001Jim, Tammy, Tina. >> Yes. >> Dan. Uh, good evening. Welcome to Wednesday, January 28, 2026, West Claremont School Board Meeting. Mr. Romano, please take a role. >> Mr. Patton, >> present. >> Mr. Chumley, >> present. >> Miss Samborn, >> present. >> Mr. Spencer, >> present. >> Mr. Rudy, >> present. >> All present. >> Thank you. Uh, next up, we do have a reason to go into executive session. I'll put that in the form of a motion. Uh the reason for the uh executive session is uh to consider the appointments, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation of a public employee or officials. Others to be considered confidential information related to the marketing. Others is to be related to the marketing plans specific business strategies, production techniques, trade secrets or personnel finances statements of an applicant
002for economic development assistance or to negotiate with other political subdivisions respecting requests for economic develop assistance. Would someone else like to make a second? >> Second. >> Miss Spencer. Thank you. Is there any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. P. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Spencer? >> Yes. >> Mr. Chumley? >> Yes. >> Miss Samborn? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rudy? >> Yes. >> Five? Yes. >> Okay, >> we will be back. >> Yeah. We'll be head Is everybody ready? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Sorry. Thank you, Dan. Executive session. >> Okay. Thank you. We are back from executive session. Mr. Romano, please take a role. >> Mr. Patton, >> present. >> Mr. Chumley, >> present. >> Miss Samborn, >> present. >> Mr. Spencer, >> present. >> Mr. Rudy, >> all present. >> Thank you. Uh, please
003join me for the pledge of allegiance. I >> pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Sorry. >> Next up is the motion to adopt the agenda. Would someone like to make a motion? >> Mr. Rudy, thank you. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Miss Abborn. Thank you. Is there any discussion? >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Rudy? >> Yes. >> Miss Samborn? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Spencer? >> Yes. >> Mr. Pat? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ch? >> Yes. Five. Yes. >> Next, it looks like we're moving to President Patton, members of the board. So, our monthly recogn our monthly recognitions are always an exciting part of the night. And
004tonight, we have three different groups. So, larger groups. So, the first group I'd like to call out um are those that are here for the PBIS awards. If you would all want to come up here, we have four schools being represented tonight. So, just come on up here and get all right. The West Claremont School District is proud to recognize several schools for earning state level recognition through the Ohio's positive behavioral interventions and supports. PBIS program. Ohio PBIS recognition honors schools and districts that implement PB PBIS with fidelity, use datadriven decision-making, and demonstrate best practices in creating positive, safe, and equitable learning environments for all students. Schools apply annually for this distinction, earning bronze, silver, or gold recognition that reflects their strong leadership, intentional systems, and a commitment to supporting the whole whole child. I'd
005like Aaron Parker to come up as our district behavior support specialist who oversees all of that PBIS and she is going to be recognizing each school and the teams that they have with them. Thanks, Miss Berkeley. I'm so excited to recognize um these teams. And just to let you know, this is a state recognition and this is the last year that the state is recognizing PBIS efforts. Although PBIS is still a thing, the award will go away. But there's three levels. So if you have a bronze level, that's what you're doing for all students in behavior support. We call that tier one. Then there's a silver level that really recognizes what we do above and beyond that. And then there's a gold, which is the highest level you can get. And that's really recognizing schools
006that are putting extra effort into their work with students with significant behavior needs. And so we have some of our schools getting um bronze and gold today. So in the bronze category we have Amelia Elementary represented by assistant principal Gretchen Brch and principal Shane Shore. We have um bronze level Holly Hill Elementary. We have deina students Kimry and principal Josh Young. And then we have two gold level Kluff Pike. We have um Curtis Mason, principal. And then we invited Barb Kenny back because she was dean of students at the time and integral in that work. um with our PBIS and then Willowville Elementary, they brought their entire PBIS like core team I believe which I love. It takes a team. So we have um Brandy Pabomb who is their school psychologist. We have Christy Mo
007who is their BCBA which is integral part especially when we talk about tier three instruction and then we have Trish Hiller principal and Megan Patterson assistant principal. So, we're really grateful for everybody's work. And again, all of our schools do PBIS. They had to apply and show like this e extra effort to get the award. So, we're very proud of their efforts. [applause] [applause] >> Well, we want to we want to have the first do Congratulations. All right, our second group tonight is Frosty's Jamberee recognition that I know so many of the community members uh participated in. Congratulations and s sincere thanks to Hope Gil School family community liaison and her dedicated team Tracy Rener, Lisa Lden, Erica Bridle from the uh West Claremont High School National Honor Society, Kathy Herszog from West Claremont Student
008Council, and Pastor Bob Johnson for their leadership in organizing Frosty's Jamberee. It was held on December 20th at the First Baptist Church of Glenn Estie. This annual holiday event served more than 650 West Claremont students and family members, spreading joy and support support throughout our community. The success of Frosty's Jamberee was made possible through the generosity and collaboration of numerous community partners including but not limited to First Baptist Church of Glenestie, God uses Simple Things, West Claremont High School National Honor Society and Student Council students, Union Township Firefighters Association, IPM, Toys for Tots, the West Claremont High School Band, and a special appearance by Dr. David Folz as Santa joined by his elf Angie Angel. >> Maybe we don't know who >> maybe. Yes, [laughter] Frosty's Jambburye continues to be a meaningful example of the
009compassion, partnership, and community spirit that define West Claremont. Thank you to everyone who made this special event possible. [applause] [laughter] >> Thank you so much. Perfect. pastor, >> youth pastor, youth >> and >> as as they're going back to their seat and stuff, I do want to say that I was able to come and visit the the this uh event. And I will tell you, I've gone to most of Hope's events and I know that Hope doesn't do it just herself. She's got a team, but she does a really good job. Uh and I appreciate what she does. Um from the decorations at Ameilia last year to just all of the things that she does, I believe that was last year because she did one year at the high school. So it all runs together,
010but she does a really good job and I do appreciate what she does for our district. >> And last but not least, the board of education recogn recognition this month, scaling new heights, which is c celebrated here with all of the posters from the elementarymentaries, middle school, high school. Little reception there at the um at the back for after the the board meeting. This board continues to demonstrate what it means to scale new heights through thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to our students and community. Their work reflects a shared vision, careful decision-making, and a willingness to lead with purpose as our district continues to move forward. We are grateful for the time, dedication, and care each board member brings to their role. Thank you for your leadership and for continuing to guide West
