001Caught off the press. [Music] >> All right. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Um the board of education meeting September 17th, 2020. Uh 125. Um >> Mr. Davis >> here. >> Mr. Bowser >> here. >> Mr. Hawkler >> here. >> Mrs. H >> here. And Mrs. Moff >> here. Allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible and justice for all >> for the agenda. I have to motion for the agenda and then change the agenda. >> Is there a motion to approve the agenda? >> So moved. second. >> Um, we'd like to reorder a few things um on the agenda. Um, we'd like to add a quick executive session immediately after this final approval, this agenda.
002We about 10 minutes. Um, and then we'll come back and continue the rest of our meeting. And then also, um, board of education comments, we'd like to move to the very end. I'm sorry, Twitter. We'd like to go to the very end after the treasur's recommendations. Do you have to have another motion for that? Um, no. You can just >> stick with >> you wanted that after the board recommendations >> after on the treasures presentation. Like we wanted at the very end. Um the board recommendation is the last thing for the contest. Yep. >> Correct. >> After that. So after that >> after that. So >> thanks. >> No further discussion. >> Um Mr. David. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fouser. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hostetler. Yes, >> Mrs. P. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. McGrath.
003Yes. Okay. So, we will um we we will go into executive session for um Right. >> Yes. >> Preparing for conducting reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with legis. >> I will second that motion. >> Mr. Davis. >> Uh, sure. Yes. >> Mr. Ber. >> Yes. >> Mr. Constantler. >> Yes. >> Mrs. P. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. McGra. >> Yes. unmuted. >> Thank you so much for your patience. All right. Um All right. So, uh the next action item is approval of the minutes. Is there a motion to approve the minutes for the meeting of uh August 27th? >> So, move. I'll >> second that. Any discussion? Mr. Davis, >> yes. >> Mr. Fer, >> yes. >> Hostetler. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mrs. F. Sorry. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. McGraw. >> Yes. >> Special
004report, district report with special guests. >> Sure. Just um a couple items um this month. Uh just want to share that um you know we're about a month into school and things have gone surprisingly well. We're doing well. The kids are doing great. Staff's doing great. Um all of our fall sports are up and running. Um we've had some very competitive and nailbiter games uh over the last few weeks. Beyond that, um looking forward, uh there was a request to have a board work session in October. if we could look at our calendars and come to a date uh that works for everyone. Uh I was looking at October 1st or the 21st. We're thinking like five five o' Whatever time works for everyone >> or a daytime >> either if any of those options
005work for >> think the 21st would work better for me. We could do like >> that is a Tuesday the 21st. I could do 3:30 or 4 so we're not here too late. Just a second. >> Four o'clock. >> 4 o'clock. 4 o'clock October 21st. >> 4 o'clock October 21st. >> Yes. Good for you, Terry. >> Yes. >> My business started. Is that okay? I'll see what it's chang that would be located. >> Um, typically we use the elementary. Do we want to use there again the PD lab and the elementary? Um the last item is related to that one. Um I haven't talked about it in a while, but the last few weeks um we've been reminded of the dire straits that we're in with bus drivers. Uh Mrs. Smith has been a um
006I commend her for the amount of stress that she's dealing with right now in terms of um you know if just one person gets sick in our bus uh driver team it creates a trickle down where she has to combine multiple routes and it extends out the amount of time um our children take to get home. So, at that session, um once we approve the new OPC contract this evening, we're going to uh begin a bus driver blitz with our new rates, what we pay. Um but one of the things I would like to add to that agenda and for you to think about between now and then, um in talking to Mrs. Smith, uh she's cons always been concerned about the amount of money it takes out of pocket to become a bus driver.
