001Okay. Good evening. I'd like to call the Monday, December 8th, 2025 regularly scheduled board meeting for Lorraine City Schools to order. Call the role, please. >> Mr. Ferguson, >> here. >> Mrs. Washington, >> present. >> Dr. Ballard, >> here. >> Mrs. Nazario, >> here. >> Mr. Sturgil, >> here. >> And I would like to invite Mr. Michael Scott to introduce our our pledge speakers. And in those we didn't see Michael over the weekend. U Michael was recognized by the Browns as being a champion uh for attendance and as a result he got a couple of tickets to the Super Bowl. So be nice to him. >> YEAH. [applause] >> Well deserved. >> Yeah. That was a product of I got to tell the story, [laughter] right? Often times we get to tell the story of
002great things that are happening. >> [snorts] >> um great efforts that are happening and uh you know thankful to the state a game network and the Cleveland Browns for encouraging our students to come to school um every day and and encouraging us to do the incentives and to make sure our environment is right. So that was a great opportunity um to speak on a panel a couple weeks ago and share that story and because of that uh some good things happened. So, thank you. But without further ado, we're going to move on to the real important stuff, which is uh introducing Miss Amanda Ward uh from Helenstein Rice. And uh one of the things that we often talk about regarding Helenstein Rice is uh how they work on creating a culture and climate in which
003students can be their authentic selves and everyone has a sense of belonging through team and just uh a family oriented place. So, without further ado, >> and real quick, if you have cameras, please feel free come on up, make yourselves at home. Yeah, come in wherever you want to be. >> Thank you for the introduction. Um, we will start with the introduction of our students and leading the pledge and then I'll provide you with a quick update on things going on at Helensteiner Rice. So, if you could join us for the pledge, we have Cairo Tols in the third grade. Had Elise Fontinez also third grade, Bastian Hernandez, Aiden Media, and Riley Noble lead us with the pledge tonight. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
004for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Nice job. >> Nailed it. >> Thank you, Sebastian. Riley, >> how do you lease >> and Cairo? [applause] >> Nice job. >> [applause] >> So at Helensteiner Rice, we continue to focus on building a positive school culture where students feel welcome, supported, and excited to come to school each day. December is a very busy month for all of us, but our students and staff have shown incredible energy and engagement so far. This month, we launched [clears throat] our gingerbread attendance challenge. In the front office, you'll see that it encourages students to be at school on time all day and every day. Each day a student attends, their class percentage gets to move one step if they have 95% attendance
005as the class and two steps on the board if they have 100% attendance. So far, we have Mrs. Duziaak's class of third graders in the lead. They are working together as a class to towards earning fun incentives. The challenge has created a lot of enthusiasm and we're already seeing improved daily attendance rates compared to this time last year. Our staff has done a wonderful job reinforcing routines, communicating with families, and celebrating small wins. We know attendance is directly tied to academic success. And while we still have a lot of work to do, we are encouraged by the growth we are seeing and the particip participation we have from our families. Overall, thanks to all of our families at Helensteiner Rice and students and staff for making it the place it is every day. Thank you.
006>> Thank you. [applause] And I would like to thank Miss Ward, but I'd also like to cheer on our Helen Steiner Rice students. You represented well. Thank you very much. Appreciate you. [applause] >> Uh, you want to do separate >> first? All right. All right. Can we get the families and students up here for pictures? Come on. >> Smile big. Race on three. One, two, three. >> Okay, there we go. [applause] And as you can see, we have another crowd of students in the audience that deserve to be cheered for. And I'm going to defer to Mr. Rash May. >> All right. Thank you. Yeah, good evening everyone. Uh, Michael put up on the Apple TV here. All >> right. While he's loading, real quick, we did a great job of bringing back the arts,
007something that didn't exist in this district for a lot of years. And when we surveyed our families, uh, the number one art they wanted, uh, was dance. And, uh, it's gone incredibly well, very well attended, and quality stuff. So, just want to thank Ross for his leadership on that, but more importantly like to thank you for making it yours and represent us well. >> Yeah. So, the timing on this couldn't be better. Two weeks ago, members of our Titans Dance Company had um they didn't have the opportunity, they earned the opportunity to perform at Playhouse Square to a show soldout theater um amongst some of the best um students in private dance clubs in uh there were two colleges there and some other high schools as well. You had to audition to get into and
008be accepted to participate in the full day of master classes and then perform in the evening. Um, and these weren't just giveaway tickets. Um, you had to buy tickets. The theater was sold out. So, we want to do um just a brief kind of just synopsis of what's been happening with dance and then um members of our company are going to talk come up and just talk about that experience and what dance uh means to them. And their teacher, Miss Haney, is deathly ill and not able to be here tonight. So, she just sent me uh a few things that she would have shared uh before the students u talk with you. So, I'll share some of these items here for you first. So, uh, just, uh, some of the performance opportunities that we have
009just built into, uh, the school year, our, uh, arts festival in the spring, they just did, and you can see their teachers, the nut cracked, our first ever, uh, performance with the middle school dance students as well. And then, um, each of the last two years, they were they auditioned for and were accepted into Cleveland Dance Festival to be able to to perform. and the the members of the company, they were actually the largest ensemble that was there as well. So, we've got a short um video clip that you're not allowed to share. And uh so, we'll watch just a little bit of this and then a couple of other highlights that I think are really important here as well. Heat. Heat. [music] full performance in February when U. Cleveland Dance uh releases the full
010performances. And a couple of other highlights I think they're extremely important to note. We are we are literally the only school district in Ohio that has a comprehensive program from elementary through into high school where dance is offered in all of our schools. And as part of that, we've had a number of groups reach out to us to work with us. So, for example, last school year we had um Lloyd Knight, who is the pre-minent modern dancer in the country right now, come and do master classes with our students. Um, and you can see, uh, we'll share the video. You can see some of the highlights from that. Inlet Dance Theater, which is another professional group, did a residency with our students last year, uh, 4-day residency. Is that right? Three days, four days. Um,
