001Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Okay. [Music] Hello. [Music] There you go. [Music] Mushroom. [Music] Not bad. [Music] Good evening. Welcome to the board of education. Tonight is Monday, June 16th. Previously, the board met in executive session uh for consideration of the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of an employee or official or the investigation of charges or complaints against an employee, official, lency, or student unless the employee, official, lency, or student requests a public hearing and for consideration of the purchase of property for public purposes or the sale of property at competitive bidding and for conference with the board's attorney to discuss matters that are subject of pending or imminent court action. We are we are now returning to public se session and I would ask if you would join me
002in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Next we'll move on to the adoption of the agenda. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Mr. Zman, can you call the role? Mr. Kenberger. I. Miss Shaughnessy. Hi. Mr. Callahan. Hi. Miss Dman. I. Thank you. Thank you. Next. Uh, we have the approval of the minutes. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? I. I. Thank you. And now we'll move on to the superintendent report. Good evening again, President Katsburgger, Vice President Shaughnessy, distinguished board members, Mr. Zean. It is my pleasure to invite to
003the podium Jacob Green, our supervisor of nutrition services, and he will be giving his annual report. Let's see. All right. How's it going everybody? Thank you for having me. Um, as mentioned, my name is Jacob. I'm the supervisor of nutrition services here at Lakewood City Schools. Uh, so for starters, Lakewood City Schools, we participate in the National School Lunch Program and the National School Breakfast Program. Uh, it's the nation's second largest nutrition assistance program. And as you can see some numbers on the screen here. I'm proud to say that during this school year, we served 284,644 reimburseable lunches and 53,155 reimburseable breakfast during this year. So, it's a lot of food that we fed these kids. So, I'm proud of that. Um, with participating in these programs, we have to adhere to strict guidelines. Um
004there's a lot more rules and I think people understand in these programs and all the different uh nutritional guidelines and requirements that we have to follow. Um but with these rules there are some uh nutrition standards that are set in place and there's actually some new nutrition standards that have been um put forth that anybody who participates in these programs needs to adhere to in the coming years. uh this will require us to adjust our menu slightly and it will also require the manufacturers of these food products to adjust their formulations. Um so for here for instance this is a nice little infographic that sort of describes what some of the changes were and what some of the kind of timeline is. So as you can see starting for um next school year we have
005added sugars is going to be reduced a little bit more in some of the cereals, yogurts and milk products. Um, and then as you continue later down the road, they're actually going to be reducing uh the amounts of added sugars and sodium to the weekly average for the uh lunch and the breakfast programs. So, they're trying to make the menus and the meals a little bit healthier over time. Uh, so just a heads up that that is uh what the government's looking to do. As a yearly reminder, this program relies on making sure that we get as many people as possible uh certified for the benefits that they may be entitled to. So, there is the yearly free and reduced meal application. So, this is where families can apply and see if they are eligible
006to receive meals either at no cost, reduced rate, or if they need to pay full price for the meals. Um, we have a convenient online application through paychool central and that's our preferred method, but we also have paper applications. is available as well if anybody is interested. Um, I can say over the past couple of years that I've been here, uh, Julie Bartell, the assistant supervisor, she joined me at the same time, uh, she does an amazing job at getting people certified as quickly as possible whenever she gets an application in, uh, pretty much same day she can get them into the system. And I've heard a lot of compliments um, in regards to how quickly Julie is able to get these people their benefits. Um, so I'm really happy to have her on the
007team and making sure that we get people the benefits that they're entitled to. Um, one thing that I do want to comment on is for the past two years, the state of Ohio was actually covering the cost of the reduced students. So, typically they pay 40 cents for their lunches, but Ohio was covering that cost. So, we didn't need to charge anybody who was a reduced student over the past two years. For this coming year, um, that has not been yet determined on whether or not that's going to be the case. So, I reached out to my program specialist um and she says that she doesn't know the answer yet. And hopefully they're going to know by July 1st is when the governor is supposed to uh make a call on that apparently. But unfortunately,
008right now we're not sure whether or not they're going to be uh responsible for paying those meals. uh just some improvements that I've made as far as uh how I'm running the program now that I'm getting into I think I'm starting my fourth year now which is kind of crazy to say but uh so just some more kind of just day-to-day logistics making sure that I'm improving some of the uh the processes that we have something as simple as this uh field trip launch form that I got here on the screen I got an example of the old one that was used from the previous administration and then one that I uh recently uh adjusted it over to And the reason why I make some of these changes that I just find that uh just