007Um, so you walk in the door, either this is a side job for you or a retirement job. You immediately have would have to pay to become a bus driver for us. Your temporary license would cost $30. Your background checks are 75. The testing center charges 150 depending on which center is used. And the license itself is $4350 for roughly $300. Um, she's asked if we could consider um paying that cost or maybe paying it at the end of a first year. um just doing something to help people to incentivize um that we need you so badly. However, they had to pay $300 to come work for us is just something I would like for us to kind of come to an agreement on uh either before the the work session or at the work
008session to discuss. >> I would think that if they stayed they we would help them if they just get the license then quit. >> That would be the concern. Maybe we reverse it at the end of the first year or after a certain period of time, >> paying for something that they could take to another school. >> Correct. >> And work at a different school. >> That is the risk. Yeah. >> That we'd be absorbing to try to get some drivers in >> or 60 or 90 days or something like that. >> Yeah. Whatever we could come up with. I would like to talk to legal counsel to see, you know, how we would formulate that to make sure it was um it was legitimate in whatever we come up with. And beyond that, that
009were those were all of the items uh for our district report. Um next month we'll have the high school will be here for our first ED spotlight. >> Okay. Next we have um citizen participation and Amanda if you'd like to speak. We'd love to hear you have to say. >> It's kind of the same old thing. Just my concern is we never get any answers and we pay our taxes. Guys get a good part of it. We have a right to ask and we should have the right to get answers from you guys. And >> I ask you something. Has anybody ever responded to you? Have you ever received an email or anything back from anybody? >> No. I was invited out to lunch and talk privately about this. never received reform or even >>
010Thank you. >> Um I was wondering why >> she would want to have a conversation. >> Why can't you talk publicly in the form when that's being recorded? Why do you want to call me out private is my concern? >> He would have liked to known your concerns be able to address them. >> I I tell you my concerns right here. That's I mean it just seems funny. I appreciate the invite but not under these circumstances. Anyway, and then I have a it's kind of small but the last two months it on the um dates for the meetings once posted like the 10th on the calendar and then it's written 17th that happened last month or this month. I thought, do they do it on purpose or is it could be just a mistake? >>
011What's posted where >> on uh Coventry board where you look at the date or it was corrected this week though. >> So um anyway, >> so I can answer that. We're not doing it on purpose. Like if there's some weird miscommunication on that. >> Okay. It was >> there's no Yeah. Well, I'm going to check it too. That's just >> Yeah. I get it. But, you know, when it happens two months in a row, you just think, >> you know. Anyway, uh I'm still going to ask the same questions. Why does the treasurer get all of her sick days plus a 3.5% raise for the next 5 years, which teachers had a 3% raise in the last 16 years, make the lowest in the state. Why wasn't the support staff notified of a huge pay
012decrease due to a clerical error in the treasur's office? And what I hear I is there gagglers on the teachers. What about their uh first amendment rights? I just really would like these question answers and I'm going to keep on keep on moving. Thank you. >> Appreciate your time. Thank you for coming and saying we will be addressing some some of those things today. >> Okay. >> All right. Superintendent recommendations. Uh item number one, certified personnel. A recommendations. Number one, retirement resignation. It's recommended the board accept the retirement or the the resignation due to retirement of the following employees for the positions indicated effective at the end of the 202526 school year. As I've shared many times, we're going to see more and more of these. Um I believe at last count uh in the
013next five years, we'd have 55 certified and classified staff retiring. Um which is a good chunk of our our staff. So we're going to see a lot of change. It's sad to lose all of these uh these three individuals, but we wish them nothing but the best at the end of the year. Number two is resend coaching supplemental. It's recommended the board resend the following co coaching supplemental contract approved at the August 27th, 2025 board of education meeting and that was just due to uh scheduling and time not being available related to that item. Number three is a supplemental coaching contract 202526. It's recommended the board grant and or reissue of the following supplemental coaching contracts for the 2526 school year. Non-staff contracts are contingent upon receipt of a clear record of the required background
014check and that is Mr. Conser and Mr. Dudy uh that will be splitting that previous supplemental uh that we just rescended. Uh and those are all of the items under personnel certified. I'll make a motion. Second. >> Any discussion? >> Mr. Davis. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fer. >> Yes. >> Mr. Houseler. >> Yes. >> Mrs. C. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. McGro? >> Yes. >> Item number two, personnel classified. Number one is a recall. It's recommended the board recall the following staff member for the from the reduction in board's list and as far as CES classroom attendant effective September 8th, 2025. Number two's resignation. It's recommended the board approve the resignation of the following employee for the position indicated and that's Miss Meyers for our CMS custodial helper. One positive there is Miss Meyers isn't