011where they went to Lraine County Community College to work with their professionals. They're reaching out to us to work with us because, um, very few other schools have what we have, let alone at a at a district level. This fall, Diane McIntyre came. She is um one of the most awarded choreographers in the world. She choreographs for Broadway. She choreographs for London's West End. She um has worked with the best dancers um for the last 50 years. Um her bio is incredible. But she was here last month. That right? So um the students will put into their own words for you just what uh dance means to them. And so what I'd like to do is welcome uh some of the members of our company up and they're going to talk with you just about
012some of the what the performance at opportunity at Playhouse Square meant to them, what dance means to them, why they're in company. So um we've got Mia and Nicole Deesus Medina, Jiari Jackson, Kirsten Randall, Sophia Rivera, Jalexis Torres, Gracie Hill, Adriana Mauricio, Elena Warren, Bellisto, Amina Marshall, Desire Hill, Dariana Schwarz, and Tina Marie Bell. you guys mind coming up and talking about yeah what dance means to you? And um if you want to just kind of maybe come over here and you can pass the microphone. Um, so >> it's on >> it. You know what? It's It's on. It's more actually for YouTube and just a little bit in here. So, yep, it's on. Yep. You're good. >> Um, wait. Um, what was the question again? >> So, >> I'm a little nervous. >> So,
013yeah. Talk about what Yeah, you're good. Yeah. What performing at at Playhouse Square, just that whole opportunity and what that meant to to you guys and then what being in company means to you and, you know, just being part of the dance courses as well. So what Playhouse Square meant to me? Um it gave me a opportunity to experience like uh it's not competition but like I got to see other dancers, beautiful dancers and I got to um see different types of dance um different types of dancing. We seen we seen uh hiphop. We seen contemporary. We seen ballet. We also seen like some type of it was like African. >> Yeah. Indian. It was like an Indian dance. Yeah. >> Um but it just basically opened doors for me. Um so dance to me
014is like really it helped me through mentally a lot cuz um I'm I'm a type of person to not express to people how I feel and I use dance as a way to express how I'm feeling when with my movement with every what every step I take whatever movement I'm doing I add I use as a mean way and um >> and what it feels to be Oh, >> a Titan. Oh, what it feels to be a Titan dance is um I get to meet all these wonderful, beautiful ladies and make new bonds. It helped me get to know all these people and um their dancing styles because we all have different dancing styles and that's what makes as a whole group. So, I really appreciate dance. >> [applause] >> playing at um dancing at
015Playhouse meant a lot to me because I got to I don't know feel like I was in an actual like it was like a really big event to me. It felt like like I could be seen by other people and just express myself to >> anybody. Yeah. Anyone and anyone, not just the people at my school. Um, and I really loved uh the classes. We got to learn multiple different moves. Um, I don't remember what it was called, but like what was it? It was the There was this one move that we did that we really liked and we had added it to our nutcrack dance actually that we uh it was a move that we learned um with at the master class with the lady that had came recently actually. Um, but it just
016it just gave me a lot of new experiences and new things to do and just a new way to express myself, ways that I didn't think of expressing myself. And um, what's it like to be a dance member? Um, it a Titan senior, it means it's I wouldn't say it's intense, but it's it it makes me ambitious. It makes me want to try. It makes me want to put myself out there without being afraid. It gave me like a new type of confidence because I really struggled to express myself to people. Like Mia said, I really struggled to like be open and out there and like just being here a second year like I feel really welcomed by everybody. Miss Haney had always been very nice to us and had always like been really kind
017and yeah, I really I really enjoyed being in dance. [applause] What playing house means to me would be performing with all of these amazing girls that I get to perform with and having the chance to perform at a soldout theater and have everyone come watch us. I would say what does it mean to be a Titan dancer? I would say having the capability of watching and learning and learning new things that we can learn and perform and make into our own dance and have an incredible bond with all of these people that I get to spend time and practice with. And I would say that Hy is a very good coach to us. She helps us through a lot. She pushes us to be better and in the end it does make us better. Okay.
018[applause] >> Okay. Um >> I think playing Oh, >> wait. >> Okay. Um dancing at Playhouse I feel like was a very big opportunity for all of us. I feel like it was a good experience to know how it's going to feel in the future if you decide to pursue dance. I feel like it's like um just it's good to have good opportunities like that and stuff. And then having Miss Haney by our side helped a lot. And like being in dance, it helps you find new connections and new family. And I feel like it's just a really great opportunity and like everybody should take that chance of learning something new and being able to have a way to express how you feel. >> Like dance is just it's great guys. Do dance. [applause] Um,
019dancing at Playhouse Square was like a big deal and especially it's my first year with this beautiful dance company and it just opened up a lot of opportunities for me and it's literally one of my main reasons why I want to go to school and why I want to go to class and pass on my stuff to make sure that I have to dance and everything. and Playhouse was a big opportunity and like me being only 15 is that's like a huge opportunity for me being so young and I just feel like everything in dance like it's um you got to wake up and you got to want to do it and like Mia said you know it's a great way to express your feelings mentally, physically and get through it and that's pretty much
020but um to be a Titan um pass all pass all all your classes and everything and you know um dance through it and create good bonds with everybody. [clears throat] Okay. So, my experience at Cleveland Playhouse, I thought it was an experience of it was a very nice experience. Um, seeing the diversity, the um the different units of dance, the the um the different genres of dance. It was a very great expression to see how others um flow with their movement. Um I see dance as it's a story that you can express through trials, through tribulations. Um I think dance is a very beautiful fine art that should be um given to everyone. And I think it should be very expressed beautifully. I see it as one of the most beautiful things ever. Sorry, I'm
