*  The Board of Education recognizes the value to school governance of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on school matters of community interest.

In order to permit the fair and orderly expression of such comment, the Board shall provide a period for public participation at every public meeting of the Board and publish rules to govern such participation.  These rules are available at each Board meeting.  Anyone desiring to speak is asked to make this request in advance.  Participants must be recognized by the presiding officer.  Comments shall be directed to the presiding officer; not to Board members individually. Board Bylaw 0169.1

REGULAR MEETING

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE                       

ROLL CALL:             Present: Mrs. Timmons, Mr. Koster, Mr. Honkala,

                                    Mr. Miller, Mr. Manfredi.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES

Motion made by Mr. Koster, seconded by Mr. Manfredi to approve the current agenda and the minutes of the February 9, 2009 regular meeting and the February 7, 2009 Special Meeting.

Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.       

TREASURER’S REPORT

Expenditures and Interest Earned:

Motion made by Tim Honkala, seconded by John Manfredi to approve the expenditures in the amount of $853,409.40 for the month of February and any necessary for March, along with month end reports as available, including amended certificate. The treasurer earned $981.55 in interest for February investments. The total fiscal year-to-date earnings are $44,836.55.

Roll Call: All Ayes.  Motion carried.

Appropriation Modifications:

Motion made by Jim Koster, seconded by John Manfredi to approve the  following  appropriation modifications:  

Increase Appropriations to:

014                              “Rotary” account                      $       38,605.00

200      9202                Art Club                                   $       12,000.00

024      9899                Health Ins.                                $     215,000.00

001                              General Fund                            $11,075,000.00

006                              Cafeteria                                  $     300,000.00

Roll Call:

Aye: Mrs. Timmons, Mr. Honkala, Mr. Koster, Mr. Miller, Mr. Manfredi.

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Advances and/or Return of Advance:

Motion made by Jim Koster, seconded by John Manfredi  to approve the following transfers/ advances and returns of advance:

Transfer:

From 001           General Fund              $(   75,000.00)

To     024           Health Ins.                              $     75,000.00

From 001           General Fund              $(   95,000.00)

To     006           Cafeteria                                $     95,000.00

Advance: 

From    001       General Fund                            $ (    13,083.67)

To        006       Cafeteria Fund                          $       13,083.67

Return of Advance:

From    006 Cafeteria Fund                                $(     17,077.66)

To        001 General Fund                                  $       17,077.66

Roll Call:

Aye:  Timmons, Koster, Honkala, Miller, Manfredi

Naye: None

Motion carried

Waste and Recycling services 

Motion made by Roger Miller, seconded by Jim Koster to allow the Treasurer to participate and authorize the Ohio Schools Council to advertise and receive bids on behalf of the Berkshire Board of Education as per the specifications submitted for the cooperative purchase of waste and recycling services for the period July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012.  It is understood there is no fee to participate in the Ohio Schools Council 2009-2012 Waste and Recycling Program.

Roll Call:  All Ayes

Motion Carried

Resolution Accepting Tax Rates 

Motion made by Roger Miller, seconded by Val Timmons to approve the following resolution as required by the Tax Budget Commission.

   RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR.

WHEREAS, this Board of Education in accordance with the provisions of law has previously adopted a Tax Budget for the next succeeding fiscal year commencing on July 1^st, 2009; and WHEREAS, the Budget Commission of Geauga County, Ohio, has certified its action thereon to this Board together with an estimate by the County Auditor of the rate of each tax necessary to be levied by this Board, and what part thereof is without, and what part within the ten mill limitation; therefore, be it RESOLVED, By the Board of Education of the Berkshire Local School District, Geauga County, Ohio, that the amounts and rates, as determined by the Budget Commission in its certification, be and the same are hereby accepted; and be it further RESOLVED, that there be and is hereby levied on the tax duplicate of said School District the rate of each tax necessary to be levied within and without the ten mill limitation as follows:

and be it further RESOLVED, that the Fiscal Officer of this Board be and is hereby directed to  certify a copy of this Resolution to the County Auditor of said County.

Roll Call:

Aye: Mrs. Timmons, Mr. Koster, Mr. Honkala, Mr. Miller, Mr. Manfredi.

Naye: None

Motion Carried

Award Bids for Berkshire Modular Building Project

Motion made by Roger Miller, seconded by Val Timmons to award Mobilease Modular bid of  $727,573.00  for the General Trades work on the Berkshire Local School Modular building project.  A bidder has raised the failure of The Guarantee Company of North America Y+USA to attach a financial statement to the Bid Guaranty and Contract Bond submitted on behalf of Mobilease Modular Space, Inc.  The Board notes that the certificate from the Ohio Department of Insurance attached to the Bid Guaranty provides a statement of the surety’s financial condition.  When the lack of a financial statement was brought to the attention of the surety, it furnished its financial statement.  The Board waives the requirement that a financial statement be submitted with the Bid Guaranty furnished by Mobilease Modular Space, Inc. Because the lack of a financial statement was an irregularity that was not material, did not affect the amount of the bid submitted by Mobilease, and did not give Mobilease a competitive advantage.

 Roll Call:

 Aye: Mr. Koster, Mr. Honkala, Mr. Manfredi, Mrs. Timmons.

 Naye: None

Abstain: Mr. Miller

 Motion Carried.

Motion made by John Manfredi, seconded by Jim Koster to award Innovative Modular Solutions bid of $60,000.00 for the electrical work on the Berkshire Local School Modular building project.

Roll Call:

Aye: Mr. Honkala, Mr. Manfredi, Mrs. Timmons, Mr. Koster.

Naye: None

Abstain: Mr. Miller

Motion Carried.

Motion made by Val Timmons, seconded by John Manfredi to award TJ Smith Excavating’s bid of $116,229.41 for the site work on the Berkshire Local School Modular Building Project.    

