[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6081888,"mediaKeyId","2941252-b295ed92a444cbff10084d502d9e6c6d","parentId",2941252,"title","Teachers'union and support staff unite to urge board to back Bond Issue 24","audioSeconds",128,"startMs",1741000,"endMs",1869000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941252-b295ed92a444cbff10084d502d9e6c6d&start=1741&end=1869","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941252-b295ed92a444cbff10084d502d9e6c6d/thumbnail_1741000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6081888/Groveport-Madison-Local/School-Districts/Ohio/Teachersunion-and-support-staff-unite-to-urge-board-to-back-Bond-Issue-24","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081888-01ab80cee6fdd62d9443357f9938ef01/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169264&Signature=C45K2-JvlENwshHkxWA2lZXVGt9FDZVXaYBA-gDsDQtGd2ymcBaPI1gBJh5NdvhTM3njBM9jZ4eqfyZGWOuJx9TT7Oo5uAmR5lUCwORyrzPEApLC6I~box11OijhrXd6EZS0AJanPQ-oOH~EInUD1EKC8aQ47SCeAaE-O8cZJZ2OmCevhbq~MBGLom61aQgrR9SIBfS09CDUc7A0Kq9k53PHHxSFjV-HOezh7kpzo4uj-Vz-5IIAfI6cIcaYyS0MDmGyoOzI1r~DJ9opeB1D8VMRRx72QPV~zugfzy44-xzxwko4HQsO9pxNzQaOuNjFSE6QPIyRXcCIxz9UYHDdgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Groveport Madison School District","date","2025-04-10T07:21:29.48Z","article","During the public-participation portion of the meeting Joy Bach spoke on behalf of the Groveport Madison Local Education Association (GMLEA) and the Office Personnel Council (OPC), urging the board and community to support Bond Issue 24.

Bach identified GMLEA as 452 members strong and said OPC has almost 200 members, together representing the majority of district staff by headcount in a district the speaker described as \"roughly about 800 and some employees.\" She said both organizations had \"come together unanimously to support this bond issue\" and asked the board and the broader community to set aside differences and vote yes on May 6.

\"We need to bring our buildings up to modern day standards, safety, and security reasons,\" Bach said, listing neighboring districts as examples of communities with more modern facilities. She urged the board to publicly support the bond and invited trustees to attend union events.

No board action on the bond was recorded during the meeting; the comments were part of the public-comment period.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 8, 2025 - Regular Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives of GMLEA (teachers union) and OPC (support staff) told the board they are jointly urging trustees and the community to support Bond Issue 24 on May 6, citing building safety and equity concerns.","taxTitle","Groveport Madison Local, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",38525,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081893,"Board discusses driver shortage, contract extension and status of district-owned band bus; legal counsel requested",694,7907000,8601000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941252-b295ed92a444cbff10084d502d9e6c6d&start=7907&end=8601","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941252-b295ed92a444cbff10084d502d9e6c6d/thumbnail_7907000.jpg","/articles/6081893/Groveport-Madison-Local/School-Districts/Ohio/Board-discusses-driver-shortage-contract-extension-and-status-of-district-owned-band-bus-legal-counsel-requested","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081893-367b8d6688bde2ad8c55c55f9e392a6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169264&Signature=Mf4G60g03hL6Tv2puoDp-dXRFUuE20DF0H67u3cPCpI5yT~HfXeFgC9eycVukrfhpU7gTlx-0FFfA8yGVuz5VvCklOvBHvJJtdStvA11GD-Bu4lK5R5AEQZ--c0KjBxpFhXbGQ9EmQN0e3bgR5Nb0JuSLLiwgUshoQsVAm6TZL5sQxeE0eeLZoUpLaIOBNMjKEk11PJluxd5NNQCbioPR~58aeym19h2tJIztsunQziEblZ~ANyRRkd-8nRPY1bAbLD6LtEWfd3dBdmLVAFQTxHwwMpSfMF8xrt4ZkRVDgIsoO7lJfEJ-ogtZXDdyJkj5EDQBCmq0EWdYpZ9w7sLIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board received an update from transportation staff: the district is down roughly 10 drivers, has about five drivers in the pipeline, and is negotiating a contract-extension addendum with its transportation vendor.

Staff said driver recruitment remains challenging across districts as other local employers raise hourly rates; the district is participating in state and regional organizations (OAPT) and preparing route-book updates and driver appreciation events. Staff reported several special trips and the end-of-year picnic are scheduled.

Board members asked about a single district-owned bus that staff said cannot pass State Highway Patrol inspection for transporting students. Staff described that bus as being intended for equipment-only use by the band boosters (drums and large instruments) and said they are awaiting attorney guidance on whether the district can gift, sell or lease the bus to boosters or to the district's Education Trust. Trustees raised liability and title-transfer concerns and asked for a legal opinion on whether the district retains any continuing liability if the bus is transferred and used only for equipment.

