Meeting Details
November 8, 2018
7:30am - 9:30am
2 hr
Big Walnut District Administrative Office
Purpose
N/A
1.
Mission
The mission of the Big Walnut Local Schools is to inspire and guide each student to his or her maximum potential.
2.
Vision
In order to realize our mission, we will strive to achieve and maintain our vision of:
- Student-focused, professional, collaborative staff
- Student-focused, challenging and current curriculum
- Supportive, involved and informed community
- Financial responsibility
3.
President
- Call to Order
- Pledge of Allegiance
Minutes
- The Board meeting began at 7:30am
4.
Roll Call
Minutes
- Mr. Crowl was not present.
| Voter | Yes | No | Abstaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Andy Wecker, President | X | ||
| Mr. Brad Schneider, Board Member | X | ||
| Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Doug Crowl, Board Member | |||
| Liana Lee, Board Member | X | ||
| Julia Wood, Student Board Rep |
5.
District Goals
- Improve academic achievement
- Improve communication
- Plan for growth (facility plan)
- Financial responsibility
6.
Board Members Items of Discussion
Minutes
- Mrs. Meyer shared her thoughts on the 2020 Vision and how she feels that it is about preparing students for whatever direction life takes them after high school. She noted that the classroom looks different today because the workplace will look different. Several key skills that students need are to problem solve, communicate, and collaborate. One method we are using to prepare students is by individualizing and differentiating instruction through the use of small groups.
- Mrs. Lee shared that she wanted to serve as a voice for all students to receive the education they deserve. Mrs. Lee shared how she was impressed during a recent tour she took and observed the way the District is personalizing education and instruction for each student to meet them where they are. She also shared specific examples she was able to observe regarding how student learning was taking place in various buildings.
- Mr. Schneider shared that our District enrollment growth is a bit of anomaly in Ohio. While most areas of the state see a retraction in enrollment, we continue to see growth. He also shared that he wanted to continue to advocate for changes within the State that do not penalize communities facing enrollment growth and allow us the local control to create the educational experience we want.
- Mr. Wecker said that Big Walnut, Central Ohio and the Great Lakes Region overall are great places to live, work and play. He shared that we are part of the Trust Belt. More so than most places, Big Walnut has been able to mix old and new. Through working on the board of education, he hoped to help all students get head starts on the opportunities ahead of them, while keeping this community affordable enough for young families who want to start here and older residents who want to retire here.
7.
Superintendent's Report
7.1
District Goal: Student Academic Achievement
7.2
District Goal: Improve Communication
- SOU Playground - Ms. Angie Pollock
Minutes
- Mr. Swartz shared that we have been working with the Souders PTO to build an addition to the current playground. This will be donated by the PTO.
7.3
District Goal: Planning for Growth
- Construction Update - Mr. Doug Swartz
Minutes
- Mr. Sewell provided an update on the High School Construction Project at the point of Schematic Design. He discussed briefly where the project is compared to the original budget prepared during levy planning. In order to make sure that we are aligning our building construction costs with funds available, our team has been going through a value engineering process with the intention of making as little impact to education as possible. Mr. Sewell noted that there were 27 value engineering items accounted for and he specifically went through each item with input from Mr. Swartz and Mr. Dumford. The big items discussed for value engineering to align the budget and move on to the next phase of design are noted below.
- Delete (1) basketball court in the auxiliary gym. This plan would still include two courts in the auxiliary gym and there is the possibility that this could be an alternate, but this could be a more challenging item to be bid as an alternate.
- Delete (1) competition baseball & softball field. Replace with grass seed (Remain as an Alternate)
- Delete (2) Tennis courts. Replace with grass seed (Remain as an Alternate)
- Reduce kitchen equipment allowance to $400K. It was noted that this was more of a refinement of estimates based on Gilbane's experience and input from VSWC's food service consultants.
- Delete (1) basketball court in auxiliary gym. This plan would still include two courts in the auxiliary gym and there is the possibility that this could be an alternate, but this could be a more challenging item to be bid as an alternate.
- Delete mechanical room space and change AHU's to rooftop units.
- Reduce auditorium/lobby to 800 seat capacity. It was noted by the group that the District Theater Committee and VSWC's Theater consultant believe that this would still provide a good amount space for performances.
- Eliminate orchestra pit. It was noted that this was still a strong desire of the District Theater Committee. As our orchestra program grows this would be a good usable space.
- Eliminate lightning protection for the entire building (Add as an alternate).
- Reduce base bid parking to 750 spaces (delete 81 spaces). It was noted that this would be just the base parking and there would still be additional parking along the bus loop and around fields to provide additional parking for events. There would also be additional parking planned and infrastructure already in place for future expansion.
- Tennis/Baseball bleachers alternate. This would be for fixed bleacher space and would be replaced with portable style bleachers.
- Eliminate 1 Classroom and repurposing some space near the auditorium for educational space.
8.
Treasurer's Reports
8.1
District Goal: Financial Responsibility
- RedTree Investment Group - Mr. Ryan Nelson
9.
Public Participation
This is a meeting of the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the School District's business and is not considered a public community meeting. This is a time for public participation during the meeting as indicated in the agenda. (Please reference criteria for Public Participation, which is attached to the agenda.)
10.
Schedule Next Meeting
Regular Meetings:
November 15, 2018
6:30 p.m.
District Administrative Office
Special Worksession:
November 17, 2018
8:00 a.m.
District Administrative Office
11.
18-177 Executive Session
It is recommended the Board enter Executive Session to consider the employment/appointment of a public employee/official, to consider matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or regulations or state statutes, and to discuss confidential information related to negotiations with other subdivisions regarding requests for economic development assistance.
Minutes
- The Board entered executive session at 9:09am.
Motioned: Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member
Seconded: Mr. Brad Schneider, Board Member
| Voter | Yes | No | Abstaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Andy Wecker, President | X | ||
| Mr. Brad Schneider, Board Member | X | ||
| Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Doug Crowl, Board Member | |||
| Liana Lee, Board Member | X | ||
| Julia Wood, Student Board Rep |
12.
18-178 Adjourn
It is recommended the Board exit Executive Session and the meeting adjourns.
Minutes
- Mr. Wecker had to excuse himself from executive session at 10:00am
- The Board exited executive session.
- The Board meeting ended at 10:08am.
Motioned: Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member
Seconded: Liana Lee, Board Member
| Voter | Yes | No | Abstaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Andy Wecker, President | |||
| Mr. Brad Schneider, Board Member | X | ||
| Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Doug Crowl, Board Member | |||
| Liana Lee, Board Member | X | ||
| Julia Wood, Student Board Rep |
