001[music] Hey. >> [music] [music] >> All right, we'll go ahead and call the meeting to order. Before we stand for the pledge, I just want to introduce our students that are going to be leading the pledge for us tonight. They're from They're all from Atinson uh Elementary. They're all in the Make a Difference Club, which is a club where students can get involved. Uh they do community work within the school, but also outside of the school. It's all different grade levels. So, it's a great way for kids to get involved and start doing some of those volunteer things. Um so, tonight we have in from the fourth grade we have Amina Brown and Jalia Carter. And then from third grade at Atinson, we have Samara Rodriguez. So, they will be leading us in the pledge.
002So, if we could all stand for the pledge of allegiance, please. I pledge aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Thank you. >> All right. Um, [clears throat] let's see. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Bloom here. Miss Layman here. Miss Lewis >> here. >> Mr. Nally >> here. >> Mr. Price >> here. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes from our regular meeting held October 27th, 2025, please? >> Some move. >> Motion by Mrs. Bloom. Could I have a second? >> Second by Miss Lewis. Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Bloom. >> Yes. >> Miss Lewis? >> Yes. >> Miss Layman? Yes. >> Mr. Ny? >> Yes. >> Mr. Price? >>
003Yes. Motion's approved. >> Uh, moving on to our legislative report. done. [clears throat] >> Uh yes, several areas to mention. Uh I think right now the most important thing is uh community our our community in general just needs to be very aware of all the legislative action that's going on in Columbus. Um, I could go on and on about um a hundred of different proposals and where they are with the Senate, where they are with the House. But, uh, I would just encourage people to whatever your source of information, if it's the newspaper, if it's social media, picking the right sites that get you good, accurate information. Um but uh just encourage people to be involved. Uh a couple of the legislative areas that uh well one's kind of a an area where I think
004we've already got that covered is uh the legislation that took talks about the master key box. They call them what bo I'm trying to think of the formal lock box that they have on each building. I believe we have that on every one of our new buildings and um probably even the administrative office. I'm guessing. And that and that's basically so that [clears throat] uh fire department if they have to go to that site, they have a key and an access to get into the building to take care of of their work. Uh, Senate Bill 50 uh talks a little bit about um students uh uh employment and it kind of plays around a little bit with the hours kids can work. Um they want to extend uh like 14 and 15 year olds where
005they could work from 7 to 9 um on certain evenings with parental approval and permission and then also the superintendent um is responsible to sign off on uh all those I guess. Do you sign off on every one of them? um >> or do you have that directed? >> Work permits, we do look at those. So, I think it would probably fall into line with that if as students make those requests, >> right? Um, the other thing that um that kind of just caught my eye in there was uh throughout the legislation and the old piece before they marked it up for some of the new pieces um it talked about child referred to the child and that's fine. But then in a couple cases they they referred to boy or girl and um jobs
006and work. And I think this day and age um you know we don't look I don't think we as a community and public look at a job and say that's only for girls, that's only for guys. And so I think that's one area that uh I'm I'm planning on kind of asking that question as to why and if that's just maybe uh something that's an oversight in that legislation. Uh the other area is uh House Bill 486 and I I have some issues with [snorts] that particular uh bill largely a big part of it. It's it's pushing uh Christianity as our uh base for our uh all of our um our society. And and I think and that's fine. Uh it's called the American Heritage Act. And uh what concerned me in there was uh
007there's so many specifics in terms of names of um uh past uh uh Christian leaders and kind of how how we got to establishing our uh society. And my concern there is I think they're being for for a legislative body, they're being more specific than I think they really should be. They should be presenting concept and then our teachers are the ones that take it to that next level. uh and through our administration [clears throat and cough] and uh you know I think we can cover those same aspects but I think uh they're being a little bit too specific. Uh the other thing that concerns me is early on in the writing of that legislation, it kind of talks about um teachers and college professors may provide information and the area that then it goes
