Regular Meeting

Regular Meeting (Wednesday, September 29, 2021)

1. Opening Items

 A. Pledge of Allegiance

Mr. Pedersen called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Present: Mr. Dosen, Mrs. Kramer, Mrs. Wigman, Mr. Pedersen, Mrs. Mack, Absent

Resolution 2021-66 - Executive Session                    

Reconvene Regular Meeting

President's Announcements

Superintendent's Announcements

Community Communications

Resolution 2021-67 - Other Board Business

Board Member Committee Reports

Resolution 2021-68 - Other Board Business

Resolution 2021-69 - Other Board Business

District Committee Reports

Treasurer's Announcements

Resolution 2021-70 - Superintendent's Other Business

Resolution 2021-71 - Superintendent's Consent Agenda

Resolution 2021-72 - Treasurer's Consent Agenda

Announcement of Meetings

Adjournment

Motioned by Mrs. Krammer, second by Mrs. Wigman to enter into Executive Session at 6:07p.m. to adopt Resolution 2021-66 as follows:

Motion to enter executive session for the consideration of the appointment, employment, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation

of a public employee or official, per Board policy 0166, item A.

ROLL CALL:  Mr. Dosen, yes; Mrs. Kramer, yes; Mrs. Mack, Absent; Mrs. Wigman, yes; 

                   Mr. Pedersen, yes  

The President declared Resolution 2021-66 adopted.

Kathleen Mack arrived for the meeting at 6:10pm.

Motion by Mrs. Kramer, seconded by Mrs. Wigman to exit Executive Session at 7:04p.m.

3. Reconvene Regular Meeting

4. President's Announcements

I want to begin today’s meeting with a mea culpa, and with a strong statement about my personal commitment to Board procedures, Ohio law, and to transparency. 

Out of an abundance of caution, and with a close eye on the number of positive COVID cases in the Middle School and the growing number of students required to stay home from school, through me a majority of the Board – Ms. Kramer, Ms. Wigman and I – recommended that Superintendent Magyar issue a mask mandate for the Middle School, where we’ve seen more positive COVID-19 cases than any school in our system, other than Highland Drive Elementary. Ms. Mack and Mr. Dosen were not in favor of the Middle School mask recommendation nor did either Ms. Mack or Mr. Dosen participate in the process that led us to our recommendation.

I stand by that recommendation. I looked at the numbers, and as a father and a grandfather, I wanted the District to move quickly to keep these numbers from growing and keep kids and staff in school. I feel passionately about that. 

Superintendent Magyar issued a Middle School mask mandate and informed the school community, which she had the authority to do, and which became effective September 15th until further notice.  Board policy now permits the Superintendent as well as the Board to make timely decisions about facial coverings for some or all students in the district. But procedurally, in my zeal, I went about it in the wrong way by not having a more transparent process to communicate my concerns and those of Ms. Kramer and Ms. Wigman to our fellow Board members, Ms. Magyar, and to the community, and I want to correct that tonight.

To that end, tonight the Board will discuss and deliberate the issue of Middle School masks, and also consider a resolution to affirm the September 15 mask decision to increase safety measures at the Middle School in order to mitigate against the continued spread of COVID-19.  We will also consider a resolution to require masks at the Middle School moving forward from today.  

I am absolutely committed to making this gaffe right. It’s no secret that there are many things this Board does not agree on – and healthy, objective debate is a good thing – but we all agree that we must be transparent to serve this District and this community to the best of our ability. 

I want to back up words with action: Ms. Kramer and Ms. Wigman and I are going to take additional training on Ohio’s Open Meetings Act so that we can keep pace with the changing landscape of Ohio’s public schools, and to remind ourselves of our ongoing obligation to our community to always act in an open and transparent manner, consistent with Ohio’s Sunshine Laws. 

I respect and value the interests of our community. I know we all do. So, let’s move forward together in the best interest of the District, and more specifically, in the interest of keeping our Middle School kids and staff safely in class. 

Thank you, and let’s move on with tonight’s agenda. I now ask if Ms. Magyar could update us on our COVID-19 dashboard and other relevant data points, so that we can move into an informed deliberation and discussion on this issue.

5. Superintendent's Announcements

 A. Safety Protocols and COVID-19 Discussion

 B. Pre-K5 Building Project Update - REPORT ONLY

 C. Students Selected for the North East Region Orchestra and All State Band

 D. National Merit Semi Finalists

 E. National Merit Commended Scholars

 F.  Shining Star CLE Singing Competition

 A. Hearing of the Public

7. Other Board Business

Motion by Mrs. Kramer, seconded by Mrs. Wigman to adopt Resolution 2021-67 as follows: 

 A. Amended Board Policy ~ Final Reading

ROLL CALL:  Mr. Dosen, yes; Mrs. Kramer, yes; Mrs. Mack, yes; Mrs. Wigman, yes; 

                   Mr. Pedersen, yes   

The President declared Resolution 2021-67 adopted.

 B. Resolution to Affirm and Authorize Existing Safety Measures at the Middle School to Mitigate Against the Continued Spread of Covid-19

ROLL CALL:  Mr. Dosen, no; Mrs. Kramer, yes; Mrs. Mack, no; Mrs. Wigman, yes; 

                   Mr. Pedersen, yes   

The President declared Resolution 2021-68 adopted.

ROLL CALL:  Mr. Dosen, No; Mrs. Kramer, yes; Mrs. Mack, No; Mrs. Wigman, yes; 

                   Mr. Pedersen, yes 

The President declared Resolution 2021-69 adopted.

 A. Board Member Committee Reports

9. District Committee Reports

 A. District Committee Reports

 A. Announcements

11. Superintendent's Other Business

Motion by Mr. Dosen, seconded by Mrs. Kramer to adopt Resolution 2021-70 as follows:   

                   Mr. Pedersen, yes      

The President declared Resolution 2021-70 adopted.

 A. Certified Recommendations

                   Mr. Pedersen, yes      

 The President declared Resolution 2021-71 adopted.

13. Treasurer's Consent Agenda

Motion by Mr. Dosen, seconded by Mrs. Kramer to adopt Resolution 2021-72 as follows:    

 A. Financial Report

 B. Tuition Paying Non-Resident Student

 C. Donations

 D. Minutes

 ROLL CALL: Mr. Dosen, yes; Mrs. Kramer, yes; Mrs. Mack, yes; Mrs. Wigman, yes; 

                   Mr. Pedersen, yes      

  The President declared Resolution 2021-72 adopted.

 A. Announcements

     Regular Board Meeting - October 27, 2021 at 7:00pm.

 B. Adjournment

Motion by Mr. Dosen, seconded by Mrs. Kramer, to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 8:18p.m.    

ROLL CALL: Mr. Dosen, yes; Mrs. Kramer, yes; Mrs. Mack, yes; Mrs. Wigman, yes; 

                  Mr. Pedersen, yes      

Motion carried.

In addition to written minutes, an audio or video recording is retained in BoardDocs.

______________________________________  _______________________________________

Fred Pedersen, President                                      Craig Yaniglos, Treasurer/CFO