March 2021 Regular Board of Education Meeting

Superintedent Nickoli informed the Board that this resolution is necessary since we are resuming in person meetings.

No more discussion or questions.  Sent to vote.

No more discussion or questions.  Sent to vote.

Treasurer Schumacher reported as follows:

Budget update –  Hearings and meetings are being held in the House.  They expect a substitute Bill to be introduced this week and then more hearings and committee meetings until they come up with their version of the budget.  The expectations from lobbyists are there will not be a lot of major changes from the House except this is where, if at all, the proposal to implement the Fair Funding Model will be included. They feel it will be included and the funding will come from the Student Wellness and Success monies because the new funding formula has a lot of the same concepts included in its computation as the SWFS money guidelines.  But, then it goes to the Senate where they expect to see School choice and Voucher expansion the main agenda for the Senate.  It looks as though they will introduce an Education Savings Account as a part of the Ed Choice Program.  Senator Huffman is a huge advocate of school choice and voucher expansion.  The budget bill also includes a requirement to include a second community partner in the plan for Student Wellness and Success funds.  Of course, if they use the SWSF to fund the Fair School Funding Formula, we won’t need and community partners. I did get the answer to one question concerning the freeze on the foundation funding.  Would it be outside the freeze?  The lobbyists believe it will be inside the freeze just as it was this year. What fun this is!

We moved $4M from PNC to Civista.  Civista is now a higher rate than Star Ohio. I just checked Star Ohio and it .08%.  Civista is .10%.  That little bit of time from 2017 to 2020 when interest rates were looking better was so much more fun than back to 0%.  We still have some decent CD’s out through May of 2023 with interest from 2 to 2.75%.

Some further discussion concerning using GEER monies to cover losses in 006 Food Service fund.  I asked directly of Aaron Rausch from ODE if the GEER funds could be used to cover Food Service deficits. His answer is as follows: “Yes. This is allowable under “continuity of operations” or the allowable use that speaks to planning for and coordinating during long-term closures. I recommend shifting staff costs from 006 to 508 (GEER). Your costs to continue to employ staff continued, but revenues dropped as a result of hybrid or remote instruction.”  My nest question to him was “Thank you so much for your prompt response. One last question. We have to serve free lunches all year, and have seen a deficit in our funds due to the "free lunches". Is any of this allowable use of GEER funds?”  his response: “Interesting, so you haven’t seen a drop in participation in your lunch programs? Either way – I think you can use “continuity of operations.”  So it looks as though we will be able to use some of the GEER funds to make Food Service whole at year-end.

We received our first advancement of taxes from Richland County totaling $202,000.00. 

We made our annual 034 Maintenance Fund transfer of $425,360 in February and made a few adult ed Cares Act monies transfers.

Director Kowalski reported as follow:

1. 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.  Several staff members assisted with 1^st and 2^nd dose of vaccines at Shelby High School

2.Pioneer staff and students will foster a compassionate, responsive and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported and empowered. NTHS received letters of acceptance and also conducted Food Drive to fill the cupboards at Shelby pantry. Promotion of scholarships in all labs. First student Apprenticeship with MTD – Precision Machining.

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.  Mrs. Barr meeting with Richland County Safety Council – virtual.  Review of layouts for lunch to ensure safety and meeting safety requirements.

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.  Mr. Beal and the Industrial Diesel Seniors visited Mansfield City Schools and performed bus inspection on possible purchase of used bus.  Students from Mr. Johnson’s Meat and animal Science class participated in Virtual Meat Judging Contest.  Students in Skills USA participated virtually in Regional competitions and 22 move on to State and 6 Voting Delegates (vote for state officers)- Student received Cosmetology license from the 2020 class Hunter Vaughan (Buckeye Central HS).

5.Pioneer will sustain financial stability by optimizing current resources, exploring alternative resources, managing facilities to meet staff, students and community needs. Purchased 2011 school bus from Mansfield City Schools to upgrade fleet.

Mr. Vargyas spoke to the Board about the Virtual Sophomore visitations that were accomplished in the last month.

Mr. Grady discussed SB62 and HB153 which would reduce property valuation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our organizations oppose this matter.

A brief discussion of the American Rescue Act included some of the figures for education.

Superintendent Nickoli reported as follows:

On a much more positive note, new student enrollment is high again this year.  The overall sophomore class that we are recruiting from is smaller than in past years but our percentage of applications remains high. Currently, we have 655 applications which puts our projected enrolment at 1,255 for the 2020-2021 school year.  Thanks to our Student Services Department and to Mr. Vargyas for their tremendous work in these very unusual circumstances.  The whole staff and student body worked very hard and did an outstanding job this year to prepare our virtual tours.

We are working to put together a virtual Awards Program and Senior Moments Ceremony.  At this time, we still don’t have clear guidance from the Ohio Department of Health but we expect more detailed information later this week.  I have invited representatives to our Richland County Superintendents’ Meeting this Friday to share available updates. 

We expect the guidance to continue to limit indoor attendance and since we are using the arena as a cafeteria to permit social distancing, we don’t have a space large enough to accommodate spectators which necessitates the virtual events this year.  We are working very hard to recognize the accomplishments of our students and I think you will be very proud of the outcomes. 

We are at the end of our first Chromebook Lease and Luke Brenneman, our Technology Coordinator, has worked to find the best price for our next set of devices.  We will be entering into that agreement in the very near future.  Our 1-to-1 program has been very successful and made our response to the pandemic much more manageable for both staff and students.

We have another large capital project this summer.  It is time to reseal the split-faced block on the exterior of our building.  This is necessary approximately every ten years and we are now at that point.  This is a large project and, once we have the project specifications, we will be seeking bids for the job.  I would anticipate that we will bring a bid for you to approve at our May meeting.   

                       April 30                - Awards Program – (Virtual)

• • May 7                    - Senior Moments (Virtual)
  • May 15                  - Prom
  • Postponed - Ralph Phillips Business Partner Dinner
  • Postponed - Pioneer All-Board Dinner

At our February Meeting you accepted the retirement resignations of Mary Lee Barr as the Director of Business Affairs and Jim Calhoon as the Assistant Director for the High School.  Tonight, I am asking that you hire Kris Kowalski as the Director of Business Affairs and Jolene Young as the Assistant Director for the High School.  I am also asking that you hire Clay Frye as the Director of Operations.  I have great confidence in these individuals and believe these moves will put Pioneer in a position to continue to grow and serve our communities for many years to come. 

These internal changes will leave two Supervisors positions vacant.  We have tentatively posted these positions internally and will begin advertising them externally this week.

Additionally, I am recommending 3 year contracts for Shannon Sprang, Academic and Student Services Supervisor and Kevin Vargyas, Career-Technical Supervisor.

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

No questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.

No questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.

Supertinedent Nickoli explained that this is an MOU concerning Adult Education and the training of inmates who have completed their sentence and have been released.

No more questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.