008through that whole thing of all the seven or eight pages of legislation. the the concern I have is um there lost my train of thought. I'm sorry. Um I I'll jump ahead and see if I come back to that. Um fourth area I would want to mention would be the federal government relations webinar. uh we all had the opportunity to participate in that if we were able and that was the federal budget education funding and future of US Department of Ed webinar. Um if you weren't able to uh participate in that, we did receive an email all board members um and um and in there um it gives the full uh verbal and the the slides. Uh, so it gives the full presentation and I would just encourage everybody to look at that because I
009think that kind of [clears throat] leads us a little bit more as to what's going on at the federal level. Um the fifth area is we received the uh couple additions of that equity and adequacy over the course of the last um month or so and talking a little bit about the ed choice and basically uh how that kind of siphons dollars away from our public schools based on how our legislature uh has things set up. And uh one of the concerns there is, you know, we hear all this discussion about property taxes and, you know, getting rid of property taxes. And if the legislature was funding us the way that the courts have indicated and the way that things have been the last four to 6 years, we probably would be a little bit
010more okay. But because of siphoning off those dollars on the vouchers and giving less to the public schools, they're causing us to have a little bit more of an a dependence on property taxes. And that's definitely an issue um as things kind of move forward. Um let's see. Um, and I think that's that's all with that. And if I think of what I was going to say before, I'll come back to it under board comments. >> Okay. >> I don't know if anybody had any comments. Okay, that's all [clears throat] I have. >> Thank you. >> Uh, no walk-on items tonight. [clears throat and cough] >> Anyone would like to address the board, they can come up to the podium. Um, >> all right. Moving on to superintendent report. >> Thank you, Mr. Price. Good
011evening, board members. Miss Parker. Hope everybody had a fabulous Monday today. >> Um, just a few things to share with you this evening. Um, at your place, I provided all of you a handout front and back. Um, just an update on our safety connector project. Um and uh we're beginning to share this publicly. So I wanted to make sure that that you had a copy of that. The front side, our um TDA, our architect firm has given [clears throat] us a a visual rendition as well as on the back you can see that layout for the entirety of that project. Um so first and foremost it is a safety connector project that will allow us to safely have connection between the natorium building which has been a standalone item and our new Ross High School.
012Um you will see there that in that curved component that is the original connector um that is on the south end of that diagram that uh was originally what the plan was. Uh, and I am a true believer that that all things happen for good reason sometimes. Um, and when [clears throat] we stop and and trust the process a little bit. Um, because had we been able to build at the time that we were building Ross High School, that stretch of curve would have been all that we would have had. Um, so because we were forced by our OFCC project to pause, um, it allowed us the opportunity to really review at the local level with our in our district um, and look at our current programming and try to make those determinations as to
013what what this project could be. Um, so you'll see that we have within this safety connector project, we are adding a locker room for our girls wrestling program as well as a coaches space. Um, that female wrestling program has just taken off in the couple years since it started as a club um and now is a high school sport. And we have a lot of student athletes participating in that and doing an amazing job and it's very fun to watch. Um, >> I'll just put in a plug real quick. Ladies, if you're interested in girls wrestling, officially we start Friday night. >> We still have open mats Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we have had on open mat nights, which is not mandatory, uh, roughly 25 girls every night. So, >> Oh, wow. >> It's fantastic.
