June 2021 Regular Board of Education Meeting

1. ROLL CALL
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Minutes

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Mary Dixon, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board Member   
Mr. John Kime, Board Member   
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Margie Prater, Board Member   
Mr. Richard Prater, Board Vice-PresidentX  
Mr. Royden Smith, Board MemberX  
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

2. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

3. MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

4. CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Minutes

Treasurer Schumacher noted that included in this consent agenda is the annual temporary appropriation measure for the Board's approval.  Also, included are the new rates for medical, dental and vision at approximately 4.5 % increase and the liability insurance rates at approximately a 5% increase.

 

No more questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mr. Richard Prater, Board Vice-President

Seconded: Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Mary Dixon, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board Member   
Mr. John Kime, Board Member   
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Margie Prater, Board Member   
Mr. Richard Prater, Board Vice-PresidentX  
Mr. Royden Smith, Board MemberX  
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

4.1 Approve May, 2021 Board of Education Meeting Minutes
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

4.2 Approve Temporary Appropriates for 2021-2022
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. NIckoli that the temporary Appropriations as presented by Treasurer Linda Schumacher, be approved.


4.3 Approve Medical, Dental and Life Insurance Rates
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

4.4 Approve Liability, Fleet and Property Insurance Coverage
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

4.5 Approve LPDC Committee

4.6 Approve List of Evaluators for Ohio Teacher's Evaluation System (OTES)
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. Nickoli that the following administrators be approved as Evaluators for Ohio Teacher's Evaluation System (OTES) for the 2021-2022 school year, upon successful completion of the required OTES refresher courses.

  • Clay Frye
  • Jolene Young
  • Matt Parr
  • Shannon Sprang
  • Kevin Vargyas
  • Jeremiah Howe
  • Daniel Slaughter

4.7 Approve Evaluator for Ohio School Counselors Evaluation System
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. Nickoli that Shannon Sprang, Supervisor, Academics and Student Services, be approved as an evaluator for the Ohio School Counselors Evaluation System (OSCES) for the 2021-2022 school year.


4.8 Approve Evaluator for Ohio Principal's Evaluation System (OPES)
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Approve Approve Gregory D. Nickoli, Superintendent and Clay Frye, Direction of Operations as evaluators for the 2021-2022 school year for the Ohio Principal's Evaluation System (OPES).


4.9 Approve Contracted Services
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. Nickoli that the following contracted services be approved:

  • Luke Brenneman as Technology Coordinator through NCOCC; 2021-2022 school year.
  • Frederick Fagan as Field Technician through NCOCC; 2021-2022 school year.

4.10 Approve Crawford County Local Interagency Agreement
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. Nickoli that the Crawford County Local Interagency Agreement for Transition of Students with Disabilities to the Workforce be approved.


4.11 Approve Job Description for Classified Personnel
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. Nickoli that the job description for the Educational Aide position be approved.


4.12 Adopt Recolution for Calamity Day Alternative Make-up Plan
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. Nickoli that the following resolution be adopted for use of blizzard bags as a Calamity Day Alternative Make Up Plan for the 2021-2022 school year.


4.13 Approve Agreement for Attendance Services
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. Nickoli that the attached Agreement for Attendance Services for the 2021-2022 School year be approved.


4.14 Accept Donations
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. Nickoli that the following donations be accepted:

  • Tim Beer, Beer's Automotive Services & Repairs, Shelby; generous donation of a transmission, coolant and three power steering flush machines.  These items will be used by our students in the Automotive Technology lab.
  • Ms. Miranda Carman, Bucyrus; generous monetary donation of $200 in memory of Tori Carman; Web Page Design alumni.  This donation will be deposited into the BPA fund and used for student activities.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Juan Escalera, Willard; generous monetary donation of $350 for the Frank Fabela Scholarship fund.  This donation will be used for annual student scholarship.
  • Mr. Garland Gates, Shelby; generous monetary donation of $250 to be deposited in the Pioneer Alumni Endowment fund.  This fund is used for annual student scholarships.
  • Pepperidge Farm, Victoria Branham, Willard; generous donation of 5 cases of Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers and 10 cases of Pepperidge Farm cookies with an approximate value of $500. These snacks were used for students attending the Pioneer Prom held May 15, 2021.
  • Richland County Sheriff's Dept, Capt. Christopher Blunk, Mansfield; generous donation of a restraint chair with an approximate value of $500.  This donation will be used for training in our Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Programs.
  • Terry Sautter, Mansfield; generous monetary donation in memory of Ron Sautter, Carpentry alumni; to be used for educational needs of the Carpentry program from:
    • Mr. & Mrs. John Kihm, Byrdstown, TN - $50
    • Donations from Snyder Funeral Home - $3,205
  • Dawn Wright-Smith, Blackbaud Giving Fund; generous monetary donation of $45.  This donation will be deposited into the Pioneer Alumni fund and used for annual student scholarships.