021nervous. But um um being at this Titan dance company, I think it's very very beautiful. Sorry, I'm so nervous. Um >> you're good. >> Yeah. Uh um yes. >> I mean what what do you want to do with dance in the future? >> Uh I do want to pursue dance in college. I do want to take it professionally. I do want to express it, show dance like worldwide. I want to teach it. I want to choreograph. Um, and I yeah, this dance is spirit really beautiful and I just think it's art that's not shown much and that it should be expressed more. [applause] >> Um, hi, my name is Bell and I've been a Titans Dance Company member for two years now. As you see, we have a lot of everyone who's done the whole
022like since middle school and that's pretty awesome because I've never like thought of dance as a um extracurricular. So like my like the company members have said that it's a really good way to express yourself and it all like it all combines different emotions and different sides that we have together. So it just makes one beautiful piece. Even through hard times, we still we still like we still do things together. My experience at Playhouse Square was a big opportunity considering I'm a junior and we do have our seniors here, so it's even bigger for them. But it really just opens up more opportunities [snorts] and it it really shapes what like our life could be if we do want to pursue dance further out. And the reason I do dance and what makes it important
023is because of Miss Haney. I really love Miss Haney. She's my favorite person in the whole wide world and I wish she was here today because she literally loves us just as much as well and we make her the happiest teacher ever. We're the reason she does this. Um yeah. [clears throat] [applause] >> Um I feel like Playhouse was a really good experience. It opened a lot of doors for a lot of us girls. A lot of the college coaches who were there liked talking to us all. Um, we got to explore many different genres and many different types of dances that most of us have never experienced before. And being in the Titan Dance Company for me, I've only been in dance for 3 months. And I've already gained so many great bonds with
024people. Miss Haney, one of the most supportive teachers I've ever met, and it just builds a bunch of friendships that many people would need in their life. Um, and going to dance here is very different than my old school because they didn't have dance. Like a bunch of other districts don't. And I've never really saw dance as something that schools would do. And I feel like it's not appreciated enough in districts. And yeah, dance is amazing, guys. [applause] Um, my experience at Playhouse was very interesting and it was amazing as to bond with such a big group of girls who give me confidence and there's like it's just a group there that you could go to and talk anytime. Um, [laughter] pursuing dance outside of school is definitely something I want to do. Um, Playhouse
025definitely made me want to come back and work harder. Yeah. >> Well, thank you and we built really excellent momentum and and again this they were the largest ensemble there and going into to this school year we had to redo a number of courses. Dance was uh part of that because what we found is that we needed to keep up with our skill development of our dancers. So we initially had a level one and a level two class uh that evolved now into dance explorations foundations and studio dance. Next year we'll have students that take choreography and the performer and then we'll have a capstone after that. So we're really um having to evolve quickly to keep up with the skill development as kids come out of now the the middle school into the high
026school and they've got several years of dance now experience. Yeah. Going forward. So it's really exciting. Y and the skill development piece is excuse [clears throat] me obviously coming along very very quickly and it's one of the reasons why you've had the opportunity to meet some of the greatest of the great in the world internationally um at at the art and that's because of what you've done. You've earned us a reputation about not just having a dance program but bringing quality to it as well as hard work. And I know that you guys were in down there working out beforehand, right? Doing some stuff and Miss Si isn't even here. U but that's just who you are and that's why the program is what it is. And a few of you mentioned that Playhouse Square
027um was a great opportunity, but Dasa, you've earned it. I mean, it was you tried out for it, you got it, and what's kind of funny to me a little bit is you're you guys all said you were nervous up there, but you danced in front of thousands of people in Playhouse Square. So, yeah, either way, but I just want to thank you for what you've done because you brought again another great reputation to our district and appreciate your hard work. Now, come on up for a picture. [applause] You guys don't >> It's up right now. You guys want me to run for [clears throat] >> appreciate you ladies >> and Mr. President, if it's okay with you, I'd like to invite Debbie from OSBA to come on up. >> Come on down. >> We've
028got some deserving person to the table. [snorts] >> Our board meetings typically aren't this crowded. So, I think every time I've been here. >> Well, we like to we celebrate kids. >> We celebrate. Good kids. >> I'm Debbie Meldda. >> Debbie, can you use the microphone? It's for uh the video piece. >> Okay. >> Yeah, we can hear you, but they can't >> take it down if it's easier. >> I represent Keystone on the JVS board here in Lorraine County. Also, I'm on the ESC board. and I am a member of the northwestern northwestern, excuse me, northeastern um OSBA executive committee and I'm president this year. That term's almost over, but um so [snorts] I get the privilege of presenting Barbie Washington with several awards tonight. Reno, our manager, could not be here. He is
029in Tusky Valley. They were one of the boards of distinction. So, he's there giving that award tonight. >> He got to drive the furthest. >> So, let's see here. There's quite a few here, Barbie. Okay, this is a service award. There are several star awards and service is one of those and this one. >> So that might be from last year too. >> And I've never had this many to give at one time. >> She put some time in with OSBA. Yeah. >> Yeah. And this is the training award. Kathy also signed this one. So she's been to a lot of seminars and webinars. Also, this is the recognition award. So the board must have sent a letter of recognition and discussed how she has committed to the board and try always tried to be
030a model member. [laughter] >> She didn't ask our input. >> And then this is the Roger Samuelson Award for Board Excellence. You're the first one I've given this to. So, >> yes. Congratulations. Also, we have this is the award for the northeastern region for board excellence for 2025. And this >> I think this best of all. Okay, this is the master board member award and that's good for two or three years. Let's see from 2025 to 2027. This just slides on here and if you get an award again, you would slide that one above it in that. So, this is a very I think this is the best award. There's only like 60 in the state. So, it is an honor. >> I believe the first one. >> Yes, probably. Thank you, Barbie. I'm sorry
