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BERKSHIRE BOARD MAKES NO ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS YEAR & HEARS UPDATES ON EARLY LEARNING CENTER CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Berkshire Board of Education - Organizational and Regular Meetings, January 13, 2025

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.  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

Organizational Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm

Pledge of Allegiance 

1:22 min Election of Officers – President

The Board unanimously approved without discussion the appointment of John Manfredi as President of the Board of Education for 2025. 

2:10 min Election of Officers – Vice President

The Board unanimously approved without discussion the appointment of Jody Miller as Vice President of the Board of Education for 2025. 

Approval of Agenda – unanimously approved without discussion 

Reorganization Items

3:20 min Committee Appointments

The Board unanimously approved without discussion a motion to appoint liaisons as listed to the following committees:

• Legislative Liaison to Ohio State Board Association (OSBA): Mrs. Stone

• OSBA Representative: Mr.  Berman

• OSBA Alternate: Mrs. Stone

• Records Review Commission: Mr. Wadsworth & Mr. Manfredi

• Educational Foundation: Mrs. Stone, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Manfredi, Mr. Berman, & Mr. Wadsworth

Mr. Manfredi noted that these are the same committee assignments as last year. 

4:45 min 2025 Meeting Schedule

The Board unanimously approved Board of Education Business Meetings on the second Monday of each month, and any special meetings as needed, at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Board members will be compensated for all regular and special meetings of the Board. Meetings will be held at the Auditorium of the Berkshire Local Schools complex, 14155 Claridon Troy Rd, Burton, Ohio 44021 on the following dates:

February 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

April 14, 2025                                   
May 12, 2025                                     
June 9, 2025                                    
July 14, 2025                                    
August 11, 2025                                 
September 8, 2025                           
October 13, 2025                                
November 17, 2025 (Third Monday)  (due to Board attendance at OSBA meeting in the second week)
December 8, 2025           

5:20 min Depositories

The Board unanimously approved the following depositories for 2025: Star Ohio, Huntington National Bank & Middlefield Banking Company.

5:45 min Legal Notices

The Board unanimously approved the News Herald - Geauga County Edition and Geauga County Maple Leaf newspapers for legal notices for 2025.

6:17 min Tax Budget

The Board unanimously approved without comment a motion accepting the Fiscal 2026 Alternative Tax Budget.

Observer Note: A copy of the Tax Budget is available in the Meeting Agenda online.

6:50 min Financial Amendments

The Board unanimously approved a motion without comment to authorize the Treasurer to:

• Amend the certificate of estimated resources/appropriations with the County Auditor with such amendments to be presented for approval by the Board at the next regular or special meeting

• To make payment of all bills and invoices when due, with a monthly listing certified by the Treasurer shall be presented to the Board at the next regularly scheduled meeting

• To make adjustments, transfers and additional modifications to budget, revenue and appropriations accounts as necessary to update and close the fiscal year-end

• To forward resolution to request advances on the first and second half tax collection from the Geauga County Auditor and Geauga County Treasurer requesting direct wire transfer with a designated depository.

7:40 min Legal Counsel

The Board unanimously approved without comment the following legal counsel for 2025: Peters, Kalail & Markakis, Western Hurd, Bricker & Grayson, and Ennis Britton.

8:17 min Public Minutes

The Board unanimously approved without comment a motion to waive the public reading of Board of Education minutes for all meetings during the year. Each member of the Board will receive copies of the minutes from the previous meeting in advance of the next regular meeting.

8:55 min Superintendent and Treasurer Travel

The Board unanimously approved without comment the attendance and the expenditure of funds for the Superintendent and Treasurer, and their staff at their approval, to attend in-service meetings, conferences, clinics and workshops within the State of Ohio during 2025.

9:50 min School Groups Liability Policy

The Board unanimously approved without comment the following groups to be retained on the District Liability policy as eligible school groups at the appropriate rate determined by the insuring company, if any:

• Berkshire Athletic Boosters

• American Field Service (Foreign Exchange Student Program)

• Berkshire P.T.O. 

• Tunebackers Observer Note: Tunebackers is a parent run 501 (c) (3) organization that supports, promotes and financially assists Berkshire Junior-Senior High School music programs.

• Berkshire Operation Post Prom (B.O.P.P.)

10:10 min Substitute List

The Board unanimously approved without comment the substitute list submitted by ESC (Educational Service Center) of the Western Reserve and Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio.

10:35 min Superintendent Offers of Employment

The Board unanimously approved without comment a motion to authorize the Superintendent, during periods when the Board is not in session, to make offers of employment directly to candidates for either teaching or nonteaching positions on behalf of this Board.  Nothing in the resolution will require the Board of Education to employ or continue to employ an individual who has not provided a criminal records check satisfactory to the Board or who has not satisfied any other prerequisite to employment created by law or Board policy.  The authorization will be valid January 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026.