011Claremont to new heights. So, congratulations to all of you who are serving on the board. [applause] Is this where the board checks everyone's hand? [laughter] >> Thank you, John. >> Yeah, we have one. >> Michael. Thank you. >> Very nice. >> So, at this point, it looks like we are going to take about a 10-15 minute break. Uh we got some snacks back there, so please help yourself. We're gonna take about a 10- 15 minute break and then we'll come back. Okay. Thank you guys. in charge of community service. Community. >> Okay. Okay. Is everybody ready? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> We're ready, I think. >> Okay. We are back in session from our little break. I appreciate everyone for sticking around. Uh, next up on the agenda is public speaking. I was told there
012is no cards. So, moving on to the consent agenda. Josh Good evening. In front of you is the personnel agenda for Wednesday, January 28th. I wanted to make sure to highlight our retirees on this agenda. Um Jennifer Burgess, currently serving as a reading specialist at Amelia and having served the district for 27 years. Uh Melba Hail, uh currently serving as second grade teacher at Amelia and having served the district for 25 years. Michelle Ka uh currently serving as an instructional coach at Merwin Elementary and serving the district for 32 years and Denise Schmidt currently serving English at West Claremont High School and having served the district for 26 years. Um we also have in attendance tonight um uh the football coach um who who is here um and is also on the personnel agenda um
013coach Jeremy Flug. Um he is here with his family. [applause] Do you have any questions regarding the personnel agenda at this time? >> Thank you. >> Next up is Miss Preston. >> Good evening. I have the next three items, so I'll take them one at a time. Item 8.02 02 is our district's calendar, school calendar for the 26 27 for the 27 28 school year. Um just a couple of things to remember about this. So we have um had a public session, a public input session that we held about 30 days ago um offering the opportunity for anyone to provide public input on that. Uh we've worked in connection I don't this we've worked in connection with our district administrators and WCEA to create this calendar and a few reminders of some of the considerations
014that go into the creation of this calendar. Um first of all we are bound by by contract and so there are certain things that are in our contract that we're required to incorporate into this calendar. So, a few of those things. Um, at the beginning of the school year, we're required to have at least three days prior to students starting for the purpose of professional development, teacher planning, um, opportunity for the district to either have convocation or um, other sorts of topics. And so, that's one of the things that we're bound to. We're bound to um at the end of each quarter, teachers are entitled to um a full day where they have the opportunity for planning and you know, just really like um all of the things that a teacher needs to be able
015to take care of at the end of the quarter related to reporting grades and student progress. And so those days are required to be incorporated into our calendar. And then um in addition to that, we um need to have days to support the professional development of our staff. And so with all of those considerations in mind, we've really worked over the last few years to to strike a balance between um you know, days with students for instruction and days that students are um you know, not here um in school. And we've really worked to cluster our professional development days to be around times that um families would like to extend a holiday, for example, around President's Day or Martin Luther King Day, around election day, those sorts of things. So that we're reducing the burden
016on families of times, additional times that they may need to u make arrangements for their son or daughter. And we're we um the state of Ohio has a minimum number of instructional hours that are required for students. And so this calendar far exceeds by the equivalent of like 20 to 21 school days the the required minimum um hours of instruction. So we our school days are longer than um than most. And so with that combined with the number of student days that we have, we're far um exceeding those minimums, like I said, by 20 or 21 days depending on if it's at the elementary or at the secondary level. So um a lot goes into this. With that being said, this calendar does reflect an additional instructional day for students than the the calendar uh
017for this school year as well. So, um, we're, you know, continuing every year to, um, to make adjustments to those and to really seek input from all of our stakeholders to try to create the best calendar we can. Any questions about that particular item? >> So, how many I I forgot my uh computer tonight. I'm sorry. So, how many professional development days are you going to have in 2027, 2028? >> Well, they're all sort of categorized as a professional development day. Um, like I said, some of those are for the purposes of teacher planning that we're required to have. Some happen at the beginning of the school day and then some happen throughout the school day. So, so I'm not sure if you want like all of those numbers or if you're looking at those
018that occur just during the school day or just during like once instruction has happened. Um, at the beginning of the school year, there are four professional development days prior to the start of the school year. Um again by contract we're uh we have to have at least three of those. One of the things the reason that we've ended up with a fourth day this year is because of our efforts with leader and me um that that has taken one full day um over the past two years and the feedback that we got was like we're happy to do that but it did take um like a full day for people to to participate in that. So for the purpose of teachers and building principles just having an additional day um to you know just be
019prepared as possible for students to arrive, we added that fourth day prior to the start of the school year. Um going if you wanted to go like month by month I'm just I'm just saying like this year you you had you have 17 days total of 17 PD days >> including the before school the Right. >> Yes. Uhhuh. So, >> I was just wanting to know what the total is for the 2027. >> I mean, I can sit here and count them up. We have four before the school day. We have one in September, two in October, one of which is a teacher work day. >> Um, in November, we have two. One of which is on election day. That was the day this year that we held our countywide professional development day, which we're
020anticipating holding that again next year. December, there are no days. January, we have a teacher work day that is extended from the the holiday. >> So when you say teacher work day, is that for them to get their grades? >> Yes. And that is by contract that we're required to offer to have that that day >> as a teacher. >> Well, absolutely. It it it is a really important and necessary to prepare and be ready for the next grading period. Um in February there are two days. In March, there's a teacher work day and then in May we have election day. We never want to really be in school on election days as you can imagine for safety and security purposes. Um and then there is a professional development day which is or a teacher
