001We're good. >> Good evening. Um, I'd like to call the meeting to order. Um, my name is Terry Path and I'm presiding today in the absence of Mr. Hetler who's away on business hopefully in warmer weather. So, um, I appreciate your patience tonight. I'll do my best and maybe you can nudge me from each side when I forget something. But we'd like to start with um calling the meeting to order and the roll call please. >> Mr. Fouser >> here. >> McGraw >> here. >> Mr. Sulip >> here >> and Mrs. Pat >> here. Can we stand for the pledge, please? I pledge algiance 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. >> Okay. Um
002adoption of meeting agenda. We have a motion. So much >> so. >> Roll call, please. >> Second. >> Did you Oh, Laura said and you said so. I thought we were second. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Mr. Bowser. >> Yes. >> Mrs. McGra. >> Yes. >> Mr. Slick. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. >> Yes. Okay. Um approval of the minutes. We have two meetings, two minutes um February 18 and the work session on March 11th. We have a motion. So >> a second. >> Call the RO, please. >> Mr. >> Yes. McGra. >> Yes. >> Mrs. McGrath. Mrs. McGrath. >> Yeah. >> Okay. District updates. >> Uh, this month we have Mr. Savage who's going to share about Coventry Elementary School. >> All right. So, I brought some friends with me to help highlight
003some of the uh awesome things that are going on at CES lately. So, first we have Mrs. Gamma who's going to talk about the travel makers which is her select show choir, our fourth grade show choir and um I invited her in the winter and she couldn't come then so we tabled it till here. Um but she's just done so much with them and it's just so awesome and I want you to hear about it. Okay, so he said highlight, but I wrote a speech. Sorry. So, when Mr. Savage asked if I would come to the board meeting and share about Showquire, I had no hesitations. And most of you would think that's because I have so much to share about our program. The truth is I just love attention. So, here I am. No,
004but in all honesty, first of all, I just want you to know I'm here just because of the school system. And it's not just about our teachers, our students, classrooms. It's a system of people with that common goal of wanting to make a better future for our young people by planting the seed of love for learning. We are fighting for their minds. And I don't need to remind you of the staggering statistics of what we're dealing with with social media and um mind well-being. It's it's getting difficult as a teacher. So, what does that have to do with me being at a board meeting as a music teacher? Well, I just want you to know when I first started teaching in 2001, yes, I told you I was ready for a speech. I was in
005Mary'sville schools, which is outside of Columbus. And on the first day of convocation, our superintendent, Mr. Larry Zimmerman, got up and ended his welcoming speech with the statement, "Kids, keep them busy or they will create their own busy." And for some reason, that statement hit hard with me. It was my first year teaching in 2001 and one month into my career that our nation would suffer the brutal attack of 911. So, we're going to keep them busy. We're going to be a distraction. We're going to give them hope and help them dream. And that's when I did my first year show choir. This group would go on to perform at classic showcases for high school show choirs, sing on the radio, win a Christmas idol competition, and win a $2,000 digital piano for our school
006district. Now, I was in a performing arts district that show choir was nationally ranked. Well, let's fast forward 25 years to my present situation in Coventry. When I first started my journey here, I was told that, you know, Coventry, we don't really do show choirs. Uh, yeah, we do. So because of the continued support of our parents, our staff, our students, the Coventry Foundation, and our school board, my dream of being a show bringing a show choir to Coventry has come true. And when I began, yeah, I was at the middle school, but we had 107 fifth and sixth graders, and I had them by myself one day a week after school for an hour and a half. They were great. However, I quickly realized there is no venue big enough to hold that kind
007of performance with that many kids. Upon moving to the elementary, I went back to my roots, a fourth grade show choir. We've kept this program going on for the past four years in Coventry Elementary. Each year, we are invited to do more and more events. This past year, we had a couple of firsts. We got to sing the national anthem at the Akran University varsity girls basketball game on center court which was very exciting. We had a 100% attendance to sing at an optional performance for Community Church of Portage Lakes during two church services in December. Then this is a first. We had 30 kids return with their families on Christmas Eve to sing again. Not only did we continue to sing at the Tutor House in New Franklin, but also at the Holiday Treat
008Festival at the Jonas Night Center. And here's where I'm just going to totally brag. So, after we performed at the Jonas Night Center, uh the lady came up to me and said, "That was amazing. I'm recommending your group to be a group that performs on Saturday morning for the pancake breakfast." They only allow two groups to perform. So it was us and Miller cell. After we performed, the festival chair approached me afterwards and asked if we would do both times next year. >> Yes, we beat that performing art school down the road. You guys, our community is a huge part of this. I'm at the mercy of our parents willing to pick their kids up. The Coventry Foundation has been so gracious in their support with supplying my classroom with instruments and music through grants.
