BoardMinutes

Opening The James A. Garfield Board of Education met in the Jagow Room at the Hiram College Kennedy Center at 8:00 a.m. for the annual Organizational Meeting.

President Pro-Tempore Deral White called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m.

President Pro-Tempore Deral White led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. A moment of silence was observed.

Upon roll call the following members were present: Patricia Brett, Gary Foy, Guy Pietra, David Vincent, and Deral White.

Also present: Superintendent and Treasurer.

No visitors were present for recognition.

07-01 Deral White nominated Guy Pietra for president of the James A. Garfield Local Board of Education for the 2007 calendar year.

Patricia Brett seconded Guy Pietra’s nomination.

Moved by G. Foy, seconded by D. Vincent to close nominations for president.

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent, White

Nays: None

Mr. White declared the motion passed.

Vote confirming Guy Pietra for president of the board for the 2007 calendar year:

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent, White

Nays: None

Mr. White declared the motion passed.

07-02 Guy Pietra nominated David Vincent for vice-president of the James A. Garfield Local Board of Education for the 2007 calendar year.

Patricia Brett seconded David Vincent’s nomination.

Moved by G. Pietra, seconded by G. Foy to close nominations for vice-president.

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent, White

Nays: None

Mr. Pietra declared the motion passed.

Vote confirming David Vincent for vice-president of the board for the 2007 calendar year:

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent, White

Nays: None

Mr. Pietra declared the motion passed.

President Guy V. Pietra set the regular monthly meetings of the Board of Education for the second Thursday of every month, beginning at 7:00 p.m., to be held in the Middle School Library, excluding January, which will be held Thursday, January 18, 2007 and April, which will be held Tuesday, April 17, 2007.

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent, White

Nays: None

Mr. Pietra declared the motion passed.

07-03 Moved by G. Foy, seconded by D. Vincent to consolidate and approve the following organizational items as listed:

* Establish a Service Fund for board members and appropriate $7,500 for this purpose.

* Approve bonds in the amount of $50,000 for the Treasurer and $20,000 for the Superintendent/Board President.

* Authorize the Treasurer to invest interim inactive funds at the most productive interest rate whenever funds are available and payable to the school district during the 2007 year and through the organizational meeting in 2008.

* Authorize the Treasurer to pay all bills within the limits of the appropriations resolution as bills are received and when the merchandise is received in good and usable condition during the 2007 calendar year and through the organizational meeting in 2008.

* Authorize the Treasurer to secure advances from the County Auditor when funds are available and payable to the school district.

* Approve the use of single signature checks of the General Account and payroll clearing accounts through the organizational meeting of 2008.

* Authorize the Superintendent to act as Purchasing Agent for the school district through the

organizational meeting of 2008.

* Authorize the Superintendent to employ such personnel as is needed for emergency situations and authorize payment for work done, at existing rates, if not approved by the Board.

* Authorize the use of Christley, Herington and Pierce and Squire, Sanders & Dempsey as legal counsel.

* Authorize the Treasurer to make all necessary modifications within budget accounts to clear the deficit balances. Such modifications will be presented for approval by the Board at the next regular meeting.

* Authorize the Treasurer to make advances from the General Fund.

* Authorize the Superintendent to suspend non-teaching and teaching personnel; provided such suspensions comply with procedures as provided by Ohio law and such suspensions are presented for approval by the Board at the next regular meeting.

* Dispense with reading the minutes at each meeting provided they are mailed to Board members prior to the meeting at which they will be considered.

* Approve the Record-Courier as the official newspaper of general circulation for legal notices.

* Confirm the existing policies of the James A. Garfield Board of Education are in effect for the 2007 calendar year and through the organizational meeting of 2008.

* Authorize continued membership in the Portage Area Schools Council of Governments-Health, Property and Fleet Insurance Consortium.

* Appoint the Superintendent to serve as a trustee on the Portage Area Schools Consortium to represent the James A. Garfield School District and appoint the Treasurer to act as an alternate.

