BOE 1/8/2026

001That's what you need. Joseph. And then she's Yes. I just would rather All right, looks like it's 6:00. So, stands over there. Sorry about that. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. Uh, we have a couple visitors. Um, Ryan, >> absolutely. Good evening. Um, my name is Ryan Shepford. I'm the emergency management director for Portage County. I've been wanting to do this a little sooner, but this thing came late and I wasn't able to make it December. So, here we are in January. As you're aware, in October, we did a full-scale active shooter drill. This was our third year doing this drill. We started in an urban district with Streetsboro, moved down to

002Field, a little more suburban district, and then came out to the rural side of the county to test our policies and procedures in response. And I'm confident um that this school district is a lot more prepared today than even when we started this planning process back in March. Um I know we had the change with Mr. Gan coming on. So I want to say thank you for coming on and having your leadership as well as the board of education for supporting this exercise with that change uh coming in July. At every district when we've done this exercise, there's always been a superstar that always got us over the hump, whether Andreas at Streetboro or Mike at Field. And I want to say that individual was Barb at this district. So I want to say thank

003you Barb for all the communication, the emails, the nagging, everything that went into logistically making this exercise success. And then I also want to recognize Tyler for being the lead as the high school principal in the response of that day. We had a whole bunch of different partner agencies inside and outside of Portage County, local, regional, and state that would be involved in one of these incidents that we hope never happens, but we want to make sure we're prepared because it's one of those things that does happen frequently in alternation. So, to recognize all the efforts of the school district, we wanted to provide this little plaque on behalf of the commissioners as well as the emergency management office uh given to Waterlue Schools as a reminder of your dedication to the field of emergency

004preparedness. So please feel free to take this and feel free to thank >> it was a lot of lot of logistics a lot of effort >> I notic I know we have another visitor name crossed off there is it Ryan >> no I crossed it at anywhere else. >> Sir, go ahead. >> Well, I'm Jima and I'm with the Forage County Retired Teachers Association. I don't know if you ever heard of our group. We're a group of over 300 retired educators from throughout Portage County that are still giving back to both the kids and the teachers of our county. years ago in 1994, our group decided we need to do do more than be a social organization. And at that time, we began giving out scholarships to young kids from Portage County who are going

005to go into college to become teachers. We're doing that again this year, but that's the only one program we have. And five years ago, uh, we said, "Wait a minute, what about the teachers of Portage County? What are we doing for them?" And so we began a teacher grant program where we give out money for programs for teachers for things that they don't have cash to make happen. How many teachers do you know who have great ideas but they don't carry them out because they don't have the money to fund them. So we began this program five years ago and tonight I'm here because one of your teachers Peter Negron is one of our recipients this year. Peter is getting uh one of our grants uh $500 grant for his proposal for funding his modern

006civics drone project. We're proud of him for doing this and talking to him. I cannot believe all the things that he's putting into this program. So, uh Peter, congratulations. I'd like to give you a certificate from our organization uh recognizing this. >> Congratulations. But I don't give you the money. I give it to the treasure. So congratulations and let me give this to the treasurer. Thankfully >> Pete, not to put you on the spot, but you want to tell everyone what you're doing with the >> the drone. >> Yeah. So um this is the first year we've had uh the modern citics course and at the beginning of the year we were going over the curriculum and we were trying to find different hooks uh for the program that would make it interesting for the

007students and drones have been in the news for you know a while now especially if you're going to Ukraine but there's a lot of other uses for drones especially uh when it comes to communities it could be or searching for people who are lost in the woods or checking for damage on roofs or even in a situation where you have an active shooter and the police would be using drought to monitor the situation. So there's no real pilot program and when I mean pilot actually piloted program that's available or easily accessible for students to have. So, we thought that if we bought a drone or two, we could start teaching students the basics on how to actually fly drones. And we purchased one at the beginning of the school year. Uh there there was like

008$500. It came with a simulator, virtual goggles, so you have that first person view and a micro drone. And we have two of my students, Mr. Brown and Mr. Steuart who are responsible for learning how to become a subject matter expert on the drone and then they will teach the rest of these students inside the class and how to fly the drone. So once that happens then we will have drone competitions because that's another aspect of the of the drone world where they take these micro drones and they have races with them. So it teaches them all these basic skills that they may be able to use in the future and could potentially use in the community if they later on buy. So that was just one of the different things that were you were

009doing in the program. Uh Mr. Ballinger has tasked us with uh certain events like we just did the uh winter sports pep rally and before that we were in charge of the veterans day assembly and practice and the kids are getting a really they're they're getting a really good education on planning and we were talking earlier we're using troop bleeding procedures. They don't know that. But we use troop leading procedures for them to to understand what a mission is and then break up into planning groups and from start to finish, you know, we we cover everything from the planning to the logistics to the implementation of all the plans. And it's been the administr administration has been really cooperative with us. they bend over backwards to attend our meetings especially with their busy schedules so

010that they coordinate with us and it's been a good experience all around. So this is just one aspect of it and I'm really excited that we were able to get the grant and uh and I'm sure in May we'll we'll be able to give you an update. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. Okay, next we need to do the oath oath of office new members. >> Four new members, I guess. Yeah, I'm sorry. Okay. Um, so I'm gonna move all you guys together right hand and we'll do solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio and that you will faithfully and impartially discharge your duties as a member in and for Water Local Board of Education of the Water Local School District Orange County,

011Ohio to the best of your ability. in accordance with the law and the year after set. And now we'll call the >> supporting here >> here. Yeah. >> All right. So, now we're going to get into our organizational meeting. Uh we need to elect officers. Um first, we're going to take nominations for board president. I'd like to nominate the board president, Mr. I'm so sorry. Any other nominations? >> Oh boy. >> We need a second. >> All right. Roll call. >> M. >> Yes. >> Miss. >> Yes. >> Miss. >> Yes. over. >> Yes, >> Mr. Wise. >> Um, sure. >> Yeah. Thanks, guys. I appreciate your confidence. Um, we'll need to nominate a board vice president as well. We have two nominations. Do we have a second for either Patty or Tim? >> I

012think both would be very good. Who wants to do it? >> Who wants to do it? >> That's a second for Tim Petty. >> Yes. >> All right. Roll call. >> Mrs. B. >> Yes. >> Miss Barton. >> Yes. >> Mr. W. >> Yes. >> Mr. May. >> Yes. >> I'd just like to say real quick too. We have four fairly new five fairly new board members. Uh I think you know this time there's been a consistent people on the board for a long time. Uh it's good to see a lot of new faces. Not that anything against the previous people on the board, but uh I think we're all excited to work with each other. So just with that aside, we're going to move into uh adopting the it is recommended that the water

013board of education adopt the following agenda for the January 8th, 2006 organizational motion. Motion second roll call. Miss. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> All right. Now we're to the board business. recommend to authorize the super the superintendent to make purchases for the water local school district within the adopted appropriations of the board of education. >> I'll second. >> Yes. And under B under board business recommend to approve under section 3315.15 of the OC a service fund to be used for paying expenses board of education incurs in the forms of their duties during the calendar year of 2026. Do we have a motion? >> A second please. >> Mr. >> Yes. Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> And under CB is here. Recommend to approve the following standing authorizations to enable the district to

014function efficiently. Authorize the treasurer to accept on behalf of the board any gift or donation that does not exceed the value of $500 unless unless the gift or donation contains a contingent condition or restriction that would remove any portion of the public schools from control board. Authorize the treasurer to secure tax advances from the county auditor when funds are available. Authorize the treasurer to invest funds at the most productive interest rates with interest paid to the general fund, auxiliary fund, cafeteria fund, and permanent improvement fund. Authorize the treasurer to pay bills as presented and to modify appropriations within funds and to report the modifications to the board of education for approval. Also, the treasurer has the authorization to borrow funds within the limitations of the law. Authorize the treasurer to prepare blanket certificates and super