009And do you know that I have a principal at every show who makes a program for me typed up because I've run out of time. He runs the sound and lights if needed, takes pics, and posts a video of show highlights on social media for me and is sometimes forced to be in the show. >> You are. Why wasn't I asked this? >> Well, they we've used him for our science experiments and of course now the kids are like, "Yeah, Mr. Savage is in it again." Um, you're a part of this as well. When you sign all those supplemental contracts for the elementary, you might be asking, "Gosh, is this worth it? Do they really need this?" Yeah, we do. Give them the opportunities. Give them the chances to explore. Give them busy. Keep them
010busy or they will create their own. And if you don't mind skipping to the next slide. I know I I just had a ton of pictures in case, but I just wanted to show uh the next like after the slideshow. >> Oh, >> I'm sorry. Exit out. >> Before you think it's all fun and games and that this is so easy. I'm here to show you that this young girl got a Velcro dot stuck to her head. I don't even know how this happened in rehearsal. the kids sit on those, but it took me 20 minutes to get it out. She's hilarious. This was the damage done afterwards, but we have a lot of fun. So, it's not just fun for our fourth graders. We give opportunities to the entire school. Our first grade will
011be taking the stage tomorrow evening and all 110 of them will be performing. They'll be in their show called Superhero. Every child will have a part. Every first grade teacher and arts team teacher will be at the show. They get no money. They do it to help the kids. Keep them busy. So, if you're not busy, feel free to stop by at 700 p.m. tomorrow. Thank you so much. So, one thing I've learned too recently, um I think we might be one of the very few elementary schools where every grade does a music performance during the school year. Uh it seems like a lot of schools alternate. Um one school told me the other day that they just do it so each kid does it once while they're in elementary school. So, she does four
012full-blown shows a year, which is super impressive. Lots of travel makers, plus teaching. So, thank you, Mrs. All right. Next, we have Mrs. Wolf, one of our literacy specialists, and she is going to talk about a new project that she started last year and has really blossomed this year. >> All right. So, welcome to the Read Easy. Um, the read easy is by classroom library that um started last year when I moved into the literacy specialist position. I was able to pull some things out of my um garage and basement and things that I had been collecting. But I started the year with about 100 books. Um, it was around late October, beginning of November, when I was doing progress monitoring, especially with my second and third graders, and realizing that their nonsense word fluency
013was doing great. We were catching up. We were filling in those gaps, but as we were asking them to read full words or to read the passage with the text, they were really struggling. We were filling in those foundation skills. were getting there, but they were not being exposed much to words, whole words. So, within my comment time groups of usually five to eight kids, I said, "Hey, um, do you want to borrow some books?" And they would take them back to their classrooms. And their friends that weren't in my comment group wanted to borrow books as well. So, um, it went from just 14, maybe 20 kids to last year, I think we ended with 40 kids borrowing books from my classroom. These binders right here, we have created a self like studentdriven um,
014library. They literally knock on the door, peep their head in to see if it's okay to walk in. um they find their binder, they flip to their name, they check in their book, they shelf it, they find new books to read, and they sign them out, and then they leave. Um it has been wonderful. So last year, this started, like I said, around November um with about 100 books. We ended the school year with about a thousand books. Um kids would come in, Mrs. Wolf, do you have? I'm like, "No, but let's check eBay right now." Um, and we would order some books. I was able to get a foundation grant to add 200 books to this this um library. Uh, parents have donated to me so that we can keep it going. But the
015read easy comes in in two parts. I have always been able to zone in on struggling readers and helping them build their confidence. So, I'm very particular in the books that I choose so that they feel that they can manage it. Um, one of my professors in my graduate program did her doctorate work um, on the importance of graphic novels and how graphic novels are just as important in literacy as the chapter books and traditional novels and I've taken that to heart. Um, so I would say that 90% of my library is graphic novels and that is where this come like the easy part comes in. um that I want them to feel like I can get this book and I can do it and it's going to be easy for me and I'm not
016going to be frustrated and give up. So, we set a goal last year that we were going to read. No, we didn't set a goal. Last year, they read 300 books from October, like end of October to the end of the school year. Again, with just a small chunk of kids, we set a goal this year of 500. We hit 500 in November. We set a goal of, okay, we're going to do this. We're going to get to a thousand. We hit a thousand before the semester. As of February 20th, it was 986. And I actually sent my husband um a text with all of the book emojis. And there were 986 books because I was just excited for more than >> verify. As of that last week, we hit 1,220. And as of yesterday,
