December 2025 Regular Board of Education Meeting

No discussion - moved to vote. 

Treasurer Bazley reported as follows:

Interest income remains positive. The Fed did just cut by a quarter percentage point at their December 10th meeting (their third consecutive cut) but was not a unanimous decision. One member wanted to cut by fifty percentage points, and two members wanted to stay put. The Fed hinted at a potential pause of future cuts, suggesting more data would be needed for further action. The $610,806.88 reconciling item for November is our COPS bond principal and interest payment. It cleared our operating bank account, but was still in process from the Huntington/Argent bank account at month end. Our general fund revenues and expenses are tracking with what we expected. As mentioned above, we made our principal payment for the year and the first of our two interest payments in November. If you remember last year we received our insurance bills for November late and they were paid in December, we got them on time this year and that along with our COPS bond payment clearing our operating account in November are the primary culprits for the MTD expense variance noted in our charts.

The Property Tax reform bills we discussed previously were delivered to Governor DeWine for signature on December 9th. The clock for him to sign or veto those bills started December 10th, meaning he has to take action by December 20th. If he takes no action, the bills become law by default. He has stated he wants to look at the bills and compare to the recommendations of his property tax working group before taking action. I expect him to sign the bills within the ten day window.

December marks a busy month in the fiscal office. We’re currently working on the December 25th pay so we can get the quarter end balanced and then of course the calendar year end balanced to work on closing out the Calendar Year and prepare for the W2s. Similarly we’re trying to get the 2025 bills paid and out in order to get the 1099 prepared and issued to those vendors as well. Calendar Year end is hectic for payroll and the fiscal year end is more hectic for the accounting side of operations.

Next month we will have for your approval the Tax Budget that we have to send to the County Budget Commission. We’ll discuss some of those changes at that time, but will probably plan to include on our County Budget a transfer of funds to 070 – Capital Projects that will also be reflected in our February Five Year Forecast. With some of the changes and new authority given to CBC, we want to make sure we don’t give them any reasons to lower our revenues.

On November 10th, Rover filed a new case contesting its assessed valuation for post-2019 tax years on both Ohio and US constitutional grounds. This case is expected to start on or about November 18, 2026 and they’ll receive credit for tender payments on the undisputed value as with the original case, but will owe back taxes and interest on the disputed value plus possible penalties. Our next forecast will not factor in any change in valuation or expectation of back revenue from Rover. It seems the strategy from Rover is to litigate everything they possibly can until there are no legal challenges left and then we’ll have to see what happens from there. Starting to wonder if those back taxes and full valuation of taxes will ever be paid.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you for your dedication to Pioneer!

Mr. Nickoli recognized Clay Frye, Jolene Young, Kris Kowalski, and Stephen Raphael. 

Stephen Raphael was in attendance representing the EAP.

No public input. 

Superintendent Nickoli reported as follows:

WISHING YOU A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!

The Holidays are such a special time of year and as we near them, we want to take a moment to thank you for your support and dedication to our students and staff! We hope you have time to relax and are able to enjoy time with your family and friends!!

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF PIONEER (EAP)

I am asking that you approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Education Association of Pioneer. This agreement clarifies language related to accumulation and payment for unused Personal Leave. The language included in the finalized agreement is ambiguous. This MOU clarifies the intent agreed upon in the Tentative Agreement.

AGREEMENTS WITH RICHLAND PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT

I am asking you to approve an agreement with the Richland Public Health Department to provide TB tests for students in our Health Programs. This is a requirement for our students to participate in clinical site visits at local health care facilities.

APPROVAL OF MARKETING PLAN

I am asking you to approve our annual marketing agreement with Y-105/WNCO. This agreement coincides with our Sophomore Visits and efforts to promoting enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year.

BOARD POLICY 1422, 3122, 4122, 5113, and 6109.

I am recommending that you approve Board Policies 1422, 3122, 4122, 5113, and 6109. Policy 6109 allow us to accept credit cards for the payment of invoices. Policies 1422, 3122, and 4122 are revisions to ensure non-discrimination based on Federally determined Protected Classes. Policy 5113 is updated language for our Open Enrollment policy.

PRESIDENT PRO-TEM AND JANUARY ORGANIZATION MEETING

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.

I would also like to recommend that we hold both our Organizational Meeting and the Regular January Meeting on Wednesday, January 21st. This provides ample time for us to do any necessary communications and paperwork after our appointing Boards have their Organizational Meetings on or before their January 15th deadline.

CALENDAR ITEMS

12/16 – Adult Education LPN Pinning Ceremony

12/18 – Adult Education Graduation

12/19 - Holiday Open House

12/19 - Begin Winter Break

01/05 - Classes Resume

PERSONNEL

I am pleased to recommend the employment of Kaleb Hollar as an Intervention Specialist for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year. Caleb is graduating from Ashland University and will begin as soon as an appropriate license is issued.

I am also asking that you approve the resignation (retirement) of Mike Hoffman, Ag Instructor at Wynford High School/Middle School. Mike has been an outstanding instructor at Pioneer since 1997 and is among the most respected Ag Instructors in Ohio. He will be greatly missed.

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

No discussion - moved to vote. 

No discussion - moved to vote

No discussion - moved to vote

No discussion - moved to vote

No discussion - moved to vote

No discussion - moved to vote

Bill Hope moved to nominate Doug Theaker.

Robyn Almanson moved to close nominations.

No discussion - moved to vote