015blanket certificates in the amount not to exceed 100,000 for a specific reoccurring reasonably predictable operating expenses. Upon entering the duties of office, the treasury shall execute a favorable performance bond amount of $100,000. Authorize the superintendent treasurer to travel within the state on school business. Authorize the superintendent or treasurer to sign contracts as the official agent of the board. Approve the tax budget as presented to submit to the county audit. Do we have a motion to adopt resolution? >> No motion. >> Second and please. >> Yes. Mr. >> Yes. And under D is to adopt our legal council. Um I don't think we have any changes here. Recommend to approve to retain the services of Squires Pat and Box and Chrysler Harrington and Pierce people and Wagner McGawan and Markling Eastman and Smith and Britain uh

016as the LPA Brennan Manning and Diamond on as a as needed. Uh, do we have a motion to adopt these services? >> A second, please. >> M. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wise. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Under E. recommend to approve membership correspondence, legal assistance, and virtual transportation service with the Ohio School Boards Association for the 2026 calendar year. A >> motion second call, please. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wise, >> yes. M >> Yes. That resolution passes. Under F, recommend to appoint the superintendent as appeals officer for student suspensions. Student suspensions may be up to a maximum of 10 days in length. The board of education will hear appeals for expulsions. Do we have a motion? >> All second. Who is the second?

017>> Mr. Moon. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Motion passes. >> Under G recommend to establish the meeting date and time for regular board of education meetings for the calendar year of 2026. Now, I know this has been the way it's been for a long time, but I that's totally up to you guys. We can change it. It doesn't have to stay talked to the second Thursday for any other reason than that's the way it's been. So, >> it is the same night as our trustees. >> So, if you would like to change it, that's absolutely fine. I understand that. That's up to the board. So, >> I don't necessarily have to believe it is better for anything. I just that is unfortunate. >> That's one conflict.

018But we learned so the third Thursday is Babelwood. So we don't want to do that day. >> Okay. >> But it's okay if we stay too. I'm not >> anyone have any other input. >> Is there a different day that would work? I mean it's it's hard for everybody to just think about what day. Any day of the week is fine with me. Um, >> yeah, I don't have any attachment to the second Thursday, but I also don't care either way. >> Yeah, I feel like it's also just been that way. So, changing it, I I'm also okay with not doing that. I >> mean, we could do it on Wednesdays or something. Any other day of the week, I don't know if we would want it on a Monday or Friday, but any other

019day of the week, it's perfectly fine. I have no but it sounds like to me like there's not much of a conflict with anybody unless someone wants to voice it >> and the first Thursday is is that hard for you to get things together because it's first of the month. >> Yeah, I would prefer to not be during the first week >> and not on Monday because >> So why don't we just leave it >> Why don't we just leave it where it's done? Okay, we all showed up tonight. >> Yeah. Um, let's uh do we have a motion to keep it? >> I'll second. Thanks, Tim. Ryan, >> yes. Motion passes. All right. Letter H. Recommend to appoint a legislative liaison for the calendar year 2026. Does anyone feel strongly about doing this? >>

020Okay. >> I actually really love this kind of stuff. >> I I was nominated for that, too. with I don't you know with everything going on >> in the state legislator make sure uh I I think this is going to be in common here 2026 a very position to inform the public and the board about what's going on. So, um, with that, do we have a do I have to second it? >> Oh, yeah. And I second. >> I'll second. >> M. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wise. >> Yes. >> Soldier. >> Yes. >> Miss Bart. >> Yes. >> All right. under I recommend to appoint an OSBA delegate an alternate for the capital conference for 2026. >> Um what are the dates on that? >> November something >> you went this

021year or what 25 right >> it was like November 16th 17 >> it's usually Veterans Day weekend >> Veterans Day weekend. Um, it's the 15th to the 17th. 15th through the 17th >> and we need to nominate the delegate and an alternate. >> Is that correct? >> You guys going? >> I went this year. >> I went the year before. You went this year? >> Yeah, I did. I went for one day. No, I I stopped it for a day. I did 201 Angel. I'll second that. >> And then do we also need to do an alternate answer? >> I'll do nominate also. Did we do that right? Stop me if I'm doing something wrong. >> Yeah, maybe. >> Well, let's do it this way. I have a motion to appoint >> each one individually

022as >> Okay. So, we're have a motion to nominate Angela and Patty as Angela as a delegate and Patty is the alternate for OSBA delegate and alternate for capital conference. And I'll make that motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. Can I second a m? >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wise. >> Yes. >> Mer. >> Yes. >> Mr. Bennett. >> Yes. >> The motion passes. J. Recommend to appoint Maplewood Representative from January 8th, 2026 to December 31st of 2026. Heather, do you want to keep doing this? Do you like it? >> I can keep doing it if nobody else wants to do it. >> It's not legislation. >> Heather's great. Been doing it and been committed to it for many years. So, I know. >> You're good. Go ahead. >> Yeah.

023Um, the only thing is, well, it's not even a thing, but if you guys want different information than I give, let me know. Like, if you guys want more financials or something in the past, nobody's really here, but if you guys want something different, let me know. >> Um, so we need a motion, formal motion >> to not >> I make a motion to not second. Yes. >> Yes. And that will adjourn our organization act 627. We have anyone else stand? >> We already did the pledge. So now we're going to start our uh regular January board meeting. Um we'll have to do another roll call. >> This is what? Yes. Here, >> Mr. >> Here. >> And under number four, it is recommended Waterland Board of Education adopt the following agenda for the January

0248th, 2026 regular meeting. Do we have a motion? >> I'll make a motion. I'll second. Yes. Miss, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Wise. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Well, I don't really have a president's report. I was only expecting to be president for about 20 minutes. Uh, but as I said earlier, I think we're all excited to uh be part of this board and uh look forward to working with Frank and the rest of the community. Um, you know, we're all kind of new at this, so give us a little grace up here with some of the motioning and parliamentary uh procedures. But, um, my email is on there. My phone number I will make available. U, please reach out if you have questions. I'm not big on social media, but um

025I'm in town all the time. Stop in and see me uh anytime. I'm an open door. I I think most of these board members feel the same way. Um I think as a board we want to be as collaborative as possible with each other and and be as transparent as as possible with the community. That said, all good. Okay, I'll just share a couple things and then we'll be talking more like later, but uh one of the things that's on the agenda tonight is kind of talk about the calendars for justice and calendar. One of the things that's very well known within our community is it's based on the Por County Fair and where we start. So, I came across something that I wanted to share just kind of our students are locally with it.