4.15 Approve Student Participation in FFA Officer Retreat
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. Nickoli that the student participation in the FFA Officer Retreat be approved as outlined below:

FFA Officer Retreat, June 23 - 25, 2021; Hocking Hills, OH

  • PIONEER/WYNFORD FFA OFFICER TEAM:  Lexie Wood, Avery Langenderfer, Allison Lust, Lydia Pfeifer, Hanna Fedlman, James Schiefer, Maycie Morgan, Brandon Vent, Collin Langenderfer, Makenna Zaebst, Brooklin Brown, Katelyn Wagner, Jordyn Alspach, Reese McGuire.  CHAPERONES:  Mike Hoffman, AG Instructor/FFA Advisor; and Tessa Martin, Ag Instructor/FFA Advisor.

5. FINANCIAL REPORT
Linda Schumacher, Treasurer

Minutes

Treasurer Schumacher reported as follows:

Our Jefferson Health Plan Fund remains high.  We have had many large claims, but since we decided to keep the stop loss at $50,000, we have received reimbursement for those large claims.  So far this year with just 1 month to go we have received $1,540,147 in medical reimbursements and $144,487 in Pharmacy reimbursements.  I also have a chart to share which shows the last ten years’ rates for our health, dental and vision insurances.  As you can see, overall we have a very good ten-year average for our insurance plans.  We hope to see even more improvements with the offering of the HSA plan.

Fund Balances – As we have discussed before, food Services has a deficit again this year.  As of May it is --$83,520.  We have included 2 journal entries for your approval.  The first being $33,618.50 from GEER funds.  We used the expenditures for the month of December when the school was closed.  This constitutes “continuity of operations” and therefore allowable under GEER guidelines.  The second transfer is from the General Fund for $28,116.  This is an estimate of the remaining deficit.  If any changes need to be made, we will approve them in the July meeting.  We received the final reimbursement for the year in June, so that helped the deficit decrease in June.

We are keeping an eye on the fund balance in Adult Ed. The balance is down to $141,183 as of May 31 and will most likely decrease in June again. 

 I am extremely happy with the General Fund revenues and expenditures.  GEER monies and SWSF monies helped tremendously this year.  We used $135,413 from SWSF to supplant the general fund for the school nurse, SRO and mental health services.  GEER monies include the Food Service transfer, instructional software and education technology.  The only line item we might come in over our budget is Employee Retirement/Insurance Benefits.  We had a lot of late notice retirements this year.

I have a lot of journal entry approvals for you this month in trying to get ahead of the year-end rush.  We have discussed them throughout my report.

For your approval this month is also the Amended Certificate and Final Appropriations we are required to submit to the County Auditor.  The largest adjustment being to the health plan fund to include the required reserve encumbrance.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mr. Richard Prater, Board Vice-President

Seconded: Mr. Mike Grady, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Mary Dixon, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board Member   
Mr. John Kime, Board Member   
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Margie Prater, Board Member   
Mr. Richard Prater, Board Vice-PresidentX  
Mr. Royden Smith, Board MemberX  
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

6. RECOGNITION OF GUESTS
Gregory Nickoli, Superintendent

7. EAP REPRESENTATIVE
Sandy Grau, EAP President

8. PUBLIC INPUT
Gregory Nickoli, Superintendent

Board Policy Section 0164


9. CORRESPONDENCE
Gregory Nickoli, Superintendent

Minutes

Thank you note from Carmean Award winner.


