By Julie Erickson

Members in Attendance:

Mark Dzuric

Tom Tobin              

Dana Addis

Steve Dimauro

Phillip Butto

Laura Jones

Alissa Wright

(Note: Tom Tobin arrived during discussion of Item 6 in agenda)

Meeting was called to order at 6 P.M and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

A concerned citizen questioned the board on three topics: 

1.     With major increases in employee healthcare costs, are union contract negotiations including an increase to school employee’s 16% healthcare contribution to be more in line with average working American’s 20% - 25% contribution?  

2. In the new, now under review, cell phone policy it states:
“If the violation involves an illegal activity (e.g., child pornography, sexting), the school official will also refer the matter to law enforcement of child services. The PCD will be confiscated and may be turned over to law enforcement if a violation involves potentially illegal activity.” 

Would it then also include as a violation pornography like use of graphic sexual novels currently in the school libraries?”

3.  With the fiscal challenges that the board is facing and already talk of another future school levy will the board now redirect revenue to focus on academics

No other citizens addressed the board with their comments.

Mr. Butto provided a legislative update regarding House Bill 96 the omnibus bill now before the senate. The bill has gone before the senate finance committee and being debated now for amendments. Once amendments are completed it will go to a final vote and then go to conference committee to be reconciled with Governor budget and house and senate versions of bill. Cash balance provision they are concerned with under senate version of bill has ceiling at 50% minimum of 30% with a cap at 50%. Many things related to property taxes are being incorporated into the bill beyond that no further specifics.

Ellsworth teacher Hong Le was selected as one of 30 music teachers nationwide to be a Country Music Association Music Teacher of Excellence!  

Erik Halm Jen Haney and George Prokopovich won the Ohio Middle Level Association Team of the Year award. This team will be honored at a state conference this year.

State level participation in many of the sports teams. Hudson High School was rated top school in state for its atheletic program.

Steve Dimauro congratulated Shelly Schoonover on her retirement and commended her for her excellence and then approval given by board to accept her letter of retirement.

All listed approved by board.

All listed approved by board. Lisa Hunt stated that there were several resolutions for personnel development that are paid for by grants/

Approved for a grade change from a 3 to a 4 for the After School Coordinator 

Travel approved for HHS Girls basketball team to travel to Findley Ohio along with travel for the HHS Girls Volleyball team to Mason, Ohio

First reading of Personal Communication Device policy. Both staff and families of students had been surveyed for their input into the policy formation. No action taken tonight but a review of how the policy was developed that will eventually be sent to board for approval. This process of development of a cell phone policy has been a year and a half process. The policy being reviewed at this meeting was more global in scope with specific guidelines, by building, to yet be developed for incorporation into the student handbook that will be used by parents and students.

Alissa Wright brought up that it may now be time to review what more can be done to support extra-curricular activities. Angella Terella will lead the review on this.

Next meeting scheduled for June 26 in the Media Center and in July the meeting will be held at 8 A.M. at the Administration Building to approve last minute personnel issues. This meeting is open to public and estimated to last fifteen minutes and will be limited only to personnel topic. Alissa asked if this meeting could become a regular meeting if other issues need to be reviewed and Dimauro agreed it could if necessary.

Meeting adjourned so board could prepare for negotiations or bargaining sessions with employees concerning compensation and other terms and conditions of employment.