015helping us. She's exploring um becoming a bus driver for us which will just fit her family situation better. Uh number three, change in hours, buildings, and positions. It's recommended the board approve a change in the hours, buildings, and her positions for the following employee. That's Mr. Buzzelli, who's moving from fe 4hour CES custodial helper to 4 hours CMS custodial custodial helper. So, he's taking Mrs. Myers position and then we'll be posting and looking for someone for the 4hour CES custodial position that he's leaving. Those are all of the items under personnel classified. Is there a motion to approve these? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Call the RO. >> Mr. Davis. >> Yes. >> Mr. Bowser. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hostedler. >> Yes. >> Mrs. P. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mural. >> Yes. >> Item
016number number three, other business. A recommendations. Number one, a contract with Republic Waste. It's recommended the board approve the contract with Republic Waste for trash removal services at Coventry Local Schools to be effective October 1st, 2025 at a regular annual annual service cost of $17,456.88. Noting that uh this is being um this is through the ST Stark Cog cooperative purchasing and is an annual savings of approximately $4,100 by switching providers. Number two is a contract with Akran Zoo. It's recommended the board approve the contract with the Akran Zoo to provide a mobile zoo unit for the fifth grade STEM students at CMS at a total cost of $120. Number three is a start contract start county ESC. It's recommended the board approve the contract with Stark County ESC for direct services. We are asking specifically
017for speech services to fill a long-term health absence at CES from December 2nd, 2025 until February 2nd, 2026. The cost is $90 per hour. Audrey Baker, who has retired from Coventry Local Schools, who works for uh Stark County ESC as a substitute speech pathologist, is able to fill the role. So, we're contracting um to bring Mrs. Baker back. If you remember, she just retired, I believe, last year u year before. Uh so, she's going to come back and fill in. She already knows our student, she knows our operation. Uh so, it should be a smooth, uh substituting experience. Number four is school building lease agreement for Manchester local with Manchester local schools. It's recommended the board approve the lease agreement with Manchester local schools to lease a classroom at Coventry Elementary School for their preschool
018program. Manchester will pay Coventry $600 per month. This contract is for the 2526 school year and will end on May 29th, 2026. they ran into some last minute issues with construction um in their project and asked if they could go back for one year and uh we have a great relationship with Manchester and doing shared services. So we of course said yes. Uh number five is anou for St. Phillips St. James. It's recommended the board approve the following for non-public St. Phillips St. James title one funds for the 2526 school year. The Coventry Local Schools agrees to transfer funds from its title one allocations to Northwest schools for services up to the full amounts of the current school year's allocation plus carryover funds from the previous year if there would be any. So this is
019um giving taking Title One funds that were uh allocated to us. However, they're for a student um that attends u within the Northwest Local Schools within their service area. Number six, MOU with St. Francis. It's recommended that the board approve the followingus for non-public St. Francis to sales title one funds for the 2526 school year. The following school districts agree to transfer funds from its title one allocations to Coventry local schools for services up to the full amount of the current school year's allocation plus carryover funds from the previous school year if there would be any. So the exact opposite of what we're doing in number five uh these other listed schools will be doing uh for us here. Uh number seven is courtplaced open enrollment tuition contracts. It's recommended the board approved the acknowledgement
020to provide special education services to handicapped students under open enrollment court place students and tuition agreements. These districts will build from special education tuition andor excess cost for the after the completion of the school year and the districts are all listed uh below. Number eight, contract with Rosetta Zone. It's recommended the board approved the contract with Rosetta Zone for the 20 25 26 school year. The total cost is $450 and we paid through title three funds and that's to support our um English language learners. Number nine is contract with Reliable Snow Plowing Specialist. It's recommended that the board approved the three-year service agreement with Reliable Snow Plowing Specialist for snow removal beginning with the 2526 school year per their proposal. noting that uh this is the same cost uh for the previous two years with
021the way everything's going up. It's a win that the cost is staying the same. Number 10, CCIP application budgets. It's recommended the board approve the budgets in our CCIP application for title one, Title 2, Title 3, Title 4, IDA Part B, and IDA early childhood. Budgets have been in final approved status from the Department of Education Workforce for the 2526 school year. A copy of each grants budget is attached for reference. It should be noted that our title 3 and ESCE funds are transferred to the summit ESC as part of their consortium. Number 11, Ohio operating standards for the education of children with disabilities. It's recommended the board adopt the model policies and procedures developed by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. The Ohio operating standards for education of children with disabilities requires educational