009to make sure that we go back and um make sure everybody's on the same page as far as how we're supposed to go about um improving our communication and making sure that everybody knows what's going on. Um you know, just updating some of these processes seems to provide some added clarity to the people who I work with and makes the process just smoother for everybody so that we can, you know, focus on the ultimate goal of feeding the kids. Uh, one of the things that I'm proud of of this school year was we did apply for and we did receive the Grow Ohio grant. Uh, so a Grow Ohio grant is basically a USDA funded grant that connects schools with local food and agriculture. Uh, its main sort of goal is to increase local foods
010in the schools and provide agricultural education. Um, I want to say thank you to a couple people who helped out with this process. We got Dr. Palumbo who I believe is in the room. Uh, she helped out with this tremendously. Mrs. Hickey over at Harrison and Sabrina Crawford. Uh but essentially we received this Grow Ohio grants at for Harrison Elementary School and these funds allowed us to continue to support the school garden that they have outside uh which was already there in place before we applied. Um but it allowed us to purchase what you see on screen right now which is a hydroponic growing tower. We got this from a company called Fork Farms. It is called a flex farm and it is a what it looks like it's a hydroponic growing tower that we
011keep in the cafeteria over at Harrison. And within purchasing this these students um it comes with a curriculum package as well. So the students get to learn about everything involved with, you know, plant science and how to grow these plants. Then they're involved with it with Mrs. Hickeyy's class. She's having them engage in actually planting these items. So they're learning the whole process of what it takes to, you know, grow these plants. And then once the finished product is done, they've actually passed on a lot of the produce to us in nutrition services and we've incorporated in some of our meals. Um, so it's sort of a real full circle moment for them to sort of see the food that they're, you know, growing, learning about it, and then finally eventually getting to taste it.
012Speaking of tasting, we held a really fun event. This was a um sort of a taste test event with a local nonprofit called Feed Our Future, which has a goal, which you can kind of probably ascertain from its name. They're trying to feed the the youth, trying to improve the quality of the nutrition that they're receiving and improving their nutrition education. So, they came out, they helped support us by hosting this uh taste testing event. That lettuce that you see on screen is actually from that hydroponic growing tower. So, they grew that lettuce and then they got to taste it. Uh I made a house Harrison vinegrett that some of the kids liked, but it was a little bit vinegary for some of them. So, we also had ranch on the side, of course. Um,
013and then we asked Munch the Fox come out who is the ODW. Um, he is the mascot that they actually have for the state of Ohio. He comes out for all the different school nutrition programs. Whenever they're presenting something cool, he comes out, interacts with the kids. Um, and I think somewhere roaming around there's a video of me and Mrs. Crawford doing the moonwalk at some point with Munch the Fox. So, I don't know if that's still out there in the open, but it it's there. Uh, continuation of summer EBT. This was a program that started last year and basically they're giving uh electronic benefits to those who are eligible for free and reduced meals. So any eligible household is eligible to receive $120 per child to use for food expenses over the summer. Um
014so it's a continuation of something that started last year. Julie basically compiles a whole list of everybody who's eligible, sends it off, and then these cards are sent to the families in the mail. Uh so they actually don't need to do anything. They don't need to apply. As long as they're uh eligible to receive these benefits, they'll be automatically submitted. Um so, you know, we have our contact number for anybody who's interested in learning about it. But it seems that a lot of people um you know, are are going to be receiving their benefits since they did it last year. I went on some pretty cool trips this year um that help sort of support my goal of furthering educating myself that I can best support all the students here at Lakewood City Schools. Um
015the one big event that I went to that was really interesting was I got the opportunity to attend LAC or Legislative Action Conference. And this is an events in Washington DC. Um basically school nutrition directors, vendors, everybody who's involved in the uh the activities of feeding children. They come to this event in Washington DC once a year where essentially we advocate for school nutrition. Um this year in particular, there was a lot of things that they're looking to cut funding for and we're basically there to try and advocate why this funding is important for us to maintain it. Um I was actually able to go there with some of it paid for by a scholarship from the um local food service director uh group that I attend quarterly meetings to. Then of course with the
016support of Lakewood City Schools. So I was really happy to go there uh get to talk to some of the representatives and sort of just advocate for why these meals are important for these kids. Um, and then just recently this past week, I go to this every year. This is a great event, SNA of Ohio. It's in Columbus. Uh, changes throughout the state of Ohio depending on the year. Um, but I was there this year. Had a great time. Learned a lot of really fun stuff. Like I said, there's a lot of stuff involved in these programs. There's actually a lot of changes that happen. So, it's really important for me to stay up to date and also just network with other people because I get to network with these other directors from all over
017the state. Then I get to call them on the phone and ask them questions whenever I have them. So to have that support system is really important. Bounce ideas off each other. It's been really beneficial. Um I also received a scholarship there. So I got a picture up there of it. Um that was for me to be able to take what's called the school nutrition specialist examination. It's through the school nutrition association of Ohio. Um just another way to me to educate myself and just to make sure that I'm up to date on everything I need to do. Uh this year we were randomly selected to participate in the National School of Food Study. So schools throughout the country were randomly selected for this mandatory study and within their selection they had to um provide
