Berkshire Board Approves Purchase of Modular Unit
for an Early Childhood Learning Center
Berkshire Board of Education – Special Meeting, February 26, 2024
Meeting Details: The meeting was held in the Music Room of the Berkshire Local Schools Complex, 14155 Claridon Troy Rd, Burton, Ohio 44021 at 6:00 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 Board members Dan Berman, Linda Stone, and Bryan Wadsworth.
Staff Attendance: John Stoddard, Superintendent, and Beth McCaffrey, Treasurer.
Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm
Pledge of Allegiance
:50 min Presentation for Berkshire Early Childhood Center
Superintendent John Stoddard made a presentation about Berkshire Schools’ plan to build a modular Early Childhood Center on the school campus.
The new Center would offer preschool and early childhood programs for both typical and special needs students. Programs would include:
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“Twinkle” for severe special needs students in a small group setting.
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Site-based “All-Day Everyday Berkshire” for 8 special needs students and 8 typical students. Students currently range in age from 2 ½ to 5.
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Center-based classes called “Jumpstart”: Half-day classes for typical and high-functioning special needs students.
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Early Childhood Programming (new this year), full and half-day programs serving both typical and special needs students. Currently there are six students in the program; 10 are registered for next year.
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Before and after-school programming
Current Berkshire preschool severe special needs students are outplaced at the Twinkle program at the Metzenbaum Center. Dr. Stoddard noted that this program is currently full and costs Berkshire $37,000 per student.
The school’s before- and after-school programs are currently housed at the YMCA. Dr. Stoddard said parents feel the Y’s prices are high and their staff is hard to work with. With the new modular unit, Berkshire will have the space and staff to offer the programs on campus.
4:10 min Proposed Classroom Layout and Exterior
Dr. Stoddard showed a diagram of the module’s interior 8-classroom layout and the module’s campus location. Connections for water, sewer, and electric were explained.
The audience also saw a rendering of the module’s exterior. Dr. Stoddard answered questions about the building’s appearance and noted the siding and base panels would be matched as closely as possible with the surrounding buildings.
8:36 min Building Costs:
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Module - $1,535,004
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Architectural Costs - $35,000
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General Requirements - $33,750 (e.g., bond insurance)
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Existing Conditions - $8,000 (e.g., surveying, staking)
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Concrete work - $73,000
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Thermal Protection - $4,500
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Plumbing - $167,500
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Electrical Costs - $34,200
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Site Improvements - $85,000
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Contractor Costs - $70,000
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Fire/Safety Tech - $50,000
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Contents - $50,000 (e.g., desks, chairs, storage)
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Construction Contingency - $150,000 (typically calculated as a percentage of total cost)
Total Estimated Cost = $2,295,954.00
11:38 min Financing
Dr. Stoddard showed a graph with various funding options for 5-year, 2-year and 10-year financing terms.
The school is considering a 10-year term with an all-in interest rate of 4.75%. With Board approval in March, they could lock in this low rate and close in April.
13:20 min Cost for No Action
He noted that the cost for no action for next year is estimated at $1,073,000:
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Twinkle (outplacement) - 9 students @ $37,000 each = $333,000 (Dr. Stoddard noted that Metzenbaum’s program is currently full, so availability could be limited next year)
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Site-based - 11 preschool students @ $27,750 each = $305,250
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Sparkle (kindergarten version of Twinkle) - 8 students @ $37,000 each = $296,750
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Outplaced special needs kindergarten - 5 students @ $27,750 each = $138,750
15:33 min Projected Costs Moving Forward with New Building
Construction & Staff Costs:
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Building Cost - $289,868 per year for 10 years
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Teacher & Aide Costs - $691,402 (6 staff)
Total Annual Cost up to 10 years - $981,270
Total Annual Cost after 10 years - $691,402 (cost of teacher and aide salaries)
16:23 min Finances
Dr. Stoddard showed a chart with 5-year forecasts for financing the new building. He noted that in 2025, they would have to borrow from the general fund to make up the difference from the permanent improvement fund.
17:40 min Revenue Stream Opportunities
Dr. Stoddard said there is a plan to make up the difference for money borrowed from the general fund and avoid putting a levy on the ballot in future years.
The Early Childhood Center has revenue producing potential by providing services to other districts.
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Preschool services - 7 students @ $27,750 from outside the district = $194,000 (leaves 8 additional spots)
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Berkshire Early Childhood - 10 students @ $5,220 (have can 30 additional spots)
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Berkshire Early Childhood Summer Program - 10 students @ $1,680 = $16,800
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Before/After School Care - 20 students @ $5 per hour = $69,600
Total Additional Revenue - $332,600 / year
Total if all open spots are filled - $771,600 / year
Dr. Stoddard noted that the revenue from open enrollment has decreased in recent years as rules have changed and fewer students have been accepted. Three years ago, they had 330 open enrolled students. This year, they had 185 open enrollees. The school is getting close to capacity and therefore is accepting fewer open enrollees.
21:00 min Board Questions and Discussion about Modular Project
Issues discussed included:
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Possible reduction in the revenue stream if other districts expand their own services
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Possible difficulty in recruiting Early Childhood Center staff
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Safeguards should the Childhood Center capacity max out
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Benefits of installing a module versus a new brick and mortar building
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Contingencies if modular installation is delayed
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Benefits a single Early Childhood Center will bring to staff
Mr. Berman noted that “It’s incredibly important...to get this presentation out to our community members” to make sure the residents understand the details of the plan. Mrs. Miller agreed and suggested they create a list of FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). Dr. Stoddard said he could do voiceover for the presentation.
Dr. Stoddard again reviewed preschool costs per year for the next 10 years, noting the school district would be spending just over $1 million a year on outplacements for special needs students without a new building. Annual expenses with the module are projected at $981,270. He pointed out that “just building the building, we will be saving money.” Mr. Manfredi supported this statement, saying they are saving money by keeping their students in the school district.
42:20 min Public Participation
Linda Valentino thanked the Board for having the meeting and allowing the public to attend. She asked how many teachers would move to the new facility and how many would be required to staff the new programs. Dr. Stoddard said there are 2 in the Early Childhood Program who would move out of the Kent State Building. The Jumpstart staff would move from the current school building. They would hire new staff for the preschool and Twinkle programs. Ms. Valentino also asked about plans to keep the students safe in the new facility. Dr. Stoddard said the module would have the same PA, locking and alarm systems as the other buildings. They would put ZeroEyes software on the cameras inside the building and make the Student Resource Officers aware of the new building. Reviewer Note: ZeroEyes software uses existing security cameras to detect a drawn firearm.
Nikki Arnold expressed surprise at learning the School District had to pay for the special needs students to go elsewhere and thinks the Board should work to make the community aware of the modular project.
46:55 min New Business
Modular Resolution - Approved Unanimously
Dr. Stoddard requested a motion to authorize a contract with Boxx Modular, Inc., and authorize the Superintendent and Treasurer to enter into a contract which will include delivery and installation of the modular unit. He further requested that the Superintendent and Treasurer receive permission to negotiate and enter into the contract with the Vendor to provide the Modular Unit in an amount not to exceed $1,535,004.00
A motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously.
48:30 min Information: 5.1 Next Board Meeting Date
March 11 6:00 PM Berkshire Local School Complex, Auditorium, 14155 Claridon Troy Rd., Burton, Ohio 44021
No Executive Session
50:00 min Meeting adjourned
Name of Observer: Rooney Moy
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Submitted 7/13/2024
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