001It's too late now at six o'clock. Yeah. Yep. >> I'm ready to go. >> Good evening. >> Yes. The o the October 14th, 2025 regular meeting of the mentor exempted village board of education is called to order. This meeting is being held in accordance with section 3313. >> Ma'am, is available per the first amendment to the United States Constitution. >> I'm sorry, ma'am. Our our meeting has started. Thank you. Good evening. The October 14th, 2025 regular meeting of the mentorexempted village board of education is called to order. This meeting is being held in accordance with section 3313.15 of the Ohio Revised Code. Please place your mobile phones on silent mode for the meeting. Mr. Wade, please call the role. >> Miss Awell, >> here. >> Miss Jessling, >> present. >> Miss Marchazza, >> present. >>
002Miss Payne, >> here. Miss Cook >> here. Thank you. And please join me in the pledge of allegiance. [Music] >> 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. At this time, please join me in a moment. Please consider this your first warning. At this time, please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance of our student, Lucas McGee. Lucas was a son, brother, friend, and cardinal. His enthusiasm and talents will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with his family and friends. Thank you. Mrs. Ayapollo, you've now asked for a moment. >> Um, yes. I just also wanted to have a moment of silence um in honor. Today has been a
003resolution was passed in the um I believe both the House and the US Senate um to declare October 14th as Charlie Kirk Day. And so in honor of his assassination, I'd like a moment of silence as well. Ma, Madame President, if I may, >> if I may have the floor, I I I just would like to, you know, I want to start out first by saying that I find political violence abhorrent. As somebody who has had jokes told about feeding my body into a wood chipper, about >> community members, excuse me, no >> about community members. Excuse me. >> I had the floor and I have the floor. >> Madam President, if I may, >> Mrs. Cook, are you >> If I may, Gavin, >> um, >> you gave me the floor and I'd like
004to finish what you gave me the floor for and then she's welcome to have her say. Could she finish what she wants to say? >> As long as I can moment of silence. Yes, please. Thank you, >> Mrs. Ayapollo, please. >> I'm sorry. Are we I I said I would like to speak before the moment of silence. >> I I think Mrs. Apollo was in the middle of >> speaking. >> Were you in the middle of speaking? >> I'm in the middle of the moment of silence. >> Yes. The point is I was I would like to say something before that. >> You can hold it. N Thank you. So, Mrs. Marchazza has the floor. >> Thank you. What I was saying is that what I what I'm sorry I can't >> I can't think
005straight with the audience. >> I'm sorry, ma'am. You've been asked. >> You have been asked this is not this isn't the way that that we conduct our meetings. And >> no, I'm sorry, ma'am. >> This is This is a public meeting. This is a business meeting and you are here to witness the meeting but not to interact with us at this point. We have two public participation moments. This is not one of them. The next time you speak, I will ask you to be escorted out. Please do not speak while we are conducting business. Thank you, Mrs. Marchazza. >> Thank you, Madam President. As I was saying, I find political violence absolutely abhorrent. As somebody who has been the subject of jokes uh about myself um being murdered, um being done violence to uh I
006find it absolutely repulsive. Um that being said that while I absolutely reject political violence, I fully support moments of silence when they bring our community together. um under something unifying, for example, what we've just done for Lucas McGee and his family. That makes sense to me. That is a unifying moment of grief and and shared reflection. It is um something that the community does together and is unified by. Charlie Kirk, on the other hand, we can agree everyone feels a certain way about him, one way or the other. You love him, you hate him. Regardless, not a unifying figure. In fact, he's quite divisive. Charlie Kirk, however tragically he may have died, was a divisive political figure. And I don't believe it is our role to bring politics onto the board as we've so often
007talked about, but here we are bringing politics onto our board. So holding a moment of silence for somebody and I'm just going to say my piece uh doesn't seem right. It doesn't seem the place of a school board because I believe it sends the message that we are aligned with one political side or another. And again that is not our role. So I would encourage us all to move beyond political divides focus on dialogue and unity. And that's all I had to say. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Thank you for that interruption and that I'm a little bit embarrassed right now. He was just um awarded the posthumously the National Medal of Freedom. So this is something I think our students this isn't political. This is about our country. So um
008now that you're done hijacking that such it's very embarrassing. Um plea respectfully if you so choose hold a moment of silence. [Music] Thank you. Thank you. I would like to welcome everyone to the October 14th, 2025 regular meeting of the mentor exempted village board of education. Prior to this evening, each board member has received for their review and consideration the agenda and materials associated with each agenda item for the board's approval via the district's paperless board of education agenda system board docs. The public can access the agenda through the district's website. The agenda is available through the district's website for public viewing the Sunday prior to the board meeting. Board members have the opportunity to call the superintendent and chief financial officer for information considering agenda items and to request if needed additional information. There
009are two places on the agenda when the board entertains comics comments from the community. The first hearing of the public is dedicated to those who wish to address the board on agenda items only. The second hearing of the public is dedicated to those who wish to address the board on any subject, whether it be an item on the agenda or another topic. To participate in the hearing of the public section, interested speakers must sign up prior to the start of the meeting. Signups are available online through the school district's website or on site prior to the start of the meeting. You will be called to the microphone when it is your turn to speak and at that time we ask that you please state your name and address questions to the board president. Each person
010may speak only once per segment and comments are limited to three minutes. The purpose of the hearing of the public is for our community members to address the board. The board continues to welcome feedback from the community as an important component to conducting business. This is an information gathering opportunity for the board and administration so that we can work to best serve our community. If at the end of the public participation we do not make a statement, please know this does not demonstrate a lack of care for comments shared by the community. Rather, we want to be thoughtful in our approach and we will provide a response in a timely manner when appropriate. In an effort to maintain an orderly meeting based on Ohio Revised Code 2917.12 and board policy 0169.1, any person doing any
011act which obstructs or interferes with the conduct or orderly progress of the board meeting will be warned and/or removed from the meeting. This meeting is being shown live and can be viewed on demand on our YouTube channel, Cardinal TV Menor, Ohio. Thank you. Now, before we begin, I I would like to request that item C5 from the superintendence report and recommendations be removed from the consent agenda. And then I motion that we add an executive session at the end of our regular agenda to discuss the discipline of a public employee and address the item on the agenda after the completion of the executive session. >> I'll second that. Um I had emailed actually correct back and forth about that specific item and doing that as well. So >> all right. Um Mr. Way, do do
012we need I So I think the motion is to add an executive session. >> We don't need to add a motion. We don't need to motion it. We can just add. >> So, we'll remove the consent agenda and then we'll add executive session to the end. >> So, item C5 is removed um until after executive session. Thank you. Next, we have the district highlights and recognitions. Mr. Keith, >> I think we're all >> I think it's the only one. >> Good evening, Madame President, members of the board, and Mr. Wade. At this time, I would like to recognize our PTA and PTSA presidents. We all know the importance of parent involvement in our schools. For many years, the PTA has given endless hours of service to our students, staff, and community. We are very thankful
013to them for their many projects and their timeless dedication to our students. Uh at this time, we will call their names. If you are present, if you could please come forward and greet our board of education members and receive a little token of our appreciation. Jenna Brazich, Belfflower Elementary. Kelly Janowski, Fairfax Elementary. Becky Saxs, Hopkins Elementary. Katie Zean, Hopkins Elementary. Kimberly Halutic, Lake Elementary. [Applause] Amanda Guard Nieri from Orchard Hollow Elementary, Linda Gardner from Ridge Elementary, Jessica Bender from Sterling Morton Elementary, Christine Henninger from Memorial Middle School. Thank you. >> Nicole Panc uh Pancuch from Shore Middle School. April Hellsburgger, Menor High School, [Applause] and Amanda Young, Lake County Council. Thank you again to all of our PTA and PTSA presidents. [Applause] Next we have the approval of minutes. Do I have a motion? So
014move. Second. Is there any discussion? >> Mr. Wade, please call the role. >> Miss Jessing? >> Yes. >> Miss Marchazza? >> Yes. >> Misso? >> Yes. >> Miss Payne? Yes, >> Miss Cook. >> Yes. >> Motion carries 5-0. >> Next, we have the hearing of the public on agenda items only. >> Our first speaker is Jaclyn McCormack. Good evening. Tonight we're watching another political maneuver from the liberal majority on this board. Cook, Jessling, and Marchazza have pushed politics harder than I've seen in the last four years. And now they want to send someone to the Ohio School Board Association, the OSBA, to vote on our behalf using our tax dollars to fund lobbying efforts that go against what this community actually wants. Let's not forget Cook and Jessing voted against adding a parental rights platform
015to OSBA. That means they opposed lobbying for the very rights that parents in this district care about. rights that protect their children, their values, and their voices. And now they want to spend their money to fight common sense, like keeping boys out of girls bathrooms and locker rooms, like ensuring fairness in girls sports. These are basic protections, not political statements. Meanwhile, Maggie has teamed up with Hey and Hardy, two far-left liberals who've backed her anti-parental rights votes and anti- taxpayer legislation efforts. Their slogan is less politics, less drama, more professionalism. But what we've seen is more politics, more drama, and less common sense. Here's the reality. Over 80% 80% of our taxpayers don't have kids in the school system. The last levy failed. Families are leaving the district. And this board keeps doubling down on
016bad decisions. The OSBA platform now wants local control, but only because the law had to step in and legislate common sense after this board failed to act. You had the chance to lead. You chose politics instead. We cannot afford four more years of Maggie and her allies. Their decisions are driving families away and eroding trust. If you want levies to pass, if you want enrollment to grow, if you want schools that reflect the values of this community, then stop using our money to fight against our will. It's time to vote for common sense. Vote for people who respect parents, protect kids, and stop playing politics with our schools. Thank you. Thank you. >> Our next speaker is John Sanford. Good evening. I'd like to address the first reading of Neola policy 8462. It is my
017impression from reading it that the key effect of that the changes is to remove the requirement that suicide and child abuse prevention efforts be quote evidence-based unquote. I look forward to hearing the reasons for such a move. I had my first experience providing suicide prevention efforts over 50 years ago and was a suicidalist until I retired. I have seen interventions become increasingly fi refined as scientific evidence informed us of our efforts. I would hope that our schools will continue to rei rely on scientifically derived interventions and not imagine a cannot imagine a good reason to remove the requirement for evidence-based interventions from policy 8462 which establishes those programs. During the current national administration we are witnessing too many efforts to move our health care and preventative services away from science and into the realm of
018fantasy and snake oil. It is my ardent desire that mentor mentor not follow that trend. I hope the board will continue to use the best approach the best approach based upon science for the benefit of our students. Simple fact is that moving away from empirically based practices best practices in this area will almost certainly result in a dead child. The resulting distress and subsequent lawsuits would truly be overwhelming. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Jennifer Lad. Good evening. Tonight I want to talk about something that should deeply concern every parent in this district. Board President Maggie Cook gave and two others on the board gave letter of recommendation to a school bus driver who had been caught driving drunk. Not only did she failed to hold that person accountable, she actively helped
019them try to get another job in another district with that letter of recommendation instead of >> This is on the agenda. >> Stop interrupting me, Maggie. >> What is on the clock? >> Stop the clock. This is this is a policy that's on your agenda about some second chance program. This is referring to that. Thank you. Can you can you give me my time back? >> I don't know what you're talking about. >> The second chance pro the second chance policy about another bus aid about your your employee that I gave I I gave this person a recommendation. the letter of recommendation that you guys gave that you voted on me you Lauren and Jenny voted for and then >> I haven't given a recommendation to this person but please proceed >> you can restart
020my time now that you chewed up a whole minute >> please proceed >> you have to restart you just chewed up a whole minute of my speech I get three minutes >> please restart >> I I'm sorry I thought it was paused so it's not >> if we could add a a little time >> like 40 40 minutes 40 seconds. Okay. Anyways, instead of protecting students, we chose to protect the driver on that one. That is not leadership. That's reckless and it's dangerous. What's worse is uh two liberal members voted with you. They had a chance to do the right thing to take a clear stand for student safety and they didn't. They chose to excuse the inexcusable. And now tonight, this board is planning on devoting out a policy to allow second chances for
021bus drivers or any anybody in the district who violates safety standards. Let's let that one sink in. Instead of enforcing real accountability, this board is looking for ways to keep people in the system after they put students at risk. This isn't about compassion. This isn't about redemption. This is about rewarding bad behavior and sending a message that student safety is negotiable when it is not. When a bus driver makes the choice to drive drunk or act recklessly on the job, they shouldn't be given a second chance. They should be terminated and never drive in another district. That's not called cruelty. It's called consequences. Parents deserve to know that their children are safe every time they step on a bus. And right now, under this leadership, they can't be sure of that. This board is putting
