February 2020 Regular Board of Education Meeting

Superintendent Nickoli explained that administration from Mansfield City Schools had called and requested that the MOU for Pioneer and Mansfield City Adult Ed Welding classes be removed from the consent agenda.  No more discussion or questions.  The vote was taken on the consent agenda without item 4.5.

Treasurer Schumacher reported as follows:

We are coming up on the renewal rates for Jefferson Health Plan. We will receive those at the semi-annual meeting in April. It looks like we should have another good rating review.

I have spoken with Charla Irvin at Richland Bank. Richland can give us a 3-year Marketable CD at 1.75%. We also discussed purchasing some more Commercial Paper for 90 days at 1.57%. Richland Bank CDARS are paying, at best, 1.53% for 13 weeks. All others are lower. With all of the restrictions we have, we just don’t have much of an option. I believe I will cash in the CDAR and deposit it in Star Ohio which is currently paying 1.77% annualized yield and 1.77% overnight yield. Then I will keep an eye out on commercial paper and other options for further investment.

Everything remains stable in the general fund. I received notice we will be receiving the first real estate tax advance soon and then collections will begin in March. I have also contacted the County Treasurer office and requested a copy of the rover tax bills, so we have an idea of what will be coming (at least from Richland County). The transfer is for the Student Wellness and Success Funds that have been budgeted for the GEMS organization.

Melissa Myers attended the meeting as the EAP Representative.

Director Kowlaksi reported as follows:

Pioneer Career & Technology Center

Board Goals

2019-2020

February 17, 2020

We will incorporate innovative educational practices in both academic and career technical settings that will create success, value and competitive advantage for all students. Students in Microsoft Office received over 70 certifications in 2013 Microsoft Word program.

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 competition at Penta Career Center – 2 Silver Medals – Criminal Justice and Crime Scene Investigation. Over 22 Students competed.

We will foster an environment that promotes commitment, engagement and inclusivity from all stakeholders. Students in National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) completed school-wide fundraiser for Domestic Violence Shelter collecting bath towels, toilet paper and paper towels. Mr. Kluding attended 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. Maintenance installed 18 Hand Sanitizers throughout the building.

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. Successful In-Service for staff on January 31st – Trauma Informed Care, Cultural Diversity and Self Care- Stress. Mr. Frye and Mr. Paulin participated in Program Review for Manufacturing and b Page programs.

We will implement effective, accurate, and meaningful communications that facilitate dialogue, encourage involvement in PCTC programs, and create community advocacy. Thirty Leaders from Richland County Leadership program toured the building. .

We will work together to sustain a responsive, caring, and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported and empowered. Speaker for our students on Cultural Sensitivity last Friday.

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. Visited Mount Vernon High School Drone Technology class to investigate elective course offering.

We will ensure a safe and secure environment for all and to ensure PCTC is prepared to effectively respond to all emergencies. Administration reviewed a Security presentation for updated system for the building.

Board member Mike Grady reported as follows:

Ed Choice voucher registration has been extended to April 1.  Many lawsuits have been filed against this.  The Senate amended HB9 with a change that would reflect 400-500 eligible school buildings down from the estimated 1,200 eligible school buildings in 2021.  The House has proposed to phase out performance based eligibility and change it to need-based.  They have also proposed a change from the title of "Ed Choice" to "Buckeye Opportunity Scholarship"

Superintendent Nickoli reported as follows:

SOPHOMORE VISITATION

This year approximately 1,400 sophomore students from our partner schools, Goal Digital Academy, and the Ashland City Schools visited Pioneer for Sophomore Visitation on January 29th & 30th. This was a slight change from past years when we spread our visits over 3 days rather than 2. You might also recall that this number is a bit lower than past years due to a decrease in enrollment of our Partner Districts. Our Annual Open House on Thursday, January 30th, was a huge success with many potential students and their parents visiting our program and learning more about what we have to offer. As in the past, we have decided to offer a Second Look Open House on February 25th from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm for those students who did not have a chance to visit or who would like to make another visit. Currently, we have about 20 fewer student applications compared to last year’s number at this point but would still generate an enrollment of slightly over 1,200 students next year. I cannot commend Student Services Department, our staff and our students enough for their hard work and a job well done!

