BOARD OF EDUCATION NEWS
OCTOBER 2019
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The Milford Board of Education held a Work Session followed by its regular Board meeting on Thursday, October 17, at the Milford School District’s Administrative Offices.
Beginning this month, all attachments and exhibits are posted online prior to the start of the Board meeting along with the agenda. To access the agenda, go to
www.milfordschools.org
, click on "Board of Education" then click on "Board Minutes, Highlights, and Agendas."
You can also watch a video recording of the Board meetings - those are posted
here on our website.
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The Board of Education is currently discussing the future of Milford's facilities by reviewing community feedback, examining estimated construction costs, and assessing the feasibility of placing a bond issue on the March 2020 ballot. The Board met in a Work Session before their October meeting, the recap of that discussion is below.
They will continue the discussion at a Work Session planned for Monday, November 4, 6:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
At the
October Work Session
, the Board discussed:
- Timelines and deadlines - March 17, 2020 is the first option for the Board to place a bond issue on the ballot. If the Board chooses to place the bond issue on the March 2020 ballot, the filing deadlines are later in November and early December.
- The recommendation from the Community Advisory Team - read more about their recommended plan by clicking here.
- Construction Estimates - the Board reviewed construction estimates provided by an independent construction estimator. The Board asked for a second company to provide estimates as well, so all figures can be compared. The second set of estimates will be reviewed at the Work Session planned for November 4.
- Budget and millage scenarios - Treasurer Brian Rabe provided the Board with estimated millage scenarios, based on the various aspects of the facilities plan. At the Work Session planned for November 4, Mr. Rabe will provide the Board with further details about the estimated costs of the project.
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STUDENT ARTIST RECOGNITION
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Nine Boyd E. Smith students were recognized for their artwork which is pictured below:
- Grade 1: Ally Emenaker
- Grade 2: Audrey Dumont
- Grade 3: Henry McPeek and CJ Wirth
- Grade 4: Henry Fine, Nolan Jasper, and Gavin Faw
- Grade 5: Ella Stein
- Grade 6: Anna Patel
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Henry Fine, Nolan Jasper, & Gavin Faw
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RECOGNIZING BOYD E. SMITH AS BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL
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Earlier in October, Boyd E. Smith Elementary School was named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The school was nominated by the Ohio Department of Education and was only one of 14 public and non-public schools in the state to receive the honor this year. At the Board meeting, member David Yockey presented Principal Doug Savage with a certificate from the Ohio School Board Association's Southwest Region to recognize their achievement.
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STUDENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
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Student Council members Ashley Dalrymple and Emma McManis spoke to the Board about upcoming events they have planned including a blood drive and a winter dance, and remarked on the Homecoming event and dance. "Students participated in spirit days the week leading up to Friday night's Homecoming football game and the dance on Saturday. Students had a really good time. I love Homecoming because it's the one thing that can really unify a whole school together," Ashley said.
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STATEMENT REGARDING TRANSPARENCY & BOARD MEETINGS
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Board Member Andrea Brady read a statement about transparency, to address misinformation and misunderstanding about how the Board votes on items and about how Board business is conducted:
"When board members come to a board meeting, it is to conduct the official business of the board: basically, to vote on often a large number of items that keep the district running, and to hear informational items that affect the district but do not require a board vote," Mrs. Brady said. "The main purpose of a board meeting is not to discuss these items and make up our minds. The board works through public committees where administrators share information on upcoming issues, and board members discuss and consider these items. Two board members are assigned to each committee, but as these are public sessions, all board members could legally attend. Between committee meetings and the board meeting, we have time to think about the issues, to call our administrators to ask further questions, and to decide how we will vote at the official board meeting.
"
Click here to read Mrs. Brady's full statement.
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FOUR INDIVIDUALS SPOKE DURING THE FIRST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SECTION:
- Kevin Austin addressed the Board with regard to concerns he has about restroom safety at the high school. He stated his concerns about transgender students using restrooms.
- Emily Chestnut addressed the Board as a candidate for school board.
- Lisa McKinney spoke about the construction estimates reviewed during the Board's Work Session, stating that the figures shared were in line with the figures the Community Advisory Team were given when they were discussing facilities, and that she was happy the Board is getting a second estimate.
- John Warner spoke to the Board about his concerns about transgender students using restrooms at the high school.
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TREASURER'S REPORT
MR. BRIAN RABE
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THE BOARD APPROVED:
- Financial reports for the month ending September 30, 2019.
- The transfer of funds for the FY2019 OHSAA Athletic Competition.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S ITEMS
MRS. NANCY HOUSE
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- First reading of policies, regulations and exhibits. The policies can be viewed in the agenda posted online here.
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PERFORMANCE AUDIT INFORMATION:
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Mrs. House reviewed how and when school districts are subjected to performance audits by the Auditor of State of Ohio. A performance audit may be used by a government agency seeking to improve operations, identify cost savings and produce sustainable, balanced budgets.