014It really is. It really is just booming and booming. Um, from seventh grade all the way up, we really see those numbers coming. So, um, as a district, we felt very confident in providing a quality space, um, for our female student athletes. Also, within there, we have a storage area for the appropriate storage of our wrestling mats. Those mats are used by both our girls and our boys wrestling teams. Um, and they're not inexpensive items. Um, they are they are weighty in size as well as in dollar amount that attach them. Um it is our belief that if we can store them more properly, we have a space for them. We take a little bit better care of them. We're going to get our dollars out of that a little bit as well. Um adding
015some public restrooms. Um adding a concession stand so which can be utilized um for many many many years. Uh our swim families that have participated in swim uh their concession stand is a table pop-up table in the corner. Um they now we will have a space dedicated for that um which I think will be outstanding as well as some lobby space because we know people stand around in between events and we need a space to to comfortably um have all of that there and then the other opportunity there is we have a multi-purpose room in that diagram. Um, we have many, many community opportunities for people to borrow uh one of our a piece of our facilities and many times clubs or organizations across our community will want a space to hold a meeting. [snorts]
016Um, sometimes that works in a classroom setting. This will give them an opportunity where they would have access to an outdoor exit. Restrooms are there. they could come in and there'll be a process um for them to potentially uh be a renter of that multi-purpose space. So, a lot in a very tight area. Um again, I will I know that we've talked about this publicly previously. Um, but I will just assure the community that the dollars for this project um are dollars that were left over from the build project um to help us meet meet this from part of the original goal from the beginning. Um I bring it up today because we are coming out of the ground so that construction work is happening. Um you can see the block coming up. It is
017so exciting to see it start to come together. Um so Mr. Anway is doing a fantastic job in representing the district. Um we are it's every bit a construction project. There's um weekly meeting and we stay on top of all of those conversations. Um we are so fortunate to have the partnership with TDA um and their connection with our longevity of knowing our buildings and knowing our district. So the aesthetically it will very much flow. Uh it will look like a just part of the building that's supposed to have been there. So I'm very very excited about that. Um we'll get this posted online in our website just so that our community can start to see a little bit of that as well. But I wanted to share that. I'm very excited about that piece.
018Um just want to also put a plug in tomorrow is our next Rosco's round table. We will be at 12:30 afternoon um at Ravas. So, so far we've had a 9:30 opportunity, a 7 pm opportunity, and tomorrow we'll have a 12:30 opportunity. Again, just varying those locations. Um, Rivas is located on the east side of town. So, that'll be different as well as the time. Um, and then lastly before we continue, I just wanted to um I know that within our entire community, uh, there's with the pause of the SNAP benefit, um, many of our families are impacted with with that. And, um, just wanted you to know that on behalf of the district, we're trying very much to stay in front of that. Uh, Mr. Boss and I participated in a communitywide um conversation
019today involving many of the organizations right here in Fremont and what that can look like. Um we have challenged all of our buildings um our staffs to uh find some creative ways to support um we do have a pantry item that we support students and um families of Fremont City Schools right here within our district. Um, so we will be continuing to to restock that and plan for that. Um, and really just a lot of conversation within our buildings. Um, we are very fortunate in the district to have counselors and social workers and building principles that know their families well. Um, and so that that's a huge piece. So, I just wanted to share that with you so that you knew that as a district um we are trying very hard to make ourselves very