018a whole bunch of information about how the program runs. It involved a 3-day in-person observation of breakfast and lunch. So I was accompanying these researchers for the ETS. Uh you know they had interviews with principles with the treasury departments and the whole purpose of this study was for them to find the true cost of producing these school meals. Um, so it was a lot of work admittingly, but it's for an important purpose of them really figuring out how much does it cost to produce these meals so that when they're having conversations of, you know, reducing funding, they have solid data to back up why maybe we shouldn't be doing that. And that's all I got. Uh, I just want to thank everybody for the great school year. Um, and you know, I'm just happy to
019be here and hoping that we got more years uh coming ahead of some good stuff. So, thank you. Any questions? Yeah, any questions? Um, I just wondered, congratulations first of all on your scholarship. Thank you. And I'm really happy that you put the effort into the USDA study because we have to do everything we can to try to maintain Yes. what kids need. Um, have you noticed any difference in the um, $120 per child summer um, allocation increase or decrease from previous years in people applying? As far as I know, it's the same as last year and I haven't really heard any um, talks of that being changed in any way. Okay, thanks. First of all, I can't believe it's been four years. All right, that's insane. Seems like only yesterday. Um, we were we
020had the pleasure of being at Harrison in the wintertime and they pulled out their uh hydroponic lettuce and it was amazing. They gave us each little packages of herbs to take home which is super cool. um with the um the hydroponic gardens, is that a renewable grant or do they just get that equipment and they can kind of maintain it? And is that something that is something the other elementaryaries can apply for or is that just specific to Harrison? Yeah, I believe it's it's not a renewable grant as in there won't be, you know, funds continuously over the years um sort of for whatever your goal was to fund whatever that purpose was. Uh, but I know that they're doing Grow Ohio grants like there was another round that opened up recently. So hopefully that's
021here to stay and hopefully, you know, schools can apply on a year-to-year basis for whatever uh goals they're trying to achieve. Um, that's good to know. Yeah. So, is Orange Chicken still the favorite or did you come up with theme? Um, so I got some ideas for next school year. I I don't I don't want to spoil it and say what's coming out, but I think Orange Chicken is up there for sure. Excellent. Well, you know what? It it is hard to believe it's been four years, but every year you top yourself. Like, you've really done an amazing job just even interacting with our students and asking them and seeing what their likes are today versus 10, 20, 30 years ago. So, super appreciate you and thank you for all you do and have a
022wonderful summer. Yeah. Thank you so much. I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] Next, I'd like to invite up to the podium uh from Regency, Scott, Mr. Scott Wagner. Thank you. Good evening. Nice to see everyone again. Uh it's been a couple months since our last update, so I want to give you another update on the progress of our construction project. Uh making good progress uh so far. So, we'll start with the Franklin School of Opportunity scope. Um, walking through these are photos of a lot of the uh data finishes. So, we're we're in a lot of the finishes stages uh on the inside. So, a lot of your um light switches and and lighting controls and whatnot. Um as well as uh you know, some of the alarm systems um and low voltage
023as as we're moving through. Uh all the ceilings were in the lighting uh exit signs. So all the cable trays with all the data cabling. Um so we're ready for the um next steps to finish and close that up, which I'll get to here in a moment. Uh all the fire alarm has been installed and tested. So that's another uh huge step um passing that for life safety inspections. And then the little circle on the right is the uh fire suppression system in the ceilings. all the case work and countertops have been installed uh throughout as well. Um so that's beginning to get finished. Um as we move through, uh we had some infill of the exterior uh brick, so that's completed. Um remember we had the cutins of some of the the vents, so
024that those were installed. So this was closing in some of the other areas um in a doorway. The new doors are installed up front um for all the aluminum doors. Um so that's secure and and and looks the same as the other doors, you know, coming into the building. uh for the MEMS uh upstairs, we have all the HBAC units installed uh for that program uh not only uh on the the roof uh but also down below for the the condensing units as well as air handling units. Uh so we had to do um additional steel support to support those units up on the roof, but also make penetrations in the roof and and tile that back in for those units um for the space. Um all the interior uh glass is completed. Um first
025coat of paint is done there as well. Um as all the above ceiling uh mechanical uh work uh the ceiling grids um so that's ready for all the the lights and um getting the pads and the the final inspections there uh above the ceiling. Um so you can see all the piping and the new um the blue cabling is all the data cabling uh for the space as well. Uh and the welding addition um all the we're running a lot of the electrical so all the uh new welding equipment has a lot of electrical so all those runs are being installed as well as uh you'll see a lot of the duck work. So that's not only the HVAC but also for the uh fume extraction for the welding equipment is being installed as well.