* Approve mailing Board meeting notices to those who submit stamped, self-addressed envelopes, except the Record-Courier and The Villager.

* Approve NEOLA’s continuing update service of policies for 2007 at an annual fee of $1,800 (estimate).

* Approve continued membership in the Community, University and Educational Purchasing Association of Summit and Portage County (C.U.E.) for fiscal year 2008.

* Authorize the Superintendent and Treasurer to submit proposals, establish fiscal accounts, receive, appropriate, and transfer funds, and begin program operations for grants and programs.

* Authorize the Superintendent to advertise for bids and to sell property when needed.

* Approve an agreement with Robinson Health Affiliates for random drug/alcohol testing for 2007.

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent, White

Nays: None

Mr. Pietra declared the motion passed.

President Pietra let stand all existing committees and liaisons for Calendar Year 2007:

Deral White -Legislative Liaison.

Patricia Brett - Student Achievement Liaison.

David Vincent - Liaison to Garrettsville Village Council.

Guy Pietra and Gary Foy (with Deral White as alternate) -superintendent’s committee for OAPSE Labor Management.

Guy Pietra and Patricia Brett (with Deral White as alternate) -superintendent’s committee for GEA Labor Management.

Gary Foy and Deral White -superintendent’s committee for Athletic Task Force.

Guy Pietra and David Vincent -superintendent’s committee for Policy Review.

President Guy Pietra let stand all existing committees of the calendar year 2007.

07-04 Moved by D. Vincent, seconded by P. Brett to approve the tax budget for fiscal year 2008 as follows:

WHEREAS school districts must adopt an annual budget for the coming school year (July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008) by or about January 15, 2007; and

WHEREAS the county budget commission has no authority to either increase or reduce the rate of any voter approved tax levy, although it does have authority and duty to adjust the amounts required from general property tax to conform to the needs demonstrated by the budget (ORC 5705.31 and 5705.341; Baker’s Text, Section 5.04); and

WHEREAS such budget is more of an administrative exercise than of revenue generating significance, in that the January budget is commonly referred to as the asking for budget (vs. the July appropriations measure which actually deals with expected funds); and

WHEREAS the asking for budget document is available to the public to review in the Treasurer’s office;

BE IT RESOLVED that the budget is approved as presented; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED under the provisions of ORC 5705.30, the Treasurer shall deliver a copy of the approved budget on the prescribed form to the County Auditor on or before 1/20/07.

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent, White

Nays: None

Mr. Pietra declared the motion passed.

07-05 Moved by P. Brett, seconded by D. Vincent to grant Tracy Knauer a four-year contract as treasurer effective January 1, 2007 through the organizational meeting in January 2011; salary per the administrative salary schedule.

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent, White

Nays: None

Mr. Pietra declared the motion passed.

07-06 Moved by D. Vincent, seconded by D. White to authorize and direct the Board President and Treasurer to give written notice to the following administrators whose contracts expire in 2007. The administrator may request a meeting with the Board of Education by giving the Treasurer written notice of his/her request before the Board’s regular meeting in February 2007:

Keri Dornack, Elementary Principal – Expiration of Contract July 31, 2007

Donald Long, Intermediate Principal – Expiration of Contract July 31, 2007

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent, White

Nays: None

Mr. Pietra declared the motion passed.

President Guy Pietra asked for motion to adjourn. All were in favor and this meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.

James A. Garfield Local School District

Special Board Meeting – January 6, 2007

Opening The James A. Garfield Board of Education met at the Hiram College Kennedy Center at 8:30am for the purpose of conducting a Board/Administrative Retreat. Superintendent, Charles C. Klamer called the retreat to order at 9:10am.

The following members were present: Patricia Brett, Gary Foy, Guy Pietra, David Vincent, and Deral White.