026So for county 4 members in school enrollment while this isn't necessarily all students that are taking part in for county fair there's 843 students that are 4 enrolled in for county 92 of them are water students that's a significant so that is really a part of you know our culture of our community and so as we take a look at the calendar that is truly something that we're mindful of welding, you know, moving forward. So 92, I mean, we're we're looking at greater than 10% of our students are involved in that capacity. So that's that's a really exciting, you know, aspect of of our community. A couple other things, you know, just kind of throw out there, our girls soccer team is scheduled a game at the Columbus Crew Stadium next year. So they'll have

027an opportunity, they're going to raise funds to to travel down to Columbus Stadium and play another team on their field and really showcase their talent. So it's very very exciting for them. The part that's on the agenda talks about pay to participate. We're going to kind of talk, you know, share some of the numbers while our board asks some questions, talk through that a little bit. So one of our main goals is increase participation. We have a smaller number of student body. So we have to increase our participation in fall sports. We have about one in three students at the high school level that participate in some type of sport in the wintertime and in the spring it drops even more to roughly about one in four in some cases maybe one in five to

028participate. So our participation is low. We're doing some things really to increase the participation. One of the things that comes up often is how does payto play impact that participation? Looking at we had last year about 71 students do one sport, 42 did two sports and 13 did three sports throughout the year according to our athletic numbers. The the uh pay to play is roughly $75 for a sport in the middle school and 150 at the high school. So how does how do those things play? I'm going to share those numbers overall and answer any questions that the board might have about our participation, which is one of our goals to increase that is as one of the things we're trying to address with our athletic programs. So, kind of Frank and I I talked

029the expected revenue was around 40,000. Well, you don't expected. >> I want to say Ryan's going to be able to to answer this a little bit better because what we found is some of our tracking has not been consistently communicated over the years. So, kind of going back through. So, initially we went through the expected revenue would be in that 40 40,000 range. Um I don't know if Ryan can probably share what the actual number was last year and there it's off of what we've calculated and the hand count and the way we pay doesn't necessarily communicate with each other for last year 242 school year around $35,000 some of that most of cash check by paint schools. Um, so I think that part of the issue there, but this year we brought in about

03013, but we're only falling in some stuff. So, What are those funds used for? So they have to pay a play. >> Um so I mean it goes to it all goes into the athletic front. Um majority of it goes to salary benefits for coaches. Um by benefits it's not health insurance that's paying for the retirement all that. Another part of it goes to the officials, the game workers. Um, and the remainder of it goes to supplies that they need whatever is in there. Um, year to date, as of yesterday, um, we've spent $47,000 between those four items, salary, benefits, services, and usage. Um we've brought in four I think so far this year between ticket sales play um already for athletics. So um they're doing okay. here. Fall was a little bit of a

031hit football there, but have our athletic booster that does supplement quite a bit within our program uniforms. We're very fortunate to have that. So sort of the idea would be I don't know the time frame but then the idea would be that a family an athlete that would play three sports the first sport they would pay for and maybe we would so what are the ideas that uh you know just to kind of talk about discuss a little bit further to really see if paytoplay has truly impacted participation. We can take a look at this spring coming out and seeing and making levels of determination if a family is participate or paid in a winter or fall sport and allowing them to have that reprieve in spring and seeing if that shows an impact on

032the overall participation of the spring sports. If it does, if we see an uptick that we know that possibly our paytoplay structure currently hasn't exist exists may need to be revisited how we do whether it's a more of a frontloaded or a you how we manage throughout the year. >> What about like if you're a student who plays all of their sports certain sports? So like if you say if it's affecting participation but like if we're going to do like a something with fees would it be would it be broken into those seasons or just be like no matter what sport you play >> this would be the thing I was sharing was would be just this year just to see if in almost like a pilot purpose how it impacts spring and then if

033there is some type of impact then we have to re take a look at next year in totally different frame, you know, seeing if we should restructure it where it's a a cost at the beginning of the year and covers all sports. Do we increase the cost? Do we adjust it based on the sport or we could we could do a lot of exploring different options in different schools and seeing you know what's available to us. I think pay to play is has supplemented our programs. One of the things we want to kind of explore a little bit are we not getting as much benefit and getting a lot of you know more deterrent out of it. That's that's one of the the questions I think many people have currently play. >> Is there any

034amount? Is there any amount for where a student does but does not pay? What does that look like? In terms of >> they compound And then we do have some cases where students as a senior know that they to graduate they have to pay their student fees and so they try to be caught up on it but there are there are some outstating balances for student fees currently. >> So what are you proposing or what's the idea of what that looks like? The I the just a proposed idea and this is just one would be if a family has paid for either a spring or winter sport for that child fall or winter that they would not have charged pay to play in the spring and we would see we look back at that that

035those numbers and see do we see an increase in participation? Most likely that increase of participation will happen more in track and field. And you know for our middle schoolers, you know, many middle schoolers that are not exposed to sports or focus sports, track and field is kind of like an introductory sport to to children. >> Do you think that you know if we look at track I can see the the thought process of track, right? Play baseball you're not trying for the first time or something you've been actively probably for a very long time. This is the first year we're actually, if I'm not mistaken, the first year we're actually going to have a track facility to use. Is there any determination of whether or not they're actually turning up and turning out for

036track based on the fact that we actually have facility this year? Um, or would it be or how can we make any sort of interpretation that we need to look at as well? >> Yeah, we won't be able to kind of isolate those variables just like We're with the middle school, we're pretty certain we have two coaches that are that are already coaches in other sports that just their their relationship with students is also going to increase the participation. So those variables are going to be hard to to tell overall. And right now, I think last year we had probably 23 students on the track team. And we think about 23 compared to 130 middle schoolers because middle schoolers have no other choice. They could play their own outside softball and baseball. They could also

037do middle school track, but 130 have access to tracks. I think generally the idea would be our participation is athletic participation >> slipped. I guess when you went through the numbers over the last several years was kind of the trend you saw where our our percentage or ratio is most most likely it has the exact I'm not sure. >> Um, all right. Anything else? Just want to share that. >> Well, I did. Can I just share something? like talking to all kinds of parents this week and um like I know this is just an idea for this year but there's things to keep in mind and I've looked at what other schools do and all kinds of stuff like statewide and sometimes there are schools that will do a cap or a certain a whole

038family can't pay more than a certain amount. Um so I think those are things we should consider too. Um because even if you want to increase spring sports, we also want the fall and winter sports to be affordable. >> Yeah. I I mean I think the idea would be >> So this will be a start. >> I think the idea would be to >> like you said >> find creative ways to maybe offset some of the costs or eliminate them during certain segments of the year in order to increase participation. >> Yeah. Also done a lot of research this week as well and you know you see that in more rural or financially challenged districts that have a um lower income population. you see that that is okay is a hindrance and does that and

039athletics is integral to student success. So we need to figure out >> yeah whether that's by you know raising some money to also the community stuff like that organizations maybe stuff too you know part of this is we might have to think out of the box a little bit to uh try to offset Obviously, we can't just wave the fee because rely on some of that >> keep the programs going as well. >> I'd like to look into several years ago um and alumni stepped up and paid I think I say all fall sports or um maybe it was fall and winter. I can't remember. I'd love to look and see. But did that impact participation if their fees? I I don't remember what year it is. We can do that research. But did that

040the fact that someone covered the fees increase participation during those that time? >> Maybe Ryan could find out what the dead you know the the dead cost number would be that we need to keep each segment going like you know whether it's 15,000 for fall and 10,000 for winter and 5,000 for spring. you know, because these they're not I'm sure they're not all of equal cost. I'm trying to say. So maybe, you know, you can find that out for us. >> We do currently have a cap. >> Is that for a whole like you have four kids and they're playing three sports? Regardless, superintendent. All right, we're going to move on to junior and high school principal report. >> I only have a few things. Um, just a couple notes, things coming up. Um, we

041have high school exams, uh, midterm exams that are coming up that take place on Thursday, January 22nd. Friday, January 23rd. So, um a little over, you know, right around two weeks from now. Um those days we just have we have a modified schedule block schedule that allows for and that's just in the high school junior high run their normal schedule. Um just to allow for time for extended period uh extended periods for exams where kids are doing projects or things like that. Um it also allows so that kids aren't taking six exams in a day or something like that. Um, the junior high is having its spelling meeting uh on Friday, January 30th at 9:00 a.m. Uh, we have to do it while the kids are here. So, uh, 9:00 a.m. here right here in

042the media center. Um, in the past, it's always been on our enrollment on whether we have enough, you know, how many kids we can send to the county spelling fee. Sometimes one, uh, last year was two. This year, our numbers are better, so we get three. um that will be able to go to the Portage County spelling bee that is that takes place in Garfield. Uh from there if they advance they would advance to the regional be which is accurate and then eventually it could be that they can make it to the scripts the national spelling be. Um and then the last point I have is just something that you're you'll approve later and just opening up if there are any questions on it. um are the course descriptions for uh the junior high and

