Meeting Details
September 19, 2019
6:30pm - 8:30pm
2 hr
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
- Safe, respectful and welcoming environment
3.
President
- Call to Order
- Pledge of Allegiance (being done during SOU presentation)
Minutes
- The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm.
4.
District Goals
- Improve academic achievement
- Improve communication
- Plan for growth (facility plan)
- Financial responsibility
5.
19-109 Minutes
It is recommended the Board approve the minutes for the August 8 and 15, 2019 Regularly scheduled meetings and August 29, 2019, Special meeting.
Minutes
Result: Approved
Motioned: Liana Lee, Vice President
Seconded: Mr. Andy Wecker, Board Member
| Voter | Yes | No | Abstaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Andy Wecker, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Brad Schneider, President | X | ||
| Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Doug Crowl, Board Member | X | ||
| Liana Lee, Vice President | X | ||
| Mr. Camden Edwards, Student Board Representative | X |
6.
Superintendent's Report
6.1
District Goal: Improve Communication
- Levy Discussion
- Military Appreciation Night- Friday, September 20- Mr. Matt Cox
Minutes
- Mrs. Hamberg noted that the Board will be voting on a renewal levy in October/November for March ballot. She recommended community members read Mr. Schneider's article in the Eagle Examiner.
- Mr. Cox shared about the Purple Star Designation. A Military Appreciation Night will take place during the Friday, September 19th, football game.
6.2
District Goals: Student Academic Achievement
- Hylen Souders Elementary Building Presentation - Mr. Matt Cox
- Hylen Souders Elementary CIP Update - Mr. Matt Cox
- Academic Update - Mrs. Jen Young & Mrs. Laura Lawrence
Minutes
- Mr. Cox and Ms. Blosser presented on the Video News Crew at Souders, which is a leadership opportunity for students. Each student shared a little about themselves and why they liked doing the video news crew. Mr. Cox indicated that one of the continuous improvement goals is implementing a responsive classroom and allowing the students to take responsibility and leadership in their building.
- Mrs. Young and Mrs. Lawrence provided a copy of the Big Walnut report card that was released this last week by ODE. They went through various aspects of the report card to provide a better understanding of where our buildings and District as a whole achieved on the report card areas.
6.3
District Goal: Planning for Growth
- Elementary Redistricting - Mrs. Angie Hamberg
- Construction Update - Mr. Doug Swartz
Minutes
- Mr. Swartz shared the progress for the site work, utilities, elementary school, central energy plant and the high school construction. He also went through the monthly report of the construction manager contingency log items and the owner change order log.
- Mrs. Hamberg shared that the first Elementary Redistricting Committee meeting occurred last night.
7.
Recognitions
- Ava Oakes, Hylen Souders Elementary Student of the Month - Mr. Andy Wecker
- Regan Holmes, Big Walnut Middle School Student of the Month - Mrs. Mindy Meyer
- Rachel Chalfant, Hylen Souders Elementary Art Student of the Month - Mr. Andy Wecker
- Nate Snead, Big Walnut Middle School Art Student of the Month - Mrs. Mindy Meyer
- Ground Breaking Plaques - Gilbane Building Company
8.
Treasurer's Report
8.1
District Goal: Financial Responsibility
- Monthly Financial Statement
9.
Selected Board Policy
It is recommended the Board review the policy revisions:
- 2431 Interscholastic Athletics
- 5113.02 School Choice Options
- 5460 Graduation Requirements
10.
Board Members Items of Interest
Minutes
- Mr. Camden Edwards shared that for athletics this is the last week for tennis, the varsity football team has a 2-1 record, and boys soccer has a record of 3-5. Also, he shared that Kyle Williams (senior) is OCC Player of the Year in golf. Tomorrow is camo night for the football game and military night. Families of those serving will be driven around in a humvee and students will be wearing camo. Voting for Homecoming court is soon. Student Council planning Homecoming and grade themes (Freshman: Neon Nines; Sophomores: Sophomore Circus; Juniors: Jackpot Juniors; Seniors: Sergeant Seniors). Rehearsals for the fall musical Little Shop of Horrors have started. Next weekend (Saturday, September, 28) the HS band is playing at OSU. Tomorrow is the Pre-ACT for sophomores
- Mr. Crowl shared that at the last meeting there was a letter shared from a community member concerned about the sidewalk at Harrison Street.
