Cuyahoga Falls City Schools BOE Regular Meeting 3/18/2026

001Yeah, she's she's she's excited. Everybody ready? >> Yep. >> Good evening. It's 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18th. I'll call to order this regular meeting of the Kao Falls City School District Board of Education meeting. >> Miss Doyco, will you please call the role? >> Mr. Gomez >> here. >> Mr. Harris >> here. >> Mrs. Schaefer >> here. Miss White >> here. >> Mrs. Zimmerman is on her way. Uh item B is an approval of the agenda. Number one's a motion to approve the agenda. It's recommended that the board of education approves the agenda of the March 18th, 2026 board of education meeting. Action by the board of education adoption of a consent agenda means that all items are adopted by one singular motion unless the member of the board of education treasurer superintendent requests

002that any such item be removed from the consent agenda and voted upon separately. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Please call the role. >> Mr. Gomez. >> I. >> Mr. Harris. >> I. >> Mr. Schaefer. >> Hi. >> Miss White. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Zimmerman. >> Abstain. [laughter] Thank you. Item C is our opening ceremony. This meeting is a meeting of the Kag Falls board of education in public for the purpose of connecting a school district's business. Is not a public community meeting, although there are opportunities for public participation. If an individual wishes to address the board regarding a topic found on the meeting agenda, the individual must complete a registration form found inside attendance notebook and present it to the treasurer. Following the introduction of a topic by the board president, followed

003by board discussion, the individual will be recognized. If an individual wishes to address the board regarding a topic not found on the agenda, they must notify their superintendent and or board president on the topic no later than three business days in advance of the meeting. These individuals may share their comments during the board business portion of the agenda. In both cases, the individual will preface comments by announcement of their name and address and limit comments to three minutes. All statements should be directed to the board president. No person may address or question board members individually. An unabridge board agenda for this meeting can be found in your electronic device at the address shown on the screen. And for your convenience, hard copies of the board agenda may be found on the table by the signin

004book down by Mr. Harris. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Ka Falls Board of Education is April 8th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the 6:12 Campus Performing Arts Center Blackbox Theater. And now for our pledge and welcome Mrs. Zimmerman. >> Just in time. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. [laughter] I alian 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. >> Welcome everyone to our board meeting. Our vision, Kyahoga Falls City School District, the hub of our community. Committed to a culture of caring. We innovate, we create, we personalize education for all. Our mission, every student, every day, every opportunity. >> Thank you, Mrs. Zimmerman. Brings us to item D, our presentations. The first one

005is an awarding of a diploma. It's recommended the Ka Falls Board of Education grants a Kayaka Falls High School diploma to the following individual who has now completed requirements stated by the state of Ohio for high school graduation. Trista Nicole Wilson. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Would you please call the role? >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Schaefer. >> Hi. >> Miss White. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Zimmerman. >> Hi. >> Mr. Gomez. >> Hi. [applause] >> Is Trista here? >> Okay. Well, we congratulate her as our newest alumni. Okay, brings us to presentation number two, staff star award. Invite up Miss Allison Bogdan. Back to you. >> Thank you, President Gomez. Good evening, everybody, and congratulations to our top tigers. Um, it is my honor every month to stand up here and recognize

006one of our own, one of our staff members. It's called the staff star award and it is somebody that we recognize and they're recognized by their colleagues. So they're nominated and recognized by their colleagues. Um I'm going to ask the principal, Miss Amanda Wyoff to um join me. She's a principal at Price as well as the teacher that nominated this person, Trisha Holl, to come up to the podium who's going to speak about our winner, Mr. Isaac Becker. Pal come on up. He [applause] is a music teacher at Price. [applause] >> Smile. Good afternoon everyone. I would like to um recognize Mr. Becker Hal as our staff shining star. As a new teacher to Price Elementary, I have been continually impressed by his dedication, leadership, and kindness. Mr. Becker Howal goes above and beyond for

007our school community. In in addition to his work in the classroom, he participates in the check-in checkout mentoring program, supports colleagues when students need extra help, assists with assemblies and morning announcements, leads choir and drama after school, and he often gives up his own planning time to support others, which truly shows his commitment to our students and staff. What stands out most is the positivity he brings to our building each day. His joke of the day and genuine kindness help create a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued. Mr. Becker Howal sets a wonderful example of teamwork, professionalism, and care. He truly embodies what it means to be a staff shining star. [applause] Now [applause] he's going to and he's going to do the um joke of the day. There you go. >> [laughter] >> jokes.

008I wasn't prepared for the jokes. Actually, most of the all my jokes come from the students. They submit them. So, any jokes I have or um what was the last? Anyway, uh I just thank you very much for the award. This means a lot to me um that my colleagues are recognizing and see me doing stuff and they they like it. That makes me really happy cuz I really value my colleagues a lot. They're wonderful people. And I like to say that when you walk into our building, if you walk down the hallway, you could nominate about five people just right in the first five minutes for something like this because we have such a wonderful place to work and it says a lot about the nominator who took the time to do that. So

009I also appreciate uh Mrs. Hull for nominating me. That was really really kind of her. Um so yeah, I'm sorry I don't have it. Oh, hold on. I bet I could give you a joke. [laughter] All right, what did we have? Oh, this was actually from a staff member this morning. What did one tomato say to the other tomato? Come on, catch up. [laughter] You're welcome. [applause] I also I just wanted to add one thing and Dr. S, I'm sorry cuz I know you do this later, but I I see so many Price people here um to rec or to help recognize him. Can you raise your hand if you're a a colleague colleague? Yeah, there's just so many. So, thank you for coming. Thank you everybody. [applause] [applause] >> That brings us to presentation

010number three, our top tigers recognition. Like to invite up Dr. Celico. >> Thank you, Mr. Gomez. Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Do we have all our top tigers seated here this evening? Anyone left anywhere in the stands? Oh, come on down. We'll we'll give you a we'll pause for a moment. All right. Come on over. Just have a seat. Anywhere over there. All right. Thank you. Anyone else? All right. Okay. Um well, as uh Mr. Gomez said, I'm Andrea Solico, superintendent of schools, and um this evening, it's always very exciting. This is our first time to be doing the um Top Tiger recognition in the Blackbox Theater, and I I hope I'm glad that you all made it and found it found us. Um, we typically have been in the auditorium, but we go

011back and forth is if there's events in either one of them. Um, we have to kind of be flexible and and adjust. So, here we are and we're going to see how this goes. This our first time in here. So, everybody be patient. So, uh, how many of you is this your first time for a Top Tiger? Anybody first? Who's first time to be I bet all of our students? Huh? Parents and families. Okay. Well, let me tell you a little bit about the Top Tiger Award. So top tiger award is given by our uh board of education members to students from each building each month and the students are chosen by various staff members in their schools. I get the honor of reach of reading about each one of them. So I'm going to

012ask students, we pay really careful attention. I love it. All eyes on me. Ready? Here's what we're going to do. When I call your name, you're going to come forward. All right. Mrs. Schaefer is going to help me out here. We have some goodies for you. You're going to stand probably over here. here. This is probably a safer side. All right. Where people can see you. So, stand over here. And I'm going to read about you. All right. And then after that, you're going to come back here. Miss Stewart is right here. She's going to take your picture against this black curtain. All right. And then after that, you can go sit down, right? We're going to have them sit down here. All right. And then afterwards, you are going to get more fun things.

013Uh a t-shirt. I'm I'll I I'll be on a spoiler alert. I just spoiled. You're going to have some people come up here and tell you, but you'll be going out those doors and you'll head to the right first for the picture. Is that right? >> These doors to the right. >> Okay. So, these doors, we're going to go to the right. Um, you're going to get your picture taken and we'll have people directing you. Okay. And then you're left. >> I apologize. >> That's okay. That's what I thought. >> That's why we're going to have people direct. >> Yes. And it hopefully it won't be me or Miss Stewart. >> Photos t-shirt. >> So, um, we designated the two rooms. So, to the left, that's that way. you will get your pictures taken and

014then you go straight in just another room a couple doors down. That's where you're going to get some more of your um awards. Okay? So, we'll we'll get you there. No worries. And families do have an opportunity. We'll take uh group photos. You also will have an opportunity to get pictures over there as well. All right. So, um one of the things you will go home with this evening is a top tiger sign. Um, I believe they have the um the little legs to this, but not tonight. So, you can put those in your yards or in your in your uh windows. And those are compliments of our uh teachers union. And Mrs. Carile is here somewhere. Where are you? Oh, in the corner. So, um can uh we want to thank um Mrs. Carlilele.

