July 2020 Regular Board of Education Meeting

Teacher Katie Getz and spouse made an appeal to the Board to grant 5 dock days during the school year for a family vacatin that was planned to be taken during the summer, but due to COVID-19 has been postponed 7 times.  

Treasurer Schumacher reported as follows:

Although the reserve with the Jefferson Health Plan is high right now, we have had some very costly claims in the last few weeks.  This should put this balance back in check for next month.

We are now down to one CDAR after cashing in the certificate that came due in July.  We decided to cash that certificate in and roll it into the portfolio account.  After speaking with Brandon (at Park National) about the CDARs and both Charla and Scott (Park National portfolio account), it was decided to invest this last CDAR monies in the portfolio account.  The reasoning for this move is as follows: “Based on the Federal Reserve, we expect rates to remain at their current levels, or even lower, for the next twelve to eighteen months or more.  With that, we have been purchasing more callable pieces in portfolios that can tolerate them because bullet (non-callable) pieces do not offer much value in yields compared to callable pieces. We have been able to pick up 25 to 40 basis points more, which in this interest rate environment is a lot.

To illustrate how we are using the callable pieces, the third piece listed in the attached proposal is a bond through Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB). The maturity on this piece is July 2025 but has the ability to be called in July 2021. Since interest rates are so low, there is a high probability that this piece will be called. So, we are essentially locking in 0.73% for the next year with the expectation that this bond will be called. To compare, a 12-month bullet through the same agency is paying 0.45%. Given your current portfolio, if all four are called, or if none are called they would still be within our target maturity ranges of new purchases, a win/win so to speak.”

All fund balances are positive for year-end.  The advances were made and will be reversed in July.

These are the final figures for the general fund.  We had no retirements this year, so the personnel services is a little off the mark.  Purchased services and supplies and materials are going to need an increase for the budget next year.  They were both over budget in FY20 and will most likely be increasing significantly in FY21. 

We have quite a few transfers, advances and corrections this month.  Of course, we have the usual advances for the grants to give them a positive balance at year-end.  We also have the Wellness Funds transfer this year.  We moved the Nurse expense, the SRO and Dr. Patten out of the General Fund and into the Student Wellness and Success Fund.  We made a final adjustment for the Food Service fund.  If you remember you approved a $50,000 advance in June to the Food Service Fund.  Now, with the final figures, we can reduce that advance to $28,656,20 and return $21,343.80 to the general fund.  Finally, the last transfer is to close out the AE Perkins funding.

None.

The Board voted to approve this item, but wanted it to be known, the only reason they approved the dock days for Mrs.Getz is because she had tried to schedule the vacation at an appropriate time, but due to the "pandemic" their vacation has been rescheduled several times.  

None.

Board Member Grady discussed SB 55 which is intended "to enhance penalties for certain drug trafficking offenses committed in the vicinity of a substance addiction services provider, to modify penalties for violations of public health orders related to a pandemic, and to designate certain provisions as the Relapse Reduction Act."  In other words it would take away consequences from disobeying COVID-19 pandemic orders.  The Governor vetoed.  An attempt was made to override the veto, but failed.  Therefore, it is still a criminal act to disobey COVID orders.

Superintendent Nickoli reported as follows:

Summer work to prepare the building for the 20/21 school year is going well.  Welcome week has been moved to the week of August 10 in order for the building to be completed.

At this time, Mr Nickoli placed a call to Nicole Donovsky, attorney at the law firm of Bricker & Eckler in order to inform the board of legal issues that may arise fro the pandemic.  

The restart/reopen plan was submitted to the Shelby Health Department for their approval.  We are asked to make a change and require that masks be worn by all (staff and students when in the hallways).  The Board will vote on the adoption of the plan.

Mr. Nickoli suggested that even though an OSBA conference will probably not be held, the Board elect a delegate and alternate in case of a virtual meeting in the fall.

The Board was asked to adopt a resolution in support of the students that we denounce and reject racism and will not tolerate it in our School District. and  resolve to continue to focus on and implement policies and procedures throughout our District that support all of our students, parents, employees, volunteers and the entire Pioneer community regardless of race and that provide an environment that supports civil rights for all.

In an MOU with the Pioneer EAP, SLO's will no longer be a part fo the teacher evaluation for the 20/21 school year.

Mr. Nickoli requested a change in date for the August regular meeting in order to adopt a revised school calendar before school begins.

Important calendar dates were discussed.

Mary Jean Theaker moved, seconded by Margie Prater that Mike Grady and Bill Hope be elected as official delegate and alternate respectively from the Pioneer Career and Technology Center Board of Education to the 2020 OSBA Annual Business Meeting and conference to be held in Columbus, OH; November 8-10, 2020 and that expenses be approved according to Section 3315.15 ORC and the Board adopted policy.

Treasurer Schumacher explained that because these unclaimed funds are older than five years, they are able to be returned to the General Fund.

No more discussion or questions.  Sent to vote.

No questions or discussion.  Sent to vote

No questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.

No questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.

Entered into Executive Session at 8:46 pm for the purpose of reviewing evaluations of the Superintendent; Treasurer and Self-evaluation of the Board.  Returned to Regular Session at 8:50 pm.

No questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.