11. LEGISLATIVE LIAISON REPORT
Mr. Mike Grady, Board Member

Minutes

Mr. Grady opened discussions on both the Biennial budget and SB166 which requires the Department of Education to establish the Student Pathways for Career Success Grant Program to provide grants to lead districts of career-technical planning districts (CTPD) and Ohio Technical Centers for the purpose of improving or expanding upon
career-technical education programming that meets state or regional workforce needs. 


12. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Gregory Nickoli, Superintendent

Minutes

Superintendent Nickoli reported as follow:

The Pioneer Administrators and support staff went to summer hours the week of June 7th.  We work extended hours four days per week and take Fridays off.  This schedule will be in place for the next 6 weeks and we will resume normal hours after that.  We have used this schedule for a number of years and it has worked satisfactorily for everyone. 

Not only is it hard to believe that the 2020 – 2021 school year is over, it’s amazing to reflect back on how well it went.  Our staff and students pulled together to make a challenging situation not only bearable but also enjoyable.  It was so nice to see kids in labs and doing what we do best!

The administrative staff is now beginning to prepare for next year. I appreciate their hard work in preparation for what is likely to be a more normal 2021 – 2022 school year.  We conducted the first of our Administrative Training days with a full-day of training by Dr. Thomas Glanton, of the Education Company.  Their system is the one we model our school-wide classroom management system after. 

As we have for many years, we are offering Summer School options for high school students.  We currently have 44 students taking advantage of the program.  Some are working ahead to open up spots in their schedule for other classes and some are completing credit recovery classes. 

Our Adult Education program is currently offering an evening STNA Course.  We have 10 students in that class.

We are in the midst of planning for the 2020-2021 school year.  As we concluded the previous year we were led to believe that this year would be near normal with many of the restrictions and or required procedures lifted.  Recent guidance distributed by the Richland County Health Department (see handout).  I have arranged a meeting with the Richland County Superintendents tomorrow morning where we will discuss our interpretations of this guidance and our intra-district plans.

I am asking that you approve an agreement for Pioneer to resume Fiscal Services for the North Central Ohio Computer Cooperative (NCOCC).  NCOCC is the internet/technology provider for School Districts in Richland, Crawford, and Morrow Counties.  You might remember that several months ago, NCOCC Executive Director Brent Winand indicated that they were pursuing a move of their offices from their current location at the Longview Center in Mansfield to the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center.  With the physical move, it made sense to have MOESC also serve as their fiscal agent so they notified us that they would be changing fiscal agents.  Some unforeseen circumstances have arisen and the move of offices is not happening.  MOESC does not want to assume those duties without the move so Dr. Winand approached us about resuming our role.  Pioneer has been the NCOCC fiscal agent since its inception, in part, because we hosted their offices and equipment until their move to the Longview Center.  As a partner and leader in this region, it only makes sense that we resume this partnership.

You should have at your tables, Policy Revision 2370.01 entitled Blended Learning.  This past year, ODE allowed for a Remote Learning Plan which provided great flexibility.  Remote Learning Plan options expire June 30th so any online programming has to fall within ODE’s Blended Learning Plan which is different and much more regulated.  NEOLA is recommending this policy to ensure compliance with necessary requirements.  At this time, I don’t anticipate offering Blended Learning Options.

I’d like to request that the Board consider changing the July Regular Meeting to Wednesday, July 14th.  My family is planning a vacation for the week of July 19 and, while I am prepared to join them after our meeting if necessary, I’d like to travel with them.  With busy kids, it’s the only week that works for us this Summer.

As is often the case in June, we have a full list of Personnel recommendations. 

Retirement – Kevin Coleman – Auto Tech Level 1

Resignation – Robyn Stacy – FCS at Galion

Resignation – Melissa Paullin – Part-time aide to accept position as full-time aide

Resignation – Catherine Spayde – Part-time aide to accept position as full-time aide

Resignation – Sarah Frazier – Part-time Distribution/Bus Drive (to accept full-time position         at Colonel Crawford)

 

Employment – Leanne Bauerdick (retiree contract) - Math

Employment – Beth Heinlen – Guidance Counselor

Unpaid Leave of Absence – Jessica Cooper (Adult Education Secretary) for Maternity Leave

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

We will enter into executive session for discussing the evaluations of the Superintendent and Treasurer and the self-evaluation of the Board of Education.