022agencies to adopt written policies and procedures regarding the education of children with disabilities. Educational agencies may adopt the special education model policies and procedures developed by the Ohio Department of Education and workforce or develop their own. Educational agencies are required to notify the Ohio Department of Education workforce of their policies through the monitoring system and to upload their board approval of these policies starting with the 2526 school year. in each subsequent year. The due date will be November 30th. Number 12, athletics football gate ticket personnel pay raise. It's recommended the board approved the following updated pay for football ticket takers from $35 per worker to $40 per worker and that's for the whole evening. Uh which amounts to two hours and uh two and three4 hours. Um and the reason for the increase is because
023we've changed the ticket opening time um from 6 o'clock to 5:45. Number 13, uh, softball Tennessee trip. It's recommended the board approved the following trip at no cost to the district. The entire trip is paid for by using softball fundraising, and that's girls softball to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, March 22nd through the 26th of 2026. Uh, the girls look forward to this. It's been a great experience the last two years. uh and they were actually asking the coaches uh already this year to make sure that uh they were going to get a chance to go and play those games again this year. Number 14, revive policies and procedures is recommended the board complete the first reading of revised and or deleted policies and procedures for discussion only for exhibit S1. uh the majority of those uh
024policies are making a change. Uh in the past there were certain infractions that students could make uh that we were required to notify um the motor vehicle bureau uh that the student had been in trouble and the student could potentially lose their driver's license. Uh that has been taken away. Uh we're no longer required to report that and the students for those offenses are no longer subject to losing their driver's license for those offenses. Uh number 15, accept donations. It's recommended that the board accept the following donations um of a Yamaha 3.3 octave artist model bells and a Fender Player 2 bass with strap multi-tool and guitar case uh from Coventry Grandparents Association. And those are all of the items under other business. >> A lot of good reading. >> That was a lot that
025time. >> Is there a move to approve these recommendations? So moved. Second. Go ahead. Um I have one question. Does the um increase for the ticket people does that comes from athletics or is that where that comes from? >> I'll defer to Mrs. B. I believe it comes from athletics. >> It does. That cost comes >> for the Stark County ESC contract from December 2nd to February 2nd. Is that uh filling for a full-time position? >> Is it okay? >> 90 bucks in a month. That's a lot. >> I know. >> I tried to go straight to get her direct. She's under contract with them and >> could do it. >> Okay. >> Any other questions? >> Well, it's a lot, but most of it's just routine stuff we do like. >> Yes, most of
026it. >> And you had made point that the reliable snow plowing um hasn't increased their price with us for the third year. >> This will be the third year. Yes. And through the RFP process, we were nervous that, you know, because everything was going up. Um, so we appreciate that that the price did not go up. I mean, it's expensive anyway. If you remember last year, we um we reapproved multiple um installments to keep paying that due to the winter we had. Um so it's a sizable cost. So thankfully it didn't increase and then hopefully we have a dry nice winter. Yeah. And Republic Waste, do we have any other options for trash service? I mean, I know the township is locked into Republic, but is the school district. >> We were using Waste Management
027before. >> We were. >> Yeah. >> Um I'm not sure of all the providers in this area. I believe those are the two biggest, >> right? It's a lot of money. $17,400 for the year, but it's three buildings multiple times a week pickups, right? >> At least once a week. Yes. >> Okay. >> And we fill the >> We fill them pretty full. a while. I thought I saw on their contract it was like two or three times a week. Maybe I misread. >> Yeah. Giving a smaller I don't know the dumpster sizes. >> It says frequency three times per week. Maybe that's referring to one person building. I don't know. >> Oh, could be. >> Yeah, that's >> I know currently it's typically one a week and if we have extra we get charged
028to have them come out again. >> Okay. >> Any other questions, comments? Call >> Mr. Davis. >> Yes. >> Mr. Bowser. >> Yes. >> Mr. Crossler. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Pap. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Mad. >> Yes. >> Under treasurer's recommendations this evening. We have item one. It is recommended that the board approve and place on file the July 2025 financial report and reconciliation for exhibit T1. Item two. It is recommended that the board approve and place on file the August 2025 financial report and reconciliation per exhibit T2. Item three, it is recommended that the board approve the POS over 5,000 per exhibit T3. Item four, it is recommended that the board approve the updated permanent appropriations resolution, certificate of estimated resources, and the corresponding fiscal reports for the fiscal year beginning July 1st,
0292025 per exhibit T4. Item five, it is recommended that the board approve the engagement with Ray and Associates for the purpose of verifying data reported on the Medicaid school program cost reports any 2025, 2026, and 27 respect respectfully uh per exhibit T5. Item six, it is recommended that the board approve the transfer of $59,48 from bond 003, which permanent improvement to 034, the maintenance fund, as outlined by the resolution authorizing the transfer of funds defined by section um maintenance fund of the Ohio Facilities Commission project agreement per exhibit P6. Is there a motion to approve these recommendations? >> Second. >> It looks like the Republic Services PO doesn't match what's in the >> superintendent report. >> Didn't update it. >> Okay. The contracted amount is $17,456.88. >> Okay. >> That should be outlined upon the
