. One of the issues we did have, Miss Hall, was the severe drought that we went through during the summer and the high temperatures, which actually does dry out these fields extremely uh quickly. So, you need to ariate them and we have to make arrangements to water them. And the Chemmore field, we go out and water, but it we had a very very severe drought. So, this is part of the prescription that they put together for this. >> Thank you. All righty. Seeing no more questions, there's no more discussion. So, uh, the
047question is whether or not item 22.5 Lewis landscape and nursery service agreement shall be passed. All members are prepared to vote. The treasurer shall call the role. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Derose, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molinar, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Thank you, Mr. Treasurer. Item 10.6, transferred and reclassification. Professional staff have moved to the uh agenda from the consent agenda. Uh is there a motion to pass? So moved. >> Is there a second? >> We have to have a second in order to discuss. >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Hall. Is there a discussion? Item 10. 10.6 transfer and reclassification professional staff. Who previously did this work and what type
048of job is it supposed to be doing? Thank you, Miss Thank you, Member Duros. >> President Sykes, Vice President Mulliner, member of the board, Superintendent Outlay. >> So, this is a position through our Title Six Part B non-public dollars for students with a disability. It services students that are court-placed, open enrolled in and out of the district as well as our students that attend parochial schools and are on service plans. And then it also services our students on John Peterson and autism scholarship. So we have about 11 students. It has grown to about,00 students this year. They're responsible for writing IEPs, sitting as the district rep the IEP service plans, working with the dascese, parochial schools, scholarship providers, all of the above. >> Member Jeros. So, as this position was brought to my attention that
049a lot of the duties assigned to this position would need to be negotiated and could result in us failing to comply with our contractual agreements that the job code itself does not appear to apply to this position. Does that sound accurate? Does this need to be a negotiated position with the specific duties with uh some of our union members? >> Uh it was a position that was posted. I'm not sure what the the title is or how that came about. It is a position that was posted, we interviewed, and then was offered to a candidate. >> Okay. >> So, it's not a contract position. >> Okay. >> Member Harris. >> Thank you. Um I I I don't think I caught the answer to the first question. You know, who previously was in this role? who
050who previously done this? Was it a consultant? Was it a um APS staff member? Um so that would be my first question. >> Yes. So it was previously an APS staff member. We do currently have a part-time person through a special education specialist position that provides some of the non-public parochial service plan support. So with the growing of it, it's now uh expanded position that we need to have covered through our autism scholarship has grown, our parochial as well as the number of students that are court-placed and open enrolled in and out of the district to where it needs um more time dedicated to making sure that we maintain our responsibilities through IDEIDA laws, regulations to make sure that we're servicing service plans and IEPs. member Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. >> I'm trying
051to put this in my head. So, this was an APS staff member that previously done this. >> The individual that is on the board, yes, has has done this in a part-time capacity. >> Okay. Uh, so, so, Madam Chair, I I would look at this as a um we we had a a staff member, but now we're going to a full-time contract. It and I would think that this would be better vetted through uh legal contracts because we're entering into a consulting contract where we didn't have one before. Correct. >> We do have consultant positions. It's an it's my understanding is it is a board it's a board position. And I'm not sure if I'm saying that correctly, but it is a position that we have. It is not a consulting position outside of the
052district. It's just like saying special education teacher, uh, PE teacher. That's just the name of the position. It is not a contract outside of Akan public schools. It is the name of a position that is funded through our idea part B uh, title 6 dollars to fulfill that obligation we have. Okay. >> Yeah, I can see that the consultant word is throwing, but it is not a consultancy position. >> Yeah, it's an Akan public school position. The title is special ed consultant. >> Member Molinar, >> thank you. I am now thoroughly confused. Okay. Um, so what I see on here now is the job code 232STs422. Um, and I'm concerned more with the position than with the person. So, at this job code, did we for until now for the 2526 school year have someone
053at this job code? And if not, how long has it been since we have filled this job code position? >> So, I would ask uh superintendent oddly wanted to add to that. >> Thank you. I just wanted to add clarification that this was this is intended to be a replacement position. Correct. Correct. >> That's how it was presented as a replacement. So I think now for clarification they're asking who was in it before. It was an APS employee in it before, not an outside consultant. >> Correct. >> If you could get that clarification. And this current person is currently an APS employee. Correct. and not an outside consultant. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Member Hall, >> I guess that was kind of my same question. Um, this person um that will be taking this role,