022the interest of adults ahead of the student safety of children. And that's just poor leadership. It's just it's also a complete betrayal of the public's trust. It's time for a change. We need new leaders who believe in accountability, not cover-ups. Who protects students, not bad decisions. That's all I have to say. Thank you. Um, I have no idea what Mrs. Had is talking about for the record. I think she's very confused. So, I hope that we can clear it up for her because she clearly is uninformed. >> Thank you. [Applause] >> Our next speaker is Alex Our next speaker is Alex Fish. >> All right, we are we are having a public meeting here. >> We're having a public meeting and I do need everyone in the audience to please be quiet while we are
023while we are speaking. Thank you. Our next speaker is Zoe Behringer or Brandinger, sorry. Good evening, Menor families and students. Tonight, I'm here to address you about the change in board policy 8462. As it is right now, teachers and other such staff are required to fulfill an inservice requirement on child sexual abuse from prosecutors and other law enforcement who have dealt with such cases. As the revision stands, this section will be removed. I understand that Aeron's law has been revised in the Ohio Senate and this provision has been removed. I don't understand why I do not understand why anyone would remove this provision. It's simply common sense. I even if it were no longer if it even if it was no longer legally required I still don't understand why you would remove it. I as
024I see it removing this provision would reduce the effectiveness of these inservices and reduce their impact greatly. On the other hand removing a section of this policy where it states that the programs need to be evidence-based. Simply removing the words evidence-based takes the program from effective and predictable results to simply guesswork. I am not in favor of guesswork when it comes to student safety. I'm not in favor of guesswork when it comes to preventing child sexual abuse. That is why with the dozen or so peer-reviewed sources I have collected and annotated and shared with you last year, I developed and created a survey for MHS students. I presented the survey to you in the winter last year and saw no real action taken in response. While I was in a bit of a rush this
025year, I reran the survey and not to my surprise, the results were worse, most likely because of the lack of action. Of the 46 respondents pled this year, 95.7% of students reported receiving no education about preventing sexual assault in MHS. While in March of 2024, of the 57 respondents pled, 78% of students said they had not received any prevention education. 50 56% of students in 2025 said they did not know how to get help if they were assaulted, while in March of 2024, it was only 49% of students said that how that they did not know how to get help. And when prompted with a question from a peer-reviewed paper regarding rape myth acceptance, students showed higher levels of believing that victims were responsible. If sexual assault in our schools is getting worse, why are
026the policies getting looser? Also, this policy in the state law say that prevention programs are required in K through 12, but I and others clearly have never received this education. Clearly with 95.7% of students saying they had never received prevention education with about one in five students reporting that if they were assaulted they would tell no one. Why would you make this why would you not make this policy stricter? Why would you not put more effort into caring about these students? This issue is completely preventable and you were the ones who were supposed to prevent it. I understand it's more convenient the other way, but I don't care about convenience or comfort when it comes to keeping students safe. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Our last speaker is Susan Sednik. Good evening everybody. Um
027I just I I have a couple of things regarding the OSBA training. Um, I just would like to know why um, Miss Lauren Marchazza is going to the training and voting conference next month when she already went last year. I feel like maybe you guys aren't really being you're not compromising and working together. I think that Rose has clearly um, wanting to attend. she's willing to go, but because the three of the liberals on the board, they just they don't want to give her that chance. And I find that troubling. I don't think it would be very difficult to give uh Rose a chance to do that. I also would like to have a reminder to everybody that two years ago when Maggie and Jenny attended the OSBA conference, they voted against parental rights. We
028had to wait until the state passed a law for the parents. And it just proves that we cannot rely on certain women of the board to advocate for parents and families. And I feel like we cannot trust the president of the board to use common sense as she would rather wait until she's forced into it. This is not leadership. We need folks on the board with common sense and a moral compass. Someone who can compromise and lead well. I don't feel like we have that right now. and I'm hopeful for change on OSBA itself. I as a taxpayer I disagree with this platform because our public tax dollars end up funding um lobbyists um for this organization. I don't think that's where our hardend money should go. So, thank you. Thank you. I think we
029should clear up for a moment here the OSBA vote a couple years ago that that was actually voted on. Um Tom Tuttle was our legislative liaison at that time and the vote was discussed by the board and what it had to deal with was the word all. all encompassed at that time. The discussion was would teachers have to place their entire curriculum for the entire year on our website and we did vote at that time that they would not have to put every item on their on their on our website on a daily basis a year in advance. So that is what um we voted that we decided as a team to send Mr. Tuttle to present to OSBA and he did that is the vote that they are discussing. Thank you. I would like
030to just clarify um as somebody who was on the board for that that vote um there that's not 100% accurate. It was voted on by the board. I did not I I supported that being added to the legislative platform. Um, we did have discussion on the board about what does the word all mean. I had no problem with the word all because I do believe that parents should have the right to know all aspects of their child's education. In the OSBA lobbying platform, it did not describe specifically that you would have to put your curriculum in there for a year. So, um, obviously, >> right, but that was discussed at their forum. And I know that we discussed that at the table and I know you supported having it up there for a year, but
031that but ultimately our board decided not to support that. I would suggest anybody who has who is looking into this to go back and watch the board meeting so you can decipher for yourself and see exactly what was talked about. Um because I don't believe that that's exactly accurate. But go ahead and watch for yourself, please. >> Thank you. Great idea. >> Mrs. Cook having been at that particular meeting and recalling the long um session that Mr. Tuttle attended on our behalf that the long discussion that followed that particular change and the word all and what that that could potentially um require of districts was the reason why OSBA delegates in general voted no. >> Did you go to that delegate assembly? Because I did. >> You did because you >> invited yourself. But Mr.
032title told us what he came away with and that went on to 6:30 I think it was that evening. >> Yeah, it was like four hours long. Um and there was way more than just the word all that was debated. So >> it was closed to everyone but the delegates was my understanding. >> No, actually they have a section in the back for anybody to attend to to witness it. It's you just I couldn't vote because Tom was our delegate, but it is open to anybody to sit and listen in on and kind of see how it goes. There were a lot of people that were sitting with me as well from other districts. >> So, you do understand that we didn't vote against that. >> I'm not I'm not quite sure what you're saying.
033I just I would tell everybody to go and watch that meeting that we had so you can decipher for yourself what was said and what wasn't said. I don't think either of us can reiterate, you know, verbatim what what was the discussion two years ago. So, >> all right. Next, we have our superintendent's report and recommendations. Madame President, members of the board, and Mr. Wade, I have the following recommendations listed under the consent agenda and recommend approval of items 6A1 through 6A4. >> So moved. Second. Is there any discussion? Mr. Wade, please call the role. >> Miss Jessling? >> Yes. >> Miss Marchazza? >> Yes. >> Miss Ayopo? Yes. >> Miss Payne? Yes. >> Miss Cook? >> Yes. >> Motions carry 5. Madame President, members of the board, Mr. Wade, I'm recommending approval of the
034addendum to the 2526 service agreement with the ESC of the Western Reserve. >> So moved. Second. >> Is there any discussion? Please call the role. >> Miss Marchazza? >> Yes. >> Miss Jessling? >> Yes. >> Miss Aylo? >> Yes. >> Miss Payne? >> Yes. >> Miss Cook? >> Yes. >> Motion carries 5-0. >> Madame President, members of the board, Mr. Wait. I'm recommending approval of the contract agreement with Lake TR. >> So moved. Second. >> Is there any discussion? >> I just want to say kudos to Mr. Heath um to kind of look into that. I know none of us discussed that as being a viable option. So that was truly something you took the initiative on and I do want to recognize that you did that and thank you. >> Just echoing that. Thanks.
035Good quick thinking. And um this is a temporary arrangement, right? This is correct. Going till December. >> Yeah. And we put it in there kind of vaguely uh just with an hourly rate that uh we will utilize um depending on what our needs are over the next couple of months. Uh we uh have it set up through December knowing that one of our uh long-term uh medical uh leaves of absence should be done. >> Okay. in December. Um but uh we've got the ability to add additional uh hours in there if need be um based on the driver shortage that we're continuing to experience. >> So, and we'll still be a we're still basically prioritizing like our our drivers, our full-time drivers, right? >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> And Mr. Heath,
036do do all of the routes that Lake TR covering for us, excuse me, do they all have mentor um educational assistants on board? Just so everybody's clear on how we kind of structured this, uh I met with the CEO from uh from Lake TR the day after we had to close and um we specifically talked about some of the coverage of our routes with uh uh routes that contain less than 10 students. Um, what that allowed us to do then is utilize a Lake TR driver with a Lake TR bus, but then utilize our Mentor bus aids on those buses uh with a Menor radio and the uh tablet that uh goes along with our routing system so that parents can continue to follow those uh routes in the My uh My Ride app. Um,
037so that's what we've been focusing on right now are just those routes that contain less than 10 students. Um, we'll continue to to look at other options in the future, but that's our short-term solution to this right now. >> Thank you. Mr. Wade, please call the role. >> Miss Jessing? >> Yes. >> Miss Martaza? >> Yes. >> Miss Hayappo? >> Yes. >> Miss Payne? >> Yes. >> Miss Cook? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. 50. >> Madame President, members of the board, Mr. Wade, I'm recommending approval of the Renaissance Education Renewal. >> So moved. Second. >> Is there any discussion? >> Mr. Wade, please call the role. >> Miss Jes, >> yes. >> Miss Marchazza? >> Yes. >> Miss Ayo? >> Yes. >> Miss Payne? >> Yes. >> Mr. or Miss Cook? >> Yes. >> Motion
038carries 5. >> Madame President, members of the board, Mr. Wade. I'm recommending approval of the agreement with Sunshine Transportation. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? >> Mr. Reed, please call the role. >> Miss Payne? >> Yes. >> Miss Jessling? >> Yes. >> Miss Appo? >> Yes. >> Miss Martaza? >> Yes. >> Miss Cook? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. 5-0. >> Madame President, members of the board, and Mr. Wait, I'm recommending approval of agenda items C1 related to certified personnel and C2 through C4 now all related to human resource matters. >> So moved. Second. Is there any discussion? Please call the role. >> Miss Avalo? >> Yes. >> Miss Marchazza? >> Yes. >> Miss Chesley? >> Yes. >> Miss Payne? >> Yes. >> Miss Cook? >> Yes. Motion carries. Fiser. Yes. And
039madame president, members of the board, and Mr. Wade, I'm recommending approval of agenda item D related to administrative staff recommendations. >> So move second. >> Is there any discussion? >> Please call the role. >> Miss Jessling? >> Yes. >> Miss Marchazza? >> Yes. >> Miss Appo? >> Yes. >> Miss Payne? Yes, >> Miss Cook. >> Yes. >> Motion carries 5-0. >> This concludes my portion of tonight's agenda. Thank you. >> Next, we have the board of education report and recommendations. And our first item under board business is the first reading of the board of education policies. And because this is a first reading, um, no vote is necessary. >> Would you like me to maybe run through? >> That would be fantastic. I I was just you want me to read each one but >>
040uh so a couple things uh just to clarify because I know some of this came up in uh public participation as well. Um first off uh 2431 is on intercolastic athletics. Uh this specifically is related to House Bill 96 that also included an opportunity for students who are enrolled in another district to participate in ice hockey should the dis district elect to permit it. Uh the law requires that the district where the student is enrolled be located within 20 miles and not currently offer ice hockey. Um this would be a superintendent agreement uh if we were to enter into this one as well. Um again there's a bunch of criteria that they must meet. Um we're we're really looking closely at the impact this policy may have on our ice hockey team here. Um, and
041in addition to our athletic department budgets, um, we will provide some of the cost considerations as we dig into the ice hockey expenditures uh, from the last couple of years here to all of you on the board here hopefully by the end of the week. Um, just a couple of things that we were able to identify based on some questions that had come up uh, in regards to this policy. Um we do not currently provide individual player equipment because the families have purchased that equipment equipment for their athletes already. Uh the uniforms are purchased on a five to six year rotation similar to all of our other sports. So the costs um there are minimal uh we do pick up the cost for transportation and ice time uh at the ice arena. However, uh currently
042based on uh initial conversations, there is only one student right now that has requested to play for our team here in Menor under this law. Uh he attends Riverside, uh and has participated in the Menor youth hockey program for many years. Uh the impact on uh the cost for one athlete obviously would be minimal. Uh but again, we want to make sure we provide the board with all of the financial information about this between now and the second reading of this policy in November. >> Uh >> Mr. Heath, can I can I ask a question about >> are are you still talking about the same policy? Are you moving on? >> Okay. Um so I know I had asked you several questions about this. So in addition to the cost that I know you're going
043to get to us, are we having trouble filling a team right now? Uh, no. >> And do we have cuts? >> Uh, no. >> Okay. Um, is this law, you said it was House Bill 96? >> Yeah, it was part of the budget bill. >> Part of the budget bill. Okay. Um, does this require us to do this or this is just an agreement we can enter in? Is it >> We can enter into the superintendent agreement for this. It's not a requirement at this point. um think it's something that um is kind of being tossed around about the state right now just to try and consolidate some programs uh because there aren't many ice hockey programs in the state. >> So are there currently do is it a law that we we're required correct
