Aurora City Schools Board of Education
Monday, June 26, 2023
6 p.m.
Aurora Conference Center
119 W. Pioneer Trl.
Aurora, OH 44202
In attendance
Board Members
Pam Mehallis
Miriam Conner – absent
Michael Acomb
Stephen Sabulsky
Tony Zayas
Mike Roberto, Superintendent
Bill Volosin, Treasurer
Documenter Notes
Regular Board of Education Meeting
The meeting opened at 6 p.m. with the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call was then made, and all were present except Board Member Miriam Conner.
Special Reports/Recognitions: None
Hearing of Public Agenda and Non-Agenda Items (15 minutes): None
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made to accept the minutes of the May 22, 2023 meeting. Motion was seconded and approved via roll call.
Superintendent’s Report/Assistant Superintendent Curriculum Report
Superintendent Mike Roberto began by saying that he usually does not give a report in June. However, he shared information on recommendations submitted by the construction committee, which is a group of administrators, teachers, parents and stakeholders who have been meeting about the proposed plans for growth. He began with a timeline review (note: the PowerPoint for this information is available on the school board landing page on the Aurora Schools website).
March through May: A survey was sent out to families in Aurora with the question: “Should the ACSD pursue new construction in the next five years?”
Staff, families and stakeholders overwhelmingly expressed a positive response to this question. Series of meetings with staff, administrators and community where three potential projects came to light:
– K-3 Elementary
– 4-5 Intermediate
– High School
Information gleaned from these meetings indicated that very few were interested in the 4-5 Intermediate Plan, and so the other two plans – K-3 Elementary and High School – moved to the forefront.
November 2022: Interviews with seven architectural firms and a variety of visits to other schools in the area.
January 2023: Board approved the firm of ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) as the architectural partner in this project.
February-April 2023: The construction committee met several more times to outline and develop two sets of plans.
May-June 2023: Hosted several community meetings where staff, families and all stakeholders could attend and ask questions. Approximately 160 people attended, and 120 surveys were completed. Based upon the surveys and contact with attendees, there was a clear lean toward the High School plan.
Recommendation to the board this evening is the High School Plan, which incorporates the following:
– New 9-12 high school
– Relocating grades 6-8 and board offices to current Aurora High School
– Relocating grades 3-5 to Harmon
– Relocating grades pre-K and 1-2 to Leighton
– Kindergarten remains at Miller
This recommendation differs from the original one given because it includes adaptations from staff, parents, alumni, etc. from the last few months.
Rationale for the recommendation:
– Long-term solution for expected growth in the community
– Provides room for growth at all grade levels
– Elementary Plan does not address the expected grades 6-12 growth
– Will provide state-of-the-art high school facility
– Greater return on investment (as opposed to the Elementary Plan)
Roberto showed a chart which depicted the current capacity of each building and the capacities with the high school construction.
If the board gives the green light to the High School Plan, then the Master Plan would be developed over the next year. Roberto stated he would be happy to answer any questions the board may have.
Board Member Michael Acomb asked a question regarding enrollment projections for future years. Roberto responded that the Ohio Facilities Commission is working on projected enrollment figures with the City of Aurora to get those projections. The report has not been received yet. Over the last 20 years, however, the data shows growth from kindergarten to class graduation of about 70 students on average. Recently, there has been a class that was as high as 270.
Board Member Stephen Sabulsky inquired about the sample size of the survey. Roberto answered that 120 people completed the survey, and the school district also received emails and face-to-face feedback. He noted that the responses served as a good representation between faculty, administrators, parents and stakeholders. The feedback received clearly showed a trend for the High School Plan.
Acomb stated that the location of the proposed new high school is a little startling (it would be built between the current middle and high schools), but he is pleased to hear that the development of the plan will address potential traffic and parking issues as well as the loss of green space and practice fields. He recommended that there be a clear illustration of what a North and South Campus will look like. Roberto agreed with Acomb that he wants everyone to have a good idea of what it looks like before voting on a bond issue, which will most likely be added to the November 2024 ballot. Board Member Tony Zayas echoed Acomb’s thoughts about traffic and parking, etc. Roberto reiterated that the next 12 months will be the time to answer all questions and do some vital planning for the High School Plan.