026Uh so that's photos of of those systems as well as all the um uh gases and gas pipe. So that's a better view of a lot of the the fume extraction. Uh this is by the overhead uh door. So that's the installation of a trench drain. Um this is kind of an over overall look down into the um welding lab. more. This is for the HVAC system. And all the blue is to cover all the openings where the diffusers will go so that no dust gets into the um into the duck work during construction. So, it's an extra layer of added protection. Um that's pouring the concrete around that trench drain that we just saw. Um these are the stairs that go up to the second floor. So, that's concrete uh panned. Uh all the
027the red will be painted. Uh but those are all filled with concrete so it's a level surface. Um this is the um welding gases that are are starting to be installed as well as the um fire suppression system. Um and all the coiled up is is for a lot of the electrical that goes down to the fume hoods. Um you see the walls are being painted here and also the the ceiling is painted in this picture. Uh so that's uh being completed as well. Uh this is one of the offices with the paint and above ceiling work completed. Um another view of the uh painting and the HVAC installed. Uh these are the uh welding booths themselves. Uh so after we painted those are are ready to to be installed. Then the welding equipment will
028be installed following that. Um some of the gas pipe is coming down the the walls to be connected into those uh the welding booths. Another photo of that similar piece uh the roof. Um so last time we gave the update, we're still getting the a lot of the steel on the roof, but now all that's installed and and all the roofing itself is installed. So everything's dried in. Uh that's just a photo of some of the progress as it was happening to get materials up there. And looking ahead uh from where we are the rest of June and into July for the welding edition. So we'll complete the fume extractor equipment system and the welding booth installation with the gas pipe. Complete all the HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire alarm, and fire um suppression systems. complete
029the ceiling installations and the the offices and the classrooms and those ancillary spaces. The actually welding lab itself has just the exposed ceiling. That's why that was painted. Uh we do have a small elevator that'll be installed um to get to that second floor and complete the painting. uh in the MEMS. Um so we have additional floor prep and then installing the flooring uh both in MEMS and Franklin School of Opportunity. We ran into uh some additional floor prep that's uh was required. So that's delaying us a little bit on our schedule, but we're still uh projected to complete that early August um time frame. Uh we'll be installing the case work. Um then on the doors and hardware uh ceiling installation of the HVAC grills, lights and fire suppression and the fire alarm. Uh
030do the final paint. We have uh first coat installed and then there's a window film that's also installed for the MEMS program. So that'll go on all the glass and we'll complete all the HVAC uh system hookups and controls um for FSO. Uh we have the overhead inspections to complete um which we've already had um and those are complete. So we're starting the ceiling tile installation. Uh the doors and hardware will be uh installed. Uh as I mentioned, we'll have some additional floor prep in some areas. Uh all the fire alarm devices uh have been installed and tested uh last week. Uh HVAC startup then ready for the loose furnishings, which is all the desks and whatnot. and and the final paint as well. Um and then additionally over the summer we have the building
031D which is um next to the welding edition. There's just a little bit of uh floor ab which is uh being completed now and then some of the locker room and restroom renovations with new lockers and and um toilet partitions and such. So um that's scheduled to be done over the next couple months as well. So with that, I'll open it up to any questions you may have. So both of these both welding and MEMS have special air handling program. Yeah, for the programs. Um so the uh welding edition because it's an addition needs its own air handling um units and and conditionings. Um but they also have the fume extraction. So, as they're welding, that'll take any of the the welding fumes out to um a separate piece of equipment that'll um is designed
032to pull out any of those fumes as as that's happening. And then the MEMS needed um the additional um heating and cooling units uh to support that program and the functions uh to simulate the um the program. And do you anticipate that everything's going to be ready um when school starts? Yes. or hopefully a few days before school. Absolutely. Okay. Teachers will have time to set up their rooms. Yep. It'll be done for for school. And these are two new programs. And do you want to share how they're doing in terms of student interest? Superintendent is two new programs, MEMS and the welding are both full already. So, this is a great excuse me, great opportunity for our students and um you know, the work that went into writing the grant. So, just as a
