Board Discusses Possible Permanent Improvement Levy in 2025
and New Operating Levy in 2027
Chardon Board of Education – November 18, 2024
Meeting Details: Meetings are held at 6:30 pm, at the Chardon Board of Education building adjacent to the Chardon Middle School at 428 North Street, Chardon. Here is the link to the available Meeting Agendas and Minutes. Click on the meetings tab on the right to access the Agendas and Minutes. Board meeting videos are also available through Chardon Geauga TV (GTV). Topics discussed will be noted by the time that they appear in the GTV video for easy reference.
Roll Call Attendance: Board President Karen Blankenship, Board Members Andrea Clark, Todd Albright, James Midyette.
Absent: C.J. Paterniti
Staff Attendance: Superintendent Dr. Michael Hanlon and Treasurer Deb Armbruster
2:08 Min Adoption of Agenda - Approved
2:32 Min The Board President and student leader Jaxson Williams, first grade Park Elementary School student, lead the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3:51 Min Mission Statement - Read by Dr. Hanlon
3:56 Min Hearing of the Public for Agenda items Only No public comments.
Observer Note: In order to comment at Chardon Board of Education meetings, members of the public must sign up to do so before the meeting starts. There are two opportunities for public comment. The first one is on Agenda items, and the second one is not restricted to the Agenda.
4:02 Min Consent Agenda:
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Pursuant to Board of Education Policy 0165.1,E, the Superintendent makes recommendation to the Board of Education to approve the minutes from the October 21, 2024 Regular Meeting here. Approved.
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All other Consent agenda items approved and details of those items or contracts are available here, then selecting the meeting tab, meeting date, and 3.1-3.6 on the agenda.
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Warrant list (CHECKPY) Report
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Approval of Sponsorship Agreement for Scoreboard Advertising
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Auburn Career Center Affiliation Agreement for 2024-2025
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Student Teaching Agreement between Chardon Local Schools and Baldwin Wallace University
5.09 Min Chardon High School (CHS) Monthly Student Liaison Report with a Visual Presentation
7.51 Min Superintendent’s Report and Recommendations
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The Capital Conference was November 10-12, 2024 and Superintendent Hanlon attended along with other school board members. Dr. Hanlon participated in a presentation about the fair school funding plan.
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Geauga Economic Leadership Breakfast on November 1, 2024 at Kent State University, Geauga campus. Superintendents present, including Dr. Hanlon, made presentations about their districts on the topic of Workforce Development
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Dr. Hanlon and Chardon Police Chief Niehus presented at the Portage County Joint Symposium on School Safety on November 15, 2024. They presented on School Safety and their particular focus was on lessons learned from Chardon’s tragedy on 2/27/2012
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Dr. Hanlon announced that there would be two presentations following his during the meeting: Dr. Klein’s overview of the Curriculum Revision Plan and Asst Superintendent of Business Affairs, Steven Kofol’s presentation of the Five Year Capital Improvement Plan. (see below)
11.37 Min Dr. Klein explains Five Year curriculum planning/curricular materials with a Visual Presentation beginning at 11.40 Min.
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Dr. Klein reviewed the pre-adoption, adoption, and implementation process for curriculum. Parents and the community are invited in to review the curriculum once the materials are being considered for purchase.
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As part of the five year plan, K-3 science, K-3 social studies, and K-12 World Language (6 yr) are currently being reviewed. Various electives are also being reviewed.
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There is a five year rotation of all major curriculum purchasing. There are still some ripple effects remaining from COVID impacts as well as curriculum purchase freezes from the 2008-2013 era that lead to off-cycle reviews/purchasing.
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The district has actively sought and used professional grants for curriculum Professional Development.
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The five year curriculum plan assumes passage of a 2027 levy.
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Dr. Klein advised that curriculum is a tool and the district is always evaluating whether they have the best tools for the job.
23.17 Min Five Year Capital Improvement Plan Presented by Steve Kofol with visual slide presentation here. Approved.
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Mr. Kofol explained the allowable uses of the Permanent Improvement (PI) fund.
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Mr. Kofol identified sources of revenue for the PI Fund.
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Mr. Kofol drew attention to the TAN (Tax Anticipation Note) of $411,000, a payment made annually to pay for roofing projects completed during 2022-2023 roof replacements for Munson Middle School and the high school.
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Mr. Kofol identified expenditures from the PI fund and broke them down by departments.