13. PERSONNEL REPORT
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. Nickoli that the following personnel recommendations be approved:

  • Accept resignation of Certificated personnel.
  • Accept retirement resignation of Certificated personnel.
  • Approve employment of Certificated personnel.
  • Approve Supplemental Contracts for Certificated personnel.
  • Approve Prep Day Pay for Certificated personnel.
  • Approve Professional Development/New Technology Extended Service for Certificated personnel.
  • Approve Stipend contracts for Certificated personnel.
  • Approve Career Coaches for 2021-2022
  • Approve Bus Driver Inservice stipends
  • Accept resignation of Part-time Classified personnel.
  • Approve employment of Classified personnel.
  • Approve request for Leave Without Pay for Classified personnel.
  • Approve employment of Adult Education Instructors
  • Approve employment of Student workers.

Minutes

No questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board Member

Seconded: Mr. Royden Smith, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Mary Dixon, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board Member   
Mr. John Kime, Board Member   
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Margie Prater, Board Member   
Mr. Richard Prater, Board Vice-PresidentX  
Mr. Royden Smith, Board MemberX  
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

14. APPROVE MOU BETWEEN NCOCC AND PIONEER CTC FOR FISCAL AGENT SERVICES
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. Nickoli that the Memorandum of Understanding for fiscal services between Pioneer CTC and Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center be approved.

Minutes

No questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mrs. Mary Dixon, Board Member

Seconded: Mr. Royden Smith, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Mary Dixon, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board Member   
Mr. John Kime, Board Member   
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Margie Prater, Board Member   
Mr. Richard Prater, Board Vice-PresidentX  
Mr. Royden Smith, Board MemberX  
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

15. APPROVE TRAINING AFFILIATION AGREEMENT WITH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF ASHLAND
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. Nickoli that the AAMC Uniform Clinical Training Affiliation Agreement  be approved for our Medical Assisting and Phlebotomy students for externships at University Hospital of Ashland.

Minutes

No questions or discussion.  Sent to vote.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mr. Royden Smith, Board Member

Seconded: Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Mary Dixon, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board Member   
Mr. John Kime, Board Member   
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Margie Prater, Board Member   
Mr. Richard Prater, Board Vice-PresidentX  
Mr. Royden Smith, Board MemberX  
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

16. APPROVE CHANGE IN MEETING DATE FOR JULY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Recommendation of Superintendent Gregory D. Nickoli that the Regular July Board of Education Meeting be held on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 7:30 pm in the Pioneer Board of Education Conference Room.

Minutes

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mrs. Mary Dixon, Board Member

Seconded: Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Mary Dixon, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board Member   
Mr. John Kime, Board Member   
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Margie Prater, Board Member   
Mr. Richard Prater, Board Vice-PresidentX  
Mr. Royden Smith, Board MemberX  
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

17. ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF EVALUATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT AND TREASURER; AND SELF-EVAULATION OF THE BOARD
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Minutes

Entered into Executive Session at 8:09 pm and returned to Regular Session at 8:11 pm.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mr. Richard Prater, Board Vice-President

Seconded: Mr. Mike Grady, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Mary Dixon, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board Member   
Mr. John Kime, Board Member   
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Margie Prater, Board Member   
Mr. Richard Prater, Board Vice-PresidentX  
Mr. Royden Smith, Board MemberX  
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX  

18. ADJOURN MEETING
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board President

Minutes

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mr. Richard Prater, Board Vice-President

Seconded: Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robyn Almanson, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Mary Dixon, Board MemberX  
Mr. Mike Grady, Board MemberX  
Mr. Bill Hope, Board Member   
Mr. John Kime, Board Member   
Mr. Dennis Long, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Margie Prater, Board Member   
Mr. Richard Prater, Board Vice-PresidentX  
Mr. Royden Smith, Board MemberX  
Mr. Douglas Theaker, Board PresidentX  
Mrs. Mary Jean Theaker, Board MemberX