11:12 min Superintendent Acceptance of Resignations

The Board unanimously approved without comment a motion to authorize the Superintendent, on behalf of this Board, to accept resignations which have been submitted by employees during times when this Board is not in session, subject to ratification by the Board. Resignations are effective as of the date and time of the Superintendent’s acceptance.  The authorization will be valid January 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026.

11:45 Organizational Meeting was adjourned.

Regular Meeting called to order at 6:13 pm

Pledge of Allegiance – spoken at organizational meeting that preceded this meeting

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

Approval of Agenda - unanimously approved

Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting, December 9, 2024

The Board unanimously approved the minutes without comment.

Approval of Minutes – Special Meeting, December 23, 2024

The Board unanimously approved the minutes without comment.

13:50 min Student/Staff Presentation

Middle School Presentation

Mrs. Mandy Randles, Middle School principal, introduced Mr. Chris Kostiha who provided updates on MakerSpace activities and projects.

She noted that Makerspace middle school students collaborate with other students from the high school and elementary schools to create products together.

Mr. Kostiha said the goal of Makerspace is “to enter with an idea and leave with a product.” His program is based on an engineering design process with three different models for each of the three student levels (high school, middle school and elementary school).

He stated that his class operates in a support capacity with K-12 teachers on classroom project-based learning (PBL). 

Mr. Kostiha introduced 2 high school and 2 middle school Makerspace students. The students came on stage to discuss and demonstrate several Makerspace projects they’d been involved with. The projects included a ventilation system for the school mascot suit, a fix for a design flaw in older desks, and videos created using digital programming. 

Mr. Manfredi asked the students and Mr. Kostiha what was on their Makerspace wish list. Mr. Kostiha said that, though Makerspace is well-stocked, they are planning to cycle out some of their older equipment. He would like some state-of-the art 3-D printers to replace the old ones. The students cited better hardware equipment, such as drills and wrenches, and a separate AV room for computers.

Observer Note: According to the school website, Makerspace is a classroom providing PK-12 students opportunities to apply their creativity and classroom knowledge in a student-driven, hands-on environment to produce finished products. Students have at their disposal an assortment of machines, including 3-D printers, carving machines, a laser etcher and printer, and a vinyl printer. Additional hardware, materials, and related programs are used in conjunction with the machines to create an assortment of professional grade, final products, including posters, decals, plaques, and other items.

Public Participation – no comments

34:45 min Treasurer’s Report

Financial Statements

The Treasurer has submitted a statement to the Board and to 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 December 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.

Observer Note: See Financial Statement details in the meeting agenda available online.

Donations

The Board unanimously approved donations from:

Paul Chase          Misc. Electronics (donated to IT staff & Makerspace)

Preston Auto      ODOT Garage                       $ 750,000.00

Marie Lovas       Memory of Paul Busby         $    1,000.00

                           (for the baseball fields)

Marie Lovas       Memory of Gary Contini      $     1,000.00

Marie Lovas       Memory of Rodney Lovas     $     1,000.00

                           (for the Patriot Project)

Gregory & Kelly Rinehart  Get out with Giel   $        250.00

Mrs. Miller thanked Marie Lovas for the donation in memory of her father, Paul Busby.

Observer Note: The donation from Preston Auto is a gift to purchase the former ODOT building in Burton that will be used to service the schools bus fleet, and to house the school district’s transportation department, administrative offices, classroom space, and space for vocational activities. Preston Auto will use part of the space for auto repairs and body work and pay rent to the school district to lease their space.

The Patriot Project is a restricted donation fund set up by a local man to fund all the American Flags in the District.  The initial donor has since passed, but his legacy continues with his friends.

Get out With Giel donations fund special activities, such as a lunch out, with Elementary School Principal Heather Giel for students who need extra attention paid to them.

Financial Amendments

The Board unanimously approved these financial amendments:

Appropriation Changes - FY25

 

Observer Note: Title I is a federal program that provides financial support to schools with a large percentage of students from low-income families. This change was notable as it was required to be allocated to a non-public school.

Title II is a federal grant that passes through the State of Ohio to Berkshire and is used to provide professional development for teachers. The school applies annually for the grant.  The dollar amount of $4,366.54 represents newly allocated additional monies, and brings the total grant funds up to $44,459.62.

