The regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Akron School District R-1 began Tuesday, June 14 with a work session at 6:02 p.m. Board members present were Jessica Filla, president; Nathan Quick, vice president; Andy Molt, secretary; Megan Bower, treasurer; and Fred Raish, director.
Superintendent Brian Christensen reviewed potential options and future needs for school expansion. He has met with a bank in town inquiring about our needs. The board then discussed a variety of options about how to expand the school, if needed, and how it will be financed.
Junior High/High Principal Shawn Randel showed enrollment and engagement numbers for the school year, which were in the 90% range. He then provided an update on the CoAction Grant, work on what the portrait of a graduate looks like, Capstone projects, the building trades teacher replacement search, summer school/credit recovery options for middle and high school students, the Safer Grant, and work on the fall in-service schedule as well as student handbook changes. He closed with commenting on how advantageous the 6/8/12 grade orientations were and how well they were attended.
Christensen highlighted the director’s reports: Elementary Principal – Kendra Anderson will continue to work with the district on S-CAP, mentoring, and professional development after her retirement. Transportation: The fuel and mileage report was included in the packet, numerous summer activities and camps are taking place, and the district is advertising for an additional route driver for the 23/24 school year. Technology: Greg Clarkson reviewed the student Chromebook check-in at the end of the year, the school app has been updated, the lines are run for the additional security cameras, he is pursuing a software update for the doors, and an alumni will be donating to upgrade the sound system in the fieldhouse. Maintenance: Jason Collins has moved and Mike Miller is the new maintenance director, and summer cleaning and maintenance requests are taking place. Athletics: The majority of the 23/24 sports schedules are complete with spring sports still being finalized, details on middle school sports are being ironed out with 6th graders continuing to be included in the middle school. The district is working on trying to provide 6th grade only football games due to a large number of participants, and additional games (A, B, C, D) will continue to be added for each season. In his report, Christensen noted numerous end of year events took place, the district has secured new health insurance for the staff, the admin team attended the S-CAP Summit and reviewed ways to make the process better and to plan for our district’s review next year, work continues on the Safer Grant with county schools and first responders, the Westernnaires will be staying in the fieldhouse during fair week, and the HVAC work is in full swing.
Bill Dorrenbacher led prayer. The pledge of allegiance was recited.
The regular meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by President Jessica Filla. Members present were Jessica Filla, president; Nathan Quick, vice president; Andy Molt, secretary; Megan Bower, treasurer; and Fred Raish, director.
A motion was made by Andy Molt to amend the agenda by adding consent agenda item f – approve the resignation of Heather Atwood, paraprofessional. Megan Bower seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bower, aye; Filla, aye; Molt, aye; Quick, aye; Raish, ate. Motion passed. A motion was made by Nathan Quick to approve the amended agenda. Andy Molt seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bower, aye; Filla, aye; Molt, aye; Quick, aye; Raish, aye. Motion passed.
Consent agenda items includedminutes from May 9, 2023 work session and regular board meeting, May bills, financial reports, approve the resignation of Ryan Dreitz, Building Trades Teacher, approve the hiring of Angela Hottinger, Elementary Art Teacher and Claudia Yanez, Custodian, and approve the resignation of Heather Atwood, Paraprofessional (added).
A motion was made by Andy Molt to approve the consent agenda items. Nathan Quick seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bower, aye; Filla, aye; Molt, aye; Quick, aye; Raish, aye. Motion passed.
In board reports,Shae Smith reported on the BOCES summer summit held at NJC, and Nathan Quick reported the CASB legislative summary packet is included in the board packet.
Kelli McCaffrey explained the purpose of the budget narrative and how informative it is. Information she highlighted included: student data/demographics, funding sources, student enrollment and funded pupil count trends, history of the BEST Grant and the bond refinancing, and the history of the Budget Stabilization Factor. In the 23/24 budget, she noted the proposed salaries, which brings the beginning teacher salary $40,000, giving an 8% increase to classified staff, coaches, bus driver and non-salaried employees; an increase in health insurance; a 13% increase in multi coverage insurance; and the revenue and expenditures for the HVAC project, which include BEST Grant, ESSER II/III grant, and district funds. The remaining budget adjustments for all other funds were noted in the first two budget readings.
Christensen reported the spring coach evaluations are complete and all coaches are recommended for hire for the 23/24 seasons.
