January 2020 Board of Education Regular Meeting

Superintendent Nickoli explained that we will be using Bricker & Eckler for all legal matters except for the HVAC/construction lawsuit for which Pioneer will be using Cullimore Law Offices.

No further questions of discussions.  Sent to vote.

As I reported in December, we rolled over the CDAR that came due December 19 into a 3 month CDAR. The CDAR rates are really low right now. We have another one coming due February 20 and I will probably place it in Star Ohio which is at 1.86% right now. We currently have $3M in long term investments. (more than 1 year out), and we have about 2.5M in Commercial Paper and Gov’t Agencies. I am going to set up a meeting with Charla Irvin at Richland Bank to discuss some options within the Portfolio account.

As you can see, the Bond Retirement Account has decreased due to using a part of that balance to pay off some of the original 2008 COPS issue. We used $72,600 from the Reserve account and we will be using the remaining balance over the next 2 years to pay off those original COPS.

If you look at the YTD percentage of spending, you will see that Purchased services, supplies and materials and miscellaneous objects are all above where we should be at this time. I went through all of the expenditure line items, and found no large expenditures to cause this, we might have to increase our normal 3% increase on our 5-year forecast in coming years. Some of these figures should come down in the coming months as we supplant some of these figures to the Student Wellness and Success Fund. Some of these include partial SRO costs and school nurse expenditures.

I have spoken with our audit firm of Rea & Assoc. and they are trying to make their schedule work so we can have our post audit meeting before our February meeting.

January is the month to submit the County Budget to the County Auditor. A copy of the form is attached. The tax budget I am reporting this year is $8,713,352. This is based on the valuations reported by the county and the State and the effective rates established by both. I have attached a number of charts for your review on valuations, rates and revenues. I am going to jump to the comparison graphs for our discussion tonight. Last year’s total valuation was 2,535,104,150 compared to this year’s total valuation of 2,912,587,570. As you see and expect, the largest increase is in PUPP tax valuation. The County Auditor’s office told me that these valuations were the valuations that Rover pipeline will be paying on. This does not include the portion of the valuation that is being appealed by Rover. If you remember, this is the estimate I used when the State first came out with the new valuations in October. I was not comfortable with their valuations and choose to use a lower figure. I will request actual tax bills from the County Treasurer as soon as they are released so we might know what to expect.

The last comparison is between revenue by class and revenue by levy. Of course, the latest renewal levy produces the most revenue.

Mr. Kowlaksi reported as follows.

We will incorporate innovative educational practices in both academic and career technical settings that will create success, value and competitive advantage for all students. Meeting with Plumbers and Pipefitters 42 to discuss opportunities with Adult Education. Mr. Tuttle and Mr. Brockwell took Web Exams in Columbus. Students in Mr. Karl and Mr. Stevens lab making Welding Booths for Mansfield Senior.

We will promote student excellence through the building of skills for lifelong success and promoting programs and policies that facilitate student achievement. SKILLS USA NW Regional representative visited Pioneer. Mock Trial competition this Friday, January 17th at Richland County Courthouse.

We will foster an environment that promotes commitment, engagement and inclusivity from all stakeholders. Hosted Partner School Principals Meeting. Adult Education attended New OTC Director Meeting.

We be fiscally responsible to the community, students, staff and all stakeholders while supporting effective, innovative educational programs and providing facilities that are safe, healthy and functional. Mr. Brenneman noted installation of new copiers and new calling software training.

will work to ensure curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional learning that are critical success indicators for the school system, all levels of system operation have to link back to the improvement of student achievement. High expectations must be in place for school staff and students at all times. Preparation of In-Service on January 31st – Trauma Informed Care, Cultural Diversity and Self Care- Stress.

We will implement effective, accurate, and meaningful communications that facilitate dialogue, encourage involvement in PCTC programs, and create community advocacy. 21 Leaders from CU Lead (Crawford County) visited programs at Pioneer, Kehoe Center and Performing Arts. Culinary Arts provided a delicious buffet and 6 Performing Arts students sang and danced for them.

will work together to sustain a responsive, caring, and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported and empowered.

We will remain dedicated to our profession by engaging in on-going professional development to stay current on trends in education, business and industry across the curriculum. PD – Book Study “GRIT” – 7 staff members participating.

We will ensure a safe and secure environment for all and to ensure PCTC is prepared to effectively respond to all emergencies. Mr. Calhoon submitted Annual Emergency Operations Plan to ODE and also Mid-Year Emergency Drill Log to State Fire Marshall.

Mr. Grady reported as follows.

The General Assembly has not reconvened since the Holiday break.

The governor has signed into law HB2 and HB4.

Two outstanding bills not yet passed are SB218 - no school before 8:30 and SB219 which would establish partnerships between businesses and schools for apprenticeships.

Senate Bill 199 has been introduced by Matt Huffman.  This bill would make scholarship donations to schools tax deductible.

Superintendent Nickoli reported as follows:

I would like to congratulate our reappointed Board Members. Mr. Mike Grady has been reappointed by the Shelby City Schools Board of Education and Ms. Margie Prater who has been reappointed by the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center Board of Governors. We welcome you back for another three years and we greatly appreciate your service to Pioneer.

I would also like to welcome Ms. Robin Almanson who was appointed by the Crestline Exempted Village Schools as our newest Board Member.

January is Board of Education Appreciation Month, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of our students and staff. You are to be commended for the progress that Pioneer has made toward increasing student learning and improving student achievement. Also, in recognition of that service is a certificate presented by the Ohio School Boards Association signed by Randy Smith, OSBA President and Rick Lewis, OSBA Executive Director.

Planning is well underway for our Spring Break student trip to Washington DC. You have copies of the agenda and cost estimates at your seats. We are hoping to have 24 students and 6 chaperones for this first annual event. Our students are in the process of fundraising to help offset the costs of the trip so I am sure they would greatly appreciate your support.

In the consent agenda, Bricker and Eckler LLP was once again approved as our legal consultant. Nicole Donovsky, a school attorney with Brickler and Eckler LLP has been our legal consultant for the past two years. It is my recommendation that we continue to employ the services of this firm and until we close on the renovation, retain the services of Desmond Cullimore as our Construction Consultant.

Ohio ACTE Legislative Seminar

As was mentioned at our December Board Meeting, the Ohio ACTE Legislative Seminar is scheduled for February 5 & 6. We are scheduling visits throughout the day on February 5. This is a very important opportunity to connect with those legislators who are returning to office but more importantly to educate new Senators and Representatives as to the value of CTE to Ohio’s workforce development efforts.

New Student Visitation

Prospective students will tour our labs on January 29th and 30th. Thursday night, January 30th, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm will be the Open House for new students and their parents. This is a very important time and the beginning of the recruitment cycle for next year.

As in the past, we have scheduled an additional “Second-Look” Open House on Parent Teacher Conference Night on February 26th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

OSBA Central Region Spring Conference

OSBA Central Region Spring Conference is Wednesday, March 13th at the Villa Milano, 1630 Schrock Road, Columbus. We will have a sign-up sheet at the next board meeting.

Ralph Phillips Business Partner of the Year Award

The Business Partner of the Year Award evening will be held on Wednesday, March 14th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. I am pleased to announce that we are collecting some outstanding nominations

I am recommending that you employ Mrs. Valerie Bower as a 12-hour STNA Instructor at Bucyrus High School.

All other personnel items are common for this time year.

No questions or discussions.  Sent to vote.

No questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.