Kenston Board of Education –August 21, 2023
Meeting Details: Kenston Board of Education met in regular session on August 21, 2023 at Kenston High School, 9500 Bainbridge Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023, in the High School Auburn Bainbridge room beginning at 7:00 pm. The meeting was live streamed and is available here and on Kenston’s YouTube page. View the agenda online and any attached documents here by selecting the meeting tab and meeting date.
Public Comment Policy: available at two points of each meeting as detailed in 165.1 Regular Meetings and 165.2 Special Meetings. From the menu on the right, click on Policies and then bylaws, then 165.1 and 165.2. Note that comment cards MUST be submitted prior to the start of the meeting.
Board Attendance: President Jennifer Troutman, Vice President Neysa Gaskins, Dennis Bergansky, Beth Krause, and Tom Manning.
Staff Attendance: Superintendent Steven Sayers and Treasurer Seth Cales.
The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Troutman at 7:00 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited without the student noted on agenda, Maria Lioudis, who had a conflict and was unable to attend.
Minutes: The Kenston Board of Education is being asked to approve that the reading of these minutes be waived and to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 17, 2023 as recorded or corrected. Approved.
Board Reports and Informational Items
Kenston High School Athletic Director Reid Guarnieri presented to the Board on the state of the Athletic Department.
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He gave an update on staffing teams, and the shifting landscape of district conferences. Kenston’s conference is now down to six teams, but Mr. Guarnieri has hope that Kenston will be adding teams to their conference rather than looking to go elsewhere.
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Kenston is currently sponsoring 40-45 teams, about half of which are division I, half are division 2 and football is division 3.
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The facilities are in great shape and Mr. Guarnieri gave a shout out to Michael Huff for the quality of the outdoor facility maintenance.
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An aspect of HB 33 has created a challenge for Kenston’s online ticketing, and Kenston will respond by reverting back to some level of additional cash ticketing at the gates.
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Kenston Athletic Department’s social media presence is a healthy one.
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Mr. Guarnieri highlighted all of the sports awards and championships of the 2022-2023 school year and advised that funding was provided for Kenston's baseball team to get championship rings to be awarded at the homecoming pregame ceremony.
Kenston Athletic Boosters Co-Chair, Kevin Forney, presented on the state of the Boosters.
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KA Boosters has good momentum and funding currently. They host fundraisers, tournaments and run concessions.
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KA Boosters supports the use of Hudl software, a league management program.
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KA Booster are responsible for, and fund senior banners and player pictures as seen in businesses around town.
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Boosters provide two annual scholarships to male and female senior sports players.
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Boosters provide student sports passes to all students that allow them to get into all home games for free (with the exception of football).
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If sports teams need funds, they only need to apply to KA Boosters for them. There are funds available.
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The current goal of the Boosters is to better communicate with parents, coaches and the community so that all are informed and aware of their presence, so that more can benefit from the expanding resources of the KAB program.
Board Committees
Administrative Committees
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The District Technology Committee thanks John Molnar, Technology Director, for a successful first week of school.
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Kenston Inc. Committee will hold a meeting on November 9th, 2023 at 7:30am in the Gardner Center’s Conference Room. All business owners are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
Hearing of the Public on Agenda Items None
Financial Items None
Certified Personnel Contracts approved and can be found here by selecting Meeting Tab, Date, Agenda, and relevant topic. These include substitute pay, resignations, new contracts, and a new OTES (Ohio Teacher Evaluation System) teacher evaluator.
Classified Personnel Contracts approved and can be found here by selecting Meeting Tab, Date, Agenda, and relevant topic.
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Superintendent recommends that the board approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, Chapter 501 ("OAPSE") with regard to the Transportation Department described therein, effective August 22, 2023. See memorandum for salary schedule change here .
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Other details include resignations, new contracts, contract changes, additional hours for office substitutes, and a contract change for a transportation aide.
Supplemental Personnel Contracts approved and can be found here by selecting Meeting Tab, Date, Agenda and relevant topic, and include supplemental sports staff for the 2023-2024 school year.
Exempt Personnel Contracts approved.
Teaching and Learning Contracts approved and can be found here by selecting Meeting Tab, Date, Agenda, and relevant topic, and include an affiliation agreement with Auburn Career Center for field-based observation experience, and approval for a KHS Music Department overnight field trip.
Special Education Contracts approved and can be found here , by selecting the Meeting tab, Date, Agenda, and relevant topic. These include a number of contracts for specialized educational, vocational, behavioral, speech and language, audiological, therapeutic, and medical services.
New Business
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The Board approved a revised lease agreement, found here, with WKHR for 5 years.
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The Board approved contracted services with Suburban Transportation and Hogan Transportation (for van transportation)
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A volunteer was approved and items were declared obsolete.
Hearing of the Public on Non-Agenda Items
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Mr. Matt Myers, residing on Geauga Lake Road in the district, spoke about a transportation issue that affects his family. His children are being asked to walk on Geauga Lake Road because he was advised by transportation in the past that it is too dangerous for the bus to go up a specific hill. He requested that this situation be remedied as it is also too dangerous for his small children to walk on Geauga Lake Road. Reviewer Note: At a later point in the meeting Ms. Troutman stated that this should be discussed with the Board at a later date.
Treasurer’s Report
Superintendent’s Report
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Mr. Sayers wants to thank Mr. Molnar, staff, students and members of the community for a successful start to the 2023-2024 school year.
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Mr. Sayers advised that Amy Sparks, the new Community Coordinator, wanted him to highlight a new scheduling and calendar app targeted for teens called Saturn-Time Together. Ms. Sparks requested that parents please carefully review this app with their children as there are few parental controls and safety is a priority. Principals will be communicating additional information in the very near future.
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Mr. Sayers drew attention to a few points of information regarding the 5 year, 1.35 mill Permanent Improvement Tax Levy (PI)which will be on the November 2024 ballot.
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If the levy is approved, this revenue stream will help support the buildings, grounds and transportation fleet over the next five years.
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In recent years, the district has needed to pull approximately $575,00 a year from the general operating budget to support PI projects. If the Levy is approved, it will eliminate the need to pull these funds from the general operating fund which otherwise supports the general education program.
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Funds from the levy, if approved, will support the district’s 2023 strategic plan which is serving as a blueprint for the future of the district.
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Mr. Sayers advised that this plan when combined with the levy funds will “place the district on a path of long term financial stability.”
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Mr. Sayers wanted to emphasize that funds generated from this levy, if approved, will enable the district to “focus on permanent improvement” projects, while “streamlining operations” in a way that does not “compromise our educational programs.”
Mrs. Troutman advised that the Board met in a retreat at the beginning of August with a facilitator and made great progress. They were treated to presentations from each district principal highlighting their goals going forward which were aligned well with the Strategic Plan.
Mr. Bergansky stated that the Friday night tailgating event before the game on Friday was handled very well and safely.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gaskins to enter into Executive Session at 7:55pm to prepare for negotiations with public employees, and to discuss compensation of a public employee.
Under Ohio Law, the Board may hold Executive Sessions to discuss personnel matters, litigations, purchase of property, negotiations, matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or state statutes, and details of security arrangements. Executive Sessions are used for discussion only, no board action can be voted on in Executive Session. Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22 defines the Sunshine Law and matters for Executive Session.
Mrs. Troutman advised that no action would be taken upon their return and the meeting ended.
Next regular meeting: Monday, September 18, 2023, in the Kenston High School Bainbridge Auburn Room.
More information here: Board of Education | Kenston Local Schools
Observer: Jacqueline Berger
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
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