37:30 min Superintendent’s Report

Personnel 

The Board unanimously approved the following personnel actions:

Certified:
Jeff LaDow Assistant Volleyball Coach - Boys

Classified:

Brian Hanko - Resignation - Softball Coach

Todd Snyder - Resignation - MS 8th Grade Girls Basketball Coach, Effective 1/3/2025

Candace Holland - Substitute - Lunch Monitor and Secretary

Craig Barstow - MS 8th Grade Girls Basketball Coach

Administrator:

Brian Hiscox - Head Baseball Coach

Mr. Wadsworth asked if a permanent trainer had been hired yet. Dr. Stoddard said, no, they are rotating trainers until University Hospitals can supply a permanent person.

Mr. Manfredi asked if a softball coach had been hired. Mrs. Miller said yes, they had hired an individual who had had a lot of success at Perry.

Volunteers

The Board approved the volunteers listed below. Mr. Wadsworth abstained as Pam Wadsworth is his wife.

James Klingman - Wrestling Coach

Gina Javorek Gastaldo - Gymnastics Coach

Pam Wadsworth - Strength Coach

Contracts

The Board unanimously approved contracts for:

• Renhill Group, Inc. (substitute staffing service)

• Cardinal Local Schools (agreement for special education services for Cardinal students)

• Victoria Ware - School Psychologist

• ESCNEO (Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio; provides special education services and training)

Observer Note: Copies of the contracts are in the meeting agenda available online.

NEOLA Policy

The Board unanimously approved without discussion the first and final reading for the new NEOLA policy created in response to new Ohio House Bill 214 regarding specific beliefs, affiliations, ideals, or principles. The Act requires each school district to adopt and post a policy by January 22, 2025 prohibiting the use of statements of commitment to, or soliciting or requiring specified individuals to affirmatively ascribe to, specific beliefs, affiliations, ideals, or principles concerning political movements or ideology.

Observer Note: NEOLA, formerly known as North East Ohio Learning Associates, is an education consulting firm that develops personalized bylaws, policies, guidelines, and materials to more than 1,550 school boards in six states.

Calamity Days

The Board unanimously approved the following District Plan for Excessive Calamity Days:

In the event of excessive calamity days during the 2024-2025 school year, the district will use the remote learning plan as outlined in the contract.

Observer Note: Details of the remote learning contract are available in the meeting agenda online.

Dr. Stoddard was asked how many calamity days are left. He said seniors have 3 (since they are out earlier than the rest of the students); K-11 have 4 days left.

Science of Reading Stipend Payments

The Board unanimously approved without discussion Science of Reading Stipend Payments made December 20, 2024 to ten teachers.

Observer Note: A complete list of teachers who received stipends is available in the meeting agenda. Science of Reading is a state-mandated reading program. Teachers can receive stipend reimbursement for completing the Department of Education’s Science of Reading professional development course.

42:00 min Old Business

Dr. Stoddard provided an update on the Early Learning Center modular classrooms. 

• Punch list walk through will be Friday, January 17  

• Ramp is scheduled for installation at the end of the week of January 13

• Concrete can be poured at the beginning of the week of January 20

• Once concrete is set, the school can apply for the occupancy permit

• With occupancy permit, the move-in can start

Mr. Manfredi asked if there was any concern about pouring concrete in the cold. Dr. Stoddard said not so far. Mrs. Miller asked about a landscape plan. Dr. Stoddard said they plan to plant grass, but do not currently have additional landscaping plans.  Dr. Stoddard noted they also have to install fencing. The Board thought creating a landscape plan might be a good project for Makerspace. 

43:55 min New Business

Dr. Stoddard stated how grateful the school is to the Prestons for their donation to purchase the former ODOT property. The Prestons will attend the February meeting at which they will be recognized and personally thanked. Dr. Stoddard noted that Preston has already started the clean-up at the former ODOT site.  Dr. Stoddard and Mrs. McCaffrey have a meeting scheduled to plan clean-up in the school’s area. 

Mr. Manfredi asked when the tree clearing would be finished as work had stopped due to the cold weather. Dr. Stoddard was unsure; Mr. Manfredi will follow up. 

45:15 min Board Members Recognition Month

Dr. Stoddard noted it was Board Recognition month and thanked the Board, saying he appreciated their leadership and service. He then presented a certificate to each member.

46:05 min Board Discussion

Next Board meeting date will be a special meeting on Wednesday, January 22 to discuss future school funding. Additional meetings are scheduled for February 10, 2025 and March 10, 2025. All meetings are at 6:00 PM in the Berkshire Board of Education Auditorium, 141 Claridon Troy Road, Burton, Ohio 44021.

No Executive Session 

48:00 min Meeting Adjourned

 

Observer: Rooney Moy

Editor: Carol Benton

Reviewer: Sarah McGlone

Date Submitted: 01/25/2025

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