033reminder, this was a $5.7 million grant we received and uh in order to be able to provide these opportunities for our students. So, we're super excited for them. The kids are super excited. We've had a lot of adults say they wish they could join and um go through the classwork, but this is a great opportunity for our high school students. Super proud of them. That's great. Can I just say I just want to remind people that the also the grants went through because a lot of thinking had already been done about what programs we wanted and then the state came in with a very short timeline and because um the excellent people in administration had planned ahead. We were able to get these two and I think Ohio or Lakewood was the only school that
034got both in Ohio or one. That is correct. And we were the only ones I believe to receive mems in the state of Ohio. So really excited. So compliments to all the folks at the high school career tech. Exciting stuff. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate your time. Sure thing. Thank you. Thank you. And next, I'd like to invite up to the podium our assistant director for Barntormers. It was an amazing year. We're so excited for you to share some of these highlights, Mr. Dominic Finelli Martinez. Thank you for spending some summer with us. Yeah, I'm just back from Orlando, so this is just as fun. So, I'm super proud of our students. Um, I have two of them with me today, uh, Bridget Katzenberger and Veronica Alli, uh, who are both
035part of the musical. Uh, we just won the Dazzle Award for best musical. [Applause] Uh, for those who are unfamiliar, the Dazzlers are kind of like the Cleveland Area Tony Awards. So, we competed against about 30 other schools. Um, and we were nominated alongside two others. At the ceremony, we got to see a little snippet of each of the other plays on the Playhouse Square stage and it was very competitive. They were all wonderful, but uh we got to close out the first act of the show with our students performing one day more. Um which I mean I I cried, I screamed, it was really embarrassing and then I did it again when uh when we won. So I'm just super grateful to all of the kids. Um obviously, you know, this is also on
036behalf of the rest of the production team. um Carolyn Demanalis, Raina Brooks, Mike Dandrin, Freddy Hill could not be here today, but they put in countless hours. Um and then if you added up everything that we did, um it was nowhere near what the kids put in. You know, they were rehearsing for three months every single day of the week. Um sometimes three hours a night. Uh the kids in the pit orchestra are the only people in the entire production who did not get a break in the entire performance. They played from start to finish. We had kids on crew who are painting and who were calling all the cues. Um so it's just really a testament to uh this tradition of excellence that we have in Liquid City Schools for the performing arts. So
037just on behalf of the whole performing arts team, we're super grateful for the award. Um it's wonderful to be recognized today. Thank you so much for that. Um and then just, you know, on a personal note, I just am so lucky that I get to do my dream job every single day. So thank you all so much. Thank you. Well, on behalf of the board, we'd like to give the Barntormers this recognition and uh congratulations. I I laughed and I cried as well was there when you guys won and performed. It was really amazing and and I think my ears might still be ringing from all the screaming in the state theater. Lots of theater. Um we did have a picture. Did you want to take a picture? Sure. Sure. Veronica, where would you like
038I think by the backdrop is the usual. Yes. [Applause] Now, what are you going to do next year? Yeah, topic. You know when I find out. Excellent. How do you tough that? Well, really congratulations again. You're right. It takes, you know, all of those individuals that you mentioned um those groups of individuals to to take on that load and it's amazing and and thank you to our kids because they they do that to to work on that three hours, four hours a day with all their studies is amazing. So, appreciate all of you. And finally, I would like to toss the mic over to Mr. Zean. I believe you may have some financial update or Sure. I just wanted to give the board an update regarding the state budget process. So last week the Senate
039passed the ominous amendment um of House Bill 96 and then the House um did not concur with it which we expected. So what happens there is now the Senate and House go to conference committee. So, three representatives from the Senate, um, two represent or three representatives from the House come together. They're working this week to work out the differences. And so, what what the process entails is there was the governor's budget, then House Bill 96, and then the Senate ominous amendment to House Bill 96. If there were no recommendations in either of those three things, then there's not brought up in conference committee. If there were some things that were brought up in the House but not in the Senate, that could be part of conference committee discussions and vice versa with the Senate and
040the House. If if they none of them concurred with any of the governor's items in the House or Senate, those are not part of the conference committee. Just to kind of give you an idea of what those things are. So, it's a long it's a process. Um they anticipate to have a conference committee um end by either the end of this week or early next week um to go to vote for both the houses um and then to the governor for signature. Just want to give you a couple updates. Again, some of these the majority of these are regarded school finance. Um but there's numerous changes in regards to education um policy as well. So just want to kind of give you that as well. Um so again school funding is you know a tadamount