054was she were were they the part-time person before going into full-time? >> Yes. >> Okay. And does the salary reflect this their part-time salary to be this current salary? I guess I'm >> What was the previous part-time salary? >> I'm not sure. I couldn't I couldn't speak to that. >> Okay. Um, so you do not have an answer right now for that that that question. Uh, member. >> Yeah, I would agree with my colleague, member Harrison. Maybe we table this just to the legal contracts committee just because I want to make sure we do the right process that when I heard it could be needing to be negotiated. I want to make sure we follow the right procedures and the right steps. If it does, if it does not, we want to get that answer
055clear. I know there's a lot of value in this position. So, we want to be able to move forward, but we also want to make sure we do it the right way. So, if I if I may uh amend the motion to table to the legal and contracts committee meeting on February 18th. >> Madam President, I think technically I need to withdraw my motion to approve. Correct. >> So, uh, member Montgomery has withdrawn his motion. So, the motion, uh, that's on the table now is to table. So, the question is, shall item 10.6 transfer and reclassification professional staff title six uh, be table. The members, all members are prepared to vote and the treasurer will call the role. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Here in the second and the treasury will call the
056role. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Derose, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molinar, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. Motion carries 70 to move to table to the committee. The motion is to table and with the motion being table then the chair will refer it to committee. All right. So item 11.2. 11.2 Two again is the final item that was removed from the consent agenda placed under new agenda items entitled employment teacher special project general fund. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. The motion has been approved by U. Member Molinar, second by member Harris. Is there a discussion? >> Hall. I'm sorry. Member Hall. Second. Member Hall. >> Oh,
057>> I said Harris. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. >> Do you mind saying the number again? >> That would be 11.2. Employment teacher special project general fund. >> Thank you, Madam President. >> Member Montgomery. My question is it just says person listed as teacher special projects and there's no is there a reason why there's not a name associated with this? Is there a person in in this position? Yeah, there is not a name. However, we can still discuss the position, which is what would be preferred anyway to discuss the p position rather than the person. So, is there a question? >> The question is, is there a person in I don't I don't need the name. I'm just saying is there a person in this position? >> Yes. Yes. Okay. Thank you. >> Yes. Uh
058it is brought to my attention that the job code is listed as 453 and that's incorrect for this position. Should be under 973 that there's a mclassification for this specific item. >> Member JRO, you want to explain why you think that? >> Yes. It was informed to me by a colleague talking to human resources about correcting this code number. The code number 453 was the original. It was recommended that they change it to 973 and that should have been the proposed code number. And then the agenda had 453. So trying to find the right proper designation for this position. >> So madam superintendent, you want to just check that out? >> Yeah, >> thank you. Okay, >> we'll just just check that and if that's the case then you would change your code. >> Yeah,
059Paris Harris. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. >> My my my question is not that elaborate. Um the the description says special projects and I would kind of like to know what this position entails. What What is a special project? administration would attempt to ask. [laughter] >> Thank you. Good evening, President Sites, Vice President Molinar, and board superintendent. Um, so this teacher special projects is a a position that we use in our non-publix. Uh, so there actually is a name, it's cut off. Patty Espie is an employee uh for Akran public schools and it it notes O1 general fund dollars. Uh, and that's kind of like a pass through. So, uh, our non-publix have access to state funds called auxiliary funds, uh, and title one funds. And when, uh, sorry, it's a long long, uh, sort
060of explanation, but we pull funds from other districts, uh, underus that the board approves. So we'll hire the employee uh and uh other surrounding nonpubliclix will uh contract with us so that our employee serves our students, it serves their students. Uh and we do this uh with other districts as well. For example, if a nonpublic only generates $2,000 in funds to serve our students, it's not enough to hire a full, you know, FTE. Um so this pooling allows us to serve kids more effectively which is our responsibility to serve the nonpubliclix. So the tutor spe uh the teacher special projects is uh what we use in the non-public for afterchool tutoring and then also for some uh during the day tutoring but Patty Espie is going to be providing extra uh services at the non-public