021work day which is the last day of school. So I think it's important to like a number is one thing but when you break it apart to like understand the purpose of each of them it kind of helps to paint a a bigger picture for for how each of those days are utilized. >> Yeah. I just look at your squares and go one two three four you know. >> Yeah. Right. Absolutely. >> Well I'm sorry too. You mentioned you had two professional development days in February of this in on this calendar >> on the 2728 calendar. >> Oh no, the 26 27 calendar. >> No, I'm looking at the 27. Yeah, the 2728. >> Wrong calendar. >> Okay. So, um the next item I have two overnight field trip requests. Um the first one is
022for the West Climb or West Claremont diving team to participate in um a a diving competition that is scheduled to take place at Center College. If any of you have ever been to their um aquatic facility, it is phenomenal. And so the opportunity for our diving team to participate in a competition there is um is really great. So that competition um takes place again at Center College and they will be um leaving actually on Friday, this Friday and um returning on um Saturday. So it's it's a quick trip. They're there. They um compete on Saturday and they return after the conclusion of the competition. All of the information about the trip um you can find on board docs. And then the last overnight field trip request is for our high school DECA competition or DECA
023team to participate in the state DECA um conference. This takes place um February 24th through the 25th at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus. And it's an opportunity for our students to really um apply all of the knowledge and skill that they've learned um in DECA and really be able to um to compete with others across the state. And we have students who've really um successfully competed and have placed very high. And so we're anticipating um that same thing happening this year. Any questions about those overnight trips? >> You they do their check every year, right? >> They do. Yes. Yep. >> So you see the fruits of the labor there. >> Oh, for sure. Absolutely. Yes. >> They they are we have a highly competitive team. >> I noticed when I was at Kroger that
024the West Claremont kids gave me eye contact when I talked to them and I really really think that's important. >> Yeah. I would I would put our students up against students from any other district in terms of their ability to um to communicate effectively, to be able to um share their ideas effectively, to um to to really articulate um their, you know, goals, their for DECAs in particular, um you know, they have lots of ideas that they've been a part of um creating and so for them to really have an opportunity to put those skills um into practice is really exciting for them. >> Any other questions? >> Great. Thank you so much. >> Next up, it looks like equipment disposal. Um Mr. Gard, >> good evening. Yes, we'd ask the board short. We'd ask
025the board to uh to accept this disposal request. These [snorts] are six vending machines that we had started leasing in 2017. We ended up purchasing them. Well, they they've come to end of life. Um Jessica has tried to sell them. She's tried to barter the parts away um in every way possible. So, four of them are ice cream machines. When ice cream machines don't work, then there's no profit. So, she's losing a great deal of product with these machines. And so we are asking the board to approve these four vending machines at disposal. We did try to sell them. We tried to bring some money back. Four of them at the middle school, two of them at the high school. Four of them ice cream and two. >> So are you going to replace these
026machines? Is that your >> Not at this time. They're going they've added some alle cart items at the high school and the middle school. So they're kind of re-evaluating if this is going to be a need or not. They still have them. They still have some machines uh in the buildings that are profitable and so we still have those in areas throughout the buildings, but at this time we're not going to be in the vending machine business. >> Thank you. >> Next, Mr. Romano. >> Item 8.06 is request for approval of minutes. Those were for the meeting that took place on January 12th. That was the organizational and retreat meeting that was held. Item 8.07 is u request to approve the donations as presented. Um there were 14 donors with various items and again those
027donations are pretty important and critical to uh the schools. They're typically directly right to the schools. Item 8.08 is request for approval of purpose and budget statements for the 202526 school year. Um there are several of them listed again. modifications to the school building funds uh either adding different purposes for the expenditures or revising their budget. Item 8.09 is request for approval and the authorization for the superintendent treasur to negotiate and execute contracts as presented. There are five of them there. St. Rita's new life furniture, Burkimire Consulting Group, I civics and comprehensive sub solutions and agreements are also attached. Item 8.10 is a resolution amending or supplementing the FY26 annual appropriations. Um you'll see this more frequently. Um we're taking and as the budget is being adjusted on the system uh we're presenting that to
028the board. Uh there are minor adjustments in some of the local and state federal programs. There's no change to the general operating this time. Item 8.11 is authorization to execute a grant agreement. Uh that was an agreement that Mr. brought forward and that is for the um uh Ohio Emergency Management Agency. Um it is a $20,000 grant with a $5,000 local match. Item 8.12 is authorization for transfer and advances of funds. Typically that's done at the end of the year. Uh but as we read some requirements for the food service program, we're doing a transfer mid year. That is for some delinquent accounts for the collection of fees and lunchroom delinquencies. Again, it's a federal requirement that federal funds can't be used to subsidize that. So our operating fund has to do that. Again, those
029monies were budgeted typically at the end of the year. That's done. We'll do part of it mid year and then the other part of it at the end of the year. Item 8.13 is request for approval of the financial statements, bill paid list, and investments for the month of December as presented. Any questions on those items? Not the request on the consent agendum agenda is for items 8.01 through 8.13 as presented. >> Thank you, Mr. Romano. You've heard the recommendation. Would someone like to make a motion? >> Thank you, Mr. Rudy. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Spencer. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Mr. Rudy? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Spencer? >> Yes. >> Mr. Patton? >> Yes. >> Mr. Chumley? >> Yes. >> Miss Sambort? >> Yes. >>
030Five? Thank you. >> On to superintendent. >> Next on the agenda is 9.01 resolution to convene the citizens advisory commission. So per the their bylaws once the CAC has completed its research presented the findings to the to the uh board of education and no longer need for a follow-up it is dissolved. So in 2024 um they looked at the purpose and design of schools. Prior to that it was middle school start times for safety and security. So, uh, this resolution is to convene the CAC to better understand Ohio's public education finance system and how that directly impacts West our families in West Claremont. So, I am making the recommendation that the board approve the resolution convening the citizen advisory commission as presented. >> Okay, you've heard the recommendation. Would someone like to make a motion?