0171,375 books have been borrowed, read out of the Read Easy library. So that is the Read Easy. We got the Read Easy as well because one of my friends in the building said, "Your library is kind of like a speak easy, you know, word of mouth. Don't really know what's there. Pop on in whatever." So we played around with the language. We got read. You can go to the next slide. Then things had just really evolved. Um it was probably the very beginning of February. I had some of my fourth grade friends come in and say, "Mrs. Has has the minor come to see you yet?" No. Why? She wants to start a podcast club about books. Oh. So I got permission from Mr. Savage. Talked to Mr. Shens about starting a podcast. got permission
018from these girls' parents for them to be on a podcast. And last week we we recorded our first episode and today we recorded our second episode of Welcome to the Read Easy. Um it's not very long, maybe as long as her speech, maybe a little less. Um but I'd like you to listen to it because these young ladies are so excited about reading and sharing about what they read. that easy to enter, hard to leave, and always just right. The Read Easy Library is run out of my classroom. Students do not have to be in my classes in order to borrow books. What started as a single bookshelf library at the beginning of the 2024 2025 school year has grown to over a 1,000 book collection. The Read Easy Book Borrowing patrons have grown through
019word of mouth. students are reading the books and their classmates and friends are wanting to read them as well. Let's get started talking about the books that you are reading. We started this school year with a goal of 500 books being borrowed and read from the read. As of Monday, March 9th, 1,220 books have been borrowed and read. We have set a goal of 1,500 books read from the reading week by the end of the school year. I'm excited to introduce my co-host for our first full episode, Payton. Payton, can you tell us what you like about having the Read Easy Library at our school? I like it because we can come here whenever and when you come here. >> We can choose any book we want and we can have it for as long
020as we need. >> The great thing about it, isn't it? Today during our podcast we will hear from Quinn, Abby and B about the books that they are reading now about a book that they really enjoyed in the past and what they are looking forward to reading next. Sophia will share with us the interview she did with Mrs. Richland about her favorite books as a child and as a teacher. We will end our podcast with a segment of would you rather. >> We are excited to hear about the books that you girls are reading now and what you like most about them. >> Let's get started. Could tell us about a book that you are reading now and what you like about it. I'm reading This is a drove by K. I like how it's
021about a walk down and it's in a text form from one to another. >> Yeah, it's pretty cool because it's not written like a chapter and it's not a graphic novel. So, that makes it pretty cool. >> Abby, I'm excited to hear about what you are reading now and what you like about the book. I'm reading the book Sunny. It's about a girl and her brother. It really goes to like the military and she misses him and so they try to get together at each family dinner, but he even if he's in the military, he's like bad now. He's like does bad things and like angry. So he tries he helps her helps him to make him feel better. Good. Tell what you like about the book you are reading now. So, the name of
022the book is Guts and um the author is Raina Tummer. I like how she starts duping in the story. I love characters like Raina and her best friends. I also like how she's dealing with high and low friends. I enjoy this book a lot. >> Girls, those are great books. Now, we'd like to hear about a book that you have read in the past that you enjoyed and maybe reason why you think others might like it. Can you tell us about a book? >> Um, Kayla by Kayla Miller. I like how it's really relatable. She makes a lot of friends and it feels like it would well for other people and they go to camp part of a series. >> Yes, the Click series. Abby, tell us about a book that you've read in the
023past that you think others might enjoy. Um, I read the book Bar. It's by Dan Abdo and it's about the girl. She's exactly like my first person. She's crazy honest and faces her fears and is brave. But sometimes she's not perfect like me. Not like any other book in the world. It's It's the best book I've ever read. >> All right, Bri. What about you? Okay, so the title of this book is Play Like a Girl and the author is Missy Wilson and David Wilson. I I recommend this book because if you like like attitude and like summ It says that boys say that she can't play football because she's a girl, but she proves them all wrong and is better than them. Is there a book that you are planning to read soon? >>