041to the the discussion whether it's the continuing implementation of the fair school funding plan or as the house proposes bridge funding. So those things will be discussed uh property tax provisions we we recognize the state is trying to address um property taxes. However their their attempt to do so on the back of public education um we we are trying to make sure that they keep us out of that discussion uh as well as the cash balance. You heard me talk about the cash balance policy as well. So the house had a 30%, the state came back at a 50%. Both of those still had it going to the the budget commission for determination on how to best handle that. Uh we we feel that that if they are going to move forward with some sort
042of cash balance policy, it's better off with the department of education and workforce versus a local elected budget commission. Um in addition to that, so all those things are going on with bannual budget, right? So, House Bill 96, the Senate ominous budget. What came out last week was something called House Bill 335. House Bill 335 was taking all of in essence the property tax reforms that have been discussed in calendar year 2024 and put them all into one bill. Um, so many implications regards to the passage of levies requiring a 60% approval rate versus a 50% approval rate. Um, taking this the portion of unvoted millage. So again, when schools, cities, any of governmental subdivision was initially formed about 130 years ago, there was 10 mills of unvoted millage that was, you know, broken out
043between those three. Lakewood City Schools roughly receives 5.03 mills of that. So not roughly exactly. Uh there in this House Bill 335, there's a proposal to get rid of that inside millage proposal. So in essence, that those that 5.03 mills would go away, which for Lakewood schools is about $8.5 million on an annual basis. So again, these are things that are very concerning. Um, but one of the things and and I'll be down at in Columbus on Wednesday testifying in front of the House Ways and Means Committee regarding these things, but um, and here's a little snippet of of my testimony, but what what we all want to remember is the implications of whether it's the budget process or House Bill 335 extends far beyond balance sheets. you know, far beyond the pluses and minuses
044and the cash balances, you know, directly affect the educational experiences of our of our students, of our community and the anticipated loss of nearly potentially and at the statewide level over 20,000 jobs could be lost based upon the estimate of what those inside millage roll back could potentially be. In Lakewood City Schools, 85 8.5 million would be, you know, close to 100 employees in order to try and make up that budget deficit. um that's going to impact the student experience. It's going to impact the community. It's going to impact how schools move forward. And again, with a cash balance policy and not being able to approve a levy, right, for to build up a cash balance. So then we're getting thrown a bunch of different, you know, curve balls in regards to this. So, our
045goal um on Wednesday, my goal is to go down to, you know, plead the case, understand the issues that are addressing at the state level um and understanding that there needs to be some property tax reform. We understand that, but again, don't put it on the back of public education. One of the uh components of the inside mill, I just want to touch on that is that just impacting schools. Again, cities, um libraries, all of them have a component of that inside mill. So, they would be impacted by this as well. Um so we are getting some support from those other agencies in regards to you know defending that 10 mill implementation. So more to come. Any questions going down there? Early on there was the concern about that 60% capacity that is off the
046table for now. So no in regards to the uh the Senate proposal um they did have a capacity uh part of their discussion. It's a little different than what the governor had proposed. Um it goes it looks at the the total enrollment from a 10-year back the highest enrollment for 10 years and then what the current enrollment is to to do the test. Um in addition to that, I'm glad you asked the question. They also implemented the governor's proposal in regards to the sale of or of of used property or unused buildings. Um that could potentially impact uh districts and those facilities as well and how they would first need to be offered. So the um the cash balance the 30% or 50% the even though they're kind of uh promoting this as a tax
047credit, it's basically taking um money that the local districts have voted to give their schools and taking it back. Correct. And so, um, is that a new development that people should be aware of that there's, you know, the state is getting involved in local funding of their schools? Without a doubt that voted on. And again, if I could, um, you know, I'll just go to, you know, the call to action um that came out from not only my association, but the school administrators most association as well as the school board's association. Um, we need to be engaged. We need to reach out. We The time of writing letters is gone. We need to be making phone calls. We need to be reaching out directly to our representatives, whether it's um Senator Antonio or Representative Rder.