043the high school for 20 26 27 school year for next year. Uh there are no substantial changes uh in either of those course descriptions compared to what we had in last year. Uh there's a lot of over the past two years I've done a lot of clean up of those updating making sure everything was aligned with what we were either doing what we have offered and could potentially offer. Um, not everything in the descriptions is what we offer. Uh, that's just uh more of a administrative piece that we don't have to continuously add and draw things out. Um, but depending on what we're offering staff, the needs of our kids, what we're seeing as trends and things like that, um, those might be interchanged, but we're not there's no change there. Just updated language. Uh,

044mostly in some English courses as far as Mrs. who said, you know, hey, you know, I've had this here for a little bit. I've kind of changed my class. It's the same class. It's just a more accurate reflection of what she's doing in that class now, you know. Um, and just some minor corrections, grammatical things, course numbers that weren't correct, things like that. Um, but happy to answer your questions on that. And >> thank you. When I do should we wait till we ask them >> when do when is it like the final list of what is actually available? Do we see that before it's final or is it just based on what classes the students like how does >> So I'm happy to provide that. Um that's not I don't think I've shared like

045you shared that in the past. Um that's usually just as we go through scheduling. So the course descriptions are given to the kids. Um then we kind of make a determination. Hey, here's what we could offer. Um, from there it gets narrowed down, right? We won't necessarily run a course if I nobody signed up for sure, but if one or two kids, you know, that might be something that we can use our time or elsewhere. Um so once that you know through that process is then once we get to um Miss Al goes into classrooms gets requests from kids we put that into our system and then we kind of run some just basic numbers to see hey we have 60 some kids for geometry five for calculus you know whatever and then we kind

046of build the master gets built off of that. Um but those that kind of determines where where >> what's the minimum of students in a class? Does it depend on the class or is there a number? >> Um I so if you're asking me if we had one kid for a class and it was a niche class that we think is important like we're trying to like we brought back calculus last year, we brought back physics this year. You're not going to have big numbers. My opinion is always that if we have a class and we have a kid that wants to take it, we have a teacher that can do it, we should do it. I know that that's more of a determination between the board and treasur superintendent. Um I usually you know

047four to five um depending is usually kind of the number that people have been comfort comfortable with in those classes especially the upper level classes like like a calculus where um not everyone in sequence is able to get to calculus you have to take I think one as a eighth grader usually to get to that point. Um, I'm happy offering offering classes, especially in most cases, so we can actually add. Um, there's been a lot of lot of things that have been cut over the years and trying to bring that back and make the program more robust. Um, that's more of a how everyone else is how everyone else feels about that. Um, yeah. >> Um, yeah, just because I uh well, I have talked to parents with students who with have students who are

048in more advanced classes. >> Sure. And that's been an issue like just are we not going to have anything available and how can we promote more students and encourage more students to to take these advanced classes. And >> I'm I just don't want us to lose sight of those kids. >> You know, I'm of the mindset if kids want to take it, we should do anything that we can to get to offer that course, you know. So that's just where everyone else's appetite lies. Happy to accommodate. Thanks, >> and elementary school. >> Sure. >> Good evening. Um, first I'm going to apologize that we were a couple minutes late. Steam night is really awesome and we were a little bit distracted, so sorry about that. Um, that took place until 6:30 tonight. Um, the planning

049team was really small. Three or four teachers were on it, but there was so much good stuff going on. We had parents um, actually have tables set up based on whatever the their careers are. We also had some community people there um with really cool stuff going on as well as um high school students and elementary students that showcased stuff there. So, lots of good stuff and it was seemed to be a really good turnout. Um so, an extra thank you and recognition to Jodie Canali, Susie Huber, Jenny Shannon, and Captain Clean Smith who put it on for us. Um our wonderful PTO, am I now the PTO? Can I be the PTO? >> Yes, please. >> Information share. Okay. Um, our PTO is bringing a global planetarium for all of our students called the

050Sky Dome um to visit on January 23rd. It basically takes up a whole gym. Um, no more than 90 students fit in at a time and this is a first time for us. So, it's going to be a really unique experience. Once the kids are inside, it's actually like being in a real planetarium. So, they're learn all kinds of cool stuff. Um, the PTO is also having a huge fundraiser January 24th, a reverse raffle, the first of its kind here. It's a really big initiative and this could be turning into one of our only fundraisers for PTO. We're hoping for a great turnout. There's information on social media posted. I'll have it in my building newsletter tomorrow. Um, Waterlue Vikings PTO Gmail if you want more information, but um, tickets are $50 and um, let's

051raffle baskets, all kinds of fun stuff. So hopefully we have a good turnout and then um we have Winter Olympics coming up here at the end of the month. Celebrate the end of the quarter. Our building will have a assembly and we'll be celebrating based on the theme of the Winter Olympics and this also ties into our building QBIS. So um there may be some fun competition between teachers and kids. And then last, something that we're working on now, the elementary continues to focus on the development of early literacy skills. Um, this is a growth goal from the district leadership team. Um, and that is right where we are in the elementary. So, um, just wanted to share that we have a lot going on with that. If you have more questions about it, that's

052all I have. >> I know my daughter was super pumped about the practice. He enjoyed it last year. um legislative report. I don't know that we have much, but go to Ryan. >> Sorry, I have something to add. So, >> yeah. Um so, um I I figured I'd give you a brief update on the four bills that have been pending in legislation um regarding tax reform. Um all four bills were given to the governor back in November. Um he had until December to sign them. Signing all them into law. They all will become effective March 19th this year. Um House Bill 186 um contains an inflation gap under taxes. Um, so when we have those reappraisal years and there's a 30% increase, but G is only at 13%, it gets 13%. Um, the um that

053will go into effect starting March. The issue with this is that no auditor, no the county auditor in the state of Ohio knows yet how to calculate this. um department of taxation is going to be the one to complete the calculation. So there's not 88 different ways of calculating this. Um so we're going to wait on the state of Ohio to release that calculation. Um and those caps and credits will go into effect starting the second half of 2026, which will be part of our first half of next fiscal year. So, next fiscal year is probably going to be the hardest to hit from these bills to start with. Unfortunately, I don't have any numbers because that's how it's going to be figured yet. So, I know that's kind of big one that everybody wants

054to know what's going to happen. So, I'll keep you posted when we find out what happens there. Um there's some dispute with the language in there that they're waiting to see if another bill that's working its way through will help clarify as to whether this is going to be a refund or a credit. Um, county treasures, we all met with the county auditor before Christmas. Um, and the county treasurer's office told us that they do not really have a way to issue refunds to everybody. So, if the state legislature says yes, it has to be a refund, it's going to be process. Um, how their home service is is a credit. So it would be kind of like homeowner occupancy credit on your tax bill. Um but then it would have to stay on there

055so that number increase in the next. Um so that that one still kind of um it's going to be flaw. Um we're going to see some of the effects play out in the February forecast which you guys approve next. Um and then what we're going to do is updated forecast in May. May was a much better time to do the second forecast because 90% of the year and project is going to go basic taxes yet first half of the year. So there's some issues there. Um House Bill 129 um also goes into effect on March 19th. um that affects emergency substitute levies. We do have emergency levy that was passed in 2023. Um the language changed to where it can now only be renewed one time. Um so we will be allowed one renewal in