The board also heard repeated requests from music staff during the meeting about potential transportation subsidies for trips and asked staff to examine options.

","District staff reported a shortfall of bus drivers and said negotiations on a contract-extension addendum with the vendor remain ongoing. Trustees questioned whether a district-owned bus that cannot pass inspection should be gifted or sold to boosters; staff said they will seek legal guidance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081898,"Board hears multi-hour music program presentation; directors report recruitment gains, staffing and scheduling concerns",2355,4821000,7176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941252-b295ed92a444cbff10084d502d9e6c6d&start=4821&end=7176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941252-b295ed92a444cbff10084d502d9e6c6d/thumbnail_4821000.jpg","/articles/6081898/Groveport-Madison-Local/School-Districts/Ohio/Board-hears-multi-hour-music-program-presentation-directors-report-recruitment-gains-staffing-and-scheduling-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081898-f7e06b42d9a705cee6ba8b8ab0c0c0b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169264&Signature=Ua8KRQm3~w8Gmjx455-SmNn6iYQnhRr5hTgBS5lFTpDOcKwl~GvuQgu7ZYwZvtiT2Z~9TJpQRgtkD5cn2cgojFxghrvaOGrtwMqarG81JDdlSo9FUuDHNYIJt~4Q5SJB7sg70r6H2ZWo8WI~dcKVcTqupjGwmUCJisoSeYra0zT5IlpCUCuALLd8nur50Ad~q9nvtPc5Q~SFqX3yJrZfclkPs5lj1IZGh96qgYEp5MOi0H7lSYe3YTv~Esg~QsGzwiZzY3krSXso2ZFgofKtd4FDFdWsUZUhNocVeefKY0kBvRSTeeeTg9RaPJQxLmMtZ8V~wHXI0BTF31dx4u8EkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Directors from Groveport Madison's band and choir programs presented an extended update to the board on recruitment, retention, scheduling and program needs, citing measurable growth alongside staffing and scheduling challenges.

\"We decided to bring the fittings to them,\" Katie Harmon and other band staff said, describing a change in recruitment that took instrument \"fittings\" into elementary schools and improved sign-ups. Staff reported the program typically started about 90 students and that this year they saw roughly a 20-student increase in sign-ups (from ~90 to about 110'120), with a stated retention rate of about 90% for students who begin band in sixth grade through eighth grade.

Directors and staff said block scheduling at middle schools reduces students' ability to take a second elective and can depress participation. Presenters proposed several mitigation strategies: a traveling or co-teaching model, splitting sixth-grade band into woodwind/brass/percussion classes, need-based blocks or shortening periods to allow another class. They also asked for district help subsidizing bus costs for off-campus trips that provide enrichment (Kings Island, Ohio State performances, honor bands, adjudications).

At the high school, presenters said band enrollment rose from 72 to 86 in the previous year (a 19.4% increase) and that bridging students from middle to high school remains a challenge when students sign up on schedules but do not show for summer rehearsals. High-school staff recommended stronger \"bridge\" activities, pep-band inclusion for eighth graders, and more course offerings (jazz band, band methods, music fundamentals) to grow interest and pathways to music careers.

The band presenters requested adding a full-time assistant band director at the high school to allow more sectional instruction and to improve collaboration with middle schools; staff said the district is \"in a process of looking into\" adding an assistant. Directors also described successful extracurricular ensembles (collision/percussion) and noted percussion instruction continues.

Choir directors reported 76 high-school choir students across three ensembles (one non-audition group plus auditioned ensembles), about a 45% returning-student rate and active middle-school recruitment tours to fifth-grade classes. Choir leaders asked the board to consider semester-based scheduling to increase flexibility for students who cannot take yearlong music classes.

Board response and follow-up

Trustees praised the presenters and asked staff to follow up on recommendations. One trustee suggested engaging regional experts to help recruit and identify candidates should the district seek a new assistant band director. Several trustees emphasized the social and retention value of music programs and encouraged the district to consider targeted funding from the Education Trust for band and athletic support.