044me if I'm wrong to allow students that go to a private school within the Menor school district's orders. >> Yes. So they are they're required if they want to play but outside this is the new piece is correct is the outside. Okay. >> And again we'll get you some additional information on this one as we learn more. My concern would be if there were enough students um who were coming from outside the district that some of our players wouldn't have as much playing time and that would concern me and if we have this in our policy I don't know that you could retract that or adjust that once that is in polic policy, you you wouldn't be able to say, "Well, now we've got 11 players coming from that 20 mile radius outside the district
045and our players are sitting on the bench because others are are taking those top spots and that would be my concern." >> Yeah, I was going to say the same thing and I wonder is there a way we are able to I don't know can can we give men students priority? Um you know, when it comes to filling spots on the team, um, playtime or otherwise, is there anything we can do around that with the policy? >> Uh, I don't think we can invite that into policy. >> Okay. >> I think I think play time is earned and across the board and if you open up that can of worms saying, well, you don't go to our school, but you still pay taxes and you can't be I mean, >> I meant in terms of
046joining the team, >> right? No. Right. I mean, there's no guarant we don't have playing time guarantee even within the school. So if students are coming from outside for this policy, why are we giving this this team this sport extra treat, you know, special treatment? It's that's the you're I think we're missing the point of >> the team on the team whether they go here or not, they're part of the team. >> So, >> right. So I I I hear that. I think you're I think my point though is um you know, if they're from say a different a different district outside of outside of Menor, they're not taxpayers. They don't pay taxes into our district. >> And to come and take the place of of students who do play pay taxes is is my
047concern. >> I don't know if Mr. um have you talked to the like hockey coach or anything and asked, you know, what their opinion is about this? >> Yeah, our athletic director has spoken to him >> and what was their feedback? uh because he's been working with the mentor youth hockey program for quite some time. There are individual athletes that have been coming through that program that you know he'd love to be able to coach again. Um this is that opportunity to do that. Again, right now we're only talking about one student. Um I think there were others that were interested uh but they had uh joined club teams here recently. So they are not interested in playing for men now. >> Okay. >> Mr. Heath, when what is the um timeline for that? Are
048they practicing soon or I don't? >> And that's why we put it on for our first reading here in uh October. Um that way if we did put this into policy for uh our November meeting, we would uh be right before the start of that season. >> Thank you. >> Is it Mr. Heath? So, it's a student that would be outside of our district. Not like a private school student. It's a student that doesn't live. >> He's from Riverside. >> Yeah. I I share some of the similar concerns um up here. Just I would I guess I would want some more information. Um >> yeah, >> one student's nothing to you know, but my concern would be what if we have then we open it up for everybody and then, you know, I know how
049I went through menus. It's very hard to be on a team here and get playing time. So, I do I think that's >> I think that is a valid concern. >> It's an unfunded cost as well potentially. >> That's why we're we'll gather more of that information. Um and again, you know, currently this is just for ice hockey. Uh the other part of the concern is does this open it up >> right that was >> in the future to other sports then as well that might uh for example I know I spoken to some of you here this week on uh and late last week on this topic um you know could boys volleyball be next or girls wrestling those upand cominging sports that are generating a lot of interest out in the state um
050and maybe some of our neighboring districts have one or two kids that are interested. Um, you know, would they then want to send their athletes to us so that they didn't have to start a program, which again goes back to Mr. Wade's point of uh, you know, us incurring the cost of coaching and and having that athlete play for us as opposed to their home school? Did this come in the form of our twice a year updates with Neiola? >> Yes. Okay. >> Because that was part it was included in the budget bill >> and the cost of like paytoplay types of things would be the same. It wouldn't be an additional cost because they're outside of the district. >> Yeah, we had asked that question. Uh and from a legal standpoint, we wouldn't be
051able to charge a another student a higher rate than what we're currently charging our students. It seems um because it does delve into my purview a little bit from a financial perspective. It does seem odd that it's like an open enrollment for sports without a funding source. Mhm. >> So for districts who can't afford to have sports because of size or because of not having interest or having the resources, >> if I was in those districts, I would encourage my kids to >> take advantage of this because then they could have that experience, but it's going to be at the cost of the taxpayers and the board of education at better schools if we we open this up. >> So I think that's something that should be considered. There's not I mean these are things
052that when we talk about issues with property tax or other things that are going on this is a policy change here that directly delves into that issue. So I think it's something that should be considered uh cautiously. >> I also see it as a loss of opportunity for our current students potentially >> especially when we have a a very winning team as of last year. They did very well went all the way to the championship. So yeah, I agree. If it was me and it was my child, I'd say, "Hey, go join Men's team." >> And when you allow one student, that's the open door. >> You know, you can't say, "Well, girls wrestling, we're going to treat any differently >> or we don't want five students. We just want one." So if there aren't
053any limitations, I understand allowing students who live within the district because those families are paying property taxes outside of people living within the confines of men public schools. That's not true. So I agree with Mr. Wade's point of view that yeah, it excuses that um responsibility to offer a a more robust intercolastic school program. So I I don't think it's a good idea >> and and just based off the conversation at the table here, I it it doesn't seem like we've got a whole lot of support for this. I it's very very easily something we can just pull off the table entirely right now. >> Yeah. I don't I my great I personally wouldn't wouldn't write a policy for one student and I think that that >> just that you know alone is probably not
054the best practice. So >> but and again that's kind of a unique thing too and this this policy impacts relatively few public school districts in the state and we're the only public district in the county that has an ice hockey team. >> So that's why it impacted us. Um, but I I'm perfectly fine pulling that completely off the table right now and having the conversation with that one Riverside family. So, >> are we good with that? >> Yes. >> I would agree with that. Is there any disagreement to that, >> Mrs. IO? >> I didn't hear what Sorry. I would I would want I would look for it looks like there's a consensus but I would be interested in having a little bit more time maybe seeing if there's language we can put in there
055because it does seem if it's one student and it's not like it's very easy to have a hockey team. So it's that's you know this they're not asking for you know one of the typical sports. So, you know, my concern is for if there's a child that can benefit from this and then, you know, I don't think one position, but I also understand not writing policy for one that one student. >> Well, it's not limited to one either. >> What? >> It's not limited to one. It could be affected. >> I don't think you're going to see >> right now. It's just one >> influx. Yeah. >> Okay. Um I will pull that one off. Uh second 15130. Just a a real quick update. It's just re uh removing the uh registar of motor vehicles
056from the list of individuals that need to be contacted when a student under 18 withdraws. Um and then it also adds something in there about um having a written notification with that as well. So um just a couple of things to clean up that policy. uh 5223 uh goes back to the um release time for religious instruction during the school day. Um so this policy was updated based on the language coming out uh that was uh kind of tweaked from our initial um passage of that policy back in the spring. Um basically it just updates the policy to include the updated time parameters that came out of the budget bill. uh and it also allows students to bring materials back to school from the uh RTRI location. So those two things that came out of
057that budget bill and and tweaked that language have been included in this uh updated policy. Everything else remains the same. uh in regards to 8462 because I know we had a couple uh people speak on this and and really um this change doesn't impact us significantly right now because we already have a lot of these things currently um in play for both our staff and for our students. Um but uh just to kind of give a little bit of context to it. So in the budget bill uh schools were tasked with providing training in child uh sex abuse to certain uh designated staff including nurses, teachers, administrators, counselors, school sites and mental health providers. Uh the law further specified that the training must be provided by either a law enforcement officer or prosecutor who has
058experience in handling cases involving sex abuse or child sexual violence. Um, House Bill 96 modified the law to strike the requirement that the training be provided by law enforcement or prosecutors. Uh, it also modified the requirement that, uh, the Department of Education and Workforce develop model curriculum for the training. Uh, school districts are now tasked with developing their own curriculum for youth, suicide prevention, and child sexual violence in consultation with public or private agencies or persons involved in these areas. Um, so this policy update uh incorporates those changes basically including child sexual abuse prevention in the training and curriculum that are required by the district. Again, we're already currently compliant with that uh uh with that updated policy and um that's being done both through our public schoolworks training uh and also in our health
059curriculum. Um, I know Zoe spoke a little bit earlier as well, and we've met with her in regards to some of um, the uh, programs and initiatives that she's brought to the table um, based off of some of the surveys that she has done as well. And we're going to continue to push forward with some of those things that will also help us meet uh, some of these guidelines as we're moving forward with the new policy. So, uh, in reality, it's not going to change our practice much. It's just updating things to give a little bit more flexibility so that uh this does not have to be done by a law enforcement officer or prosecutor. >> Can I ask though Mr. Heath, we did remove those words best practices as one commenter said. What what
060was the reason for that? >> I didn't write the law so I don't know. >> So by law we can't include that any longer. >> Oh, we can still use uh we can still use all of those. They just >> removed it to provide more flexibility for districts >> flexibility. But so you're saying in practice we do still base our training on best practices. >> Yes. >> Okay. I'm glad to hear that. But I would um also show support to keep that language in to ensure that we would always be following evidence-based and you know evidence-based practices. I know that I'm glad to hear that we do, >> but I want to make sure that that we always do. >> And then to Zoe's point earlier from if what I understood was correct, if I
061heard if I somebody chime in if maybe I heard wrong, but what she is saying is her her survey results showed us or showed her rather that students are feeling that they they don't receive this prevention training. Is there a miss happening? Like what I mean, if you could speculate, what do you think is going on? >> Yeah, and and we talked quite a bit um about that with Zoe. Um I had our uh director of student services in there with me as well so that we could kind of >> tag team a little bit and make sure we got everything uh written down correctly with what uh what was being presented to us. And again, there's kind of a disconnect where that that training and that curriculum actually lives. We do have things set
062up in each of our um health courses. You know, to to what level is that >> being internalized is probably where that's where that speculation rises. >> So, I I think that's something that we're going to continue to work with our uh our health teachers on as well. Um, and again, I we can always do better and and those are some things that uh you know, I know when we first met back in uh end of last year, beginning of this year, too, uh just kind of going through some things to make sure that we have all of our ducks in a row, and we're meeting all of those requirements is an important part to uh to what we do on a daily basis here. Um and uh I do believe Mrs. Bonis is also
063looking at uh health and physical education standards to figure out what our next steps are going to be with those curricula uh here in the next uh couple of months. So, this will be a good uh thing to add into those conversations. >> Terrific. Thank you. >> Thank you. I I hope that there's a little emphasis on making sure that that sexual assault piece is strong in that program. >> Yes. Um and then finally the the final piece 8640 uh transportation for non-rine trips. This was something we discussed a little bit at our last meeting. Um but basically it removes the sentence no student is allowed to drive on any trip uh from the policy. This goes back to some of the conversations we had around uh top 25 and you know for example our
064golf team they they don't take a bus from the high school to to Blackbrook. they drive themselves to Blackbrook. Uh so this just kind of cleans that up a little bit, gives us a little bit more flexibility as well. Um what we'll do once that policy does pass is we'll work through some administrative guidelines um for students and or parents driving to non-rine trips. Um, and then we're also, uh, we've also gotten some language back from legal counsel on maybe some parent release forms that we could implement as well, uh, along with, uh, those administrative guidelines here once the policy passed. >> Thank you for doing that. >> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Heath. I I had another question just real quick on that. Um, I know we had talked about at the last meeting. Um,
065and I had emailed you about that policy being updated as well, but the radius, is that something like within a certain radius, you know, mileage that they could sign off on? Because I did speak with some top 25 parents and they were like, "Yeah, it's great. you know, I'm glad that we're making this change, but they were still concerned that if it's close, not super close, but let's say Twinsburg, they have a big, you know, >> big show choir uh there. And, you know, if it's late, they don't necessarily want their kids driving home at 11 p.m. So, >> and that's why we'll work with all of those events that they've listed out so that we can provide transportation when need be uh to some of those events. But if they're going to, you know,
066a senior citizen facility here in Menor, >> they can drive themselves. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> So that Yeah, that it's good clarification. Thank you. >> Uh so those were all the policies that we had um under the first reading here this evening. >> Okay. Um the second item under board business is the second reading and approval of board of education policies. Would you like to handle this the same way or >> We had them all on there last time. >> Yes. Acceptance of payment by credit. >> Yeah. Is there any discussion? We we have the acceptance of payment by credit cards, student fees, fines, and charges. >> Um the PO630 audit and the OSBA. >> So, I'm sorry, not OSBA. >> Yeah, that's the platform. >> That's the next one. That's our next one.