Acomb also asked if TDA will also assist with looking for alternative locations and if there is any property available. Roberto said yes, they will assist in this matter. Early on, Craddock Elementary was ruled out because it would be too small. TDA will develop a rendering so that the community can review and understand the project.
Zayas noted that he would like to see more buy-in from the city, and Roberto agreed.
Treasurer’s Report and Recommendations
Treasurer Bill Volosin began his report to the school board.
Resolution to Approve Financial Statements and Reports: Exhibit D-1
– Volosin noted that expenditures exceeded revenue by $2.7 million, which decreased General Fund cash balance to a little under $17 million.
– Received the property tax allocation from Summit County.
– Expenses are in line with projections.
Motion requested to accept Exhibit D-1; moved and seconded; accepted via roll call.
Resolution of Necessity for the Question of Levying an Additional Tax: Exhibit D-2
– This resolution is one of two which are needed to add a levy to the ballot.
– This resolution will be forwarded to the Portage County auditor, who will determine what a 5.9-mill operating levy will raise.
– At a later board meeting, another resolution will be presented to actually put the levy on the November ballot, which needs four affirmative votes to move forward.
Motion requested to accept Exhibit D-2; moved and seconded; accepted via roll call.
Resolution to Approve Final Appropriations: Exhibit D-3
– Final appropriation for this fiscal year.
Motion requested to accept Exhibit D-3; moved and seconded; accepted via roll call.
Resolution to Approve Permanent Appropriations: Exhibit D-4
– Appropriations for next year.
– General Fund is set with what is in the five-year forecast.
Motion requested to accept Exhibit D-4; moved and seconded; accepted via roll call.
Resolution to Approve Then and Now: Exhibit D-5
– Then and Now Statement for a previous purchase order for nutrition services.
– Need a board approval for anything over $3,000.
Motion requested to accept Exhibit D-5; moved and seconded; accepted via roll call.
Resolution to Approve Transfers and Advances: Exhibit D-6
– Transfer $40,000 into the Athletic Fund.
– Transfer $30,000 from general P.I. into Turf Replacement Fund.
– Both of these transfers are usual and customary at this time of year.
– The treasurer noted other transfers on Exhibit D-6, but didn’t go into detail with each one.
Motion requested to accept Exhibit D-6; moved and seconded; accepted via roll call.
New Business
The board then moved through this list of action items with little or no discussion. Each had a motion requested, made and seconded. Each item was also unanimously accepted via roll call:
– Resolution to Accept Gifts and Contributions
– Resolution to Approve Staff Resignations and Recommendations
– Resolution to Accept Resignations
– Resolution to Award Supplementals (District Personnel)
– Resolution to Award Supplemental/Pupil Activity Contracts
– Resolution to Employ Support Staff Substitutes for 2022-23
– Resolution to Employ Support Staff Substitutes for 2023-24
– Resolution to Employ Specialists for 2023-24
– Resolution to Award Teachers One-Year Contracts
– Resolution to Award Summer Supplemental Contracts
– Resolution to Approve Introductory Appointment Support Staff
– Resolution to Award Supplementals (District Personnel)
– Resolution to Award Supplemental/Pupil Activity Contracts (Non-District Personnel)
– Resolution to Approve New Policy Crowdfunding
– Resolution to Approve Waiving Career Tech for grades
– Resolution to Approve Renewal of Food Service Contract
– Resolution to Approve Purchase of Tyler Drive Software-Related Equipment
– Resolution to Accept Bids and Award Contract for Harmon Middle School Chiller Replacement
Discussion Items
A short discussion took place about the start-up of a lacrosse club. Roberto fielded questions from the board about the process of creating a club. The club has not been officially denied or accepted, but he anticipates the club to submit the forms when an advisor is chosen, etc. The club is considered a “pilot” for one year and then will move to club status.
Meeting adjourned.