015So, yep, there we go. [applause] The teachers union. And we also um I'd like to add that we also have other generous community partners including our Kyahaga Falls Schools uh foundation and alumni association and we want to thank them as well as our other partners who bring us um these awards for our students and also encourage our students to be the best that they can be. So at this time I'm going to ask I think it's Miss Shrader and I know Mrs. Weekley is also here from the foundation but I think Miss Shrader is going to speak to you uh for a couple of moments here. Mr. Thanks. >> [applause] >> Hi everyone, my name is Chris Shrader. I'm proud to serve as a trustee of the Kagafal Schools Foundation and Alumni Association. I'm also

016a graduate of Koga Falls High School. Went to uh Broad Street School, which is now Dit Elementary School, Bull Lake, and then the high school. So I've been around a long time. In addition to sponsoring Top Tigers each year, the foundation awards over $150,000 in student scholarships, awards 15 grants to teachers for special classroom projects, and works with alumni by helping with their class reunions and class websites. Each May, we also recognize distinguished alumni and host a special recognition program and reception. All of our top tigers for the year will be invited to walk in the Memorial Day parade, which is a lot of fun. So, you'll hear more about that within the next couple months cuz that's just two months away. That's hard to believe. So, tonight after you've been talked about and and

017gotten your flower and a few things, someone is going to take you to where you need to go. And that's all I need to say because I don't want to get you confused. Okay. [laughter] On behalf of the Kaga Fall Schools Foundation and Alumni Association, we congratulate all of you top tigers on earning this very special recognition. We are proud of each and every one of you and look forward to seeing you again in the Memorial Day parade. Thank you and congratulations. [applause] >> [applause] >> Oh, I was almost in trouble. I'm afraid to have tried to take my notes on each one of you. I would have been in trouble. I would have had to make stuff up. I don't even know you. It would have been good stories. Come up with something, huh?

018All right. Well, students, are you ready? All right. All right. So, we're going to start. And thank you, Miss Rder. Uh, we're going to start with our high school um students first. So, our first student, again, when I call your name, please come forward and get your stuff in a shaper and stand to my right. Our first student is from the high school is Aaliyah Ellison. [applause] All right. Aaliyah exemplifies our health and physical education expectations by maintaining a positive attitude, always putting forth her best effort in all of her classes, respecting others, and following safe practices, rules, and procedures. Aaliyah is a quiet leader who is self-motivated and a role model for others in class, always encouraging others to do the right thing. She enjoys reading and listening to music, and her interest in

019skin care and spa services will allow her to purs pursue a career as a licensed esthetician. Wow, nice. All right, [applause] CONGRATULATIONS. All right, our next student from the high school is Noah Ky. [applause] The science department has selected Noah for a top tiger award for his academic excellence, kindness, and quiet leadership. Noah is known and respected by both teachers and his peers for his intelligent hum intelligence, humility, and willingness to help anyone in need. Noah is a gifted problem solver and a compassionate learning partner. He has the ability to acknowledge and address both technical lab glitches and group dynamic issues with creativity, humor, and kindness. He can be counted on to be both reliable and enthusiastic in every service project he completes. Noah is also a member of the National Honor Society and the

020varsity baseball team. Noah's calm leadership and genuine care for others make him a cheerful presence in every classroom, baseball game, and service project. Thank you for always showing your Black Tiger pride. Congratulations. [applause] Um, we have another student that will not be attending this evening, but that's Ashlin Walker, but I just do want to acknowledge her and congratulate her as [applause] well. Okay, we are moving along to the middle school, Kyoga Falls Middle School. Our first student is Jaye Burns. Jaye, there she is. [applause] I had you pegged for a high schooler and when you didn't come up first I was like, "Oh, I guess she's in middle school." So, all right. Jaye is a pleasure to have in class. She shows up each day with her materials ready to learn. She is polite and

021helpful to her teachers and classmates. She positively participates and cares about her grades. Jayla is not shy. Jaye is not shy to ask questions or to advocate for herself. Her eighth grade team hopes that she continues this path once she enters high school. Congratulations, Jaylee. You are doing amazing things. [applause] All right, our next student is Ellie Oxley. [applause] Ellie. All right. Ellie is incredibly conscientious about completing her work and consistently goes above and beyond what is expected on every assignment. Whether it's paying close attention to details or putting in extra effort to deepen her understanding, she always strives for excellence. She leads by example in the classroom, showing responsibility, kindness, and a strong work ethic that inspires those around her. In addition, she is respectful to both her teachers and peers, making her a

022positive and trusted president presence. You can be the president if you want, I suppose. in our school community. She truly represents the qualities of a top tiger. [applause] Okay. All right. Moving on to our elementarymentaries. Which one will it be first? What do you think? Anybody? No, we don't know. Okay. Dit. H. You were gonna answer. All right. Dit. All right. Our first student is Melvin Aay. MELVIN. MELVIN. [applause] >> [applause] >> ALL RIGHT. Melvin is a wonderful second grader at Dwit Elementary School. Melvin works hard and cares so much about his schoolwork, carrying out his responsibilities, and giving his very best effort each day. Melvin is very organized, attentive, and always ready to participate in class. You don't usually hear of second graders being organized. Bonus points, buddy. All right. Melvin consistently shows what

023it means to display Black Tiger pride behavior and is a true example to his classmates. Melvin is incredibly bright and equally kind and helpful to others. His positive attitude and smile each day is a wonderful asset to our class. It has been amazing to see Melvin shine in so many ways this year in second grade. Congratulations, BUDDY. [applause] Let's see if we get this name right. All right. From Dwit, you can correct me. Where's Mlin? >> All right. You correct me if I get this wrong. Your last name. Okay. Well, I got your first name right. That was the easy part. All right. Ready? Let's try your last name. Canel Zambazzi. >> Zambiazi. All that was close. Do I get partial credit? >> All right. Thank you. All right. Me. [applause] All right. All right.

024Meen is a shining example of what it means to be a black tiger by her character and spirit that she brings to school every day. In the classroom, Meen is known for her heart of gold, always ensuring that her peers feel included and supported. You made me feel that way, too. Thank you. All right. Behind beyond her kindness, she has demonstrated an incredible work ethic this year. Even when a task feels difficult or a concept is brand new, she never backs down. Mailyn shows us all what Black Tiger Pride means by working hard when things get tough and meeting every challenge with grit and grace that is beyond her years. Keep roaring with pride and leading your heart with your heart. CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] All right, our next school is Lincoln. We have Kora Shehan. Kora.

025[applause] All right, look at you. All right. Kora is a true standout in the classroom, embodying a level of maturity and kindness that sets a wonderful example for her peers. She consistently follows classroom routines with a quiet confidence, showing deep respect for both her teachers and her classmates through active listening and thoughtful participation. Whether she's the first to offer a helping hand to a friend in need or the one who patiently waits her turn during group activities, Kora's gentle nature makes the classroom a warmer, more inclusive place. Her natural inclination to do the right thing even when no one is watching truly makes her a top tiger and a joy to have in school. CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] All right, our second student from Lincoln is Tobias Whitney. Tobias. [applause] >> All right, buddy. Ready? >> Okay,

026Toby. Do you go by Toby? >> Okay, good thing. That's what it says here. Toby is a shining example of courtesy and character in our kindergarten class. He makes a point of greeting his teachers with a bright smile every morning, immediately setting a positive tone for the day. His thoughtfulness shines through in his small meaningful ways he looks out for others. Whether he's grabbing a worksheet for a classmate or noticing when a friend needs help picking up their dumped school box. I bet that happens often. Polite, attentive, and genuinely kind-hearted, Toby makes our kindergarten classroom a better place. He is truly a top tiger who leads by example. Congratulations. [applause] There you go. All right. Very good. Our next school is Preston. >> All right. We have some fans. >> I got to play principal

027today at Preston. Who saw me? Who's from Preston? Do you see me there today? >> Yeah. Did I get five stars? All right. Yes. All right. Julian Cologne. Julian. Yep. Come on. [applause] [applause] Julian is an amazing role model for his peers in his second grade class. Julian comes to school every day ready to learn. He stays focused on his learning and puts forth his very best effort in all that he does. Even when things become challenging, Julian keeps his terrific attitude and keeps going. He is kind and helpful to his classmates and can always be counted on to be making good choices. CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] ALL RIGHT. And our next student is Courtney Curtis. COURTNEY. [applause] >> All right. Courtney. Courtney is always showing Black Tiger pride in many ways. She is kind to everyone

028around her and always willing to lend a helping hand. She loves to participate in class and is engaged in her learning and works hard to do her best. Her teachers are proud of Courtney for the way she shows respect to the students and the adults each and every day. Congratulations, Courtney, on being Preston's top tiger. Good [applause] job. All right, moving along to Price. Our first student is Harper Craig. Harper. [applause] Oh. Harper, you tricked us. You're like coming out of nowhere. It's like the Phantom of the Opera in the Blackbox Theater. Nice. Hello. All right. Dramatic entrance. I like it. All right. Harper. Harper is a prime example of what it means to be a leader in the classroom. Whether she is tackling a challenging assignment with her growth mindset or quietly helping a

029friend tie her shoe, she consistently looks for ways to lift others up. She is a true role model who always strives to do the right thing even when no one is watching. We are so lucky to have Harper's kindness and dedication in our classroom. CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] All right. And our next student from Price is Luke Wal. Luke, [applause] come here. What do you want to tell me? I didn't knew you were gonna say that. As soon as you looked at me funny, I was like, "Eh, I got that wrong." Wy. And I love that you corrected me, Luke. Thank you. >> All right. How old are you, Luke? >> Six. All right. Fair enough. All right. Luke was nominated for his outstanding character and contributions to his first grade class. Luke embodies the spirit of