030POS's over, >> right? Yeah. Because it says 15047. Okay. >> Just didn't have to come back with another PO for that contract. >> Yeah. >> Fair. Yeah. Any other comments? >> Mr. Davis, >> yes. >> Mr. Fer, >> yes. >> Hostetler. >> Yes. >> Mrs. C. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. McGrath, >> yes. >> The last part of our meeting is the board recommendation. Um, number one, approve the OBC contract. It's recommended that the board approve the contract between the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, Oopsie, Local 131, and the Coventry Local Board of Education. This contract is in effect from September 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2028. And a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Any discussion? call >> Mr. Davis. >> Yep. >> Mr. Bowser. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hostetler. >> Yes. >>
031Mrs. P. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. McGrath. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. So, usually um we do board of board of education remarks kind of earlier in the meeting. We decided to wait till after we were able to approve a really great contract with our um oopsie personnel. We're really thankful to them and all that they do for us. Um it was a really tough um couple of months and um I do apologize for not being able to share things along the way, but we wanted to be very careful to follow strict um guidelines for negotiation um rules and procedures. So I know that's frustrating for the community to not be able to get some answers um that were all kind of mixed together within the time frame we were doing contract negotiations. So, um,
032at this time, Josh would like to, um, say a couple of things. >> Start over there. See if Dan has any. >> Dan, would you like to say anything? >> Uh, the Oopsy. Uh, it was, let's put it that way. We ended up all of us getting together though, and the final result was agreed upon by everyone. So we've got plus going on in that area. So >> yeah. >> Okay. I got notes. >> So some of the members in the community have voiced concerns over the last few months. I can relate to this uh community involvement and inquiry because it is how I eventually became a board member by asking questions and challenging the previous boards and administration's practices. During the past few months, the board has remained largely silent because we were actively
033negotiating a new contract with our union. And to maintain good faith negotiations, there are many things we cannot discuss until negotiations are finalized, which I'm happy to say they are. In fact, our legal council even advised us not to allow public comments in the last two meetings to maintain good faith negotiations. However, our board president uh and some other board members felt that it was important to let the community have a voice in those meetings. Now that negotiations have been finalized, I'd like to make a few comments about the history and current status of Coventry Schools because I've seen a lot of bad things out there on Facebook that I hope to dispel at least a part of. Going all the way back to 2003, Coventry entered fiscal fiscal watch and eventually fiscal emergency in
0342015. Due to my background in finance, I believe that I could help to shore up Coventry's financial position. So, I ran for school board in the fall of 2017. I didn't do it for the money. For those who don't know, we get $125 a month. Most of us donate that all back to the schools. When Coventry entered fiscal emergency, they had no cash and needed to borrow $3.3 million just to keep the doors open and pay teachers and staff. Coventry sold all their buses and agreed to a bad contract to outsource busing, costing us millions of dollars in just a few years. Every year, Coventry had to lay off teachers and staff to make ends meet. Coventry was unable to maintain facilities and they fell into disrepair. Fast forward to today after getting out of
035fiscal emergency. We've paid off that $3.3 million after we were released for from fiscal emergency. We purchased our own buses back uh new buses. We saved taxpayers $9 million by refinancing legacy debt, which was only possible because of our increased credit rating. We received the auditor of state award in 2024. We received the auditor of state stars award in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for transparency and public relations, public records management. We currently have over $1 million in the bank for operations and a rainy day fund. We've been able to maintain our facilities. We've resurfaced parking lots, painted buildings, upgrading security at our stadium. We added handicapped accessible seating, fixed our field, painted our bleachers, and installed a new sound system. We recently installed a new track. If you haven't seen it, it's beautiful. At Coventry
036Elementary School, we installed new flooring and a playground. At Coventry Middle School, we installed a new HVAC system, fire alarms, doors, and new padding in the gym. We've also hired a school resource officer in the last year. We've also improved education and curriculum since being released from fiscal emergency. We initiated STEM programs at the elementary and middle school. We brought back art education at the elementary school. We started a onetoone laptop program for all students, grades 5 through 12. We never had that before. We purchased robotics programs for the elementary school and middle school. The middle school now has 3D printers, laser engravers, and drones. We adopted new curriculum including science of reading, AP calculus, physics, world and US history history just to name a few. The high school has new electives including AP pre-calc,