048Um but also the you know the six members I'm going to mention here. Um so from the House it's it's Brian Stewart um Michael Dilla and Representative uh Rose Bride Rose Sweeney. And then from the Ohio Senate, we've got Jerry Serino, uh, Brian Chavez, and Paula Hicks Hudson are the representatives on conference committee. They need to be hearing directly from our communities, um, our stakeholders, letting them know um, where they stand on these policies. I I know I recently saw a comment from uh Senator Antonio that says that even though it might seem feudal uh because of the makeup of the legislature that uh senators can add amendments, there's a lot of different ways they can try and affect the policy so that those phone calls can actually be very effective, but also to the
049conference committee that those that's a good way to to express your opinion. So yeah. Well, it looks like rural areas also are going to be impacted by this. So, I think universally across Ohio, these kind of changes affect Yeah, there there's um constitutional issues we we believe with some of these things as well. Um however, we need to continue to be a voice, right? And I'm again, you've heard me say it at a couple other board meetings. I'm I'm not the naysayer. I'm at the chicken little sky is falling. But this is without a doubt the most um targeted attack on public education I've experienced in my 30 years in this profession. It doesn't mean all these things will come to fruition, right? But if we don't talk, if we don't come to action, a
050lot of these could and that would impact, you know, not only Lakewood City Schools, but the community as a whole. So it's choking off to be honest. It's cutting the oxygen to schools because even when we talked about the music program, we talked about all these sorts of things that require financial support to do these that are critical to our kids. It's just slowly getting them in advice and we're not going to have any ability. It's reading, writing, arithmetic is going to be the new call for Ohio and it's obscene in my view. Those definitely could see some implications of that. Well, sorry wasn't as exciting as the barnmer's presentation, but um it is a good play for this year. To be honest, I don't think come back and sing a little. All right. Thank
051you. Yeah. Thank you. And that concludes the superintendent's report. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Um, any of my fellow board members have any comments? Not tonight. I've made mine. All right. I know that uh a lot of our students are working for the wreck and other places in the summer. So, wish them luck and everybody's safety as they're participating in our programs. Um, and uh, yeah, I think that that's and and thank you to all our administrators, you know, our nutrition services person. There's a lot of people doing a lot of work over the summer to get things ready for the upcoming school year. It goes by like that, but there's a lot of people working really hard, so thank you to them. Um, that work doesn't stop. So, um that being said, um
052the folks that are here for uh uh their the fun stuff, um are welcome to stick around for the rest of the meeting, but if you'd like to carry on with your evening elsewhere, you're welcome to do so. We'll take a little bit of a moment to let you go. Flee. Um Um Yes. My family abandons me. I thought maybe they were going to stick around. I know. I know. You think I will call you. You can sit in the front row and wait though. Thank you. Okay. Um, everybody good? Okay, now then we'll move on to public comment and I believe you're correct, sir. Gabriel Cooper, please. Uh, before I I didn't do my usual spiel. You have three minutes. Uh, I will cut you off after three minutes as I do with everybody
053who comes up. Um, so please limit your comments to that and state your name and your street of residence in Lakewood. And um I think that's about it. So thank you. Okay. Thanks. My name is Gabriel Cooper Sloan Avenue. Um my daughter will begin kindergarten in Lakewood this fall and my son will follow her in two years. Studies have shown that smaller schools are better environments in which to learn. The decline in enrollment we've seen in Lakewood schools over the past decade can in this light be seen as a positive development, not solely as a demographic cliff or as justification to close schools, particularly because trends can and do reverse themselves. In addition, studies show that walking to school improves children's academic performance and contributes to their psychological well-being. If routes to schools become longer
054for many Lakewood families, the routes will likely be perceived as less safe and parents will be less inclined to allow their children to walk. Do we intend to sacrifice the learning and mental health benefits our schools provide as a means to reduce costs? When I attended the kindergarten parent information session earlier this year, I felt warmly welcomed by teachers, staff, and administrators into the community that is Lakewood City Schools. What creates that warmth? You might answer that it's mainly the bonds children make with their peers and teachers and by extension the connections that families make with each other. A school brings neighbors together in a way that not many other things can. But when you consolidate, you separate. To summarize, according to the current literature, which I trust, the best school size is smaller and
055the best school locations are those easily accessible for children on foot. If our schools are on the smaller side and are already easy to walk to, why give them up for something less than ideal? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now we'll move on to our cons consent agenda. Um, do I have a motion to accept to pass this consent agenda? So moved. Second. Mr. Zan, can you call the role? Miss Casberger. Hi. Miss Shaughnessy. I. Mr. Callahan. Hi. Mrs. Dman. Hi. Thank you. And we will move on to the human resources report. Thank you very much. I have um I believe I can combine the certified, classified, and community wreck resolutions, right, Mr. Zean? Yes. Okay. Um so the first is a resolution uh regarding certified classified and community recreation and education positions and
056I move adoption in the resolution. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Uh all in favor? Yeah. All in favor? I. Moving right along. Uh the next is a resolution to approve addendum to the master service agreement between the Lakewood Board of Education and the Ohio Substitute Teacher Services Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio. And I move adoption of the resolution. Second. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? I I sorry. Next is a resolution to approve the agenda to the master service agreement between the Lakewood Board of Education and RA Rachel Wixie and Associates Dedicated School Staffing and I move adoption in the resolution. Second. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? I. Next item is approval of the revised administrative team benefit package. I move adoption of the resolution. Second. It's been
057moved and seconded. All in favor? I I and the last item here is approval of the revised 12 month nonrepresented benefit book and I move adoption of the resolution. Second. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? I I believe that concludes this part of HR. Thank you. Moving on to other board business. The first item, Mrs. Shaughnessy. Oh, what's the second one? Um, I was thinking we had policy. Um, the first item is a request requesting approval on one reading. It there are resignations for the purpose of retirement. Two resignations. So, I move adoption on one reading. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Mr. Zean, can you call the role? Uh, Mrs. Cassburgger. Hi. Mr. Sonosy. Hi. Mr. Callahan. Hi. Mrs. Dman. Hi. Thank you. Uh the next item is uh request requesting also
058approval on one reading uh five resignations and I'm for classified employees and I move adoption of this resolution. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Mr. Zean, can you call the role? Mrs. Kenberger. Hi. Mr. Sonosy. I. Mr. Callahan. Hi. Mrs. Dman. Hi. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Uh next we move on to policy which is me. Um, a request on run request approval on one reading a resolution to adopt a policy of the Lakewood City Schools Board of Education. Uh, pursuant to policy 9140.01, the superintendent has established a board policy review committee who has reviewed all suggested revisions contained in this report. In addition, these revisions have also been reviewed by the superintendent, treasurer, cabinet members, and the NE any consultant. Um, I uh request approval. I move that we pass this. Thank you.