061schools um tutoring kids. Sorry that was a long definition but if I can answer any questions I will. >> Thank you. We appreciate it. Are there any additional questions or clarifications? >> Under 973. >> Again, we just also trying to get clarification under do you agree or not that it should be under 973. >> I am going to have to lean in on my HR friends. Uh, you know, I know the funding's right, theou I know the work that she's doing is true and valid, but I'd have to check that job code if if we may do that at a later time. >> Okay. Okay. So, we'll check that code. >> Oh, treasure. >> Uh, job code 973 is auxiliary tutor. 473 is teacher special project 453. >> So, noting that they're using general fund
062dollars under anou. I would say that that is not auxiliary. Um, thatou would be for title one dollars. So your answer would be >> 453 or not >> not 973. So we should remain under 453. >> Yes ma'am. >> That's that's the answer >> because of the funding. >> Yes ma'am. >> Yes. Otherwise it would go as member JRO said under 973. Thank you. This is all working. >> Thank you. >> All right. We got on 453. Are there any other discussions? Any other questions? Um, member Kelly, please wait to be recognized. Member Kelly, >> thank you. Uh, President Sykes, you're welcome. >> I do have a question. If we could [clears throat] be provided, um, just like the previous agenda item we went over, I think it was >> me was speaking to the
063mic. >> 10.6. Um, the same language that is provided in 11.2. I asked if we can provide the same language with all of our personnel recommendations, whether it's the title of the job, where the funding is coming from, the job code, it would it would really help us follow the administration. If this information was provided uh beforehand, we can add it to the agenda and or there can be additional attachments provided for us. So that way we can make those connections as to where this position where it falls, whether it's the code or the title of the uh job posting. Thank you. >> Thank you, member Kelly. I'm sure the administration's so noted, Madame Superintendent. Yes. So noted. Thank you. Alrighty. Well, the question is whether 11.2 employment teacher special project general fund shall pass.
064All members are prepared to vote and the treasurer will call the vote. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Derose, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molinar, >> yes. Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Thank you. Also, just a reminder to the members that this is also where you if there is a uh under new business, if there is an announcement that you would like, if there is something that you would like to bring to the attention of this body, this would be the time to do so. Member Hall. I just wanted to remind everyone about the I fashion show um with our students from East High School participating. Um it will be at house 3:30 tomorrow um starting
065at 7:00. Um we would love to see everyone in the audience to support our children. Thank you. >> Member Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I I I want to bring to the attention of the board and the APS staff the passing of a former Akran public schools employee. Um, Coach Bobby Smith from Akran South High School. Um, Coach Smith, some people would call him something Smith, some people would call him Smitty. Um, but he is everything good about APS, everything good about APS athletics. Um he is a coach who galvanized the community around the sport of basketball. He was flamboyant. What the kids would say today is that he had swag. U so uh I can remember as a young child watching South High School the big blue play basketball on television
066as he was taking them to championship games. So, just want to be mindful and remember coach Bobby Smith, Akran South High Big Blue. Um, and want to say again, he is everything that is good about Akran public schools and Akran public schools athletics. Thank you. >> Thank you, Pastor Harrison. Are there any other comments from the members? Uh, let me just make a couple. I did want to note that there was a court ruling that took place last week. You may remember at the time uh we were going through great distress where we were required to sign the dear colleague letter as it related to threatening the federal funding that would be withheld from our educational institution if we taught critical histories sociology and other lessons that may make reference to providing support to students
067in the form of diversity, equity and inclusion. So the court ruling vacated the letter and the certification that we were required to sign holding that both are unconstitutional, unlawful and the process that the administration pursued to create the requirement did not comply with the administrative procedure act. Those rulings will now stand and neither the letter nor the certification required requirement can be enforced against any school in the country that would include Akran public schools. [applause] So I would ask the policy committee to review this and to find out uh what our next steps are, what we can do. uh you know it was great distress where we disband our whole department and displace our staff that was there and we want to see what's our next steps and I'm particularly concerned about the next move