067>> So, we have the acceptance of payment by credit card and student fees. Is there any discussion on those? >> We need a motion. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> All right. Thank you. Any discussion on those? >> Please call the role. >> Miss Payne? >> Yes. >> Miss Marchazza? >> Yes. >> Miss Appo? >> Yes. >> Miss Jessling? >> Yes. >> Miss Cook? >> Yes. >> Motion carries 5. Okay. Um, let's see. Next, we have the appointment of Greg Markell as our Menor Public Library trustee. >> Are we skipping the OSB? >> That's actually farther down. I'm sorry. I was looking at my online agenda. We're on number three. >> Okay, got it. >> Is this a reappoint? No, it was a second individual that was >> that you interviewed >> interviewed, we had
068a couple of outstanding candidates and in order to fill that um opening smoothly and expeditiously, we thought um Mr. Markell might be just the right one and he accepted. So >> great win. Very good. >> So moved. Do I have to >> I have a second on that. Is there any discussion? >> Second reading. three. >> Any discussion on Mr. Markell? Mr. Wade, please call the role. >> Um, I apologize. Who was the motion? Who was the second? >> U, Mrs. Jessine, motioned and I seconded. >> Uh, thank you. Uh, Miss Jessley, >> yes. >> Miss Cook, >> yes. >> Miss Apple, >> abstain. >> Miss Marchazza? >> Yes. >> Miss Payne? >> Uh, yes. Motion carries 401. >> Okay. And the final item under board business is the OSBA legislative platform discussion. So with
069our legislative platform, we have all received the proposed changes to the legislative platform. Um, does everyone have this up or how would you like me to to read off which changes or do we need to have any discussion on any of them? Just looking for feedback from the board. >> I'll just say first that I I don't have any question. I did ask questions of Mr. Wade previously about the platform, so I got mine answered. Um, what I'll just say is um I haven't gotten the delegate packet yet, which usually has a little bit more information in it. Um, but there is going to be a briefing call on October 30th. So, look out for that invitation because I believe any anyone can log log on to that, right, Mr. Wade? >> Yeah. So, if
070you wanted to learn more about the amendments um or the platform itself, I believe they'll go into depth about the different amendments. Um, on that call, >> I I'll just add um I'll repeat myself that I what I've been repeating the last few years. I don't support the OSBA legislative platform. We we do use public tax dollars to pay for their lobbyists. Uh last I heard they had three getting paid about $150,000 um each. So I just can't support the platform in general. Um so I don't know how much, you know, I could add to going through every single one of these. So that's that's just been my stance the last few years and I I stand by it. I'll I'll second that. Again, I'm sure there's going to be a consensus to support it,
071but I you know, I look at it as um some of these go against um what's best for our community and our in our taxpayers. And so, and and I think it's just a little bit ironic that we're one of them is stating that we we're going to use tax dollars to lobby against returning any funds that we might not deem necessary to our taxpayers. So, I just think it's kind of um a disservice to our taxpayers. So, you know, again, my last two years voting at the organizational meeting was a no, not because I don't think they do add value in many ways, but because I just I don't agree with using taxpayer dollars to lobby. And I and again, I've I've heard that legislation is in the pipeline to to prevent that. So,
072um for that reason, I won't go back and forth, but um that's kind of my stance. Okay, then we will go through each item I suppose and and vote. So the first item would be on line 370 and it is on local control. So u Miss Marchaza is our legislative liaison and she will be voting on behalf of our board. Are we in support or opposition to adding this to the platform? So local control is a foundational principle of Ohio's public education system enshrined in the Ohio Revised Code which grants locally elected boards of education the authority to determine policies and procedures for their schools. This principle ensures that educational decisions reflect the unique needs and values of each community. So we are voting I guess we'll call the role and we're voting either yes
073we agree with this or no we do not. And to be clear, just because there was confusion earlier, the way the board votes is the way I vote. I can't vote in any other way, but the way the board tells me to vote when we when I get to the delegate assembly. >> Are we going to go through every single one or we just >> I don't think there's a lot. I think there's only a few. >> Which one? So, under local control, do you want to just call the same role each time? >> Yeah. I'm just trying to figure out how to best >> I mean, wouldn't would it not be easier just to state does anybody have any, you know, issues with any of these proposed changes >> um rather than going through
074every single one of them for sake of time. I think maybe like vote on it as a whole. >> Does anyone have any concerns with adding the local control piece? >> No concerns with local control. >> Well, I just voiced my concerns with local control. Yeah, any of these these new proposed ones I I I have an issue with. So I don't know if it's easier to just >> So Mrs. Ayapo is against the local control and I think everyone else is for adding this. >> Yes, I I am against the legislative platform as a whole. So I would abstain. I think there's for some of the I think this is time consuming and for the purpose of our meeting and I know we have a lot you know folks here that might want to
075speak at the end. My position is I don't think there should be a legislative platform. I don't think we should be using public tax dollars to lobby for or against issues that we don't know what those um taxpayers would like us to do with their funds. So I would abstain from all of these because I disagree with the entire platform. I guess what my concern with that is that we are elected officials and we are elected to make these decisions and we are representing the community with our vote right now. So of course you can choose to abstain but you're foregoing your own responsibility. You you had people that elected you to voice your opinion here. So I I think we need to >> my my opinion is that it shouldn't we should not be
076using public tax dollars at all to lobby at all. >> But we are >> Madam President I think we can respectfully disagree. I don't think that the public needs to hear back and forth about this. I'm I stated my opinion. It is my opinion. It's what I believe the people who put me in this position would want me to do. So >> Okay. So you you are free to abstain but we are going to do our due diligence here. Local control we have two abstensions and >> yes >> three in support. So Mrs. Marchazzi you are voting for local control. >> Understood. >> You did not abstain. >> I I are we voting you didn't call a vote. >> I'm confused of what we're doing. I thought we were doing the whole thing and then
077saying who has issues with anything in here so that we can expedite you know that's what we >> I was trying to ask if you had issues with local control and you won't answer. You say you have an issue with the whole platform. >> I do. I have an issue with the whole platform. >> So are you voting no on everything or are you voting abstaining on everything? >> I voted no on us being members with OSBA specifically because of the legislative platform. So, I would say it's up to the folks who voted yes on OSBA membership. >> So, you're voting no on everything. >> I would I would abstain because I think I'm voting no on the entire legislative platform, everything that has to do with using public tax dollars to lobby. If I
078could offer a solution, I mean, we can we can go through the additions and and >> I guess we don't necessarily need to take a vote on them, but we could at least go through them so that I know what to do. You know, which piece of paper to hold up when I get to the delegate assembly because if we don't go through them, you know, I I need I need direction from the board. So, I I can't recall if we vote on each of these, but we do at least need to go through them. Okay. >> Which page are you on to start? If we're going through all, >> we're on line 370. >> So, page 12. >> So, from what I understand, I'm going to be voting yes for the addition of local
079control. Is that correct? >> From my vantage point, this is a very important and wonderful addition. It hearkens back to all of the philosophy behind public education in Ohio and the autonomy of each community to govern itself. And I think it's a a very good addition to this. That would just be my point of view. >> Thank you. The next section is on line 551. It establishes a process for determining and regularly updating all components and costs of a high quality public education. So this goes on the um base formula amount. >> Sorry, which line are you on, Madam President? >> 551. Thank you. page 16. Thank you. >> I would be s in support of advocating to regularly update all components of highquality um the costs of highquality public education so that we can
080have fair school funding. I am as well. >> Absolutely. >> Mrs. Aappo and Mrs. Payne. No, I I because um of this language, I think that we have to always make room for um giving back to our um taxpayers when when when there's waste and we don't need it. So, I can't fully support all this language. >> Thank you, Mrs. Payne. >> It's adding and regularly updating the costs. >> I going to repeat myself again. I disagree with the entire platform um and using public tax dollars for lobbying purposes. So, >> thank you. >> Our next um is line 561. The career tech planning districts um supports empowering career technical planning districts to lead planning, implementation, and monitoring of career technical education programs to ensure alignment with regional workforce needs and student success. By centralizing
081leadership with career tech planning districts, Ohio can enhance program accountability, streamline resources, and drive innovation to prepare students for high demand careers. I'm in support of this addition. It makes complete sense with the shift to make sure that our students are ready to meet the demands of the future and the workforce that they will face. It certainly seems like a logical outgrowth. >> I actually just a question that I did not ask previously. Mr. Heath, what kind of impact would this kind of um support have on our CTE program? Excuse me. >> I'm on line 561. >> Yeah, I haven't looked into exactly how that would impact anything that we're doing. Obviously with with us making the transition to a our own comprehensive career technical education program um you know we're going to have a
082lot more control here locally over our CTE programs. Um I'd have to look and see if this is going to impact us one way or the other uh before I would give an opinion about >> fair enough. I did have one question that you might know Mr. Heath. So, with Ed Choice scholarships and the um schools that accept them, do they have any of this guidance relating to career readiness or preparation for student skills or is that just not in the equation >> because they don't necessarily belong to a career technical planning district? um they would be basically on their own to work with different entities on career tech programming. Um I'm trying to think of an example right now. Um yeah, and I I can't come up with one. Um, I know we've been
083trying to do some additional work with Lake Catholic in regards to um some college credit plus programming and and some things that maybe we're able to offer here to, you know, if we've got a seat open. You obviously we're we're trying to be good neighbors with them as well in that regard. Um, but from a uh from a CTE standpoint, I I don't believe we've got any connections with community or or parochial schools at this point. >> And their funding doesn't have any expectation that they would or wouldn't. >> No, >> that's what I was thinking. Okay. Thank you. The next section is line 578 and we're discussing um this is for students with children with unique educational needs making sure that they're served appropriately and OSBA the would read um they're supporting legislation to
084determine that we again regularly update the cost of a highquality public educational program and regularly update the additional costs necessary to provide services to students with unique educational needs such as students who are economically disadvantaged, students with disabilities and English language learners. So, the addition of English language English language learners in there. Um, and career technical education and gifted education services. Um, and it provides increased and sustainable funding for special education to ensure districts can fully meet the needs of students with disabilities without diverting funds from general education programs. So, we are voting if we feel that this is something that we would like to bring forward for legislators. I would support this. >> Same. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Payne. I'm just gonna exactly what I said for the last few ones. So, just repeat
085myself. >> So, that's a no. >> Um, it is I don't believe we should be using public tax dollars for lobbying purposes. I do lobbying on my own. I have absolutely submitted public testimony. Um, in fact, for the fair school funding plan was one of them and the the cap issues that we were experiencing. So, that's an example of me standing up for my constituents and and our community and the public schools. Um, however, I don't believe in using their tax dollars to pay for lobbying. >> Thank you. >> I think we have the majority here, but I'll let Mrs. Zapo weigh in. Mrs. Zeppelo, we are on um supporting special education needs, updating, adding English language learners, and making sure that special education students are fully funded. Of course, we have to always make
086sure we're funding, but I don't think that this is going to make or break if we're funding them. So, >> well, it would be lobbying for their interest to make sure that their needs are covered. you're for that or against that? >> I don't I don't think we any of our state legislators would representatives would be against funding for our special needs. So, I don't think it's a it's a I think that's something everybody can align on. >> So, you're for that one. You're you would >> I'm I'm already given my answer on these. So, you guys are the can get your That's why I think it's silly we're going through each one. Okay, we're going to move forward to using a process of flow through funding for charter community schools. So, this is one
087that I asked Mr. Wade about. I'm going to um not be able to articulate exactly what this means very well because I don't I still have trouble understanding it. But Mr. Wade, you what you had explained was they're they're trying to preserve a way of u maintaining the flow through funding to charter and community schools. Correct. That is already in in place. >> My understanding and speaking to OSBA on this is they're advocating for the fair school funding plan to maintain funding students directly based on where they attend. >> Okay. So, that makes sense to me. Yes. Was this for situations where a district has its own charter school or this is all charter school? >> No, I think it goes back to prior to the fair school funding plan when the state used to
