Board of Education Meeting

Absent:  Robert Zeisler & Heath Watkins

Mr. Stefanik explained that the reason this topic is on the agenda is because we have used 13 calamity days as of now - state allows 5, started blizzard bag process - 1 day of Blizzard Days used. District, GEA and OAPSE, agreement finalized a calendar revision for 2 days to be made up by making Presidents Day and Easter Monday part of the school calendar and not holidays,  5 make up days left for K-11, Seniors can be excused for 3 days so if nothing changes seniors will have to make up 2 days  as of tonight(February 6, 2014) that would be graduation day and next day.

Scenario #2 Columbus may add 4 calamaty days if so that takes the five in scenario 1 to a 9. 

1 make up day for K-11 and seniors no make up as of today. Seniors would not reach excess calamity days until the 5th day from today - 2 extra because allowed 3 - 2 more blizzard bag days, day 5 puts them in school on graduation day, then any more days would be added on fromt here. 

Encouraging seniors to attend after graduation- non attendance affects school grade card.

Quesions and suggestions by community members:

Extend school day as Northmoor is doing - and Saturdays 

Seniors still have graduation but not receive diplomas - get diplomas after all days made up

(Q)When do seniors technically get out of school? (A)Not in school Friday before Memorial day 27th practice day/ceremony day. 

(Q) Why don't we use Memorial day week? (A)We already are using them in the calendar

(Q) Why can't we adjust school calendar on monday thru friday days - holidays or school days. (A)Board gets contingency days approved previous year. Can revise calendar but cannot revise contingency days.

Dates planned, equipment rented, invites printed, asking to think outside the box. Has to be a way to hold graduation same day - get teachers to open school up. Ron said invites have not been printed. families are being affected people have had airline tkts purchased. Some have military members coming in town on leave.

Mr. Long stated that the Board has been thinking out of box - GEA and OAPSE have agreed on Blizzard Bags.

Dr. Powell said creativity is good. Contracts don't specify Saturday school and state needs to approve

Mr. Stefanik stated that these must be academic days. Ron said that at this point we have missed so much educational time there is plenty to do, exams have been moved back to allow for more teaching time.

Dr. Powell talked about local report card - compared to surrounding schools. Attendance is used as one of the criteria, we work hard to try to have a competitive report card it is a shame that this could have such an impact on.

doing right thing is neither fun, convenient but necessary and that is the way this is - fulfill the obligation or don't graduate.Hold kids accountable

Not fair to the people that will come - not fair that her family won't be able to see her graduate, not fair to the kids that will do what they have to do. Make the kids responsible. 

Work session - Jennifer not for changing graduation date Brian agreed - strike the motion there will be no change in the graduation day. 

Jennifer told them the board appreciated comments

motion to ammend agenda to add graduation date decision

second by Brian 

Mr. Stefanik will keep families informed on what will happen at graduation. Parents thanked the board - wind chill advisory will school be out he said no - many walkers

what is plan for rest of school for makeup days - once days are used that are planned and 2 extra associations agreed to district will go into summer. For future use, will the board use saturdays as calamity days in contingency plan? Could - or plan graduation a week out from end of year.

graduate hours to be eligible received

7:23 p.m.