0562047 or 28. Um it be for some amount. So right now it's bringing in roughly $970,000. So without it being really devastating to the district. Um also in house 129 um emergency levies were not typically they were not included in the 204 calculation. Now they are so count towards it. um county auditor just sent me our tax rates for um 20 26 um and like an hour before meeting so better to have this point but um this year we're going to be at 21.4 mills. Um, but with that's under the old way under the new way with including the emergency levy that's going to so we're not really close. Um, House Bill 335 um has kind of the same language as House Bill 186, but it addresses specifically inside Miller. Um, so it's going to

057have that same in there to where if house price home values are valued 30% higher which is only 13% disc 13% the same way and then house bill 309 which is part of the last one before um that gave budget commission the authority to reject tax collections so they could look at our emergency and say you need 97,000 400,000 of um that takes the power away from the voters to say what's best for their district. Um it gives budget commission the option to do that. Um county auditor when we met with him that county has no doing that right now. Um which is good can't afford to lose money right now immediately without being able to plan for it. So those are the that's the update on the quick report. Um and as I posted

058forecast it next month I'm sure there's any questions that how play practice is going to be >> yeah nobody Yeah, >> there's not a treasure or an auditor. >> Yeah, new territory for everybody. >> Thanks, R. >> Um, so I don't have very much. Um, the biggest thing is graduation is scheduled for May 27th at the Kent State Met Center. Um this year Mabel would always um take staff contributions to for Christmas to give to students that don't have a lot. Um this year they collected $5,400 which gave 30 students and their families um $180 each. And then um 32 of last year's cosmetology students took recently took the state boards and all 32 passed and are licensed. >> Okay. >> I I would like to have a discussion. So, um, Heather asked, "Can we

059ask questions?" And the answer was no. Used to be able to. And then we all when that changed, we said, "Well, not because the board said, but we can have a couple meetings a year where we allow lots of questions and engagement." And then that didn't happen. Um, and I want our community to be engaged and I want to be able to hear from folks when they're here and we're talking about stuff. Um, I don't know exactly what the rules are about that, but if we can't do it in the meeting, then I think we should have we should have a couple meetings a year or more than a couple or we allowed a lot time at the beginning for that. >> Well, we do. >> Well, a while. >> Yeah. If if something comes

060up and it's like, oh, can you clarify this for me? We can't. >> Um, I I think it would just be a simple change of was called on the tree. >> I thought they just passed something that that it became something that can I'm sure there was something in the paper >> that can be done >> that it can be done. >> Well, I think it can be done just as long that's just probably >> we have a policy. You can change policy but that is our policy. Yeah, that's why I thought we had policy read. >> Well, not the whole thing. >> Yeah. >> So, the long and the short is any person wishing to be heard by the board should first discuss a matter with the appropriate person on superintendent, administration staff, and

061superintendent. Any group appearing before the board shall also like a spokesperson. Participants must recognize be recognized by the presiding officer and should preface their comments by an announcement of their name, address, and group affiliation. Each statement made by the shall be limited in memory of five minutes and at the discretion of presiding officer. More or less time per person may be allocated at discretion presiding officer. A person may be permitted to speak more than once on the same topic in the same meeting. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer. A new participant may address or question board members or administrators individually and presiding officer may interrupt, warn or terminate a participant statement when the statement is too late personally directed abuse or relevant. Um leave the meeting when the person does not reserve

062the quum. request their assistant of lawful enforcement officers and removal of disorderly people call for recess adjournment to another time when the lack of public decorum so interferes with orderly conduct of the meeting as to warrant action and or wave these rules with approval of the board when necessary for the protection of privacy or efficiency administration business. So that was one thing that we talked about previously was that you know this is a business organizational meeting and so we don't need um lots of people asking question if someone here has a question I don't and we can answer it. Uh, I think I think um some some organizations put a public comment at the end as well >> or you can potentially have some opportunities with it. You know, you go through a particular motion

063>> motion discussion. >> Some motions that probably there shouldn't be any public comment on um because there's really no need to. There's some motions that probably should have any public comment on because They don't if it's something that we're doing on personnel or in a closed door setting that we probably shouldn't uh take public comment on things that they don't have the full view of. But, you know, if we have a motion or an agenda item that we know is going to I'm fine opening public comment on one that we know is going to be an issue that we've all heard from people on I guess is what I'm saying. >> Yeah. Or just like if there was a clarifying question >> and we could just easily answer it. I I just don't know how

064you guys have directly >> maybe we can discuss like I can talk to D about this and try to figure it out. >> My my understanding was being an organization and having a meeting and you allow public comments to be as a board can or can really don't have to address like basically let people voice their opinion. I know Brian sometimes I think where some of the confusion comes in is Brian sometimes would go ahead and answer because it's an easy answer but then sometimes it's like well this is something maybe the board needs to discuss first to see how we really all feel about that. Um, but I do agree it is nice to be able to have a dialogue, especially if it's like an easy question that's easily answered or even to gauge.

065But I don't I don't know as a board um you should do after each one of these when you do your first and then the second and you can have opportunity for discussion. DC sometimes that naturally turns into you might have a question and you have someone in the audience that can answer that question. So sometimes a dialogue happens during that discussion period for individual items. >> Yeah, I you know in again in the interest of transparency I I have no problem with it. I just don't know, you know, how exactly to control it other than to say that, >> you know, it'll have to be on, I guess, the presiding officer's discretion as to whether or not continuing. You can say, "Okay, enough. It's done." >> I'm open to taking a look at policy

066and revising if I think what I'm saying. I don't have an answer now, right? to understand if there's >> you know where where does the line get drawn what is discussed what is not what types of questions are allowed and what is not and then I think we can take another look at policy as well provides >> to allow more community engagement because I'm completely on board but I also yeah I want to have open conversations to the extent we're allowed to with the community >> well and That's where where Liz's idea would be nice is if we did have like an open forum because this is our meeting that we're allowing the public >> to be a part of but and that's why I thinking initially was have comments at the beginning not let

067us go on with our meeting um but like I said I think that would also be helpful to have like a discussion community >> taking the polic for opportunities. >> Yeah. All right. So, let's review this and then >> Yeah, I think we need to review it. I mean, obviously, you know, we have this policy, so we can't just, you know, change. Maybe that, you know, maybe we could have review. But yeah, anything else? New business. All right. Superintendent's business. All right. Under letter A is to recommend and improve the follow for college credit plus for the 2026 27 school year with Kent State University and State University. >> Do I have a motion to recommend or approve the following? >> Second. >> M. >> Yes. >> Miss Barton. >> Yes. >> M. Yes. >>

068Yes. Motion passes. >> Letter B is to recommend to approve the Spark program agreement between the board and the Stark County Schools Council of Governments. >> Do we have a motion to recommend approve the Spark program program agreement between the board and the Stark County Schools? I'll make a motion. A second. Yes. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Letter C is a recommend to approve theou at the educator association for professional interns as substitutes for 2025 2026 fiscal year. >> Go ahead. Um quickly I guess maybe explain to >> Yeah, absolutely. So this is an agreement. So the state of Ohio allowed student teachers to be paid as subs or sub classroom. They did that not too long ago and uh in the current collective bargaining agreement that's worded differently. You couldn't do that.