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Notable projects from Fiscal Year 2024 include the Washington Street Project, Chiller Replacement, Elevator update, and Security Vestibule at Chardon High School, stadium lighting, new gym floor in the middle school, etc.
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Mr. Kofol identified notable projects and budgets planned for each school for the Fiscal Year 2025 as well as budgets for Transportation and District Technology.
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The Capital Improvement Plan is a projection and can be subject to change as events can happen throughout the year and emergency situations may arise. Mr. Kofol reminded the Board that the plan is a “living document” and subject to regular revision as needs arise and fiscal responsibility is maintained.
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Mr. Kofol identified projects that are not included in the five year plan and which he referred to as his “Christmas wish list”.
Board discussion and questions followed regarding costs/maintenance of upkeep and/or replacements of old structures. Dr. Hanlon discussed possible further reliance on general funds versus possibility of bringing additional funds to Permanent Improvement through a PI levy. The first step for a contemplated PI levy is approval from the budget commission. Discussion also included possible required timelines for placing a PI levy on the next ballot and whether a PI levy in 2025 would negatively impact an operating levy in 2027. Discussion included moving towards a PI levy in May versus November and completing further “legwork” around the possibility of a resolution in January to place a PI Levy on the ballot.
Observer Note: While Mr. Kofol did not elaborate on the meaning of TAN, a Google search indicates that TAN stands for Tax Anticipation Note.
1.37.27 Min Administrative, Certified/Licensed, Classified, Supplemental, and Non-Contractual Personnel, and Compensation and Superintendent recommendations- All Approved. Documents available here, by selecting the meeting tab, meeting date, and 5.4-5.7 on the agenda.
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Agreement with Shared Svc. Alliance for temporary payroll support
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22+ Program Graduate from Chardon Schools - Mackenzie Eaton
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CHS overnight field trip for wrestling
1.41.05 Min Treasurer Report/ CFO (Chief Financial Officer) Report and Recommendations 6.1-6.7- All items including forecast Approved
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October Financial Summary here, and podcast here.
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Donations here and Equipment Disposal here.
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Then and Now Certificate
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Tax Advance Request here.
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Final Appropriations Measure - Fiscal Year 2025 Amendment #3
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1.58.15 Min November 2024 5-Year Forecast with visual presentation and link to slides here, and PODCAST here.
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The forecast is only an estimate that relies on numerous variables that can change constantly.
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The forecast assumes that the district continues to capitalize on grants and additional funding to relieve stress on the General Fund.
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Report comparing May 2024 to November 2024 indicates that the district has an ending cash balance of approximately $506,000 more than expected.
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For the period of 2025-2029 deficit spending will result in a negative cash balance of over $2.6 million by 2029.
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The main sources of revenue are approximately 61% in property taxes and approximately 22% in state funding.
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The Fair School Funding Plan allows for state funding to be certain and consistent through 2025. After this the number is uncertain.
Reviewer Note: The Ohio Fair School Funding Plan, which the state began phasing in in the FY 2022-23 budget and included in the current FY 2024-25 budget, is meant to accurately account for how much it costs to educate a child and how much a local community can actually afford to pay toward that. It also provides a predictable funding model, so school districts can accurately plan ahead.
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The forecast expects property values to slightly increase revenue received.
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Revenues will decrease due to $1 million of inside tax millage shifted to the Permanent Improvement fund.
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Annual revenue increases are not keeping place with inflation.
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The largest expenditure is salaries and benefits.
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The student count is declining in the district (a statewide phenomenon) and staffing is being adjusted accordingly.
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The district is looking at a potential new operating levy on the horizon as early as 2027 if the district is to keep beneficial programs, current curricula, activity and sports fees reductions, etc. to address the deficit funding.
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November 2024 Assumptions here.
2.40.50 Min Board of Education Reports and Recommendations and accompanying documents can be found here, then selecting meetings tab, meeting date, agenda, and 7.1-7.6. All items Approved.
Min New Business - None
Min Hearing of the Public on Non-Agenda Items - No public comments
3.00.36 Min Motion that the Board of Education of the Chardon Local School District adjourn at 9:30 pm. Approved.
Board agendas and minutes are available online.
Next regular meeting is scheduled for December 16, 2024.
Observers: Gail Roussey and Jacqueline Berger
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Date submitted: 12/3/2024
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