024I'm planning on reading Smile by Reena tell the minor. >> Have you read other books in that series? >> Yes, I've read every single one of them. >> Are you going to read this again or is it the first time? >> This is I'm going to do it again. >> Abby, what about you? What do you plan on reading next? >> This is not a joke by J. A. Quinn said it was a good book and I think it's a good book if I trust Queen. >> Okay. What about you, friend? >> Okay, so the title is Babysitter Sports. No, baby sits with little sister and and Morton. And then the other book I'm going to read next is this is not a jail by Ka Mort. And because I want to read the last
025one is because Abby Anquin like saying that it's really really good. So I want to read it. Girl, it is so exciting to hear about all of these thoughts. I want to thank you so much for being on the podcast today and sharing your love of reading with your classmates and any of our podcast friends who are less name. Sophia is excited to share about her interview with Mrs. Rich about a special book that she loved as a child and one she loves to read share with her students. Miss Rich has been teaching for 26 years. A book that she loved to read last year as a child was the giving tree. She loved this book because the tree keeps giving to the boy throughout his life which shows such love and kindness. It teaches
026you about friendship and gratitude. This book that she love loves to read with her class now is Wonder by Rhio. This book shows how important it is to choose kindness and treat people with respect even when they are different. Well, those are great books. um that she's a I was also my favorite book from my childhood. Um so it's really neat to see these connections with the teachers that we're going to hear about from all of the interviews throughout our podcast. All right, Payton, it's up for your last segment. Now it is time for would you rather. Our would you rather question for today is would you rather eat warm melted ice cream or cold French fries. All right, what would you rather eat? >> I would rather eat more melted ice cream because I
027like whenever the I like the melted pop. >> All right. What about you, Quinn? >> I'd rather eat um more melted ice cream cuz you could put it back in the freezer. >> The same go back in the freezer. It's yummy. Okay. I would rather have four French fries now because you can like warm them up and like how it warm milk it sounds like and I don't like warm milk and I rather cold French fries. >> Um I'm sorry but I think um the melted ice cream is better because you're putting you can just put it back in the freezer. Okay, I'm gonna say that I'd rather have cold French fries than warm melted ice cream. I just think it sounds like warm milk and that kind of grosses me out. I know you
028can put it back in the freezer, but it's grosses me out. Thank you so much for coming on to the podcast to share with our partners about the book and the read. We are excited we'll have our podcast friends join us next week with a new group of readers sharing their favorite books. The Read Easy is special because it is easy to enter, hard to leave, and always just great. Until next week, find a book, cozy up, and get lost in a story. >> See you next time. >> And there you go. >> First names. >> Yes, just just first names. >> Yeah, there face to name. >> Payton was our co-host. Um Sophia did her interview with Mrs. This is Quinn. So, she was the first one to talk about This is not a
029drill. Abby um was the second one talking about her books and Bren was the third one talking about. So, there we go. So, welcome to the breaium. I can't get your side. >> There we go. All right. RBell is up now to talk about healthy habits club. Last year, uh, her and Mrs. Belgium started our Donna Cruisers running club and they really expanded it to um include this healthy habits club. That was one of their goals and just going to talk about that. >> Okay. So mine are not mine's not as thrilling as theirs. But I will say when this started with Comet Cruisers last year, Jen and I talked and we said we don't want it to be just running and walking. We want this to encompass a whole lot of things so that
030kids understand that being healthy is not just exercise. There's a lot of other choices in your life that you can make. So we had talked to Danny and he was really great about whatever you guys want to do, go for it. So um last year we had 45 to 50 comic cruisers. This year we have over 90 over 90 kids have signed up which is incredible. Um so we've had to expand it to instead of two days a week now it's four days a week. Mrs. Richlick has volunteered her time to come and help out with the third grade days and Mrs. Futrell comes and helps with the fourth grade days. And then Jen and I are able to see third and fourth grade once a week each. So we kind of split it that
031way. Um so then off of those kids, we extend um an invitation for healthy habits. That's the piece that stays after school. And then we do um talk about different exercises. We talk about um friendships, peer relationships, um healthy eating choices. So, we make sure that we have a healthy snack that they get to make and create um each time that we meet. And then we talk about setting goals. And it's really nice because even though we're trying to set these things up for the kids, it makes me rethink a lot of my choices as well. And I tell that to the kids. this is my opportunity to do what I can to improve myself as well. So, it's not just what you set up as a child. This goes with you your entire life
