Middletown City Board says ESSER funds received, approves transportation resolution and begins contract negotiations

The Middletown City Board of Education on Oct. 20 said it has received federal ESSER funds, approved a resolution declaring student transportation "impractical" for the current term and heard an initial timeline for collective-bargaining talks with certified and classified employees.

Board Treasurer Randy Bertram told the board the long-awaited ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds "have been received in the bank" and that the district submitted a final expenditure report to ODC. "It was already spent," Bertram said of the expenditures covered by those funds.

The board also approved a routine consent agenda and, by a roll call vote, passed a resolution described on the agenda as declaring transportation impractical. Board members moved and seconded the items on voice/roll-call motions; the meeting record shows each motion carried.

Why it matters: ESSER funds are federal pandemic-related grants districts used for learning recovery, facilities and other pandemic-related costs; how those monies have been allocated can affect next year's budgets and program continuity. The transportation resolution and pending negotiations will affect student services and staffing in the coming school year.

Financial and facilities updates Treasurer Randy Bertram reported payroll spending is running slightly lower than last year because of early, preemptive cuts. "Payroll is actually coming in less than what it did last year. Not much, but a little bit less. So it's trending really good," Bertram said, adding that the five-year forecast will be reviewed at the next meeting. He said the maintenance and transportation facility work is "on time and on budget."

Negotiations timeline and staffing counts An unnamed district staff presenter reviewed the district's negotiations schedule, saying this is a negotiations year for both the teachers' union (MTA) and the classified employees' union (MCEA). The presenter said roughly 433 certified staff could belong to MTA and about 185 classified staff could belong to MCEA, and described a "contract clean up" phase to update language changed by grade-configuration shifts (for example, references moving from a K-5 to a K-6 configuration). The presenter said proposals are typically exchanged around February and that the parties usually meet in March with the goal of settling before the end of the school year.

Board direction and follow-up The board did not take final action on contract terms at the meeting but directed staff to continue gathering feedback from members of both unions. A board member noted ongoing interest in a bus garage project; the record shows that "Eric will be presenting next board meeting" on that project, indicating a staff update is scheduled for the next meeting.

Other items Board members offered condolences after the death of maintenance worker Johnny Thompson; the board said details of services would be shared when available. The board also recognized teacher Chris Pierce, an English language arts teacher at the high school, for state recognition. Routine personnel items on the consent agenda included several coaching hires and one student contract for Warren County ESC.

Votes at a glance - Approval of meeting agenda: motioned and seconded; approved by roll call. - Consent agenda (personnel, student contract, routine items): motioned and seconded; approved by roll call. - Resolution declaring transportation impractical: motioned and seconded; approved by roll call. - Motion to adjourn: motioned and seconded; approved.

The board did not provide detailed line-item allocations of the ESSER funds during this meeting; the treasurer said the district has submitted required federal reports to ODC and that remaining maintenance and transportation facility expenditures are being covered from current project funds.