037AP environmental science, quantitative reasoning, strength and conditioning, and sports officiating among others. Our graduation rate has increased from 92% in 2018 to 97% last year. In my view, given where we've come from, I think we're doing okay. Pretty pretty pretty well, in fact. And if you believe that or not that we're not, I encourage you to run for school board and make the changes you wish to see. That's what I did. Regarding the proposed position in the treasurer's office that's caused some issues this past year, some CA members raised questions and concerns regarding the accounting and transparency of some auxiliary funds for extracurricular activities. Due to their decentralized nature, these funds are a challenge to maintain with timely information information. And afterward, the idea was proposed to add a position to help with this fund
038accounting and other tasks such as auditing and reconciling accounts, payrolls, and other transactions. And I will say that I was initially against adding this position because I felt that adding more administrative costs was not beneficial to the district. But after digging further, I realized that positions had been cut in the treasurer's office during fiscal emergency, and there are still a lot of unresolved issues from previous treasurers that still need to be cleaned up. So, after careful consideration, lots I I do support adding that position. Now, just a few notes about our treasur's office. Um, the Treasurer's Office oversees $30 million of public funds annually, conducts an average of 135 transactions per day, maintains payroll processing for hundreds of employees, including withholdings for benefits, and currently has two and a half full-time employees. We are one
039of only three districts in Ohio, of which there are over 600 public schools, that has a treasurer who was previously a superintendent, which is a real benefit. And I understand the hesitation to increase administrative cost with a new position. But I believe this in this position is intended to remedy many of the concerns we have heard from employees and the community. >> Okay. Awesome. >> Thank you. >> Um I also had a whole long thing I wanted to say, but I'm not going to freeze out anymore. It's sealed. You said all the words, so thank you very much. Um you know, we got to live through fiscal emergency and um I'm always amazed that we still have so many people with us 20, 30 years now that continue to show up and stay here in
040Coventry because it was really hard. That was a really hard couple of years. And um and I saw the district at the bottom of a bucket and claw their way up to the to this top. And they followed the dis the procedures that were put forth by the fiscal commission. They adopted all of these processes. Um but we were in a really bad place for a really long time. And so, you know, it's not so easy to clean up a bud a budget and a register and all of these accounts when there's $30 million running around all all these places. So, um it takes some time in in addition to uh the last couple of years. Accounting practices have changed through the state. They've adopted new software which means to different um this used to
041be here, now it's over here. I'm not a treasurer, so I don't know those specific words, but I know that it's been challenging. So, um I do also support um our treasurer, Lisa. Um and I do think that um under her guidance that we've done a really good job and we've been as transparent as we can. Um if there's a penny missing, she goes to find it. Um the problem is we're having um issues in some of these accounts that will be remedied, that will be fixed. Just takes us some time to get through this thing. A precision like this would definitely be helpful. Um also I'd like to address, you know, a couple of communication things. We're board members. We're all people. We're all parents and community members and volunteers and and just people
042that do this job to make it better. So accusing us of something inappropriate or corrupt is >> without saying what are you saying being accused of? >> What are you saying right there? What I'm saying is accusing us of something without ever having talked to me specifically >> has been really difficult. And so um for me board members as board members um we just try to do this job the best we can with all the information that we have. So we do have a lot of information that might not be public because it might be some private legal something that needs to be handled a certain way. Um as with the contract that we were going through uh off public ground >> I just wanted to give a chance to talk to you. >> I
043I say I would love to talk to whoever would like to have a conversation with any person on this board. >> Yeah. It it'll it can be in a public setting. >> Should be. >> It could be. It >> should be right here where >> But I'd like to hear what you have to say because you're a real person. >> Well, yeah. I know I'm a real person. I'm sitting right here and I ask a question and don't get any answers. And I do I research. I know everything you're saying. It doesn't give anybody the right to sugarcoat what she makes here and all that. All everything I have. >> Would you like to see what she makes you? Would you like a a list >> on public record? I know >> I I have
044a I have a document that I can share with you >> that says Okay. So here this is also part of what I'm going to say was that in relation to your question of what she makes correct. If you don't want to hear it, you don't have to. >> I don't I already >> So I'm curious. You said this. So how much does she make? >> You know what? I'm done. I'm just going to sit here and listen. You want to have some famous >> you don't have to put in. Okay. >> You don't >> I'd like to give some dates. >> Go ahead. >> Facts. >> All right. >> So, here are the facts. >> What about the teachers and the students? Have they gotten a raise like her? What about the sick days?