031>> So, moved. >> Thank you, Mr. Rudy. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Miss Samborn. Thank you. Is there any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Rudy? >> Yes. >> Miss Samborn? Yes, >> Mrs. Spencer. >> Yes, >> Mr. Patton. >> Yes, >> Mr. Ch. >> Yes, >> five. Yes, >> contract agreement. >> So, we have a um a request for the board to make a contract amendment to the Mercy Health sponsorship. Uh just a little history on that. Um Mercy Health we thank being a partner to the district provides us medicine. They've been doing that since I've been here since 2017. We had a contract, a 5-year contract within 2017 23 uh for a total of about 420,000 from what I read from the past contract. We went into negotiations in 23
032um myself, Dan, and James. We went into that and we negotiated a new contract which up the cost to 200,000 a year which was 1 million over five years. We felt really good about that and um we had a request for uh the president of Mercy to come talk to us in the fall and they have requested because of their budget constraints to decrease the sponsorship from 200,000 to 120,000 which is a decrease over the next two years. They fulfilled but the good part was it was going to be immediate and then they came back to give them the credit. They what they had promised the district for 2627 which was 200,000 and so we have two more years left contract the contract would then decrease 80,000 each year which would be 160,000 over the
033next two years and then we can go back out um and seek another contract from Mercy again or some other partnerships so in all it would be 840,000 from the 100 or from the million it drops to 84 still want to thank Mercy for for their partnership. It is more than what we had in the first five years. Um but we know that they have some budget constraints and basically they're moving in direction away from sponsorship. So I would ask the board at this time to accept the amendment to the current contract with Mercy Health as a district. >> Thank you, Mr. Keart. You've heard the recommendation. Would someone like to make a motion? >> So moved. Thank you, Mr. Rudy. Is there a second? >> Second, >> Mr. Chumley. Thank you. Is there any
034discussion? >> Um, I would like to see other sponsorships such as Wellington Place, Novaare, Tri Health, Beacon Orthopedic, Wellington Place. Um, I I think we need to share the uh so-called love district. >> I I definitely agree and we will definitely when as this expires in that last year, we will go out for that. >> Okay. Anything else? Roll call, please. >> Mr. Rudy, >> yes. >> Mr. Chley, >> yes. >> Mborn, >> yes. >> Mr. Spencer, >> yes. >> Mr. Pat, >> yes. >> Mat, good evening. Next agenda item is Corson contract Corson. We're recommending that we're recommending that we go with Corson Fire Protection. Corsen will do all of our monitoring of buildings. They'll do all of our inspections of fire extinguishers, suppression systems, uh, fire doors, fire windows, anything related to life
035safety in the school. The reason we want to switch is twofold. One, the previous company, Cincinnati Alarm, sold to a company in Dayton who did not inform us this fall. So they were very difficult to get a hold of and secondly they were subbing out their inspections which created a significant increased cost for us last year. So we negotiated with Corson. Corson is popular company in schools and businesses in the area. So we are recommending that um we go with course and fire and they're simply a monitoring company and an inspection company for all life safety um facil all life safety compliance in our buildings and our maintenance shop. Any questions? >> Where is this company located? >> Corson is in Sharonville. And uh uh the beauty of them is all of their inspections will
036be shared electronically with us, which was a challenge with the other company. And they'll all be compliant, which also was a big challenge for the previous company. We were out of compliance on our suppression system inspections, so we won't be any longer. >> And they'll tag those and you'll know when they do. >> Yeah, they will be. And it's a one-stop shop for service, too. Just [clears throat] pick up the phone and call them. They do all the on all those pieces of equipment. >> Any other questions? >> Chuck, I don't have a question. I have a statement. Uh this last snow that we had, I appreciate you and your team. Has nothing to do with this. Just a general. I appreciate what you guys have done. Um we got hit hard and so I
037appreciate the team and I appreciate all of the hard work that you guys put to get our school up and running when we did. Okay. So, thank you for the maintenance guys and head custodians killed themselves. they they really um I admire for what they do >> and I truly appreciate that. So, like I said, nothing to do with this, but I wanted to make that that statement. So, um Okay, you guys have heard >> Thank you. You've heard the recommendation. Would someone like to make a motion? >> Thank you, Mr. Rudy. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Chumley, thank you. Is there any other discussion? >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Rudy, >> yes. >> Mr. Chumley, >> yes. >> Miss San, >> yes. Mrs. Spencer. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pat,
038>> yes. >> Five. Yes. >> Thank you. >> Next up is Josh. >> Presented in front of you is a motion to direct public notice regarding the retire rehire of Randy Ghart from the West Claremont school website and within board docs. The superintendent recommends the board approve the resolution as presented. >> Thank you. Can you clarify the steps? >> Yeah. >> Can you So what we're doing tonight, >> please and thank you. >> Yeah. >> So um sorry. So tonight the board would need to pass a resolution directing the treasur to post a public notice. Um this must be 60 days prior to the retire rehire. Um currently we are beyond that 60-day time limit. um on uh Tuesday uh January 27th. I'm sorry, my dates are off because we moved our uh it would
039be tomorrow. We moved our meeting. Uh my apologies, but we post that public notice. Um but then on Monday, March 9th, um prior to the board meeting, there'd be public participation. This has to be 15 to 30 days prior to um action. And then on Monday, April 6th, there would be a board meeting personnel agenda um that we that vote would occur. >> So today's meeting would be step one. and that is to open it up for consideration from the board and to accept public comments. >> Yes. Okay. >> To post it. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. Uh you've heard the recommendation. I'll put that in the form of a motion. Do I have a second? >> Mr. Chumley. Thank you. Is there any discussion? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Um I'm against retire
040rehire. Um as you know, the board of education has a fiduciary responsibility to take care of the West Claremont taxpayers money that they have been entrusted to West Claremont. So, I'm very concerned about doing this because we are looking at uh our financial future and it's it looks pretty bleak and I'm concerned as a board member and we as a board need to make sure that we have the money to pay our staff and I I think we need to really look at all of this and see what we need to do. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Is there any other discussion? >> I share concern but my concerns of a different angle. Mr. Gart provides exceptional service to our district. He uh is for lack of better terms a coach for the