020aware of individual family situations and support where we can. Okay. Thank you. >> You're okay, Mr. Price. I'll continue. >> Yep. >> Right. Thank you. Um item number one, I would ask your approval for a donation this evening from Scorta to Lutz Media Center. Can I have a motion to approve item one, please? >> So moved. >> Motion by Miss Layman. Could I have a second? >> Second by Mr. Nally. Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Miss Layman. >> Yes. >> Mr. N. >> Sorry about this. [laughter] That was the webinar I was telling you about. I'm glad you found it, [laughter] >> Mr. Nally. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Bloom. >> Yes. Miss Lewis, >> yes. Mr. Price, >> yes. Motion's approved. >> Thank you. Um, item number two, uh, approval of the contract with
021North Central Ohio Educational Center. This is specifically for our educational aiology services. Um it's an opportunity that we need to fill to meet the needs of our students and um North Central ESC is the most local option for us. >> I have a motion to approve item two, please. >> So moved. >> Motion by M Mrs. Bloom. Could I have a second? >> Second by Miss Lewis. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Bloom. >> Yes. >> Miss Lewis, >> yes. >> Miss Layman, >> yes. >> Mr. Ali, >> yes. [clears throat and cough] >> Rice, >> yes. Motion's approved. >> Thank you. Item number three begins um some staff components for us, beginning with um a few resignations. Um and I'd like to just mention Julie Valeria, uh a long-standing teacher in the
022district. She was employed in 1993. Um so very excited for her to uh come to the end of her career. Um item number four allows [clears throat] us some appointments um with a cook position and some substitute positions. Item number five, if you would please uh consider the approval of some special event workers um both for high school events and for middle school events. And we have a long list of staff and students um that are willing to help us out with that. Item number six is a very long list of um status changes. And so I'd like to just take a quick look here beginning with Renee Batty and ending with Julie Yodar. There are 24 certified teachers here that have taken the opportunity to advance their educational status. They've taken um classes and
023therefore advancing themselves on the salary schedule. Um this is a change to FEA contract language. This was originally done earlier in the school year in September and then we recently had anou that we moved that to an October date. So that's why you're seeing so many. Um but out of those 24 certified staff members right in the middle um I would like to just draw your attention to Ava Vaness who is um she's about midway on the second page and she is going to be our new accounting secretary here at FMS. Um, and I would just like to call her out a little bit because I know that in this district we celebrate the opportunities when staff find ways to advance themselves in their career and what that means for them and when they take
024advantage of extra schooling or extra opportunities and continue to work forward on the ladder. And that is Miss Vanett. So, wanted to just give her a little shout out. Um, so that takes us all the way up to Mrs. Julie Yoder at the end of that item. Please, >> can I get a motion to approve items three through six, please? >> Motion by Miss Layman. Could I have a second? >> Second by Mr. Nally. Any discussion? >> I think it's great that they all took that time to get those extra credits to further themselves. I know. I was reading through these the other night and I thought, "Wow, that's good. It's a good opportunity." >> Quite a few. >> Yeah. Mhm. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Layman, >> yes. >> Mr. Nally, >> yes.
025>> Mrs. Bloom, >> yes. >> Miss Lewis, >> yes. >> Mr. Price, >> yes. Motion's approved. >> Thank you. And finally, this this evening, item number seven, um just a unplayed paid leave there. >> Can I get a motion to approve item seven, please? >> So moved. >> Motion by Mr. Nally. Could I have a second? >> Second by Mrs. Bloom. Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Mr. Nally, [clears throat] >> yes. >> Mrs. Bloom, >> yes. >> Miss Layman, >> yes. >> Miss Lewis, >> yes. >> Mr. Price, >> yes. Motion's approved. >> All right. Moving on to report of the treasurer. >> Um, so the last week we've or [clears throat] last month we've been running through open enrollment. Marina's been working really hard to get all the employees done. We're about a
026third of We have about twothirds of the district at least, if not completed, they're in progress. So, um, that's a win. And the last third, I know she's been sending out reminders, too. So, she will get them all enrolled. So, we have a great next year insurance for our staff. Um, and I just will give this plug. If anybody is struggling and they're unsure how to do it, please contact Marina. She has been having people come in. We have some spare laptops that um she sets up and she has them come in and walks them through it on so that they're still doing it themselves, but they have the support they need. So, she's been really doing great with that. We closed October out last week and are moving right into November. Since this is