031you're not coming back, but maybe someday. >> But thank you for everything. >> Okay. Thank you for everything you've done. >> Thank you. >> And thank you for having me. >> I appreciate Thank you very much. >> I love your dancing. Another picture. >> Just if she wants >> even our daughter-in-law is doing still as a mother, you know. Thank you. [applause] I don't know if you know this, but I'm quick. >> [laughter] >> Good. >> So, just to circle back to um what Dr. Graham introduced earlier with Michael and um his recognition with the Browns, um we do have a short video we think encapsulates why the Browns picked him to represent us organizationally. Happy victory Monday to everyone in Titan Nation Elementary. >> You won the attendance chain challenge. [cheering] >> Palm and
032success have won the attendance chain. >> We talk about attendance all the time. >> Hawthorne Elementary last week had the highest average daily attendance across the district last week. Give yourselves a round of applause. Right now, currently, this time last year, compared to this time now, compared to last year, all of our buildings had at least a 10% decrease in product opportunity for every year. >> It doesn't happen without personalizing the work and then having some fun, too, right? So, thanks to our partnership with the Stadium Game Network and the Cleveland Browns, uh pre the game, we were allotted a sort of tickets um to a game. You know, I decided to take my seven-year-old son and my 8-year-old daughter to the game with my wife. Then we were in the team shop afterwards and
033my son, I said, "We're just going to look. You're not buying anything. We're just going to look." And well, we ended up with this chair because he was like, "That's so cool, Dad." Right? I got all these pictures. And as I was thinking about that, I thought, "Well, how many of our students in the room would be excited about this chain of my son?" So we said, "Hey, let's create something called Victory Mondays." And every Monday we have a competition between our 10 elementary schools, that's one division, and our five secondary schools. And the winning school that has the highest potential that week um gets to wear the chain and they create videos. And it started off with me just telling the community why, like making that awareness, right? This is why we're celebrating and
034every Monday getting to school is a victory. So, we should celebrate that. >> Fans at this time, please help me welcome to the field, Michael Scott. And let's thank him for helping us for his students. [cheering] >> Now, Michael doesn't know this, but in addition to recognizing him here on the field, we also have a little surprise for you. Thanks to our Browns give back team. You and the GUEST ARE GOING TO SUPER BOWL 60 in San Francisco. >> Happy Victory Monday to everyone. >> [applause] >> You ought to talk to the Browns about starting those victory Mondays. [laughter] >> Victory Sundays. >> At least we have winner to celebrate every Monday. >> That's right. >> Thank you. >> So, I want to say something about all the other things if that's okay. Um, not
035that because um but anyway, first, Mr. Washington, thank you uh for your contributions as a board member over all these uh last few years and even before that like as a parent, community member, the things that we're celebrated today have been who you have always shown yourself to be and I think that ties into, you know, what some of our ladies that we're celebrating dance um said today uh expression um being ambitious uh putting oneself out there getting out of one's comfort zone um and taking [clears throat] risk. So, I just wanted to thank you publicly for for all that you've done because uh you lead by example and I want to thank you for that. Um I also do want to shout out our our our young ladies that were in front of us.
036They said some words that I think we need to lift up as a community uh and make sure that we model and exemplify. So a couple words that came out that were thematic that I think we all uh should just take with us bond. They constantly talked about the bond that was formed uh amongst each other whether they were three months in or coming back for a second year. They the bond that was established even from middle school uh when they started. So that was an exciting word there. Confidence, love, all of this is hard work, right? And then they express the love that they had for their teacher and in return the love that the teacher had for them. >> Um belonging, being seen, um opportunity and then expression. And I want to I
037want to end on that opportunity one because it is our obligation as a community and as those that serve in our various capacities uh to eliminate barriers and provide opportunities. So we are having a lot of difficult conversations over these last few months and we're going to continue to have some challenging ones um with regards to what we value as a district. And in those challenging conversations, I hope it can come back to the words that we heard from our students today. Um, lastly, that word of opportunity. And we, you know, we we fight, we try to figure things out. It gets messy sometimes here in Lraine, but I can say as as as a product of the system, the community, um, it isn't without opportunities that I sit here right now. So, we have
038to figure things out. And that means that sometimes we have to have our public conversations where we don't always seem to disagree but we figure it out. And this is an important time going back to COVID. We said that we were going to bring in things because we had once in a-lifetime um opportunity to do so and we did. And I think it's important also to not just measure that by a score on a report card that represents a given day in which a student sat down and took a test. The things that we do here in Lraine and Lraine City Schools are never measured on that report card system. And yes, we do have to show that we can compete, but when you look that what what was in front of us today, you
039know that we can and we will. So there is a confidence that says when we're trying to uproot and change generational marginalization that we have to take risk as a community and that's what we're going to be asking for um for this time moving forward. And to me as a staff it's also time to come together and continue to have the the conversations that we need to have. And that doesn't mean we're always going to be eye to eye on on how. But to be able to get in those spaces and figure it out because we're trying to continue to provide opportunities for our students. That can't be lost. So um board, I just want to thank you for the opportunity just to say that. Um and it came strictly there was no pre-notes that
040came from what our students said today. Um and we can do this. We can figure these things out. It's hard. There's obstacles in front of us. Um, I think we've all been charged with having a voice, which means getting out of our comfort zone, which means we may have to go knocking on legislative doors and have the the right conversations. Um, it may be trying to figure out how do we make things happen within the community. It might be telling our story to the uh philanthropists that want to support that don't know how to support. There is a way of of doing this and and now is the time. So, um, >> that's all >> very good. Thank you from the heart. Uh, time for the first hearing of the public. And I want to