041principles. They rely on him for guidance and help when they have situations and just normal operations. He is the one that got that high school up and running. And I will never forget how totally impressed I was at graduation that he did it a little bit over two hours for close to 700 kids. I just can't speak highly enough of him. Very personal. He's developed relationships with people in the community. I think we really need Mr. Gart here. I was formerly a retire retire so I understand. I I was here and then went to Bethl. Um I took a great I took almost a $40,000 pay cut, but it all worked out great and I I appreciate the opportunity and I think we need to give one to Mr. Gart, too. >> Okay, thank you,
042Mr. Rudy. [clears throat] Is there any other discussion? >> No. >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Patton, >> yes. >> Mr. Chumley, >> yes. >> Miss Samborn, >> yes. >> Mrs. vote, sir. >> Um, I will be voting no, but I would like the community to understand why I'm going to be voting no. Our district is facing a loss of millions of dollars over the next few years. At the same time, I know Randy Gart is retiring this year, and we have a rare opportunity to reduce the long-term administrative costs without laying or disruption. Eliminating this position now would provide meaningful budget relief at a time when every dollar matters. Given our current financial reality, I believe our limited resources are best spent keeping teachers in classrooms and maintaining direct support for our students.
043Prioritizing instruction over additional administrative positions reflects what I feel is the most important for our district in the future. The decision is not about individuals. It's about making difficult but necessary choices to ensure physical responsibilities and protecting the core mission of our schools. So my vote will be no. Okay. Mr. Rudy, >> yes. >> Four yes, one no. [cough and clears throat] >> Big sigh of relief among the administrators, I believe, because he provides so much guidance for them. >> I appreciate your opinion. >> Okay, thank you. Let's move on. Josh, you got another the next section, please. >> Yes. Uh, presented for your approval is a resolution to amend the school attendance boundary between Kluff Pike Elementary and Will Elementary. The proposed change would primarily incorporate two new apartment complexes, the Slate and Vision
044Apartments currently currently being built on the Glenn SD uh high school site. Future stu I'm sorry, future students from these developments would be assigned to Willville Elementary to help prevent overcrowding at Cluff Pike. The number of families currently residing within this change is minimal and those students would remain at Cluff Pike for the remainder of the 2526 school year. Do you have any questions at this time? Okay, you've heard the recommendation. I'll put that out in the form of a motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Rudy. Is there any discussion on that? I >> I just was kind of curious, have we gotten any kind of headcount about I'm sure that they're they still aren't moving in yet. I mean, I think a lot of them are still very
045>> correct. Um so projections from our predictive enrollment analysis. Um the slate we're looking at 35 to 40 students. This won't be immediate. Please know that like because they're going to phase them in, but their projections over time um envision roughly a hundred students o over the course of like K through five. >> Okay. So, >> okay. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Patton, >> yes. >> Mr. Rudy, >> yes. >> Mr. Chley, >> yes. >> Miss San, >> yes. >> Mrs. Spencer, >> yes. >> Five, yes. >> Next up, Josh, you've got the whole four. So the MO you presented for your approval um tonight addresses emergency situations for our buildings. Um this is for when immediate action is necessary by our maintenance team to keep buildings open and operational for the following day. Um
046approving thisou will align our practice with that with that of more than 20 districts across southwest Ohio. Do you have any questions at this time? >> Okay, you've heard the recommendation. Would someone like to make a motion? >> Mr. Rudy. Thank you. Is there a second? Second, >> Miss Samborn. Thank you. Is there any discussion? >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Rudy, >> yes. >> Miss Samborn, >> yes. >> Mrs. Spencer, >> yes. >> Mr. Patton, >> yes. >> Mr. Chley, >> yes. Five. Yes. >> Josh, you can sit down. >> Dr. Folz. >> Um, yeah. First, I'd like to take a moment to say how much I appreciate the dedication and commitment of the board of education has made to our students, our staff, the larger West Claremont community. So, thank you
047for all the help that you do to continue to strive for success in our district, but much appreciated from what I said. Um, I also want to say with the closings and delay of school we had this week, I want to take a moment to thank our parents for their patience and understanding, multiple factors go into making these decisions. And while not everyone is going to be happy with the decision being made, I do appreciate the resilience the resiliency of our our parents and our students as we as they handle and traverse the change. I also want to congratulate how hard our custodian maintenance people worked to make sure we had clean sidewalks, clean parking lots and safety in our buildings. >> Dr. Folks, who advises you on the decision? >> We work with the
048bus department. We work with uh other we talk with other uh districts and where they're at. We watch the weather channel. Chuck and Randy and I do not sleep during this time and so we're constantly checking. Um um I I watch a lot of Randy Rico in the morning, but I've heard that John Gum from channel 12 was also doing an amazing job. At least that's what Becky's telling me. So Gen, so we watch him as well. >> He's our alumni from Glenus. >> Yes. And he went to >> there when I was teaching. Yes, he was a brand. Um so we we we traverse the stations. We look at the weather's patterns. We look at we talk to um um other operations departments. We we talk to Union Township. We talk to Claremont County
049Maintenance to see how well how the roads are cleared. Chuck will get out of his Jeep and drive the roads. Ry's been out driving the roads just to say is it is it good? Is it not good? We because we span such a long um trek especially down 125. It can look really good in the Eastgate area and really bad in the Amelia uh Holly Hill area. So, we're making decisions based on it as a district. And so, um, we literally we talk, we listen, we watch, and we travel before making these decisions. And then once it's made, we make it. And, and I try to make it as as early as I can for parents because I know as a parent, when those days happen, you have to make other direct other arrangements sometimes.