030a black tiger. He is hardworking, highly motivated student with incredible stamina, always striving to improve and be his best. He is also kind, a wonderful friend, and a helpful member of our classroom. Luke is a true role model for his peers. His teachers are incredibly proud of his dedication and growth. Congratulations, Luke. Wokey. Yeah, I got you. [applause] All right, moving on to Richardson. Let's see if I get this name right. Damiano Capone. Damiano, [applause] I like that name, though. All right, Damiano is not here. What do you all think of when you hear that name? Anybody? The commercial Damiano and Smith, right? Anybody? That's when I read that I'm like, I wonder if that really is it. Freedman Damiano and Smith, right? I got to meet him, though. I got to meet Damiano. All

031right. Our next um student from Richardson is Elizabeth Taylor. Elizabeth Taylor. Wow. Where is she? [applause] H I do know Elizabeth and she's not here. Oh, Dr. Another good name. You know that name. I know all you are like what? >> Anybody like my age and older knows exactly what we're talking about. No idea. >> Okay. Pardon me. >> She's booked. Yeah, she's booked. She's got an engagement tonight. All right. Well, we're moving on to Silver Lake, but congratulations to our Richardson folks. All right. We have Rowan Finnegan. Rowan. ANOTHER [applause] good name. Did you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? >> I knew it. Rowan Finnegan. All right. All right. Rowan is a total ray of sunshine in the classroom. What stands out most is her huge heart. She's the first person to make sure everyone

032has a friend to play with. Whether she's working hard on a tough assignment or listening to feedback with a smile, she gives 100% every single day. Rowan, you're a true role model and a joy to teach. WAY TO GO. [applause] ALL RIGHT. OUR next student from Silver Lake is Charlie Cypes. [applause] Charlie. I met a Charlie today at Preston and it was a girl as well cuz Charlie could be a boy or a girl's name, right? So, we got I met two Charlies today. Isn't that fun? Was for me. Charlie is truly deserving of the top tiger award for her outstanding citizen citizenship, academic growth, and positive presence in our school community. After moving from out of state in October, she demonstrated resilience and determination from her very first day at Silverlake Elementary. Charlie is

033consistently respectful, kind, and responsible. Always following school rules and setting a positive example for her peers. She has fit in seamlessly with her classmates, formed new friendships, and made significant academic progress through her hard work and perseverance. She is a wonderful role model and a delightful young lady who contributes positively to both the classroom and school community. Congratulations, CHARLIE. [applause] [applause] WELL, we have one student left and he's been waiting so patiently. Oh, he's he's telling me to wait. Are you ready? All right. Well, our preschool is Dakota Ward. Come on up. YEAH. [applause] All right. He's enthusiastic. All right. Now, All right, Dakota. Now, we have to look at everybody. Let everybody see how cute you are. Okay. There we go. All right. Dakota is a shining example of growth, kindness, and enthusiasm for

034learning, making him a wonderful nominee for this top recognition. Dakota arrives at school each day full of excitement. I believe it. Eager to see his teachers and friends and he warmly greets everyone he meets. I could see it. He shows genuine conser concern concern for others. Noticing when friends are absent and thoughtfully checking on classmates who may be feeling sad or disappointed, always trying to lift their spirits. I love it. In the classroom, Dakota is an active and joyful participant in all areas of learning, including circle time, math, literacy, art, and play centers. Dakota's positive attitude, compassion, and love of learning truly sets him apart. Nice job, BUDDY. [applause] >> All right. >> Yes. Take my picture. All right. All right. Well, here you go, Mom. Jeez, everybody's got it. What a cutie. >> All

035right. Well, it's been fun. We've added preschool. Since we've added preschool this year, we now also have included our preschoolers in um our top tiger awards. So, it's really fun to add a lot of fun. He's back. All right. >> We're glad. Um but just a couple things before we dismiss and take our pictures. One, I'd like to acknowledge our staff that is here this evening. And that includes our principles and our teachers and others. I see secretaries here, admin admin assistants, um others. So, can you just raise your hands to be acknowledged for being here and giving up an evening to support our students? [applause] Thank you. And they do so because they're so proud of you and love to see you being recognized. So, I appreciate them being here. And also to our

036families, I want to thank all of you. Again, um I say this each time. It's it's not um by chance that students end up being here this evening being recognized. You all should be very proud of yourselves in raising your children to be the best and clearly they are um as they've demonstrated here this evening. So, a round of applause for all of you. [applause] All right. Now, I know you all don't have a lot of confidence in me right now with directions, but I actually do know what I'm talking about. All right. So, you ready to listen? I know which way you're going. You're going students, you're going to go out this door. Mr. Elder's raising his hand. He'll take you over there to the left to get your pictures taken when you're done.

037And I'm going to see you over there because we're going to get pictures taken. So, I'll see you over there. And then you're going to head down the hall to get all of those fun things you talked about. So, when we leave and families, you two can follow to get some pictures. It might be tight in there, I'm assuming. So, we might need to do our thing first. We'll all leave and then you can get some pictures. All right. Mr. So, students, >> yeah, pardon me. >> And Mr. Becker How? >> Yes, there's Mr. Becker Howell. There he is. Okay, you're you're coming with us as well. All right, so um students, if you could stand up, please. And Mr. Elder over there, why don't you start first? Okay, thank you everyone. [cough] >> Congratulations.

038me to speak today. On May 26, we will host our student transition event to their new building for next school year. And right now, we're calling it Stripes Sneak Peak. Following morning arrival and attendance at their current buildings, students moving to new schools will board buses with their teachers to visit their future buildings. To ensure a consistent experience, all the principles have worked together to develop the same set of activities across all the buildings. Upon arrival, the students will visit a classroom at their future grade level and begin to build friendships with their new peers. Current students are preparing handprint drawings featuring five things that they love about their current school and they will be giving that to the incoming Black Tigers as a warm welcome. Then all the students will participate in a friendship

039themed craft. They'll enjoy a snack together and have a guided tour of the building. And then the visit will last about 1 hour to 90 minutes and the students will return to their current schools in time for their regularly scheduled lunch. That is the shortest presentation you've ever had from me. [laughter] Any questions or any clarifications? >> Can you So they're doing activities. They're getting the handrint and then what else? um they're going to receive the handprint and then they're going to do a friendship activity while they're there, have a snack and take a tour. So, and the fifth graders that because they'll be going to the middle school, they're um some of them may go to help out with the little ones on the bus. So, um so we'll at Preston specifically. >> Give

040us the um date and time again. >> Sure. Um it is May 26 and we're going to have them come in, take attendance, and then soon after they'll board the buses again. So probably around 9:00 a.m. they'll be on the buses and get going. So >> So again, what would the current fifth graders at Preston do? >> They're going to go with the little ones and help out in those grade levels at some of the buildings. Okay. >> Yeah. Because we don't want to just leave them there. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah. So they'll they'll have a little something to do. >> So you're going to have like one Well, you need more than one bus. >> Depends how many children. Yep. So um uh Marjgerie's already planned it out. And so she's the buses

041when they're uh dropping the children off for arrival in the morning, some of them will just stay there. they'll board back onto those buses or maybe some buses will go to Preston obviously to um you know have a little bit more room. So, >> and then if a fifth grader at Preston has a younger sibling at Preston, will we pair them up as like a support system? >> I think it would depend on the sibling. I would not have wanted that with my brother, but [laughter] >> but it's a good idea. >> Okay. something to think about, >> right? Or I think my brother wouldn't want it with me. I'm not sure which way we'd put that. [laughter] >> I think just because of the nervousness of it, >> it might be like a a

042comfort for some families to have that. >> Yes. Yeah. Mhm. >> When I was a second grader at Richardson Elementary School back in the 1900s, um we had a school clo well two schools closed. >> Okay. Um and we were one of the schools that was receiving students from a school closure. >> Um we had pen pals to the school that closed. >> Um and so we I had a like built-in friend coming into the school and the person >> um Mandy Everheart if you were listening I remember you. Um so she came in to the school. She she had a friend coming in. So I know that they're coming in. Are they be paired off? >> They are. So children will be designated home rooms at their current grade level. So they'll already meet

043children for next year. So they'll have that time with uh children their own age. Yeah. >> Is that based off the person giving them the hand print drawing? >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. So >> sounds really nice. >> Yeah. Thanks. >> Taking something >> that can be difficult and making it positive and setting a good stage for them >> help shake the nerves. >> Yeah. We uh did this when I was a principal and I kind of went through a similar situation as a principal. And what was so funny about it is the children went back to their old school, went home that night and told their parents that it was so nice. They clapped them in and they thought maybe every day at Parma Park was like that. [laughter] So they were ready to