- Mrs. Meyer shared that everyone was very engaged and involved during the redistricting meeting. She thanked everyone for their participation and support.
- Mrs. Liana Lee wanted to encourage everyone to be involved in the Big Walnut Strut that will occur Sunday, October 13th. Reminder to the community regarding bus safety. Also, she stated what a great evening the Evening of Excellence is and thanked everyone for the help in making it a great event.
- Mr. Wecker was pleased with the number of students that had success at the fair this week.
- Mr. Schneider discussed the Blackhawk development that will be voted on during the Village of Galena's meeting on Monday, which he will be attending. The District is in the position to react to growth, we have no choice. We are partners with 2 villages and 6 townships. All of the entities are making decisions that are best for them; however, ultimately it impacts the District. That is the message he will be sharing with the Village on Monday.
11.
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.)
Minutes
- Mrs. Stephanie Huffman from 316 Myers Dr. - is a parent in the District with 4 children. She is in favor of the continuing levy because there will be no increase to taxpayers. She is a huge supporter of the schools and she believes the taxpayers will appreciate the District not coming back every 5 years to renew. The growth that we are going to see will be huge especially with the apartments along with other potential developments. This growth means more expenses for the District, which means more levies. In discussing with community members there is so much confusion on the different types of levies and issues. If we keep going back to them every 5 years it is going to hurt any new levy that might be on the ballot. This creates voter fatigue and frustration, voters just see it as the schools just want more money again. She would like to ask the Board to consider a continuing.
- Mr. Schneider would like to clarify that the renewal can be anyone up to 10 years or a continuing.
- Mrs. Tara Shelby from 15070 Centerburg Rd. - she has lived in the District for 15 years and her husband was born and raised here. She has two children one at BWIS and one that attends one of the overcrowded elementaries. She ran three campaigns and is asking the Board to consider a continuing levy. The growth is not going away and it is not feasible to ask the community for new money and to keep going to the community for a renewal. If the money is not needed a referendum can be filed. She does not want new community members to be uninformed or misinformed. She stated that she wants to keep our programs and the wonderful staff, she knows that salaries and benefits are essential. She feels that the community elected the members of the Board because the voters believed they had our children's best interest at hearts - otherwise, why would you want to serve. She shared that she appreciates their hard work and hopes they will vote on a continuing.
- Mrs. Jen Nieset from 7829 Meadow Chase Dr. - has four kids in the District. She also was a volunteer on the campaigns. When she looks at this from a business standpoint it is easier to not always be on the heels of a layoff. It is confusing for voters and a continuing will allow that confusion to die down before going back on the ballot. She would like to ask the Board to vote on a continuing.
- Mrs. Heather Setmire from 464 Saffron Dr. - has been a resident for eleven years. She has two children in the district and one graduate who went all the way through Big Walnut. She has worked on two campaigns and encouraged the Board to vote on a continuing. It is too demanding to ask the volunteers to keep going back out when it can be done once and the focus can then be put toward a levy for new money.
- Mrs. Crystal Mazza from 284 Myers Dr. - has been a resident for seven years and has two children in the District. She has volunteered on two campaigns and is so very proud of the buildings that are going up and the District's Report Card. The Emergency Tax Levy accounts for 12% of the District's income, this figure is huge in the daily operation. Considering the lack of State funding, inflation and rising enrollment (which does not even include Blackhawk) it is eye-opening. If we lose 12% of the District's income we will be taking steps back which means we would ultimately have to pay more in the future in order to make up for the debt that would be compounded. She thanked the Board and asked that they vote for a continuing.
12.
Business Items
12.1
19-110
It is recommended the Board approve the Annual Appropriations for the fiscal year 2020 at fund level in accordance with Section 5705.38 and 5705.39 ORC.
Minutes
Result: Approved
Motioned: Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member
Seconded: Mr. Andy Wecker, Board Member
| Voter | Yes | No | Abstaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Andy Wecker, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Brad Schneider, President | X | ||
| Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Doug Crowl, Board Member | X | ||
| Liana Lee, Vice President | X | ||
| Mr. Camden Edwards, Student Board Representative | X |
12.2
19-111
It is recommended the Board approve to Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Landowner Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Minutes
- Mr. Swartz shared that this is an agreement with the USFWS to help with the seeding of the detention ponds at our new sites and for trees to diversify the environment of our site.