050Yeah. >> And so, the earlier that we can make that, the better. And our teachers, I love them to death, but some of them get on the road before the sun comes up. Not just the middle school teachers, but some of our elementary teachers like to get here before the sun. And so I like to make sure the staff knows when it's happening to so they're not already on the road. >> Okay. Thank you. >> They want that quiet time. >> Yes. Thank you, gentlemen, for getting up at whenever and free something probably and going out and checking those roads. I would not be a happy camper. >> Couldn't do your job. Um, I was at the superintendent uh in uh I was with superintendents last week in Columbus at a summit and we were
051trying to get a better understanding of our current financial situation and and how that's affecting district management across the state and it is it is a state level effect of this new funding model through the legislation. Um some of those impacts can be can be influenced at the county level. So uh Mr. Romano and I have scheduled meetings in February with County Commissioner Claire uh Corkrand, uh County Commissioner David Painter, Ohio Representative Adam Bird. We're we're still waiting to hear back from um Commissioner Bonnie Bachelor, County Auditor Linda Freilley, uh County Treasurer Jeannie >> Zery >> Zer County Prosecutor Mark uh Tukov, Ohio Representative Jean Schmidt, and Senator Terry Johnson. So we are we are at Dan, Mr. Romano and I spend time at the state level and then we spend time at the at
052the county level trying to help everyone understand what these legislative decisions have done to West Claremont specifically. Again, I want to reiterate that this financial hits that we are about to feel are a result of legislation done at the state level done to us. Um not something that we had a significant influence or control. >> You might want to consider uh Dave Taylor and Bernie Marino. and John Houston. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Romano. >> All right. Item 10.01 uh is not an action item but more for information as board knows annually we do an annual comprehensive financial report. It is also the document that the auditor of state uh through Julian Group CPA firm does our audit. That document was completed um in a very timely manner uh prior to the
053end of the calendar year but it was for fiscal year. Um the opinion that the auditor auditors put on that report is an unmodified opinion basically stating that our uh report fairly represent and is accurate to the finances of the district. Um, also want to compliment uh, assistant treasurer Terry Johnson and the team in our office. But not only just our office, this is a district-wide report, which is two things. It is reporting our financials, but it also because of it is being audited represents the work that our administrators, our support staff, the work that they do in processing the transaction in uh in compliance with the rules and regulations that we are under. Um sometimes that's that's not an easy thing to do. Um that's why you see the purpose of budget statements come
054to you every month, okay? Making certain changes, the amendments come to you. But um I also like to recognize and thank the principles, the directors, budget directors, the administrators because in the things that they process, they're taking due care to make sure they're doing it the right way. And we you don't get an unmodified opinion and a clean audit unless you have a whole team of people working with working with the treasur's office to make sure that's done. That report um is posted in draft form until the order of state officially releases it, but it's a matter of time. Should be done in March. But just want to compliment everybody for that. Um item 10.02 is the Union Township TIF lease extension. Um the recommendation that the board approve Union Township TIF lease extension as
055presented. This was a tiff that was done in 2003 2004. Um it was a 30-year tiff for clarity. It was not back at that time a makehold agreement in exchange uh for the revenue that the township picked up. The district offices um we we do have residency in Union Township uh building civic center. We basically have a good portion of that building. We have rights to the different common area spaces within that building. Um as comfort, we do also have access to rooms at Ferguson and some of our administrative offices are there too, technology uh team, food [clears throat] service team are there and some curriculum people I believe have been there in time with that. um the 15-year extension for the tiff. Um there's two two major modifications. Um, one is that uh the
056tiff encompassed four different areas. Of those four areas, we are allowed to pick up additional revenue for the Eastgate Mall area and then the area where Walmart is um beginning with increased values beyond the uh 26 appraisal. So the uh the 25 this is this is tax year collected in 26. We do have the reappraisal on 26 coming up. So our our there's a give and take. Our take is that there's the possibility of additional revenue when those valuations increase. There's a revenue share there which we did not have before. Um and then the extension of that lease agreement for for the same amount of time as the tip extension the 15 years. Uh also, you know, at the same time want to dispel any rumors. You know, the the relationship that the superintendent and
057I and the administrative team have with the administrative team at the township um is is a great relationship. We meet frequently uh with with Corey go back and forth, Mr. Wright go back and forth with Mr. Campbell a lot on different things. They give us a heads up continuously on areas of economic development that they are looking at and they are doing. So it's not just coming and and laying a stack of papers, you know, on our desk and saying we're doing this, but um it is months before some things happen that they communicate with us and things are done. So um so this actually came to us months ago and we had conversations back and forth on how to um do this so that it's a win for everybody. Um, so the recommendation is
058to uh approve the Union Township TI lease extension as presented. Any questions? >> Um, I have a couple questions on these maps like from exhibit A through I think exhibit E. There's different areas or different school districts that they that representative like in exhibit A they rep it says Somerside the states. So, does that mean that this area here is more towards the Somerside uh elementary area or how did they how did they how did they come up with how they drew this map? >> Tina, that's that's hold on. That's this map that you're looking at is what Josh talked about when we changed the boundaries from >> the demographic. >> That's the demographic. That is not the one from that has nothing to do with what he's talking about. >> That's for the elementary
059school. >> Yeah, that's that's if I'm not mistaken. That one's for the elementary. Yes. So the exhibit >> So all right. So it's for Willville and Cluff. Got it. >> Yeah, that's okay. >> Yeah, that has nothing that's >> that's Josh's when he was talking about how we're shift shifting from Kluff [clears throat] to Willowville. >> Yeah, >> that's not the >> No, there Yeah, there is. Yeah, that's that's why I was going to say when as soon as you pulled that out Yeah. >> No, I'm good. I'm just I got ahead of myself. >> All right. >> Sorry. >> Well, behind yourself. We already talked about that one. >> That's true, too. >> Okay. So, you've heard the recommendation. Would someone like to make a motion? >> So, moved. >> Thank you, Mr. Rudy.
