Treasurer Schumacher commented on three of the items in the Consent Agenda.

SORSA rolled out some of the costs of the Cyber Security coverage to the members this year.  Last year, when it was first included in the coverage, the cost was paid out of the reserves of SORSA.  This year they have included a portion of the costs in the rate increase.  Our agent tells me that the Cyber Security premium is $6,629.  This means our actual premium has gone down by $727.  Even if this Cyber Security rate is incorrect or not even included, I think we secured a good rate with SORSA at 6.9% increase.   Also, we attempted to get another quote from Liberty Mutual, but at the last minute they wanted a list of our bus drivers, their license numbers and birthdates.  This was just going to take too long for Karen to compile at the last minute, so I told them to withdraw the application.  John Roby reported to me that the Liberty Mutual representative stated that he understood and they can’t compete with the coverage provided by SORSA and that many schools are beginning to join in the SORSA group because of this.

For your approval are the new premiums for our Health, Dental, Vision and Life insurance premiums.  The only change is in the Health insurance which is a 3.55% increase.

As always, in our June meeting we are presenting the Temporary Appropriations for your approval.  The final FY23 will follow in September.

Treasurer Schumacher reported as follows:

This has been an extremely busy month since we last met in May.  Between year-end, HVAC issues and NCOCC dealings, we have not had time to breathe.

We spent down the GEER funds and will be receiving the GEER II monies in August. This spreadsheet shows the breakdown of usage of the GEER funds for FY22. We bought all of the new water fillers and had them installed, updated some air handlers for better air quality, purchased alcohol wipes and purchased various educational technology and instructional software.  I wanted to get the original GEER monies used before we get the GEER II monies in August which have to be used by 9/30/23.

We have also spent $262,243.29 of our Fund 467 Student Wellness and Success Funds.  We are down to about $190,000 in that fund and I would like to get it spent down in the first half of FY23.  Then we can begin to use the SWSF funds out of the general fund of which we already have received $289,866.35 in FY22.  These funds require annual reporting and we don’t want ODE to change its mind and start taking monies away if we don’t use the funds.

We got the Court approval to move the $14,657 from the 002 Bond Retirement fund to the General Fund.  We just received the paperwork, so this transfer will be reflected in the June statements.

Adult Ed is down to a fund balance of $59,057. Salaries and benefits run about $30,000 per month.  I feel like there should be some discussion on this matter soon.

We also received the final count on the Career Awareness and Exploration funds to be used for our CTPD schools and have already issued those checks to each school.

The only journal entry we have this month is to record GEER expenses from general fund to the  508 (GEER fund).  We also corrected 2 PO’s before they were posted and posted them to GEER fund expenditures making a total of $194,242.34 to finish out the GEERI expenditures.

For your approval this month, we also have the Amended Certificate to be filed with the Richland County Auditor’s office.  This certifies our resources and finalizes the appropriations for FY22.

As of June 30, 2022, we are terminating our fiscal agent status with NCOCC.  I have hired Rea & Associates to verify our year-end cash reconciliation and make recommendations on the issuance of funds to NCOCC.  If you remember last year they had talked about moving to Mid-Ohio ESC and using them as their fiscal agent and had voted to terminate their fiscal relationship with us.  When that plan fell through, they asked that we continue as the fiscal agent.  I would have preferred that we terminate then, but we did not and I told Andy that they needed to make a new plan within the year because we wished to terminate the relationship by this year.  Nothing was done until our erate rep received a notice in May that we were being investigated due to our relationship with NCOCC.  Andy called in kind of a panic and said they could go back years and make us pay all of our discounts back.  I scanned a copy of an agreement signed last June by NCOCC that stated NCOCC would be responsible for reimbursing Pioneer for all damages should something like this occur.  Well, that would bankrupt NCOCC.  During my conversation with Andy, I stated that we are terminating our fiscal agency as July 1, 2022 and that I wasn’t taking chances anymore and I would be taking it to the Board in June.  They have agreed to the termination.  The main item holding them back is the health insurance piece. We have agreed to sign a purchase service agreement to keep them on our insurance until December 31, 2022.  It is just easier all the way around.

Last, but not least, I have for you my personal goals for FY23.  If anyone would like a hard copy, I would be glad to provide that.

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Board Member Grady reported as follows.

After only 12 days in office, the new Ohio State School Board Superintendent has resigned.  Dr. Stephanie K. Siddens has been appointed Interim Superintendent.  The State Legislature is on break until fall.  The Governor has not yet signed HB 583 approving an extension of the substitute teacher laws and requirements.

 

The Pioneer Administrators and support staff went to summer hours the week of June 6^th.  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 2021 – 2022 school year is over, it’s amazing to reflect back on how well it went.  It was so nice to see our staff and students in labs and classrooms 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 2022 – 2023 school year.

 

I am asking that you approve the dissolution of the agreement entered into last year that continued Pioneer’s position as Fiscal Agent for the North Central Ohio Computer Cooperative (NCOCC).  NCOCC is the internet/technology provider for School Districts in Richland, Crawford, and Morrow Counties.  NCOCC will provide their own fiscal services but contract with Pioneer.  As a result, we will be hiring two additional staff members who were previously contracted through NCOCC.  They are our Technology Coordinator and our Field Technician.

 

I am asking that you approve the attached MOU with the EAP which makes three changes to our Negotiated Agreement.  They are:

 

1. Places our Technology Coordinator on the Classified Staff pay scale.  We have previously had this position but it was compensated according to our Licensed Staff scale.

 

2. Adds a Field Technician to our list of Confidential Employees as listed in our Negotiated Agreement.

 

3. Places the Field Technician on on the Classified Staff pay scale.

 

I am asking that you approve a revised job description for our Technology Coordinator and a new job description for our Field Technician.

 

In close conjunction with the Attorney General’s office, we have a tentative settlement related to the HVAC issues dating back to 2012. 

 

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

 

Resignation – Noelle Raphael                        – Accepting Administrative Position elsewhere

Resignation – Darin Beal                    – Accepting Administrative Position elsewhere

Resignation – Ali Woods                               – Accepting position closer to home

 

Employment – Cassandra Lowery      – English

Employment – Brent Tyrell                – Science

Employment – Mark Seitz                  – Intervention Specialist

Employment – Krystal Winters                      – Marketing Coordinator

 

Maternity Leave          – Christina Phelps, effective 2022-2023 school year.

 

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.

 

We will also enter into executive session to consider the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee or student.

 

Entered into Executive Session at 8:10 pm.  Returned to Regular Session at 8:33 pm.