088fund students and the I think the last funding was like 600 or $6,700 or $6,600. I don't remember exactly. >> Um and obviously mentor never got that amount of money. So we would get a fraction of that. let's say $800, $900, whatever the minimum was, 5% at the time and then anything else would be deducted um because you got the full full amount, right? So, if you were open enrolled someplace else or you were getting a charter school, community school, the full amount of the $6,600 for the example that I'm using would then be deducted from your state funding. And so your local tax dollars would have to support the difference between what you got from a state funding standpoint of let's say 5% versus the difference between what the value was. So what they're
089saying is they don't want that to occur because it's cost taxpayers additional dollars. >> So this is opposing legislation that would do this. >> Yes. >> So they don't they're opposing the process of flow through. They want it to be a direct funding >> which benefits the taxpayer. Correction. >> Yes. >> Correct. >> Thank you for explaining that. I was not sure how to advise you on that one because I didn't understand that either. So, thank you. I would be in support of that then with that understanding. Would anyone else like to weigh in on that one? Okay. Line 672, reducing or eliminating opposing legislation that would reduce or eliminate tax revenue from voter approved levies which should be received by locally elected boards of education, forcing school districts to return any revenue once received,
090and impeding locally elected boards of education from directing the proceeds of tax revenues for the purposes the voters approved. I'm absolutely supportive of this one. >> Absolutely. >> Yes. >> I would also support this one. Anyone else like to weigh in? See, no more discussion. That might be the last one. >> 969 school meals. >> Thank you. Yes. Line 965, making regular adjustments in school funding based on current operational costs. Um, needs of students and geographical challenges and funding capacity that exist among school districts. And then school meals being crucial to education in Ohio. This would um supporting legislation that would fund meals for students. I would support that. >> Yes. Same. >> Mrs. Apple and Mrs. Payne, would you like to any comments on that? >> Is there is there been a risk of
091of underfunding school lunches? I mean, I think this that this is needed. Why was this added? Is there any context? >> I I don't know. I would assume that because we, you know, are wondering about our title funding for free and reduced lunch at the federal government right now that perhaps we would need to look for other sources and we would need to advocate for that. I'm not sure though. >> So like when the Biden administration hung this over everyone's head. >> So I think but what it says is OSBA supports legislation that establishes a universal school meal program. And so what they're saying is, you know, ideally every child in public school won't have to pay for a lunch. And and I know that some districts, including Willoughby Eastlake, have managed to make this
092work with some I feel I can't write, Bill, correct me if I'm wrong. It's entitle one uh credits or some something along those lines. They're able to provide free lunches for their entire district. We are not it doesn't make fiscal sense for us to do that. We can't quite do that, make that work. So for me um I I believe in I that ideally yes every child will have a free lunch, every child will have a free breakfast. I know that's just out of reach for us fiscally like I said. Um so if there's legislation introduced into the state house that could move that forward for us. I'm 100% behind it. And I would also I would also just add to make sure that our students that do qualify for free and reduced lunch could
093continue to receive money for that. >> Yes. >> I'm not saying that there's any legislation right now that's >> saying that they don't, but just to continue to advocate for that. >> Yes. I'd like to know how that specifically is affecting, you know, our schools because if it is an issue, while I don't agree with the OSBA lobbying platform in general, like I've said, I have submitted much testimony in support or opposition or even contacting our state legislators and I would have no problem doing that on my own behalf um if that's an issue for men. Absolutely. >> I'll keep an eye on legislation. If there's opportunities for that, I'll let you know. That's that's really good to know. I think this amendment was introduced by I want to say it was the Cleveland Heights
094University Heights District. I'm not sure what their situation is over there, but if there's legislation that crops up and there's opportunity to provide testimony, I'll be sure to let you all know. >> Okay. And that brings us to the end. Next, we have the legislative report. Miss Marchazzo. >> Oh goodness. All right, I'm up. Okay, I might I have to confess I might go over my time limit because there's a lot going on. Um and please um I'm going to go through first just a quick federal update and then we're going to spend the rest of the time talking about taxes which I know is a bit of a snoozefest but it's really important. Um so first federal updates. I think a lot of people already heard that the department of education eliminated several employees
095um in the office of the special education programs and reh rehabilitative services administration and these are the two divisions that make up the office of special education and rehabilitative services. So we we did get at least one question I as I I got additional as well but questions about the impact of this um these job eliminations on menor specifically. Um so to be clear the impact on menor financially it there isn't one because we've already Mr. aid received our federal funding. Is that correct? No interruption in funding. >> Federal funding. >> Oops. >> Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. >> I was not >> speaking to my neighbor in class. >> Sorry. I'm just saying we reserved received our federal funding. There's no interruption in federal funding due to these job layoffs. >> Correct. >> Okay.
096Thank you. >> Yeah. We had the delay at the beginning to get it approved, which everybody across the country did. However, our funding has been approved. Thanks for your honesty about not paying attention though. >> Yeah, I'll always be honest even to a fault. >> It's all right. I'll give you a break. Um the uh the I think the the concern though and this is what I said to one person who emailed us was is really um that I think the the oversight that is lost. So folks who have kids with uh disabilities um they might they might see a lapse in the monitoring that that department does of school districts to ensure that those kids are getting the services they need. Um, is that right, Mr. Wade? Is there anything you want to add
097to that? >> Because I wasn't paying attention at all. >> You were paying attention this time. >> I was I know what the question you're asking me, but I'm not sure which which policy we're speaking of. >> We're not talking just just the layoffs. I don't think that there's any other impact on our district is what I'm saying. >> Not that I'm foreshadowing. As I explained to a community member who asked the question earlier, I have no concerns of impacting us from a financial perspective. As we know, when we get uh requests for we have to make requests for funds received, whether it be from the state or the federal government, we have to submit cash project uh cash requests and it depends on the when we do that whether we get the funds before
098the end of the month or not anyways and ultimately it ends up being a wash because the funds are guaranteed. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Um so, as for the state house, the Ohio legislature returned to committee hearings um on September 15th or that week thereabouts. Um they've got a lot of committee meetings going on. Um, I think one of the priorities, uh, lot lots talked about anyway, is redistricting, which will be one of the biggest and most important topics this fall and will have impacts on the bill negotiations coming up. Um, some other big news that came out of the state house was the state budget veto override. So, a couple of weeks ago, the Ohio Senate Republicans joined the House in overriding one of Governor Mike Dwine's school related vetos, which restricts
099the types of levies that we can put on the ballot. So we are no longer allowed to place replacement property tax levies, fixed sum emergency levies, substitute emergency levies, and combined income tax or fixed sum property tax levies. So that's a lot of tools that are now being taken out of our toolbox that we might use to fund our schools. Um we did hear too from both House and Senate leadership that they do expect more uh vetos in the coming month or so. So I'll be keeping an eye on that. All right. So now the big piece of the presentation for today is really about property taxes. We had two um really important reports come out. One of them was from Governor Dwine's property tax working group. They uh released their report. There were 20
100ideas in all that they shared. Um and they kind of fall into three buckets. Uh, one was support for existing legislation which includes um HB 186 which I'll talk about in a minute, HB 156, 154, SB42, and that's it. Um, they also voiced support for placing restrictions on the growth of levies in various ways. Um they voiced support for changing the ways um current taxes are collected, including giving the county budget commission the right to roll back excess excessive or I'm putting them in quotes because it's whatever they deem to be excessive or unnecessary levies. So, um they also Oh, there were a couple other things. they uh voice support for an increased homestead exemption or a circuit breaker which would limit property tax increases based on a home homeowner's income. So folks with lower
101incomes would pay less in property tax. Um I think that one's pretty popular but they didn't and there are a lot of bills that have these components in them but um they didn't really voice support for a specific bill really just the concept. Um, however, I should say that all of these would require lawmakers to actually partner with them on passing these. So, um, and again, I mentioned that last month. I I don't know necessarily what the status of that is. But the other important thing to note is that they all of these things would require that the legislature not only agree with them, but allocate money to make them happen. And since the state budget is already signed and done, it's unlikely that we'll be able to see any of these move forward at
102least this fall. Um the other really important uh report that came out is by an organization called the Ohio Education Policy Institute. This is um this is an institute OSBa actually invited us in conjunction with OASBO and BASA uh to a a webinar. I I didn't attend it live. I think Mr. Wade did. Um I did watch the recording though and I think it was really helpful. So I would encourage you all to take a look. But they in that um webinar they had Dr. Howard Fleeter and Dr. Greg Browning both are experts on um Ohio property tax and school funding and they were the authors of this report and in their report they issued eight recommendations. Um but what I what I really liked what I really appreciated was Dr. Fle Dr. Dr. Fleeter
103is just a a brilliant person anyway, but every time I've heard him speak, he he shows this graph and I can I remember seeing it in I think it was in May when he was talking about the state budget, but he kind of sets the stage and tells us about the history and kind of how we got here with property taxes. And he says that over the last several decades, like 30 years or so, uh what we've seen is a big shift in the way um the way different groups and classes pay property tax. So in 1975 very quickly residential and agricultural property properties paid 46.1% of school property taxes while businesses paid 53.9%. But jump forward 30 some years the residential and agricultural cultural share so homeowners and farmers that their share went way
104up and businesses went way down the state's share went way down. So what we now see is that homeowners and farmers are footing most of the bill while the state and business businesses pay a lot less than they would than they should. Some some would argue and that's kind of Dr. Fleeter's point. So he said that you know in this report it's it's sort of that's why we're seeing these sort of predictable slew of of of bills coming through the state house to kind of chip away at the problem but not really addressing it in full. addressing it in full would mean taking a look at what everybody's paying and making sure everybody pays their fair share. So, I really appreciated that uh presentation. Again, encourage you encourage you all to take a look. Um
105they had some big concerns, namely for those um districts that are on the 20 mil floor. We are not there thankfully, but there are districts nearby that are. And for those districts, they're in a lot of trouble with the uh the bills that are coming that are coming our way. There are like I said almost 400 districts that are so there are what 600 and some districts total in Ohio. So we are about to see some hard times if these bills come to pass. Um a lot of the recommendations that came out of this report very similar but um also different circuit breakers were discussed. Tax freezes for seniors were discussed. The homestead exemption also discussed but also local voter approved homestead exemption. So, making sure that the local voters have a say and that,
106you know, those clawback provisions are not present, that we're not looking at unconstitutional roll backs of voted upon levy funds, um limiting residential property tax rates for low-income Ohioans, um and and really taking a closer look at tax abatements and exemptions and enhancing local government productivity. So again, he he they kind of laid this out, but then they said there there are four bills essentially that they're very concerned about. They're actually the ones that Mr. Wade included in his report on Friday. So this is where I'll I'll wrap it up here. House Bill 129. This um allows districts to renew emergency or substitute le levies as fixed sum levies, but it will include those levies on the 20 mil floor. Now, Mr. Wait, are you paying attention? Because I'm going to ask another question. I
107am. >> Okay. If if that happened to us, if we were to renew our emergency levy as a fixed sum levy, would that put us at the 20 mil floor? >> Well, we just renewed it. So, um that would impact us for 10 more years. >> Okay. >> So, and then the other part of that provision that they're because the 66 override actually eliminated the ability to renew that. So, now House Bill 129 would allow us to renew it, >> right? and it would allow us to keep the homestead and roll back uh in that. Correct. >> So that actually saves the taxpayer dollars if this is continued. So this would be to our benefit. The adding it to the floor um >> we're currently not on the floor, so it just pushes further off
