Berkshire Board of Education - Regular Board Meeting, May 13, 2024
Meeting Details: The meeting was held in the Auditorium of the Berkshire Local Schools complex, 14155 Claridon Troy Rd, Burton, Ohio 44021 at 6 pm. The meeting was in person only with no virtual attendance option. A video of the meeting is posted here. View the agenda online and any attached documents here by selecting the meeting tab and then the meeting date. The notation of minutes refers to the time posted on the video for the discussion of the item listed.
Board Members Attendance: The following members attended: John Manfredi, President, Jody Miller, Vice President and members Dan Berman, Linda Stone, and Bryan Wadsworth.
Staff Attendance: John Stoddard, Superintendent and Beth McCaffrey, Treasurer
Meeting called to order at 6:00pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Agenda - Motion carried unanimously
Approval of Minutes - Motion carried unanimously
1:55 min Student/Staff Presentation
Berkshire Middle School & High School Presentation – Teachers Amy Hochschild and Casey Maske and their students presented their experiences with the recent Science Night.
25:22 min Public Participation/Public Comment
Mr. Wadswoth was thanked for his volunteer hours with the cross-country and track teams. Mr. Manfredi noted that now they need to work on building the cross-country course.
28:05 min Treasurer’s Report
28:10 min Financial Statements
The Treasurer submitted a statement to the Board and the Superintendent showing the revenues and receipts from whatever sources derived, the various Appropriations made by the board, the expenditures and disbursements therefrom, the purposes thereof, and the balances remaining in each fund. The financial statements for the period ending April 2024 have been submitted subject to audit and include: Financial Summary, Appropriations and Revenue Summary, Check Register Recap, and Bank Reconciliation per ORC 3313.29.
28:30 min Donations
The Board unanimously approved donations from the following sources:
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14 Individual and business donations to AfterProm totaling $2,775.00
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9 Individual and business donations in memory of Elizabeth Hamilton totaling $945.00
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1 Individual donation to the Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) Program totaling $100.00
Mr. Manfredi said he remains astonished at the high number of AfterProm donations and thanked the staff involved with the event as well as Mr. Franks for his guidance and leadership.
Mr. Manfredi also thanked Treasurer McCaffrey and her family for their donations in memory of Mrs. McCaffrey’s mother, Elizabeth Hamilton.
A complete breakdown of donations can be found in the Meeting Minutes.
29:45 min Financial Amendments
The Board unanimously approved the following Financial Amendments:
Cash Transfers:
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From General Fund
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To Insurance Fund
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$ 50,000.00
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From General Fund
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To Termination Benefits
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$125,000.00
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Appropriation Changes
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General Fund
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+ $657,494.66
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Principals Fund
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- $ 13,700.00
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Preschool Fund 020
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- $ 124,884.07
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Classroom Facilities Fund 034
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+$ 34,475.00
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Athletics
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+$ 5,067.02
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OHSAA Service Fund
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+$ 5,717.11
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Then and Now Invoices
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Weston Hurd, LLP
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$ 2,769.00
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Weston Hurd, LLP
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$ 5,446.50
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Charles Harris
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$ 3,596.00
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ESC of Northeast Ohio
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$10,175.00
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30:45 min Five-Year Forecast
The Board unanimously approved the Five-Year Forecast to be submitted to the Ohio Department of Education.
31:05 min Superintendent’s Report
Personnel
Dr. Stoddard introduced Ashley Brzozowski, who will transition to a new position as Vocational and Special Programs Coordinator. Ms. Brzozowski thanked the Board and said she is looking forward to growing the vocational program, supporting the new special education director, as well as assisting with the special education resource room.
The Board unanimously approved without discussion hiring, resignations, contract extensions and other personnel items for many Administration, Certified, and Classified staff.
See the Meeting Minutes for a full list.
34:20 min Contract Approvals
The Board unanimously approved without discussion contracts for GoTo Communications, Inc., Ravenwood Health, and Proactive Behavior Services (BCBA Services).
35:00 min Old Business
Dr. Stoddard informed the Board that the eviction hearing was continued to May 23rd and the water issue was continued to July. See the April 15, 2024 Berkshire School Board Observer Report for more information on these two items.
New Business
None
35:27 min Board Discussion
Executive Session
The Board voted to adjourn into Executive Session after the regular meeting to consider the purchase of property for public purposes or for the sale of property at competitive bidding and to prepare for, conduct, or review negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment.
No action followed the Executive Session.
37:06 min Meeting was adjourned
Following this meeting, the next Board meeting dates are June 10, 2024 and July 22, 2024. All meetings are at 6:00 PM at the Berkshire Board of Education Auditorium, 14155 Claridon Troy Road, Burton, Ohio 44021
Observer: Rooney Moy
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: 6/25/2024
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