December 2020 Regular Board of Education Meeting

No questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.

Treasurer Schumacher reported as follows:

Pioneer’s audit has been released by the State Auditor’s office and can be found on that website. It has been through the desk review and we have received the final billing for it.  Auditor of State Awards should be announced at the beginning of January, 2021.

It has been a busy month mostly due to COVID.  When all of the area schools went remote, we lost a lot of teachers to child care issues.  Each one is a different case and we handle each of them individually.

Financials -  Nothing happening on the investments yet.  Really, not a lot of activity going on anywhere.  In the General Fund we have the normal revenues from the State Foundation and interest income.  We did receive a Worker’s Compensation refund of $19,758.82.  We should be getting the BWC dividend ordered by Governor Dewine anytime now.  We project an almost $74,000 dividend for Pioneer.  We also received the GEER funds of almost $264,000 of which we have spent $144,000 through November 30.  These monies are available for use through September, 2022.

As far as expenditures go, everything is in line.  We may have to make an adjustment this spring as I think we are going to get more retirements than I expected.

The journal entries we have made are for NCOCC hotspot funds and the recording of some CARES Act monies.

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Mr. Kowalski reported as follows:

Pioneer will ensure that all policies are followed in regard to all legal and ethical standards related to the Covid-19 guidelines as set for by state and local authorities. Maintenance staff continue to ensure a clean environment – wiping down all desks and chairs, changing out the filters. Also Mrs. Fighters students assisted in cleaning /sanitizing projects throughout the building. All guidelines followed with remote learning for the students when Richland County reached level “purple” during month of December.

2. Pioneer staff and students will foster a compassionate, responsive

and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported

and empowered.  Master Teacher training sessions for staff.  NTHS donated a basket of games/snacks to Lucas student Riley Gossom and family.  Mr. Paullin in Adult Education has been working with the tradesman in conjunction with Crawford County Courts. Looking into expanding the Adult Education CCMA program from 440 hours to 600 hours.  Tech Department has been responsive to needs of students during remote learning – replacing computers and providing remote access if needed.  Mr. Parr delivered gifts to satellite instructors. 

3. Pioneer will ensure the health, security and safety of all students and

staff by responding to current best practices with local and state

agencies.  Richland County NAMI presentation to all staff for signs of suicide and mental health awareness.  Annual inspection of suppression systems in kitchen and collision repair.  Adult Education was able to use CARES Act funding to help make-up hours for students affected by COVID.

4. Pioneer will incentivize innovation by challenging staff and students to

step out of their normal setting in order to expose students to new

and emerging trends and technology.  Staff have provided a variety of creative lessons during the remote period.  Horticulture – Mrs. Grau delivered material for wreaths and Holiday centerpieces for the students. Drone Class – Mr. Yohe’s students made bamboo Dragonfly propellers. Material Science class created homemade snowflakes (6 sided) same structure as crystals.  Math – Ms. Niswander’s class made Italian cookies at home working with ratios and proportions.  Also baked pies taking photos using fractions.  Career Tech – teachers embraced technology creating video lessons and ZOOMING with the students.

5. Pioneer will sustain financial stability by optimizing current resources,

exploring alternative resources, managing facilities to meet staff,

students and community needs.  Crestline, Galion and Shelby Family and Consumer Science teachers received a $1,000 FACTS stipend each for their programs to implement a safety feature related to program. Mrs. Barr worked with Mr. Dichtl - Graphic Arts and Mr. Brown – Collison Repair in the design of school/information logo on new Transit vehicles.  Mrs. Barr also worked with Maintenance to repurpose some shelving at Performing Arts.

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Superintendent Nickoli reported as follows:

At this very special time of the year, we always to take a moment and thank you for your support and dedication to Pioneer!  The Holidays are always such a special time of year!!  We hope you have time to relax and enjoy your family and friends!! 

For the last 3 weeks, from the Tuesday after Thanksgiving until this past Friday, Pioneer has been delivering our instruction remotely.  Our teachers have reported to school each day during that time and, as Mr. Kowalski shared, have been doing a tremendous job of providing engaging lessons and following up with students to ensure that our students are learning and achieving.  Please know that our directive from the City of Shelby Health Department has been that so long as Richland County is designated Purple then we would not have students on campus.

It has been customary, in past years, to have the past Board of Education President serve as the President Pro-Temp at the Organizational Meeting in January. That being said, I would like to recommend that you elect Mr. Theaker to serve in that capacity.  Our previous discussion indicated that we planned to conduct the Organizational Meeting on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, prior to our Regular Board Meeting. 

01/04  - Resume face-to-face instruction

We have two import personnel items this month.  It is with great regret that I am asking you to accept the resignation of Rick Stephens, Home Remodeling Instructor and Cindy Markley, a former Adult Education Staff member and, for the past 6 years, an elective Instructor. 

Rick came to us in 1990 and is completing his 30^th year as our Home Remodeling Instructor.  He has been a dedicated teacher and employee during his entire tenure at Pioneer and his leadership and calm demeanor will be greatly missed.  Those of you who are veteran Board Members might remember Rick as the emcee at our Annual Retirement Dinner where he shared unique insights into retirement and those retiring.  As I said, we will certainly miss him.

Cindy Markley joined our Adult Education staff as a business instructor in 1986 where she successfully taught a variety of courses before transitioning to our Career Transitions and Financial Aid Coordinator.  She held those positions until 2012 when she became our Adult Education Site Coordinator.  In 2015, Cindy moved to the high school staff where she currently teaches Own Your Own Business and Personal Finance.  She has done a tremendous job in all of her positions and will also be greatly missed.

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

No questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.

No questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.

No questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.

Dennis Long moved the nomination of Douglas Theaker for the office of President Pro-Tem.  Margie Prater seconded the motion and moved that the nominations be closed.

Douglas Theaker was selected President Pro-Tem of the Pioneer Career and Technology Center Board of Education for the January 2021 Organizational Meeting.