032and making sure that you are making the choices that will make you a better person. Um, our last one in March, we had a lot of fun. We met with Mr. Stiger and Miss Lawrence with their green thumb club. So, I know you guys have heard about that. So, we made sure the timing was just right, the lettuce was right. We had both groups come together. We made homemade um salad dressings and we had some toppings and the kids got to see the healthy habits kids um group got to go in and see like their system and what they do and then they got to kind of create their own salad um and learn from that. So I have just a couple pictures. So then um Mrs. Elgen, she's really healthy and I'm trying really
033hard to be better. So, she was great leading yoga that time. Um, and just a couple snack things that we have done in the past. So, it's kind of interesting. You can tell which kids are exposed to more cooking than others. But that's fun. And then the next one, this is when we got to meet with Green Thumb Club um a couple weeks ago. And so we had we actually had some of them cutting. There was a knife and I'm like, "Oh goodness." But they did really good with it. And then again skills measuring kind of working together you know some of them didn't know what like what's boil just different things like that again it's fun to expose to things age I know that I did not have that kind of knowledge when I
034was younger so just trying to lead them to make healthier choices in all aspects of life so we've had a lot of fun um we talk about and really for um a seldon and I being able to communicate with each other, plan together, and it's really cool because the kids see us coordinating and working together, too. So, not only are they learning stuff for themselves, but just kind of how to be a partner and work together. So, that's a really fun part of it, too. So, that's all. >> All right. The next thing I want to highlight is actually run by Mrs. rat bell and I highlighted it last year and I wanted to do it again. It was fun to watch you guys. Um, so she puts on a staff scavenger hunt where participating
035staff members give a clue about themselves that other people in the building might not know. And so it's just a way to encourage everybody to get to know each other more by having conversations and figuring out what clue belongs to who. So I there was what 30 that participated. >> I think there were 25 this year. Yeah, 25. So, I picked out five and we're gonna see if you guys can figure out who they are. So, these are the five clues and then these names at the bottom are who are the possible answers. So, the first one was I broke my right hand two times in the same month and a half and I had to learn to write left-handed. The second one, this one cracks me up. During an Adan Rubber Ducks game, I
036was doing a pitching game to see how fast I could pitch a ball and I held on to it too long so it went straight to the ground and bounced onto the field. They had to stop the game and then told me I was banned and couldn't throw my last two pitches. Number three, I was shot at once while driving and had to come to school with bullet holes in my vehicle for a couple of weeks. >> That was an easy one for the staff to guess because she told everybody. Uh, number four, my mom was childhood friends with Mike Greyel, who is the New England Patriots coach. Uh, they played on sports teams together and she has swam in his swimming pool many times. And then number five, I have a pet pig that
037lives in my house. Does anybody want to take a stab at any of these? >> Mrs. Bart's number two. No. Mr. Number one, >> it's hard, isn't it? >> Yeah. >> So, that's what's fun about it is you start talking to people >> to figure out their little backstory. So, number one, I broke my right hand two times in the same month and a half and had to learn to write left hand. It was Miss Speda. >> Did you break both of them during softball? It was, but it was like different bones. >> Yeah. So, like one was here, one was kind of down this way. Yeah. >> Number two, the rubber ducks pitching game was Mrs. Lawson. >> Yeah. You got to give her a hard time lately. >> Number three. Shout out Once
038while driving. This was Mrs. Burkheart. >> Oh, really? >> Yes. It was in a not so nice area of Akran and >> Yeah, >> that's right. >> This was very recent like years two years ago. >> Yeah. What? >> Door dashing. Yeah. >> Quit that night. >> That's the last night she did dashing. >> Does she? >> Yeah. >> She's nuts. >> I didn't. Number four was childhood friends with Mike Rael. >> This is >> now this was Mrs. Zinsky. >> So this one her uncle was on this baseball team. But can you guess which one was played at Ohio State >> right there? >> There you are. >> But even at a younger age, you could tell. >> Then her uncle's on the left in the back. >> Oh yeah. Then on the last
039one, the pet pig that lives in our house was Mrs. Jones. So again, that's a fun way fun staff building thing that Mrs. Rel puts on. Then the last thing I want to highlight is last time I talked about our application to be at OA Hall of Fame school, which we were nominated for. And so we met as a writing team twice and I think when I presented last time we had just submitted it. So we found out in late January, early February that we had made it past the first round. They liked our application a lot and so we were selected to be a site visit. So they come out to the school and kind of look around and see what you're doing. And so we had that on Monday. They came Monday morning.