108the floor. >> So it, you know, doesn't have a direct impact currently, but it could because we're projecting that we're going to be close to the floor, if not at the floor towards the end of the forecast. So, um >> the five-year forecast >> uh well the new four-year forecast, but yes, but um but we would be um still pretty this one would impact us largely. >> Great. Uh the other one that was on um your report was House Bill 309. This is the one This is going to sound very familiar because this is the one that was included in the state budget but eventually fell off. Uh this is the one that would allow C county budget commissions to reduce the millage on voter approved levies if they determine that again a district has
109excessive or unnecessary reserves. Um so that would essentially mean, you know, Lake County's budget commission could second guessess our levy rates if it deems that the district's balances are too high. Um it could basically um reduce the power of the the will of the voters. I mean, this is all pretty um concerning stuff. the same things that we were concerned about in the spring are now um here in a standalone bill. Um so that one is definitely worrisome. And then House Bill 186, this one would cap how much money local schools can collect from property taxes. Um and this one actually got a substitute bill along with it that makes it retroactive. Um so again, this is kind of another um you know, if if the community's tax base grows, the schools wouldn't see um
110most of that benefit. Um and and the retroactive nature of this would basically result in what they're calling a refund to taxes to to excuse me to taxpayers. But those refunds essentially come out of the school's pockets um whether it was already paid or whether it was money we were counting on. So, um, it might be a refund, but I think as somebody said earlier, we'd have to go right back to the taxpayer and ask again. So, it sounds like it's helping taxpayers, but it's really about shifting costs. And this was the point that Dr. Fleeter made in the presentation. Um, it would cap or even roll back what voters have already agreed to fund without promising that the state will fill the gap. And what we see, I think, more and more is the
111state isn't going to be willing to fill that gap. So, I'll keep us posted on all of these. I think what's most important to remember is that these bills and many of them tighten state control over local property tax capacity and growth. And for a district like us that depends on um heavily on stable local funding, the combined effect could be slower revenue growth, more levy pressure, and potentially cuts to our budget. Um so I I just want to kind of provide that context for us. Property taxes are absolutely at the top of the priority list for our lawmakers right now. Um I want to just reiterate that like local school boards did not create this situation. We are simply trying to navigate through it um responsibly and conservatively on behalf of the people we
112serve. And I think that again if the stra state truly wants to deliver fair tax relief as they should um then they should really consider um that everyone must pay their fair share. And that's the end of my report. >> Thank you. Next we have the student achievement report. Miss Jessine. >> Thank you. Welcome to fall at mentor schools. I think that's my last slide. [Laughter] >> Sneak preview. >> That's the first one. Uh so welcome everyone. Um, we are proud to share that Mentor Public Schools has once again earned a 4.5 out of five stars rating from the Ohio Department of Education Workforce on our latest district report card. So, we're very proud and we're grateful to all the folks who have a hand in that. Literacy is a conduit to success. Congratulations to
113our Orchard Hollow students who completed the I Ready Reading Challenge and celebrated by sharing popsicles with the principal. Small groups can be the key to learning achievement. Our adjustable furniture and flexible spaces offer customized teaching options. The sixth grade camp Fitch experience offers our 12-year-olds the opportunity to learn outdoors and to gain skills in teamwork, self-reliance, and personal responsibility that give lasting benefits. Our middle school students explored career pathways at the annual Think Manufacturing Expo. Students connected with area manufacturers, giving them a hands-on look at the many career opportunities right here in Northeast Ohio. The Life Reverse Career Fair premiered at Memorial Middle School last week. Students created and presented displays for peers and visitors featuring opportunities that are offered through Menor High, Auburn Career Center, and the College Credit Plus program that can help
114them kickstart their dream careers. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce CTE equipment grant program awarded mentor $2.2 2 million to remodel multiple career tech learning spaces at Menor High. This is the new learning lab for our culinary academy. Here, the gourmet food students have a delicious bird's eye view thanks to that new overhead camera system. Our Cardinal Works students harvested their first crop of hydroponic lettuce, and it already made the Cardinal Cafe menu at Menor High. This project is more than just fresh salad for lunch. It's hands-on learning of real life skills. Our Cardinal Autism Resource and Education School, also called CARES, serves students ages 5 to 22. Our goal is to help each one become as independent as possible when they complete school age services. One providing real work experiences that help students
115discover their strengths, preferences, and interests. On September 23rd, students from across Lake County came together here at Paradigm. Well, we would be at Paradigm um for the first ever student leadership summit sponsored by the ESC of the Western Reserve. Confidence building, practicing leadership skills, and good decisionmaking were key outcomes. Climate creating has been a feature of the first quarter. Hopkins Elementary kicked things off with their Start with Hello program. Flight School at Ridge Elementary inspires students to build a safe, respectful, and positive school community. Fairfax students have been working to exemplify the cards way. While the Morton kids learned about the importance of fairness on the path to friendship, our weare students have been caught being kind. Shore kids gathered for an all school PBIS assembly promoting kindness and positive school culture. Watching their teachers
116compete in a fun double dare match was a big hit. And last month, WKYC Channel 3 celebrated Menor High's homecoming football fever with an amazing pre-dawn turnout from the cheerleaders band football team and our Cardinal community. School spirit is a source of pride and engagement for all of us and fall is filled with learning and growth. Thank you. [Applause] >> Thank you. At this time, we have the chief financial officer's report and recommendations. Thank you, Madam President, members of the board, Mr. Heath. Uh we have uh because of house 96 they have changed the timeline for reporting with regards to the forecast. Uh I did mention that it is no longer a five-year forecast is now a four-year forecast. It's the current year plus three more. So um however based on what is believed to
117be best practice I will still report to the board uh the fifth year. uh however we will only report to the state uh the four years as required by that change in law next year this will have to be done by the end of August. So um we'll continue to do that moving forward. So that being said, when we look at our simplified financial statement, the key is that uh this year we're looking to deficit spend uh we've reduced that deficit spend u to about minus $322,000 is what we're projecting. Um so that you know we're heading in the right direction based on some of the things that we've talked about as we've talked about revenue planning as uh recent as last January uh moving forward to make those reductions. Uh so you see that
118kind of showing up here. Um and one of the things that I think is important to point out is based on the assumptions that we're making, which we'll go into more detail here, we do have a positive cash balance at the end of the 5-year forecast, which in October/ November is the first time, I believe, since I've been CFO that we've started uh the current year with a positive cash balance uh when we've subsided in a 5-year forecast. Um so that's a credit to Mr. Eth and his team. So, when we look at um where we're at, uh as a result, our cash balance uh if we're projected to deficit spend by $322,000 will drop from 47,581 to 47 or not 47,000, excuse me, 47,259,000. Uh obviously with a forecast, it is based on a
119number of assumptions. Um it is only as good as those assumptions and as soon as things change those assumptions become uh as good as they were yesterday right so uh when you report out your forecast you share the assumptions that you're making the key one here and uh Miss Marchazza touched on this is uh I assume that the current state law uh applies and it applies into the outy years um there are a number of property tax bills and potential overrides that currently exist in the house and senate that it could impact our property tax revenue revenue. If this was to occur, the district's revenue forecast could uh need revision and resubmission. So, we would have to adjust those based on the turbulent times that we live in currently with regards to what's happening and
120what uh resolutions may come from property tax reform that could exist. Um, it also assumes that we will have a trial update in 2027 of 15.68% 68% which is up from my May forecast which I was assuming about 10.38%. Uh and it assumes that will happen in our class one. It assumes our class 2 will drop by.33%. Um that is actually down from the assumption of it increasing in May. Um and both of these assumptions are result of a direct conversation that I had with our Lake County auditor and trends that they're seeing right now in the county audit office. Uh and closely mirroring what happened in 2021 with that trial update as well. It assumes our historical increase in class one new construction will be uh a little bit higher based on what we've
121seen as of late. Uh we'll see uh I think a result of construction costs and property values going up. We're going to assume that's going to be $10.5 million annually where has historically been eight and a half and we will still can see uh a negative decrease of 1.5 million in our class 2 construction um based on various forms of tax credits that may be given with some of those class 2 properties that exist. Um, we will assume historical increases in our PUP, which is our public utility property tax of $2 million annually is going to be reduced drastically to about 25%. Uh, we're going to see uh that reducing to about $500,000 a year annually. Um, and this is a result of some changes that occurred out of Ohio House Bill 15, which made
122significant change to how PP uh values will be calculated moving forward after 2027. Um, we'll assume our historical collection rate of 99.33%. And it'll assume a continued implementation of all the outy years. So after the banium budget would occur, we're assuming that what is in the benium budget for state funding for schools would continue to occur. I didn't, again, I'm not deviating from anything other than what we currently know because we all know what happens when you assume. So, that being said, and we look at our con projected revenue. I changed it on my screen, but not in my hand with the clicker. So, I'll do that now for everybody else. We see that the majority of our revenue comes from the local property tax base. 68% of our local uh our revenue comes from
123our local taxpayers. Um that equates to just over almost $78 million. Uh we receive 22% in state funding which is made up of the fair school funding plan uh about $16.7 million an additional 1.3. So we receive about $18 million in state funding based on the fair school funding plan. Uh and we receive another $7.6 million in reimbursements in the form of homestead roll back credits that we received from the state. Uh our other revenue um comes out to be about 10% and equates for about $1 million. So when we look at this graphically kind of going out, I think this kind of resonates with most people. You can kind of see how the assumptions are being placed to get to the values that we're assuming. Um, and I I think this is a good
124visual key I always share with the board and the community. This is where you should be looking. Is there any abnormalities or anything that looks drastically different from our historic view which is the first couple years? Uh you see 23, 24 and 25 which have concluded are on there and you can see the assumptions being played out in 26 through 2030. Again there's nothing that is of drastic difference um that would warrant a true explanation beyond the assumptions that I've already made. And again, you can see that revenue in the state of Ohio, based on the way that we fund schools, between state funding and property tax and House Bill 920 and limiting that growth, our revenue will remain relatively consistent and flat over the course of the uh the forecast. So, what we see
125is that our revenue is forecasted to be just under $114 million um or just under $15 million, excuse me. And in FY30, it's expected to be about $ 117.7 million, which over the life of that equates to about a 2.5% increase over the next five years. And inflation is expected to increase at 2.25% over that same time period. So we're not keeping up with inflation basically from a revenue standpoint. So our revenue continues to remain relatively flat in all the outy years and at some point the district is going to need to have additional revenue. So we remain consistent with that assumption moving forward. How does our uh revenue on the flip side relate to our expenses? Uh we have a graphic up there which basically shows that 84% of our expenses are relate to
126salaries and benefits. So personnel costs and we re our next biggest area is purchase services. So those are things that we use to support the running of the schools and meeting the needs of our students. uh all of our other expenditures equate to about 5%. So we're just uh about $97 million in projected personnel costs for salaries and benefits. Our purchase services are just over $12 million with about $6 million projected in all of our other areas for supplies uh capital uh and other operating expenses. We do not have any debt in our district. So that is not relevant for us. So when we look at expenses because we are a serviceoriented business obviously student enrollment plays a key piece of where we are projecting when we project these expenses. So with our uh software
127that we use our analytic software we use we have the ability to get the live birth data uh from the state of Ohio and that has been updated and corrected. Um so it is tied back to the zip code uh as of recent as about a month ago because about two months ago for the prior two years it wasn't as that accurate to that. They had kind of switched up because a person retired and they got a lot of feedback from people across the state that that data should be tied to because we use it to make projected growth particularly for schools and other entities. So with that, we can look at what our live birth data is, what it has been historically with regards to when they show up to kindergarten and what the
