Meeting Details: This Special meeting began at 6:30 pm at the Chardon Middle School at 424 North St., Chardon, Ohio. The meeting was moved from the Board of Education building due to the large number of public participants. The November 21st regular meeting was rescheduled to this date. A virtual option and video are available on the Geauga TV website.
Attendance: Board members Todd Albright, Karen Blankenship, Keith Brewster, C.J. Paterniti and Dr. Guy Wilson.
Staff Attendance: Superintendent Michael Hanlon, Assistant Superintendent Ed Klein, Assistant Superintendent Steven Kofol and Treasurer Deb Armbrewster.
The Pledge was recited and the Mission Statement read.
Minutes: October 17, 2022 minutes were approved.
Agenda: Consent agenda was approved unanimously and without discussion.
Superintendent’s Report
Recognized CHS Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Makenna Rickets for creating LAX-ABLE, a lacrosse clinic series for disabled kids.
Recognized Chardon Varsity Volleyball and Cross-Country teams for their accomplishments this season.
Capital Improvement Plan was presented by Steven Kofol
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Guy Wilson asked what major projects are on the radar beyond 2023-24. They will include plumbing at all the facilities and Munson Elementary sewage upgrade.
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Albright inquired about electrical in the buildings. It was confirmed that the electrical system is being taxed due to the upgrade in equipment (refrigerators, technology) and will need to be addressed.
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Albright recommended that Kofol consider outsourcing landscaping and snow removal as a cost saving measure. Hanlon explained that collective bargaining would be an obstacle.
Curriculum Committee recommendations (items 5.6-5.11)
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Blankenship reported that there was no community feedback on the proposed curriculum changes.
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Albright was the only Nay vote on items 5.6-5.9, explaining he didn’t have enough time to understand the changes or the process.
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Assistant Superintendent Ed Klein explained that the curriculum changes result from “holes” in the curriculum that teachers identify when teaching.
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They discussed the formation of the Curriculum Council to review every five years.
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Wilson explained that the materials in the curriculum are not mandated by the state but were vetted by our educators before being proposed to the board. Any additional vetting by the board would be micromanaging our faculty and administration’s expertise. They did not want to go down that rabbit hole.
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Albright disagreed and expressed his desire to personally read every book outlined in the curriculum for due diligence.
5.12 and 5.13 regarding changes to Transportation to be Impractical for the 2022-2023 School Year were approved unanimously
5.14 Approved officially changing Maple Elementary to Chardon Early Learning Center
5.16 Unanimously approved elevator replacement at the high school. Kofol reported that they have a maintenance contract for the elevator, but the repairman said there was nothing more they could do. The elevator is so old they can no longer find parts. Completion expected by Spring. Paterniti inquired about inspection and certification. Kofol confirmed they are good until the elevator is replaced. Brewster added that the elevator and the chillers are being purchased through a school consortium.
CFO Report: All agenda items were unanimously approved including Five Year Forecast. Wilson reminded the board that the Forecast was just a plan that will change and should not be looked at as a budget. Blankenship added that the report was due to the state by 11/30/22.
Board Reports
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Chardon Schools Foundation : No report
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Legislative Report: Brewster reported that HB 403 passed the House. This would require that a report be filed by the district when a teacher retires while under disciplinary threat. SB 178 legislation is in process. This would change the way the State Board of Education is structured. Ohio Board of Education recommended to the General Assembly to eliminate the third grade learning guarantee.
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Auburn Career Center report was given by Blankenship
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Student/Staff Liaison Report was given by Paterniti
Blankenship, Brewster, and Albright reported on the sessions they attended at the OSBA Capital Conference. Albright inquired about the legislative portion and asked how our delegate, Brewster, voted on the issues and how he came to those decisions. Brewster explained that some districts hold a work session before the Capital Conference to discuss how they will vote on the legislative issues.
New Business: Blankenship reported that she spoke with a representative from OSBA regarding coming to Chardon to facilitate a workshop for their board. The board agreed it was a good idea and will explore topics for the workshop.
January 4, 2023 was determined as the 2023 Organizational Meeting
Public Hearing: One woman in the public wished to make a comment, but it was determined she was not a resident, nor a business owner in Chardon, which violates the policy. She thought if her business impacted those from Chardon she would qualify. It was said that the business or the person must be in Chardon.
Meeting adjourned at 9:02 pm
Board agendas and minutes are available online.
Next regular meeting is scheduled for December 19, 2022.
Name of Observer: Becki Gierman
Date submitted: 12/01/2022
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
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