068that took place as it related to uh uh Dr. um uh attorney u sila butlless program dealing with the uh >> gear up and to see what can happen with that if there's something we can do to reverse any of that. So I'm asking you pastor Harrison and the members of the policy committee if we can take a look at this policy and see where we are now that the court has made this ruling. >> Yes ma'am. >> Thank you. that that's the one and and I would like to announce that the uh rules committee uh will meet uh on February 2nd at 6:30. I will also announce that in addition to that meeting that we will have a second meeting and going forward the rules committee will meet twice per month and I would
069like to apologize to the members on the rules committee member Molina and member Kelly that yes we will meet twice in order to make sure that we have a proper times to review all of the legislation resolutions and items that will come before the committee so that we can review those before they are actually on the agenda. So, forgive me. Forgive me. Hearing no more announcements. Uh, the question is, let's see. Member Molinar, Is there a reason to go into executive session? There is a need to go into executive session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 121.22G1 to consider the employment employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or officials. 121.22 G3 conferences with an attorney for the public body concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject to pending
070or imminent court action. And 1221.22 22G4. Preparing for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other items and conditions of their employment. We're asking for a motion to move into executive session. >> Hear the motion. Is there a second? >> Second. All right. All members are prepared to vote. Mr. Treasurer, will you call the role? >> Mr. Gerros? >> Yes. >> Miss Kelly? >> Yes. >> Dr. Molinar? >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. Miss Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Motion approved. 70. >> Thank you, Mr. Treasure. So, we will go into executive session. It is now 6:42. We will start in uh 10 minutes in executive session. Uh we would hope that this executive session will last an
071hour or less. If it does not, then member Molina or myself or another board member will come down to let you know that it is going longer than we anticipated. Uh, and thank you for your patience. We will adjoin into executive session in 10 minutes. Okay, thank you for everyone who is patiently waiting while the board remains in executive session. There are some items that the board will need to remain in executive session to continue to discuss. There are some items that will need action when the board returns. The board will plan to return at 8:30. Thank you. The AR school board is back in session. We are out of executive session and the meeting is starting back in regular session. So there is a need to take action and um is there a motion
072um there is a resolution to consider employee discipline? Is there a motion to approve the resolution of intention to consider termination of administrator contract of Darrier and Johnson? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Is there a discussion? Seeing no discuss hearing no discussion. Seeing no desire to discuss this any further. The uh question is the members [clears throat] are prepared. Are the members prepared to vote? And the answer is yes. So the uh treasurer will take the role. >> Dr. Molinar, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> no. >> Reverend Harrison, >> no. >> Mr. Jerose, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. Motion carries 52. >> Thank you. Uh there is a need for another action. Uh is there a
073motion to approve the tax settlement resolution uh with the city of Akran? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> So the question is shall the motion pass? The motion is uh to approve the resolution where the tax commissioner, the city of Akran and the Akran city district has agreed on an amount that will be p will be paid to the city to the Akran public schools in the amount of $455,612.72. And as we go forward, the amount of uh tax exemptions will be $72,500. Uh not so much tax exemption, but the amount of money that will be paid to the school board will be $72,500 going forward. So that is the question. And if that was not clear, I can repeat it because I did stumble a bit. So I can
074ask that question again if you're not clear on what we're what we're doing here. And and that's for the public, too. what we're doing with this tax exemption legislation. So the question is, shall the action pass? Treasurer will take the vote. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molinar, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> yes. >> Miss Hall, >> abstain. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Gerros, >> yes. Motion carries 601. >> Thank you. That will conclude the actions that we are taking from the executive session. The next meeting will be Monday, February 9th, 2026. Is there a motion to adjourn? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> The motion to to adjourn has been uh has been made. There is a session. Is there
075any There's a second. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, the treasurer will take the vote. >> Miss Hall, >> yes. >> Reverend Harrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Gerros, >> yes. >> Miss Kelly, >> yes. >> Dr. Molinar, >> yes. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sykes, >> Mrs. >> So the vote is >> vote seven 70. [laughter] >> Thank you. to join. Okay, we are joining at 8:35 p.m. [music] >> [music]