128percentage is of, okay, here's how many kids were born in 2021 and this is how many kids showed up in 2026, what's the percentage of kids? And you can look at that and kind of see trends and then use those trends to make assumptions. And the other thing that we look at is, okay, over a five-year period, what is the cohort survival rate? So, what happens as kids move through the grades? What are we seeing? Um, and you can then manipulate that data to do an analysis which would allow you to then make projections into the future based on things that you've seen in the past and assumptions that you're making. Right? So, what we have here on the screen is three versions of those assumptions. You see the blue line represents a high assumption
129rate. you have our orange line which is the lowest assumption rate and then you have kind of the in between middle rate which would be the gray line. So you can look at scenario one two and three and scenario three is the probably the most moderate of the two. It's not an extreme. It's not a high or a low. It kind of looks at everything as that totality. So I would argue that our most likely projection of enrollment is based on scenario three which is the gray line. So we're going to see a continued decline in our enrollment based on the factors that I've explained and we use that to make our assumptions moving forward with staffing because obviously we want to make sure our staffing is correlated to the student enrollment. So just like
130we have to make assumptions with revenue, we have to make assumptions with expenses. So what are those assumptions? They assume that for our teachers and our classified staff, which is our support staff, which includes bus drivers, custodians, and secretaries and the like, that for fiscal years 26 through 28, that they'll have a 3% increase in wages as those contracts were just approved. I assumed a 1.5% in fiscal years 29 through 30 uh as a placeholder. It includes our recent changes to spousal coordinations and benefits for healthcare. It includes RX changes that we made through the contracted uh recent most recent contract negotiations. Uh includes our adjusted severance and our supplemental changes that were made again through the collective bargain agreement. It assumes that in fiscal year 27, we'll see a reduction of eight certified staff,
131three in 28, two in 29, and two and 30 based on enrollment trends and kind of our projections that we have moving forward. It includes the addition of the two additional school safety officers in the pre the next two fiscal years. Um, it accounts for our district's 5-year capital plan, which we report out in June or July, uh, which includes our 5-year vehicle replacement plan, as well as our 5-year technology plan, which we did fund, if everyone recalls, at the end of the fiscal year by moving those monies to the 070 account. Um, so those monies have already been accounted for and put into a capital improvement fund. Um, it assumes in most areas that we're going to see a 2.25% inflationary increase. Um, in our two more larger two-digit co object codes, which is
132our 410s and our 450s, we assume a two and a half and a 3% increase, respectively. The 450s is our utilities. Um, and the utility market right now is a little crazy if you've been paying close attention to that. So, I think that that's a pretty conservative um assessment that we would see those kind of increases. uh we are locked in uh for our gas and electric uh for another year and another year and a half. So we won't necessarily see that all at once. It it kind of just transpires over time. And then it does assume a 1.5% increase for all years for administrative contracts. >> I'm sorry, did you say we're locked in for gas and >> electric? Yes. So again, that visual that we showed for revenue, we'll show for expenses. So
133you can kind of see uh where we've been historically. Uh again, the first three bars of our stack chart here and then kind of going out and you will notice that there's really no abnormalities there as well. And the increases that you're seeing are based on the assumptions that I have made on the previous page. What I think is key to point out um and this is something again that the citizens financial committee is always challenging uh my predecessor and myself to do as well is to make sure that we are being uh consistent and not being overly undershorting revenue projections and overstating projections on expenses so that we kind of when everything's done we have precision along with accuracy right I think it's you know I guess that's the chemist in me wanting to
134make sure we have both it's it's not good just to be accurate and then imprecise Uh but you got to kind of be both. So I think it's important to the board and the community to see that we are actually projecting a annual expenditure change that is less than it has been historically. So when you talk about tightening your belt, we're not just saying it as a talking point. We're actually demonstrating it in the decisions that we're making and the projections that we're making in our fiscal forecasting. So not only short-term but in a long-term piece. um you know so it's about.3% less going out and I think that's important to recognize. I think it's also important uh this used to be I think one of Mr. Wilson's favorite slides that he always had in
135his projection so I I do it as a an homage to him uh but also to to share with our community that it cost us $90 $99 excuse me per day per pupil to educate a student in Menor schools. So, if you kind of take that out to 7 and a half hours, I mean, that's a pretty good return on investment with transportation being provided. I'll bet sometimes it might be a little bit earlier, might be a little bit late. Uh, it it does get done. >> Brings it up. >> And we're doing it for $99. You can't pay a sitter to educate a kid and drive them for $99 a day. So, I think that's that's important to point out as well. What does this all mean? It means if we kind of continue
136that way moving forward, obviously we're deficit spending, our cash reserves are going to decrease. So this is the visual representation of that very first slide that I showed that had all the numbers. And we'll see that our cash balance by 2030 would actually be down to $3.1 million. What does that mean from a day's cash standpoint? We talk about this quite a bit because there's the standard that best practices is your cash should never fall below 90 days uh or particularly 60 days. So you can kind of see in the last year of the state reported forecast which is 2029 we're are at that 60day mark. Um and we would be below that at 8 days at the end of fiscal year 2030. We also have policy that dictates that the board should not um
137see a cash balance that falls below 15% of our annual total general fund expenses which for last year would equate to uh $17.2 million which we fall below at the end of 2030 and we can't and we have must also include our 5% budget reserve set aside that we have which for uh this year cannot exceed $5.6 million. So that is our district rainy day fund so to speak that $5.6 million set aside that we have for unexpected costs and that money cannot be spent unless it has board approval. So uh between those two that kind of basically states as a board that we can't have a cash balance that really falls below $22.8 million without having a plan to address further reductions or additional revenue. So this is kind of where we're at with
138regards to a projection of where we were in May. And you can see in May we were looking at, you know, kind of that red line. It's kind of the pre preface of the fact that we don't want to fall below that. We're getting into that yellow and pink lines back in May. Happy to report that in October 2029 is in a better position obviously for the decisions that have been made from the administrative team for adjustments to our projections and our staffing in the cuts that we've made to reduce our expenses um and some additional revenue that we've been steing from investments as well as some slight uptick in state funding uh puts us in a better financial position. So when we look at kind of out beyond even forecasting based on trends you
139can kind of see that in 2031 we'd have a negative cash balance of 19.3 million and it could rise as high as 46. Obviously those out years, let's be honest, are very obscure and they're, you know, what the impact was going to be um because it's based on trends. But obviously, we know we cannot be in a negative cash balance that would result in a state takeover uh as we experienced in the early 2000s. So this trying to normalize this chart continue because this is the one that I said we'd always grade ourselves against. If you remember from our discussions in January of last year because we said it can't be done by just increasing revenue revenue continuously that we need to continue to make sure that we're being physically responsing responsible excuse me making
140reductions. Um we have met our reduction marks right now in 26 and 27. Um we still have some work to do in 28 29 and 30 uh to hit our mark of reducing it by $2 million that we discussed back in January of uh last year. So, where does this put us? It puts us in a situation where we still are looking at a 5.9 mil levy in calendar year 26. Um, that would get us through 2031 again, where we'd probably be then seeking additional revenue if everything played out as projected. Um, excuse me, that would take us to 2033, excuse me. Um, it would be earlier if we only did the $1 million uh reduction, which is the light blue, not the aqua blue. We'd probably looking at 2031, 2032. If we don't do
141anything and we just by anything I mean making reductions and we seek that revenue and it's passed additional revenue dollars, you would be on looking at a projected uh levy again in 2031. So you're getting about five to seven maybe eight years depending upon the reductions that we make in the amount of the levy that we would seek. So again we continue to do the work that we are needing to reduce those expenses. Um the board that will be in place in January will have to make quick decisions with regards to the district finances and the direction that they want to take if we would like to put a levy on it. the May ballot. Um, and they would have to look at that as well as if it doesn't pass in May or doesn't
142go on in May, what we do in November and see the consequences or repercussions, I guess, of those decisions as well. We did present this to the citizens financial advisory uh on Thursday, October 9th, 2025. uh they were in agreement with my recommendations and my evaluation of the district's finances and did recommend it to the board for uh consideration and approval tonight. I would just let the board know for some reason if you chose not to approve it tonight, we would not be in compliance because I have to file it by tomorrow uh by law unless you want me to be in jail and I don't think that's really how that works but maybe. Um so we need to continue to find ways to control our costs. It's always my first paramount uh recommendation is
143that we can't continue, you know, you don't continue to spend money when you're losing money, right? That's not a good business model. Um so we got to continue to find ways to cut costs. We need to make sure that our staffing is aligned with our enrollment trends. um since it's accounts for 84% of our budget um we need to continue to find ways to um control those costs and we have to be cognizant that by 2028 fiscal year 28 we're at a minimum standard of the 90-day cash balance and you'll be below the general fund operating reserve policy by the end of 2030 kind of as we get into 2030 right because it happens as we transition from 29 to30 30. So we need to make sure that we're considering operating dollars by the end
144of 26. Not doing so would have to be lead to other assumptions that we'd have to look at if the board so chooses. Happy to answer any questions on the forecast or assumptions that were made. >> I have a just a quick question. Um I know you said our personnel costs are about 84%. Mhm. >> Um, do we know what the average is or what sim I should say similar districts? I know the cup report has it for like average salary but not the total amount percentage-wise. Do you know are we within benchmarking what it looks like for other folks? >> So we this is a question I've asked for years even when I was back as superintendent. There's no data that really says that. I know Mr. Wilson used to always say you want
145to be between 75 to 85%. >> Okay. Um I would say also as a math person though as you cut in areas and you reduce your spending and kind of tighten your budgets and things like that and what we see is that kind of if you think about the pie if you shorten up the other areas of the pie the one area that you're maybe not decreasing at the same rate is going to get larger. >> So it's a proportionality issue as well because if you remember when we had larger transfers too we saw the transfer piece take up more section of the pie and kind of squeeze things. So, um I think what we try to do is to make sure from our standpoint is that we're having salaries that are in alignment with
146the market. >> Uh but also as well as um retaining and attracting staff so that we have the best people to do all the jobs in the district as well as making sure that our staffing is in our enrollment. I think one of the things that they saw in 2024 when hindsight's always 2020 is that they had increases in wages that were maybe a little bit higher than market but they also were adding staff when student enrollment was still decline starting that's when the whole decline started was back then as we've seen when we looked at enrollment trends. So I think one of the things that we've learned from that and I I think of my meetings with Dr. Hines back when I was principal in 2011 is okay enrollment is going to be this
147you need to reduce this and we were having those discussions and we've continued that work uh under uh Mr. Miller uh Mr. Porter and Mr. Heath as well. So you know we we definitely are cognizant of that and trying to avoid those things because it is such a large portion of our budget. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Is there any more discussion? All right. Um, do I have a motion? >> Motion for items B through H, please. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Final discussion. Please call the RO. >> Miss Jessling? >> Yes. >> Miss Appo? >> Yes. >> Miss Marchazza? >> Yes. >> Miss Payne? >> Yes. >> Miss Cook? >> Yes. >> Motions carry 5-0. We do not have any items under unfinished um or new business this evening. So, we can
148move on to hearing of the public on any topic. And um we did have one speaker that I I know maybe didn't get the paper in right away, Mrs. Mrs. Perrick, but I know she was looking for where to turn it in. So, we're going to include that tonight. So, >> so our first speaker is, let me just um randomize my list now that we have additional speakers just to be fair. Our first speaker is Jen Hadad. Good evening. I'm here tonight because what happened at a recent board meeting was wrong. I was censored, not for breaking a rule, but because my message didn't align with board president Maggie Cook's politics. She cut my microphone and silenced my voice. Yet just weeks later, the same board president allowed a teenager to verbally attack Annie Payne
