By Paula Scott
VanBuskirk retirement approved, advertising for bids for admin building a/c, 5-year financial forecast, executive session on security
The Board of Education of the Ada Exempted Village Schools held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, November 17. (Packet of supporting documents is attached.)
President Amy Mullins conducted the meeting with board members Ron Fleming, Ted Griffith and Steve Ramey present; Matt Gossman was absent.
HEARING OF THE PUBLIC
In addition to administrative staff, the Icon and Kenton Times were present. There were no comments addressed to the board.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Dan Lee, High School principal:
Mr. Lee reviewed the busy weeks prior to the meeting which included:
Nov. 11 - Veterans’ Breakfast with a record number in attendance
Nov. 12 - Music Feast; this was the Ada Varsity Singers’ first time performing their full show; Lee noted “it takes an army” to put on the event including parents, students, music boosters
Nov. 7 - Town & Gown banquet recognized all new school employees since 2019
Oct. 30 - AHS Marching band received an Excellent rating at State competition at Piqua
Nov. 18 - Girls basketball opener
Jeremy Clark, Elementary principal:
Mr. Clark commented on recent and upcoming activities:
The first honors assembly was sponsored by the Academic Boosters and held online for the first time; 95 students were honored.
Dr. Brittany Lee and Arlene Allison are preparing a “Gobble Up the Science of Reading” event during conferences. Separate parent activities are held at the same time as student activities
“Dime Wars” competition will raise money for food for needy families at Christmas.
Britton Devier, K-12 Assistant Principal and Transportation Supervisor
Dr. Devier updated the board on:
Bus driver Cory Ward has finished his training and is fully certified. It’s important to have enough drivers for winter sports when there can be 5-6 events on a Saturday.
Is working to resurrect the Alumni Association. The first Hall of Honor induction since 2018 will be awarded with a Reception and Ceremony on January 7 at Ada-USV basketball game, instead of a banquet.
Kim Light, Treasurer:
Ms. Light presented October financials and the 5-year financial forecast. In past years the forecast has been required in October; the state moved the deadline to November to allow for the results of ballot issues to be included.
For October 2022, Light noted:
Materials costs are trending high
Income tax receipts--2nd of 4 payments–are about $54K higher than last year, showing a pandemic recovery.
A packet including investment summary; charts of receipts, expenditures and unencumbered balance through October 2022, spending plan summary, cash summary report, bank reconciliation, cash reconciliation, disbursement summary report; tax revenue amounts 2013-2022
For the 5-year forecast, the attached report includes
- Economic Outlook
- Forecast Risks and Uncertainty
- Graphs of General Fund Revenue, Expenditures and Cash Balance, and General Fund Estimated Revenues of $11,448,308
- Real Estate Value Assumptions
- Estimated Tangible Personal Tax & Public Utility Personal Property
- School District Income Tax
- Renewal and Replacement Levies
- Graph and Summary of State Foundation Revenue Estimates
- Expenditure Assumptions
Discussion included that the district is currently getting more from Income tax than from real estate tax. Local funding no longer includes open enrollment payments, with the new “fair school funding” model. Local real estate revenues will see no increase until the next Hardin County reappraisal.
The forecast shows deficit spending beginning in Fiscal Year 2025. ESSER funds will help reduce General Fund costs from 2021-2024.
The Treasurer’s report was approved unanimously.
RESOLUTIONS
A resolution reimburse parents for transportation was approved unanimously (attachment p. 3)
A resolution to authorize notice for solicitation of architectural services (HVAC system for Administration building including offices, preschool, and gyms) was approved unanimously.
Architectural services for HVAC system
RESIGNATION OF SUPERINTENDENT FOR RETIREMENT PURPOSES
With some good-natured grumbling, the board unanimously approved the resignation of Mrs. Robin VanBuskirk as Superintendent of Ada Schools, effective in July 2023.
VanBuskirk was thanked for her 16 years of service to the Ada Schools.
SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS
Five recommendations were approved unanimously with no discussion:
- Approve agreement for transportation of student for the 2022-2023 school year.
- Approve retroactively a certified substitute for the 2022-2023 school year on an "as needed" basis at the board approved rates: Amanda Allyson.
- Approve certified and classified substitutes for the 2022-2023 school year on an "as needed" basis at the board approved rates: Charles Geddes Klingler, substitute custodian and Remond Brown, substitute teacher.
- Approve an individual to serve on the Ada Public Library Board: Rob Alexander to serve as a member, filling an unexpired term from 12/19/2022 through 12/31/2023.
- Approve agreement with Ohio Health Athletic Training Services.
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Superintendent Robin VanBuskirk noted that her comments were mostly an echo of Dan Lee’s on Town and Gown, Music Feast and the Veterans’ Breakfast.
She remarked that it was an honor and privilege to serve the Ada Schools and was proud of the hard work of staff and students.
NEXT MEETING
The date and time for the next meeting was established: 6:00 p.m. on December 15.
With the first executive session on the agenda unused, the board went into executive session at 6:33 p.m. to discuss employment and security topics.
