The Lake County School Board on Aug. 11 unanimously approved a motion delegating authority to Superintendent Kornigy to sign the agreements attached to agenda item 10‑O‑3 for a tuition‑assistance program and to execute a memorandum of understanding with the union to ensure consistency with the collective bargaining agreement, the board attorney recommended.

Board attorney Michael Cole told the board the item includes three agreements, two of which “will require signatures for every participant in the program,” and asked that the board delegate signature authority so the documents would not need to return to the board each time multiple participants enroll. “I would recommend a motion to delegate authority to the superintendent to sign the agreements attached to, item 10‑O‑3 and to sign an agreed upon MOU with the union, for the same purpose,” Cole said.

Board Member Thais moved the recommendation; Board Member Dodd seconded. The motion was amended on the floor to read “superintendent or her designee.” The board then voted 5‑0 to approve the delegation as amended.

Supporters on the board described the program as an investment in teacher development. “The greatest gift that our teachers can give to a child is to be lifelong learners,” Board Member Mathias said, describing his own return to graduate school as an example of personal and professional benefit. No changes to the program details, funding sources or participant eligibility were adopted at the meeting; the board’s action was limited to delegating signature authority for the agreements and the MOU.

The item that passed (agenda item 10‑O‑3) will now be executed by the superintendent or her designee as authorized; board members did not request additional documents or conditions before the superintendent signs the agreements and MOU.

Background: The agreements and the MOU were presented to the board as part of the consent‑adjacent items. The board attorney said the MOU is intended to make the tuition‑assistance program “consistent with the CBA” before it is implemented.