Roll Call:

      Aye: Mr. Manfredi, Mrs. Timmons, Mr. Koster, Mr. Honkala.

      Naye: None

      Abstain: Mr. Miller

      Motion Carried.

Motion made by Tim Honkala, seconded by Jim Koster to approve Interland Construction Company as Construction Manager and Owners’ Representative for the Berkshire Local School Modular Building Project at an amount not to exceed $23,995.00.

Roll Call:

Ayes: Mr. Honkala, Mr. Manfredi, Mrs. Timmons, Mr. Koster.

Naye: None

Abstain: Mr. Miller

Motion Carried

VOCATIONAL REPORT:

Mr. Miller reported that an Interim Superintendent will be in place at the Auburn Career Center soon.  He also shared that there was a devaluation of property in Lake County that will affect the tax collections.  Auburn Career Center will consider Administrative cuts if there is a significant decrease in receipts.

COMMITTEE REPORT:

None

Mr. Miller informed the audience that his abstention on the motions for the Berkshire Modular Classroom project were made simply because he was employed by a company that had bid on the project and he did not want to create any conflict of interest. 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

MRDD Agreement:

Motion made by Roger Miller, seconded by Val Timmons to approve the Funding Agreement for 2008-2009 school year between the Geauga County Board of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities (GCBMRDD) and the Berkshire School District.                     

Roll Call: All Ayes

Motion Carried.

Personnel:

A. Certified

Motion made by Tim Honkala, seconded by John Manfredi to approve an FMLA leave of absence for Ted Janssen effective February 17, 2009.

 Roll Call: All Ayes

Motion Carried.

Motion made by John Manfredi, seconded by Tim Honkala to approve the following certified staff as chaperones for the following trips:

8th Grade trip to Washington DC from April 2, 2009 – April 4, 2009.

Eric Higgs

Rich Guthrie

Cheri Goggins

Megan Honkala

Linda Stone

Elizabeth Porter

Slyvia McGee

Senior Class trip to New York City from March 19 through March 22, 2009.

Meghan Hull

Maria Ritter

Mandy Burzanko

Ray Harriman

Sara O’Connor

Roll Call: All Ayes

Motion Carried.

Motion made by Tim Honkala, seconded by Jim Koster to approve the following employees to dispense medications for the following trips:

8th Grade trip to Washington DC from April 2, 2009 – April 4, 2009.

Eric Higgs

Rich Guthrie

Cheri Goggins

Senior Class trip to New York City from March 19 through March 22, 2009.

Meghan Hull

Roll Call: All Ayes

Motion Carried.

Motion made by Jim Koster, seconded by Roger Miller to approve the following coaches for spring sports:

Kelly Williams  Assistant Boys’ Track

Nichole Hess                JH Track Coach

Roll Call: All Ayes

Motion Carried.

B.   Classified

Motion made by Val Timmons, seconded by John Manfredi to approve hiring Justin Smetana as a substitute custodian for the District.

Roll Call: All Ayes.

Motion Carried.

Motion made by John Manfredi, seconded by Tim Honkala to approve the following as chaperones for the following trips:

8^th Grade trip to Wahsington D.C. from April 2 – April 4, 2009

Dan Stone

Senior Class trip to New York City from March 19 – March 22, 2009

William Poole

Roll Call: All Ayes.

Motion Carried.

Motion made by Tim Honkala, seconded by Roger Miller to accept the resignations of the following coaches for spring sports:

Evan Shalek                 JH Track Coach

            Beth Duricky                JH Track Coach

Roll Call: All Ayes.

Motion Carried.

Motion made by Tim Honkala, seconded by John Manfredi to approve the following coaches for spring sports:

Brian Stranero              JH Track Coach

Laura Stranero             JH Track Coach

Roll Call: All Ayes.

Motion Carried.

Old Business: 

The Superintendent commented on an article from the News Herald about the efficiency of our transportation department.  He thanked Lisa Shirkey, transportation director, and our bus drivers for their efforts in making our transportation program a success.

The Superintendent acknowledged Priscilla Keefe, elementary teacher, as being nominated for the Ohio Teacher of the Year award from OSBA.  There will be an awards banquet hosted by OSBA on March 19, 2009 at Austintown High School to recognize the candidates from the area.

The Superintendent congratulated student David Malkus for earning 3^rd place in the State Wrestling tournament.

Roger Miller shared a letter from the Berkshire Athletic Boosters requesting a formal policy between the Boosters and the Board of Education in regards to student athletes and coaches that have earned their way to State finals. The Boosters would like to split the entire cost for the athletes and coaches who participate in the State finals and also asked that the Board consider giving the athletes and coaches a share of an amount per day for food.

OPEN PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

Scott Weber commended the Board for having enough money in the bank to pay for the Berkshire Modular Classroom addition project.  He also shared his thought and some suggestions to improve of cafeteria program.

He suggested the Board might consider outsourcing the service through a bidding procedure.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Motion made by Mr. Honkala, seconded by Mr. Manfredi to enter into executive session to discuss the compensation of a public employee.

Motion made at 6:26 pm.

Roll Call:

            Ayes: Mrs. Timmons, Mr. Manfredi, Koster, Mr. Miller, Mr. Honkala.

            Naye: None

            Motion Carried.

The Board entered into executive session at 6:43 pm.

The Board exited executive session at 7:42 pm.

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion made by Mr. Honkala, seconded by Mr. Miller to adjourn the meeting at  7:43p.m.

Roll Call: All Ayes.  Motion carried.

                                                                                                                         ___                             

                                                                                    Mrs. Val Timmons,                       President

                                                                                                                                                            ______

                                                                                    Mrs. Karen Andrei,                     Treasurer