A motion was made by Andy Molt to approve the 2023-24 salary schedules as proposed bringing the beginning teacher salary to $40,000 and giving an 8% raise to all other salary schedules. Megan Bower seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bower, aye; Filla, aye; Molt, aye; Quick, aye; Raish, aye. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Andy Molt to approve the 2023-24 budget as presented. Megan Bower seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bower, aye; Filla, aye; Molt, aye; Quick, aye; Raish, aye. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Megan Bower to approve reducing the beginning fund balance in the Food Services Fund for expenditures and the Trust and Agency Fund for scholarship awards. Andy Molt seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bower, aye; Filla, aye; Molt, aye; Quick, aye; Raish, aye. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Fred Raish to approve the following budget allocations: General Fund – $10,146,249; CPP Fund – $133,000; Food Service Fund – $297,500; Pupil Activity Fund – $539,000; Bond Redemption Fund – $1,066,700; Capital Reserve Fund – $833,635; and the Trust and Agency Fund – $2,000. Nathan Quick seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bower, aye; Filla, aye; Molt, aye; Quick, aye; Raish, aye. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Nathan Quick to approve the following staff: Mentors – Christine Bowin, Tara Hamilton, Ali Houston, Heather Weis, Shae Smith, and Lindsay Gilbert. Paraprofessionals – Kelsey Barker, Luanne Brush, Karli Christensen, Roberta Christensen, Patty Daniels, Kayla Headden, Megan Kautz, Rick Kraich, Janae Lucero, Melody Lundquist, Janet Mendoza, Misty Miller, Joe Scherer, Anna Shum, Jackie Thomas, Colleen Watson, and Vanessa Zimmerman. Bus Drivers – Devony Bethel, Nancy Bullard, Ron Eskew, Gary Peterson, Roberta Christensen. Substitute Bus Drivers – Luke Bethel, Brian Christensen, and Cody Jones. Cooks – Michelle Bulik, Karen Walker, and Iris Clarkson. Coaches and Extra-Duty Assignments – Football – Jerome Weers, Shawn Randel, Steven Hall; Volleyball – Janae Lucero, Sidney Baer; Boys’ Golf – Greg Clarkson; Girls’ Basketball – Greg Clarkson, Sydney Woods; Boys’ Basketball – Shawn Randel, Logan Davisson, Tony McCaffrey; Wrestling – Chris Gebauer, Tanner Watson; Baseball – Tyler Pickens, Chance Friedly; Track – Greg Clarkson, Sydney Woods; Girls’ Golf – Katie Hocheder; Pom – Jami Furrow; Weight Lifting – Jerome Weers. Junior high assignments include: Football – Jerome Weers, Greg Clarkson, Brian Christensen; Volleyball – Lindsay Gilbert, Kilee Randel, Hannah Krening; Girls’ Basketball – Kilee Randel, Katie Hocheder, Hannah Krening; Boys’ Basketball – Mario Dracon, Shawn Randel, Greg Clarkson; Wrestling – Christopher Gebauer, Layne Crumley; Track – Lindsay Gilbert, Greg Clarkson, Kilee Randel, Jerome Weers. Extra-duty assignments include: SSN SPED Para Coordinator – Shannon Brandon; Annual Publication – Ali Houston; Music Coordinator – Rachel Lowry; HS Student Council – Katie Hocheder; MS/HS Gifted Talented Director – Hannah Krening; Elementary Gifted Talented Director – Megan Reid; Concessions Manager – Samara Pickens; Athletic Director – Tyler Pickens;Athletic Secretary – Stephanie Woods. Andy Molt seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bower, aye; Filla, aye; Molt, aye; Quick, aye; Raish, aye. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Andy Molt to approve the 2023-24 evaluation assurances as stated. Megan Bower seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bower, aye; Filla, aye; Molt, aye; Quick, aye; Raish, aye. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Nathan Quick to approve the 23-24 CASB dues. Andy Molt seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bower, aye; Filla, aye; Molt, aye; Quick, aye; Raish, aye. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Andy Molt to approve Greg Clarkson, Track; Tyler Pickens, Baseball; and Katie Hocheder, Girls’ Golf for the 23/24 seasons. Nathan Quick seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bower, aye; Filla, aye; Molt, aye; Quick, aye; Raish, aye. Motion passed.
The board conducted the first readingofNew and Revised Policies, Regulations, and Exhibits due to changes in federal law, state law, federal guidance, best practices and/or purposes of clarity:ADF, EF, EF-E-1, EF-E-2, EFC, EFEA, and EFEA-E. A motion was made by Nathan Quick to approve the first reading of the above-mentioned policies. Fred Raish seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bower, aye; Filla, aye; Molt, aye; Quick, aye; Raish, aye. Motion passed.
Agenda items for the next meeting includetoapprove the coordinated election with Washington County, approve Kelli McCaffrey as Election Official, andapprove the school fee schedule.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Submitted by Kelli McCaffrey
Akron Schools Business Manager