044come. They're like, "This is great." And we had cookies and all kinds like it was snack time and they're like, "This is amazing." So, we'll just have to make sure, you know, we don't want to burst their bubble, but [laughter] it's not every day. So, yeah. Yeah. Okay. Well, thank you so much. >> Good evening. Thank you for the opportunity to share this important work. Um, our strategic plan goal that I'm specifically involved with is culture of caring. and we began meeting as a subcommittee to talk about uh family engagement opportunities and community engagement. And we were looking at short-term goals and long-term goals. And our short-term goal, we wanted to complete something that was meaningful and important for our families before the end of the school year. and we came up with the plan

045to provide a family welcome night for our families that are going to be transitioning to new school families for the next school year. And we acknowledge the wonderful work that our teaching and learning department is going to provide that's going to be a student centric event during the school day. But we know that parents uh mama bears are going to be very nervous about the unknowns. We learned that with our transition from our middle school and high school into this new campus. And um I I personally witnessed there was a sense of ease that once they were able to get into this space and um and and visualize where their children were going to be going that it gave them some sense of relief. So, we wanted to create an envir an event for them

046to be able to ease their concerns before the school year ended so they weren't worried about it all summer long. So, what where we landed is we are going to do this at every elementary school and it's going to take place over two nights so that our staff um have the flexibility to be at all of the buildings. So on Wednesday, April 9th, Lincoln, Price, and Richardson will host their welcome night. So families that will be going to Lincoln Price and Richardson from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. will have a special event that evening. And then Monday, excuse me, May 11th, sorry, I got a bubble. Monday, May 11th, um, Dwit and Lincoln elementary schools will have their family welcome night. And I don't have as snazzy of a title as the stripe sneak peek. It's

047right now it's family welcome night, but we'll see where my 2 a.m. wanderings of ideas come in. Um, so we anticipate for right now the numbers that are incoming. So, Dwit, we anticipate 129 new students that will be coming in at Lincoln. 93 students will be coming in. Price will have 89 new students. Richardson will have 91 new students and Silver Lake will have 66 new students. So, it was really important for us to connect with our families. And we I I personally did not want this to feel like a real estate open house where you go in and just view the facility and like, "Yep, there's the office. Yep, there's the gym." We really wanted like this is going to be your new home and we want you to make connections. So, um at

048the beginning of the agenda, we're going to have the principal have some opening remarks, introduce themselves, introduce important information about the building and the school culture and also emphasize that the language that we use at for Black Tiger Pride for our PBIS system is the same across the district. So they will start to see that there are similarities amongst all the schools and they'll they'll emphasize that black tiger pride is the same at Richardson and Silverlake and Dwit and so forth. Um after that we are going to have fifth grade student ambassadors provide a tour of the building and um I am personally going to once we have those ambassadors selected I am going to do a little mini training and we're going to provide a guide. So they're going to show them the important

049spots. Where do you line up in the morning? Here's where the gym is. Here's where the office is. Here's your music room, your PE, your art room. here's where the first grade classrooms are and so forth. And um during this time, and this is just something that came about today as I was doing more research, I this is a really great opportunity for our students to connect student to student, peer-to-peer, and had them ask questions like, "What what was your favorite spot when you were at Preston?" "Oh, you you liked where the gym is. Well, let me show you where the gym is at Dwit or Silver Lake." And so making that connection so they show that there's some empathy and some similarities. Um and then there will be a vendor style event for the

050last half hour that will be set up in the gym. And we have invited um our YMCA and our Boys and Girls Club and Asia Inc. which are our community organizations that provide afterchool programming. And the YMCA also provides the before school programming and we have invited the library and they have already um affirmed that they will be there and uh we have sent an invitation to our PTO, PTA, home and school league organizations because we know that they are also going to be affected their their leadership and their groups will be affected by these transitions and we want them to be able to connect with their new families as And we have asked them, sorry, [clears throat] dry throat. We have asked them, sorry, cotton mouth. [clears throat] We have asked them to uh

051provide a snack for families. And we'll also have our um social workers and counselors there to provide resources. If there's some anxiety that our students or families are feeling, our Red Oak therapists will be on hand to help our families with that transition as well as our transportation department to answer questions about new bus routes and um the stopfinder app. And uh we will also provide a a little swag for the new building. So it'll be their first, as Mr. Gomez said in an earlier meeting, it will be the first time that they will get their first piece of that building's swag. Uh because they have invested in spiritware for their unique buildings previously. So, we want to gift them some new swag, whether it be a sticker or a wristband. We're still exploring that.

052Um and then, uh also we thought it would be great to get some feedback and this is something that is new. um provide like a legacy wall, like a either um a chart paper where students can write down what their favorite thing or their favorite memory was about their previous building so that our principles can see what was important to those students and see how that can be added into consideration when they're planning and welcoming new families in. And then also providing an exit ticket opportunity for our adults so that as they leave they can just drop in a little note like and it can say what are you most excited about? What are you most worried about? And that'll give us some feedback on where we need to focus to make sure that this

053transition is as smooth as possible for our new families. So any questions? >> Sounds good. Okay. >> Thank you for your comment. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you. >> I also want to commend Miss Stewart. We've had really good folks on our committee that we're working with. Um Mrs. Travelli has put a lot of effort representing the principles. Had Mrs. Merkel um making sure that we're doing this in a socially and emotionally responsible way for our elementary kiddos. And then also Mrs. angleart um as an elementary teacher has given us a lot of her time as well. Um just speaking out from that understanding of being in the classroom every day with elementary students um her perspective of what she thinks would would be most valuable for elementary students. So just my thanks to

054those three people who have given a lot of time in helping um shape and plan this event as well. But I just think um as a board we committed to revisiting this because we know that um there is anxiety and discomfort and it we didn't want our families to go through a whole summer of not knowing and kids being worried. Um but the one thing we do want to emphasize about um the event and we spoke a lot about this is it's not to replace openhouse. We don't know who your kids teacher will be until the fall. will still be that traditional open house. Um the ways in which we let you know who your kids teacher is and then you'll meet your students teacher in the fall. So this isn't to replace that piece.

055Um that will come in its normal time frame. This is just that building piece. And then it also gives us an opportunity to try to help re-emphasize to all of our families that a Kaiga Falls Elementary education is a Ka Falls elementary education and our buildings just put their own little bit of flavor on what that is. But we've spent so much effort in trying to reemphasize that a Kaiga Falls elementary education is the same no matter where you go and that our buildings just add to that in their own special unique ways which we know so much about. So, thank you chief. >> Brings us to item E, treasurer CFO's business consent agenda. Miss Stooy, >> thank you. I'd like to recommend the board of education approve all items listed in the treasures consent

056agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Just the minutes and then a couple of donations to Lincoln which are um always appreciated. Um, they're both at Lincoln. Yes, both at Lincoln this time. >> Any questions or comments? >> Please call the RO. >> Mrs. Schaefer. >> I. >> Miss. White. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Zimmerman. >> I. >> Mr. Gomez. >> Hi. >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi. >> Thank you. It brings us to AMF, Treasur, Miss Sto. >> Thank you. >> I'd like to recommend the board of education approve the February 2026 investment schedule and monthly spending. >> So moved. >> Second. >> M. short story. >> Um we can take a look at the interest first. Again, we're um little we had a better better month than January, but our you know, we are uh

057our balances are coming down in those um building accounts. So they're they've about other than the LFI, we're just about done with we're done with the state share, we're just about done with the local share. Um, so the LFI and COPS um really the cops um is what we still have um other than our general fund and our heckham uh humble scholarship. So um we we had a a good month though um for that comparatively but I again like we mentioned in the forecast this is projected to kind of start going down um in the future especially in the general fund just because of our our balances. Um let's look at food service just to touch on it real quick. Um you can see um February [clears throat] and it looks like it happened last

058February too that we did not get uh the timing. I think we actually got the payment for um from the federal government March 1st. So um they are in the red there and it seems significant. It's it's actually not that significant but they are still in the red. That's something we're um keeping an eye on um especially as we approach the end of the year. Um, we did have a a good uh a larger um reimbursement this time when we got it in March, but with only a few months left in the school year, um we'll just have to keep our eye on that and see um where we're at at the end. It'll be it'll be close. Um there there's some things I want to look at as far as um since uh Hope

059is splitting duties. I think she's being 100% charged to food service and I need to look and make sure that that's not happening and if it is we'll be able to we would back some expenses out of that into into there. So >> So you think we'll probably even out at the end of June? >> It'll be really close. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And it'll depend on the timing of some of those payments at the end of the year and when we receive them. Um, so it's it's there's potential to do um hopefully not, but there's potential to either do a small transfer or potentially an advance to in order to cover until we get that payment if it doesn't come until July or something like that. Um, and then general fund. Um, this is

060pretty much um about where we touched on last time. Um, so we started receiving our payments. Um so you can see we have 9 million which is a little bit less um than it has been you know was in the past uh before. Um but you can see in 2024 we didn't really get anything until March. Um we've received close to what have we received this time? I can't remember exactly what we received in March so far, but I do know that at the end of the day, um, we were slightly in the red at the bottom there, but I think we're three uh in at the end of February, but we are about three almost four million plus as of today um with the other advances that we we've received. So, that puts us

