September 2024 Regular Board of Education Meeting

No Discussion - Moved to Vote

Treasurer Bazley reported as follows:

The first two months of the fiscal year have gone smoothly. 

Interest continues to pay well, Star Ohio is still around 5.4% and Park National has increased a little bit to around 4% now. Our Park National contact has told me that is an effort on their part to keep some money in Park National Accounts rather than us pulling our funds and immediately transferring to Star Ohio. They hate to talk to Treasurer about Star Ohio because they just can’t compete with the rate they provide.

We received the remaining $4,960,031.25 (75%) of the OSFCC Career Tech Expansion Grant monies after we approved the Construction Design Phase at our last Board Meeting. We have on the agenda later to approve the lowest responsible bidder and to start the contract process so we can get those funds all encumbered by the September 30^th deadline.

We talked previously about the CCP deduction issue with NC State. Originally we were told it would be deducted this year and spread out over payments, well that isn’t what happened. With our August foundation payment they just did a one time claw-back of the amount that should have been withheld last winter. At least now that issue is settled and hopefully we won’t have this issue in the future.

We’ve received all of our real estate settlements at this point and some of the Homestead and Rollbacks. The General Fund seems on target.

Tonight I also have for your approval the FY24 Appropriations. We legally have to have these Board Approved and filed with the County Auditor by September 30^th every year to get a certificate back stating we are not trying to spend more than we have available. Nothing really out of the ordinary, the General Fund Appropriations match the May Forecast and the other funds are mostly based on historical spending trends. We normally have a Permanent Improvement spending plan to present as well, but with having to move our September meeting to earlier we did not have that meeting yet. That meeting consists of Mr. Nickoli, Clay Frye, Kris Kowalski, Luke Brenneman, Tim Slone, and Jeff Payne. Once we have that meeting and get a plan for the PI Fund, I’ll provide you all with that Spending plan.   

The 412 Certificates are also included in this report.  They are certificates stating that Pioneer has the monies to cover health insurance, salaries and appropriations.

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Assistant Director Jolene Young reported as follows:

Pioneer Administrators and Board Members met on August 2nd and participated in a Board Goal writing session. The following goals were established for the 2024-2025 school year.

Pioneer will develop and strengthen relationships with key industry stakeholders to evaluate the relevance of our education offerings.

Pioneer will build stronger relationships with students, families, Business and Industry to create a culture of support with a focus on success for all students.

Pioneer will boost family involvement by hosting engaging events that strengthen school community relationships.

Pioneer will enhance the overall safety and security of the school environment to ensure the well being of students and staff.

Pioneer will invest in facilities, equipment, curriculum, and staff to create a successful learning environment for students while maintaining fiscal responsibility and accountability to our surrounding communities.

We have had an excellent start to the school year. Our beginning of school cookout and field day for students was great. Staff have worked hard to get student schedules adjusted and program placements finalized. Instructors have completed safety and lab orientation procedures and students are working hands-on.

Assistant Director Young reported on the importance of the PBIS program and awards provided to students to reward behaviors. She stated the District tries to also catch students in a positive light instead of just catching them for discipline purposes. 

Board Member Mike Grady reported as follows:

House Bill 214, originally introduced to address public school staff members’ professional duties, was signed by Governor DeWine on July 24.  This bill passed by the General Assembly just before the beginning of the nearly five month recess was combined with a Senate Bill and incorporated issues addressed by an Ohio Department of Education and Workforce task force to increase attendance and decrease chronic absenteeism.  The final bill which will be effective on October 24 requires school districts to have a policy to accommodate students’ sincerely held religious beliefs and a policy on matters regarding specific beliefs , affiliations, ideals or principles.

Specifically, the law requires that a school district implement a policy allowing students to be absent for up to three religious expression days each school year. The policy must allow for alternative accommodations for students who miss exams or other academic requirements and the policy must permit students to participate in interscholastic athletics or other extracurricular activities on days during which the student is absent for a religious expression day.  The policy must be posted on the school district’s website.

The policy on matters regarding specific beliefs, affiliations, ideals or principles must be adopted by school boards by January 22, 2025.

Superintendent Nickoli reported as follows:

I am very pleased to report that 2024-2025 school year has started remarkably well for our students.
Our first days were filled with Juniors learning their schedules and the routines at Pioneer as well as
making new friends from other schools. Our Seniors were very excited to see their classmates from
other schools and most curiously, their teachers. We always hear how caring and amazing our
teachers are.

I am pleased to recommend Studer-Obringer, a firm located in New Washington, as the successful
bidder for our expansion project. They met all qualifications and came in as lowest bidder for this
exciting project. Additionally, this resolution allows Mr. Bazley and I to negotiate and sign the
construction contract on behalf of the Board. We have scheduled a pre-construction meeting next
Thursday and are excited to move to the next phase of the project.

There are some exciting upcoming events scheduled for later the months of September and October.
We would love to have you attend any of the following (please let me know so I can look for you):

o September 25 - Master Teacher Recognition
o October 3 & 4 - RMC Manufacturing Days
o October 11 - Staff Professional Development Day
o October 3 & 10 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
o October 11 - End of 1 st Grading Period

Kris Kowalski, Director of Business Affairs, has reviewed requests to move across on the salary
schedule as well as requests for continuing contracts. They are in accordance with the Ohio Revised
Code and Board Policy. Our two teachers qualifying for Continuing Contracts are Grant Brocwell, our
Masonry Instructor and Brent Tyrell, a Science Instructor.
Additionally, I am asking that you approve two days of unpaid leave for Jacque Arnold, one of our
Educational Aides. She is taking a course for her Master’s Degree that requires a week-long intensive
internship. She will be utilizing her three Personal Days for the remainder of the week.
All other Items are normal for this time of year.

No discussion - Moved to Vote

Moved to vote

No discussion - moved to vote