Present at the meeting were Superintendent, Charles C. Klamer; Treasurer, Tracy Knauer; High School Principal, Mike Cook; Assistant High School Principal, Jim Guterba; Middle School Principal, Neil Wallace; Intermediate School Principal, Don Long; Elementary School Principal, Keri Dornack; Classified Supervisor, Roger Fisher; Athletic Director, Greg McDivitt; and Retreat Facilitators, County Educational Service Center Superintendent, Dewey Chapman and Assistant Superintendent, Cheryl Emrich.

Dewey Chapman and Cheryl Emrich led the attendees in discussions to prepare collective goals for 2007.

Each administrator gave a ten minute report to the group about current activities.

The Board met with Dewey Chapman and the administrators met with Cheryl Emrich to develop goals.

The group made plans to meet after the Thursday, January 18, 2007 regular meeting to consolidate goals and create action steps to meet those goals.

Tentative sessions to follow the progress of the goals have been discussed for Tuesday, April 17, 2007; Thursday, September 13, 2007 and a Saturday retreat in January 2008, date to be announced.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:55pm

James A. Garfield Local School District

Regular Meeting- January 18, 2007

Opening The James A. Garfield Board of Education met in the Middle School Library at 7:00 pm for the regular meeting. President Guy Pietra called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

President Guy Pietra led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Upon roll call the following members were present: Patricia Brett, Gary Foy, Guy Pietra, and David Vincent. Deral White was absent.

A moment of silence was observed.

Also present were students, parents, staff, community members, Record Courier reporter, Superintendent and Treasurer

07-07 Moved by D. Vincent, seconded by G. Foy to accept and approve Board Meeting Agenda and addendum for January 18, 2007.

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent

Nays: None

Mr. Pietra declared the motion passed

President Guy V. Pietra dispensed with committees and reports.

Board Business

Special Recognition Saluting all Members of the Board of Education

Mr. Klamer recognized the Board of Education and introduced Principal Keri Dornack and students from James A. Garfield Elementary - Fourth Graders: Marcus Miller, Todd Barton, Griffin Young, Caitlin White, Evan Beach and Julia Roubic; Kindergartners: Bobby Del Torto, Sarah Miller, Lyndsey Johns, Rachel Rader and Addison Varner who presented the board with a poem, posters and gift baskets.

President Pietra, on behalf of the board, thanked Mrs. Dornack, students and parents for taking time to recognize the Board.

President Pietra declared a short break at 7:25 p.m., at which time most of those present departed. The meeting resumed at 7:28 p.m.

Superintendent Klamer presented a plaque to each member for outstanding service.

James A. Garfield Intermediate Principal, Mr. Don Long, arrived at 7:32 p.m. He presented banners created by the students to recognize the Board. These banners will be placed to honor the Board at Porters IGA and Giant Eagle. The Intermediate teachers also created a recognition board which will be placed at Cal’s Restaurant.

Visitor Recognition and Public Comments

Mr. Mark Apple thanked the board for their service to the community and discussed the Middle School practice field.

Educational Excellence

07-08 Moved by G. Foy, seconded by D. Vincent to recognize Robert Carlisle for being selected one of only two Ohio representatives for Wendy’s H.S. Heisman Award and also for his selection as the Record-Courier Athlete of the Week for his basketball achievements.

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent

Nays: None

Mr. Pietra declared the motion passed

Approval of Minutes

07-09 Moved by G. Pietra, seconded by D. Vincent to approve the minutes of the regular board meeting of December 14, 2006 and the Organizational Meeting and Board Retreat of January 6, 2007 as submitted.

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent

Nays: None

Mr. Pietra declared the motion passed

Treasurer’s Recommendations

07-10 Moved by D. Vincent, seconded by G. Foy to consolidate and approve the following recommendations:

* Approve the financial reports for December 2006.