069So in extreme situations we have the or situations that are you know foresees we can actually a student teacher be a substitute teacher for that classroom that day. >> Um, do we have a motion to recommend to approve theou with the WBA? Yes. >> Yes. >> Molder. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. Motion passes. >> Thank you for calling to clarify. >> Yeah. Any once once I read the initial do the first and second discussion, please ask those clarifying questions. Letter D is to recommend to approve the warloop to leave the MV back the Le Mo Valley Athletic Conference at the conclusion of the 26 27 school year and enter a conference that includes Crestwood, Garfield, Montreal, Revena, Ridtown, Springfield, and Southeast for the 2027 2028 school year. >> Well, I knew we're going to

070have some comment on this, so I'll stop there. add on that. >> Excuse me. Is that better to be open for discussion? >> Well, I guess I don't know how to quite answer that, Phil. I think it should be, but I don't know that I can be. Am I allowed to see here? I don't think I'm allowed though to do that at the moment. >> Anyone have any say on >> I have learned more about high school athletics in the last eight days. I will be very frank and say that I didn't know a lot about high school athletics, but I have talked to the athletic director, the assistant athletic director, parents, Mr. Gan community. I have been inundated with phone calls and messages and people are very passionate about this and I have heard

071negative things but I've also heard a lot of positive things and um it is a tough thing but I feel like we've really done a lot of research on this since I mean I read all about this >> uh yeah I mean I I think uh there is obviously a group of people that feels a certain way about it, that it's a negative thing for the school. Uh, for every one of those negative comments or uh apprehensions, I I've had as many positive uh comments and and you know, excited to hear that that it's a possibility. I I I think some of the things I've heard I mean just to summarize on the and maybe Frank can help me too while I gather my thoughts but some of the things that I've heard on the

072negative side is mostly about enrollment and our ability to compete in this new league. Um, some things to remember about those two points is Crestwood, I'm sorry, Garfield and Southeast are already in the NBA and not not that we compete with them directly in every sport, but in certain sports we did. and girls soccer being one of them. We had no problem uh competing with those two schools. Um Springfield is the only competitive game we've had in the last two years uh for football. Um they're the largest school in the district or largest school that would be in the proposed conference. Um but I don't again enrollment data does not tell the whole story. Modor obviously Uh anyone who's played sports at Waterlue has always been a buggy boo in football and in lots of

073other sports and have always been the smallest school in the conference. Um since 2019 if they look back we have a winning record against I believe Springfield Garfield and Ravena which is six years. We have a winning record in in multiple in multiple sports. Uh Rosetown, you know, has experienced in the last since we left the PCL or the PTC has experienced like a renaissance of athletics. And I think if you we went back and looked at some of the the data, a lot of that is maybe due to some of our kids that have left Wateroo to go play with. uh over the last decade. Um I I think we are doing it the right way by delaying a year. Um also I mean there's some other things to consider that aren't as important

074as the things we I just discussed, but the money and time. Uh obviously we don't know exactly the dollar amount this would save but just in travel alone. I mean we're talking thousands of dollars a year. um in time and money and going back and forth. Uh which I know people probably don't think that adds up, but it does when you consider that you have uh seventh, eighth grade sports that are being busted back and forth. You have, you know, all the high school sports. You know, football has been a difficult um sport here at Wateroo. I mean, you look at the banner in the gym there, there's not too many u there's one championship on it. 71 if I'm not mistaken. That's it. you know to make a decision for all the student athletes

075at Waterl based upon that sport I think would be and you know this is coming from a guy that that was his sport here uh to make a decision for everyone based upon football and the fact that we hope to compete in the NBA and we don't feel that we can compete in this conference I think is a mistake and not fair to the entire student body. Um, and with that said too, the hope would be to, you know, as a board, uh, get some people to not be so negative on this issue, to not have, you know, let's not start from a place of negativity. Let's try to, you know, build these kids up, build up their confidence a little bit. I don't think the reality is that we can't compete with every school

076on this list, just like we, you know, maybe can't compete with some of the schools that are in the NBA this year in every sport. But to to blanketly say we're not going to be able to compete, I I don't think is is accurate that. And I don't think that's a good reason to vote no. So, anyone else that >> I've had many discussions, done a lot of I'm pulling out all of my paperwork here, done a lot of research. I've had a lot of discussions and I've listened to a lot on both sides of the ball. No, no pun intended here. um often excited you know as a reason of declining enrollment and how I I have heard that um water is declining um but I also want to make sure that you know

077it's understood that water is not alone in that issue um I did a comparison um over um you prior to the MVAC change that those schools um and then post impact change, right? Just looking at like a year-over-year. Um, so from 09 2009 2010 uh through 2425 school year, all of the schools have declined between 22 and 40% in enrollment across the board. All of them um Crestwood was at least by my calculations uh the largest decline of 40%. Garfield was the smallest decline at 22%. Um, Waterloo fell in third the last. So, third the third highest. So, we weren't weren't the worst. Um, we weren't the the least either. Um, I think you brought up a lot of points around, you know, records and and competition. I I think there is the ability to

078compete. Um, and my wholeheartedly belief is that regardless of the program that it starts at the youth level and that we need to completely focus and rebuild from the ground up starting at the youth level and invest in our athletes and show that belief and that camaraderie and that fostering of a relationship and the love and the passion for the sport and the district from the start. And I think that's what's missing. So, whatever decision is made and whatever league it is, regardless, the program needs to start from the ground up. And I think that we've had a lot of issues um that have compounded. You can't point at one specific issue. Um you know, we had we have we have funding issues. We had to close the doors of the communities. Um that was

079exasperated by COVID and having to further shut down facilities. um and a lot of the financial reasons um you know public health reasons there's many many reasons where it has squashed a lot of our um youth programs um and I think that's that's the that's the pipeline to success in our in our in our programs regardless of which athletic conference you're in um and if you look at some of our our you know you referred to um Rick'stown and and Modor Um, Maggodor has always been a powerhouse in the athletics and they've always consistently been one of the smaller schools. Richtown's shown a lot of growth lately, they actually I think just beat Muggler basketball the other night if I'm not mistaken. Um, but one thing that I see in common um, and Southeast too

080a little bit too, but I don't know as much about Southeast youth. Modor and Worsttown have phenomenally strong youth programs and community support. So, how do we do that here at our district and what changes do we need to make at that level to be competitive within any league we choose? >> And that I would say I know we've had a lot of success with our girls softball and our girls soccer. And you know, as a dad of a softball player, it's a we have phenomenal coaches uh and a phenomenal uh youth uh baseball and softball organization. And I feel strongly the soccer uh the same way. I mean, they the youth soccer know I I know we they changed I think recently, but they've always tried to find better competition at the youth level.

081Um then just you know what we used to do when we when I was a kid was play local and they've always tried to find better competition and I think that's paid off uh at the youth uh soccer level too. So to that point >> and then you know we've talked about you know records ability to be competitive we've touched a little bit on the financial aspect too but also thinking about the students too and and the travel time it puts on them and getting home late at night. Um, that's something to be considered as well. Um, while I don't have a student in Waterloo athletics right now, um, I know it can be a challenge when they get home late and they still have homework and they still have to stay up late and

082study and then they're getting up at, you know, six o'clock in the morning to get ready for school and they've only slept five or six hours because they've been up getting their homework done. So, we need to think about that aspect of it too when it comes to their their academics. But I also believe that it is sports are vital in in a child's growth and academic future as well. I think they go hand in hand with each other. So I have just like to share um so I've heard from several folks that we should be listening more to um parents of athletes, but like we're elected by the entire community. And so I've heard from a lot of community members with students in school maybe as student athletes or non- student athletes. I mean,

083I've been listening to to a lot of people and I would say also um we are it is student athletes and so I reached out specifically to several parents um or they contacted me first and I followed up with them um you know middle schoolers getting it home at 9:30 or 10 is is an issue and multiple people brought that up to me like multiple people. Yeah, I I would say in my discussions, I mean, I think it would surprise a lot of people, but especially at the younger levels, the parents were for the the majority of the parents at like the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade level were very happy to hear about the, you know, the high school parents. current athletes. I would say um I would say it's probably more split. I

084would say the community members I would say the more community members I talked to or approached me were I would say the majority were openly for it my and and the people that were that have concerns or completely against it I mean I I they they brought up some good points >> maybe that's what one thing we're having a discussion things that came off the costs of leaving the discussion. Do you share that information? >> So, if you leave the lead earlier in the in any league, there's typically a cost associated for us leaving really it's going to be $6,000. The anticipated cost savings per year, you know, we anticipate for just travel expense savings are about 25 to $100 to 3,000. The increased revenue for games, you know, if anybody attended the which I