045>> Yes. Okay. They have contracted times >> flying. >> Contracts are done at certain times of the year of, you know, like every three years teachers are able to to change their contract, right? Negotiate. That's what negotiations means. Mrs. Blau and Mr. Fisk also have contract negotiations as does Oopsie. It's a timing and a procedures thing. But here's what I'd like to share with you because this is what you asked for. So Mrs. Blau and she she we brought up 14 districts. Akran River, Nordonia, Hudson, CPPley, Stoven Falls, Green, Ka Falls, Twinsburg, Barberton, Coventry, Woodridge, Tomage, and Norton. Her wage is 11th of 14 districts. 11th. And every single one of these people who have a contract would also have, you know, every year they will make more in their contracts. That's what contracts do.
046So she is 11th amongst 14 local schools in Summit County, but they have more students than us. >> What's that? >> They most of them have more students than us, right? >> Yeah, some of them do. >> Some of them do. >> Yeah. You can't compare us to Hudson. you know that >> or green or green. >> Oh, no. All we did was we showed >> I know, but I want background to that. Can't compare us to schools like that. They're they're they're not even close. >> So, the job of a treasurer has more liability than the job of a teacher. The one of the comments that were made was that a treasurer should make the same amount as a teacher. >> I don't know who said that. I >> I know exactly who said
047that. It was in um an email that was sent to me and also said here in front of us. That's that can't happen. >> Okay. >> I mean it can I guess because there are some I apologize. >> I don't care about any of that. We are here you're because of the other position being added to the office and not necessary. >> So where we were coming from >> if I came to your work and said you guys don't need any more people even though you're working for a living. I don't have 200 employees. I have 50 and I don't we don't need four people doing that job. >> So, >> do you manage $30 million? >> We're in the millions, but it's not 30 million. >> Do you manage also? >> You have three
048specialized people in that office. Not two and a half. >> Two and a half people that are doing that job. >> You sure about that? >> Yes. >> 100%. Absolutely. >> Well, I did a records request. I'm pretty sure there's three full-time. So, one of our employees also has a part that her half day is EMIS, but it's not a full-time position as a treasurer. It's an EMIS position, which is all due through open to through enrollment. >> Okay. But again, we're being compared to other schools that are not even folks. So, I don't see a justification for it. >> We're entitled to our opinion. >> You are entitled to your opinion. And I and and >> and you didn't ask to talk to me. You never >> I didn't ask to talk to You
049did not. You've asked to talk to everybody else but me. So, I was curious. >> We have a conversation. >> I mean, >> she's not willing to, but I am. Of course, I would love to talk to >> Yeah, because I mean, I've got a kid in the building for a couple more years and I'm I'm concerned about her education and >> that position needs to be in the school, not in the advent. So, when it comes to our teachers versus our staff, and I'll direct this to George as far as like anytime we've had teachers retire or leave, what is our protocol for hiring back in a teacher to replace that position? >> So, we review every position based on enrollment and match our staff to enroller. >> So, it's it's either if they've
050left, we evaluate whether or not they need to be replaced, and if they do need to be replaced, they're replaced. >> Yes. So the three we lost this summer we replaced. >> We did not. We lost three teachers from high school. >> Enrollment trends. >> Oh, that's sad. >> Well, we don't So back in 2015, we had 2400 students that were here and we had a huge open enrollment policy, right? So many people that are on this board got on the board to minimize open enrollment, right? And so we're now at the tail end of that maybe last four years or so of the kids who were in school in 2015, right? And so we basically were right sizing our district to our our uh resident kids plus open enrollment using it as the fiscal
051commission recommended to us in 2015. So we're following all the protocol that was put into place by the state. >> Right. So if you're if you're downsizing, why would you upsize a admin office? >> Well, wouldn't that go with the same trend? There's a there's a this position would take on a handful of things that we assumed would help the teacher staff because there's quite a few things that are >> I don't think so. I think you got a lot of teachers upset that you're adding more to the charter. >> What if it makes it easier for them to do their job? >> Who does their job? >> Makes it easier for the teachers to do their job. >> I would need some explanation on that. I don't know how that would work out. >>