060Is there a second? >> Second, >> Miss Samborn. Thank you. Now, is there any discussion? My only comment is is you you already answered my question was going to be is your working relationship with Union Township and the admin. So, I was just gonna, you know, again, just help the community know that we're just not up here making these decisions. So, I appreciate >> I'll give you one other one other example. I know, you know, with with last week with the the coming uh snow and accumulation. Um, Mr. Wright even reached out. We had conversations where if we needed some assistance in some of the lots and different things because their equipment is much larger than ours in snow removal. did something he had an open mind to give him a call and where they
061could help out with. So I mean those are the types of things that that really define a pretty good relationship. >> So from my perspective I know that West Claremont School District and Union Township has had a good working relationship. I also would like to adventure out to the other township as well and to either build the relationship or to continue that relationship. And I guess I'll speak as president if there's anything they want from us or if they would like to meet with any of us or myself and you two. We definitely make that happen because I want to continue this partnership. We need to have partnerships with all of our townships because we do have other part townships that we that we're in. So again, that's kind of a side note. So okay,
062>> I hope you wrote down who made what. >> Got it. >> Thank you. [laughter] >> If there's no other discussion, go ahead and take role, please. >> Mr. Rudy, >> yes. >> Miss Samour, >> yes. Mrs. Spencer, >> yes. >> Mr. Patton, >> yes. >> Mr. Chumley, >> yes. Five, yes. >> Um, just on my comments, um, a February is coming up. Um, as you may recall, part of the the legislation that changed last year was to move the five-year forecast, actually redefine them as only a three-year forecast, but move those to August [clears throat] and February. Um, it was past August, so we did the October. The one in February is coming up. I'm going to ask that the finance committee meet in February to kind of review that before we go to
063the board with that. As noted in the organizational meeting and in the retreat, um the forecast will be dramatically different than what the October forecast was. Unfortunately, as the superintendent already alluded to, uh the property tax law changes that took place primarily in five different pieces of legislation, House Bill 124 that people don't think it may impact us, it is a it's called flip the script where valuation probably had more of a the state department of taxation. There's there's more um authority at the county auditors level that is done. House Bill 129 uh changes in the levies that um are attributed to the 20 mil floor. I said at one time uh probably 18 months ago that if any district was the poster child for what the general assembly was looking at to do, it
064was West We were at the 20 mil floor. Our inside mill was in the permanent improvement fund. We had an emergency levy. We had a continuing substitute emergency levy. And so all those things that were targets that we had, the the other part of that puzzle that people don't really know and understand is those pieces that had been in existence since the mid to late 70s allowed this district to survive financially. And uh they were security blankets for us. they were they were safety nets for districts and um that was being swept away. You add to the fact that over the last decade or so we were one of the lowest spending for pupil districts in the state and all of a sudden with these pieces of legislation we are going to have money pulled
065away from our balance. We're going to have property tax revenue reduced and we will limited in the growth of property tax revenue into the future. So 129 puts us back or takes us off the floor. So the revenue growth that we had in the past, we no longer will have. House Bill 309 puts some of the authority uh to reduce taxes even further outside the five people to the superintendent's left. Okay. and put that into the the budget commission. Um that's why it's a superintendent mention. Um we are going to increase the relationships with individuals there. House Bill 335 um takes the inside millillage which is as I mentioned dedicated to our permanent improvement fund. Um it reduces the ability for that revenue to grow that kicks in in tax year. So this next reappraisal
066it will be limited to the GD GDP and deflator growth which is basically the rate of inflation with that um and then the house bill 186 um limits the growth of that 20 floor and also does the being known as the clawback. So additional revenue beyond inflation that was generated in the collection years 24 and 25 will be credited back to taxpayers and that will come out of our uh balance and revenue going forward. There is a provision of a make whole that was only for what we thought was two years because of simulations that were were presented to the general assembly is only one year now that is being taken place. Um my summation is that again what I started out with our forecast will be different and I did some of that at
067the organizational meeting. So, um, this is a disruption to the district and and we're going to put our best effort to make sure that, uh, we can get through it to do that. So, we will have a we'll schedule a finance committee meeting to to kind of go over this in more detail with to do that. Um, I want to recognize the board and thank the board and as I always try and do, I very much appreciate the board superintendent, myself, administrative team, the staff, teachers, the people here, your ability to come together and make decisions. Um, people may think it's it's easy because of the way the votes are, but there is a lot of discussion work behind the scenes. I also want to um, if they're listening out there to thank your families