061back to kind of where we need to be to close out the year. But it'll again it's going to be I think the forecast uh has um like one and a half million. Now there's some stuff I have to back out that I have not done yet. So you may see a difference there. Um I'm just waiting on the uh the attorney to give me the exact way I need to be doing that to back some of those things out um and charge them to our like the LFI funds. So, um that we discussed during the forecast, but um really um I mean there's there's been no worse news, I should say. [laughter] So, we're we're hanging about where we were, I guess. Right now, I take that as good news is that it hasn't

062gotten any worse because it seems like it gets worse all the time. Um, and then I think it's really it for I'm trying to Yeah, >> it looks like athletics is doing really good. [laughter] >> Yeah, they've had Yeah. >> Any particular reason for that? Not a complaint, but just >> and seeking understanding. >> Yeah. Um, some of it is is revenue from ads that you know on the digital scoreboards which are you know we're able to do. So, some of it is that they've actually they've had good gate sales since we've opened and had the, you know, at um events at the new building. Um they had good, you know, gate sales during football when we were there and then as we kind of moved basketball over and did the farewell and this they've

063had they've had some good gate sales. Um so, >> yeah. If they continue to increase, would it be possible to take some of the money that we plan to spend out of emergency levy for athletics and move it out of athletics because that would save us in the general fund. >> Yeah, >> that's where I was going with that thought. Um try to shore up the general fund in ways that we can. >> Yeah, we spoke I spoke to um um Mr. Johnson about that because we are making far more revenue, you know, and we anticipate even making more once this gains traction with our stadium scoreboard. And then again, in our winter sports, we're getting a lot of sponsors, close to 50 or he's I I think that's where we're projected. So, we're making

064a lot more money. And so, there was some thought he as much as he he would love to have all the money, he also recognizes that it might be more than he needs and that we would offset some of those costs. those expenditures that we budgeted for out of the emergency lobby >> that would help free that up. >> Yep. So, um that's something I'd like to see where they end up. You know, obviously spring is not where they bring in revenue. So, just kind of see um where that ends up and what other kind of revenue potentially they may they may get in the spring. Um and and then look at it next year and kind of review everything that you know we received in sponsorships this year verse ticket sales and and their

065expenses and kind of plan that plan that out um going into next year since it's been kind of a a mixed bag this year of different different events and different places and um so it's not going to really fall into a pattern quite yet. >> But even like Mr. Schaefer just said not [clears throat] not paying for Dick Stadium is going to make a difference in the fall as well. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yep. >> Further questions and comments? >> Nope. >> Please call the RO. >> Miss White. >> I. >> Mrs. Zimmerman. >> I. >> Mr. Gomez. >> Hi. >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi. >> Mrs. [snorts] Schaefer. >> Hi. >> I have to abstain from the next one. So, I'm gonna turn the meeting over to Mrs. Schaefer. >> I'd like to recommend

066the board of education approved the following resolutions to authorize the filing of an original tax valuation complaint against property for tax year 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. Um, so this is, so, um, if you did not receive my email, originally there were two. Um, we've decided to hold off on the one, um, because there was a subsequent sale this year, um, and we may see more of a a bang for our buck if we wait and file till next year. Um so that's why the one was removed. But this is um a result of a few years ago with the law changing that if we want to um you know file complaints, we used to just kind of be able to do that amongst ourselves and and direct our attorneys to do that. But

067it now has to have a public vote and uh so many days notice to the property owners which um they all received by certified mail um with that. So this just allows us to to move forward with that. This is a commercial property. >> Yeah, commercial property. Okay. >> We typically don't unless it's a significant value, we typically don't look at the residential unless of course it's like some millions and millions of dollar home. Um but typically that's not the case. They're usually um commercial. I think we've done maybe one or two in the time we've been here that have been residential, >> right? Just so people know we're not going after everybody about their property values. It's only, >> you know, egregious >> situations. >> Yep. Mrs. Zimmerman >> I. >> Mr. Gomez. >>

068Abstain. >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Schaefer. >> Hi. >> Miss Boy. >> Hi. >> Thank you. And your comments? >> Um, I do not have a lot because I had the flu this weekend and I'm trying to catch back up on everything. Um but uh we are so I'm frantically trying to get these budgets out after I missed a few days with the flu. Um couple in my household had it as well. So it's been a good time. Uh [laughter] it's been a real you know how that goes. Sick kids, sick me, sick mom. Um but um we are we are approaching that season. So those will probably go out this week. Um, if not, maybe it depends because spring break being next week, we might wait until that Monday to get those

069out. Um, those are usually due in in May. Um, working through just some of the changes that were that are happening next year. Um, you know, merging of different departments and things like that and trying to get that straight along with there are some additional US coding changes again um that need to happen. So, um, working through that. I mean, I think we have over 7,000 individual at least budget line items, if not 8,000. So, I'm trying to like yeah, go through all of those and make sure that they're where they need to be. So, uh so that we're ready to go when it comes July 1st. Um but that's that's our our big our big undertaking right now. >> Thank you. brings us to item G. Superintendent Co's business consent agenda. Dr. Celico. >>

070Thank you, Mr. Gomez. It is recommended that the board of education approves all items listed in the superintendent's consent agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, so we have a number of items here this evening. And under personnel, we have some routine items. A classified uh custodian at Price. We have our spring coaches. We have some leaves of absences. Um, we [snorts] have some retirees. Um, as I mentioned, I was principal today at Preston. We've been filling in for Principal Brown since she's out this week. I appreciate my staff stepping in. Um, but I talked with Becky Calibies, who is one of the people who will be retiring. Um, she also is a resident. So, appreciate the year. She told me it was 30 or 31 um, years that

071she's been with us. And, um, her friend is also Susan Harp, who is a PAR professional at the high school, who will also be retiring. So, again, our gratitude to them. and our teacher, our automotive teacher, John Lipnos, is going to be retiring. Um, and so we wish him well um in all that he has done for our students in CTE. Uh, we have some resignations and then we have some substitutes, a cleaner and a bus driver are under contracts. We have ourou for the CCP courses at Stark State. Start state. This is one that we um, you know, traditionally do each year. Not any substantive changes to that. We have a renewal agreement for SEI again um routine item the agreement for Akran Children's Hospital this is for our summer ESY program and we

072have a contract for learn well for theos uh hospitalized student in which we have to provide education uh our neonet agreements one is for shared service with emis uh with chennet and again they pay for that cost of that and uh we have a renewal agreement for our neonet internet services and no um increase in cost which was good to Okay. And I think that's it. >> And we only pay 20% of our neonet is from the federal rate. >> Yes. E rate. Yep. I had that in my other notes. Thank you. I missed it. >> Any questions or comments from the board? Please call the role. >> Mr. Gomez. >> I. >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Schaefer. >> Hi. >> Miss White. Hi. >> Mrs. Zimmerman. >> Hi. And then your comments,

073Dr. Salvo. >> Thank you. Um, a couple things just worth mentioning. One is I think we passed this around. This was an amazing article about this new campus, including like about eight pages covering a lot of pictures. It's a northeast properties. It's for architects generally and real estate construction. So, we got some great coverage on our new building. So, um, really pleased about that. Um, really great coverage in a thorough article. So, I just want to point that out. Um, Saturday, I said it last time, but again, a plug because I know how much work it goes into our vendor fair. Um, 100 vendors this, um, Saturday morning, uh, 9 to 1 maybe, or I I don't know the exact times. What is it? It's the 10. Okay. >> So, um, that was the one

074thing I didn't look at was the time, but I plan on, uh, making an appearance at our fair this weekend. Encourage others to do the same. Uh we have our musical horizons that if you may have noticed we're not in the um auditorium this evening and people are saying there's no event in there but they're setting up for the big musical horizons program which is at 700 p.m. tomorrow. Um we also then leads us into spring break. Uh I will be here all next week working actually. So I'm not um taking spring break. However, we have three different spring breaks in our home that we have to work around. So I will not be here the week of April 6th which is Monday is the Easter Monday and so students aren't here but Mrs. Houseman

075will uh stand in for the April 8th board meeting so she could dust off the cobwebs and sit back up and chair. And so I appreciate her doing that for me, but I will not be here that week. >> Should we prep the hard questions? >> Yes. I told her I want to save all the hard topics for her. So there's plenty of them. So thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Brings us to the item I board business. First is a request to address the board. Um we have one person on a non-aggenda topic. Then we have two people on open enrollment which is an agenda the second agenda topic for under policy. So they'll speak on that. Um so each person will have three minutes to speak. Um there's a timer that comes up.