* Approve the Certificate of Availability:

PO Number PO Date Invoice Date Vendor Amount

34248 11/08/06 11/02/06 Portage-Summit Bowling Conference $800.00

34263 11/13/06 11/11/06 Garrettsville Hardware $120.76

34348 11/30/06 11/29/06 Commercial Technical Services $337.00

34396 12/01/06 11/29/06 PCSG, Inc. $375.00

* Accept the following donations: $110.10-anonymous donation to athletics; $600-Athletic Boosters to athletics for baseball dome; $1,000-Athletic Boosters to athletics for chairs/scorer’s table; $787.47-junior class parents to junior class.

* Approve an Internet Service Agreement with the Stark-Portage Area Computer Consortium (SPARCC) for the fiscal year 2007/08 at a cost of $39,432.00; Exhibit A.

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent

Nays: None

Mr. Pietra declared the motion passed

07-11 Moved by G. Foy, seconded by D. Vincent to accept an anonymous donation of $500 for boy’s basketball.

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent

Nays: None

Mr. Pietra declared the motion passed

Superintendent’s Recommendations

07-12 Moved by D. Vincent, seconded by G. Foy to consolidate and approve the following superintendent’s recommendations:

* Grant a supplemental contract for the 2006/07 year to Sue Rossi for M.S. Intramurals ($859.95).

* Hire Cheryl Brode, Megan Wert, Kristine Faber, Cara Young and Stephanie Hale as substitute teachers for the 2006/07 year.

* Approve Susan Beach as a home tutor for the 2006/07 year.

* Accept Andrea Johnson as an open enrollment student for the balance of the 2006/07 year; she recently moved out of the Garfield District.

* Hire the following substitute classified staff for the balance of 2006/07:

Ria Reis – bus driver

Rose Broadwater – dietary aide

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent

Nays: None

Mr. Pietra declared the motion passed

07-13 Moved by D. Vincent, seconded by G. Pietra to consolidate and approve the following superintendent’s recommendations:

* Approve volunteers for 2006/07: Jim Collins and J.D. Hoffel to work with the H.S. girl’s basketball team; Samantha Foy to work with the softball team.

* Hire Matthew Nelson and Jessica Kent as substitute teachers for the 2006/07 year.

* Grant supplemental/personal service contracts for 2006/07:

Jim Pfleger - H.S. Assistant Boy’s Track Coach ($2,645.44)

Dawnell Gernentz – H.S. Assistant Girl’s Track Coach ($2,362)

Matthew Minnick – M.S. Boy’s Track Coach ($2,456.48)

Ellen Rybak – M.S. Girl’s Track Coach ($2,362)

Jessica Crookham - M.S. Assistant Track Coach ($1,476.25)

John Cicero – H.S. Head Softball Coach ($3,070.59)

Tina Faulhaber – H.S. Assistant Softball Coach ($2,456.48)

Rob Hindman – H.S. Assistant Softball Coach ($2,362)

Steve Barton – H.S. Assistant Baseball Coach ($2,362)

Rod Simmons – H.S. Assistant Baseball Coach ($2,362)

* Approve the lay-off of inclusion aides Gail Spencer, effective January 2, 2007 and Debra Long, effective January 30, 2007 due to lack of work because special needs students moved from the district.

* Authorize the use of the James A. Garfield School facilities by the American Red Cross as disaster relief shelter locations to assist victims of disasters and/or emergencies.

Ayes: Brett, Foy, Pietra, Vincent

Nays: None

Mr. Pietra declared the motion passed

The board expressed appreciation for the hard work and due diligence of Athletic Director, Mr. Greg McDivitt and Superintendent, Mr. Charles Klamer, to have coaches in place well in advance of the start of the season. President Pietra set aside time for the board to meet with administrators and discuss goals at the end of the February regular meeting; it will be part of the regular meeting. The board also discussed the bus accident of Friday, January 12 and the expectation to hear back from the insurance company within the next few days about the disposition of the bus. The Maplewood Spaghetti Dinner will be held on Thursday, February 1 at Maplewood from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

President Guy Pietra asked for motion to adjourn. All were in favor and this meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

February 2006

March 2006

April 2006

May 2006

June 2006

July 2006

September 2006

October 2006

November 2006

December 2006