041let you know that we are going to shortly go into an executive session. So, um, if you've got something to say and want to get it off your chest rather than waiting to the end of the meeting, it, um, I'd strongly suggest. Okay. I will, uh, entertain a motion to approve or amend the minutes from the November 24th board meeting, reserving the right not to read them. >> So moved. >> So, >> roll call, please. >> Dr. Ballard. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mrs. Nazario, >> yes. >> Mr. Ferguson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Washington, >> yes. >> Mr. [snorts] Sturgil, >> yes. >> At this time, I'd entertain a motion to suspend the order. >> So moved. Support. >> Discussion. Roll call. >> Dr. Ballard? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Washington? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ferguson? >>
042Yes. >> Mrs. Nazario? >> Yes. >> Mr. Sturdel? >> Yes. And at this time, I'd entertain a motion to go into executive session for reasons A2 and G as listed on the agenda. >> So, support. >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Washington, >> yes. >> Dr. Bal, >> yes. >> Mr. Ferguson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Nazario, >> yes. >> Mr. Sturgil, >> yes. I would entertain a motion to come out of executive session. >> Roll [snorts] call, please. >> Mr. Surgil, >> yes. >> Dr. Balor, >> yes. >> Mr. Ferguson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Washington, >> no. >> Mrs. Nazario, >> yes. >> And you can't go back into the next one. >> Any old business? reports and recommendations of the treasurer. >> I have items 8.01 through 8.06 for approval. >> So moved. >> Waiting
043on a second. >> Um discussion. I think this is the biggest one we've had this year. $34,000 in donations. >> It's amazing. >> Uh absolutely incredible. Thank you all to our public partners. Greatly appreciated. >> Roll call. >> Dr. Ball. >> Yes. [snorts] >> Mrs. Nazario? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ferguson? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Washington? >> Yes. >> Mr. Sturgil? >> Yes. >> And then I have item 8.07. President prompt for the organizational meeting next month. >> We'll entertain nominations for president prom for the organizational meeting. I will nominate Mr. Sturg. I second that. >> Wouldn't he have to swear himself in though? >> Yeah, he will be sworn in on >> Yeah, I don't think he can do it because have to be the two of us. >> It has to be one of
044the two of us. >> He's a new candidate. He's got to be sworn in. >> I nominate Mark Ballard. >> [laughter] >> I'll nominate Courtney Mazario. >> How about that? Surprise. >> Okay, we have spicy. >> We have two nominations on the floor. Incidentally, those don't require a second. >> What's that? >> So, your options are Courtney Nazario or Mark Ballard. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Ferguson. >> Mr. Ballard. >> Mrs. Washington. >> Yes. >> No, that's not an option. [laughter] >> Courtney Mario. >> Dr. Ballard. >> Ballard. >> Mrs. Nazario. >> Courtney. >> Mr. Sturgil. >> Courtney. [snorts] >> Thank you. >> All I have >> reports and recommendations of the superintendent. And I would like to start with a couple of comments and I'll keep it brief. Um, but uh, this very well
045may be the last board meeting of two of our board members, uh, Barbie and Jay. And I just want to thank you both for your your leadership. Um, there are a thousand different ways to be an excellent board member and I think that our board addresses that from many different angles and I appreciate you as a result. Uh, to Michael's point earlier, we don't always agree. Uh but we sit down, we figure things out together, and I and I've said this many times, um we have an amazing board. The don't do it for the money, don't do it for the glory, but to consistently make decisions that are in line with your value system and to have a value system that is in line with good things and a focus on children and and and
046working through other adults to make sure that children have what they need. I just want to say thank you. Um wish you luck whatever comes next. Hope you don't wander off too far. And uh full disclosure, both of you have volunteered to do things afterwards and we're going to take you up on that. Yeah. So >> J and Barbie has promised that she will still be at meetings like she was before she was on the board. Yep. >> She's going to be right there at that microphone and she's going to still be here. She made promises to many that she will be. >> And Barbie also made promises to many that uh she wanted to take a leadership role when it comes to volunteerism in our district. So we're going to work together very closely
047moving forward and I'm excited about that. Jay still comes with academic um suggestions. Uh he's been doing this for a couple of years now and uh knows his way around a math problem or two. He tutors all of our kids. Um but he also has some highlevel uh recommendations that we're going to work through together and just uh again appreciate the ideas, appreciate the leadership, um and appreciate uh working together even though we clearly don't always agree but uh um at the end of the day we get to the right place. >> Can I ask you a quick question? Mhm. >> Um, as a volunteer person, do you get to call for executive sessions? >> You could, but no one will attend. Okay. >> Yeah, that's the difference. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> I would
048like the board to consider for approval items 9.01 to 9.05. Personnel matters. >> So move to move it first. >> Discussion. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Washington. Yes, >> Mrs. Nazario. >> Yes, >> Mr. [snorts] Ferguson. >> Yes, >> Dr. Valer. >> Yes, >> Mr. Sturgil. >> Yes. >> And before I get to the next one, I want to elaborate on 10.06. Uh, actually, I read the contract one way, Barbie read it another way, and when we called Drew, we realized it was because it was written both ways within the contract. So, it's been clarified. And to be clear, we have uh Chromebooks for our virtual academy that are Chromebooks that have the hotspot built in. And so they're there have connect to the internet. Uh we have a hundred of them and it's a
04936-month contract uh for $90,000. It works out to be a little over $23 a month for the internet and the computers themselves are free. So again, it was a an opportunity for us because they get subsidized by the government. So this was a big win for us in terms of um supplying a a new program in our district uh for the cost of $23 a student. So I would like the board to consider for approval 10.01 to 10.08 operations matters. So move support >> discussion. >> Roll call, please. >> Dr. Balor. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sturgil. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ferguson. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Washington. >> I got my calculator out. Am I still not understanding this? >> It's for three years. So, it's $23 a month per computer. Um, so it' be 23,
050I think 45. Yep. Times 100 times 12. And it's just shy of $30,000. When they put the fees on top, I think it's $90,600 total for the three years. >> Almost got a tip. >> Yeah. >> And Mrs. Nazario. >> Yes. >> Anything else? >> That's all I have. >> Thank you. Any new business? Uh, under committee reports, requests from board members, I would like to propose a resolution to re-employ Superintendent Dr. Jeff Graham to the same position following his retirement and to approve his contract of employment, which will run through 2028. >> I believe that's what it landed. Yes. >> Okay. >> Which is the remainder of my current contract. Right. >> And to be clear to the community, um, I did not this will cost the taxpayers and the district no additional funds.