040We're there for like four hours walking around interacting with kids. They got to see the running club. Uh the last thing they did was participate on a round table. Um and two of our students were on that round table along with Mr. Rzmel, Mr. Fisk and some other staff members. Uh but they said these two students literally just told the show and >> adorable. >> Yeah, just adorable. So it would be shocking if we did not receive a pint uh based on the feedback that I heard about their uh talks during the round table but we'll find out in April uh if we are one of less than 10 schools from lacrosse Ohio that will receive the reward fingers crossed but it was fun to show off asked like what the writing process was like
041and I said it was a lot of fun because you don't really get to brag about yourselves very much like when I go to conferences and workshops, they hear about all these things that schools are doing. It's like, gosh, are are we doing enough? And so when we got to write it to our own horn, I was like, yeah, we are doing a lot of awesome things, right? Just have them come to the board meeting. And then I'll highlight our uh fun stuff that we have going on. This is uh GMO mentioned, our first grade music program tomorrow at 7. We're also doing it for the school on Friday morning at 9:15. If you would rather come to that, you are more than welcome to come. And then when we come back from spring break,
042we have our third and fourth and K12 PIS assemblies for our comic kids of the month for March. And again, as I mentioned last time, we started inviting the parents to these. And it's just been so fun when they get to see their parent. They stand next to me while I read and they have this big smile on their face, except some of them like get real shy and don't want to look out. that we've been Honeymoon gives gift cards for free kids meals. Dairy Queen does blizzards. >> They do free Blizzards. >> And then they get to they Dairy Queen picks or lets us pick one kid from the winners to get a free ice cream cake >> each month. >> So that's always the big Yeah. >> big excitement of this. >> So
043that's what's been going on at CES. So thank you very much for letting us share. Thank you guys for commenting for switch. >> Okay, thank you. That was >> wonderful. >> If I could add just one more thing before we move forward. Um, actually two things >> just to back up. Um, so the round table format was the two visitors would ask a question and we kind of would go around and everyone would give their version of an answer. That happened like maybe two questions and then all of the other questions were answered by the two kids. >> Oh, >> they just they just took it upon themselves to just >> expound on pretty much anything they asked. So, it was really fun. >> They gave a lot of information. The two of them had
044a lot of information which was impressive to see from a kid's perspective. >> It was cool to watch. Didn't see them in their all their glory as they were talking about their school. Lastly, I wanted to share uh that this morning if uh a group of us went to Woodidge um and they're doing some remodeling at Woodrich uh and they gave us over 30 um very good condition science tables. Uh so we took a U-Haul up there. The tables are the they're the oldfashioned the ones you're used to that have the solid tops. They weighed about 80 pounds a piece. Um so we moved a little over 30 of them uh and got back and middle school's excited to have them. they're going to uh trade out some of the uh uh the desks that
045are in need of repair. So, we're going to throw those away and replace them with these much nicer science tables. So, we're thankful and uh appreciative to Woodri for sharing those with us rather than throwing them away. >> Sure. That's great. >> These have the slate tops. >> They do. Every one of them. >> Oh, wow. >> Okay. Um, citizen participation. I'm assuming there's not anyone to speak to that. Um, board of education. >> Well, I would start off where they did with the choir. I was a member of the choir and I'm proud to say it. I It was uh I think the director is the most important thing. I mean, you'll get in a classroom and teacher. Yes. Yes. this. But I tell you what, if you have a very good director and
046getting your MS wire and things, I remember going to uh state contest that we and uh performing at Akran, the University of Akran and uh it was it was a it was a good uh good side of my life growing up and uh I enjoyed that a lot. Uh, the read easy. I like the I like the combination of old school where you actually have a book and you're going in pick up a book and you read your book. It it it reminds me of the old days, but then we're going to balance that with the podcast and where we're going beyond what you would think of in in a school and having the kids run these podcasts and stuff. Uh the uh and I I like the idea of the one girl wanting to
047read the same book again. I like the same movie over and over. I I you know Kasablanca watching five times a week that people think and it's the same thing with books. I'll get a book that I really like and I'll read the same one and my wife will go why are you doing that? And I I'll go hey I like the book and I still like the book. It doesn't matter. I still get the same same feelings to me to my heart when I mean certain things and and I really like that and the healthy habits were just coming down to choices and see I always said that to my kids when they were adults and when they would go out at night got choices to make and and I think kids need to
048learn about choices one of the biggest things that they can come across and making good choices. So when it when my kids would leave the house to go out with their friends etc. We're choices reminds them and of course here we're eating food and we need to be making good choices in what we eat and what we put into ourselves. >> I just uh continue to enjoy and appreciate the different activities that our kids are getting a chance to participate in. um things that are taking them out beyond their comfort zone of even knowing what cooking oil is and things like that. Exposing them to life more than maybe what they're accustomed to. It's good stuff. >> Go ahead. My favorite book in fourth grade was Where the Red Fern Grows. >> And actually, I
049would tell stories to my oldest son at night at bedtime. And it was from that book. And and then when he was in like fourth grade, he reads the book and he comes home and he goes, "You you told me all these stories like you were making them up." And I'm like, "I know." And he goes, "And I knew when we were reading the book, I knew how it was going to end." Have you guys read that book? Read the Red Bird. Oh, man. Okay. Still cry at the end of that book and every time. And and I and he it was just so funny because I thought I had a really good thing going until he knew the book and then um thought I was, you know, plagiarizing all these years. But it's great.
050Um so I just I enjoy the whole reading thing. It's great. I actually have some sets of books that are third grade, fourth grade that I will send your way because of something. Um, I just love this. Thank you guys for doing what you do. Um, it's above and beyond what you get paid for. Just thank you for doing that and giving this opportunity to our kids. It doesn't go unnoticed and coming here and showing us fantastic, but also just showing up every day doing this just warms my heart and just think it's fantastic. And, you know, Carson got to be in that first show choir that Mrs. Kalmo was in and um, yeah, 150 kids in that whole thing. And then when they graduate, they just graduated last year. It was that first group.