076It makes a little noise um when your three minutes are up. It's not our tradition to just gavvel you down when your three minutes are up. So, if you're in the middle of a thought, please do finish your thought because we want to hear what you have to say because you took the time to come speak to us. If you go on for an extended period of time after that, then we will ask you to wrap up. Um, you do not have to say your address. If you do not want to, I know in the world that we're in, sometimes we don't want to say our address on a record. We have it on file. So, if you don't wish to state your address, please feel free not to. But our person to under request

077to address the board is Britney Lee Smith. If you'd like to come up to the podium and you have your three minutes. Okay. So, thank you all for allowing me to speak uh today. My name is Britney Smith. I I don't mind mentioning my address. I live down on North Morland. I have two children in the school district. uh one goes to Price and the other is a sixth grader uh here at the new campus. We moved to Kyhoga Falls in 20120 uh from Kent actually because of the wonderful neighborhoods and my husband grew up here and uh the school system and everything. Um and it's going to get it's going to get kind of rough from here. So, let me just first start by uh commending school staff and the SRO's who were present

078uh for the incident on March 6th at the uh well here. Um I would also like to extend that appreciation to the Kyoga Falls Police Department for their quick reaction time. Uh everyone worked together to handle a bad situation as quickly and cleanly as possible. Um, I would like to also commend the students whose bravery very well could have been the difference between life and death that day. Uh, I think we can all agree the reaction to a loaded weapon being inside of the school was as good as anyone can hope for. Uh, so obviously the problem is not with reaction. We shouldn't be relying on the bravery of our children in the presence of a loaded gun though. I don't know many adults who can do that. So we need to figure out how

079to proactively prevent this from happening again. And so today I have two simple questions. Uh one is what is physically being done to prevent anyone anybody uh from walking into the school with a concealed loaded weapon? What tangible changes are being implemented to prevent the physical carrying of a weapon through school doors and into the building? And my second question is why are we not implementing metal detectors or why haven't we implemented metal detectors yet? There are studies and personal accounts out there that have shown considerable decrease in weapon activity on school grounds even within the schools of Northeast Ohio whenever a metal detector is put into place. I have those findings and would be more than happy to send them over if you'd like. Uh I know myself and several other parents uh have

080this as a concern. Um we all understand the difficulty of moving all these kids into a brand new into a brand new campus. We know there are growing pains involved uh while everyone learns the ropes. [clears throat] We also understand that adding metal detectors will slow down entrances in the morning. And we feel that it's simply a task that we will all have to adapt to and overcome together and see it as a necessary inconvenience that will be cumbersome at first. But then we ask ourselves, what is the value of added security? Whether that is mentally, physically, or emotionally. What is the value of added security? The state of Ohio has multiple grants to assist the schools, school districts in adding security. And there's unfortunately a reason for that. The threat is no longer far

081off in some out of mine city. Every day, schools just like ours have safety issues, and Kyhoga Falls's reputation should not be a higher priority than our children's safety. We are the taxpayers that help keep this district alive, and we are requesting metal detectors in all entrances. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you for taking the time to come speak with us. Uh we have your phone number and we'll have our superintendent reach out and speak with you. That brings us to item two under board business policy first read. Um we have two policies for first read tonight. GCD-R certific certified staff hiring rehire of retired administrators. Um, this one is pretty much a full rewrite based on advice of our legal counsel as well as um just local need in terms of we

082had a restriction in here that any certified staff that we rehired could only have a one-year contract. Um, and that doesn't meet our local needs. So, we changed that as well. Um, just to point out, we have a number of folks, this is something we spent a lot of time in policy committee discussing. We have a number of folks that are retired and work for our district. This policy and the process you have to go through only applies when they retire from your district and then get rehired to your district. So, there's a distinction. And I think um that people don't always aren't always aware of um you can be retired from somewhere else um retired from some other job and then be hired in to work for our district and we have a number

083of folks that are in that state. Um, but this policy and the laws that govern it in Ohio are specific to when someone retires from that position within your district and then you want to hire them directly back in your district. So that's what this policy is about. And then the other one is about open enrollment um which would be the that we don't participate in open enrollment. There is another piece to that is that we would have to resend our current policy but that does not require two reads. So that would also be on as a separate action on our next agenda as well. That does not require two reads. So that will be on as a supplement to this under a separate action. We do have two people that would like to address

084us about open enrollment which it relates to this topic. The first is Stephanie Benson. >> [clears throat] >> Okay. Um, members of the board, educators, parents, and community members, I stand before you tonight and speak on the issue that's profoundly impacting students who are currently open enrolled here at Kyahoga Falls High School. At first glance, people just think of open enrollment as only an opportunity. Um, it promises flexibility, choice, access, but it's often forgotten in many high school students, especially in Ohio, those working towards acetic scholarships, it's become something very different. Um, it's becoming a barrier. It's becoming a penalty, a risk that these students cannot afford to take. In Ohio, under rules set by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, student athletes who transfer schools after participating in varsity sports are often required to

085sit out their next year. Um the rule is they have to sit out the second half. Um so that's their playoffs, you know, that's the, you know, when scouts are watching you, that's when um recruitment and all of that tends to happen at that point in time. Um, that's seniors sitting out, [laughter] that's juniors currently sitting out their senior year. Um, that's current sophomores sitting out their junior year, which is a huge year for recruiting and, you know, watching. Um, a lot of times they're offered scholarships in their junior year and already have that going into their senior year. Um, it's not just a season. It's exposure, development, recruitment, opportunities, and in many cases, like I said, scholarship potential. College recruiting does not wait. They'll find someone else. Scouts don't pause. They still keep going.

086These opportunities for these kids can't be duplicated. Sitting out an entire season greatly negatively impacts students chances of getting a scholarship to go to college. Some of these students will only sorry [snorts] some of these students will only go to college if a scholarship is awarded. Kids dream their whole life and their whole sports career of going to college and you know playing in the big leagues. [laughter] Sports is a means of a way out for a lot of kids. A way of opportunity that they otherwise may not have. Unfortunately, the damage of closing open enrollment does not stop there. If you consider the career and technical education programs, students who commit to these programs as sophomores, meaning decisions are made early. These spots are filled quickly. If a student is forced to change schools

087after that point, they're they're effectively shut out. There's no second chance. There's no pathway back in. So tonight, I plead with the board to seek alternative options. Please consider allowing the high school students to finish their high school career in the same school so these kids are not punished for simply being a part of Kyhoga Falls High School. Thank you. >> Thank you so much for coming to share that. >> [applause] >> KJ and our next speaker is Elena Phillips. >> Thank you. Um, community members, board members, uh, Dr. Celico, thank you for giving me the form. I didn't actually intend to come to speak tonight. Um, outside of just having you hear my plea, um, what I'm asking for is beyond empathy, but it's compassion. Uh, I am a doctor of psychology. I teach

088at NYU, um, remotely in the mental health. I teach child development. I also work for a company called Bus Patrol which deals with proactive safety measures as well as students um being safe from stop arm incidences uh you know fatalities all of that. Um, I have been in Kyhoga Falls as a parent um volunteer uh since 2011 when my uh eldest daughter Katie uh first entered the district in second grade. Um, she only knew Kyoga Falls. And then I found out I was having another child. And from the womb, Millie, my youngest, has only ever known Kyhoga Falls. They both went to Silver Lake. They were both top tigers. That ceremony tonight was a a remnant in my mind. My daughter Millie now is getting ready to be a junior. This past week, I just

089got her letter for band. She said, "Mom, what am I going to do next year?" I said, "Millie, I will find a way. I will move. I will do whatever I have to do to keep you in that district. I will be here tonight." Millie also has special aspects to her. She has really high anxiety and she has something known as CPTTSD from an abusive relationship that I was in. That would compound her problem so much if I had to move her out of this district. I pay taxes to Kyhoga Falls. I live in Kyhoga Falls. And now my daughter is being kicked out her last pretty much two years, much like that woman there. Um, and so I realize I only have 27 seconds and I really, you know, don't want to go much

090more into my life story. And not that I think it will make any difference, but I'm here in the hope that it will. And I, like her, think that you should just legacy the high school kids out, especially if we pay taxes and we're in Kyahoga Falls limits because I know districts can be changed because I work with district zoning all the time with where I work. Thank you. [applause] Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us today. That brings us to our next item, which is a resolution for reduction in force. It's recommended the board of education approves the resolution to implement an administrative reduction in force. >> So moved, second, >> Dr. Would you want to explain this? >> Um, sure. >> So, this is um, you know, as

091we've talked about the number of reductions that we're making, it does span every classification and administrators are not exempt from that. Um, we due to the closing of Preston, we are going to be um, reducing an [snorts] administrator. And so, uh, Principal Brown will be moving over to the preschool, which means that U. um Sarah Sabatiki, who was um overseeing the preschool program, will uh no longer um have that role. Um but with that said, I do want to really give her um a shout out and kudos and appreciation for all the work that she has done with our preschool program. These are not easy decisions. Wasn't an easy conversation with her because I know how passionate she is about the program and has really uh we do have to credit her and as well

092as others. um but for making this program, you know, what it is and a successful start to it for our young ones. Um so, but unfortunately, it's a it's a necessary um decision. >> Questions or comments from the board? >> Just want to add my thanks as well to Sarah Sabatiki for helping um get our preschool program in house. I don't think it would be as successful without her, but it's just another meeting and another awful decision we have to make because of finances and I hope for a meeting when that isn't the case. >> She will have a job. So, she will have another position, you know, teaching. She has security of I just want to assure you that she will have a job >> elsewhere. Still that ripple effect. >> Sure. >> Yeah.