085was not able to because I traveled with the girls up to Cleveland, the the Ritztown game at home, you'll see the impact school their crowd was significantly smaller than Rtown game that night on the 23rd. Barely see this. >> Good evening everyone. We'd like to thank you all for coming out to conferences this evening. At this time, we would like to be wrapping up our meetings and we hope that everyone has a safe home. Thank you again. Bye. >> So cost of the new league that has not been determined yet. So you typically with a league you have to pay your commissioner and your scheduleuler and that's distributed across that. But on top of that, you'll get sponsors to offset some of those costs. So those things have not been actually outlined by by the

086lake just yet. So there is going to be some cost but that's we have cost that's incurred with the MVAC. Just to kind of give some background it was it was a hope by the three existing MVAC members of Orange County Garfield Southeast and us that there was multiple petitions for the other Orange County schools to come into the MVAC. So, three different occasions that was actually presented to the superintendent of the MVAC conference and they were denied each time. One of the one of the ideas I proposed and asked in you know early on in the whole thing is could just think about the middle school perspective. Could we have a middle school with an important league and our high school compete at the MVAC and that was that would not not be okay.

087So even if we were trying to be outside, it was very clear that, you know, they were not interested in expansion for for the new league to accommodate some of our local needs, which was very clear in the in discussing and also in the survey that people want to see Southeast and Rhtown on our schedule system. That is not happening. Even with or southeast being a current impact, we're not seeing Southeast on a regular basis for all sports in Roadstown. We were we're catching them in certain sports. So, you know, this gives us an opportunity to kind of do some of those things. overwhelmingly in the comment section, you know, I would say about four to five to one comments were locally is better for us as a family, you know, or and I know

088there's some concerns about the survey itself. The survey was sent out through our all call system and then also posted on Facebook and other places for additional community members to to take part in. um there was emails associated with it to kind of eliminate the opportunity to determine if there was some kind of pack or fraud of some sort. So I have access to those emails and kind of determine if someone's just trying to add misleading information, but it's pretty consistent inside those comments. The distance plays a major factor. If we're talking about football alone, yes, we had 20 football players, but one of the things that we don't necessarily think about is the impact on the 15 plus cheerleaders or the almost 15 50 member band. You know, how they're impacted. We're taking three

089buses plus uh two school bands, you know, in many cases 30 plus miles. And so, you know, those distances do add a burden on families and us, our student athletes as well. >> One thing you mentioned in football and the program this year, and it reminded me, I wanted to bring up this point as well. Um, one of the um, negative comments, so both positive and negative, but one of the negative comments that I heard was that if um, the fear of losing and that we cannot compete at this against the schools locally. Um but one thing again that goes back to fostering relationships um and growth and mindset with the athletes is um our football team I believe was zero and 10 this year right and but we ended the season with more athletes

090than we started with they consistently got beat 0 to 10 was their record but we started the season with I don't know how many athletes I think maybe >> 17 to 23 athletes or some somewhere around there was a growth of four or five athletes if you have I mean I attribute that to building a a good relationship and building good programs because even if they're losing which we show this year they wanted to be part of something there so how do we foster that type of coaching and growth and mindset with the students and the coaches from like I said starting at the youth level so how does that happen so that was one of the negative things I heard but then I I thought back to the football growth this year as in

091the program. >> One of one of the things, you know, being a former football coach, myself or, you know, coaching multiple sports is how you're training your athletes in the offseason. You know, if we wait till August 1st for that child or that student athlete to arrive and we didn't do anything in the offseason, we're going to we're going to continue to have problems. So the what we're doing the offseason matters and how we're doing whether the students are playing an additional sport or they're doing things that make better you know strength and speed. Uh so that's one of our focuses you know this uh you know we're going to continue to the areas increase participation and also increase participation in football is one of the areas that you know I've kind of I'm looking

092to help out as well. So try to bring in guest speakers on a monthly basis, trying to encourage the boys to come out, learn a little bit more about football, get excited about it. One of the things we have to do is we have to train a little bit more. You know, we're going to have to get the students that are on on the fence and we need we need to get them in the weight room. We need to show them how to do things and train train their bodies to get bigger and stronger faster. We wait, we won't get to that point. So, you know, there are there are some different things that we have to to do to get better and some opportunities ahead of us. One likely I that is one of

093the positives that really truly came out of this year is you know seeing a team grow over time in light of their circumstances as a team and the optimism that they had each and every week was was pretty remarkable. even in the last week, you know, those those kids want to do everything possible to be on the field and play for for each other and the coaches. And so we have we have some momentum. We have to find a way to foster and grow in in the future. >> And that would be my challenge to you know the administration, the community is how can we, you know, invest in in the program and our athletes and our kids and our students from the very beginning, right? How do we foster a strong youth program and

094how do we as a community and a school district foster our athletic program as a whole league withstanding? I don't care if it's MAC. I don't care if it's Port County League. I don't care what league it is. I think we holistically need to invest in the program and rebuild it. >> Um can you address a room? So, or maybe I don't know, but um this was brought up. Um is everyone are all these schools listed committed to joining this league? And that is definitely a good thing. >> Yes. >> So, I think each one of the schools that are in that league are supposed to have a resolution on the board agenda for January. So, I believe Garfield might have theirs tonight, their board meeting. to take care of. So each one of them

095this month they're supposed to have a board resolution or one of the earlier ones. So initially there was discussion about doing that in December but water southeast bill we made a secondary push again to the MVAC to include the portage county schools and were denied. I think the last thing to you know to maybe recognize is it's a eight school conference and you know for every sport except maybe football it's 10 games you know I think basketball's 24 you know you're going to play every team twice I'm assuming in basketball for instance that'll be 14 games we're going to schedule. We're going to be able to schedule 10 non-conference games. You know if if you know our athletic director if they are doing their job they will you know be able to find uh opponents

096too that will you know if if competitiveness is a problem with some of these schools you should be able to to offset that with some of the schedule. Well, just like earlier today I had a conversation with the wing superintendent. He was excited about the basketball game, you know, that we just most recently had and looks forward to that continued partnership, you know, having those, you know, home ways. So, while he's not a part of this, they have something more north that they participated in, but he is excited about the opportunities with >> I didn't know she did. I apologize. I'm going to have to leave the meeting. I apologize. I'm I know that's rude for me to come in and then leave, but thank you very much for letting me listen to what you're

097discussing, but I apologize that I'm leaving. I don't normally do that. So, and my wheels are right here. So, he's leaving with me. So, thanks. >> Thank you for coming. Thanks for your daughter, too, and your family. I mean, anyone else have anything? I think we've covered I think we've covered most of the bases. I know it's a hot issue that a lot of people feel strongly about one way or the other. One more thing. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Depending how the vote moves forward with with here If the vote is to move towards this this Portage County, we got a lot of work to do. We got about a year and a half to do. And so at that point in time, now we have to sit down as our internal team and utilize

098them. What do we need to do to get our athletes and our coaches ready for that transition and how do we start changing that culture and get people ready for that? So that would be our next step is you start putting putting the groups back together and let's let's now work as a team. What do we need to do to get to that point? >> I would like to ask though that even if that's not the outcome that we do that anyways. >> Yeah. I and in my discussions with each of everyone, you know, individually, Frank and some of the community members and the what you just said, a culture change. I think that's necessary not only in our athletics, but in the way we view the district as a whole. I mean, I think