051Um I we agreed that I will forego my severance until I leave uh for the last time. So there's there's no cost there. And to be clear, the contract um kind of referenced OD things a couple of times. Uh because when I came back from when I came back to the district, it was as the CEO and I worked for technically the Department of Education. Um so there's some verbiage in there. To be clear, my salary will stay the same as it was on the last one. All right. currently. So there it speaks to bonuses, but I will not get any bonuses. Um I waved those three or four years ago. >> Correct. >> So do we need to vote as amended since it's in here? >> Yes. And then we'll make sure it gets
052typed up the right way and as long as we qualified it on record, so we should be good. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> I'll entertain a motion. So move. >> Any other discussion? Roll call, please. >> Dr. Ballard, >> yes. >> Mrs. Nazario, I'm sorry. Mrs. Washington, >> yes. >> Mr. Ferguson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Nazario, >> yes. >> Mr. Sturgil, >> yes. >> Thank you. I think this is the third time I've been hired by the district. So, I appreciate the your cons continued support. >> Let's not talk about when you leave the last time. When you leave the next time and then come back and >> Well, no, let's you guys bring me out. We just >> You're not going anywhere. Now, >> what's that? >> You chose to leave this time.
053[laughter] >> No, I'm staying. >> You chose to leave and then >> for a day I get one day off. >> Second hearing of the public. Public. >> Hello. >> My name is Sonia Rodriguez. I am a Lur City School teacher and I am just up here regards to 2 um approval of salary adjustment. Um I received an email and um my salary is not adjusted um uh university that I attended. Um I noticed that there were some that were approved. Um and so that was just my concern. Um, prior to all of that, um, I did look on the state website. It said everything after October 10th, um, or October 11th, I believe 10th, and we received the email on October 11th. Um, but we had to have all of our stuff in October
0541st. Um, so I was just kind of wondering why our stuff wasn't approved um because it was prior to that deadline. Um, so I was just looking at it and I was actually surprised that there were some approved from other colleges. Um, but you know, when we were talking about being a product, I am a product of Line City Schools, born and raised. Um, you know, I just want to be valued. I want to be heard and I want to be supported as a teacher. Um, oftentimes I don't feel like we are. And this is a time that I don't feel like we are. Um, you know, I took the classes. I attended what I was supposed to. Um, and when I have discussed it to other people, um, they have that concern as well.
055Um, so I'm not sure, you know, what's going on. I understand that, you know, they're looking at it. Um, you know, some of us are under the impression that, you know, we're going to get it in November. We I contacted them and they just said, "Oh, we're just running, you know, a little behind. We had a lot going on." Not one time did they say it was going to be on hold, you know. Um, and then we get this email kind of blindsided that, oh, now we're looking at it. Um, we're going to hold it. So, again, I was in the impression that they're going to hold everybody's and then I see that we got 19 approved today. So I just want to make it fair, you know, that I understand that, you know, some
056were not at the college that we attended. I understand that if I would have known this prior years ago when I started it, would I ever have done it? No, I wouldn't have. Um, so I did do it. Um, I took my classes while both of my parents were on their deathbeds. Um, sorry, I don't want to cry. Um, but you know, I took the classes. I did what I was supposed to do and that's unfair to me. Um, you know, I'm sorry I don't mean to cry, but my dad was on his deathbed. I did those classes. I watched the videos. I took the notes. My mom was on her deathbed. I had two parents die within a year of each other. Um, unfortunately, I didn't finish it three years ago, but I did
057finish it prior to October 10th. And I just feel like this is unfair to me. I know you guys might think it's just money. Um, but I worked I worked my butt off, you know, again, as a product of the Grand City Schools. You know, I was the first generation in my family, my household to go to college, to finish college. You know, nobody did that for me. Um, I'm sorry. I'm not usually a crier, but I'm upset about this. I'm upset because when I talk to someone and they don't really back me up on this, it's upsetting. And I just want to know, you know, why. That's my only concern. You know, I'm not usually like this. I don't come, I don't try to complain, but I just want to know why that is.
058And I feel like this is unfair. And, you know, I feel like I'm not the only one in this predicament, and I understand nobody else is here. Um, I'm not trying to complain. I just want to know why. I want to know why this wasn't taken care of two months ago when they received it and then we're blindsided when when we're under the pressure that we were going to get that reimbursement and then we're blindsided and said no now you're not going to get it. Um so that's just my concern. Um you know again I've talked to people um I just you know I I went on the state website I highlighted I know what they say. I went on the LPN website. It said that they were credited. You know again I did what
059I was supposed to do. everything in my contract. I did what I was supposed to do. I turned it in on time and now they're like, "Now we have to look at it. You have to wait even longer." So, I just feel like it's unfair. So, that's my concern. I just want to I'm sorry. I don't mean >> No. And I'm sorry. And we don't >> And we typically don't respond and have dialogue, but if you don't mind, can I speak to this a little bit? >> Um, it's in Idaho State. Is that >> Yeah. Okay. There are two different colleges, and this is not an internal decision. There are two different colleges where OD said we cannot give credit. So, we're trying to learn what we can give credit for. And right now, and
060I was I talked to Faith about this day before yesterday. Um, and she's got hundreds of pages to sift through because whatever we do, we have to justify through what Ohio State determined, not through our lens or our contract. >> And I understand, but if we don't, we won't pass an audit. So, yeah. But I'm so sorry for No, >> I don't want you feel disrespected for it. No, no, because it's just concerning. Like I said, I've been through a lot um you know, with both of my parents and like I said, I was sitting there doing my you know, doing that. And so that's what's disheartening to me because I would have done it somewhere else if I would have known that. And then now it's like, oh no, now you're going to get
061it. And you know, do I >> And when did we find out, Carol? November. >> Or do I feel supported? No. >> 12. Okay. >> Yeah. October 12th. I turned in myself October 1st when we were all supposed to have it. I don't know who everybody else did, but that's what it states in our contract. Turn it in on this time. So, they had it prior to that deadline. Prior to October 12th or October 11th, they had our paperwork. So, I that's what I didn't understand why it wasn't approved. I understand you have to sip through everything and do that, but we had it in prior to that date that you guys received the email from the state. [snorts] So, that was just my concern, you know, just like these other people. I'm sure they