Any school district can request a performance audit, but those declared in fiscal caution by the Ohio Department of Education may be required to undergo a performance audit to help address financial troubles. In these cases, the cost of the audit is covered by the state. If a district requests a performance audit, the cost is $60,000 plus the non-monetary cost of hours invested by district personnel.
Mrs. House stressed that
Milford is not under fiscal caution, and therefore is not eligible for a performance review provided by the Auditor, nor is the District interested in seeking a performance review by the Auditor
, for these reasons:
- The District's finances are stable and balanced.
- There is a common misunderstanding between “deficit spending” and “deficit cash balance.” Click here to read more about the difference. If a school district is projected to have a deficit cash balance, then that district may be placed in “Fiscal Caution” status by the Ohio Department of Education and therefore subjected to a performance audit. That is not the case in Milford because we do not project to have a deficit cash balance.
- Milford's five-year forecast shows that the district is projected to be in deficit spending beginning fiscal year 2021. The district's cash balance at the end of fiscal year 2023 is projected to be $33 million.
- When a district fails to submit or update their five-year forecast as required by state law, they may be placed under "Fiscal Caution" by the state. Milford has never failed to submit or update a five-year forecast.
- A state auditor may declare a school district's financial records unauditable or may identify significant deficiencies, material weaknesses, direct and material legal noncompliance or management letter comments, which, in the opinion of the Auditor, the aggregate effect of all such reported issues has a significant effect on the financial condition of the district. Milford has had a clean financial audit for at least the past eight years.
- When a district is projected to end the year with no cash balance or a negative cash balance, the district will most likely be deemed in fiscal caution or watch. Our cash balance is projected to be $33 million at the end of FY 2023. Our expenditures are not forecasted to exceed revenue until FY 2021. The increased expenditures are due to inflation on purchased services such as energy costs, fuel, curricular materials, and increased expenditures for salaries and benefits.
- Eleven years ago, in 2008, the district was declared to be in fiscal caution after a failed levy attempt and deficit cash balance projections. At that time a performance audit was conducted by the state, resulting in recommendations to reduce programming and staffing to state minimums.
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STAFF EXPECTATIONS AND SOCIAL MEDIA
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Mrs. House addressed concerns that were aired on social media regarding staff use of social media: "I am completely unaware that at any time a teacher or principal has used his or her personal beliefs for any reason in any building," Mrs. House said. "I acknowledge that our administrators go above and beyond to be fair and impartial."
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STUDENT VOICE AND CHOICE: 2019 HOMECOMING ACTIVITIES
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Board Member Chris Hamm read a statement about Homecoming activities that occurred in September:
"I want to congratulate our students and staff on a well-coordinated week of Homecoming activities. I was able to attend the parade and game and there was great energy. I also understand that the dance may have been the most attended in recent years and was an outstanding event. I also want to commend our students for using your vote and your voice to elect a court and royalty this year. We empower our students to think for themselves and act responsibly, especially when it comes to activities and events that are truly yours. This was your opportunity to create your moment and your event and what fit for you. That being said, I think it’s important that we continue to allow future classes of students the ability to determine their own moment and fit. By establishing boundaries, such as the law, the student code of conduct, decency, and respect, we should continue to empower and support the will of the student body as they create their memories."
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ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
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In recent months during the public participation portions of Board meetings, residents have come forward and expressed concern over transgender students using certain bathrooms in the high school. The district's position follows Title 9, which is Federal Law and protects students from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities:
a school district cannot dictate which bathroom a transgender student may use
.
"If you want things to change, you have to go to the Federal level," said Board President George Lucas. "Our hands are tied. Whether you agree or disagree, if you want to change any law that drives our policies, that has to happen at the Federal level."
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Mrs. House provided further review of the recent state Report Card grade given to Milford. (
Click here
to read her remarks made during the September Board meeting.) She made the following points:
- From last year to this year, the district dropped from a "B" grade to a "D" grade in the Progress/Value Added section of the report card, which measures individual students’ growth based on past performance. That grade drop resulted in the district receiving an overall grade of "C" from the state.
- The Progress/Value Added grade does not accurately reflect the actual progress made by Milford students. For example, seventh graders take seventh grade accelerated math and pass the state’s seventh grade math test, and they progress from seventh grade accelerated math to the first year of high school math, effectively jumping one year ahead. But the report card doesn’t measure that growth accurately, instead reflecting those seventh graders’ progress in a negative number.
- In looking at the Performance Index, which measures the results of every student, the district earned a B grade.
- In comparison to other Clermont County school districts, Milford actually scored the highest on the Performance Index measure - earning a score of 96.933 on the performance index. Refer to the chart below.
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THE BOARD APPROVED:
- Jennifer Benson as the Director of the Milford-Miami Township Drug-Free Coalition, and George Hart as Community Coordinator.
- A contract for Tina Reynolds as Assistant Nutrition Services.
- Resignation due to retirement of Jeri Cottone, special education teacher at the junior high, effective June 1, 2020.
- Resignations of the following employees due to retirement: Brenda Carter, Business Office Administrative Secretary - effective January 1, 2020, and hiring Tina Bundy as her replacement.
