Cuyahoga Falls board approves agenda, hiring, contracts and multiple policy adoptions; security cameras approved 4-1

The Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education on April 9 approved routine agenda and consent items, confirmed personnel appointments, and adopted several board policies required by state or administrative changes. The meeting also included a contested vote on installation of security cameras at the new operations parking lot, which passed 4-1.

Key actions

- The board approved the meeting agenda (roll call: 5-0).

- The treasurer was authorized to have Mister Gomez serve as treasurer pro tempore for the meeting (vote 5-0).

- A treasurer/CFO consent agenda (minutes, donations, amended appropriations, and a contract to perform an arbitrage rebate calculation related to 2021 tax-exempt bonds) was approved (vote 5-0). The board heard an explanation of the arbitrage rebate calculation requirement under IRS rules and that Quasi Public Finance will perform the calculation.

- The superintendent—s consent agenda passed (vote 5-0). Items included routine personnel actions, a recommendation to hire a school psychologist, renewal of translation services, and professional-development contracts for literacy and math.

- The board adopted the Cuyahoga Falls Preschool handbook for the 2025-26 school year (vote 5-0).

- The board approved a contract with S3 Technologies to install two security cameras for the new operations parking lot (vote 4-1). Board discussion centered on cost, vendor quotes, timing and whether a single-camera option would be more budget prudent; Mister Gomez voted no.

- The board approved a service agreement with S3 Technologies (security) and engaged Dandy & Associates for environmental inspection and long-term record management for facilities abatement work.

- The board adopted multiple policies and a resolution to adopt a model policy for IGP as required; those adoptions were approved by roll call votes (see "Votes at a glance").

Votes at a glance

- Approve meeting agenda — Approved, roll call 5-0. - Treasurer pro tempore (Mister Gomez) — Approved, roll call 5-0. - Treasurer/CFO consent agenda (includes arbitrage rebate services contract) — Approved, roll call 5-0. - Superintendent/CEO consent agenda (personnel, contracts, school psychologist hire Isabella "Bella" Warner) — Approved, roll call 5-0. - Cuyahoga Falls Preschool handbook (2025-26) — Approved, roll call 5-0. - Contract with S3 Technologies for two security cameras (operations parking lot) — Approved, roll call 4-1 (Mister Gomez voted no). - Dandy & Associates inspection and records management agreement — Approved (roll call recorded as part of superintendent consent items). - Resolution to adopt model policy IGP and multiple policy adoptions across sections B, D, E, G, I, J, K — Approved by roll call (votes recorded in meeting; several required policy updates were described as mandated by law).

Speakers and staff cited several operational details during the meeting: the arbitrage calculation was described as required under IRS rules because bond proceeds were invested after the 2021 issuance; the higher-quality cameras proposed were chosen for their longer focal length to monitor the new lot; Dandy & Associates will perform an initial environmental inspection of the new administrative office and maintain electronic records for audits. The athletic and arts recognitions and community events were presented earlier in the meeting and are not part of the action votes.

Next steps and implementation

- Administration will proceed with the S3 Technologies installation and with Dandy & Associates inspections and records work.

- The policy adoptions will be transmitted to the district—s policy vendor for incorporation; administration said several were statutory and required immediate adoption.

Ending

Board members said they would continue regular oversight of contracts and personnel items while the policy committee and legal counsel address the suspended AEA policy at the next meeting.