Board of Education Meeting

Mr. Dennis Long led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Dennis Long presented the Agenda and Addendum for adoption -

Mr. Dennis Long presented the September Meeting Minutes for approval

Ms. Terri Day presented the September 2012 Financial Report -

September expenses higher than revenue but in line with forecast at this point. No payments from county due until February. Will request advance at 1st of month.

Matured CDAR split - half placed in checking half reinvested into another CDAR to maintain balance in checking to cover payroll and expenses for October. Will reinvest when advances arrive from county.

Dr. Kathy Jenney presented -

Levy update - samples of the publicity items, designs shown on screen as well as the basic design for overall publicity campaign for "good news" items. Items will include pictures of Galion students.

Calendar dates were shared with activities related to levy - Public meetings/information nights to share the good news about things going on at Galion Schools and to explain and/or answer any questions about the levy - Oct. 30th at St. Joes; Oct. 31st at YMCA; Nov. 1 at Wesley Chapel.

There will be 2 billboards posted - 1 that will promote the levy and 1 that will promote positives about Galion Schools. This advertising will run for 6 weeks.

Mr. Long asked about a "meet the candidate" night  and Dr. Jenney will research it.

One to One program - rolled out all devices for grades 6-9. Today delivered all Ipads for teacher in Intermediate. Monday students will receive their Ipads - The students will use them 1 week at school for training then will begin to take them home. Dr. Jenney thanked technology staff for their hard work to make this happen and said students are positive and doing amazing things already.

Visitor Bleacher Project - construction has begun, many people donated time. Amazing how fast the project is going. Will be up and ready before next home game.

Dr. Jenney stated that it was important for staff and public to know that the bleachers were replaced for safety concerns and not paid for out of General Fund money. They were paid for by grant money that cannot be used for school operations.

Connections Weekend - Great Career Day.  Added grade 8 this year to Career Day, brought back graduates to talk to students - powerful information for kids. Dr. Jenney thanked those involved. Amazing stories from Alumni.

AVID program - Advancement via Individual Determination - fundraising for students to go out of classroom to have experiences they would not otherwise have. Students' first trip went to Springmill for lessons to overcome "how do I do this" whole day about being able to step out and work things out as a team. (Ropes course, rock climbing wall and other activities) Dr. Jenney read letters from students sent to the board thanking them and shared a video that was made with their new technology devices - very positive. Next trip to college to orient them.

Dr. Sandy Powell presented the parent announcements that were sent introducing and explaining the 3rd Grade Guarantee. She stated that meetings will be held with parents to go over criteria necessary for parents to know. 

Dr. Powell said competitive grant applications will come out soon that support this initiative. We will compete for additional dollars to support reading program plans and possibly expand programs offerred before, during, and after summer. 

First tests taken by students were shipped last Friday - once results are returned, students will be evaluated to determine who will need additional support.

State report cards are still not out but they have opened some files and updates. Very little changed from what was presented in July.  All data reviewed, we had fractions of a percent change and our data was very clean. Indicators did not change with our data. In summary we increased indicator ratio, looking to have all but 3 indicators met for year. July showed effective. Galion is still waiting to see rating this year. AYP info - some info coming in - NCLB in 2001 had to grow and hit 75% in each area had to meet targets by subgroups as well - approximately 10. Our population does not require us to meet them all - economically disadvantaged is one, we made that one. Students with disabilities - we did not meet. Thus our report card will not benefit from that. Goals are high - same as regular ed students. Galion hopes to at least gain 10% from last year to gain Value Added. Mrs. Jennifer Kuns asked for clarification - referred to alternate assessment - government set a 1% cap on alternate assessment students.

Dr. Kathy Jenney added that she is 100% confident that Galion has been accurate in record keeping.

Dr. Kathy Jenney introduced this year's new Student Representative - Megan Thompson.

Megan shared - she is a Senior in HS and plans on going to Tiffin University - Criminal Justice School. Hopes to enter into the ROTC program there and to become a commisssioned officer in Air Force.

5.2 - 5.4 combined vote

vote below for 5.2-5.4 combined

Mrs. Jennifer  Kuns questioned number of days per week and number of times a day.

Dr. Jenney clarified that the charge was $40.00 a day in the A.M. - only one way each day, Colonel Crawford brings students home. She is working on a change in schedule to see if Colonel Crawford can transport in the A.M. as well. 

Dr. Jenney explained that the original contract did not include the psychologist or the special education coordinator due to the timing of the hiring. The salaries were built into the budget plan for FY 13 but the placement had not been made prior to now.

Board member asked for clarification on par time hours for special ed coordinator.

Dr. Jenney: 3 x a week Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.

Mr. George McElligott asked what accrual information was - The treasurer explained that the auditors will gather all of the GAAP information that was gathered and provided to them in the past by the previous treasurer. Due to the fact that the present treasurer is newly employed and does not have the background information/history necessary to prepare the documentation that is needed for the audit, it is recommended that the state auditors prepare it this current year. Galion will possibly change the responsibility back to the district treasurer's office next year.

Mr. Dennis Long asked for motion to approved the ammendment to the original resolution for the engagement letter with the State of Ohio: Auditor of the State Office -