- Resignation of Mary Joyce Ostrowski, mental health interventionist at the high school.
- Corrections to classified contracts previously approved at the September Board meeting.
- Hiring recommendations: Joshua Coats and Becky Combs as food service workers. Both positions are replacement positions due to resignations; Melissa Sauer - Food Service Central Kitchen Manager, a replacement position due to a resignation; Amy Dellostritto - Teacher Aide at the high school, new position; John Osborne - substitute custodian/maintenance; Joshua Coats, Joseph Johnston, and Laura Wilson, - substitute food service workers; Joseph Johnston - Food Service Worker at Wyoming High School, replacement due to resignation; and Leslie Michaud - preschool teacher aide, new position due to student need.
- District Supplemental Contract Recommendations for: Alexandra Lynch - Home Instruction Tutor; Kris Baker, Samantha Bens, Andrew Campbell, Jennifer Ferrell, Steve Holden, Kelly Kaiser, Kristin Kauffman, Lillie Kearns, Shannon Langston, Craig Rieck, Jeff Shepherd, and Emma Walker - Year 1 Mentors; Kristin Arnett, Gina DeBlasio, Jennie Johnson, Stephanie Jones, Anna O'Neill, Jim Siciliano and Tammie Smith - Year 2 Mentors.
- Building Supplemental Contracts for Patty Bolender, Chrissy Hutzel, Cynthia Bachman, Kristy Blakenship, Hanna Mathias, and Shelley Smit - Music Performance Directors; Lori Barlow, Judy Hackmeister, Patty Kordis - detention monitors; Marissa Childress - technical director, high school.
- Athletic and Extracurricular Activities Supplemental/Pupil Activity Contracts for Jack Schaub - boys basketball coach, junior high; Brad Cunningham - wrestling coach, junior high; Tim Pope - wrestling coach, junior high; Natalie Hyde, Megan Rieman, and Jennifer Brenner - cheerleading assistant coaches; Chris Vollman, Craig Rieck, Jake Chialastri - boys basketball assistant coaches, high school; Allison Nagle, Jennifer Teski, and Geoff Wahl - girls basketball assistant coaches, high school; Emma Frye - swimming assistant coach, high school; Albert Taylor - bowling assistant coach, high school; John Steiner, Chris McDonough, Josh Clayton, and Jason Babinec - wrestling assistant coaches, high school;
- Accompanists for Choir: Patricia Logsdon and Michael Spresser.
- Volunteers: Michael Barnett and Kort Dwyer - boys basketball, junior high; Trini Perez - dance team, junior high; Scott Brueck - wrestling, junior high; Kelsi Hall, Mark Hansman, Kevin Husted, John Kleinfeldt, Chris Vandegrift, Jennifer Walker, Adam Woodward, and Jeff Wright, guidance department mentors, high school; Julianne Ford - band, high school.
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- Approval to dispose of inventoried items.
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THE BOARD APPROVED:
- Curriculum pay for the following teachers: Kelcey Davison, Kevin Metzger, Melody Moorehead, and Geoff Wahl - to plan and implement ACT Preparation; Rebecca Edwards, Matt West, and Heather Yuellig - for World Language Course Authoring/OBC. Shane Bartholomew - for ODE Mathematical Reasoning; Alison Mendralski, Alison - for the Online Health Course Pilot.
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INFORMATION ITEM:
- Community School Enrollment - state funding follows a student who is enrolled in an online or community school, which is a significant deduction in funding for the district. The highest number of students enrolled in community schools was 109 - this year that number is down to 75 students, which equates to that funding coming back to our district.
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FOUR INDIVIDUALS SPOKE DURING THE SECOND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SECTION:
- James Rhodes addressed the Board as a candidate for school board, stating he has sought a non-partisan endorsement for his campaign.
- Amanda Fox told the Board she is glad the district makes decisions based on student need, not based on what will make the state report card scores look better. She stated that her sons would otherwise have been limited in the courses they were able to take.
- Kevin Austin addressed the Board for a second time concerning staff use of social media.
- John Warner addressed the Board for a second time about his concerns about transgender students using restrooms and on a separate matter suggested the Board look at their opportunities to reduce cost.
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NEXT BOARD MEETING:
November 14, 2019
7:00 p.m.
Milford Schools Administrative Offices
Board Conference Room
1099 State Route 131
Milford, OH 45150
The November meeting will include the annual Veteran's Day celebration. T
he Board will dedicate the Veterans Wall of Honor during their meeting and all veterans and active duty members of the military and their family members are invited to attend; RSVPs are not required. The Wall of Honor, located at the District Office, pays tribute to seven veterans, all Milford alumni, who died during battle or as the result of war: Daniel Feck, Gerald Hill, Rodney Huddleston, Dennis Johnson, Roger Lay, Clifford Leffler, and Louis Speidel.
The Board will hold a work session on November 4, beginning at 6:00 p.m. to continue their discussion on the future of facilities
.
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