051And um second group, it's so cool to see them all still love music. And I I really attribute it to she lit a fire in them at that young age. And I just think that's fantastic. So just thank you guys so much for doing what you do. Sh. Um, I'd just like to add that, um, I'm appreciative to the elementary school and the the wide range of things they're offering to our first learners because that's a a tough time and a a time that they can really be affected and I think it's exciting what we're doing there. I'd also like to congratulate our winter athletes. um they're having some success in their sports and I'd like to congratulate them and also those students who are working so hard on the musical that a few pulling
052by media I don't know but anyways I just want to thank those people that are working so hard with those students and working they're putting in many many hours of practice and uh we appreciate it so I don't want them to think it goes unnoticed >> and the the play is April 10th and 11th For anybody that's watching after tonight, get your tickets out school April 10th and 11th. This is a golden musical. >> Okay. Superintendent's recommendations, Mr. Fist. >> Um item number one, certified >> before you get going. If you guys don't want to stay, you do not have to. You are free to leave and no hold audacious long-term substitute. It's recommended the board employ the following as a long-term substitute for the 2526 school year at a rate of $110 per teacher
053workday. Long-term substitute pay is based on actual days worked and that's for Mrs. Roland at uh Coventry Elementary School. Uh item number two, employment. This is the big one here. One-year limited contract. It's recommended that the board approve a one-year limited contract for the 2627 school year for the following individuals contingent upon receipt of a clear uh record of the required background checks and drug screening. This is in accordance with board CA agreement and on the appropriate salary scale. Uh and the first one there is Miss Benson who is right here in front of us. So I'd like to introduce you to Very excited. Hopefully one day I can be one of the teachers standing up here soon. >> Oh, next year. >> Job is next month. >> Yeah, even better. >> Middle school will
054be next month. >> We are >> uh and she'll be uh teaching sixth grade uh English language arts. Uh next we have Miss Perkins who will also be at the middle school and she's teaching eighth grade ELA. and Miss Shannon uh at Coventry Elementary School will be uh teaching second grade for us. Number three, supplemental coaching contracts 2526. It's recommended that the board grant and or reissue the following supplemental coaching contract for the 2526 school year for exhibit S1, noting that non-staff contracts are contingent upon receipt of a clear record of the required background checks. Uh number four, uh pregnancy, parental or family leave, which recommended the board approve a leave of absence for the following employee for a period of up to 12 weeks. Uh parental leave commences with the first day of absence
055for the birth adoption of his or her child. Sick leave shall be used uh concurrently with the FMLA leave and when exhausted, FMLA leave will continue as unpaid leave for up to the maximum 12-week period if available in the 12-month period. Unpaid, no benefits parental leave may be required at the conclusion of the FMLA leave allowance. Uh that's for Miss Conrad, Conrad, Miss Derbick, and Miss Gamble. And those are all of the items under certified personnel. >> Okay. Um motion to approve the recommendations. >> Some move. >> Second. >> Sure. Any questions or comments? Okay. Call the roll, please. >> Mr. Fer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lra, >> yes. >> Mr. Sulit, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Pan, >> yes. >> Miss Benson, you're officially a comment. >> Number two, personnel classified. Uh, number one,
056temporary summer clerical help. It's recommended that the board employ the following individual for a temporary summer clerical position effective 61526 and that's for Mrs. Justice. Number two is temporary seasonal help. It's recommended the board employ the following individual for a temporary seasonal help position effective 6126 and that's Mr. Shoemaker who has worked uh in the seasonal crew uh for the last few years. Number three is a retirement resignation. Mr. Savage may not like this one, but it's recommended the board accept the resignation due to the retirement of the following employee for the position indicated effective June 30th, 2026, and that's Miss Porter uh in Coventry Elementary School. >> How long has she been in the district? >> Do how many years do you have an idea? >> And I don't know. >> Wow. She started
057I know she told me as a >> uh was it twice like >> I don't know 26 >> I think she started when her kids started. >> Yeah. >> And she was tiring for it. >> Adults and families. >> We would keep her longer but alas she wants to retire and have a good time. So we wish her nothing but the best. Number four resignation. It's recommended the board accept the resignation of the following employees for the positions indicated. That's Miss Meyers for three-hour lunch recess assistant and Miss Johnson for 2 and a half hour lunch recess assistant. Number five, employment. It's recommended the board approve the following for the position indicated contingent upon receipt of a clear record of the required background check. That'll be coming back to join us. He had worked with
058us before uh but due to some scheduling things he had to step away from his position. He's worked those out. So, we're happy to have him back as a 4-hour c uh Coventry High School custodial helper. And those are all of the items under personnel classified. >> There a motion. >> So, moved. >> Second. I'll second. Uh, any questions or comments? Nothing. Okay. Call the RO. >> Mr. Fer. >> Yes. >> Mrs. McGraw. Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Number three, other business items. Uh, a recommendations, a contract with LLA therapy. It's recommended the board approved the contract with LLA therapy for the TW 2026 ESY program for students with an IEP who are approved for ESY. Just reminder, ESY is extended school year, uh, called Stars and Stripes. Uh the cost is $43 per
059week per student for up to six weeks per student. If a student needs onetoone support, the cost will be an additional $25 per week. The period of ESY is June 16, 2026 to August 6, 2026. And just a reminder, this is a pro this would be for students who uh the IEP team determines that they would have a substantial loss uh in their achievement over the summer months. Uh so by keeping them in the extended school year uh they maintain their levels of achievement. Number two is a contract with the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio for Capstone Academy. It's recommended the board approve the contract with the Educational Center of Northeast Ohio for Capstone Academy. The student is RI is the student is residing at a residential center where Capstone Academy provides educational services.