062had it in prior to that. And of course, they might go to a different college. I understand that. But why wasn't ours approved? >> And that was why because OD said we couldn't until we do. Do you have anything more to add to that? Is there any any updates? And I apologize if that's Is that okay? Okay. Thank you. Yeah. And I'm sorry if you for you feeling disrespected. It was never anyone's intent. >> I just wanted to know, you know, I've questioned I've asked people and you know, like I keep getting different things and I don't feel like anybody's on our side as an educator, as a teacher. Nobody's on our side. They're not. They're like, "This is what they said and this is what you have to listen to." And I'm like, "Okay,
063well then maybe I need to go up there ask a question for myself and for the 50 teachers or whatever that aren't here, you know? and are in the same boat as I am. >> Absolutely. No, I I can understand your frustration with the process and we are also frustrated as well. Um coming [snorts] from the state to tell us this. We have folks that have taken classes in the past, folks that are taking classes currently that are in exactly that boat. Um so, uh we are asking for a legal opinion from um Eric Johnson from um >> Weston. >> Thank you. Weston and her um law firm because the concern is also how much credit can we give, how far back can we go and like going forward. So we have some questions about
064the dynamics of how and what we can pay. So that what we want to avoid is not jumping the gun and paying and then having to get a guidance or a legal opinion that says we need to pull money back. That is something we do not want to do. We want to make sure that we do it right the first time and we're not pulling back money from folks. Um we've never had anything like this happen in my career since I've been in the district. Um it's a lot of these the classes that are advanced. Um but we're hoping right now we don't have a yes, you know, or no answer. We're not saying no. We're just trying to find out those details on how we can make the payment and what payment we should
065be making. So we just appreciate your patience. I know it's just absolutely frustrating, heartbreaking right around the holidays. Um but as soon as we get guidance, um we'll be making adjustments >> retroactively. >> Correct. Yes, this is retroactive to the first of the school year. >> I I just Yeah, that's >> but I did hear the state is looking to go deeper back into this. I have that's so >> so >> yeah on the grape vine is that they're looking to go back possibly and that's also a concern um for us as a district as well um as we are audited yearly I know t and Julie know much more about that than I do but you know this all goes back to audit and u making sure that we're paying things right and paying
066things right the first time and >> y but to your point you did the work everything you did was consistent with the expectations we set out um the state changed >> the rules after the game was over talking about stuff. >> Well, the state changed the rules after the game was over. >> After she correct, you can't break a law that didn't exist until the future, right? I I I guess I I what I'm hearing is that October 12th was the first time anyone heard that there was a problem. And you're you had completed your work in good faith. >> Yep. I mean I so I understand and it sounds it it sounds like we the education community have an issue with Columbus and their time and and you are the victim as a result.
067>> Yes. >> And I certainly you know hope that we can get this resolved in a fair >> and prompt manner. >> Yes. And that's why we've reached out to Western herd. they um they specialize in education law um and are very familiar with this and are doing you know some serious research on it. Um they're well >> the mere fact they didn't know the answer off the top of their head is what concerns me candidly. Um but to Jay's point I think there are a lot of fair ways around this. I don't know what that is necessarily. Um but the difficulty that we have and I've shared this before so I apologize to those who've heard me say it. Um in the private sector they can do anything that the law doesn't prohibit them
068from doing. um with schools we can only do what the law specifically says we can do and no DE has to prove these things. So if we were to pay and get audited we would lose. So and the we'd be forced to go back and get the money. So give us um a chance to hear back from Eric. If the answer is you don't qualify then let's sit down and talk about something that makes some sense >> and and I'm sure you're not the only teacher in the state of Ohio in this boat. I think there's 18 in the district. Correct. Have you contacted the OEA? >> I have not. I contacted our union and you know and then I'm just getting like a um you know this is what they're doing because of this
069and I'm like I understand that but our stuff wasn't due October 1st but how come we didn't know about this back? >> That's what I say. They passed they passed the law and you find out you broke it >> just a week ago. I called HR multiple times like you know are we get I was just wondering if we're going to receive because previous years we've received it on this certain day. Oh we're just running behind. That's all I've gotten. And then I get this email blindsided and I'm like, you know, some of us are looking forward to that. You know, I'm not gonna lie. We are looking forward to the holidays forward to that. And then when you get an email saying, oh, now we're going to hook. And then when you find out,
070oh, in the board today, there's going to be a 19 approved. Like, wow, I just got slapped in my face. You know, that's how >> And the approvals weren't to do anything other than there's nothing that holding them back. So we So we have to pay them. Um, we cannot pay you until we get permission. >> Yeah. And I think you have some misplaced anger here in in terms of the state of Ohio is is has made you a victim. And I and I'm going to suggest honestly that you reach out to your state association because if there's 18 people in in Lorraine schools that are in how many how many statewide are there and and I mean I don't know that process. It's been a while since I was in the LEA, but but
071it sounds like you have you have more than a localized issue. You have you have a statewide issue. >> And for >> So, a question something you said, Jay, >> uh you can't break a a law if there's not one or a rule if there's not one. So, if she turned her stuff in October 1st, it was deadline was I'm I'm leaving. So, so you guys don't kick me off. If it was due October 10th and you didn't fight out till October 12th, then you wouldn't have broken a rule if you paid her what she's supposed to paid. [laughter] This is like in three or four days or something. >> The the email from the state said hold the phone. We're not we're not accepting this. >> But if we sent it on the 10th