068because the time that you take at these meetings is just a portion of the that you take away from them because there's other there's other things you do that's just not at board meetings and so not only do you sacrifice and serve the community but your family for amounts of time does without you so I really appreciate the fact that they allow you to do this and to serve the community I think it's a compliment to them too those are my comments >> [clears throat] >> Thank you, Mr. Romano. Moving on to board comments, Mr. Rudy. >> Um, awful lot of information tonight. So, just to process that. Thank you for the blanket. I happen to love blankets and it will be very useful when I'm sleeping tonight. >> Thank you, Mr. >> During the
069meeting tonight, [laughter] >> Miss Spencer. Well, I want to thank everybody for coming and thank you for the comments. It was very kind and nice and I love the superheroes and I love all the all the wonder I'm gonna take a picture and tell everybody remember I'm the superhero. >> That's right. [laughter] >> I did. I think I gained about 20 pounds, but that's okay. I'll take it. [laughter] >> It was very very creative whoever did that. It was very nice and I and thank you for the gifts and and the kids. It's it's what we do. That's why we do what we do. Um I did want to just kind of remind everybody that we do have a set of standards that the board members we all go by and there are like five
070five separate standards that we go by. I'm just going to read them real quick and it's not bad for us to kind of remember and we're going to be talking a little bit more about it maybe next month, but uh standard number one is provide uh responsible school board governance like what we do. Uh set the communic communications high expectations for student learning and clear goals of objectives. create conditions districtwide for student and staff success, which we try really hard to do. Hold school districts accountable for meeting stu student learning expectations. And number five is just engaging the local community and represent the values and expectations that they hold for their schools. Uh so ask asking the community to get involved in like next week when next month when we ask them to come and
071give us their ideas about the assistant superintendent. We would love to from everyone and give us their feedback on what we should do because decisions are going to have to be made and it's not going to be they're going to be hard decisions and we would love for everyone to kind of give us their input on that kind of stuff. But I just wanted to go over those five standards that we try to hit and that everybody knows that we we do have things that we are supposed to be doing. >> Thank you. Miss Abort. >> Um I will be thinking about this information we received tonight in regards to the retire rehire. Uh it is something that we or I take very uh hard because it's it's a position that I'm not sure um
072if um it is needed at this time. I will have to think about it, pray about it and um go over the the figures and see if we can afford uh this position or not because our financial future is very bleak and we have to make sure as a board to be fiduciary responsibility for the taxpayers's money and so we need to make sure that we we can keep our staff. >> Thank you as Mr. Cha. I want to thank everyone for all the uh kind words tonight. Um the few times we do look good, it's not it's because of you all. Honestly, uh we have such a great team. Um I want to thank everyone just piggybacking off of that statement. Thank everyone uh for our board retreat uh last meeting and all the
073information that they provided for us, all the hard work they put into that. Um and we have a lot of tough um decisions to make down the road. Um but I could confidently say that we are better prepared than any other district because because of the work that we put in and the team members we have. Um so I'm just I'm proud of proud to be here and I'm proud of one of you guys. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Obviously, the team that I work with, uh, they had a lot of great things to say and I appreciate all that they say. The fact of the matter is is that we do have some hard work ahead of us. We by no fault of our own. We've set up here, we've tried
074to make good decisions. We've tried to be very mindful of how we're spending the taxpayers money. We just try to be very mindful of everything that we do. And I think as a whole, we do a really good job at that. Um, again, we're getting ready to be faced with some tough decisions that we have to make, and those tough decisions have to be made, um, whether we like it or not. And so, I um, I I just I I hope that the community can can get with us. Um, something that I kept hearing on the news a lot is as you're traveling down the road, a lot of the news anchors kept saying, "Pack your patience." And so I think this is a good time to remind everybody just pack your patience, come along
075with us, walk this journey with us, hear what we have to say, and I know that I'm asking the community to trust us, but I want you to walk along with us so we can show you what we're doing so that it helps to build that trust. And then so I just um you know, I know that we sit here and I do appreciate everything that everybody does, but more importantly, I appreciate the community. We we have a very diverse community. Um, and so I just I I just I'm I'm asking the community to get involved, pack your patience, walk along with us, be mindful, listen to what we have to say, challenge anything that we that we're telling you, uh, and then we'll just kind of go from there. Um, but but I I
076just we do have some tough decisions and I just yeah, we have tough decisions to make. So I' I've rambled enough. I do appreciate that and more importantly, I do appreciate our community. Um, so with that being said, I do not believe we have another reason to go in executive session. So at this point, who would like to make a motion to adjoin them adjourn the meeting? >> What was that? >> Thank you, Mr. Rudy. Is there a second? >> Second, [laughter] Miss. >> Yeah. Miss Spencer. Thank you. I'm assuming no discussion. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Rudy? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Spencer? >> Yes. >> Miss San? >> Yes. >> Mr. Pat, >> yes. >> Mr. Chley, yes. Five, yes. Oh, it's too late. >> I sorry if we're still sorry if we're still
077long, guys. I'm sorry I rambled. Our next meeting is February the 23rd, 2026 at 700 p.m. It will be at the Civic Center. Again, I apologize. I had it written, but I got sidetracked. >> Dan, am I signing these? Is that what this >> Yeah. So, that's the