093>> Please call the role. >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Schaer. >> Hi. >> Miss White. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Zimmerman. >> Hi. >> Mr. Gomez. >> Hi. >> Item four is a service agreement with the Ohio Schools Council. It's recommended the board of education approves the agreement between the Ohio Schools Council and the Kag Falls City School District. So move. This is for our electric rates for the Silver Lake building. Um because we're locked into Ker Falls electric rates at all our other buildings. This gets us the best possible electric rate for our one building that we can shop around for. >> Any other questions or comments? >> Please call the RO. >> Mrs. Schaefer. >> Hi. >> Miss White. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Zimmerman. I, >> Mr. Gomez. >> Hi, >> Mr.

094Harris. >> Item five is the facility [cough and clears throat] agreement with the Ka Falls Soccer Club. It's recommended the board of education approves the facility use agreement between the Ka Falls Soccer Club and the Ka Falls City School District. >> So, second. >> Yes. Um, Mr. Johnson had come to me making this request, I think, via um parks and wreck um city program. And so, um, I think they're doing some work on their facilities on the soccer fields in which they currently, um, play on. And so, they asked if they could use, um, SIL. And, uh, I I agreed with, of course, the permission of the board, um, for their middle school, I'm sorry, for the at Sill Middle School for the youth practices, um, games. Um, we will not we will simply do

095what we always have for the property, which is cut the grass. But if they want to do any striping or anything else, it's it's on them. Um, so we just wanted to make sure that we had some protections in place and it would only be um for the time period that their field is being redone. >> Any questions or comments from the board? The timing works out because we're not using it anymore for our soccer team practices now that we have our field. >> Please call the RO. >> Miss White. >> I. >> Mrs. Zimmerman. >> Hi. >> Mr. Gomez. >> Hi. >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Schaer. >> Hi. Thank you. Item six, future agenda item. We have any future agenda items this time. Let's see. On the ETH, we have art

096student recognitions and OS. We we probably will have well we may have more student recognitions if we don't want to save that there's quite a few of um actually school recognitions staff and um uh >> athletics all of those. Yeah. So we may put some in to this meeting as well. >> Are we doing armed forces? [snorts] >> Um I believe we No, we don't have any. >> Okay. Um and then the OSBA Star Award. So we're I guess April 8th will be some recognition. I think um but no formal presentations on any content at the moment and then we have more presentations um you have a science of reading Mrs. uh Hman on the 22nd it looks like along with other recognitions >> is that that that might be the recognition for them. Yes.

097But we may again we may move that we'll see. Um >> no I I believe that's update. >> Do you is that you want an update? >> I think it was a update on how it was going. >> We usually do a literacy one. >> Okay. And we also have a recognition. So we the next three meetings there's no um presentations on any content just a lot of >> recogy options >> because we'll have to take a vote in June and July. So in May we need to have conversations [snorts] about that. Y >> probably First meeting >> that's top ters. >> Well, second meeting will be retirees. >> That's true. >> So probably first meeting >> doesn't matter to me. >> Probably first meeting in May. Let's pencil that in >> cuz second meeting

098will be retirees. >> That will take more time than [snorts] Tom. >> Is that the 13th? >> Whatever the first I don't do. So if it's the 13th, we'll go with that. Okay. Anything else for future agenda items? Okay. Brings us to item seven, committee reports, Mr. Harris. >> Uh yes. Um uh business alliance council. We did meet. We're going to be meeting on Tuesday, April 14th. Um I do have an update uh for uh legislative from the state house. Uh so last Monday uh the state board of education selected Dr. Philip H. Wagner as Ohio's next superintendent of public instruction. Wagner is currently the superintendent of John John'stown and Row local uh schools in Licking County. He'll start in July. Um last Tuesday, Governor DeWine gave his final state [snorts] of the state address.

099Um he announced additional resources um for the Ohio Department of Education workforce will be creating a regional science of reading instructional implementation teams. The teams will be made up of trained experts whose sole focus will be helping K12 schools fully execute the science of reading in their classrooms. Um, the department will add 50 more Read Ohio coaches this fall, extending the program's reach to at least 70 more schools. Uh, currently there are 97 coaches in 151 schools. Um, our Department of Education will launch a new statewide attendance dashboard on April 15th providing real-time attendance data. this tool. This new tool will provide parents with the uh and the public with simple, fast, and transparent attendance data each week uh for every school district. Uh he also did a plug for House Bill 304 uh which

100would require um it's the recess bill which require um at least 30 minutes of recess twice daily. >> So um there's that and a couple other bills here that were just recently introduced um that I wanted to mention. Uh let's see, House Bill 745. It's a student athlete publicity rights and fair compensation act to address name, image, and likeness. I think I might have mentioned that one. I can't remember. And then Senate Bill 377. Uh this bill, uh would make changes regarding the sale of school district property programs supported by educational service center facilities and projects. Um and I was going to mention my comments, but again, I mentioned it before. I'll be going down to the on Tuesday to the state legislative conference. We did get the agenda. I'm looking forward to it. We

101have chairs of the uh um Senate Education Committee uh and then a member of that committee as well and then House Education Committee chair will be there as long as a ranking member um Representative Sean Brennan who's fantastic too. So, and I also saw Governor Dwine on the um agenda. So, I don't know if he'll be there in person or if it'll be a video link, but we'll see. >> He's coming in person. All right. Fantastic. So, I'm looking forward to reporting back on that. [snorts] >> Thank you, Mr. Harris. Mr. Zimmerman. Um I was sick with our for our foundation and alumni associ association meeting so I missed it. We haven't had financial advisory committee. Dr. Celico were you were at the alumni. >> I was there. >> Anything [laughter] she was there I'm

102trying to recall. Um we spent a lot of time I know they would ask me a lot of questions about just things that were going on in the district. So most of the time I was there we were chatting about that. Um they got through most of the agenda. They have they're hiring a new executive director. >> They are. That was the big Yeah, the big news. I I left before if they voted. I don't know if they voted that night. Mark Bowers um was officially named then. >> Um he was there that evening, so it made me assume that he was going to be appointed. >> Um >> and they have um a couple more new prospective board members who are >> Yeah. >> very true. >> Qualified involved individuals. >> You know, somebody

103[laughter] Oh, yes. That's right. >> Mr. Harris's wife. >> My wife. Yes. >> That's right. >> She's busier than I am. >> I'm just impressed she volunteered. >> It's usually a time commitment. >> Dragged [clears throat] into it. >> Some very good folks on that board. You can be very convincing. >> That's true. >> Miss White. >> Um, yes. I uh just have a few mentions. I attended the percussion um band concert which was wonderful as they always are and um I just always appreciate that how they can do those drums and those sticks and move them back and forth. I'll never know. Can't figure it out. [laughter] But that's okay. I don't have to. But they are excellent. Um I also wanted to mention I don't know if we did this. We may have

104but just um Maltz Museum stopped this hate student finalist. We had one at our Bolic Middle School, Christina Cetri, I hope I say her name correctly. And then um a few other students that um have been nominated as national math stars score scoring in the top 2% of their class in math. And th those names are Ma Mason Adler Jackson and Braden Tingler, Hannah Peterson and Evelyn Waly. So, congratulations to those kids. And I don't know if we did this either, but I would like to say congratulations to Dwit and Richardson for their science of reading champion award. >> Yes, we will be recognizing them. >> I [laughter] >> Good news. Spoiler alert. >> Well, sorry. >> Spoiler alert. Too late. >> Sorry. >> Mrs. Schaefer, do you have any committee reports? >> I don't

105have any committee. And for committee reports for me, Mrs. Ms. Stewart did the um community engagement empowerment team report and her presentation [snorts] and then board policy committee will have to um have another meeting because we just got another update. Um so we'll be meeting again again. Um so we've been very busy. Okay. >> I love being on pause. Thanks for letting me be on it. [laughter] Sorry for the length of the meeting. >> No, it it's a it's you learn a lot. >> Well, for the rest of our comments, I'm up first. >> I did. >> You're fine, Miss White. >> You're fine. Um I attended the Dit Art Show along with Mrs. Schaefer and um I'll steal some of her thunder, but um we really enjoyed the one grade. Um, they made like

106animals. A lot of them make cats, but some of them did make different animals. And then they named them. And then they had to write a sentence about them. So, you know, we love >> when we're it's art, but we're also doing writing and, you know, using our different and then one of the pieces of art um couldn't catch anybody to explain what exactly it was, but like they had made little squares that they had colored and um like made portraits of themselves and Mrs. Schaefer and I were each trying to find which one looked most like us and but on the bottom corner of it it said like math education. So somehow that piece of art tied into math. So you know we get very excited about art shows. We get more excited when

107we see how art is you know incorporating all those different skills like math and language arts and how that all incorporates into the art. Um, and we saw a lot of rubber duck art, which will be part of the all city art walk coming up. And I stopped by the book fair as well to support it and buy some books for my nephews. Um, I also participated in a >> strong schools Ohio forum. Um, it's something that this group is doing. Um, they're facilitating conversations about the VA value of Ohio public schools. and it I was in um it was via Zoom and there were 15 or so of us. We were all school board members from across Ohio. It was a really valuable conversation and some really um compelling prompts and the one uh