149for three full minutes without interruption. This isn't about rules. It's about control. It's about who's allowed to speak and who's shut down. Let's talk about the campaign mailer that just arrived today from Maggie Cook, Robert Heg, and Dan Hardesty. It was misleading, divisive, and falsely claimed their opponents want to ban books. That's not only dishonest, it's dangerous. Labeling political opponents as book banners simply be for wanting to keep graphic content away from minors is reckless. And we've already seen where this kind of rhetoric can lead. Just this past month, Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator, not a politician, was assassinated by someone radicalized by political hate. When we dehumanize people for their beliefs, we invite violence, and it has to stop. Two board board members voted to support parental rights and set age appropriate boundaries. Others
150voted to keep books like The Bluest Eye, which graphically describes a father raping his daughter available to 14year-olds in our high school. That's not education, it's exploitation. This mailer also used fair tactics uh tying opponents to GOP project 2025, trying to smear concerned parents for their values. That's hypocrisy. And by the way, the mailor also violated campaign disclaimer laws and I have filed a complaint with the elections commission because if these candidates can't follow basic rules, they shouldn't be trusted with leading our schools. Once again, mentor made libs of Tik Tok. This time because our board president couldn't answer whether a male could get pregnant or have an abortion. Well, it looks like I'm not the only one who suffers from some confusion, Maggie. This election matters. Our students deserve safety, not politics. Parents deserve
151transparency, not censorship. And our community deserves leaders who put education before their ideology. I want to urge voters to vote for Robert Isod, Don Shoots and Linda O'Brien, team ISO for Menor Schools, because better leaders mean better schools. And also vote for Annie Payne for city council. Thank you. Our next speaker is Lin Mazika. Thank you, Miss Mazika. Our next speaker is John Sanford. Please water. I feel a certain amount of irony saying what I wanted to say today in face of uh some of the other stuff that's been said this evening, but I'm going to say it anyway. I recall the first time I addressed this board over a year or so ago. At that time, >> Mr. Samford, could you speak into the microphone? >> I can try. >> Thank you. It's >>
152better and better. Um it's just not made for tall people. I'm sorry. I recall that at that time the animosity and personal attacks that was being directed towards various board members was appalling and palpable. Um and I remember just saying forgetting what I was going to say and just lamenting what how the board members are being treated. The focus at that time was on books about whether certain books should be available for student access. Sadly, even after that was resolved by Madame President's compromises as suggested, it continues, as you just heard, to be an issue that is consuming poor time. Likewise, the issue of bathrooms and transgender students continues to be an issue even though it's been resolved. Um, we just heard that again today with Mrs. Polo saying having the piece about Charlie Kirk
153and how that has politicized a solid moment. I have contributed to that level of friction around these issues myself and for that I regret. I apologize. Um we don't need that kind of stuff here. We need to have civil discourse. Everything that has been said tonight could be said civily. Hasn't been always, but it could be if we had adults in the room. Um such conflict is counterproductive and in retrospect I feel remorse for allowing myself to be pulled into it. And I apologize again. So, turn page. Um, you know, we're always going to have disagreements. That's a fact. I can't imagine a universe in which Mrs. Payne and Mrs. Iopo and I would agree on everything. It's not going to happen. But we can still be civil in the way we do things. And
154I invite the board, I invite the participants to start doing so because it is time for us to start being and acting like a group of children and start acting like the adults in the room. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Jacqueline McCormack. Let's review the inappropriate books available in our schools for our children. Since Maggie Cook, Virginia Jessling, Lauren Marchazza, and there are two liberal candidates, Hey, and Hardys lie by calling it book banning instead of what it actually is, which is age inappropriate materials. This is uh from the book The Bluest Eye that these liberal members voted to keep in your school library. This describes a father raping his daughter. The confused mixture of his memories of Pauline and the doing of a wild and forbidden thing excited him,
155and a bolt of desire ran down his genitals, giving it length and softening the lips of his anus. Surrounding all of this lust was a border of politeness. He wanted to her tenderly, but the tenderness was not hold. The tightness of her vagina was more than he could bear. His soul seemed to slip down in his guts and fly out into her. And the gigantic thrust he made into her then provoked the only sound she made, a hollow suck of air in the back of her throat. Is this really appropriate for 14-year-olds? We have a book called Right Now, Real Kids Speaking Out for Change being handed to elementary school students. It features Jazz Jennings, a transgender child activist, and presents the idea that children can change their gender and should advocate for the LGBTQ
156community. This is being introduced to kindergarteners. Children who are just learning to read are being taught complex and controversial ideas about identity before they've even learned how to tie their shoes. Then there's transphobic deal with it and become a gender transgender. This one's in our middle schools. It tells students there are more than two genders and that they need to deal with it. It promotes the idea that boys should be allowed in girls bathrooms and locker rooms. This isn't education. It's indoctrination. and it's happening in the very places we trust to protect and nurture our children. All of these books were challenged by concerned parents and every single one was retained by our liberal board majority Cook Jessling and Marchazza. These are the same people who claim that they don't want politics or drama in
157schools. But their decisions have created exactly that. They allow policies that put bo boys and girls sports in locker rooms until the law had to intervene. Their actions have consequences. Families are pulling their children out of public school. They've pushed families away with their reckless decisions. And our last levy failed, likely because of it. Now, Maggie Cook wants your vote. But let's not forget Maggie's record. She's censored speech on board meetings, shutting off microphones when speakers criticize her while allowing others to attack fellow board members for the same agenda items. That's not leadership. That's control. And now there's likely going to be a lawsuit over that censorship. It got so bad, Maggie had to issue a public apology last month. And that wasn't the only one she's ever done. Enough is enough. The three gave
158our superintendent a massive raise without even having a contract in the system. They continue to spend your tax dollars on materials and organizations that push a one-sided left-leaning agenda. And while they may hold the majority on the board, they do not represent the majority of our community. It's time to stand up. It's time to speak out. And it's time to vote for leaders who will bring back common sense, protect our children, and put education, not ideology, first. Vote ISO team. Our next speaker is Gil Martell. Mr. Heath, Mr. Wade, and members of the board, I have said this many times. Our public school system is one of the most vital institutions in mentor. It shape shapes our future, our values and the strength of our community. To understand its true importance, it helps to look
159at history. Public education in Ohio was established for several important reasons. Number one, to create an educated citizen citizensry. Our founders understood that democracy can only survive if a citizens are are literate, informed, and capable of critical thought. Education was the safeguard of freedom and civic responsibility. Number two, to promote equal opportunity. Reformers wanted every child, rich or poor, to have access to basic education, ensuring a fair start in life, and help bridge class divides. Number three, to support economic growth, employers needed skilled, educated workers. Public schools were viewed as an investment in productivity, progress, and innovation. Number four, to instill moral and civic values. 19th century Ohioans believe schools should teach discipline, morality, and civic duty, the character traits that bind communities together. Number five, to build local unity. Ohio settlers came from diverse
160regions and backgrounds. Public schools created shared a shared value, a sense of belonging, and a unified community identity. In short, Ohio public education system was built to strengthen democracy, expand opportunity, fuel economic process, and raise civic-minded, responsible citizens. Recently, I shared an article with all of you by David Brooks of the New York Times who pointed out that blue state educational ideology has overtaken the hard science of education. Sadly, we're seeing the same pattern right here in Menor. Tonight's meeting is another example of what I just stated. For the past several years, this liberal school board majority has ignored educational science, choosing instead to push their ideological agenda. The results are predictable. Declining performance, lowered expectations, and growing division. That's why I believe it's critical we elect Linda O'Brien, Don Shutz, and Bob Iso to
161the Menor School Board. They understand what public education was meant to be. A place for learning, discipline, and opportunity, not political indoctrination. It's time to restore focus, accountability, and excellence in our school. Good evening. >> Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Alex Fish. Test. Thank you for the opportunity to address you. Well, after being rudely interrupted before I had a chance to try and speak while on agenda items while while the agenda item while I was trying to speak about was already addressed. So, I do have a couple things to say. October is school bullying prevention month. While I did have plans to share some quotes which I probably won't have time to speak about and the and um about Cardinal Cafes are these like series after um since there's a Cardinal Cafe in
162November I'd say is it the 20th or so is this going to be like a chapter on safety like one two three? Yeah, we're still working through what the uh topic's going to be, but uh school safety will still be part of our conversations. >> Okay. Well, I guess I'll end it there. So, thank you for the opportunity to address you. >> Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Susan Sednik. Good evening again. Um, there is a parental rights law in Ohio that was enacted this year which indicates that children in grades K through two or three should not have access to books and materials that reference sexuality. Yet we still have books like the like um the Jazz Jennings book and Tango Makes Three, the book about the Penguin family, A Boy Named Queen,
163etc. on the shelves for K through three children to access. And my question is, why are you not following the law and removing these books in our second grade classrooms? We still have the book entitled Heather Has Two Mommies as part of the silent reading program. Parents are not notified of this book and its contents since it's not a library book, but rather part of the curriculum. This is very troubling, and I'm again asking, why will the board not remove this book? Morally depraved people will insist that this is book banning, but this is simply not the case. We do not offer Seventh Graders Penthouse Magazine as reading material because there would be an uproar. We would be on the news for more bad things again. and people wouldn't allow that. And I don't understand
164why it's okay to give inappropriate books to small children. Um, it looks to me like we have a school board that thinks they can do whatever they want and parents and the state law be damned. Besides the obvious disregard for the law, it sets a terrible example to the very population that we're trying to educate. folks that are on the school board should have integrity, respect for the law, and honesty. And I'm sad to say that under Maggie's direction, we just simply don't have that. I do want to say thank you to uh Rose for having the moment of silence in recognition of Charlie Kirk. I think that's not politically divisive. I think all we're asking for was a moment of silence. And it's very troublesome that someone can't even be quiet for 30 seconds
165for that. And so I am sorry that people are so petty. And I thank you for serving us. I know it's not a hard job to or not an easy job to do, but I do thank you for that recognition. And thank you, Annie, for your service as well. And happy birthday, Charlie Kirk. We miss you. [Applause] >> Thank you. >> Our last speaker is Anna Perrick. Uh, good evening board members. Um, Superintendent Bill Wade and is those are just >> Yeah. Please don't make me the superintendent. >> Yeah. Okay. and um Superintendent Craig Heath. Thank you. I uh would like to take a moment of silence for the victims uh both women, children, innocent men and women in Gaza, Israel. uh the Palestinians who literally are have been living in a concentration camp where
166food, water, electricity has been deprived with um from them or to them and the US government has uh funded the missiles which have been and rockets and bombs that have been ba bombing Gaza the size of equivalent to the size of New Jersey for the last two years. Uh thank you Maggie Cook, Mrs. Jezling, and Lauren Marchazza. I appreciate your concern regarding uh the issue with um allowing students outside of the district um to use the uh mentor ice rink, the ice hockey team. Um, I worked with a gentleman that used the ice rink, Michael something at uh, Lexus and he was in his 40s or 50s utilizing the facility, so I imagine it's um, very nice. I've never seen it myself. I love this facility. It looks like it's being taken care of very
167well. Um, I've never been in this this particular building. Um, but I am a mentor resident despite living in Chardan Township. Um, I voted for Annie Payne uh back in 2022, I believe, or 20 2021 because uh I liked her position on not masking the students, the school, the children. um at the commencement of the next school year proceeding co the co Oh boy. Can I have a couple more minutes? >> I'm sorry just to finish this. >> I wish I could but I I have to be fair with everyone else. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. That concludes public participation. >> Thank you. >> We have If I could, I'd like to motion to go into executive session um for the purpose of discipline of a public employee. >> So move. >> Second. Second.
168>> Please call the role. Um, Miss Payne, >> yes. >> Miss Apple, >> yes. >> Miss Chestley, >> yes. >> Miss Marchazza, >> yes. >> Miss Cook, >> yes. >> Yeah. And and I I should state that we are anticipating a vote when we come back out of executive session. Just if anyone wanted to stick around for that vote, we that's what we are anticipating. Thank you.