052Is it clear? This is an administrative. It's clerical. So it's not teachers. I don't >> It's not teachers. >> I don't see the >> We have We have plenty of teachers doing the job that they're doing and we're supporting them every time everything that they're we're trying to support them and bringing in programming and bringing in um the things that they need where what teacher is doing without >> I just I need I don't know. That's I need know it like tell me what it is that needs to happen or what solution that you might have and we'll consider it. We are not a board that's going to say no. >> Give us more teachers, not more treasurer office. >> Well, we don't need more teachers if we have a smaller enrollment. >> That's the
053problem. And you know that's why people are upset. That's why we I sent you the email. That's all we talked about. That's all I talked about there. >> The email was what Anthony said. >> Yeah. >> That's what he wrote. Okay. >> So, I already knew that. I didn't reply to that email because there wasn't anything new that was brought to it. You didn't ask to >> you replied to that email. >> I said thank you. >> Yeah, you just didn't ask to talk to me, but you've asked to talk to everyone else that's giving you some communication. I suppose >> I didn't didn't know if you were requesting something from me. You didn't fill out something to speak with me, so I didn't follow up on it. But I would love to speak with
054you. Honestly, I would love to speak with you and hear your your thoughts. Sure. That didn't go how I thought it was going to have to go. But thank you guys for being here. Um and I don't know how to go end this. But um >> motion to a jer. >> Yeah, this is a hard job. >> And I'm not saying it's not. I'm sure it is. You know, especially if you get some blowback. >> Sure it's not what you guys want to hear. >> But at the end of the day, I'm a parent. I live in the district and I care about my kid. Why didn't you come to me directly and ask me a question? Why post things on Facebook and tell me about things? >> You were you were um you were
055uh sending stuff to everybody and I I was just waiting see and you did. >> So I was >> I didn't see you post anything until the email that was sent and you you posted you sent me what Anthony said. >> Well, first I didn't know is it from Anthony wrote what Anthony said. >> We you know we live in the same house so you know, but I was sending it to you because you didn't get to finish because you only had the three minutes. So, I wanted you to get the whole speech so you knew what we were talking about. And I was addressing what Josh was saying because that's why we're here about the other position. We're not here about all the other stuff that happened 15 years ago. That's great. Fantastic. I'm
056glad we're where we're at. But the problem is is adding the other position. And you guys know that. You're all aware of that. >> We're all aware of it. Yeah. And as as five people on this board who are all in favor of giving support to a to a department who's underwater with a lot of >> tasks that could be handled by someone today. >> Can you please let her finish her response, please? >> Thank you. >> Welcome. >> It's it's the board's job to give support to the positions in the district, right? if operations needed somebody, if if special needs needed somebody, we would say, "What do you need? How do we need that? How how can we help them?" And we did. We provided um an extra person for um training for, you
057know, special needs last year and moved those things. Nobody said anything about that, you know, but we're we want to provide that because we want to support every department in our in our district. That's our job. So, if they're working th you know, hours overtime outside of their their scheduled time, shouldn't we get them support? Wouldn't you want support? Wouldn't you want your employer to say, "I'm underwater. I have too much I have too many clerical things to do. Can I have some help?" And your employer would say, "Yes, of course. Here's some help." That's not That's not good practice for a >> I'm not saying it's not good practice. I just think it's unnecessary. You're not going to change my mind. So, I would rather see it somewhere else and I'll I'll explore where
058I feel I mean I already told you you know we need to add teachers or but >> we don't need to add teachers because our our enrollment's getting smaller. >> Then you don't need to add another person in the treasure. >> I mean it's that >> but it's not exactly the same. It's not like a a child equals a number. >> That's not how that works. I mean, you have a district with that functions whether whether you have a thousand kids or you have 1,200 kids or you have 1400 kids at a certain level staffing level. >> Yeah. >> Right. And you're comparing us to Hudson. It's not going to work. >> Well, I just I was just consider comparing salaries. >> Okay. >> I mean, so you said Hudson I mean Hudson's only making
05910 $10,000 more than she is for Hudson. >> Okay. And Well, exactly. That's what we're talking about here. I mean, >> so what sal what salary would be okay with you? >> I I would have to see. I don't know. >> I know. I >> too much. But I don't know. >> That's fine. I could care less. I know you're trying to put me on the spot. You're not It's black and white. I You don't need another person in the office. That's That's where we're at. That's it. >> So, okay. Thank you for your comments. Thank you for being here this evening. My motion to adjurnn.