108question um was talking about what is what is one of the things that schools are struggling with and we were talking about social emotional supports. Um, and it was just really compelling to me because every district has something like we do with Red Oak, but um, there's barriers that every district faces with that because you have to use your insurance. And so many of our families have those economic pressures of being un or underinsured. So even though we can offer those things, our families can't always access the supports they need because of economic pressures. and it just is something that I've been carrying with me and thinking a lot about um that piece of that forum and it was people from every corner of Ohio sharing that as a concern they had. So I've just

109found that to be really compelling and I've participated in two um free OSBA continuing education webinars since our last meeting and attended our wonderful dinosaur themed literacy night. They really did a great job. was very impressed by that and thanks to the library. >> I also want to talk about the governor's um state of the state speech. A few years ago, Mr. Harris and I were privileged to get to attend the state of the state. It was a really awesome experience and the governor then spoke a lot about um children and education and I know it's something um that he cares a lot about. This entire state of the state except for one piece about seat belts was all about children literacy and education. And it's something that despite many things I disagree with the

110governor about something that I've always really appreciated about him. Despite that, um, many of the legislators did not appreciate his state of the state, including, um, David Thomas from Ashtabila County, who is the leading, um, proponent of all these changes, uh, to property taxes, which are one of the leading reasons that districts like us are forced to make these terrible choices we've had to make. and I just wanted to share his quote about his his view of the governor's state of the state which was all about kids and investing in education. Um Thomas said, "I don't focus on kids. The governor's speech didn't excite me." So this is the guy that's trying to rip funding away from public schools. and his response to the governor spending 45 minutes talking about the importance of education was

111I don't focus on kids. A speech about education just doesn't excite me. I just that's just tells you so much >> about what these people think about >> these kinds of things in these meetings and when we hear what our families think about. these are the people making decisions and they just say that they don't care about children and it's really sickening to me. He's uh he also has one one of his bills is about retirement and pickup and different things and he was asked you know by the different associations like you do realize that at the end of the day if if this were to go through like boards of education are going to make their you know whoever it is that is affected whole and in the end the calculation it will cost

112more and he says I know I don't care >> so it just seems be his response to >> yeah very disappoint he knows he's not like so I'm not sure what the point it of >> the people creating these financial issues just literally say that they don't care about children >> so >> but it's his own words it was published in the Vindicator which is a newspaper um in the Bahoning Valley >> Mr. Harris. >> Uh yeah, I don't have much. Just congratulations again to our top tigers, to our graduate and our staff star awardee. Um I had mentioned uh the legislative conference. Um and then kind of piggyback off what Mr. Gomez said. Um and I mentioned this in our last meeting. Again, a lot of these decisions we're making as a result of

113what is happening at the state house. If you are concerned, uh you want to reach out to our state representative, our state senator, anyone uh at the state house who uh can uh help fix these problems, um contact me. I'm happy uh to to help you get in touch with them. I'm going to be meeting with Miss Schaeer soon so we can uh meet behind the scenes to figure out what we can do to help mobilize folks to to help them uh get in touch with the folks at the state house um to overflow their offices with with calls and letters about what is happening um uh here in our state um because uh you know I have a I have a three-year-old. We just did the preschool evaluation here for the district. I mean

114um not that you know I wasn't in this before you know here as a board member but my son is going to be uh going into public education. So, you know, skin in the game there again. So, um but yes, please, it is I have the information. I have the folks you can get in touch with. Please reach out to me. Um I'm happy to uh get you in touch with them. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Harris, Mr. Schaefer. >> Oh, yes. Um [cough] again, very exciting seeing the artwork and then crossing over to writing and math. Um I like to creativity in the writing and with I think one of it was like what about their pets? The pictures were gorgeous were pets. I think there were a lot of pets and

115dogs and maybe some of the children didn't have pets and so there was some creative animals. So um this little sentence that they put about their their other animals were very interesting. It was it's always those are always a good time. Um, also the all city percussion concert. I enjoy that because a lot of times the percussionists are behind everyone. So they're they don't get this is the time for them to come front and center and you can see what they do and >> sometimes march band you can see the tricks that they do because there's they're featured on that but you don't get to see that when they're behind her. That's a little little showcase for the perussionist. >> Um, literacy night. I did take a selfie with a couple dinosaurs. The library just

116sent it to me today. I got it. I probably will be posting that on my Facebook page. Um uh and I got to I was selected to be on the um Ohio School Board Diversity and Equity Committee. We had our first meeting and um so the first meeting I'm trying to figure it off since they did a welcoming activity and they said a one-word reflection. what does equity and education mean to you in your district right now? So, I of course poured over it for like three days. I'm like, I'm what am I what word am I going to pick? So, I picked a word and well, my glasses on so I can read it. I picked a word and then I was like number six to go and like three people ahead of me

117like picked the same word. So, I had to scramble off the top of my head, think of another word, just think of another word. Um, opportunity. So I picked opportunity. I think like three other people said opportunity and so they also picked other words. So then I picked commitment. Um some other other words people picked limited limitless possibilities full participation. Someone said yes accessibility community. Um, and something that that Mark Bobo said. He said, "You know, it's interesting to me what this this virtual room of adults, you guys all commented that you had thought of the same word and then you guys scrambled to find another word." He goes, "You guys all said the same word. You guys didn't have to think of another word." I'm like, >> "Yeah, that is 100%. >> Got to

118be unique." >> But it was it was interesting that we all kind of >> the same We but we all came up with another word on the fly. So, but it was a it was a good good opportunity first meeting and um we'll be working together for a meeting with the black caucus and um we're meeting again in June. >> Thanks for sitting with me. >> Thank you, Mr. Shaver. Miss White, I think you did your comments, but did you have any committee reports? [laughter] >> No, I didn't want to miss those. Okay, just making sure. >> Thank you. Student achievement is tomorrow. >> Okay. Miss Zimmerman. >> Um, I want to thank our parents who came to speak to us tonight. I think we need to hear, you know, whether things turn out the

119way that we want them to or or hope that that they could or not, it's important for us to to see you and for us to hear how this is affecting you. And we do understand. I mean, we we feel we feel your pain. I mean, not to the degree that you do, but it's not something that we like having to deal with. And I'll just reiterate and and uh keep saying this. Um, make sure you face our state legislators and tell them the same things you told us because they need to know and they whether they care or not, they need to know how their decisions affect people's lives. um they talk about school choice, but they've taken away a choice um for people to choose public school districts. They they'll give you a

120choice to take your money somewhere else, but they've taken away this choice for people. So, um uh please, it does make a difference. You if if you don't tell them how you feel and how it's affecting you, how are they going to know? How are we going to know? you know, it's important. So, thank you for listening to that. And uh now on to something slightly more entertaining. Kyhoga Falls Idol. >> I went with Mrs. Schaefer. I could only make the last I guess three round. I don't know how long did it last. >> It was a long night. It was um >> just so much talent and a variety of singers singing different things and and um it was fun to be in that space and and see what the the students can do.

121Um I'm glad I wasn't a judge. Uh it was >> they made it fun. Yeah, they did. >> Yeah, they Yeah, lots of um some songs we knew, some we didn't. >> Would you have been a Simon Randy? >> Just too easy. >> I'd have been a Paula Abdul. Paul Abdul. [laughter] >> Um I love it. >> So, that was fun. Um, and then I was invited to be a panelist at the Northeast Ohio Youth Climate Summit. Um, so this is a an event, one day event in Cleveland that's planned and organized by different uh schools and school districts. I don't think that we participate, but it's something that we might, you know, want to look into if we have any high school students who are interested in envir in the environment and climate. Um,

122it was all organized by the students. These two young ladies um invited me and Representative Brandt from Cleveland, state representative. She knows you. You know her? Yes. We talked about this. So, um, we talked about, well, they invited us to talk about women in politics, but we just ended up just talking with them about different environmental topics. And I learned from Representative Brandt that anyone can go reserve or rent a room at the state house. Even a group of students um can go down there and they can visit their representatives and they can um talk to people and and um Representative Brandt said some of these legislators get very uncomfortable >> when confronted by the you know their constituents which you know they should be uncomfortable. So um that was something new that I learned

123and I you know maybe we can do that sometime. So, and yeah, I don't know who the right person to talk to is about um if we have any students, classes, teachers who want to participate in this next year, but um happy to try to make that happen. >> Thank you, Mrs. Zimmerman. Brings us to item J number one is executive session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 121.22 G2. It is hereby moved that the board adjourns to executive session consider the purchase of property for public purposes, the sale of property a competitive bidding, or the sale or other disposition of unneeded, obsolete, or unfit for use property. >> A second. >> Please call the role. >> Mrs. Zimmerman, >> I. >> Mr. Gomez, >> I. >> Mr. Harris, >> hi. >> Mrs. Schaefer. >>

124Hi. >> Miss White, >> I. >> Thank you. There will be an executive session at 7:28 p.m.