059Mr. Zman, can you call the role? Miss Ginsburgger. Hi. Miss Shaughnessy. I. Mr. Callahan. Hi. Mrs. D. Hi. Thank you. Next uh item is Mr. Callahan. Forgive me. I'm having a technical difficulty here. We are on other board business. Item four. Is that correct? Yes. Security test services here. I've got it. I'm good. Thank you. Um, so we have before us a resolution to approve the agreement between the Lakewood Board of Education and Securitas Security Services USA Incorporated. Uh, this is being requested of us on one reading, thus a roll call vote. Superintendent recommends approval of a one-year agreement with Securitas Security Services. Um, this agreement pro provides six officers for 180 days at Lakewood High School uh and other Lakewood City School District properties as directed for the 2526 school year. The agreement provides
060an option to renew this agreement for up to two additional years. Through a competitive RFP process, the district solicited bids for security services. Both participants met all the minimum uh requirements um with securitas uh coming in at uh at a at a better uh bid for us. Um and again a motion to approve uh there on one read second. It's been moved and seconded. Mr. Zaman, can you call the role? Mrs. Kassenberger. Hi. Mr. Sonosy. Hi. Mr. Callahan. Hi. Mrs. Dman. Hi. Thank you. And I have the next item. Next screen. Great. We have a resolution to approve uh the extension of the HVAC preventive maintenance, water treatment, and building automation system uh monitoring and support contract between the Lakewood Board of Education and the Brewer Garrett Company. Again, requesting approval on one reading. Uh
061Lakewood Board of Education contracted with the Brewer Garrett Company to provide HVAC preventative maintenance, water treatment, building automation services for the Lakewood City School District's buildings beginning July 1st, 2023 for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2024. The original contract allowed for an option to renew annually for two years at the discretion of the board. The period July 1, 2025 through July 30th, 2026 will be the second and final year on the option to renew the original contract. The annual cost remains the same at $133,716. It's recommended the board exercise the option to renew the contract for one year from July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. And I move approval there. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Mr. Zean, can you call the role? Miss Scansburgger. Hi. Miss Shaughnessy. Hi. Mr. Gallahan. Hi. Miss
062D. I thank you. And our next item, a resolution to approve the Lakewood City School District uh join the Ohio Schools Council for the 2526 school year. Again, uh requesting approval on one reading. The district joins the Ohio Schools Council OSC annually in order to participate in its cooperative ventures for group purchasing, educational, media purchases, natural gas uh consumption. in the district is invoiced monthly uh from Dominion for natural gas delivery and electricity generation through an agreement with Eni Resources LLC as negotiated by the Ohio Schools Council. The illumin the illuminating company bills monthly on those consumption charges. These programs through the OSC provide cost savings to the district. Approval to continue participation in the cooperative program for the 2526 school year is requested. The USC membership fee is $200 per district plus 18 cents
063per student based on district enrollment. Total cost of membership for fiscal year 269 $9524 and I move approval there. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Mr. Zman, can you call the role? Mrs. Catsburgger. Hi. Mr. Sony. Hi. Mr. Callahan. Hi. Mrs. Dman. Hi. Thank you. And we have a resolution to approve the agreement between Lakewood Board of Education and Schools of Ohio Risk Sharing Authority Sorsa as the provider for property fleet and liability insurance for fiscal year 26. Uh we're requesting approval on one reading. The schools of Ohio risk sharing authority source provides property liability and fleet insurance for all uh the district buildings, employees, and vehicles. The coverage exceeds the state required limits in all areas. Sorsa quoted the highest level of insurance coverage. The total premium property and liability coverages for fiscal year
06426 is $416,77. And I move approval there. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Mr. Zan, can you call the role? Mrs. Kassenberger. Hi. Miss Shaughnessy. Hi. Mr. Callahan. Hi. Mrs. Dman. I. Thank you. And unless there's any further comment. U do we have a motion to adjurnn? So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? I. This meeting is adjourned.