Result: Approved
Motioned: Mr. Doug Crowl, Board Member
Seconded: Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member
| Voter | Yes | No | Abstaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Andy Wecker, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Brad Schneider, President | X | ||
| Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Doug Crowl, Board Member | X | ||
| Liana Lee, Vice President | X | ||
| Mr. Camden Edwards, Student Board Representative | X |
12.3
19-112
It is recommended the Board approve the following donations:
- $100 donated to BWMS, an anonymous donor (BWMS Principal Fund 018-9002)
- $355 donated to BWMS, donated by Kona Ice (BWMS Student Council 200-9612)
Minutes
Result: Approved
Motioned: Liana Lee, Vice President
Seconded: Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member
| Voter | Yes | No | Abstaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Andy Wecker, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Brad Schneider, President | X | ||
| Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Doug Crowl, Board Member | X | ||
| Liana Lee, Vice President | X | ||
| Mr. Camden Edwards, Student Board Representative | X |
13.
Human Resources
- FTE Report
- Human Resources Update
13.1
19-113
It is recommended the Board approve the following revisions:
- Christian Johnson, .25 Varsity Assistant Football, revise group 3 to group 2, step 0
- Stacey O'Reilly, National Honors Society, group 6, revise step 0 to step 11
Minutes
- Mrs. Meyer motioned, Mr. Wecker seconded for consent in items 13.1 through 13.4.
Result: Approved
Motioned: Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member
Seconded: Mr. Andy Wecker, Board Member
| Voter | Yes | No | Abstaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Andy Wecker, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Brad Schneider, President | X | ||
| Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Doug Crowl, Board Member | X | ||
| Liana Lee, Vice President | X | ||
| Mr. Camden Edwards, Student Board Representative | X |
13.2
.
It is recommended the Board accept the following resignations:
- Marie Beck, Intervention Specialist, Hylen Souders Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2019/2020 school year, due to retirement
- Dawn Boehm, Teaching Assistant, Big Walnut Middle School, effective September 15, 2019
Minutes
Result: Approved
13.3
.
It is recommended the Board approve Megan Funston, Educational Assistant, Big Walnut Middle School, step 0, effective September 16, 2019.
Minutes
Result: Approved
13.4
.
It is recommended the Board approve the following stipends for the 2019/2020 school year:
Minutes
Result: Approved
14.
Scheduling of Next Board Meeting
Regularly Scheduled Meetings:
October 10, 2019
7:30 a.m.
District Administrative Office
15.
Executive Session
Minutes
Result: Approved
Motioned: Mr. Andy Wecker, Board Member
Seconded: Liana Lee, Vice President
| Voter | Yes | No | Abstaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Andy Wecker, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Brad Schneider, President | X | ||
| Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Doug Crowl, Board Member | X | ||
| Liana Lee, Vice President | X | ||
| Mr. Camden Edwards, Student Board Representative | X |
15.1
19-114
It is recommended the Board enter Executive Session to consider the employment/appointment of a public employee/official, to review negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment, to discuss details relative to the security arrangements and emergency response protocols for a public body or public office, and to consider matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or regulations or state statutes.
Minutes
- The Board took a brief recess at 8:59 p.m. and entered Executive Session at 9:10 p.m.
Result: Approved
Motioned: Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member
Seconded: Mr. Andy Wecker, Board Member
| Voter | Yes | No | Abstaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Andy Wecker, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Brad Schneider, President | X | ||
| Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Doug Crowl, Board Member | X | ||
| Liana Lee, Vice President | X | ||
| Mr. Camden Edwards, Student Board Representative | X |
16.
19-115 Adjourn
It is recommended the Board exit Executive Session and the meeting adjourns.
Minutes
- The Board exited Executive Session at 9:55 p.m. and adjourned.
Result: Approved
Motioned: Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member
Seconded: Mr. Andy Wecker, Board Member
| Voter | Yes | No | Abstaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Andy Wecker, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Brad Schneider, President | X | ||
| Mrs. Mindy Meyer, Board Member | X | ||
| Mr. Doug Crowl, Board Member | X | ||
| Liana Lee, Vice President | X | ||
| Mr. Camden Edwards, Student Board Representative |