072or the first, >> I understand your logic and I agree with it completely. However, um until that's why I was surprised our attorney didn't give us quick answer. Yeah, they represent many, many school districts. They're all dealing with us. Um, that's why I was surprised he couldn't just give us an answer >> immediately. >> But we're like, so that makes sense a little bit, right? And maybe some of our world, not mine. >> Yeah. Um, if if you're waiting for money, I don't care if you get $500,000 a year and you are supposed to get $3.17 and you follow all the rules and nobody said, "Don't pay them when I handed in my paper. There's no law." Then why aren't you giving me my $3.17 on October 10th or 11th or whatever until they say
073stop? Well, we can, but once they say stop, to Carol's point, by by rule, we would have to go back after that money. We would have to go back and collect it. We would not, the auditor would not accept that we paid somebody who was not allowed to be paid. There are other ways to accomplish what you're saying. I'm just saying just to say go ahead and pay may not be the best solution. Is not the best solution. My opinion, >> she'll take $3 out of her check every week to pay it back if she has to, but she really wants her money right now. >> Right. See, she really wants her money. Pay her. >> I [snorts] make a motion to pay her and the rest of her colleagues. And I have a phone
074number for you to call. Um I know this is in a YA. I mean, they're they're really moving and shaking and grievancing and all this other stuff. This I'm on both sides. >> I'm I'm on that side of the podium tonight. So, take this number and hopefully he'll be able to help you. He's He's pretty amazing. >> Thank you. >> I won't look at it. You already know him. >> I just I didn't even look. >> It's Domino's and pizza makes everything. >> No, it's Dan Faulk. He's pretty amazing. >> He is [snorts] president now. >> We >> uh of the union. >> No, we tried to bring him back. I think he left when I left. >> Yeah, >> we didn't. But did you [laughter] >> gota >> Hello guys. >> All right. Um,
075Lindsay Lisha, teacher at Helen Steiner Rice. Also, I suck. >> You definitely the part of candy cane day. >> So, today was spirit day, candy cane day. So, I do not normally have Oh, these they're my Hey dudes for $30 on Cyber Monday. So, just so you guys know. Um, but just a couple things. Um, one to kind of piggyback off Sonia. Um, her and I talked a lot about this because there are a lot of people in the same boat. I think part of the frustration is just the clarity of it. You know, when you go online, there are certain things that say they won't be using it for lensure renewal and that's not what she's using it for. It's for a bracket [clears throat] change. So, I think part of it is, you
076know, we're thinking, oh, we're in the clear, everything's good, [cough and clears throat] and then we get I'm not we in general, it's not me part of it, but we get an email saying, nope, this is going to be on hold. So, part of it is if you guys You guys in general would have explained that a little bit better in the emails that were sent out to people. I think people wouldn't have freaked out as much. They sure would freak out still, but not as much understanding that, okay, there's a lot of legal things going on. If you did it for a bracket change, there's still a chance that it could be approved. I think just the not hearing anything other than you're on hold is just really scary for people. So just the
077transparency and just you know having that open communication and dialogue might have been a little bit easier for the 19 people who are going for through Idaho University or whatever. Um, a second thing is question, if you guys can't reply back, I get it. But when we're getting quotes for certain things done around the buildings, do you guys just go with one quote or do you guys get like, you know, three quotes and go with the cheapest person or can you explain what that process looks like around some of these things that are being done to the buildings? >> If you're >> It's probably more than a conversation at a board meeting, but you and I can sit down and I'll walk you through all of it. >> Okay. >> Yeah. just because I know
078some of these like the T-Mobile thing when I first saw it I was like oh my god and then you explained it and I was like okay that doesn't seem so crazy. So again I know people look at this and they're just like what are we spending $10,000 or $3,000 [clears throat] >> if it was explained a little bit more like hey we got quotes from so and so so and so and so and so it might make sense the one that you chose just clarity you know open transparency. Um, and then the third thing, the ladies who talked about the dance program, the Titan dance company, they were phenomenal. And I hope that I hope that as we're thinking about, you know, where are we going to cut money from? I really hope that
079the arts are not one of them. Um, I know growing up I went through all Lraine City Schools. Every single one of my buildings is now knocked down, which is really sad. But that was one of my favorite things. Like we had dance classes. We learned how to square dance. We learned how to do all kinds of crazy stuff. And then as I got older, you know, funding cuts came and that was no longer a thing. And then it came back and then it went away. And and now seeing like what we have going on from a preschool point of view, you know, we have some really cool dance programs that have come in and music programs that we had last year. It's really unfortunate we didn't get the same funding as last year to
080continue some of that extra stuff. Um, but we do have Dance Cleveland, which I love, but the kids getting it from the preschool all the way up to 12th grade is is huge. So, I just really hope you guys take that into consideration when we think about where to make cuts that that that is not one because these ladies obviously, you know, are having a phenomenal time and like Michael said, you know, all those words they talked about community and caring and love and just the opportunity that it presented to them. So, please don't don't make that one of them. >> All right, that's it. I'm just going to sign my name now. If anybody else has something to say. Thank you. The next board meeting, it will be January 12th at 2026 at 5:00
081p.m. right here. It will be the organizational meeting for the new board. Immediately following will be the regular meeting. Um, the board of education meeting for December 22nd has been cancelled in observance of the winter break, but if it becomes necessary, we will schedule a special meeting. And >> we're canceling the 17th then. >> We don't have we haven't scheduled it yet. So there is no there is no none at this point. >> Yeah, we did talk about the 17th. >> We're not sure yet. Yep. >> But it was to approve the um the workbook for the Ohio Department of Education and they encouraged us to delay that until the new year. >> Take a chill. >> At this point, I would entertain a motion to go into executive session for A2. We need to
082go back. Uh this was um um an update on our the update on um >> Yeah. $18 million. >> Okay. >> So there's >> Okay. So we do. >> Okay. I have a motion in a second. >> I Mrs. Washington. >> Roll call. >> Dr. Valer. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ferguson. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Nazario. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sturgel. >> Yes. And when we return this time, we won't be doing anything except putting our coats on. Thank you, >> guys. Have a good night.