027the only meeting for this month, um we'll have October and November financials together in December for your review. And tonight on the board, just a few few quick comments on the two different items. Um that insurance repayment plan is the audit issue from fiscal 24. It does spill over a little bit into fiscal 25. So we just needed to make sure that that was spelled out clearly on the board agenda. And once we get that wrapped up, we can wrap up that audit and roll right into the next one. Um, and then for the appropriations, we just had an expense come up that we um hadn't had last year in the [clears throat] maintenance fund that when the building projects got set up, we had to move money into a facilities maintenance fund so that
028when things happen, we have money available to fix the building. So, we um had something come up. I can't tell you off the top of my head right now what it was, but uh electric. Yeah. Um that we had to do some changes with and luckily we have quite a bit of funds. We haven't really tapped too much into this fund. So, we have some money available we're going to use for that so we can stay out of general fund. And then we have some tournament expenses and um so [clears throat] we have to have some money available for that. So um if we can move on to approvals. >> Okay. >> Right. So first one um can I have a motion to approve item eight please? So move >> motion by Miss Lewis. Could
029I have [clears throat] second? >> Second by Miss Layman. Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Miss Lewis, >> yes. >> Miss Layman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Bloom, >> yes. >> Mr. Nally, >> yes. >> Mr. Price, >> yes. Motion's approved. >> And then for the last one, can I have a motion to approve item nine for the appropriations, please? >> So moved. >> Motion by Mrs. Bloom. Could I have a second? >> Second by Miss Layman. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Bloom. Yes, Miss Layman. >> Yes, >> Miss Lewis. >> Yes, >> Mr. Nally. >> Yes, >> Mr. Price. >> Yes. Motion's approved. [clears throat] >> Moving on to board member communications. Uh, Don, >> the only thing I was going to mention that is [clears throat] kind of a [cough] little
030bit of a carry on from my earlier comments and and that is with all the different districts around, you know, we hear about everybody going for levies, whether they're property or whatever. and and and I know we as a community feel, you know, we're paying our sh fair share for property taxes and our and our new buildings. But I would tell you that if if you were to do some analyzing going back probably 20 years, um our our school district has been uh pretty financially sound in terms of decisions that have been made uh be it with our board or our superintendent and treasurer. And you know, I think we're pretty fortunate. And I I just, you know, if the community wants more information regarding that, we can dig it up and provide it directly
031to you. Um, but again, I I think we're pretty fortunate. And, uh, that's all I have there. Um, just a page full of shout outs to a whole bunch of kids doing really neat things. Um, [cough] and [clears throat] doing my Facebook scroll like I do, I noticed that two students, and I maybe I've just never seen this before, but it it just struck me as really neat. Um, Malise Lee and Ashton Marseilles. Um, they coached a Wreck League little kiddo soccer team. um to an undefeated season, no less, um through the Fremont Rec Center. I just thought that was really neat because they did that during their season. Like their soccer players, they're in season and they took the time to do something that some of us as adults are like, "Yeah, no, I'm
032not coaching. I'm not." I draw the line of coaching little kiddos. Um, but I just thought that was commendable that they as students um took the took the time to do that and as student athletes um during their their season. So, shout out to both of those ladies. Um this weekend, um the Fremont Ross High School um put on Hades Town. Um that show was amazing. uh we went yesterday to to see it. The the quality of the show, the the star power of the students, I mean, they they every single one of those kiddos did an amazing job. Um so, shout out to the directors, um Julia Zucker and Delila Fouse Leing. Um, many of our football players earned NLLL honors. Um, some of them, um, we have a diverse group of football players.