060the student is becoming ageel eligible for preschool services and the contract is for the remainder of the 2526 school year. This is a general fund expense. So, this would be a resident student who's placed um in this uh program. Number three is the service plan with Summit Educational Service Center. It's recommended the board approved the service plan agreement with the Summit Educational Service Center for the 26 27th school year. And I believe it's page five in the packet breaks down for you what the costs are and the services that we're u getting five. Um this would be where we um use days for uh special needs department, curriculum department, um aiology services, um our three uh staff members that we get from the ESC um that work in each of our buildings uh as behavioral
061support. Um, and then it's all broken down for you on that chart. Number four, deletion of inventory, pupil services department. It's recommended that the board approve the following deletion of inventory from the pupil services department. And those three items are listed there. Number five, deletion of inventory operations department. It's recommended the board approve the following deletion inventory operations department. um a number of tablets uh and a uh Samsung Chromebook there. Number six, deletion of inventory. CHS band uniforms. It's recommended the board approve the following donated assets to be declared obsolete. Uh as your um was shared before, the band will be getting new uniforms. Um they've debuted them. They look fantastic. Uh it'll be great to see them on the football field in their in their new uh new attire. And those are all of
062the items under other business. >> Okay. For a motion. >> Second. >> When are the band uniforms supposed to be here? >> Uh they thought um was it Mr. Silic might have a better answer? I thought June or July. >> Does that sound right? >> It it sounds close. Yes. >> We're not going to get rid of bees before our new ones come in though, right? No. Um they're doing this as they have some ideas for some fundraisers that they would like to do for um different souvenir type things you can do with uniforms, but they couldn't go start pursuing that until we did the step first. >> I'm not sure that we have a second for that motion. >> I thought you second it. >> Second one before. Okay, >> any other questions or
063comments? So, we're going to ask that they wait to cut them up until until we are >> create the craft projects with them. I'll make sure Mr. Cummings, if he hasn't thought of that already, I'll remind him. >> I'm sure he does. I'm sure there's probably an answer for that. >> He's very thorough. Yeah. >> Yes. Would not doubt that. >> Okay. Um, any other questions or comments? >> Hey, call the >> Yes. Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Benson. >> Do you guys want to give you a last chance to take off before? >> Sure. Good luck. >> Now that Miss Benson is official. >> Congratulations and welcome. >> Welcome. >> Thanks so much. >> Thank you. Tell her about the hazing. >> Thank you guys. Thanks. >> Okay, moving
064on to President's recommendations. >> We have three items this evening. The first one is it is recommended that the board approve and place on file the February 2026 financial report and reconciliation per exhibit T1. Item two, it is recommended that the board approved with EOS over 5,000 per exhibit T2. Item three, it is recommended that the board approve the contract for the district to participate in shape group retrospective rating program for workers compensation during the annual year of 2027 for exhibit free. Is there a motion? So move ahead. Any questions or comments? Okay. >> Mr. Bowser. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Margar. >> Yes. >> Mr. Silic. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. >> Yes. >> Everything we have. >> Okay. Um I don't think we have anything to come before the board from board of education
065recommendations. >> Anyone have anything else? Um, so I think are we to the point we need a motion to adjourn? >> I believe so. >> So then >> Okay. Any is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion. >> I'll second that. >> Okay. All those in favor? >> Okay. Meeting is adjourned at 6:58 looks