WINTER WEATHER

Mother nature started much milder this year but has increased in intensity lately. So far this school year, we have used four (4) weather-related calamity days and one (1) two – hour delay. We currently have 1021.5 hours of remaining instructional time scheduled. Just a reminder that should we use an additional Calamity Day, we still have three (3) Blizzard Bag Days available before we would be required to make up any time.

LEGISLATIVE SEMINAR

Ohio Association for Career-Technical and Adult Education (ACTE) hosted the annual legislative seminar in Columbus on February 5th and 6th, 2020. Board President Doug aker and Vice-President Dick Prater as well as Members Royden Smith and Robyn Almanson as well as Kris Kowalski, Linda Schumacher, Tom Kluding, Jolene Young and myself had great visits with Representatives Mark Romanchuk of Richland County, Riordan McClain of Crawford County and Dick Stien of Huron County as well as aides from Senate President Larry Obhoff’s office. y are all very supportive of Career Technical Education and our district and seemed very understanding of the impact that Career and Technical Education has on the economy.

ADULT EDUCATION UPDATE

I am pleased to report that after much deliberation and conversation I will be recommending Don Paullin as our new Assistant Director of Adult Education. You know Mr. Paullin as a Career-Technical Supervisor for the High School and he has not only distinguished himself as an outstanding high school administrator but has proven to be ready to take on the leadership of our Adult Education operations. I will make this recommendation at the March meeting and will be posting an Anticipate Opening for a High School Career-Technical Director. This opening requires a High School Principal’s license and, of course, we prefer the successful candidate have career-technical experience if possible.

2020-2021 CALENDAR FOR REVIEW

I am providing you with a draft copy of the proposed 2020-2021 calendar for the high school. This proposal is in compliance with both the Ohio Department of Education requirements and our current Negotiated Agreement. We have met the requirement to provide public input into the calendar and I will bring it back to you at the March Board Meeting for your approval.

CALENDAR ITEMS

CAREER TECHNICAL MONTH

February is Career-Tech Education Month! Joanne Humphrey, our Marketing Coordinator has several activities planned this month. They include a variety of press releases, posts to our Social Media accounts, electronic display announcement, Second Look Open House, and Job Shadow Days for our Seniors. I have provided a handout that shares some of the outstanding data related to CTE in Ohio! Please feel free to take it back and share it with your local Boardss.

OSBA CENTRAL REGION MEETING

The 2020 OSBA Central Region Spring Conference will be held Monday, March 11th at Villa Milano Banquet and Conference Center in Columbus. Just a reminder that we will have Mrs. Dixon recognized as well as our Precision Machining Program.

The conference will begin with a Networking Hour at 5:00 pm, Legislative Update at 6:00pm followed by dinner at 6:15 pm and program and keynote speaker at 7:00 pm.

PIONEER’S RALPH PHILLIPS’ BUSINESS PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARD DINNER

The Ralph Phillips’ Business Partner of the Year Award Dinner will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 6:00 pm in the Pioneer Cafeteria. This award was started in 2006 to honor those business partners that have greatly contributed and supported Pioneer and our students. Our first recipient was Ralph Phillips, owner and president of Phillips Manufacturing Each year the partner is selected based on their commitment to education; support and participation in mentoring, job shadowing, Career Technical Student Organizations, field trips and community projects; service on Pioneer committees; financial support; advancement of Pioneer levies; hiring of Pioneer students; and utilization of Pioneer training opportunities. This year we are recognizing Avita Health Systems. They have been very supportive of both our secondary and adult education programs by donating materials, providing training opportunities, serving on Pioneer’s Advisory Boards, and providing guest speakers to our labs. We will also recognize past award winners at the dinner.

ALL BOARD MEMBER-ADMINISTRATIVE DINNER

Annual Administrator-Board Member Dinner will be held this year on Thursday, April 1, 2020. Hors d’oeuvres will be served at 6:00 pm with the dinner starting at 6:30 pm in the Pioneer cafeteria.

PERSONNEL

The two items of note are that I am recommending that you employ Mrs. Laura Metzger as a part-time aide in our Preschool. She will work up to 20 hours per week.

I am also recommending that you grant Meg Mergel, one our outstanding Intervention Specialists, Maternity Leave.

All other personnel items are common for this time of year.

Entered into Executive Session at 8:09 pm.  Returned to Regular Session at 8:34 pm.