099there's been, you know, since I've moved back to town in the last 15 years, uh, the negativity towards the school district, you know, some of it coming from this board at certain times has done damage to the school. uh perception is reality. And when people think that uh the school is failing, they're reluctant to send their kids here. They don't know the uh um inner workings of what's going on on a daily basis here. They just hear all the negative things that there's no money, there's no this or that. You know, I think as a board, you know, we need to be leaders in the community and uh get the word out to people that are sending their kids because this isn't a this isn't a a three years decision. You know, we're looking at

10010 years down the road decision. you know, 10 years from now when the the kindergarters are in high school, you know, hopefully we have the ability to uh field, you know, sports teams and a football team and a band, you know, by getting the word out there that, you know, the community is behind uh behind all these programs. So, you know, I think we need to be more forward looking too than today. You know, today, yes, some of our teams are struggling six years ago they weren't, you know, some of them were winning league championships. So that can change overnight by having the right group of kids at the right time, you know, but you just need to consistently keep that coming. And the more kids you get out, uh, the the better your odds

101are that you'll be successful. So I think that's number one is get as many kids involved in athletics as possible. I can share a personal story. Yeah, I know some of you might have heard this. >> I have three daughters, all in sports. My youngest one, it's got to be in high school next year. She asked me, I want to I want to learn more about Waterl. Can I go see it? I want to see if I want to go to Waterl. And so I said the day she came and shadow one of our students, my daughter, if she comes here, she'll play three sports, maybe most likely be in a band as well. One of the most hurtful things someone said to me, I had multiple people say, "Why would you send your child

102here?" That bothered me. That that that hit me. I I still smiled and I still did things, but like that that mentality has to change. I'm and that's her decision, you know, whether she decides to to be a Viking, but for for people internally to to not believe this is the best place for a child that that uh we have to work on that. We got we got to change that and I think those moving forward that's part of our culture shift is y >> we got to do more to promote and show the great here. >> Yeah, absolutely. All right. Anyone? I know that was longwinded, but I think discussion on that was necessary so everyone could get their point of view appropriate >> appropriate and point of views individually heard. And uh moving

103from there, do we have a motion to recommend to approve water to leave the MBAC at the conclusion of the 26 27 school year and enter a conference that includes Cresville, Carfield, Work, Revena, Redtown, Springfield, and Southeast for the 2027 28 school year. >> Motion second. Ryan, >> Mrs. Wooder, >> yes. >> Mr. Moon, >> yes. >> Miss Barton, >> yes. >> Bennett, >> yes. Letter E pass this morning. Letter E is to recommend to approve the revised 2026 27 school calendar. This was, you know, I think we had a discussion about this earlier where it's based tried to accommodate around the portage county fair. Put some good statistics out there. Personally, I was at first, oh my gosh, not ending until July 9th, but then I realized, you know, we are a lot later.

104Sorry, June. Sorry, thank you for correcting me. July, June 9th. Um but then I also realized we have a lot better stuff but looking at you know the numbers you threw out in support of um that the 4 program again and it's also the long education right it's always done so um should you add an extra birthday on spring break >> so there'll be one full week for spring break and two full weeks for for Christmas, you know, period of time. So to make sure that those days or that that worked out, there was a couple days into that second week of June to kind of fix that. >> Well, do I have a motion to approve the 26 27 com. Yes. >> Hold. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. Motion passes. >> Letter F

105is to recommend to approve the retirement of the following. Elizabeth Hoops, our speech language pathologist May 31st. >> All right. Do we have a motion to recommend to approve the retirement of Mrs. Hoops? >> No motion. Mrs. Bennett. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Letter G is to recommend to approve the following resignations. Charles Holloway for part-time custodian and Robert Haney, baseball assistant coach. Uh, do we have a motion? I I'd like to say Robert, he had like a scheduling >> change or something. Yes. So, he's uh he's taking a position like a longterm position. So, it wasn't anything just changed there. So, >> he still hopes to help out. >> Yeah, absolutely. I guess that's um do we have a motion to recommend to approve the resolutions. I'll make that motion. >> I'll

106second. >> Yes. >> Mer. >> Yes. >> Mr. R. >> Yes. Motion passes. All right. Letter H is to recommend to approve a one-year limited contract to David Moore for a bus driver. Step one, and David Moore's cafeteria assistant, step one. >> Do we have a motion to recommend to approve a one-year limit contract to Mr. Moore? >> No motion. >> I'll second. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Mr. Bry, >> yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. Letter I is to recommend to approve the following athletic support staff for the 2025 2026 school year and that is Mr. David Moore. just jump in. >> Uh do we have a motion to recommend uh David Moore for having sports? >> I'll second. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> M.

107>> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Mr. >> Yes. Passes. Letter J is recommend to approve the following certified substitute for the 2025 2026 school year. Marina O'Reilly. >> Do we have a motion to approve Mrs. Marina Riley for a certified substitute position? >> Motion second. Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mr. Spartan. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes. Motion passes. >> Letter K is to recommend to review the following policies of membership and election of board of education. Second policy is alcohol and drug abuse testing policy for employees performing safety sensitive duties. is student health services and first aid policy transportation of students in board owned vehicles and policy overdose reversal drugs and policy 9.23 expense reimbursements. >> So these aren't changes, they're just statutory reviews, correct? Yeah, this one this one we're reviewing it

108and then we'll have it again I believe by the next next board meeting to to approve. There are some u some just minor adjustments like the 1.02 is to the change talk about four years your term is up by December 31st. The one with alcohol and drug abuse testing that's really adding van driver to that whole aspect of bus drivers. The one the student health services one that's referring to mostly about tuberculosis tests have needed. And then the transportation one is replacement where they're using more rubber bands overdose drugs. You know, we have the ability of having those can available emergency situations. And then the expense reimbursement is probably the one that's the most different. Used to be very frowned upon and Brian can can elaborate on that one. not using your own personal credit

109card or stuff like your giant evil card to purchase things because you get points and so forth towards it. So adjustments to that policy based on that. I don't know if Ryan you want to elaborate at all. >> Um yeah, the majority of it was was the auditor of state has released some guideline regarding this. It used to be something that we would get on our audit board if we showed receipt that had somebody rewards on its side of the board. Um they kind of up on that a little bit. Um that's what a lot of it has to do with um there's also new language in there about um reimbursement sales tax reimburse sales tax a little bit that's pretty much Okay, thanks guys for we have a motion to recommend review of those

110motion. >> I will second. Can you get a vote? >> M. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. M. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. Miss motion passes. Letter L is to recommend to approve the 2026 2027 junior high senior high high school course description guides. >> All right. Can you get a motion to recommend the Tyler already touched on this? So recommend to approve the 26 27 junior and senior high school course description guys. >> And can you sh can you share once it is actually the classes that are going to be offered? Yeah, I can share that. Like I'll share the as we're building the master schedule, I'll share that. >> I was actually pleasantly surprised some of the junior high classes. I like course descriptions surprised. So I think that I think that's

111another thing we need to do a better job of communicating the coursework that is available here because I was surprised that enjoyed some of it. So thank you. >> Uh we need a motion. I'll make a motion. I'll >> second. Can we go to vote? >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Bennett? >> Yes. >> Miss Barton? >> Yes. >> Mer? >> Yes. >> Mr. W? >> Yes. Motion passes. All right. Moving on to treasures business. Ryan recommend to approve the December board meeting minutes. >> Can we get a motion to recommend to approve the December board meeting? >> I'll make that motion. A second. Nope. I'll second it. >> That was Liz. >> M. >> Yes. >> Miss Barton. >> Yes. >> Bennett. >> Yes. >> Mer. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wise. >> Yes. Motion passes.

112>> Approve the December financials. >> Can we get a motion to approve the December financials? >> I'll make that motion. Second, we get a vote. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Bennett. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Motion passes. No one has any other business. We're going to join the meeting at 7:55. You guys out there. Congratulations.