033Some of them earned honors on both sides of the ball, uh, which is really neat. So, Cole Meyers earned lineman uh, player of the year. Marquez Williams, defensive player of the year. And then Kalen Brown, Mason England, Jackson Mackey, Kade Reinick, Kevin Jones, Stephen Ryder, Kaden Swint, um, and Brillan Garza all took either first or second team NLLL honors. Um, so shout out shout out to those student athletes. And then lastly, um the leadership class put on the 15th annual um Veterans Day program. Um I I appreciate that Mrs. Gallagher invites us all to to attend. Um and I always say if if you invite me, I'll come. Um uh as long as you know the schedule lines up. the the students again put together an amazing program. Um, and I think that was Ashton's
034project, >> too. Um, she just did an amazing job coordinating a wonderful event. Um, the veterans always feel honored um during that event. Um, the band uh did a wonderful job. the orchestra. There were some orchestra members there that played a couple of pieces. So, um that was that was a wonderful networking event, too, for a lot of local veterans to get together and and uh be able to to chat. So, shout out to all all of our students this week. >> Laura, yes. Um I was going to touch on something that Denise was talking about earlier is a food. So, they're having a food drive this Friday at Kroger >> and um it's basically just a pack the truck. It's from 10A to 6P. And you know, I just want to encourage everybody in
035the community that can give, just give because like Don was talking about, I mean, the the issues going on with the, you know, the food stamp issues and it's just affecting a lot of people. It's affecting our seniors. They're on fixed incomes. this affecting our families which affects the kids. I mean it's just affecting everybody across the board. So yeah, they're having an event on Friday at Kroger's and you know if you can just give this is if if you're ever looking for things to do and to just contribute, this is a good opportunity to do it. Maybe you can give all the items for a whole turkey dinner for a family. I mean, it's whatever you can afford. And then, who knows how many people that we can affect by this and help. And
036wouldn't that be awesome if there was so many supplies in that truck that they couldn't even put any more in it? I mean, seriously, it helps the local banks, the Pontif effects, and I forget who else. But, um, at any rate, I know there's a lot of need out there, so I'm going to do the best that I can, and I hope everybody else does, too. Um, well, thank you to the girls from the Make a Difference Club. My grandson does that. He did it at Lutz and he's doing it at Krogan. He loves it. He thinks it's he loves it. He's in an art club. I don't know. Kids picked 15 different things. I think it's great that they have opportunities to do stuff like that in the grade school levels even because just
037you don't ever think of grade school kids doing stuff like that. But >> and all the and the two retirements, congratulations to them. It's always good when you can give up and go home and not have to come into work. [laughter] So, I don't know. I'm looking forward to that day someday. But that's all I have. >> Um, thank you also to the three girls that came in to lead the pledge. That's always a a fun thing each board meeting to meet some new students from around the district and different clubs that they're in now and different things like that. So, it's it's uh cool to see what's going on and everything. Um winter sports, all of a sudden winter's here. It's cold outside. >> Um winter sports are around the corner. So, basketball games,
038wrestling matches, um swim meets, all that fun stuff. Here we go. Um we have a band concert going on right now at the middle school. So, there's always something happening at one of our schools somewhere. I know Otis just had their family fun night on Saturday. So, um, community members, if you're looking for something, there's probably always something going on just about at one of our buildings somewhere. >> And just to piggyback on that, Mr. Price, we work really hard to keep that district uh calendar online on our website up to date. So, sometimes dates do change um or get something items that might get added. Um, so if community members want to check us out, that is the best place to go. >> Yep. Go straight to the website. You can see a calendar
039of everything. So, um, great place to go. Um, last message is just something that we all kind of talk about at different points when it especially when it hit home hits home, but um, especially for students, but this goes for adults also. And if you're finding yourself in that dark place or if you're finding yourself in a hole and you don't think you get out of it, please, please, please talk to somebody. There is someone around that is going to listen that will help you. Um, don't keep it bottled in. Do something. Find someone to talk to. Even if it's a friend, another student, whatever it is. Um, we're all there for there's going to be someone that cares. Maybe you think there's no hope. Um, there always is. There is someone. Find a teacher,
040find a coach, whatever it is. Um, someone is there to help for sure. So, um, no reason for executive session tonight. Okay. With that, could I have a motion for adjournment, please? It's a motion. >> Motion by Mrs. Bloom. Could I have a second? >> Second by Mr. Nally. Any discussion? >> Happy Thanksgiving, everybody. >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, that's right. This is our only board meeting for the month. So, >> and us. >> We'll see you in December. Yikes. >> And if I remember what I was going to say earlier, I'll come to the next meeting. [laughter] >> All right. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Bloom. Yes. Mr. Nally, >> yes. >> Miss Layman, >> yes. >> Miss Lewis, >> yes. >> Mr. Price, >> yes. [clears throat] Motions approved. Meetings adjourned. [music]