Kent City School District Board of Education meeting
April 15
6 p.m.
The Kent City School District Board of Education meeting was held on April 15 in the new Career Technical Education (CTE) space at Theodore Roosevelt High School.
In attendance were BOE Vice President Alicia R. Crowe and board members Colin Boyle and David Myers. Board President Tiera Moore missed the meeting due to illness. Superintendent Tom Larkin, Assistant Superintendent Justin Gates and Treasurer Debbie Krutz were also present.
The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Crowe, who presided over the meeting.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the minutes from the last meeting were approved and entered into the record. Gates then introduced all members of the board and school staff in attendance. He also thanked Roosevelt for hosting the meeting.
During open remarks, one resident in attendance offered a small cash donation for the high school Wall of Valor, which honors alumni who have served in the military. A second member of the community questioned the board as to if the district has been asked, and has in turn made, any changes to its DEI policies based on recent actions by the Trump administration.
Larkin said the Department of Education has asked schools to review a “list of materials.” Larkin stated that they “have no choice but to be compliant without jeopardizing millions in funding.” He added that regardless of what material changes have been made, “you can’t change the hearts of the people in our schools. How we treat one another.”
The resident stated that he was heartened to hear that Harvard had taken a stand against these requests and suggested that “it will take a mass effort, from schools of all sizes, to rebel against these demands.”
Following this discussion, Krutz offered a financial report. The report consisted of three smaller reports. The first regarded cash on hand, which is currently $221,000. The second was an update on tax revenues, which has slightly exceeded estimates. The third report was focused on expenditures. The district has allotted 72.1% of its current yearly budget, which is on par with where they were at this time last year. The financial report was unanimously approved.
Next, Larkin offered his Superintendent Report. Many in attendance were wearing purple as part of the district’s initiative to show support for military families. Larkin reported he presented 26 students with certificates recognizing the “sacrifice of their military family members.”
Larkin next introduced two Roosevelt seniors, Sloane Crookston and Katelyn Gumm. They spoke about their involvement in the DECA program at the high school. The students facilitated three major events in an effort to shine a spotlight on the benefits of a career in skilled and trade labor. They organized Touch-a-Truck, facilitated a career fair and spoke to over 100 7th and 8th graders. In two weeks, they will be travelling to Orlando to participate in the DECA International competition.
Roosevelt Principal Dennis Love and CTE educators took some time to discuss the purpose, importance, goals and functional needs that went into the planning and construction of the new CTE space. The district was one of only 35 in the state that received a state-funded grant to expand its CTE programs.
The CTE team works with a business advisory committee. Current enrollment in the CTE program is 18. Next year, there will be 22 students. The program is set for a max of 25.
On April 24, a ribbon-cutting for the space and a reception will be held. The public is welcome to attend.
Anthony Horton provided board members with recommended personnel appointments, transfers, leaves of absences, resignations, retirements, nonrenewable contracts and appointments. All were approved unanimously without comment.
School administrators asked board members to consider new psychology materials for use, starting with the 2025/2026 school year. Approval for this review was unanimously granted.
Krutz then asked the board to consider a number of financial matters. Those included authorization to participate in state and federal financial programs for fiscal year 2026 and for the board to approve a temporary reallocation of funds in the amount of $404,775 from the general fund to the PI fund. This advance is pending the release of funds totalling over $500,000 following the end of the school year. These requests were approved unanimously.
Gates asked the board for approval to move forward with acquisition of new AP History materials, which had previously been reviewed. This request was approved unanimously.
The board then unanimously approved a number of contracts, policies and agreements. Those included:
- A job description for a K-5 Instructional Coach position that will be new in 2025/2026.
- A change to the student code of conduct that includes new driving and parking violations.
- The continuation of agreements for nursing services, student transportation for students who are taken out of the district, and with St. Pat’s for service sharing.
- An agreement with the Kent Parks and Recreation Department to hold a summer camp at Davey.
- To adopt 13 OSBA policy updates.
A discussion on a “Declaration of Collective Intent with the Kent Safety Town” was tabled for the May meeting.
Larkin requested that the board approve a revised 2025/2026 school calendar that would move a teacher workday from June 4 to June 3. The board approved this change.
Unanimous approval was also given to the DECA team to take an out-of-state trip to Orlando and to the Athletic Fitness class to visit Slippery Rock University.
As the last order of business, Larkin thanked the 30 individual donors who made a financial contribution to the school in the last 30 days.
The meeting was adjourned promptly at 7 p.m.