","Band and choir directors told the board they increased middle-school recruitment, sustained high retention, and face constraints from block schedules, bus costs and limited staffing. Directors asked for district follow-up on scheduling, busing support and an assistant band director at the high school.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081903,"Board approves series of recognition resolutions, facility contracts and equipment purchases; multiple personnel items passed",4980,1620000,6600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941252-b295ed92a444cbff10084d502d9e6c6d&start=1620&end=6600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941252-b295ed92a444cbff10084d502d9e6c6d/thumbnail_1620000.jpg","/articles/6081903/Groveport-Madison-Local/School-Districts/Ohio/Board-approves-series-of-recognition-resolutions-facility-contracts-and-equipment-purchases-multiple-personnel-items-passed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081903-16b1048de2e1ddd57d6cfa1dfc22d1c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169264&Signature=QxGy8iBEC~wpa7tc5~Jjjt5Dyy81BLxD-Hy9Mj5frpwT1CdldoeCnEpR9VNKEAcpFp6j2D-65TvixYTh9zXmzd577rbNKXiUmt3goB62IfaJlJODvoKcb7DNKqmAEakgP6w4XShPOMY4e9G9lO853av9ZNhPSNL0MTapqDM3-ComjrnqMfJU58KMjP6zniqXUctaFqRnkJe0qTSfkp47oNglPc05CPoDC3aP60PeQnFAI0ktW~XvSOB1S4I5PQcoxyInz2uj5yzN-~OCV8kgBSZ4uF-xRkVmVuiDdYz7Ys1oMu-9PCEYh8oevN4pnj7OzKwdATVn6fpsP4kKq9yP7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Groveport Madison Local Board of Education approved multiple resolutions, personnel appointments and contracts at its April meeting, and heard extended presentations on the district's music programs.

The board voted on a slate of ceremonial resolutions recognizing heritage and awareness months, authorized purchases of student devices, and approved contracts for pavement work and new playground equipment, fencing and mulch. Members also approved routine minutes and personnel items, a high school summer-school job description, and extracurricular trips.

Several trustees raised procurement and legal questions during debate over the pavement and playground contracts and the future status of a district-owned bus used for band equipment. Trustees asked staff to get additional legal guidance about gifting or selling district property and about the contract process used for the two facility projects.

Votes at a glance

- Adoption of the meeting agenda: motion passed by roll call (aye votes recorded). Motion mover: Mrs. Grama; second: Mrs. Doudleberger. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution recognizing National Women's History Month and Irish American Heritage Month: approved by roll call. Mover: motion recorded from superintendent recommendation; outcome: approved.

- Resolutions recognizing April 2025 as Autism Acceptance Month, Arab American Heritage Month, Community Service Month, National Deaf History Month, and Month of the Military Child: approved by roll call as a package. Outcome: approved.

- Education Trust fundraising (golf outing) and related expenditures (June 13, 2025): approved. Mover: Mrs. Grama; second: Mrs. Doudleberger. Outcome: approved.

- Chromebook purchase (500 student Chromebooks and 350 stacked Chromebooks): approved after staff said multiple vendor quotes were solicited. Outcome: approved by roll call (majority aye; one noted dissent on later items where recorded).

- Minutes approvals: the board approved several meeting minutes (Student Advisory Council, Parent Advisory Committee, March records committee and regular board minutes, March 17 special meeting minutes). Some trustees asked for more accuracy and editorial corrections to minutes; one trustee abstained on a Student Advisory Council minutes vote.

- Payment in lieu of transportation (authorizing offering reimbursement where transporting students is impractical): approved. Staff cited Ohio law authorizing payment in lieu of transportation and said specific student names are included in an executive attachment.

- Certificated and noncertificated personnel recommendations (standard hires and separations): approved by roll call. Many entries were annotated as \"pending licensure/background checks\" where applicable.

- Eighth-grade band trip to Kings Island: approved.

- High school summer-school teacher and coordinator job descriptions (credit recovery/online delivery with on-site testing): approved.

- Resolution authorizing pavement contract (design-build/cooperative procurement via Prodigy): approved by roll call (several trustees voiced concern about using a coop instead of local public bid; recorded split vote: three ayes, two nos).

- Resolution authorizing contract for playground equipment, fencing and mulch (approx. $491,000): approved by roll call; some trustees expressed concern about using a coop and a design-build route rather than local general-contractor bids (recorded split vote: three ayes, two nos).

What it means

These votes advance the district's short-term capital work (pavement and playground projects), add devices to the student device fleet, and confirm routine personnel and program actions. Trustees flagged procurement process questions that staff said they will answer and that the board will monitor before awarding work or finalizing contracts.

The board also requested legal guidance on whether a district-owned bus that currently cannot pass State Highway Patrol inspections should be transferred to boosters, sold, leased, or otherwise removed from district fleet list; staff said they are awaiting counsel's guidance.

Ending

Staff confirmed several follow-ups: (1) legal counsel will be asked to clarify the district's options for the nonoperational bus and for cooperative procurement; (2) staff will provide more detail about device warranty/accidental-damage protection for the Chromebook purchase; and (3) trustees asked the superintendent and treasurer to present the five-year forecast at the May meeting.

","At its April meeting the Groveport Madison Local Board of Education approved a package of ceremonial resolutions, approved district purchases and two facilities contracts, and took routine personnel and program votes. Several board members questioned procurement and legal arrangements on two facilities/transportation items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Teachers'union and support staff unite to urge board to back Bond Issue 24

Board discusses driver shortage, contract extension and status of district-owned band bus; legal counsel requested

Board hears multi-hour music program presentation; directors report recruitment gains, staffing and scheduling concerns

Board approves series of recognition resolutions, facility contracts and equipment purchases; multiple personnel items passed